AWAT1927

Austin-Sparks.
Net - AWAT Volume 5 - Searchable

JANUARY,
1927
Vol
5,
Nc
WITNESS.
TESTIMONY
A N D
ns from
T H E HONOR O A K C H R I S T I A N F E L L O W S H I P C E N T R E ,
Honor Oak Road, London, S.E.23.
Meetings for S p i r i t u a l Edification, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
S U N D A Y S : 1 1 a.m. and i\M) p.m.
MONDAYS : 8 ( P r a y e r M e e t i n g ) .
,..
jMimstcrs:
All
WKD.NKSIIAYS : S ( B i h l c School).
S A T U R D A Y S : 7 . 3 0 (Prayer Meeting).
T . AUSTIN--SPANKS
.
I . IMAIHIC JKI'I-'KKVS
p a r t i c u l a r s m a y he obtained From M r . C. PATKNSON, '17 T i n t a i * c l Crescen

L o n d o n . S . E / 2 2 . t h e S e c r e t a r y of t h e " F e l l o w s h i p "
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1 "73

2
A WITNESS
MINISTER'S
LETTER
January,
BELOVED
or
AND A
1927.
THE LORD,
I s n o t t h e L o r d H i m s e l f o u r L i g h t a n d our
S a l v a t i o n , a n d t h e v e r y S t r e n g t h of our l i f e ?
W h o m s h a l l w e fear, a n d of w h a t shall we be
a f r a i d ? H i s might is ours. T h i n k of i t ! I f
God be t h u s f o r us, l e t us measure t h e t h i n g
t h a t can be against us : " He u t t e r e d H i s voice :
t h e e a r t h m e l t e d . " N o t h i n g can s t a n d before
t h e confession of o u r G o d . H i s Voice is h e a r d
i n t h e h e a r t - t e s t i m o n y of t h e weakest s a i n t ,
f o r none can say, Jesus is L o r d ! " b u t b y t h e
H o l y Ghost. I t is therefore t h e H o l y S p i r i t
t h a t t h e n speaks. T h i s is *' T h e T e s t i m o n y of
Jesus " before w h i c h S a t a n is o v e r t h r o w n .
A n d t h e S t r e n g t h is within:
" I in y o u " J
H e s h a l l be in y o u . I t was t h i s i n d w e l l i n g
of G o d b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t t h a t enabled P a u l
t o s p i r i t u a l l y boast, " I c a n do a l l t h i n g s
t h r o u g h C h r i s t W h o in-strengtheneth me ! "
H i s m i n i s t r y also waB a c c o r d i n g t o t h e inw o r k i n g of t h i s S t r e n g t h : " according t o H i s
power w h i c h w o r k e t h i n m e m i g h t i l y . " T h e
resources of G o d t h e r e f o r e w a i t a t t h e heart of
those w h o dare believe.
S t r e n g t h was w o n t t o come o u t of Z i o n , f r o m
t h e s a n c t u a r y . T h e r e t h e g l o r y of t h e L o r d
was revealed : " 0 T h o u , W h o dwellest between
the c h e r u b i m , shine f o r t h ! "
B u t n o w i t is
as f r o m w i t h i n t h e s p i r i t of H i s o w n redeemed,
w h o m H e h a t h chosen f o r H i s h a b i t a t i o n ,
w o u l d God r e v e a l H i m s e l f ; a n d s t r e n g t h , a u t h o r i t y , a n d p o w e r are w i t h i n t h e believing
h e a r t , as we open i t o n t h e h e a v e n w a r d side t o
H i m W h o m o u r soul l o v e t h . T h e resources of
heaven w a i t a t t h y d o o r , b e l i e v i n g c h i l d of G o d !
So i n t h e darkness, here is t h e L i g h t , f o r i t is
the l i g h t of a n i n d w e l l i n g L i f e according t o H i s
promise : " H e t h a t f o l l o w e t h M e , s h a l l n o t w a l k
i n darkness ; b u t s h a l l have t h e l i g h t of L i f e . "
A n d , again, i n o u r weakness (so r e a d i l y
acknowledged^ L o r d !) here i s our S t r e n g t h .
T h e v e r y M i g h t of G o d is i n these feeble b u t
believing hearts. W e w i l l n o t be i n t i m i d a t e d
' b y a l l t h e w r a t h a n d f u r y of t h e adversary ;
n e i t h e r are w e dismayed b y t h e palpable i n effectiveness of o u r o w n resources, f o r H e W h o
is stronger t h a n t h e s t r o n g , lias come i n t o
abide w i t h us." Our weakness b u t affords a
richer o p p o r t u n i t y f o r God's grace, and t h e
occasion s h a l l enhance H i s g l o r y .
T h e key-stronghold t o a l l t h e l a n d of promise,
J e r i c h o , collapses t o t h e mere shout of a
TESTIMONY
patient b u t proclaiming faith. B u t your faith

m u s t have a voice. Say i t ! L e t t h e redeemed
of t h e L o r d say so ! J t is t h e " utterance " of
f a i t h t h a t stands t o t h e faithfulness of a
covenant-keeping G o d (and w h a t assurance has
H e n o t g i v e n i n t h e b l o o d of t h e Cross ? ) t h a t
t u r n s t h e b a t t l e a t t h e gate.
So we h a v e p r o v e d it throughout this past year,
whether in l i g h t or s h a d o w , a n d pass the testimony
on t h a t the N e w Y e a r m a y be faced w i t h courage.
W h o can t e l l w h a t it m a y bring forth ?
But
for us who d a r e believe i t m u s t , and s h a l l , bring
forth the glory of G o d .
41
MINISTRY
THE
AND F E L L O W S H I P
W E L L , t h e L o r d has raised o u r " beloved " ;

and onoe a g a i n t h e r e is a feast of love where
the j o y of t h i s r e s u r r e c t i o n is shared. I t w o u l d
be idle t o t r y t o p u t i n t o w o r d s t h e g r a t i t u d e
of our hearts. T h i s sickness has indeed been
t o t h e g l o r y of G o d . I t has caused us t o cast
ourselves u p o n H i m , a n d t h u s t o p r o v e H i m ,
as never before. T h r o u g h o u t t h e first strenuous
f o r t n i g h t , w h e n h u m a n resources seemed so
precarious a n d were c o n t i n u a l l y t h r e a t e n i n g t o
collapse, w e were t h r o w n again a n d again upon
prayer as t h e L o r d ' s w a y of coming i n t o
t h e s i t u a t i o n . N o t t h a t w e are u n m i n d f u l of
medical s k i l l a n d d e v o t e d n u r s i n g ! W e should
be s i n g u l a r l y c h u r l i s h were we t o f a i l i n our
recognition of these D i v i n e l y p e r m i t t e d ministries. B u t i t was n o t these me ns only t h a t
b r o u g h t o u r b r o t h e r t h r o u g h . There lias been
a r e a d y admission f r o m those directions t h a t
t h e case is a m i r a c l e . " D o we n o t know i t ?
F o r whenever t h e s i t u a t i o n became more
ominous t h e H o l y S p i r i t energized a n d stirred
us u p t o t a k e h o l d ot* those D i v i n e resources of
life w h i c h H e seeks t o m i n i s t e r i n t h e fellowship
of t h e B o d y of C h r i s t , a n d t h e r e was always
an i m m e d i a t e response. I t has been t h r o u g h o u t a w o n d e r f u l d e m o n s t r a t i o n of t h i s law of
the S p i r i t of L i f e i n the C h r i s t , v i z . , t h a t we
minister t o one another as members of H m B o d y
i n a H o l y Ghost prayer-life. M a y the lesson
of these tense weeks lead us on t o exercise this
m i n i s t r y i n a l l t h e ranges of i t * poHxihility fur
the church of the l i v i n g C u d i n a l l the world.
41
Our b r o t h e r w i l l need y e t a Jong HVOMOII of

quietness and rest, b u t his m i n i s t r y in the S p i r i t
w i l l be v e r y valuable t o us at the (Viit-rp.
j
I
j
]
A WITNESS AND A TESTIMONY

of these, as we continue t o w a i t u p o n G o d , t h a t
we arc e x p e c t a n t .
I t is e v i d e n t t h a t our
present f e l l o w s h i p m u s t be based u p o n a
j wholehearted acceptance, on t h e p a r t of those
j w h o have f o l l o w e d us, of t h e v i t a l s p i r i t u a l
I principles w h i c h o u r " T e s t i m o n y " affirms.
; There has been d e m o n s t r a t e d a w o n d e r f u l
! l o y a l t y t o t h e s p i r i t u a l leadership a n d m i n i s t r y .
! D u r i n g these m o n t h s of t r a n s i t i o n t h e responj s i b i l i t y f o r p r a c t i c a l d i r e c t i o n devolved u p o n
M I N I S T R Y . O f the m a n y calls to service this | such as were w h o l l y d e v o t e d t o t h e v i s i o n t h e
W e believe
past m o n t h w e should record t h a t a t Newcastle I L o r d h a d g i v e n t o t h e pastors.
B u t some h a d t o take
and Colchester the L o r d ' s Presence w a s manifested, j t h i s is blessedly shared.
and the W o r d of G o d was richly blessed.
At
t h e necessary* steps t o ensure t h e c o n t i n u i t y
Newcastle the W i t n e s s a n d T e s t i m o n y " Conferof t h e m i n i s t r y a n d t e s t i m o n y of t h e fellowship
ences are being held the t h i r d F r i d a y in each m o n t h . , as gathered together i n t h i s l o c a l i t y . I n t h i s
T H E J A N U A R Y C O N F E R E N C E . A S predicted, j matter onr brothers Paterson, B o n d , T a y l o r
t h e L o r d m a d e t h i s a t i m e of decision a n d i a n d Alexander h a v e co-operated w i t h us i n
a c t i o n w i t h r e g a r d t o these l o n g foreseen j assuming a joint-trusteeship of t h e " H o n o r
developments. T h e T h e m e , " T h e t e s t i m o n y i Oak C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p C e n t r e , " recognising
of Jesus,'' r e a l l y gathered a r o u n d these p r a c t i c a l j t h a t thiB i n v o l v e d a s p i r i t u a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y .
W e believe t h a t t h e * F e l l o w s h i p " generally
m a t t e r s ; b u t we shall ever remember t h e bJ essed
recognises thiB as being of G o d , a n d there has
way i n w h i c h t h e L o r d b r o u g h t o u r b r o t h e r ,
been a spontaneous response a n d acceptance
M r . A . S. C r o w e , of t h e K u r k u a n d Central
|
of t h e present p o s i t i o n : b u t where so m a n y
I n d i a n H i l l M i s s i o n , i n t o a rich t i d e of m i n i s t r y
i
are
r e a d y f o r service w e m a y expect t h e L o r d
i n t h e W o r d . T h e addresses o n S a t u r d a y and
t
o
raise
u p others i n aids, helps, governSunday evenings came fresh a n d l i v i n g f r o m t h e
|
ments
a
n
d
administrations.
These however
Throne, a n d there was a n o t h e r season of u n c t i o n
i
w
i
l
l
become
m
a
n
i
f
e
s
t
as
we
continue
inBtant i n
on M o n d a y a f t e r n o o n . I t is m o s t encouraging
p
r
a
y
e
r
.
W
e
h
a
v
e
been
s
t
r
i
p
p
e
d
of
every
form
t o us as G o d " comes i n " i n t h i s w a y .
Our
\
of
man-made
o
r
g
a
n
i
s
a
t
i
o
n
,
a
n
d
t
h
e
L
o
r
d has
b r o t h e r , M r . Pearson H a r r i s o n , was o n l y able
j
t
o
b
u
i
l
d
u
p
n
o
w
f
r
o
m
t
h
e
f
o
u
n
d
a
t
i
o
n
.
But
t o be w i t h us on t h e S a t u r d a y a f t e r n o o n , w h e n
!
t
h
e
F
o
u
n
d
a
t
i
o
n
'
stands
firm.
T
h
e
L
o
rd,
he was s u f f e r i n g f r o m i n d i s p o s i t i o n , b u t t h e
i
He
is
t
h
e
F
o
u
n
d
a
t
i
o
n
.
"
L o r d h a d H i s o w n p r o v i s i o n f o r us, a n d we give
|
And- a p a r t f r o m o u r regular t i m e s of m e e t i n g
H i m praise!
! we are l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o t h e o p p o r t u n i t y
T h e addresses of o u r b r o t h e r , M r . Crowe, I t h e f u l l y equipped H o s t e l w i l l a f f o r d of a more
were r e p o r t e d , a n d we g i v e t h e s u m m a r y of the or less continuous prayer-fellowship where those
first i n t h i s Issue.
w h o m t h e L o r d shall raise u p as intercessors
U p o n o u r o w n h e a r t was t h e b u r d e n of our | can deal w i t h t h e m a n y calls f o r a i d a n d de
r e l a t i o n as a f e l l o w s h i p t o " T h e t e s t i m o n y of ! liveranca (to be w r o u g h t o n l y t h r o u g h prayer*
Jesus," a n d , as i n t i m a t e d , t h i s headed u p t o i t h a t are c o n t i n u a l l y c o m i n g t o us f r o m a l l
t h e p r a c t i c a l m a t t e r of b u r present a c t u a l basis. | p a r t s of t h e w o r l d ,
TheBC are t h e weeks w h e n t h e o r d e r i n g a n d

a p p o i n t m e n t s of o u r " h o u s e " w i l l be t a k i n g
shape, a n d we are already p r a i s i n g our God f o r
H i s w i s d o m i n keeping o u r b r o t h e r a t home,
There w i l l be needed m u c h counsel of t h e L o r d ' s
Presence, as w e s h a l l be w a i t i n g u p o n H i m
together t h a t t h e m i n i s t r y a n d e q u i p m e n t of
t h e H o s t e l , T r a i n i n g Centre, a n d t h e developm e n t of service i n t h e F e l l o w s h i p , shall be
according t o H i s p a t t e r n .
44
44
44
I t was necessary t o m a k e
i t clear t h a t w i t h o u r r e m o v a l f r o m t h e f o r m e r
premises we h a d come o u t u p o n t h e clear basis
of a f e l l o w s h i p i n t h e S p i r i t t h r o u g h t h e
redeeming grace of our God i n t h e Christ,
c r u c i f i e d . A l l o r g a n i s a t i o n , as such, has been
l e f t b e h i n d . T h e old church membership r o l l
has ceased t o e x i s t , a n d a l l t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n
w h i c h depended u p o n t h a t system of " c h u r c h
g o v e r n m e n t , " i n c l u d i n g the'deaconate, has i n
like manner concluded its t e r m .
B u t t h e r e w i l l be ordcrings of fellowship i n
l i f e a n d service a n d i t is f o r t h e coming f o r t h
T H E FELLOWSHIP.
i THE
HOSTEL.
W e have been l e d t o d e f i n i t e l y " c a l l " our

j sisters L a d y Ogle a n d M r s . B r a n d vU.S.A.l t o
! t h e m i n i s t r y of t a k i n g t h e oversight of t h i s
p a r t of our corporate service, and t h e y a*e
responding t o t h e " c a l l " as one t h a t t h e L o r d
; h a d already l a i d u p o n t h e i r hearts. W e t r u B t
| t h a t b o t h these s e r v a n t s of t h e L o r d " w i l l
', be w i t h UB b y t h e F e b r u a r y Conference.
We
are filled w i t h praiBe f o r God's bounteous p r o vision for t h s important ministry.
None
I could be more competent i n grace or g i f t s .
| T h e L o r d m a k e t h e m b o t h a w o r l d blessing.
!
44

A
WITNESS
AND A
T h e H o s t e l w i l l be a guest-bouse f o r servants
of G o d f r o m a l l p a r t s of t h e w o r l d w h o r e t u r n
f r o m strenuous labours a n d c o n f l i c t , needing
t h e rest a n d r e i n f o r c e m e n t we t r u s t t h e i r f e l l o w ship w i t h us w i l l p r o v i d e . T h e possibilities of
t h i s m i n i s t r y are v e r y g r e a t .
TESTIMONY
A PERSONAL L E T T E R
BELOVED I N T H E LORD,
T h e b u r d e n of indebtedness and g r a t i t u d e
has become so great t h a t I m u s t m a k e a n
' o u t l e t t h o u g h so i n a d e q u a t e b y t h i s brief
T R A I N I N G C E N T R E : T h e t i m e has c o m e f o r
: personal n o t e . F o r a l l t h e w o n d e r f u l kindness
a d e f i n i t e c o m m e n c i n g of t h i s w o r k . A l r e a d y
; shown i n so m a n y ways d u r i n g t h i s t i m e of
there are several a p p l i c a n t s w a i t i n g f o r t h i s
! sicknessboth i n s p i r i t u a l u p h o l d i n g and i n
announcement.
G o d has b r o u g h t i n t o our
l i f t i n g a l l t h e t e m p o r a l concern f r o m us b y
F e l l o w s h i p a sufficient n u m b e r of those " a p t
! so m a n y a n d generous g i f t s f o r a l l t h e tokens
t o teach " u n d e r H i s a n o i n t i n g , a n d we are able
| of t h o u g h t a n d care f r o m numerous friends
t o go r i g h t ahead. W e do n o t specify here a n y
near a n d f a r , I do tender a g r a t i t u d e w h i c h
details of o u r p r o s p e c t i v e course. W e m u s t obcan never be expressed i n w o r d s . T h i s t r u l y
t a i n a l l such m a t t e r f r o m t h e L o r d , b u t a l l w h o
is t h e Grace of G o d r e s t i n g u p o n y o u , for I
are interested i n t h i s " d e p a r t m e n t , " i f i t m a y
: a m the leaBt of a l l i n worthiness of t h i s great
be so t e r m e d , of o u r F e l l o w s h i p a n d M i n i s t r y
j kindness, I do t r u s t t h a t i n some w a y a
are requested t o w r i t e n o w t o
! m i n i s t r y enriched b y t h i s t i m e of going i n t o
t h e depths w i t h t h e L o r d w i l l w o r k out t o
M r . G. P A T E R S O N ,
! y o u r u p b u t t d i n g a n d blessing.
H o n o r O a k C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p Centre,
"Undoubtedly t h e r e was some v e r y great
H o n o r O a k R o a d , S.E.23.
purpose i n t h e m i n d of God i n t a k i n g one
PRESENT.
t h r o u g h t h i s , a n d I t h i n k m a n y of us here i n
W e rejoice a t t h e s e t t l e m e n t o f o u r dear b r o t h e r ,
t h e local fellowship are already able t o discern
t h e R e v . D o u g l a s W o o d , l a t e of M a t l o c k , i n our
something of t h i s .
M a y i t a l l be realised and
near v i c i n i t y . M r . W o o d has n o w a free i t i n e r n o t h i n g be l o s t . T h e t e s t i m o n y t o t h e Resura n t m i n i s t r y w i t h i n h i s o w n " c h u r c h , " b u t he
r e c t i o n iB g r e a t l y strengthened, a n d our witness
belongs t o t h a t One C h u r c h , w h i c h is H i s B o d y .
t o H i s L i f e as o u t of d e a t h is c o n f i r m e d . There
A n d t h e L o r d haB b r o u g h t his dear w i f e a n d
were e v i d e n t l y some t h i n g s w h i c h could n o t
himself i n t o close a n d affectionate f e l l o w s h i p
be b r o u g h t a b o u t i n a n y other w a y . a n d f o r
w i t h ourselves. W e are l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o a n t h e accomplishment of w h i c h t h e L o r d d i d n o t
increasing blessing as t h i s f r e e i n g of o u r b r o t h e r
esteem t h i s t o be t o o great a price. L o o k i n g
f o r t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n of t h e whole counsel of
back over i t a l l one is fascinated w i t h t h e m a n y
G o d becomes m o r e a n d m o r e m a n i f e s t .
revelations of t h e h o l d i n g of H i s h a n d . T h e
ABSENT.
f u l l s t o r y m a y or m a y never be t o l d , b u t one
feels t h a t , f o r t h e Bake of t h e " T e s t i m o n y " one
A n o t h e r s e r v a n t of God, w h o h a d also come
should r e c o r d t h a t , i n t h e i r different ways,
i n t o close f e l l o w s h i p w i t h i i s , t h e R e v . T . A .
i n d e p e n d e n t l y of one another, and q u i t e imH o m e , V i c a r of H a d d o n , near P e t e r b o r o u g h ,
i
solicited, Burgeons a n d nurses, a n d others i n a
was called suddenly, i n t o t h e G l o r y of H i s
I
p
o s i t i o n t o j u d g e , h a v e declared w i t h emphasis
Presence a week ago. H i s was a p u r e s p i r i t .
t o use t h e w o r d s of one of t h e m " I t is

H e followed the L o r d i n a beautiful simplicity
a
miracle y o u are a l i v e ! " W e agree, b u t t h i s
of f a i t h . H e h a d been w i t h us a t more t h a n
iB
no strange w o r d or t r u t h .
one conference, a n d w e h a d learned t o love his
B e l o v e d , once m o r e , receive m y v e r y deep
w o r t h . So w e j o u r n e y t o w a r d t h a t h o u r w h e n
g
r
a
t i t u d e , a n d m a y our personal fellowship bo
H i s purpose c o m p l e t e d i n t h e C h u r c h , we shall
hastened
b y t h e continued increase of t h e
a l l be t o g e t h e r " f o r ever w i t h t h e L o r d . "
L
o
r
d
'
8
life
a n d Btrength. T h e m a n y friends t o
DR. LUMSDEN.
w
h
o
m
I
owe
letters w i l l , I a m sure, be p a t i e n t
O u r Bister has j u s t r e t u r n e d from a m i n i s t r y
v
e
t
a
l
i
t
t
l
e
w
hile.
L i k e H e z e k i a h , t o whom
of m a r k e d blessing i n L i s b n r n , n e a r B e l f a s t ,
t
h
e
L
o
r
d
added
some
years of l i f e , one feels
J a n u a r y 15th to 18th.
W e rejoice i n t h i s all the more because there
t h a t " I shall go s o f t l y a l l m y d a y s , " b u t only
was a going f o r t h (under m u c h pressure), for during
t h e "softlinesB " of a solemn realisation t h a t
1
the p a s t BIX w e e k s our sister h a s been a b u l w a r k

of faith and s e r v i c e to us a l l . H e r labours of love
have been m a n i f o l d and inestimable. W e t h a n k
God for H i s g i f t t o us i n her fellowship and m i n i s t r y .
l i f e is n o t t h e i r OAVII.
Y o u r s i n t h e one L i f e a n d Witness,
T . AUSTIN-SPARKS.
A
44
WITNESS AND A
PARABLES OF T H E CROSS"
D E A T H I S T H E G A T E OF L I F E .
T f l E R E w a s deep insight i n thoBe old words.

F o r man's n a t u r a l thought of death is t h a t of a
dreary ending i n decay a n d dissolution. A n d
from his standpoint he is r i g h t : d e a t h as t h e
punishment of s i n is a n ending.
B u t far other is G o d ' s thought in the redemption
of the w o r l d . H e t a k e s the v e r y thing t h a t came
in w i t h t h e curse, a n d m a k e s i t the p a t h of glory.
D e a t h becomes a beginning instead of a n ending,
for it becomes the m e a n s of liberating a fresh life.
A n d so t h e hope t h a t lies in these .parable
lessons of death a n d life is m e a n t for those who
only are t u r n i n g to H i m for redemption. T o
those who h a v e not t u r n e d , d e a t h stands i n all
its old a w f u l doom, inevitable, irrevocable. T h e r e
is no gleam of light through i t for t h e m .
" T h e d e a t h of t h e Cross " d e a t h ' s t r i u m p h

h o u r t h a t w a s the point where God's gate opened ;
a n d to t h a t gate w e come again a n d again, as
our lives unfold, a n d through i t pass even on
earth to our j o y f u l resurrection, to a life each
time more a b u n d a n t , for e a c h t i m e t h e d y i n g is a
deeper d y i n g . T h e C h r i s t i a n life is a process of
deliverance out of one w o r l d into another, a n d
" d e a t h , " a s h a s been t r u l y s a i d ,
is the only
w a y out of a n y w o r l d i n w h i c h w e a r e . "
D e a t h is t h e gate of l i f e . " D o e s it look so
to us ? H a v e w e l e a r n t to go d o w n , once a n d
again, into its gathering shadows i n quietness a n d
confidence, k n o w i n g t h a t there is a l w a y s a better
resurrection " beyond ?
I t is i n t h e stages of a p l a n t ' s growth, its budding
a n d blossoming a n d seed-bearing, t h a t t h i s lesson
has come to m e : the lesson of death i n itB delivering
power. I t h a s come as no m e r e far-fetched
imagery, b u t a s one of the m a n y voices i n w h i c h
G o d s p e a k s , bringing strength a n d gladness from
His Holy Place.
C a n wo not t r a c e the sign of the Cross i n the
first h i n t of t h e new spring's d a w n i n g ? I n m a n y
cases, as i n the chestnut, before a single old leaf
has faded, n e x t y e a r ' s buds m a y be Been, a t the
s u m m i t of b r a n c h a n d t w i g , formed into its v e r y
l i k e n e s s : i n others the leaf-buds seem to bear its
m a r k b y breaking through t h e s t e m blood-red.
B a c k in the plant's first stages, t h e crimson touch
is to be found i n seed-leaves a n d fresh shoots,
and e v e n i n t h e hidden sprouts. L o o k a t tho
acorn, for instance, a s i t breaks its shell, a n d see
how tho baby tree bears its b i r t h m a r k : it is the
blood-red i n w h i c h tho p r i s m r a y dawns out of
the d a r k n e s s , a n d tho sunrise out of the night.
T h e v e r y stars, science now tolls u s , glow w i t h this
same colour as t h e y a r e born into the univorse
out of tho d y i n g of former s t a r s . *
B e i t as i t m a y i n n a t u r e , i t is true, nt a n y rate
i n the world of grace, t h a t e a c h soul that, would
enter into real life m u s t bear a t t h e outset this
44
44
41
* Prof. Huxgina. B r i L A wo. 1891.
.5
TESTIMONY
crimson Beal; there m u s t , be the i n d i v i d u a l

sprinkling of the B l o o d of J e s u s C h r i s t . "
It
m u s t go out through t h e G a t e of t h e Cross.
A n d here is the needs-be. D e a t h is t h e o n l y
w a y out of t h e w o r l d of condemnation wherein
we* lie. S h u t into t h a t w o r l d , i t is v a i n to t r y b y
a n y self-effort to battle o u t ; nothing c a n revoke
the decree the soul t h a t sinneth i t shall d i e . "
T h e only choice left is t h i s . S h a l l i t be, under
the old headship of A d a m , our own death, i n all
t h a t God m e a n s by the w o r d , or s h a l l i t be, under
the headship of C h r i s t , the d e a t h of another i n
our place ?
I t is w h e n w e come to self-despair, when we
feel ourselves locked in, w a i t i n g our doom, t h a t
the glory a n d t h e b e a u t y of G o d ' s w a y of escape
dawns u p o n u s , a n d we s u b m i t ourselves to H i m
i n it. A l l resistance breaks d o w n as faith closes
on the f a c t : * H e loved m e a n d gave H i m s e l f for
m e . " W e receive the atonement so h a r d l y won,
and w e go out into life not o n l y pardoned, b u t
cleared a n d justified.
44
44
D E A T H TO S I N ' S P E N A L T Y I S T H E W A Y O U T I N T O
A L I F E OF J U S T I F I C A T I O N .
A n d as w e go out free, w e find t h a t o n the other

side of the Cross a new existence h a s really begun :
t h a t the love of the Crucified has touched t h e
springs of our beingwe are i n another w o r l d ,
under a n open h e a v e n .
C h r i s t h a t h suffered
for sins, the J u s t for the u n j u s t , that H e might
bring us to G o d . "
D o e s a n y o n e read these w o r d s w h o i s t r y i n g to
struggle from the n a t u r a l life into t h e spiritual,
b y * some other w a y " t h a n t h i s w a y of the Cross ?
I t is as impossible as i t w o u l d be t o pass from
to-day into to-morrow e x c e p t through the night.
Y o u r ' b a t t l i n g is a battling against G o d . Y i e l d
a n d come to H i s terms. Y i e l d n o w .
44
B u t blessed as it i s , t h i s passage into a life of

peace w i t h H i m , woe to the soul t h a t stops there,
t h i n k i n g t h a t the goal i s r e a c h e d , a n d dwindles,
so to speak, into a s t u n t e d b u d . Holiness, not
safety, is a t t h e end of our calling.
A n d BO i t comes to p a s s t h a t a fresh need for
deliverance is soon pressed upon h i m who is true
to God's voice i n his heart. T h e two lives are
there together, one new-born a n d feeble, the other
strong w i t h
an
earlier growth.
T h e flesh
lusteth against the spirit a n d the spirit against
tho flesh," a n d the w i l l power is distracted between
the two, like the sap t h a t flows p a r t l y into the
old condemned leaves, p a r t l y into tho fresh buds.
Consequently there i s the strife of a kingdom
divided against i t s e l f : sometimes the one Hie
grows a n d flourishes, somotimes t h e other ; sometimes they struggle on side b y side, t i l l t h e c r y is
forced o u t O h , wretched m a n t h a t I a m ; w h o
shall deliver m e ? "
A n d here again, w h e n tlie point of self-despair
is reached, a n d w e come to seo t h a t o u r efforts
after holiness are as v a i n as our efforts after
acceptance w i t h G o d , the door of escape opens
afreah.
44
44

6
A VrtTtVESS AND 'A TESTIMONY
F o r there is, glory b.e to G o d , a definite w a y out

from the p r i s o n ' life of struggling and failure,
sinning a n d repenting, wherein m a n y a soul beats
its wings for y e a r s after the question of p a r d o n
h a s been settled. A n d t h a t w a y is again the w a y
of d e a t h . , .
.
,
.
. A stage of d y i n g m u s t come over the p l a n t before
the new leaves c a n grow, a n d t h r i v e . JThere m u s t
be a deliberate choice between the former growth
a n d the n e w ; one m u s t give w a y to the o t h e r ;
t h e a c o r n h a s to come to the pointwhere i t ceases
to keep its r a g of former existence, a n d lets everyt h i n g go to the fresh s h o o t : the t w i g m u s t w i t h d r a w its sap f r o m last y e a r ' s leaf, a n d let it flow
into this y e a r ' s b u d . . . .
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
T h e following gifts, as a p a r t f r o m local c o n t r i b u tions, were received for the m a i n t e n a n c e of t h i s
paper d u r i n g D e c e m b e r :
R e d Cliff G a r d e n s , 1 8 s . ; D o v e r , 7s. 9 d . ; P a l m e r ' s
G r e e n , 1 0 s . ; A s h f o r d , 1 0 s . ; Cardiff, 1 0 s . ; Golders
Green, 4s. 8 d . ; S t o k e N e w i n g t o n , 4s. 6 d . ; W e s t
E a l i n g , 2s.-; Glasgow, 2s. 6d..; W o k i n g , 5 s . ; Cardiff,
4s. 6 d . ; W o r t h i n g , 2s. 6 d . ; I p s w i c h , 5 s . ; Carlisle,
5 s . ; Chichester, 2s. 6 d . ; B u c k s . , 2s. 6 d . ; D e n m a r k
H i l l , I s . ; B l a c k p o o l , 2s. 6 d . ; P a l m e r ' s Green, 10s.;
H o r n s e y R i s e , 5s. T o t a l 5 14 11. T h e L o r d be
thanked.
FEBRUARY CONFERENCE
T h i s w i l l be h e l d ( D . Y . ) u p o n the first week-end
i n the m o n t h .
F r i d a y to M o n d a y , inclusive,
F e b i u a r y 4 to 7.
T h e Conference w i l l m a r k . the p r a c t i c a l beginnings of - our extension i n ministry,- for by t h a t date
.we hope to h a v e L a d y Ogle a n d Mrs. B r a n d i n our
m i d s t ; and our.brother
also.
W e are beginning to recognise t h a t t h e ' S p i r i t

does not a l w a y s allow u s to follow out the given
t h e m e ; but w h i l e H e does h o n o u r it i n p a r t , the
L o r d h a s other things to s a y to us.
F o r this we
praise h i m , a n d for our liberty.
W e do not propose therefore to continue publish ing a detailed s y l l a b u s unless such should come to
u s w i t h , clear a n d pressing force. T h i s theme however does come to us as for F e b r u a r y : " T h e
Cross a n d the W I L L of G o d . "
Leaflets ( w i t h m a p ] i n d i c a t i n g the location of
our " C e n t r e * a n d the best routes for reaching it
from the C i t y m a y be obtained f r o m our Secretary.
%
A SIGN
W h a t does i t m e a n to b e g i v e n to t h e L o r d 1
Notes of an address given on the. last

Sabbath
evening, November ,29th, 1926) in Honor Oak
Baptist
Church.buildings.
. " Say y e , I a m y o u r s i g n . " " E z . x i i . 11.

T H E m e n t a l c o n c e p t i o n of c o n s e c r a t i o n
has
come to m e a n to be Messed a n d to be m a d e a
.blessing. T h a t is n o t a t r u e c o n c e p t i o n i f j u s t
left there. These p a s s a g e s w h i c h w e h a v e
read c o n t a i n a p r o p o s i t i o n w h i c h is t h e central
a n d basic p r i n c i p l e of consecration t o t h e L o r d ,
of being g i v e n t o t h e L o r d . ' A n d w h a t is i t ?
T h a t H e m i g h t m a k e us a sign: T h e y c o n t a i n
t h i s l a w , w h i c h w e have o f t e n p o i n t e d o u t , t h a t
God i n H i s e t e r n a l purpose determines t h a t t h e
m e t h o d of H i s r e a l i s a t i o n shuold be b y a n
i n c a r n a t i o n of H i m s e l f , t h a t i s , a manifestation,
of H i m s e l f i n t h e flesh ; a n d t h a t H e should do
something i n t h a t i n c a r n a t i o n w h i c h w o u l d
be a sign t o t h e universe, t h a t should signify
something of t h e i n f i n i t e W i s d o m , Power, a n d
Sovereignty of G o d t h a t H e should t a k e
h o l d of t h e f o r m of a m a n , a n d i n t h a t f o r m do
things and s a y : " L o o k at t h a t and learn."
B y w h a t H e does i n such a n i n s t r u m e n t , H e is
m a k i n g t h a t i n s t r u m e n t a sign a n d signification
n o t o n l y t o m a n , b u t t o angels of t h e t w o
hierarchies, t h e d i v i n e a n d t h e satanic.
As
exampled i n J o b , t h a t H e m i g h t do a t h i n g
t h a t t h e whole hosts of angels a n d demons
should l o o k a t a n d l e a r n , a n d be m a d e w i s e ;
so t h a t i n e v e r y r e a l m , amongst m e n a n d i n t h e
heavenlies, t h e lower a n d t h e super heavenlies,
G o d s h o u l d be able t o do a t h i n g i n those w h o
are H i s , w h i c h m i g h t be t h e means of i n s t r u c t i n g , m a k i n g aware, i n f o r m i n g a n d demonstrating.
Moses was a sign t o t h e Children of Israel.
H e disobeyed G o d a n d G o d h a d a t once t o . act,
a n d because Moses s t o o d i n such a p r o m i n e n t
p o s i t i o n before t h e people, his disobedience* was
p u b l i c l y punished. I n t h a t j u d g m e n t he became
a sign t o t h e Israelites, lest t h e y should come
t o l i g h t l y regard t h e s i n of disobedience.
A n d w i t h us, t h e r e w i l l o f t e n have t o be a
p u b l i c d e m o n s t r a t i o n a n d j u d g m e n t of t h e
flesh, f o r t h e w a r n i n g of others, as w e l l as t h e
v i n d i c a t i o n of t h e T r u t h i n i t s l i v i n g o u t w o r k i n g .
Moses was God's s i g n . I t costs t o be G o d s
s i g n : A r e we w i l l i n g ? H o w great t h e cost
t o Moses ! b u t t h e a f t e r w a r d !
:
T h a t t h i s is a p r i n c i p l e of D i v i n e dealing i s
i l l u s t r a t e d i n t h e f o l l o w i n g scriptures :
E z e k . x i i . 6. " I have set thee f o r a B i g n . "
Ezek. x i i . 1 1 . " 1 am your s i g n . "

Ezek. x x i v . 24. .'* T h o u Bhalt be a sign u n t o
t h e m a n d t h e y s h a l l k n o w t h a t 1 am t h o
Lord."
A c t s i..S. " Y e shall be witnesses unto M e . "
2 Cor. i i i . 2.
Y e are our e p i s t l e . . . . k n o w n and
read of a l l m e n . "
2 Cor. i i i . 3.
Y e arc m a n i f e s t l y declared t o be
t h e epistle of C h r i s t . "
1 Cor. i V . 1 . L e t a m a n BO account of iw as
11
44
44
t h e ministers of C h r i B t . "
A WtTNfcSS
AND
1 Cor. i v . 9. " W e are made a Bpectacle u n t o

t h e w o r l d , a n d t o angels arid t o m e n . "
E p h . i i i . 10. T o t h o i n t e n t t h a t now u n t o
t h e p r i n c i p a l i t i e s a n d powers i n t h e heavenlies
m i g h t be k n o w n b y t h e C h u r c h t h e m a n i f o l d
w i s d o m of G o d . "
2 Cor. i i . 15. ** W e are u n t o God a sweet savour
of Christ i n t h e m t h a t are saved a n d i n t h e m
t h a t p e r i s h , t o one we are t h e Bavour of d e a t h
u n t o d e a t h , a n d t o t h e o t h e r of l i f e u n t o l i f e . "
1 believe t h a t t h e L o r d i n these days is
seeking t o gather o u t a people, a n d t o gather
i n a p e o p l e f e w t h e y w i l l c e r t a i n l y be, and
one doeB n o t say t h a t t h e L o r d can do t h i s w i t h
a l l w h o are H i s w h o s h a l l be H i s Sign t o t h e
s p i r i t u a l House of I s r a e l . T h e i r t e s t i m o n y m a y
n o t be a t e s t i m o n } ' t h a t t h e House of Israel is
u t t e r l y w r o n g ; b u t t h e i r t e s t i m o n y w i l l be t h a t
there is a higher a n d deeper l i f e i n G o d t o w h i c h
H e w o u l d c a l l t h e m . One feels t h i s borne
i n u p o n one BO m u c h i n these days, a n d y o u w i l l
understand t h e s i g n i f i c a t i o n of t h i B , t h a t w h e n
the L o r d calls a people, a small c o m p a n y i t m a y
be, w h e n H e p u t s H i s h a n d u p o n one here and
one t h e r e , adds t h e m one b y one t o a s m a l l
company of those w h o are t o be a special sign
t o H i s household, H e deals w i t h t h e m i n
different wayB a l t o g e t h e r f r o m those w h i c h H e
follows w i t h o t h e r people, a n d H e says :
1
w i l l do a new t h i n g . "
N o w i t is no use y o u r m a k e i n g
comparisons w i t h others. T h e y m a y , i n t h e i r w a y ,
have a c e r t a i n Beal a n d blessing of God u p o n
t h e m ; b u t i t does n o t mean t h a t t h e w a y the.
L o r d iB l e a d i n g y o u is a w r o n g w a y ; and y o u dare
n o t argue according t o t h e w a y s t h e other
people go. T h i s is t h e w a y of t h e L o r d f o r you.
Do n o t s t a y t o m a k e comparisons.
We
stumble a t t h a t so o f t e n , we w h o have g i v e n
ourselves w h o l l y t o G o d , a n d t h e n have these
exceptional a n d t r y i n g experiences t o come u p
a g a i n s t t h e f u l l i m p a c t of t h e w r a t h of t h e
enemy. W e look a r o u n d u p o n others w h o have
an easier t i m e , because t h e y are n o t going t h e
w a y we are going. I m m e d i a t e l y we do t h a t
t h e b o t t o m begins t o f a l l o u t of t h e whole t h i n g .
T h e p o i n t is, t h e L o r d has H i s wheel w i t h i n a
W'heel, H i s i n s t r u m e n t w i t h w h i c h H e desires t o
make a special sign t o H i s people, of H i s W i s d o m ,
H i s Power, H i s Grace, H i s Methods, H i s
Purpose, so t h a t H e can reveal H i m s e l f t h r o u g h
t h e m t o others. D o n o t have, f o r one m o m e n t ,
t h e t h o u g h t of anyone being on a pedestal, and
being i n s o l i t a r y i s o l a t i o n , of special account
t o t h e L o r d . I t s i m p l y means t h a t we go
deeper d o w n t o d e a t h , a n d i n h u m i l i a t i o n
44
4 4
_7
A TEsTllVlOiSY
before t h e w o r l d , t h a n anyone else.

And
because the Lord takes us deeper, He is able to
reveal something
higher.
T o speak n o w as we are closing t h e days of
our s o j o u r n o n t h e older lines, a n d w i t h c e r t a i n
of t h e older associationsGod is leading us o u t
i n t o a w*ay w h i c h is unusual, w h i c h i s , i f y o u
l i k e , p e c u l i a r ; a n d d o i n g a t h i n g w h i c h we known o t of as h a v i n g been done anywhere else. As
H e leads us i n a f e l l o w s h i p , I believe i t is i n
order t h a t i n doing t h i s t h i n g , w i t h a l l i t s cost,
w i t h a l l i t s p a i n , w i t h a l l i t s need of t h e slaying
of every b i t of t h e flesh, p r i d e and arrogance,
and i t s desire f o r t h e a p p r o v a l of m e n , a n d a l l
t h a t k i n d of t h i n g I believe t h a t i n H i s new
w a y H e is seeking t o have such t o gq w i t h
H i m , i n order t h a t H e m a y m a k e t h e m a Sign, as
something s p i r i t u a l , a n d something s p i r i t u a l l y
p o w e r f u l ; n o t t h a t men can a p p l a u d , n o t t h a t
m e n m a y a p p r o v e , b u t w h i c h perhaps w i l l be
l i k e t h e i m p a c t of God f r o m t h e T h r o n e of God
u p o n t h e t h r o n e of S a t a n , i n these closing days.
T h a t is t h e b u r d e n of t h e W o r d of t h e L o r d :
Son of m a n , I have made y o u a Sign " . ;
Say
unto them, I am your Sign."
44
4 4
I t a k e i t t h a t we w h o are gathered i n
this place to-night are a l l t h e L o r d s people.
N e a r l y a l l of us are i n t h i s f e l l o w s h i p , of t h e
S p i r i t , h a v i n g abandoned ourselves t o go w i t h
t h e L o r d a l l t h e w a y . I t seems t o me t h a t t h i s
m o m e n t is a m o m e n t w h e n we s h o u l d face the
i m p l i c a t i o n of t h i s w o r d ; as t o whether, we- are
going t h e p o p u l a r w a y , or w h e t h e r w e are going
t h e u n p o p u l a r w a y ; as t o w h e t h e r w e are going
t o be the. L o r d ' s S i g n . W h e n P a u l u t t e r e d
these-words : G o d has made us l a s t of a l l a
spectacle," he was t a k i n g account of t h e h o l i days of t h e R o m a n s , w h e n t h e y gathered f o r a
d a y s s p o r t ; w h e n a l l t h e o t h e r t h i n g s h a d been
g o t t h r o u g h , t h e last t h i n g was t h e t u r n i n g i n t o
t h e arena of c r i m i n a l s w h o were made s p o r t of
t o c r o w n t h i s h o l i d a y , f o r people t o l a u g h a t ,
jeer a t , r i d i c u l e , make f u n o f ; a n d P a u l s a y s :
L a s t of a l l , we are made a spectacle ' " t h e
w o r l d laughs. J u s t as t h e w o r l d laughed a t
Nehemiah i n t h e b u i l d i n g of t h e walls of
Jerusalem.
God has made us a spectacle." A r e we
ready t o be made a " S i g n " ?
The thing
w h i c h t h e w o r l d laughs a t ? T h e croBB of t h e
L o r d Jesus has p r o v e d ever a n d always t o h a v e
been t h e superlative wisdom and p o w e r of G o d .
F o r t h e t i m e being the sharing of t h e CTOBB is
t h e real t e s t . T h e Master e n d u r e d t h e cross,
and despised t h e shame, i n order t o be made a
sign. W a s . t h e r e ever a Sign m o r e gloriouB a n d
44
44
44

A WITNESS
ANfr A
m i g h t y t h a n t h a t cross ?
So o u r M a s t e r came t o t h e e n d , a n d s a i d :
" F o r t h e i r sakes I consecrate M y s e l f , f o r t h e i r
sakes I give M y s e l f u n t o t h e f u l l c o n s e c r a t i o n ;
a n d t h a t consecration is t h e cross ; a n d I a m
w i l l i n g t o be m a d e a
spectacle' to men,
demons a n d angels, f o r t h e i r sakes." T h e L o r d
w a n t s us t o be Signs. One says t h i s w i t h b a t e d
b r e a t h , k n o w i n g l i t t l e of w h a t i t means, b u t
k n o w i n g also t h a t H i s Grace is sufficient.
B e l o v e d , H e is j u s t Beeking t o g a t h e r a c o m p a n y
of people t o g e t h e r w i t h w h o m H e c a n m a k e a
Sign, n o t o n l y of suffering a n d a f f l i c t i o n , b u t of
Power a n d G l o r y , t o show t o others H i s W i s d o m , H i s A l i g h t , H i s S o v e r e i g n t y , H i s Grace.
W i l l y o u say o n those t e r m s , o n t h a t g r o u n d :
" I a m the* L o r d ' s . A t T h y feet I f a l l ; t o
suffer, l i v e o r d i e , f o r m y L o r d c r u c i f i e d " ?
T h i s is w h a t i t means t o be H i s witnesses..
" Y e are m y witnesses " i t does n o t m e a n
going o u t a n d t a l k i n g ; i t means t h e L o r d
w o r k i n g o u t i n o u r l i v e s , a n d others l o o k i n g o n ,
a n d Baying : T h a t is t h e M i n d of G o d ; t h a t is
t h e W a y of G o d ; t h a t is t h e W i l l of G o d . "
And
aB H e does i t , so demons l e a r n w h a t G o d is, t h e
G l o r y of G o d , t h e S o v e r e i g n t y of G o d ; angels
b o w because of H i s doings i n t h e C h u r c h , a n d
g l o r i f y H i m o n o u r behalf.
M a y H e l e a d us t o g i v e o u r assent a n d consent i n a n e w , f r e s h a c t of a b a n d o n m e n t a n d
consecration i n d i v i d u a l l y , a n d as a people, f o r
these c o m i n g d a y s .
T . A . S.
4
44
T H E SECKET OF
FRUITFULNESS
{Notes of an address given during

the
January
Conference, Saturday, January
5th, 1927, at the
Fellowship
Centre.)
Honor Oak Christian
E z e k i e l x l v i i . 12.
A n d b y t h e r i v e r , u p o n t h e b a n k thereof, o n
t h i s side a n d o n t h a t side s h a l l g r o w a l l trees
f o r m e a t whose l i f e s h a l l n o t f a d e , n e i t h e r shall
t h e f r u i t thereof be consumed. I t shall b r i n g
f o r t h new f r u i t a c c o r d i n g t o his m o n t h s , because t h e i r w a t e r s h a v e issued o u t of t h e sanct u a r y , a n d t h e f r u i t thereof s h a l l be f o r m e a t ,
a n d t h e l i f e thereof f o r m e d i c i n e . "
T h a t is a p i c t u r e of w h a t L i f e i s , w h e n H e
W h o is t h e L i f e has H i s w a y .
W h e n Christ
W h o iB our l i f e fills a n d possesses, t h i s is w h a t
happens. T h e l i f e m u s t c u l m i n a t e i n f r u i t ; no
m a n l i v e t h u n t o himself.
Y o u c a n n o t have
t h e L i f e of C h r i s t i n possession a n d l i v e u n t o
yourself. T h a t l i f e flows t h r o u g h f o r others,
f o r t h e r e p r o d u c t i o n of t h a t L i f e i n others. T h i s
is according t o t h e w o r d of t h e L o r d H i m s e l f .
There is t h e p u r g i n g of t h e v i n e , f o r t h e t h i n g
44
TESTIMONY
t h e L o r d H i m s e l f has eyes u p o n is f r u i t ; a n d i f
t h e r e is f r u i t , t h e n m o r e f r u i t .
A n d so w i t h
y o u a n d m e t h e L o r d has t h i s before H i m ; n o t
suffering f o r s u f f e r i n g s sake, n o t a n experience
of life j u s t f o r i t s o w n e n j o y m e n t . H e has a n
end i n v i e w , a n d t h e e n d i n v i e w is f r u i t , fruit.
F r u i t o n t h i s side a n d o n t h a t side. I l i k e t h a t .
N o t j u s t inside here, a n d none outsidethis
Bide a n d t h a t side. O n t h e s o u t h side where i t
is sunny a n d p l e a s a n t ; o n the n o r t h side where
i t is bleak a n d c o l d .
I n y o u r p r i v a t e life,
f r u i t ; i n your public life, f r u i t .
A n d the
f r u i t s h a l l n o t f a d e , n e i t h e r shall i t be cons u m e d n o t dependent u p o n
circumstances,
nor u p o n environment.
N o matter what
t h e days m a y be l i k e , no m a t t e r w h a t the
d r o u g h t m a y be, t h e f r u i t is n o t affected. The
life
is n o t affected, therefore t h e f r u i t is
n o t affected.
A n d a l l t h r o u g h t h e year, acc o r d i n g t o t h e m o n t h s , i t w o u l d seem every
m o n t h , new f r u i t . Y o u cannot h a v e t h a t i n
n a t u r e . N o , i t is n o t n a t u r e , i t is t h e supern a t u r a l c o n t i n u a l f r u i t - b e a r i n g ; when m a n
w o u l d l o o k f o r i t , a n d w h e n he w o u l d n o t look
f o r i t ; w h e n i t is expected, w h e n i t is e n t i r e l y
unexpected. T h e end of t h i s f r u i t means t h e
feeding of souls.
I t is f r u i t f o r m e a t O h !
t h e r e are h u n g r y souls a l l r o u n d .
O n l y one
t h i n g w i l l m e e t t h e i r need, a n d t h a t is L I F E ,
H I S L I F E . W o r d s w o n ' t do i t . H I S L I F E
w i l l do i t . A n d H I S L I F E is i n t h e f r u i t , H i s
f r u i t satisfies. A n d t h e r e a r j diseased souls, a n d
t h e medicine is t h e L I F E , t h e all-conquering
L i f e , l i f e t h a t conquers d e a t h .
N o w t h a t is n o t Bimply a p r e t t y p i c t u r e .
T h a t is a f a c t of G o d . F u l f i l t h e c o n d i t i o n s ,
t h a t w i l l b e ; f o r t h a t is H i s p u r p o s e ; t h a t is t h e
end i n v i e w ; H e m u s t have f r u i t .
A n d so
someone sayBwe w i l l j u s t get i n t o t h a t verse
r i g h t a w a y . W e l l y o u c a n ' t . N o , y o u can*t.
Y o u can become a c a n d i d a t e f o r t h a t verso r i g h t
a w a y ; b u t y o u cannot j u m p f r o m barrenness
t o f r u i t f u l n e s s i n five m i n u t e s . God wants t o
get y o u i n t o t h a t verse, i n t o t h a t l i v i n g w o r d
of H i s ; a n d i f y o u w a n t t o get t h o r c w i l h God,
t h e n y o u w i l l have t o goGod'B w a y ; a n d God's
w a y is i n d i c a t e d r i g h t i n t h e verse. T h o secret
of t h e f r u i t f u l n e s s is t h e r e . T h o secret is there
because there is revealed t h e cause; a n d y o u r
l i f e w i l l never he f r u i t f u l w i t h o u t , an adequate
cause. G o t t h e cause, and y o u w i l l have t h e
effect. I t is n o use t i n k e r i n g w i t h t h e effect.
God is dealing w i t h t h e cause. God takes y o n
r i g h t t o t h e cause.
T h e r e is b o u n d t o issue
such fruittulnesB because i t says their waters
( t h e y a p p r o p r i a t e these waters) t h e i r l i f e , t h e y
A WITNESS
AND A
TESTIMONY
T h e w a y f o r t h e p u b l i c , ( t h e y c a n o n l y go
were t h e i r s t h e i r w a t e r s , t h e y issued out of
i n w h e n t h s p r i e s t goeB i n , b u t w h e n t h e prieBl
t he s a n c t u a r y ; a n d t h a t is t h e secret of t h e
goes i n t h e y c a n c h o o s e ) :
f r u i t f u l n e s s ; so i f y o u w a n t t h e f r u i t f u l n e s s y o u
" H e t h a t c n t e r e t h b y t h e way of t h e n o r t h
have got t o get back t o t h e s o u r c e ; a n d y o u
gate t o w o r s h i p shall go f o r t h b y t h s way. of
have g o t t o b e g i n w i t h God, where the r i v e r
t h o south g a t e ; and he t h a t c n t e r e t h b y w a y
begins, a n d t h e n f o l l o w w i t h h i n i . s t e p b y step,
of t h e s o u t h gate shall go f o r t h b y t h o w a y
stage b y stage, u n t i l H e , i n H i s o w n t i m e a n d
w a y , b r i n g s y o u i n t o t h a t f r u i t f u l n e s s . I t is
of t h e n o r t h g a t e "
n o t done i n .five m i n u t e s .
G o d has patience
b u t t h r o u g h t h a t n o r t h gate t h e y have got t o
w i t h y o u a n d w i t h m e . I r . i t us h a v e patience
go, some t i m e , a n d t h e S p i r i t of t h e L o r d
w i t h G o d . L e t us corns back t h e n , a n d t r a c e j emphasizes t h a t n o r t h a n d s o u t h , i f we are
the r i v e r b a n k , a w a y f r o m t h ? ssenes of f r u i t - j i n quest of f r u i t , a n d t h e l i f e t h a t gives f r u i t .
fulness, r i g h t b a c k t o t h e source., t o t h e sancT u r n t o t h a t w o r d i n t h e 4 t h chap. Song of
t u a r y , a n d S3c where t h o r i v e r rises. W e go
Solomon. T h e v e r y same t h i n g is m e n t i o n e d ,
back to, t h e f i r s t v e r s e :
i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e f r u i t of L i f e
" A n d H e b r o u g h t me back u n t o t h e door of
" A garden s h u t u p is m y Bister, m y b r i d e ;
t h e house, a n d b e h o l d , w a t e r s issued o u t
A s p r i n g s h u t u p , a f o u n t a i n sealed.
f r o m under t h e t h r e s h o l d of t h e house eastT h y shoots are a n o r c h a r d of pomegranates,
ward...."
w i t h precious f r u i t s ;
and t h e 4 6 t h chapter, f i r s t v e r s e :
H e n n a w i t h spikenard plants,
" T h u s s a i t h t h e L o r d G o d : T h e gate of t h e
S p i k e n a r d a n d saffron,
inner c o u r t t h a t l o o k e t h t o w a r d t h e east shall
Calamus a n d c i n n a m o n , , w i t h a l l trees; of
be s h u t t h e s i x w o r k i n g d a y s ; b u t o n t h e
frankincense;
' s a b b a t h d a y i t shall be opened, a n d i n t h e
M y r r h a n d aloes, w i t h a l l t h e chief spices.
d a y of t h e n e w m o o n i t shall be o p e n e d . "
T h o u art- a f o u n t a i n of gardens,
N o w y o u h a v e come t o t h e source. Y o u cannot
A w e l l of l i v i n g w a t e r s ,
get i n t h e r e ! I t is a s h u t d o o r ! Y o u c a n ' t
A n d flowing streams f r o m L e b a n o n .
push i t o p e n ! W h a t is i t s h u t f o r ?To keep
A w a k e , 0 north w i n d ; a n d come t h o u south ;
B l o w u p o n m y garden, t h a t t h e spices thereof
c e r t a i n people o u t ! W h a t people o u t ? Men !
B u t i t is t h e man w h o w a n t s t o get i n ! B u t
m a y flow o u t .
L e t m y beloved come i n t o H i s garden,
the m a n can't.
E v e n before t h i s door t h e r e
A n d eat H i s precious f r u i t s . "
was a n o u t e r d o o r . Y o u r e a d of t h a t outer door
I t is H i s g a r d e n n o w ; w h e n t h e n o r t h w i n d
i n a n earlier chapter, t h e 4 4 t h , t h e door of t h e
has
b l o w n u p o n i t , as w e l l as t h e south. T h e
outer s a n c t u a r y ; a n d i t is j u s t t h e same, i t iB a
n
o
r
t
h
w i n d blowB and t h e s o u t h ; b u t t h e north
shut door.
w
i
n
d
s t r i p s , lays bare, pierces t h r o u g h and
" T h e n said t h e L o r d u n t o m e , ' T h i s gate
t
h
r
o
u
g
h ; T h o u cutting n o r t h w i n d , blow upon
s h a l l be s h u t , i t s h a l l n o t be opened, i t shall
M
y
g
a
r d e n ! Y o u k n o w w h a t we c a n
*
n o t be opened, a n d n o m a n shall enter i n by
t
h
r
o
u
g
h
t
h
e
p
a
r
a
b
l
e
i
t
is
as
i
f
t
h
e
L
o
r
d
says
i t because t h e L o r d , t h e God of I s r a e l I n s
Y o u can come t o t h e source of L i f e , b u t t h e
entered i n b y i t ; therefore i t shall be s h u t . ' "
w a y is t h e w a y of t h e Cross, t h e w a y of stripT o keep man o u t ! I t is j u s t t h e same w h e n
p
i n g , t h e w a y of p i e r c i n g t h r o u g h and t h r o u g h ,
y o u come t o t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t : t h e W o r d of
t
h
e w a y of deep repentancs, t h e w a y of death
God I B a l w a y s t h e same. T h e r e y o u have our
is
t h r o u g h t h e n o r t h gate. Y o u prefer t o s t a r t
L o r d JeBus speaking t o a m a n w h o is d o i n g t h e
w
i
t h t h e s o u t h gate, a n d sometimeB t h e L o r d
v e r y same t h i n g t h a t we are d o i n g , w h o was i n
IOIB
y o u ; b u t y o u m u s t go o u t b y t h e n o r t h
quest of Li?e, a n d t h e source of l i f e , a n d t h e
gate.
A n d i f y o u s t a r t a t t h e n o r t h gate, y o u
L o r d shows h i m a s h u t door.
can
go
o u t a t t h e s o u t h gate.
Y o u think
Jesus a n s w e r e d :
y
o
u
can
a
v
o
i
d
t
h
e
fire,
t
h
e
r
e
f
i n i n g fire,
" V e r i l y , v e r i l y I say u n t o theo, except a
y
o
u
t
h
i
n
k
t
h
a
t
y
o
u
c
a
n
a
v
o
i
d
t
h
a
t purging.
m a n be b o r n of w a t e r a*id of t h o S p i r i t
Y
o
u
cannot.
I
t
has
g
o
t
t
o
come.
W e must
he c a n n o t i n t e r i n t o t h o K i n g d o m of G o d . "
pasB
t
h
r
o
u
g
h
t
h
e
fire.
W
e
l
l
i
t
is
i
f
we elect
R u l e o u t t h e S p i r i t a n d m a n cannot enter
t
o
go
t
h
r
o
u
g
h
t
h
o
n
o
r
t
h
gate
f
o
r
a
Btart.
_ Go
i n : n o t something in m a n c a n n o t enter i n ;
t
h
r
o
u
g
h
i
t
n
o
w
,
i
t
will
lead
o
u
t
of
t
h
e
south
man c a n n o t enter i n , A n d y e t there is a w a y .
gate ; b u t t h a t h t h e o u t e r gata !
T h e r e U a n o r t h gate a n d a south gate,
in
I t is j u s t t h e same w h e n y o u come t o t h e
t he 4 f i t h c h a p t e r y o u read :
:
r e a a
10

A WITNESS
AND A TESTIMONY
inner gate.
W e w a n t t o get i n t o t h e i n n e r
c o u r t j a n d i t is o u t of t h e i n n e r c o u r t t h a t t h e
r i v e r comes. W c w a n t t o see where i t comes
f r o m ! W c w a n t t o g e t i n , a n d i n order t o get
i n , the one w h o has t o be d e a l t w i t h is t h i s
inan.
He cannot!
A n d i f y o u come t o t h e
inner c o u r t t h e lesson is j u s t t h e same. R e a d
i t a g a i n 4 6 t h E z . 1st v e r s e :
" T h u s s a i t h t h e L o r d G o d : T h e gate of t h e
inner c o u r t t h a t l o o k e t h t o w a r d s t h e east
shall be s h u t t h e s i x w o r k i n g d a y s . "
Man's w o r k i n g d a y s t h a t gate is B h u t y o u r
endeavour, y o u r p u s h , y o u w o n ' t get l i f e t h a t
w a y . I t is s h u t ! T h e n w h e n is i t open ?
On
t h e s a b b a t h d a y i t s h a l l be opened. O n t h a t
d a y of rest w h e n G o d ceased f r o m H i s o w n
w o r k s , a n d w e w h o believe m u s t enter i n t o
rest b y ceasing f r o m o u r o w n w o r k s , seeing
t h a t , i n G o d , i n t h e r e s t of G c d , we are t a k e n u p
a n d Gcd takes us i n , Y o u c a n ' t p u s h yourself
i n t h r o u g h t h a t door. A n d t h a t is borne o u t
r i g h t t h r o u g h as y o u r e a d of those w h o are
p e r m i t t e d t o enter i n t o t h e i n n e r c o u r t . Y o u
get i t again a n d a g a i n i n t h e 4 4 t h c h a p , beginn i n g w i t h " N o m a n s h a l l enter i n , " (note t h e
fifth verse, see w h e r e G o d p u t s H i s emphasis
here), a n d t h e same emphasis is p u t a g a i n a n d
a g a i n as y o u r e a d these chapters t h r o u g h
" A n d t h e L o r d s a i d u n t o m e , Son of m a n ,
m a r k w e l l , a n d b e h o l d w i t h t h i n e eyes a n d
hear w i t h t h i n e ears a l l t h a t I say u n t o thee
concerning a l l t h e ordinances of t h e house
of t h e L o r d , a n d a l l t h e l a w s t h e r e o f ; a n d
m a r k w e l l t h e e n t e r i n g i n of t h e house, w i t h
e v e r y g o i n g f o r t h of t h e s a n c t u a r y . "
O h ! j u s t t o h a v e t h a t s t r e a m of L i f e , t o have
t h a t f r u i t f u l n e s s , a n d t o k n o w t h a t G o d is using
u s ! B u t , " S o n of m a n , m a r k w e l l t h e e n t e r i n g
i n , w i t h e v e r y g o i n g f o r t h . " N o t j u s t once, b u t
always, m a r k w e l l t h e e n t e r i n g i n ; a n d t h e
e n t e r i n g i n is a l w a y s t h e same ! N o m a n !
No
m a n ! As m a n , disqualified! M a n brought t o
death 1 I n the 9 t h verse:
' T h u s s a i t h t h e L o r d G o d , N o stranger,
u n c i r c u m c i s e d i n h e a r t , a n d uncircumcised i n
flesh, shall e n t e r i n t o M y s a n c t u a r y "
N o stranger s h a l l enter i n t o M y s a n c t u a r y . N o w
y o u k n o w t h e H o l y S p i r i t ' s i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of
that.
L e t us n o t s p o i l i t , l e t us r e a d i t .
Colossians 2 , 1 0 :
" A n d i n H i m y e are m a d e f u l l , W h o is t h e
H e a d of a l l p r i n c i p a l i t y a n d p o w e r ; i n W h o m
y e were also circumcised w i t h a c i r c u m c i s i o n
n o t m a d e w i t h hands, i n t h e p u t t i n g off of
t h e b o d y of t h e flesh." .
Conybeare t r a n s l a t e s i t :.
" T h e w h o l e b o d y of t h e flesh"cut away b y

t h e k n i f e of t h e Cross, so t h a t t h e r e shall be no
longer a n y confidence whatsoever i n t h e flesh
t h e w h o l e b o d y of t h e fleshall t h a t m a n is,
a p a r t f r o m w h a t he is i n H i m , i n W h o m he is
complete. B u t I d o n ' t agree t o t h a t , y o u s a y ; i t
is t o o h u m b l i n g ; i t is t o o d i f f i c u l t ; i t is t o o
drastic, i t brings me down, i t puts me out.
Y e s . W e l l , y o u c a n ' t get i n , t h a t ' s a l l ! " N o
u n c i r c u m c i s e d stranger " s h a l l go i n a n d discover t h i s secret of M i n e ; t h i s source of L i f e ,
A n d even i f y o u d o find t h e source, y o u c a n ' t
find t h e o u t l e t . A n d as y o u r e a d t h r o u g h t h e
chapter t h e r e is a n o t h e r class w h o cannot
come i n
" A n d t h e y s h a l l n o t come near u n t o m e , t o
do t h e office of a p r i e s t u n t o m e , n o r t o
come near t o a n y of M y h o l y t h i n g s i n t h e
most h o l y place, b u t t h e y s h a l l bear t h e i r
shame a n d t h e i r a b o m i n a t i o n s w h i c h t h e y
have c o m m i t t e d . "
W h o were t h e y called as priests ? " T h e y k e p t
not m y charge; they kept not m y words."
T h e y k e p t n o t ' t h e t e s t i m o n y of Jesus." T h e y
l i g h t l y r e g a r d e d i t , a n d t h e y h a d idols, .and
t h e y associated w i t h those w h o h a d idols, a n d
t h e i d o l is p u t i n place of G o d . N o t w o o d a n d
stone!
Perhaps some m a n ! Perhaps some
w o m a n ! Perhaps some teacher whose words
have become m o r e t o y o u t h a n God's w o r d s ,
a n d y o u e x a l t t h e m a n , a n d t h e m a n is a n i d o l 1
A n d i f a n y m a n takes t h e place of G o d , y o u
shall n o t enter i n .
Y o u m a y h a v e a place
i n H i s m e r c y ; H e w i l l give y o u a place; b u t
y o u are a f t e r t h i s secret of L i f e , t h i s fulness
w h i c h is t o be f o u n d i n H i m , a n d i t is n o t f o r
y o u . Those w h o keep t h e cha* g e t h e sons of
Zedok, w h o w o u l d keep t h e chargethey shall
enter i n . T h i s t i m e i t is n o t t h i s m a n inside
and another m a n o u t s i d e , b u t i t is always t h e
sameNothing but God ! Nothing but G o d !
" A n d i t s h a l l come t o pass t h a t w h e n t h e y
enter i n a t t h e gates of t h e i n n e r c o u r t , t h e y
shall be c l o t h e d w i t h , l i n e n g a r m e n t s ; a n d
n o w o o l shall come u p o n t h e m , w h i l s t t h e y
m i n i s t e r i n t h e gates of t h e i n n e r c o u r t , a n d
within.
1
" T h e y s h a l l h a v e l i n e n tires u p o n t h e i r
headB, a n d shall have l i n e n brccche B upon
t h e i r loins ; t h e v shall n o t g i r d themselves
w i t h a n y t h i n g t h a t causoth s w e a t . "
T h e heat of t h e flesh, t h e y muBt bo purified
from that.
" N e i t h e r shall a n y priest d r i n k w i n e , w h e n
t h e y enter i n t o t h e i n n e r c o u r t . "
N o e x c i t e m e n t of t h e flesh, no g e t t i n g excited
WITNESS
AND
about t h e t h i n g s of G o d , n o , n o t h i n g of t h e
flesh. A h ! b u t i t a l l heads u p i n one t h i n g w h i c h
you find i n t h e end of t h e c h a p t e r 2 7 t h verse
" A n d i n t h e d a y t h a t he goeth i n t o the
sanctuary, i n t o t h e i n n e r c o u r t , t o m i n i s t e r i n
the s a n c t u a r y , he Bhall offer his sin offering,
saith t h e L o r d G o d . "
" H i s sin o f f e r i n g , saith t h e L o r d God " ; n o t
his trespass
o f f e r i n g , not dealing w i t h sins,
dealing w i t h sin, dealing w i t h t h e m a n who
sinned, t h e l i f e w h i c h s i n s ; a n d there y o u
see t h e s i n o f f e r i n g , a n d . t h a t whole carcase of
the sin o f f e r i n g t a k e n o u t , outside t h e c a m p ,
i n t o the place of j u d g m e n t , i n t o t h e place of
death. W h y t a k e n o u t unclean ? W h y u n clean ? B y reason of t h a t w h i c h is on i t .
W h a t is on i t ? M y l i f e , rav s i n f u l l i f e , v o u r
sinful l i f e ! T h a t l i f e H e takes o u t !
Ah!
h u t n o t before another L i f e has been poured o u t
a t t h e f o o t of t h e a l t a r ! T h e blood is u p o n
the a l t a r , a n d t h e blood is p o u r e d f o r t h a t t h e
foot of t h e a l t a r ; a n d H i s L i f e is there
for me t h a t I m a y become t h e righteousness
of God. B u t y o u see H i m going as t h e sin
offering, a n d i t is yourself t h a t has made H i m
t h a t . N o w y o u w a n t t o go i n a n d get t h a t
L i f e i n t h e r e ; i t is i n there i n t h e inner c o u r t ;
b u t except t h i s sin o f f e r i n g is a c c e p t e d G o d s
j u d g m e n t n o t o n l y u p o n y o u r deeds, b u t upon
y o u r l i f e , y o u c a n n o t enter i n . H e a r Christ
saying,
H a t e }'6ur l i f e . " T h a t means a l l
t h a t y o u are, t h i s m a n ! T h i s o l d m a n ! H o w
can 1 h a t e i t enough u n t i l t h e S p i r i t of God
shows me m y L o r d g o i n g o u t t h u s w i t h H i s L i f e ,
unclean because of m y l i f e ? A n d y o u w o n ' t
s u b m i t t o t h a t W o r d of God ? T h e n y o u w i l l
stay outside t h i s door. Y o u w o n ' t go i n .
Y o u c a n ' t go i n . Y i e l d t o i t ! A n d look, t h i s
door is blood s p r i n k l e d , t h e b l o o d offering is
r o u n d a b o u t t h e door ! Y o u w o u l d enter i n t o
t h e inner t h i n g ? T h e n enter i n t h r o u g h t h e
" blood, through His L i f e , making t h a t L i f e your
o w n , b y f a i t h . W h a t happens i f y o u take t h a t
sin offering ? Read o n
14
A n d t h e y shall h a v e an inheritance ; I
am t h e i r inheritance : and y e shall give t h e m
no possession in Israel ; I am t h e i r possesion."
T h a t is the w a y .
O h , t o get i n ! A w a y which
humbles, as we assent u n t o d e a t h . T h e o n l y
w a y ! B u t go t h a t w a y , t h e n H e gives y o u
n o t h i n g less t h a n H i m s e l f . T h e n y o u can say
i n a l l t h e d e p t h of i t s m e a n i n g M y God ! M y
G o d ! M y inheritance ! N o t o n l y s o m e t h i n g ,
Someone p u t before me t o i n h e r i t , and 1 possess
Him.
M y possession ! A n d t h u s y o u enter i n ,
a n d y o u k n o w i n t o w h a t y o u "enter. 43rd
11
11
TESTIMONY
chapter, 7 t h v e r s e
" A n d H e said u n t o m e . Son of m a n , t h i s
is t h e place of M y t h r o n e . "
H i s power, H i s almightiness. T h i s is t h e secret
place of t h e M o s t H i g h , under t h e shadow of
the A l m i g h t y . A n d n o w t h e n w h a t is there ?
Read t h e 5 t h verse of t h e 4 3 r d chapter, so
j u s t i n t h e w a y i n w h i c h we h a v e been describing,
so t h e S p i r i t t o o k me u p a n d b r o u g h t me i n .
So. W i l l H e d o i t i n a n y o t h e r w a y ? N o ,
no other w a y . I f y o u w o u l d h a v e t h i s prize
there comes a disturbance. Y o u cannot p i c k
and choose.
A n d t h e S p i r i t t o o k me u p , and b r o u g h t
me i n t o t h e inner c o u r t : a n d behold t h e
glory of t h e L o r d filled t h e house."
N o flesh shall g l o r y i n t h i s g l o r y of t h e L o r d .
I n our last Conference w a s n ' t t h a t w ord g i v e n ?
L i f t u p y o u r heads O y e g a t e s ! Be y e
l i f t u p y e everlasting doors, a n d the. K i n g
of G l o r y s h a l l come i n . W h o is t h i s K i n g of
G l o r y ? T h e L o r d s t r o n g a n d m i g h t y , H e is
t h e K i n g of G l o r y . "
H e is c o m i n g i n . H o w d i d y o u expect t h e
K i n g of G l o r y t o come i n ? W i t h p o m p , w i t h
show, w i t h g l a m o u r , a n d a l l t h a t w h i c h appeals
t o the n a t u r a l m a n ? T h a t was n o t how t h e
L o r d allowed us t o look f o r t h e g l o r y . A n d
how does t h e p r o p h e t l o o k f o r t h e g l o r y ?
Read t h i s t h i r d verse of t h e 4 3 r d c h a p t e r :
A n d i t was according t o t h e appearance
of the v i s i o n w h i c h I saw, even according t o
the vision t h a t I saw w h e n I came t o destroy
the c i t y , a n d t h e , visions were l i k e the vision
t h a t I Baw b y t h e r i v e r C h e b a r : a n d I fell
upon m y f a c e . "
T h a t was w h e n t h e g l o r y of t h e G o d of Israel
came f r o m t h e w a y of t h e east. T h e g l o r y ' of
the God of I s r a e l had gone t h r o u g h t h e eastern
g a t e a n d no m a n can come t h r o u g h t h a t gate.
A n d now t h e house, t h i s g l o r y fills t h e house.
B u t how does t h e g l o r y come i n ? T h e prophet
Bays i t was l i k e t h e v i s i o n t h a t I h a d a t the
r i v e r Chebar w h e n I f e l l o n m y face. T u r n back
t o i t . 3 r d chapter 2 3 r d v e r s e :
T h e n I arose a n d w e n t f o r t h i n t o t h e
plain : a n d b e h o l d , t h e glory of the L o r d
stood t h e r e , as the g l o r y w h i c h I saw b y t h e
r i v e r Chebar. and 1 fell on m y f a c e . "
W h a t he Baw by the R i v e r Chebar a n d w h a t
iH here described, is t h e g l o r y of t h e L o r d .
H o w does i t come ? I n the 1st c h a p t e r , 4 t h
verse :
A n d ] looked, a n d behold, a s t o r m y w i n d
came o u t of the n o r t h , a great c l o u d , "
a w h i r l w i n d came out of the n o r t h , devastating
%
44
44
44
44
44

12
b e h i n d w h i c h is a p a t h of wreckage, r u i n !
Y o u p r a y f o r t h e g l o r y , a n d y o u get the w h i r l w i n d . Y o u d o n ' t expect H i m t o come t h a t w a y .
Y o u m i g h t h a v e expected H i m i f y o u p a i d m o r e
heed t o t h e message t h a t was g i v e n .
A w h i r l w i n d w h i c h came o u t of t h e
n o r t h , a great c l o u d . "
One has seen these clouds b a n k i n g u p , t h e
breaking of t h e monsoon i n t h e east, flashing
w i t h f i r e ! T h a t is t h e p i c t u r e . T h i s i n k y
blackness, a n d t h e r a g i n g s t o r m ! B u t t h e n
a d d t h e fire !
A n d o u t of t h e m i d s t thereof came t h e
likeness of f o u r l i v i n g creatures. A n d t h i s
was t h e i r appearance : t h e y h a d t h e likeness
of a m a n . "
enshrined i n t h e w h i r l w i n d , i n t h e t h i c k c l o u d
o f darkness,
One l i k e u n t o t h e Son of
m a n " a n d He is t h a t v i s i o n . A n d a g a i n a t t h e
e n d of t h e d e s c r i p t i o n , i n t h e l a s t v e r s e
T h i s was t h e appearance of t h e likeness
of t h e g l o r y of t h e L o r d . A n d w h e n I saw
i t , I f e l l u p o n m y face, a n d I heard a voice
of One t h a t s p a k e ; "
a n d so here, r i g h t i n t h e i n n e r c o u r t t h e r e is
t h i s g l o r y ; b u t t h e g l o r y is of such a n a t u r e t h a t
m a n c a n n o t s t a n d . H e is k e p t l o w u p o n his face.
44
44
44
44
A n d n o w t h a t w e are t h e r e r i g h t a t t h e door, a n d
w i t h i n t h e i n n e r c o u r t , w h a t do y o u expect t o
see ? S o m e t h i n g v e r y o r n a t e , s o m e t h i n g v e r y
o r n a m e n t a l ! Neither, no ornaments i n this
i n n e r c o u r t . I n t h e 41st c h a p t e r y o u get t h e
d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e inside of t h i s house.
I t iH j u s t
w o o d , n o g o l d : here, no silver, n o drapings of blue,
purple, scarlet; j u s t wood. The 18th v e r s e :
A n d i t was m a d e w i t h c h e r u b i m a n d
p a l m trees : a n d a p a l m t r e e was between
cherub a n d c h e r u b , a n d e v e r y cherub h a d
t w o faces : so t h a t t h e r e was t h e face of a
m a n t o w a r d t h e p a l m t r e e o n t h e one side,
a n d t h e face of a y o u n g l i o n t o w a r d t h e
p a l m tree o n t h e o t h e r s i d e : t h u s was i t
made t h r o u g h a l l t h e house r o u n d a b o u t . "
Everywhere y o u looked, a l l round the walls,
a n d t h e y were o n t h e d o o r itself as y o u came
t h r o u g h c h e r u b i m , p a l m tree : c h e r u b i m , p a l m
tree. These, I a m persuaded, s t a n d f o r those
w h o are i n l i v i n g u n i o n w i t h G o d .
H e r e is
w h a t y o u are t o be i n t h e t h r o n e r o o m , i n t h e
source of l i f e i n t o w h i c h H e has b r o u g h t y o u ,
a n d i n l i v i n g u n i o n there is t h e c h e r u b i m
bearing H i s l i k e n e s s t h e c h e r u b i m a n d t h e
p a l m tree ; t h e c h e r u b i m and v i c t o r y !
And
t h e r e is no o t h e r message a l l t h e w a y r o u n d
everywhere. Y o u come t o t h e place of v i c t o r y !
Y o u have come t o t h e place of t h e t h r o n e !
44
I n y o u r v i c t o r y n o w there is v i c t o r y .
A n d w h a t is t o be done t h e r e , n o w we have
g o t t o t h e v e r y source, t o t h e v e r y centre ?
I s there a n y f u r n i t u r e ? O n l y one l i t t l e b i t of
f u r n i t u r e , a n d i t looks v e r y
commonplace.
I f m a n c o u l d get i n he w o u l d t a k e v e r y l i t t l e
note of i t n o t h i n g m u c h t o look a t ! A n d i f i t
is m u c h t o l o o k a t , i t i s n ' t t h e r i g h t t h i n g .
Here i t is i n t h e 2 2 n d verse :
T h e a l t a r was of w o o d , three cubits h i g h ,
and t h e l e n g t h thereof t w o cubits : a n d the
corners thereof, a n d t h e l e n g t h thereof, and the
walls thereof were of w o o d ; and he said u n t o
me, T h i s is t h e t a b l e t h a t is before t h e L o r d . "
J u s t a n a l t a r of wood; a n a l t a r n o t f o r b u r n t
offering ; a n a l t a r f o r incense, a n a l t a r f o r prayer,
a n a l t a r f r o m w h i c h there ascends t h a t incense
w h i c h speaks of t h e v i c t o r y of Calvary, t h a t
N a m e w h i c h is above every N a m e ; j u s t a wooden
a l t a r ! W h e n o u r prayers seem most wooden,
t h e n t h e efficacy of t h a t N a m e is m o s t i n e v i dence. D o n ' t be discouraged w h e n i t seems
so wooden, as y o u k n o w t h a t t h r o u g h death the
L o r d has b r o u g h t y o u i n t o t h a t place of L i f e ,
t h e inner c o u r t . H e r e is t h e t a b l e of t h e L o r d .
I t is the t a b l e of t h e Lord.
T h e table of w h i c h
He says:
L o ! I s t a n d a t t h e door a n d k n o c k , a n d i f
a n y m a n hear m y voice a n d open t h e door I
w i l l come i n u n t o h i m , a n d sup w i t h h i m . "
A n d b y t h i s t i m e y o u h a v e learned t o p u t H i m
first;
i n o u r blessings first, a n d i n o u r needs.
H i s need is satisfied : H i s j o y , and H e comes
t o t h i s t a b l e , t h e t a b l e of t h e L o r d , a n d sups
w i t h me, a n d H e w i t h H i m . H a v e y o u g i v e n
a l l t o H i m ? A l l t h a t H e asks, and no reserve,
a n d is H e satisfied ? N o w y o u have come t o
the source of L i f e . N o w H e feeds me a l s o :
Open t h o u t h y m o u t h a n d 1 w i l l fill i t ! "
T h e B r e a d of l i f e ; t h e W a t e r of L i f e !
You
have come t o t h e ^ e r y source, and somehow I
feel sure t h a t s t a n d i n g b y t h a t a l t a r , b u b b l i n g
u p a l l the t i m e , was t h a t r i v e r w h i c h flowed
o u t under t h o s h u t door, a n d a w a y o u t r i g h t
t h r o u g h t h e l a n d u n t i l i t reaches t h e Dead Sea
and t r a n s f o r m s i t and turnH a l l t h e barrenness
i n t o a* r d e n of t h e L o r d , and there is fm i l f u l ness there. B u t we have got t o get i n first.
/ , and there m u s t be t h e going o u t . We have
nottCime n o w t o HCC t h e going o u t . Let us Insure of yetting in ! T h e S p i r i t of the JjorH look
me i n . W e w i l l go t h i s w a y , t h e w a y w h i c h
leaves the flesh n o t h i n g whatsoever t o g l o r y i n ,
because i t is t h e S p i r i t of the L o r d ; anl o n l y the
S p i r i t of t h e Jx>rd w i l l t a k e us i n ; w i l l t a k e von
44
44
44
in.
44
He took
wv in / "
A . S. f\

FEBRUARY,
Vol.
1927
S,
No.
2.
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as from
Meetings for S j i r i i n ! Ei:ffcali:a, the k-oc!iir.r.ti;a of the Gsrpc!, Piaycr anJ Fellowship.
S U N D A Y S : 1 1 a.m. a n d 6 . 3 0 p.m.
W&D.VCSDAYS:8 ( B i b l e School).
MONDAYS :S ( P r a y e r M e e t i n g ) .
SATCKDAYS :7.30 ( P r a y e r M e e t i n g ) .
\*imVer
<
l.
All
ACSTIK-SPARKS"
MADOC OESTREYS
p a r t i c u l a r s m a y be o b t a i n e d f r o m M r . G. PATERSON, 27 T i n t n g e l C r e s c e n t
London, S.E.22. the Secretary of the " F e l l o w s h i p . "

A WITNESS
14
MINISTERS'
LETTER
February,
B E L O V E D OF orR
AND A
COMING L O R D ,
!
1927.
;
T a k e heed t o t h e m i n i s t r y w h i c h t h o u hast j
received i n t h e L o r d , t h a t t h o u f u l f i l i t ; f o r t o
each one of us is g i v e n grace according t o t h e
measure of t h e g i f t of t h e C h r i s t . A n d lest
a n y should f a i n t under t h i s charge, observe i t
is * i n t h e L o r d . " T a k e b u t yoxxr place i n H i m , j
y o u r inheritance i n H i s B o d y , a n d t h e A n o i n t i n g I
u p o n t h e H e a d w i l l flow d o w n t o such as seem |
t h e m o s t h u m b l e a n d r e m o t e of H i s members, j
T h a n k God, all o u r s a l v a t i o n is i n C h r i s t ,
oven o u r s a l v a t i o n i n service. E v e r y b r a n c h
t h a t beareth b u t a l i t t l e f r u i t H e p u r g e t h i t
t h a t i t may bring f o r t h more f r u i t .
Perhaps
" s a l v a t i o n i n service " m a y meet a challenge ;
b u t we are u n d o u b t e d l y saved t o serve, a n d i n
o u r serving are being saved. Wherefore w o r k
o u t y o u r s a l v a t i o n w i t h fear a n d t r e m b l i n g , f o r
i t is G o d t h a t energizeth y o u b o t h t o w i l l a n d
t o do of H i s good p l e a s u r e w o r k i n g i n y o u
t h a t w h i c h is w e l l pleasing i n H i s s i g h t .
L e t t h i s m a t t e r of service i n God's H o u s e H i s
T e m p l e - B o d y n o w become of great concern
t o y o u . C r y , '* L o r d , w h a t w i l t T h o u have me
t o do " ; a n d whatsoever H e s a i t h u n t o y o u , do
i t . I t is o n l y obedience H e requires of y o u .
T h e gracious m i r a c l e - w o r k i n g power is H i s .
Y o u r s b u t t o obey v e r y simple c o m m a n d s :
H i s t o transform, the water unto wine, the
dead t h i n g s i n t o t h e l i v i n g m a n i f e s t a t i o n of
H i s Grace.
I t is i n , a n d t h u s t h r o u g h , t h e Spirit-life of
H i s B o d y H e seeks t o use y o u . A s k n o t , A m
I a n apostle, a p r o p h e t , a teacher, an evangelist ?
b u t i n q u i r e of H i m w h e t h e r t h o u a r t a s a i n t ,
f o r t o t h e m i n i s t r y of t h e saints are wc a l l
c a l l e d : " called s a i n t s . "
A n d w h a t is t h e m i n i s t r y of every saint %
I t is t o build-up, t o e d i f y t h e B o d y . I t is t o
become a l i v i n g s p i r i t u a l organ i n t h i s i n creasing Spirit-organism (but it has an end, a
fulfilment)
of G o d , t h e C h r i s t . I t is t o see t o
i t t h a t b y obedience d a i l y t o t h e S p i r i t there is
t h e effectual-working i n y o u r measure as an
i n d i v i d u a l p a r t of t h e B o d y , f o r so t h e B o d y
m a k e t h increase of itself i n L o v e . B u t God is
t h i s L o v e , a n d such increase t h e r e f o r e is t h e
increase of God. N o w t h i s m a y seem m y s t i c a l
t o a c a r n a l m i n d , b u t v e r y p r a c t i c a l is i t t o t h e
heavenly c a l l i n g , t o t h e e t e r n a l d e s t i n y of each
member, a n d t o t h e g r e a t Purpose a n d W i l l of
God in the church.
TESTIMONY
L e t God w o r k i n y o u . Y i e l d i n active cooperation y o u r faculties t o t h e H o l y Ghost.

F o r H e w o u l d work i n y o u : H e w o u l d energize
y o u : H e w o u l d move y o u to fellowship w i t h
our H e a d i n g l o r y , a n d s t i r }our heart to love
a n d passion f o r H i s s e r v i c e t h u s groanings
because of desire too deep to a r t i c u l a t e w i L
begin to surge i n your
s p i r i t , a n d y o u wiL'
begin t o p r a y t h e " a l l - p r a y e r " of t h e S p i r i t .
T h e E t e r n a l Desire w i l l break t h r o u g h youi
n a t u r a l t o r p o r a n d l e t h a r g y , a n d God w i l l arise
w i t h i n t h e shrine of y o u r s p i r i t t o m a k e w a i
against H i s enemies t h r o u g h t h e B l o o d of H i *
Passion, a n d y o u w i l l p r a y i n t h e H o l y Ghost
all-conquering,
prevailing
prayerand in that
p r a y i n g a l l t h e saints w i l l be included, w i t h
specific m i n i s t r i e s f o r such as G o d brings tc
h e a r t a n d remembrance.
T a k e heed t o t h e m i n i s t r y i n t h e B o d y o:
C h r i s t w h i c h t h o u hast received i n t h e L o r d .
A n d so m a y we likewise be f o u n d f a i t h f u l .
Y o u r s i n t h i s supreme service,
T . AUSTIN-SPARKS,
T. MADOC JEFFREYS.
THE
MINISTRY
AND
FELLOWSHIP
W E announce h a p p y davs. T h e final haver

is n o t y e t i n s i g h t i t w i l l n o t be u n t i l H i
a p p e a r i n g b u t t h e seas are calmer, a n d H i
d i r e c t i n g H a n d is increasingly f e l t . I t is t h i
good H a n d of o u r God. I t was on t h e h e l m a l
t h r o u g h t h e s t o r m , b u t perhaps our p u n y hand:
were grasping somewhat t i g h t l y , deeming wwere steering, a n d so t h e omnipotence of H i
grasp of t h i n g s , i n heaven a n d e a r t h , was no'
f e l t . 0 we of l i t t l e f a i t h , wherefore d i d w
d o u b t ? L o r d increase our f a i t h !
Doubtless t h e r e w i l l come storms again
nevertheless we h a v e learned something o
heavenly n a v i g a t i o n .
W h a t can w e say t o these thingB but t<
re-affirm t h a t G o d is w i t h us ? J u s t n o w t o i
there are s t r o n g h i n t s of s p r i n g in t h e a i r . A l
a r o u n d is t h e parable of f a i t h , a n d of f a i t h tha*
w o r k s . Jiesurgam I F o r H e is t h o liesurrec
tion and the Life.
J a n u a r y was a Bmiting m o n t h . T h e r e wa:
m u c h sickness a b o u t , a n d some hearts growing
a l i t t l e f a i n t a n d p e r t u r b e d . ^ A f r i e n d of ou
says respocting seasonal ailments, Buch a
influenza, " I t doesn't m a t t e r as l o n g as y o i
d o n ' t get it in y o u r spirit 1 " D o t h e saint:
A WITNESS
AND A TESTIMONY
sometimes become stair, also ? Surely we have

t o g u a r d against re-actions and depressions
after some groat e x e r t i o n of heart i n t h e b a t t l e
of f a i t h . D i d n o t s t o u t E l i j a h come t o a
drooping s p i r i t a f t e r ('armcl's v i c t o r y , n n d
was i n a sorry state a t H o r e b ?
L e t us confess t h a t t h i s is t h e fashion of our
flesh, and t h u s cease f r o m confidence i n i t .
L i v e i n t h e inner m a n . and l e t t h e t r u m p e t
peal f r o m t h e fortress. ** T h e L o r d G o d O m n i p o t e n t reigneth ! " W h a t a N a m e f o r f a i n t
hearts" The Omnipotent One."
T h i s is our
God a n d Saviour, Whose N a m e is also Jesus.
A n d a l l t h e w h i l e behind t h e v i s i b l e , t h e
tangible, t h e audible, our God was w o r k i n g .
This is t h e w a y of t h e '* Vision's " coming.
* T h o u g h i t t a r r y w a i t f o r i t : i t w i l l come ; i t
w i l l n o t t a r r y . " N a y , a t t h e last i t breaks
suddenly upon us, and shames t h e doubts of
our restless souls.
So i t has been w i t h us. There has been t h i s
w a i t i n g t i m e ; a n d i n our w a i t i n g t i m e m u c h t o
harass a n d d i s t u r b . B u t G o d has H i s own
time-table, a n d brings f o r t h H i s w o r k s i n t h e
order of H i s own w i l l . Blessed be H i s N a m e !
N o w , there is d e f i n i t e m o v e m e n t .
Everyt h i n g seems m o v i n g . T h e t i l i n g s of God are
a r r i v i n g on time.
Our b r o t h e r is back i n our m i d s t again, a n d
even manages a q u i e t w o r d or t w o . W h a t
strengthening even t h e physical presence brings.
' As i r o n sharpeneth i r o n , so a man t h e countenance of his f r i e n d . " A n d , there is a F r i e n d
As a n instance of t h i s w o n d e r f u l ** t i m i n g "
of God we have our sisters, L a d j Ogle a n d
Mrs. B r a n d , coming f r o m d i f f e r e n t directions
w i t h o u t m u t u a l arrangement, one f r o m I t a l y ,
and t h e other f r o m N e w Y o r k , a r r i v i n g w i t h i n
a few hours of each other t o t a k e up t h e i r
j o i n t - m i n i s t r y i n developing a n d presiding over
t h e H o s t e l . They hope bo go i n t o residence
w i t h i n t h e next few weeks, b u t the opening
of t h e house f o r guests m a y have t o w a i t
a l i t t l e longer, since wo cannot enter upon the
w o r k of a d a p t i n g the premises f o r t h i s service
u n t i l our lease of the p r o p e r t y iB endorsed.
Nevertheless wc are n o t d i s t u r b e d b y t h i s ,
because t h e L o r d is t a k i n g pains t o show us
t h a t H e w i l l have t h e w o r k developed l i t t l e b y
l i t t l e as t h e need arises. W e should l i k e t o
have t h e H o s t e l ready b y t h e Easter Conference,
b u t t h i s seems h a r d l y probable though possible.
I t m a y be necessary t o reiterate w h a t we feel
w i l l b o * t h e m i n i s t r y of t h e H o s t e l . I t w i l l
p r o v i d e a s p i r i t u a l home, upon a moderate
scale of charges reduced t o t h e lowest m i n i m u m ,
r
f o r such of t h e L o r d ' s servants a t home a n d

abroad as feel t h e i r need of o u r fellowship a n d
m i n i s t r y f o r t h e quickening of f a i t h a n d t h e
renewing of s p i r i t u a l s t r e n g t h . A n d i n t h e
case of such as these, as w e l l as f o r those w h o are
seeking t o obey a c a l l t o m i n i s t r y f o r the first
t i m e , we believe our
t e s t i m o n y of Jesus "
b o t h as t o t h e Sovereignty H e has w o n f o r us
t h r o u g h H i s Cross, a n d t h e v e s t i n g of t h a t
Sovereignty i n t h e fellowship of t h e One S p i r i t
i n t h e One B o d y . H i s c h u r c h , w i l l be a means
of equipment t o t h e m f o r s e r v i c e a n equipment
so necessary i n these f i n a l days of t h e age.
B u t t h i s w i l l o n l y be made possible b y t h e grace
of God i n t h e m a n d i n us.
T h e H o s t e l w i l l also be a house of prayer " ;
a n d i n t h i s we can see h o w t h e L o r d is p r o v i d i n g
a sphere of service f o r intercessors " w h o w i l l
be able t o give some t i m e d a i l y t o t h i s m i n i s t r y
of w a i t i n g u p o n G o d f o r t h e prayers of H i s
S p i r i t . T h e need f o r such a m i n i s t r y is urgent,
for f r o m a l l p a r t s of t h e w o r l d there is coming
i n an increasing l i s t of appeals f o r prayer-help.
W e are l o o k i n g t o G o d f o r t h e resources
whereby a
Guest F u n d " m a y be established
so t h a t any of t h e L o r d ' s servants w h o m a y n o t
have t h e means t o a v a i l themselves of t h i s
provision can s t i l l be w a r m l y welcomed i n H i s
Name.
44
44
15
!
I
]
|
44
44
T H E EASTER CONFERENCE.
T h i s , as already announced, w i l l be held f r o m

T h u r s d a y evening ( A p r i l 14th) t o Tuesday
: evening, t h e 1 9 t h . T h e T h e m e is n o t y e t
through.
W h i l e we do n o t guarantee t h e readiness of
i the H o s t e l t o receive guests b y these dates, we
are preparing t o make greater accommodation.
W e are already seeing t h a t t h e H o s t e l w i l l n o t
Bervc t h e need of our m o n t h l y v i s i t o r s , and w i l l
have t o be reserved r a t h e r f o r such as come
for t h o q u i e t a n d continuous fellowship of t h e
regular m i n i s t r y . T h e house w i l l n o t i n a n y
case accommodate more t h a n 14 guests a t the
same t i m e . W e are e x p e c t i n g t h e L o r d t o
give us more house-room i n t h e v i c i n i t y ; a n d
there is a n i n d i c a t i o n t h a t H e m a y lead some
t o open guest-homes i n t h e neighbourhood f o r
this work.
I t w i l l be w e l l for those w h o i n t e n d c o m i n g t o
us f o r Easter t o address t h e i r applications a n d
enquiries w i t h o u t delay t o our b r o t h e r , M r .
Paterson. (We i n t e n d opening a Conference
Guest F u n d as well.)
TRAINING.
As t o t h i s phaBo of m i n i s t r y we are going

f o r w a r d w i t h t h e v i s i o n step b y step.
Our
16
A WITNESS
AND
present necessity is t o get our *' house " in

order. W o do n o t d o u b t t h a t t h i s f u r t h e r
m i n i s t r y w i l l develop i n t h e L o r d s t i m e a n d
way.
A l l enquiries t h e r e f o r e as t o t h e H o s t e l ,
T r a i n i n g Centre, Conferences ( M a r c h a n d Easter)
should be directed t o o u r secretary, M r . Paterson,
The H o n o r Oak C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p Centre,
H o n o r Oak R o a d , L o n d o n , S.E.23.
W e do n o t need t o a d d t h a t i n a l l these
m a t t e r s we shall m a k e each case of application
a m a t t e r of earnest e n q u i r y of t h e L o r d as t o
H i s w i l l , a n d we ask t h a t t h e same care be
exercised b y those w h o seek o u r fellowship.
RESOURCES.
S t i l l another i n d i c a t i o n have w e of t h e L o r d ' s

time-table. H e has been sending such a d d i t i o n a l resources t h i s m o n t h t h a t we can n o w
contemplate proceeding w i t h t h e b u i l d i n g of a
Conference H a l l . O u r present a c c o m m o d a t i o n
is n o t u n d u l y t a x e d as y e t . T h e H a l l a t t a c h e d
t o t h e house holds some 250, b u t we have no
b a p t i s t r y ; t h e . conveniences f o r e n t e r t a i n i n g
conferences are l i m i t e d ; moreover t h e present
weeks w i t h t h e u n f a v o u r a b l e weather have
Been our house always c o m f o r t a b l y f u l l , a n d
we a n t i c i p a t e m u c h larger attendances as t h e
b e t t e r c o n d i t i o n s of s p r i n g a n d summer come
t o pass.
THE
4 4
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY."
T h e t i m e is also come w h e n o u r paper needs

t o be enlarged. W e propose a d d i n g another
8 columns m a k i n g t h e issue one of 16 pages.
As i t is we have insufficient space t o deal
adequately w i t h t h e teaching of t h e W o r d as
g i v e n i n o u r f e l l o w s h i p gatherings a n d a t t h e
m o n t h l y conferences. W i t h t h e opening of
t h e H o s t e l t h e r e w i l l arise t h e necessity of
introducing further profitable m a t t e r i n relation
t o t h e m i n i s t r y of intercession f o r m a n y n i g h
a n d d i s t a n t fields. I t is hoped also t o p r o v i d e
some columns t h a t s h a l l deal w i t h specific
questions a n d difficulties, a n d perhaps meet
t h e need of y o u n g e r Christians. T h e gist of
each conference w i l l also be published under
t h e heading of
Conference R e p o r t . "
The
enlarged issue w i l l p r o b a b l y f o l l o w t h e EaBtcr
Conference.
44
TESTIMONY
, messenger of t h e L o r d w i t h a series of dynamic

I addresses u p o n t h e words, '* T a k e M y yoke
i u p o n y o u . " I t was t h e personal application
! of t h e t h e m e , a n d t h e essential message t o a n y
| w h o h a d n o t accepted t h e w i l l of God " i n i t s
j d e m a n d f o r an u n d i v i d e d allegiance t o t h e
j Sovereignty of t h e L o r d as represented i n H i s
| challenge t o would-be disciples, T a k e u p t h e
j Cross a n d f o l l o w M e . "
!
W e f e l t t h a t t h e m a i n t h o u g h t of t h e L o r d
| f o r t h i s conference was h e l d u p b y t h e presence
j of unsurrendered lives, f o r t h e S p i r i t k e p t our
| b r o t h e r u p o n t h i s w o r d t h r o u g h o u t as a veritable
h a m m e r of t h e L o r d .
Y e t , t h e r e seems such a need t h a t t h e L o r d ' s
people s h o u l d enter i n t o t h e vision of * H i s
W i l l , " t h e m y s t e r y of H i s W i l l . " A n d t h i s is
I impossible u n t i l t h e r e has been t h e final irrevoc; able surrender t o t h e Cross. H o w e v e r t h e final
! meeting of t h e Conference b r o u g h t us t o the
i u n v e i l i n g of t h e " W i l l of G o d " as H i s eternal
I purpose i n t h e Christ corporate. W e saw t h a t
j t h e e t e r n a l p r e d e t e r m i n a t i o n of God, t h e
j m y s t e r y of H i s w i l l , is t h a t age-long movement
of t h e S p i r i t t o w a r d s t h e c o n s u m m a t i o n of the
B o d y . I t is t h e u n l i m i t e d , universal and
o m n i p o t e n t W i l l of G o d as exercised a n d
I revealed i n C a l v a r y t h a t is t h e essential revela! t i o n needed b y t h e saints f o r t h i s last h o u r of
t h e dispensation. Oh, t h a t t h e children of
i God w o u l d e m u l a t e t h e i r L o r d i n learning tho
j W i l l of t h e F a t h e r . T h e n , t h e W i l l was
m o v i n g t o w a r d s t h e accomplishment of t h e
Cross: n o w , i t is m o v i n g towards t h e cons u m m a t i o n of t h a t Cross, t h e completion a n d
perfection of t h e L o r d ' s B o d } ' , t h e manifestation
j of t h e sons of God i n a n d w i t h t h e manifestation
j of t h e S O N of God.
4k
41
44
THANKSGIVING.
W e do n o t use these columns f o r personal

m a t t e r s , b u t we feel i t f i t t i n g t o celebrate
God's praise f o r g i v i n g t o our brother a n d
sister ( M r . a n d M r s . Austin-Sparks) t h e i r first
; b o r n son. H i s safe coming has been a t r i u m p h
j of t h e L o r d ' s m e r c y , a n d never has the t e s t i m o n y
of H i s all-suificing grace been more manifest
j t h a n i n our dear sister's courageous and cheerful
; f a i t h d u r i n g t h e past t r y i n g m o n t h s . The
i whole " F e l l o w s h i p " gathers around thorn i n
j glad c o n g r a t u l a t i o n and t h a n k s g i v i n g , and i t is
j because we k n o w h o w friends near and f a r w i l l
! share o u r j o y t h a t we m a k e t h i s happening
| known.
4
F E B R U A R Y C O N F E R E N C E , 4 T H TO
7TH.
T h e Cross, a n d t h o W i l l of God " as t h e

theme fitted t h e events of t h e days, f o r t h e
conference synchronised w i t h t h e a r r i v a l of t h e
hostesses of t h e H o s t e l , t h e a d v e n t of our
brother f r o m his c r i t i c a l illness, a n d t h e l i f t i n g ! T H E I T I N E R A N T M I N I S T R Y .
I t is t h o manifest w i s d o m of God t h a t wc aro
of m a n y clouds.
being s h u t u p t o t h e care of t h e w o r k a t t h e
M r . A , S. Crowe was again m a d e a m a n i f e s t
44
WITNESS
AND
" Centre " d u r i n g these m o n t h s , f o r t h i s is t h e

period when t h e f o u n d a t i o n s need t o be l a i d
aright.
The m o n t h l y conferences a t Newcastle have
the seal of God u p o n t h e m . T h u s f a r t h e
messenger has been t h e w r i t e r of these notes.
Here again f o u n d a t i o n s are being l a i d , a n d
this has been o b v i o u s l y t h e L o r d ' s p l a n .
We
go again t h i s m o n t h , F r i d a y t h e 1 8 t h . T h e
theme is * T h e Cross, a n d t h e E t e r n a l Purpose
of God.' N e x t m o n t h , M a r c h 1 8 t h , our b r o t h e r
M r . A . S. Crowe w i l l be t h e speaker.
Special
prayer is asked f o r these meetings w h i c h are
the" outcome of o u r b r o t h e r ' s ( M r . Sparks)
m i n i s t r y a t Newcastle. P a r t i c u l a r s can be
obtained f r o m M r s . Mackenzie-Mentiply, 35
N o r t h u m b e r l a n d Gardens, J e s m o n d , Newcastleon-Tyne.
M r . Sparks' a b i l i t y t o t a k e u p m i n i s t r y w i l l
be l i m i t e d f o r some t i m e t o come. H e intends
t a k i n g rest f o r a m o r t h or so. T h i s is v e r y
needful. T h e n these n e x t m o n t h s w i l l be, as
indicated above, t h e f o r m a t i v e p e r i o d of t h e
developments a t t h e " C e n t r e " so t h a t his
presence ir o u r councils is v e r y welcome as
well as desirable. * H e d o e t h a l l t h i n g s w e l l . "
F. M. J.
MARCH CONFERENCE
Dates, M a r c h 4th to 7th inclusive, and the meetings
at the usual times. T h e T h e m e given is :--" T h e
Cross, and the believers' conformity to the image of
the Son of God." Further particulars on application.
There has been an unusual addition of gifts as
from outside the regular contributions received from
the members of the fellowship resident locally, and
we take this as another timely
indication of the
Divine approval for the enlargement of the paper.
Will contributors please notice that gifts for this
ministry are to be sent, or handed to, Miss SACH, 29
iMundania Road, S . E . 2 2 . Miss HAWES, 24 Rye Dale,
S.E.22, will be glad to send copies to any who desire
them.
Italy, 1 0 ; Philadelphia. \ os. 7 d . ; Tipperary,
\ ; Derby, \ : Matlock, 7s. 6 d . ; Cornwall, 5 s . ;
Cornwall, 2s. 6 d . ; Aberdare, 5 s . ; Belfast, 4 s . ; Forest
Hill, 2s. 6 d . ; Chichester, 2s. 8 d . ; Hampstead, i s . ;
Eastbourne, i s . ; Clapham, \ ; Birkenhead, 2s.6d. ;
Blackpool, 3s. 6s. ; Fazakerley, 5s. ; Palmers' Green,
2s. 6 d . ; Green Lanes, 2s, 6 d . ; Donaghadee, 5 s . ;
Boscombe, 2s. 6 d . ; Eastbourne, 2s. 6 d . ; Wandsworth, 2 s . : Hoylake, 5 s . : Cardiff. 5 s . ; R e b a t e ,
2s.6d*; Sandown, 2s. 6 d . ; Wembley, 2s. 6 d . ; Philadelphia, 4 s . ; Friern Road, 6d. ; Minneapolis, 4 s . ;
Muswell Hill, 3s. 6 d . ; Hampstead, 5 s . ; Blackheath,
4s. 2ftd.; Dublin, 5s.Total, JJ8 9s. 5^d.
B o o k l e t s (by T . A . - S . ) : N o s . 1 and 2, Incorporation into Christ,' 2d. each.
No. 7 , ' T h e Inner
Man of the H e a r t ' (with diagram), 4d. each.
Particulars as to these from the Secretary.
4
17
TESTIMONY
INTRODUCTION
TO A N
ADDRESS
Given by T . Austin-Sparks at
December Conference.
the
Honor Oak C. F . Centre.
T h e C r o s s , a n d t h e E t e r n a l G l o r y of G o d
is our general t h e m e , a n d t h e b u r d e n of t h e
w o r d f o r t h i s evening is r e l a t e d , I t h i n k , t o the
whole syllabus ; b u t a t a n y r a t e s t a r t i n g w i t h
t h e emphasis o n t h a t t h i r d section i n t h e syllabus
" t h e Glory* Post-Incarnate " t h e cross v i n dicated i n t h e R e s u r r e c t i o n a n d Ascension,
I have also t o go on i n t o t h e other, f o r
t h i s is t h e b u r d e n i n these d a y s t h e a b i d i n g
m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e G l o r y i n t h e C h u r c h , t h e
B o d y of C h r i s t .
There are seven manifestations of the G l o r y
i n t h e W o r d of G o d , a n d we shall m e n t i o n
t h e m because t h e y are t h e basis of t h i s m e d i t a t i o n . Seven t i m e s b o t h i n t y p e a n d i n t h a t
t y p i f i e d we are t o l d of t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of
t h e g l o r y , o r t h e g l o r i f i c a t i o n . These are as
follows:
1. I n t h e case of t h e Tabernacle as m e n t i o n e d
i n t h o 4 0 t h chapter of E x o d u s . W h e n a l l
t h i n g s h a d been p u t i n order a n d completed
according t o t h e p a t t e r n i n t h e m o u n t , t h e
G l o r y of t h e L o r d filled t h e H o u s e f i l l e d
the T e n t .
2. T h e n e x t is i n t h e case of t h e T e m p l e aB recorded i n I I C h r o n . 7 . A g a i n w h e n a l l
t h i n g s h a d been Bet i n order a n d made
according t o t h e r e v e l a t i o n of t h e p a t t e r n
of t h e heavenlies, we read t h e G l o r y of t h e
L o r d filled t h e House.
3. T h e t h i r d iB i n t h e
6th
chapter
o*
I s a i a h . I saw t h e L o r d h i g h a n d l i f t e d u p ,
H i s t r a i n filled t h e T e m p l e . H e r e is a
b r e a k i n g f o r t h , a m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e
G l o r y , a n d s t i l l f i l l i n g t h e HouBe of G o d ,
as over a n d u p o n a n d w i t h i n t h a t House
of G o d , t h e g l o r y was revealed.
4. A n d t h e n w e come i n t o t h e days of our L o r d
o n t h e t r a n s f i g u r a t i o n m o u n t , as i n M a t t h e w
x v i i . , & there iB a m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e G l o r y
of C h r i s t , a b r e a k i n g f o r t h , a g l o r i f i c a t i o n .
5. T h e n i n H i s Ascension we read, (and i t is
interesting t o notice t h i s w o r d i n t h e B o o k
of t h e A c t s i n t h e first chapter. T h r e e times
t h i s phrase is m e n t i o n e d " Received u p . " )
T h e A u t h o r i s e d Version does n o t give t h e
significance. I t p u t s i t i n another w a y .
B u t H o was received u p , a n d received u p
i n t o t h o G l o r y , a n d i n t h a t connection y o u

A
18
WITNESS
AND
b r i n g those w o r d s f r o m t h e 2 4 t h Psalm :
" L i f t u p y o u r heads 0 y e gates, a n d be y e
l i f t u p y e everlasting d o o r s : a n d t h e K i n g
of G l o r y shall come i n . " T h e K i n g of
G l o r y . H e r e is t h e g l o r i f i c a t i o n i n t h e
Ascension, w h e n t h e K i n g of G l o r y enters
into His Glory.
C. A n d t h e n a t Pentecost, as i n A c t s i i . , t h e r e is
a m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h i s G l o r y i n t h e Church.
I t is t h e g l o r i f i e d C h r i s t c o m i n g i n t h e
Person of t h e H o l y S p i r i t a n d revealing
and manifesting H i s Glory i n the midst
of t h a t s p i r i t u a l c o u n t e r p a r t of t h e O l d
T e s t a m e n t Tabernacle a n d T e m p l e , the
C h u r c h , w h i c h is H i s B o d y . A t Pentecost
H e comes i n t o H i s T e m p l e s u d d e n l y , a n d
t h e r e is a b r e a k i n g f o r t h of H i s G l o r y .
W e shall see t h e n a t u r e of t h a t b r e a k i n g
f o r t h l a t e r as t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of H i s
sovereignty over s i n a n d d e a t h a n d a l l
flesh.
" T h o u hast g i v e n H i m a u t h o r i t y ,
or j u r i s d i c t i o n , over a l l flesh " was H i s
W o r d earlier, a n d y o u remember Joel's
prophesy concerning Pentecost. " I w i l l
p o u r o u t m y S p i r i t u p o n a l l flesh." T h i s
is t h a t , the m a n i f e s t a t i o n of H i s sovereignty,
His Glory, w i t h i n and upon and through
this spiritual temple.
7. T h e n A n a l l y there is t h a t u l t i m a t e , t h a t
c o n s u m m a t i o n of t h e G l o r y i n t h e s p i r i t u a l
house as m e n t i o n e d b y P a u l i n I I Thessalonians c h a p t e r 1 : " W h e n H e s h a l l come
t o be g l o r i f i e d i n H i s s a i n t s . " H e r e is t h e
f i n a l c o n s u m m a t e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of H i s
Glory i n the Church, i n the Spiritual House,
i n H i s B o d y . H i s corporate B o d y .
T . A.-S,.
(To
be
Continued).
T H E CROSS, AND T H E
E T E R N A L GLORY OF GOD
(An
extract of notes taken at the

December
Conference.)
Verses : R o m a n s v i i i . 17, 18 ; P h i l i p p i a r s i . 29 ;
I Peter i v . 12-14.
SUFFERING A N D GLORY.
T H E whole r e l a t i o n of these t w o is b r o u g h t
t o i t s e x p l i c i t declaration i n t h i s last verse :
** I f y e are reproached f o r t h e N a m e of t h e
Christ blessed are y e , because t h e s p i r i t of g l o r y
and of God r e s t e t h upon y o u . " T h u s t h e g l o r y
of God i n t h e c h u r c h is a t present evidenced b y
t h e f a c t of t h e s a i n t s ' suffering together w i t h
Christ.
TESTIMONY
W e remember h o w t h e L o r d said t h a t we
were t o exceedingly rejoice, t o be exuberantly
j o y f u l , when w e were persecuted f o r righteousness' sake. W h y ? ** Because so persecuted
t h e y t h e p r o p h e t s w h i c h were before y o u , "
H e adds. I t is an evidence of " T h e testimony
of Jesus." W e are i n t h e prophetic succession.
T h e S p i r i t of t h e C h r i s t was in t h e m t o t e s t i f y
beforehand. T h e S p i r i t of t h e I n c a r n a t e Christ
is in us as members of H i s B o d y . B u t in b o t h
cases ** t h e t e s t i m o n y of Jesus is t h e s p i r i t of
p r o p h e c y " a n d i n an anti-Christ w o r l d i t w i l l
p r o v o k e persecution. I f we are f a i t h f u l i n our
t e s t i m o n y persecution w i l l be t h e inevitable
r e s u l t : suffering of some character m u s t i n e v i t a b l y f o l l o w . Therefore, when i t ensues, Christi a n ! R e j o i c e . I t is e v i d e n t y o u are c o u n t i n g
for God i n a n anti-godly w o r l d . " T h e s p i r i t
of g l o r y a n d of God t a k e t h rest upon y o u . "
I t strikes a lower n o t e t o say, L e t us be
reconciled t o t h i s present i n e v i t a b l e experience.
B u t we m u s t n o t e t h e f a c t t h a t t h e g l o r y of
God i n t h e C h r i s t does n o t a t t h i s present t i m e
w i n t h e w o r l d t o an a d m i r a t i o n , m u c h less t o a
consent a n d a w o r s h i p . I t is r a t h e r provocat i v e of a strange antagonism, of a s t i r r i n g u p of
strife. T h e challenge of God t h r o u g h the Cross
provokes t h e e n m i t y of t h e flesh, a n d agitates
t h e hidden forces b e h i n d t h e flesh, p r e c i p i t a t i n g
t h e m t o a c t i o n , causing t h e " m y s t e r y of i n i q u i t y " t o w o r k , a n d w e need t o n o t e
c o n s t i t u t i n g a process w h e r e b y there shall be a
heading-up of t h e satanic s y s t e m in "its opposit i o n t o " t h e o n l v t r u e G o d " as revealed in
Jesus C h r i s t , W h o m H e has sent. So t h a t i f
we are f u n c t i o n i n g a r i g h t as l i v i n g members of
t h e B o d y of C h r i s t we are bound t o provoke
t h i s antagonism, a n d especially of t h e hidden
e v i l forces. Suffering,
of a k i n d , is bound t o
ensue. C o u n t i t a l l j o y , f o r i t is an evidence
of a s p i r i t - a c t i v i t y i n y o u ; i t is b r o u g h t about
b y t h e v e r y f a c t t h a t t h e One H o l y S p i r i t is
resting upon y o u , t h e s p i r i t of g l o r y a n d of God.
N o w t h i s r a t h e r changes t h e direction of our
v i s i o n . T h e horizons of f a i t h i n t h i s aspect,
m a y . seem somewhat i n t i m i d a t i n g . Such declarations are calculated t o make t h e t i m i d
s h r i n k . One has n o t i c e d , indeed, t h a t the
present emphasis of t r u t h has tended t o quench
a certain k i n d of praise. W e l l , there is a certain
aoulish exuberance, a mere enthusiasm of the
fleBh, w h i c h i t was t h e L o r d ' s practice t o always
check and c h i l l .
N o , H e ever confronted t h e m w i t h the Cross.
H o spoke t o t h e m about t h e need of meeting a
challenge of D i v i n e obedience t h a t w o u l d bring

A
WITNESS
AND
19
TESTIMONY
w i t h zest. T h u B t h e chief characteristic of t h e

early church is t h e e x t r a o r d i n a r y j o y of t h e
believers a m i d t h e i r t r i a l s a n d persecutions.
F i r s t of a l l t h e y a r e a n i n s i g n i f i c a n t , l i t t l e heeded folk ; but* as t h e t e s t i m o n y of t h e S p i r i t
w i t h i n t h e m t o t h e Sovereignty of t h e Crucified
i L o r d registers i t s i m p a c t u p o n t h e powers
j behind h u m a n society, a n d t h e w o r l d is t u r n e d
i upside d o w n , t h e y have t o m e e t t h e g r o w i n g
! hatred and b i t t e r persecution t h a t follows.
A r e t h e y discouraged ? O n t h e c o n t r a r y t h e y
j. are filled w i t h t h i s w o n d e r f u l j o y . Y o u have
j t h e same experience manifested i n P a u l and
Silas singing t h e i r spontaneous psalms i n t h e
' prison a t P h i l i p p i . A n d i t has been ever so.
T h e t r u e c h i l d of God k n o w s t h a t , t h e p a t h w a y
j of suffering f o r Christ's sake is a l l t h e while
i the w a y everlasting, t h e unseen g l o r y is u p o n
t h a t p a t h . T h u s w h e n t h e apostle breaks
t h r o u g h his p r e l i m i n a r y a r g u m e n t i n t o t h e
great declaration of
justification by faith "
i n Romans v . 1 , he announces t h a t we e x u l t
u p o n t h e H o p e of t h e G l o r y of God. A n d t h i s
is so. W e look f o r H i s G l o r y t o be manifested,
a n d we w i t h H i m , i n a f e l l o w s h i p of G l o r y ,
B u t t h e apostle i m m e d i a t e l y adds, " A n d n o t
tribulations
o n l y BO, but we rejoice [exult) in
also."
A n d i n t h a t L i f e of t h e S p i r i t revealed i n
t h e 8 t h chapter, there is t h i s c e n t r a l t h i n g ,
we suffer together w i t h H i m , we w i l l
be also glorified t o g e t h e r , " verse 17.
A n d t h i s is t h e w a y of t h e G l o r y now. I t is
as God sees us, and as t h e p r i n c i p a l i t i e s a n d
So we m u s t s t a r t a r i g h t , w i t h no misconpowers see us ; and n o t as m e n see us, or even as
ceptions.
Since I m u s t f i g h t i f I w o u l d w i n ,
we see ourselves. God iB m a n i f e s t i n g H i s glory
Increase m y courage, L o r d ! " . I t is significant
i n t h e saints now ; b u t i t is t h r o u g h o u r obedience
that the first v i r t u e t h a t diligent f a i t h must
of f a i t h , a n d t h r o u g h o u r suffering i n t h a t
add t o i t s a r m o u r y iB t h i s grace of
courage."
obedience. So our L*>rd s a y s , 1 have glorified
2nd Peter i . 5. Joshua as he entered t h e l a n d
Thee on t h e e a r t h . " B u t how ? B y obedience,
of c o n f l i c t was b i d d e n again a n d a g a i n , " O n l y
and by suffering. T h e G l o r y shone f r o m w i t h i n ,
bo s t r o n g , a n d of a good c o u r a g e . "
and was manifested ; b u t n o t t o h u m a n sight.
N o t n o w , t h e n , t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e
Nevertheless, some beheld H i s G l o r y . I t was
wonder of heaven, t h e bliss of e t e r n i t y spent i n
t h e G l o r y as of t h e Only-Begotten of t h e F a t h e r ,
the blissful h a b i t a t i o n s of praise, b u t t h e
f u l l of grace a n d t r u t h ; Grace a n d T r u t h 1
challenge of suffering. Y e t thiB is t h e e x t r a These are t h e present indications of t h e h i d d e n
o r d i n a r y t h i n g t h o c h i l d of God welcomes thiB.
Glory.
W e mean t h e t r u e c h i l d of G o d , t h e one bornI t is n o t t h o mere t r a n s f i g u r a t i o n of t h e m o r t a l
f r o m above ; n o t t h e professor, b u t t h e possessor
body t h a t is t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h o G l o r y of
of t h a t E t e r n a l L i f e t h a t was i n t h e bosom of t h e
the ChriBt. T h a t is b u t t h e end and consummaF a t h e r , a n d W h o has been manifested t o us,
t i o n of a L I F E w h i c h IH now being w r o u g h t o u t
and i n us. H o m a y s h r i n k i n his flesh f r o m
i n our s p i r i t . T h e g l o r i f i c a t i o n of o u r bodies
such prospects ; b u t once i n t h o l i g h t of t h a t
is a urn all m a t t e r f o r t h e Creator to accomplish ;
Face ho has accepted t h o fellowship of H i s
but. t l i e glorification of our spirits t o bo l i k e
L o r d , a n d s u b m i t t e d t o H i s Cross, he finds he
unto H i s , t o be c o n f o r m e d i n w a r d l y t o t h e
receives a S p i r i t that embraces t h o conflict
image of H i B Son, thiB i s t h e w o n d e r of H i s
t o an end a l l t h e desires of thiB life.

W e are aware t h a t t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n of t h e
Lord's m e t h o d is prc-Calvary, a n d t h a t ** Christ
also h a t h suffered once f o r a l l f o r sins, the J u s t
One for t h e u n j u s t , t h a t H e m i g h t b r i n g us t o
G o d . " B u t t h i s is a p r i n c i p l e of H i s L i f e w h i c h
wc now confess t o share. H e has b r o u g h t us
to God. W c are speaking n o t of suffering
as a means of s a l v a t i o n , b u t as a m e t h o d of
service. H e shared our shame a t C a l v a r y ;
but we are now called t o share H i s g l o r y .
Nevertheless t h a t g l o r y is alien t o t h e s p i r i t of
this w o r l d . I t w i l l p u t us outside t h e gate,
bearing H i s reproach. A n d t h i s is t h e p r i n c i p l e
of t h e L i f e of g l o r y t h a t is n o w h i d w i t h Christ
in God, i t must meet t h e r e j e c t i o n of t h i s w o r l d ,
i t must p r o v o k e t h e h a t r e d of t h e s p i r i t w h o is
i n t h i s w o r l d . T h e g l o r y e n t a i k suffering. T o
be God-born means t o be devil-hated. There is
no escape f r o m t h i s incidence of t h e D i v i n e L i f e
upon t h i s w o r l d system. E v e n t h e B i r t h
arouses t h e m a l i g n i t y of H e r o d a t y p i c a l
instance. So every new-born c h i l d of God is
i m m e d i a t e l y t h e o b j e c t of t h e satanic m u r d e r
s p i r i t . " H e was a
manslayer' from the
b e g i n n i n g . " T h e seed of G o d w i l l have no
respite f r o m his h a t r e d u n t i l t h e y be receivedup i n t o g l o r y . M e a n w h i l e t h e y are i n t h i s
w o r l d f o r t h e g l o r y of God. W e are witnesses
of H I M . A s H e i s , so are we i n t h i s w o r l d ;
and there m u s t be t h e i n e v i t a b l e clash of t h e
t w o w i l l s t h a t g o v e r n t h e w i l l of G o d t h a t rules
in t h e c h i l d r e n of G o d , a n d t h e w i l l of satan
t h a t rules i n t h e w o r l d of fallen m e n .
41
44
44
44
4 4
Austin-Sparks.Net
- AWAT Volume
5 - Searchable
A WITNESS AND A
TESTIMONY
g r a c e ; a n d i t is t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h i s g l o r y
t h a t H e desires s h o u l d be g i v e n to t h e p r i n c i palities a n d powers i n t h e heavenly places now.
I t is t h e CROSS t h a t glorifies God. T h i B o u r
L o r d recognises as H e t u r n s f r o m t h e prospect
of p o p u l a r acceptance i n J o h n x i i . 2 1 - 2 8 , faces
t h e Cross, lays d o w n i t s basic principles i n
those well-known w o r d s a b o u t t h e c o r n of
w h e a t , a n d finally declares, " F a t h e r , g l o r i f y
Thy Name."
possible persecutions. T h i s is n o t w h a t i .
m e a n t . Such t h i n g s m a y c o m e o r t h o y m a y nots
! T h e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g IB t o k n o w t h e S p i r i t , the
| S p i r i t of H i m W h o suffered. I s H e w i t h i n y o u ?
T h e n , w h e n t h e pressure comes, t h e
fight
begins, t h e c o n f l i c t t h i c k e n s , t r i b u l a t i o n s a r i s e
and a l l because of t h e Word, t h e n i t is for y o u
; t o k n o w t h a t as y o u s t a n d w i t h t h e L o r d i n
H i s meekness, a n d y e t i n H i s s t r e n g t h , k n o w i n g
j t h e power of H i s resurrection i n y o u r c o n f o r m i t y
t o H i s d e a t h , G O D is g l o r i f i e d , a n d t h e Spirit of
T h a t Cross stands t o t h e e t e r n a l g l o r y of ; g l o r y a n d of G o d r e s t e t h , d e l i g h t e t h t o take
G o d . " T h e L a m b i n t h e m i d s t of t h e T h r o n e , " j rest, u p o n y o u . G o d can e x h i b i t y o u as a
newly-slain, a n d y e t s l a i n before t h e f o u n d a t i o n I t r o p h y of H i s grace before principalities and
of t h e w o r l d , t h e m y s t e r y of t h e D i v i n e Passion i powers a n d say, H a s t t h o u considered My
i n t h e C h r i s t . T h i s is t h e language of t h e S p i r i t j child ?
T. M. J.
t o t e l l us t h a t t h e G l o r y of G o d is v i n d i c a t e d i n I
T H E SECRET OF FRUITFULNESS
the suffering of H i s l o v e .
Continued.
W e are saved b y t h i s , as w e believe. A n d j
Notes
of
the
2nd
Address upon this subject
there cannot be t h e shadow of a d o u b t a b o u t j
(Ezekiel
xlvii.)
at
the
JANUARY CONFERENCE
o u r s a l v a t i o n , sealed as i t is i n t h a t B l o o d . ;
W E are seeking t o find h o w t h e L i f e of God
B u t n o w , being saved, w h a t are w e , i f n o t t h e j
i n t h i s p i c t u r e of f r u i t f u l n e s s m a y be realised
c h i l d r e n of G o d , joint-heirs w i t h o u r Risen
i n experience, k n o w i n g t h a t t h i s is God's w i l l
L o r d ? A n d i f so, are n o t H i s interests our
interests ? H i s K i n g d o m o u r K i n g d o m ? H i s ; f o r us ; t h e e n d t o w h i c h God is w o r k i n g i n a l l
enemies o u r enemies ? " I s t h i s v i l e w o r l d a j H i s dealings w i t h u s f o r n o t h i n g b u t f r u i t w i l l
f r i e n d of grace ? " T h e n t h e v e r y f a c t of our ; satisfy, t h e h e a r t of G o d . I n o u r quest there
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h H I M i n L i f e because w e have j are some w o r d s i n t h e beginning of the 4 7 t h
accepted H i s d e a t h , means a sharing of t h e I chapter, a clause i n each of t h e 1st, 2 n d a n d
i m p a c t of t h a t h o s t i l i t y against H i m , a n d a j 3 r d verses w h i c h give t o us t h e innermost
bearing also o n o u r hearts of t h e B u r d e n of I secret of L i f e ,
H i s Purpose. N a y m o r e , t h a t v e r y love of j
I n t h e f i r s t v e r s e " H e b r o u g h t me unto."
G o d t h a t gave t h e Son is n o w shed a b r o a d i n j
I n t h e second v e r s e " H e b r o u g h t me out."
o u r hearts b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t , W e suffer t o - I
I n t h e t h i r d v e r s e " H e b r o u g h t me through."
gether w i t h H i m . W e p r a y t o g e t h e r w i t h H i m . I
" H e b r o u g h t m e unto."
Y o u m u s t rememW e y e a r n together w i t h H i m f o r t h e f u l f i l m e n t ! ber t h a t o t h e r w o r d w e read last n i g h t .
of H i s purpose, t h e building-up of t h e B o d y , '
" T h e n t h e S p i r i t t o o k me u p and b r o u g h t
a n d t h e b r i n g i n g of Satan d o w n i n t o t h i s e a r t h , j
me i n . " " H e
brought me o u t . "
"He
t h e arena where t h e age-long c o n f l i c t shall be <
b r o u g h t me t h r o u g h . "
finally ended. T h i s is t h e cosmic v i s i o n ; b u t i A n d a t t h e outset l e t us get help i n these t w o
i t requires a S p i r i t W h o k n o w s t h e passion of ! pronouns, " H e " a n d " m e " : m y personal
t h e Cross.
| r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h H i m . T h a t is t h e r o o t of
N o t t h e a b s o r p t i o n o f some
Flesh a n d b l o o d c a n n o t s t a n d here. TheBe j e v e r y t h i n g .
elements c a n n o t e n t e r i n t o f e l l o w s h i p w i t h H i m . i teaching, n o t t h e accepting some d o c t r i n e , b u t
H o w t h e y f a i l e d a t Gethsemane ! H o w f a r j a deep personal, i n t i m a t e , l i v i n g relationship
f r o m apprehending t h e i n v i t a t i o n of t h e L o r d , \w i t h H i m s e l f . T h e n H e w i l l have H i s way
*' T a r r y y e here, a n d w a t c h w i t h M e . " I m - ; w i t h me ; H e w i l l get me a t t h o place H e w a n t s
possible f o r flesh a n d b l o o d t o i n h e r i t t h e king- ; mo t o be i n . H e w i l l b r i n g me i n . H e w i l l
d o m of G o d , t o become joint-heirs w i t h t h o : b r i n g me o u t and t h r o u g h each succeeding exC h r i s t . N o , G o d does n o t expect o u r flesh to j perience, t i m e a f t e r t i m e . H o w i l l b r i n g me
meet t h i s c o n f l i c t . H e w e l l k n o w s i t cannot, j t h r o u g h .
T h i s is t h e f i r s t question. W h a t iK JONIIH
A n d flesh m u s t n o t visualise t h o c o n f l i c t c i t h e r .
I t is s o m e t h i n g belonging t o t h e " new m a n . " ; C h r i s t , t h e L o r d , a f t e r ? N o t w h a t do y o u
I t is a b u r d e n of spirit.
Beware of m a k i n g a ! k n o w a b o u t H i m : n o t w h a t are y o u r theories
catalogue of sufferings, of l e t t i n g t h o d e v i l play j a b o u t H i m : w h a t is H o t o y o u '( A l l hangs
w i t h y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n s a n d i n v e n t i n g a l i s t of j on t h a t . T h i s is a t h i n g of t h o h e a r t . " H e
;

A WITNESS
AND
brought mo u n t o t h o d o o r . " W e muBt get i

tho whole p i c t u r e , and we must j u s t r e c a p i t u late a l i t t l e and go back over t h a t
waythe
course* of the r i v e r , back f r o m t h a t scene of
fruit fulness t o t h e source of t h e r i v e r w i t h i n
the sanctuary ; f o r we saw t h a t a l l t h e f r u i t f u l ness is caused b y t h e o r i g i n of t h e r i v e r , the
source f r o m w h i c h i t Howsbemuse it issued
out of the sanctuary.
H o w t o get there ? W c came i n our quest
of tho source of t h e r i v e r t o a s h u t door, a door
which v e r y l i t e r a l l y bars our progress, a door
across w h i c h is w r i t t e n " N o m a n shall e n t e r . "
A n d we s a y " W h o t h e n can be saved ? "
A n d t h e L o r d a n s w e r s " W i t h m a n i t is i m possible." Y o u c a n n o t go i n t h r o u g h t h a t
door, a n d y e t y o u have t o go i n . I t seems a l l
very c o n t r a d i c t o r y . Y e t we saw there was a
w a y . A n d t h e w a y i n was round ; n o t t h r o u g h
the gate b y w h i c h t h e L o r d of G l o r y e n t e r e d ;
b u t t h r o u g h a gate t o t h e n o r t h ; a n d y o u could
go i n , a n d pass o u t by t h e south gate. Or y o u
could go i n b y t h e south a n d pass o u t t h r o u g h
the n o r t h . A n d we saw t h e b e t t e r t h i n g t o do
was t o choose t h e n o r t h , f o r t h a t is t h e place
of the r e a l i s a t i o n of t h e sufferings of our L o r d , of
our C r u c i f i x i o n w i t h H i m , a n d of o u r consequent
s t r i p p i n g b y t h a t p i e r c i n g n o r t h w i n d of a l l our
pride a n d a l l our righteousness,and of a l l i n w h i c h
we boast, a n d of a l l t h a t w e are, u n t i l we k n o w
ourselves naked a n d i n shame before H i m .
We do n o t l i k e i t ! W e prefer t h e sunny south
and t h e w a r m breezes, a n d t h e sunshine, a n d
we w i l l go t h a t w a y . B u t i f y o u w o u l d ever
k n o w t h a t L i f e y o u m u s t go t h r o u g h t h a t n o r t h
gate. W e l l , m a k e u p y o u r m i n d a n d go.
T h e n y o u come t o t h e d o o r of t h e Banctuary,
and we are r e m i n d e d i n t h e 4 4 t h chapter how
again i t is w r i t t e n : " N o m a n " ; n o t on man's
w o r k i n g d a y , t h o six w o r k i n g days, can y o u
enter ; o n t h e days of m a n s e f f o r t , w h e n m a n
w o u l d do s o m e t h i n g , t h o door is s h u t .
Only
o n t h e d a y of t h e sabbath rest, when G o d
entered i n t o rest a n d ceased f r o m H i s o w n
workB, o n t h a t d a y t h o door is open.
So r i g h t
t h r o u g h t h a t chapter also t h e
uncircumcised
shall n o t enter : t l i e m a n w h o refuses t o have
the whole b o d y of t h e flesh c u t a w a y , and t o be
b r o u g h t t o t h e place where ho h a s n o confidence
i n t h e flesh shall n o t enter. T h e m a n w h o
Would come i n t h e e x c i t e m e n t of t h e flosh shall
n o t enter. H o w h o w o u l d enter m u s t come i n
h a v i n g f i r s t realised a l l t h a t ChriHt as the Bin
offering moans, a n d h a v i n g seen i n t h a t offeri n g his o w n life, hiB accursed l i f e , carried o u t
w i t h o u t t h o c a m p ; b u t i n t h e c a r r y i n g o u t of
TESTIMONY
21
t h a t accursed l i f e H e leaveB p o u r e d o u t there

a t t h e base of t h e a l t a r H i s o w n b l o o d , a n d i n
t h e blood a L i f e , and i n t h e b l o o d H i s L i f e .
I f y o u assent t o t h a t , i f y o u agree t o God's
terms, t h e n l o o k a t t h e door. I t is open, b u t a
blood besprinkled door, a n d y o u enter t h r o u g h
blood i n t o L i f e , H i s L i f e !
N o w w i t h i n is t h e place of t h e t h r o n e . A n d
then the H o l y Spirit says" A n inheritance."
I t is t h i n e inheritance.
A l l t h a t is w i t h i n this
inner c o u r t t h i n e i n h e r i t a n c e , a n d I a m thine
inheritance, I a m t h i n e . Y o u l a y d o w n t h i s
l i t t l e " I , " t h i s accursed " I " ; y o u acknowledge t h a t it has gone o u t , a n d y o u have
instead t h e God t h a t is e t e r n a l , " I A M , " y o u r
possession, y o u r s a b s o l u t e l y , y o u r s ! I t is
the place of t h e t h r o n e , a n d i n thiB place of
a u t h o r i t y , i n t h i s place of power, we are b r o u g h t
i n t o fellowship, B u t t h e o n l y piece of f u r n i t u r e i n t h e inner c o u r t is t h e m e a n insignificant
l i t t l e wooden a l t a r . Y e t here is t h e place of
" prayer i n t h e S p i r i t , " t h e place where t h e
incense ascends, t h e incense of t h e N a m e , a n d
so y o u have come t o t h e source of t h e r i v e r ;
springing u p comes a r i v e r of L i f e , a n d i t flows
away o u t f r o m t h e source, a n d everywhere t h e
r i v e r comes t h e r e is L i f e . He b r o u g h t me i n .
He b r o u g h t me i n . N o o t h e r w a y !
You
cannot b r i n g yourself i n . H e died t o b r i n g y o u
i n : t o b r i n g me i n . B u t n o w , H e w o u l d have
me o u t ! O u t !
A n d if y o u would remain
concentrated u p o n t h a t w h i c h is i n , w i t h o u t
any o u t l e t , t h e n y o u miss all God's purpose.
God's w i l l cannot be f u l f i l l e d . A n d H e has
j o i n e d me t o H i m ; m a r r i e d u n t o H i m .
But
f o r w h a t purpose ? T h a t y o u m a y
bring
forth f r u i t unto God. O u t !
A n d if y o u are
j u s t going t o come to Conventions t o t a k e i n ,
and again a m o n t h a f t e r , t o t a k e i n , there can
never be t h e realisation of God's purpose t o
b r i n g y o u i n t o L i f e w i t h all i t s g r o w t h a n d
development. Y o u w i l l be a c r a m p e d , d w a r f e d
soul. " H e b r o u g h t me out."
W h a t is t h e
way out ?
4 7 t h o h . 1st verse :
" A n d b e h o l d , waters issued o u t f r o m
undor t h e t h r e s h o l d of t h e house eastward,
f o r t h e f o r e f r o n t of t h e house was t o w a r d
t h e e a s t : a n d t h e w a t e r s came d o w n f r o m
under, f r o m t h e r i g h t side of t h e house, o n
t h o Bouth of t h e a l t a r . "
I m m e d i a t e l y outside t h a t door, t h e a l t a r ;
i m m e d i a t e l y outside t h a t door again, t h e crosB 1
Oh ! says one, it is L i f e n o w . W e have done
w i t h t h e cross. H a v e y o u ? T h e n y o u have
done w i t h God's purpose t h r o u g h you 1 N o , we
stand now at t h i s a l t a r , a n d e v e r y t h i n g , every*

22
A WITNESS
AND
thing, depends u p o n o u r a t t i t u d e t o t h i s a l t a r .
Stand a t t h o a l t a r a n d l o o k b a c k . T h e r e goes
t h e s t r e a m of L i f e , t h e r i v e r w h i c h is flowing
f r o m t h e t h r o n e t o t h e a l t a r , a n d one cannot
help b u t t h i n k t h a t because i t is a r i v e r of L i f e ,
there is t h e ebb and t h e flow a l l t h e t i m e , a n d i t
is f r o m the t h r o n e t o t h e cross, a n d back f r o m
t h e cross t o t h e t h r o n e , a n d again, f r o m t h e
t h r o n e t o t h e cross. T h e r e is t h a t r e l a t i o n of
L i f e between t h e t h r o n e a n d t h e cross ; t h a t
L i f e w h i c h makes t h e t h r o n e r e a l , a n d t h a t
L i f e w h i c h makes t h e Cross r e a l .
One is i n t h a t t h r o n e r o o m , i n t h a t t h r o n e
r o o m a n a l t a r , a n d on t h a t a l t a r , w r i t t e n i n
t h e 4 4 t h c h . 1 6 t h verse :
" T h e y shall enter i n t o m y s a n c t u a r y , a n d
t h e y shall come near t o m y t a b l e . "
What
for ? " T o minister u n t o m e . "
H o w a m 1 t o minister unto H i m there i n t h a t
inner c o u r t ? L e t us t u r n t o t h a t passage we
k n o w so w e l l a n d r e a d i t once m o r e , a n d get the
answer f r o m t h e L o r d . H o w can I m i n i s t e r
t o m y L o r d ? W a i t on H i m hand and f o o t !
H o w can I serve H i m l i k e t h a t a t H i s t a b l e ?
I f anyone else h a d said i t , w e m i g h t saj* i n our
unbelief, i t is n o t f o r m e . B u t n o w H e says :
" I f any man ! " A n y man ! A n d the " I f "
is n o t o n God's side, i t is o n y o u r side.
" li a n y m a n serve m e , l e t h i m f o l l o w m e ,
a n d where I a m there shall also m y servant
be."
Where a r t t h o u L o r d ?
" V e r i l y , v e r i l y , 1 say u n t o thee, except a
c o m of w h e a t f a l l i n t o t h e g r o u n d a n d die, i t
a b i d e t h alone, b u t i f i t die ( I f i t d i e ! ) i t
bringeth forth much f r u i t . "
A n d says H e , I w e n t t h a t w a y " I f a n y m a n
serve m e , l e t H i m f o l l o w m e . " A n d f o r a life of
f r u i t f u l n e s s such as w i l l satisfy t h e h e a r t of
God, t h i s is t h e w a y t o i t , past t h i s a l t a r ;
a n d l e t t h e a l t a r do i t s w o r k ; d o n ' t h u r r y t h e
a l t a r ; t a k e God's t i m e a t t h e a l t a r , a n d stay
t h e r e ; H e is speaking t o y o u . Any
man!
A c o r n of w h e a t , j u s t one c o r n ! One b y one.
T h e cross was o n l y m a d e f o r one, i t is going t o
bring y o u i n t o fellowship w i t h " the b o d y , "
a l i v i n g b o d y where y o u arc k n i t together
t h e one w i t h t h e o t h e r . B u t t h e r e has t o be
t h e i n d i v i d u a l dealing first w i t h H i m , as a c o r n ,
a single c o r n of w h e a t ! W i l l y o u f o l l o w ?
" W h a t s h a l l t h i s m a n d o ? " " W h a t iR t h a t
t o thee, follow t h o u Me ! " W i l l you follow ?
A c o r n , such a l i t t l e t h i n g ! Yes, a n d y o u are
just a little thing. Do you know i t ? Well,
stay i n H i s h a n d s t i l l y o u d o ; y o u w o n ' t get
a n y f u r t h e r u n t i l y o u d o . A l i t t l e c o r n , so
TESTIMONY
insignificant ; a c o r n , a corn of wheat. T h i s way

is n o t f o r tares, t h e D e v i l ' s i m i t a t i o n of the
w h e a t ! T h e y c a n n o t enter i n t o i t ; 1 d o u b t
such w i l l ever get so f a r as H i s hands. T h e y
w i l l have gone l o n g before t h e y get there. A n d
i f y o u find y o u r w h o l e soul r i s i n g up i n rebellion
against t h e w o r d of the Cross, t h e question is,
are y o u w h e a t or are y o u tares ? W e are
t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e L i f e . T h i s is living wheat,
a n d l i v i n g c o r n ; a n d God is dealing w i t h those
who have t h e L i f e . H e is n o t dealing w i t h dead
souls. H e has g i v e n y o u L i f e , God's o w n
L i f e , E t e r n a l L i f e % T h e n come t o t h e a l t a r ,
learn t h i s lesson a t t h e a l t a r .
Y o u alone,
a little c o r n ;
little you, that you
may
l i v e . H a v e y o u f o u n d i t ? W i l l y o u accept
i t n o w , i f y o u have n o t , b y f a i t h i n the
l i v i n g W o r d of G o d , r e p e n t i n g of a l l y o u r sins,
a n d s a y L o r d , I t a k e t h i s g i f t of E t e r n a l L i f e
I t a k e i t n o w , a n d t h e n y o u go o n w i t h us i n t h i s
quest, a n d f r o m now , l i t t l e c o r n of w h e a t , y o u
have t o die ! B u t y o u say, I t h o u g h t I d i d die.
I accepted a l l t h a t t h e L o r d showed me as H e
s t r i p p e d me t h r o u g h t h a t n o r t h gate, as H e
t o l d me t h a t n o m a n c o u l d enter i n , as H e
b r o u g h t me t o t h e end of myself, as H e l a i d me
sheer u p o n m y face, as H e showed me t h e sin
offering, I accepted i t a l l , a n d i t was r e a l . N o w ,
as y o u come o u t i n t o f r u i t f u l n e s s t h a t v i s i o n
has g o t t o be made r e a l ; i t has g o t t o be
w r o u g h t i n , f o r there has t o be fellowship i n
H i s sufferings.
r
A sower w e n t f o r t h t o sow. T h a t is H i s
business, t o sow, a n d i f I a m i n H i s hands, a n d
a m w i l l i n g f o r t h e process t h e n H e w i l l do i t .
There is a l i t t l e c r a n n y there i n t h e soil a n d H i s
business is t o get me i n t o i t . H i s great secret,
as 1 said a t t h e b e g i n n i n g , is H e i n me. N o w
before y o u c o n t e m p l a t e t h i s d e a t h , l o o k a t i t
i t is C h r i s t W h o loves y o u , W h o liveR f o r y o u ,
as w e l l as died f o r y o u , a n d H e holds y o u i n H i s
h a n d s a n d H e is going t o accomplish i t i f
you s a y " Yes," w i t h all y o u r heart. H o w i l l
do i t . I t is going t o he i n a w a y d o w n . H o w ?
A w a y of h u m i l i t y , of h u m b l i n g even u n t o
death. B u t how
T h a t w o r d has boon spoken
once or t w i c e i n our meetings, a w o r d ono
l o a t h e s " H u m b l e yourselves ! " H o w ? T h a t
is the d i f l i c u l t p a r t . H u m b l e yoursolf ! Oh 1
I t is d i f f i c u l t , so d i f l i c u l t . A g a i n , you cannot
do i t . So d i f f i c u l t t h a t o n l y t h o m i g h t y h a n d
of God can b r i n g y o u d o w n , ovon if y o u seo
yourself as a l i t t l e one, and y o u t h i n k y o u are
l i t t l e . S t a r t going d o w n ! God can do i t i n
everyone of us h e r e d o w n , d o w n , b y the
m i g h t y h a n d of G o d I A n d i t takes t h e h a n d

A
WITNESS
AND
of t h e A l m i g h t y t o b r i n g mc t o d e a t h a n d t o
b r i n g y o u t o d e a t h ! B u t y o u w o n ' t t e l l me
t h a t i t is more t h a n t h e A l m i g h t y c a n do, w i l l
y o u n o w ? A r e y o u there, under t h e a l m i g h t y
hand of God '{ A n d w h a t , if a c o m of w h e a t
f a l l ! F a l l ! W h a t is f a i l i n g ?
Well, just
going d o w n , a n d j u s t as q u i c k l y a n d s t r a i g h t
a n d as f a r as y o u c a n . T h a t is f a l l i n g . " H e
humbled H i m s e l f a n d became obedient u n t o
d e a t h , even t h e death of t h e Cross."
Right
f r o m t h e t h r o n e t o t h e cross ! D o w n ! D o w n 1
A n d H e s a y s " W i l l y o u serve M e ; w o u l d y o u
minister t o M c ; w o u l d y o u please Me ; t h e n
y o u go d o w n a n d d o w n , a n d juBt as f a r d o w n as
1 tell you, much farther than you think, but I
w i l l do i t , under M y m i g h t y H a n d . W i l l y o u
f a l l ? 1 c a n n o t f a l l . Can't y o u ? W h a t are
y o u h o l d i n g o n t o i f y o u w o n ' t f a l l ? L e t go !
L e t g o ! W h a t of \ I do n o t k n o w .
You
do. W h e n e v e r t h i s question comes u p of a
deeper knowledge of t h e d e a t h of t h e L o r d H e
fixes on s o m e t h i n g . H o makes t h a t H i s b a t t l e
g r o u n d , t h a t is going t o be t h e t e s t . I f i t is
victor}*, i t w i l l be v i c t o r y a l l t h r o u g h ; i f i t is
defeat i t w i l l be defeat a l l t h r o u g h . H y o u
let H i m have H i s w a y there, then for the time
being he has got his w a y a l l t h r o u g h H e
selects t h e b a t t l e g r o u n d . H e has picked o u t
t h a t . I w i l l meet H i m somewhere else. N o ,
y o u w i l l n o t ! Y o u obey H i m j u s t t h e r e . T h a t
one t h i n g ! L e t go, l e t go. Y o u f a l l q u i c k l y
enough i f y o u m e e t G o d t h e r e , i n t h a t t h i n g H e
is b r i n g i n g u p before y o u again a n d again.
Whenever y o u w a n t t o go a step f o r w a r d , H e
brings y o u b a c k t o t h a t p o i n t . Y o u k n o w
w h a t i t i s , I c a n n o t t e l l y o u . Perhaps i t iB t h e
most t r i v i a l t h i n g possible, b u t G o d is calling
you there.
I f y o u w o n ' t die, stop t a l k i n g
about death. I f y o u w o n ' t die, y o u won't
have f r u i t . M e e t H i m there ! F a l l , l e t g o !
A n d y o u k n o w w h a t G o d is t a l k i n g a b o u t ,
d o n ' t y o u ? W h a t are y o u g o i n g t o Bay t o H i m ?
E v e r y t h i n g hangs o n t h a t , BO m u c h hangB o n
t h a t ! A n d t h e n t o die i n y o u r o w n e s t i m a t i o n ,
a n d p r o b a b l y i n o t h e r people's e s t i m a t i o n , t o
be of n o r e p u t a t i o n , t o die i n t o t h e g r o u n d .
W e l l , c a n ' t I stop on t h e g r o u n d ? N o , t h a t
w o n ' t please H i m . N o t o n l y d o w n , b u t o u t of
sight. O u t of s i g h t ! O h ! t h a t is d e a t h .
T h a t is where we preachers h a v e t o die, a n d
o n l y God can do i t . A n d G o d aayB, n o w I w a n t
y o u n o t o n l y t o d i e , b u t I w a n t y o u o u t of
sight 1 B u r i e d 1 D o y o u oonsent t o t h a t ?
A g a i n , I c a n n o t do i t . T h e m i g h t y h a n d of God
can d o i t . H o w i l l d o i t . A n d n o w die. B u t
w h a t does t h a t m e a n ? W e l l , give u p y o u r
23
TESTIMONY
life.
Surely, H e doesn't m e a n t h a t !
" H e t h a t l o v e t h his l i f e s h a l l lose i t , a n d
he t h a t h a t e t h his l i f e i n t h i s w o r l d shall
keep i t u n t o L i f e E t e r n a l . "
N o w y o u w a n t t h e L i f e t h a t brings f o r t h f r u i t
u n t o G o d t h a t is t h e L i f e E t e r n a l w h i c h is i n
H i m , H i s life ; a n d y o u w a n t t o k n o w t h a t L i f e
i n a l l i t s fulness ? T h e n die !
Give u p a l l t h e p r i d e i n y o u r l i f e , y o u r t r u s t
i n y o u r l i f e , a n d t h e m i g h t y h a n d of God w i l l
t a k e y o u a l l t h e w a y t h r o u g h as f a r as y o u are
concerned. W i t h m a n i t is impossible, b u t w i t h
G o d a l l t h i n g s are p o s s i b l e : t h i s f a l l i n g is
possible, t h i s b u r i a l is p o s s i b l e ; t h i s d y i n g is
possible w i t h G o d . T h a t is w h a t i t means t o
s t a n d a t t h a t a l t a r . D o y o u hear w h a t t h e
L o r d says as H e s t o o d b y t h a t a l t a r ? W h a t
shall I say ? T w o t h i n g s y o u c o u l d do ! T w o
t h i n g s t h e L o r d c o u l d do ! One was t o m a k e
a big detour r o u n d t h a t altar and pick up the
r i v e r a l i t t l e w a y d o w n i t s course. B u t t h e
Lord says:
" H e t h a t entereth n o t i n b y t h e door, t h e
same is a t h i e f a n d a r o b b e r . "
a n d do y o u t h i n k y o u can * burgle " H i m 1
Get t h e power, get t h e blessing, get a l l t h e f r u i t ,
a n d a l l t h e c r e d i t of i t , a n d n o t b y t h a t door ?
I s t h a t w h a t is i n y o u r h e a r t % T h e n y o u are
a t h i e f a n d a r o b b e r , t r y i n g t o r o b God of t h e
f r u i t s of H i B o w n life w i t h o u t going God's
a p p o i n t e d w a y . N o , t h a t is t h e w a y . T h e
a l t a r ! H e r e t h e L o r d s a y s : "* I come t o do
T h y w i l l . " A n d n o w H e says : W i l l y o u serve
me ? F o l l o w me, j u s t here, y o u t o o , so shall
y o u be w i t h M e a n d w i t h M y F a t h e r :
" A b o d y T h o u hast a p p o i n t e d M e I come
t o do T h y w i l l . "
A n d T h y w i l l is m y d e a t h ? T h e n I agree,
L o r d ! P u t me t o d e a t h . Y o u cannot do more
t h a n t h a t . H e w i l l do t h e rest.
N o w s t a n d b y y o u r a l t a r a n d l o o k back.
H e r e is a stream of L i f e , b u t n o development,
so f a r no broadening.
A n d now f r o m this altar
<look o n f r o m t h i s p o i n t , a n d f r o m t h i s p o i n t
f u l l development, g r o w t h , deepening, w i d e n i n g ,
an ever-growing fulness, a n d t h a t is h o w t h e
g r o w t h comes. I n t h e development of L i f e
y o u c a n n o t evade t h e Cross, even i f y o u have
L i f e . T h o Corinthians d i d i t ; m a n y are doing
i t t o - d a y ; b u t y o u cannot grow i f y o u evade
t h e Cross. A n d y o u cannot k n o w t h e blessedness of t h e w i l l of God i f y o u evade t h e Cross ;
a n d y o u c a n n o t h a v e f r u i t i f y o u evade t h e
CroBB. " W h a t shall I say ? " W h a t d o you
say ? T h e L o r d was t a l k i n g t o H i s God, and
before t h e Cross t h e r e iB j u s t y o u a n d God.
k
24
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
I t is God's Cross, n o t m a n ' s ! W h a t do y o u

f u l i n t h i s p i c t u r e of Ezekiel's t e m p l e , there
say ? W h a t do y o u say t o G o d ? H e b r o u g h t
i s n ' t m u c h as t o w h a t is i n i t ; n e a r l y a l l t h e
m e o u t ! A n d t h a t w a y o u t , n o t j u s t as y o u
t h i n g s are made of w o o d . W o o d , t h a t is a l l
think !
T h e n b r o u g h t H e me o u t of t h e w a y
we see. B u t w h a t is t h e emphasis ? T h e
of t h e gate, t h e n o r t h g a t e . " O h ! b u t I w a n t
measurement
of e v e r y t h i n g , t h e capacity o f
t o follow m y stream now, T have found the
e v e r y t h i n g ! H e r e is a m a n w i t h a measuring
r i v e r , I have f o u n d L i f e , a n d I h a v e g o t L i f e ;
r o d . W h a t G o d is concerned a b o u t is y o u r
a n d I w i l l go o u t b y t h e eastern g a t e . W i l l y o u !
c a p a c i t y . N o c a p a c i t y f o r self, b u t capacity
T h i s m a n f o l l o w s his g u i d e . T h e w a y o u t again
f o r G o d . A n d H e brings y o u again a n d again
t h r o u g h t h e n o r t h gate outside t h e w a l l . A n d
t o t h e Cross. H e is increasing y o u r capacity
he looks r o u n d . W h e r e ' s m y r i v e r ? N o r i v e r !
f o r God, a n d t h i s l a s t m o n t h w h a t has G o d
I have been t o t h e L o r d . I have been t o t h e
been d o i n g t o t h e Fellowshipincreasing t h e
Cross, a n d t h i n g s are a b o u t as d r y a n d as dead
c a p a c i t y f o r G o d . T h a t is w h y G o d h a d t o
as t h e y c o u l d p o s s i b l y be. W e l l , w h a t d i d
call a h a l t . Y o u m u s t n o t be a f r a i d . . . . y o u
y o u expect when y o u asked t o die % A n d t h e
h a d one blessed experience, a m o s t r e a l experience, a n d y o u h a v e been r i g h t down i n t h e
D e v i l s a y s " t h a t d i d n o t mean a n y t h i n g . W h y ,
r i v e r . B u t a l i t t l e f u r t h e r o n t h e r e w i l l be
there i s n ' t a n y t h i n g t o see ! " W e l l , n o , t h e r e
a n o t h e r definite deepening, another e x c a v a t i o n
i s n ' t a n y t h i n g t o s e e . . . . A n d y e t t h a t is t h e
going down;. A n d I f y o u go d o w n , then y o u
w a y t h e L o r d t a k e s us. A f t e r J o r d a n , w i l d e r come u p ; a n d H e is w o r k i n g o n a n d o n , a n d
ness, a n d t h e D e v i l i n t h e wilderness ! T h i s is
each t i m e t h e t i d e rises higher a n d higher ;
the life t h a t I live, n o t b y s i g h t ; I live b y f a i t h .
a n d t h e r e is m o r e a n d more of G o d w i t h each .
B u t a l t h o u g h y o u c a n n o t see i t , t h e r i v e r is
fresh experience'of t h e Cross, u n t i l a t last H e '
flowing a l r i g h t , a n d t h e r i v e r is d e e p e n i n g ; i t
has g o t H i s heart's desire. I t is a r i v e r t h a t
is flowing a l l t h e t i m e . T h e L o r d k n o w s w h a t
no m a n can pass o v e r ! W e l l , w h a t can t h e ;
H e is d o i n g , a n d H e goes r o u n d t h a t w a y w i t h
man
do % H e c a n s w i m ! A n d
w h a t is i
us ; bids us go t h e r e " F o l l o w m e . " L e t us
s
w
i
m
m
i
n
g
W
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I
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a
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n
i
n
g
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o
swim I
go f o r t h u n t o H i m b e a r i n g H i s r e p r o a c h . B u t
was
t
o
l
d
t
o
j
u
s
t
t
r
u
s
t
t
h
e
w
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J
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s
t trust \
H o also says H e w i l l n o t suffer y o u t o be
%
Just j
t
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e
w
a
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r
!
A
n
d
w
h
a
t
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s
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i
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t e m p t e d above t h a t w h i c h y o u are able t o bear,
resting
i
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o
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d
,
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o
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fulness
I ]
H e is v e r y s k i l f u l , H i s idea i s n o t t o a n n i h i l a t e
A
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son
of
m
a
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I
y o u ; i t is t o develop, t o increase t h e L i f e ; t o
H
a
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seen
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in-flow
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e
outm a k e a s p i r i t u a l m a n of y o u i n t h e s t a t u r e of
C h r i s t . B u t outside a n d alone where y o u can .flow ! J u s t these t w o t h i n g s , t h e Cross, a n d >
t h e L i f e o u t of d e a t h ; a n d t h e more of t h e
only live b y f a i t h . A n d then presently, H e
Cross t h e more of t h e L i f e .
s a y s B e h o l d ! there's t h e eastern gate, a n d
there's m y r i v e r I I a m a l i v e ! C h r i s t is m y
H a s t t h o u seen, t h i s 1 T h e n there is some
l i f e . H e is r e a l a n d H e is m i n e , H e is i n me and
t h i n g y o u have n o t seen. N o w . I w i l l b r i n g
I am in H i m . I n His own timeSpring,
y o u t o t h e b a n k of t h e r i v e r . I w i l l show y o u .
Summer, A u t u m n , W i n t e r . T h a t is. h o w H e
w h a t has been g o i n g o n . L o o k a t t h e r i v e r .
gets H i s f r u i t . Y o u w a n t i t a l l Summer.
You
n o w ! These trees ! I never saw t h e m growcannot get f r u i t t h a t w a y . . Y o u m u s t have i t
i n g . Of course y o u d i d n ' t . Y o u t h o u g h t y o u
i n W i n t e r . I f y o u have a n e w h a r v e s t t h e n y o u
were d r o w n i n g ; b u t G o d was w o r k i n g o u t H i s
go t h r o u g h S p r i n g , Summer,
A u t u m n and
purpose, a n d when we get t h e r e H e - w i l l t a k e <
W i n t e r . So H e b r o u g h t me o u t , a n d t h e n H e . us t o t h e banks of t h e r i v e r . N o w sec these :1
b r o u g h t me through.,
T h r o u g h again a n d again
trees of f r u i t , t h a t is w h a t happens t h r o u g h t h e :
i n t o thiB r i v e r , a n d each crisiB moans something . L i f e . T h a t was w h a t I was w o r k i n g o u t t h r o u g h j
newa fuller development, a fuller L i f e . M i n d
t h i s strange process of d e a t h . L i f e o u t of *
y o u , t h e r i v e r is f u l l a l l t h e time.- Some of
d e a t h ! I t is f o r y o u . H a v e y o u see i t % H e '
y o u are full,* b u t y o u d o n ' t h o l d v e r y m u c h ;
a n d me. T h e L o r d a n d . I . J ust meet H i m n o w .
a n d w h a t t h e L o r d w a n t s is t h a t w o shall h o l d
W h a t I have been saying t o y o u are j u s t scrappy
more, t h a t t h e r e Bhall be a bigger o u t f l o w .
words ; b u t come t o t e r m s , drastic as t h e t e r m s
m a y scorn t o be. Come t o H i s t e r m s . 1 y i e l d , ;
H o w is t h a t t o come ? O n l y b y deepening t h o
I agree, I accept. I p u t m y name t o t h e . d e a t h ,
bed, m a k i n g y o u go l o w e r d o w n , s t i l l e x c a v a t i n g
m y d e a t h I T h y L i f e ! H o a n d m e . Shall lower a n d l o w e r , a n d t h a t means m o r e r o o m
wo closo here. Y o u settle t h i s t h i n g w i t h H i m .
f o r H i m . T h a t is w h a t t h e Cross d o e s ; i t is
A . S. 0 .
|
t h e Cross t h a t develops ; a n d t h a t is so wonder- Settle i t n o w .
u
I'M runt h> 1'be Attientfuin Prwuti, H a n d 13, Jiroatn'a Buildings, Uiianc*r> Lauo JLondon, K.i; i.

MARCH,
Vol.
1927
5,
No. 3,
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as from
Meetings for Spiriiual Edifics'.icn, the Proc!a::uticr. cf the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
S U N D A Y S : 1 1 a.m. and P.30 p.m.
MONDAYS:S (Prayer Meeting}.
...
. ,
Ministers:
All
WI-UXKSDA'.S :8 ( I 3 i b l e S c h o o l ) .
SATURDAYS : 7 . o ( ) ( P r a y e r M e e t i n g ) .
T . AUSTIN-SPARKS
r p
p a r t i c u l a r s may be o b t a i n e d f r o m M r . G . PATKRSOX, 2 7 T i n t n g e l C r e s c e n t
London, S.E.22, the Secretary of the " F e l l o w s h i p "

26
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
t h e p i l l a r of H i s S t r e n g t h w i t h i n supports i t , an
u p w a r d pressure of t h e Sovereign L o v e .
B u t now w e l a b o u r , and rejoice t o labour.
MINISTERS' L E T T E R .
There is t o i l a n d there m a y be g l a d weariness,
Honor Oak
I M M M p H M I )
b u t no s t r a i n .
M a r c h , 1927.
A n d t o conclude, here is the secret contained
BELOVED OF OUR L O R D ,
i n a n e x u l t a n t e x p e r i e n c e , " I laboured more
a b u n d a n t l y t h a n t h e y a l l , yet not I, but the
H i s first so-welcome w o r d t o us was " Come
yrace of God that was with me."
P a u l heavily
u n t o M E , a l l y e t h a t labour".
T h a t t o i l of
u n d e r l i n e d these l a t t e r w o r d s a l l his l i f e t h r o u g h ,
the f u t i l e A d a m was u p o n us, b o t h i n sin and
for i t is the last subtle t o u c h of t h e " o l d m a n "
weariness of w o r k s .
t h a t he seeks t o serve G o d , and t o say " I " i n
H a v e w e l e f t i t a t H i s Cross, or are we s t i l l
t h e t e m p l e of His G l o r y ; a n d as A n d r e w M u r bearing i t , i n p a r t ? M a r t h a was cumbered i n
her m u c h s e r v i n g , t h o u g h she were serving her ' r a y said, " W h e r e t h e flesh seeks t o serve God,
t h e r e is t h e s t r e n g t h of s i n . "
L o r d , as she t h o u g h t ! Strange t h a t such a service s h o u l d b r i n g s t r a i n a n d i r r i t a t i o n , jangled
A r i s e , T H O U , a n d t h e A r k of T h y S t r e n g t h ,
nerves, a n d w r o n g j u d g m e n t of others ; b u t t h a t
w i t h i n T h y saints;
d u a l i t y i n B e t h a n y is n o t y e t passed ; i t is s t i l l
Y o u r s i n t h e weakness t h a t affords
f o u n d i n t h e service of G o d .
A n d so m a n y
H I M Triumph,
" break-downs " are due t o i t , a n d m u c h is the ;
T.
AUSTIN-SPARKS,
p e r p l e x i t y of t h a t other w o r d a b o u t H i s su- j
T. MADOC JEFFREYS.
preme s e r v i c e , M y y o k e is easy, a n d M y b u r den is l i g h t . " I n t h e face of some experiences ,
T H E MINISTRY AND
t h e s t a t e m e n t sounds i r o n i c a l .
F o r t h e L o r d calls us n o t i n t o such labour, j
FELLOWSHIP
b u t i n t o r e s t : " T h e y t h a t believe do enter i n t o
RELEASE!
r e s t : " a n d , " I w i l l give y o u rest.'* N o t only
W c rejoice t o be able t o announce t h a t our
f r o m s i n , b u t f r o m useless a n d d i s a p p o i n t i n g
lease has n o w been endorsed b y t h e C o u r t of
labour does H e promise r e s t . A d a m ' s cursed
Chancery, a n d w e aTe free t o go f o r w a r d . T h e
labour i n a l l i t s phases engenders b u t a fruitless . h a n d of t h e L o r d u p o n t h e e n t i r e s i t u a t i o n
weariness, a n exhaustion of effort w i t h o u t re- . has again been made singularly manifest, for
compense, a n d surely " t h e sweat of t h e brow."
the deed was signed b y t h e trustees on the
T h e energies of t h e " flesh," t h e mere i n t e n s i t y
same d a y t h a t our sisters. L a d y Ogle and
of soul, t h e heats of a self-created passion, a l l
M r s . B r a n d , t o o k u p t h e i r quarters i n the
these cause t h e fever, o f t e n a great fever, t h a t
Hostel.
renders us u n e q u a l t o serving our L o r d w h e n R E S I D E N C E :
Our sisters f e l t w i t h us t h a t t n e L o r d h a d
H e comes t r u l y needing our m i n i s t r y .
n o t b r o u g h t t h e m across land a n d sea s i m p l y
So i n s i s t e n t l y does t h e Saviour say t o fleshly
t o " m a r k t i m e , " a n d HO a l l the necessary
earnestness and i m p u l s e , " one t h i n g is needful,
arrangements were made t o move i n as q u i c k l y
t h a t y o u be s t i l l , a n d l i s t e n t o M y counsel, for
as possible, in faith that the release would come
I a m y o u r L o r d . " S t u d y t o be q u i e t .
as we acted.
So t h e hostesses of t h e Hostel
F o r t h e w o r k s are finished f r o m t h e f o u n d a arc i n , a n d already a l i t t l e household of f a i t h
t i o n of t h e w o r l d , a n d we can d o n o t h i n g t o
is gathered a t t h e Centre, a n d p r a y e r has
m a k e t h e m m o r e perfect, or a d d one t h i n g t o
them.
A p a r t f r o m H i m was n o t one t h i n g j commenced t o g r i p t h e place f o r t h e growing
ministry.
made t h a t was m a d e .
Our sister Miss Florence Green
(Sister
W h a t t h e n ? There is t h e good p a r t , w h i c h I
Florence)
has
been
b
r
o
u
g
h
t
i
n
as
a
s
p
i
ritual
is also t h e good p a r t n e r s h i p . H e and we are
help
;
a
n
d
our
b
r
o
t
h
e
r
George
A
s
h
b
y
has
taken
now t o w o r k together b y HiB i n d w e l l i n g S p i r i t ,
u
p
service
i
n
the
house.
There
w
i
l
l
be
other
j u s t as H e a n d t h e F a t h e r w o r k e d together on
nccesHary
members
of
t
h
e
s
t
a
l
l
added
as
e a r t h b y t h e I n d w e l l i n g . I t iB t h e Great Y o k e ,
prayer
brings
t
h
r
o
u
g
h
t
h
e
leading
as
t
o
persons
God's E t e r n a l P u r p o s e ; b u t i t is caBy and l i g h t ,
and a p p o i n t m e n t s . * A l l t h e m i n i s t r y must be
f o r t h e b u r d e n is u p o n the S p i r i t , w i t h i n our
considered
d i r e c t l y s p i r i t u a l , a n d taken u p
s p i r i t , a n d is n o t a pressure a n y w h e r e u p o n t h e j
upon
a
clear
s p i r i t u a l basis ; we are finding t h a t
s o u l : neither t h e nerves n o r t h e b r a i n are t r i e d !
t
h
i
s
basis
is
e m i n e n t l y p r a c t i c a l also, and t i a t
b y i t , n o r does a n y flesh k n o w i t s w e i g h t . B u t
11

A
WITNESS
AND
all servants of t h e L o r d need t o bo t horoughly

erurilicd t h a t t h e y m a y he efficient servants of
t h e l " Fellowship."
RESOURCES
As m e n t i o n e d i n our last issue t h e L o r d

had {riven witness as t o H i s t i m e f o r definite
action h a v i n g a r r i v e d , f o r H e h a d p r o v i d e d
sufficient funds t o proceed i m m e d i a t e l y w i t h
all t he w o r k r e q u i r e d . A s a m a t t e r of fac t an
a d d i t i o n a l sum of 2000 came i n d u r i n g the
month.
This brings t h e t o t a l a m o u n t received
toward the development
of t h e w o r k t o
a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3,120, a p p o r t i o n e d as f o l l o w s
Hostel, 1,383 ; H a l l , 1,737. N e a r l y 300 has
already been spent u p o n our i n i t i a l requirements, a n d t h i s has t o be deducted f r o m t h e
former s u m .
The trustees have n o w p u t t h e w o r k i n h a n d
for a d a p t i n g and e q u i p p i n g the H o s t e l for
its necessary service i n such a w a y as t o
reduce r u n n i n g costs t o a m i n i m u m , and the
t o t a l estimate f o r t h i s w o r k approaches 1,000.
This sum m a y seem large, b u t t h e house
is o l d . a n d t h e whole i n t e r i o r arrangements of
rooms a n d conveniences
need
alteration;
central h e a t i n g , h o t a n d c o l d w a t e r i n each
bedroom, are being i n s t a l l e d .
T h e present
outlay is t h e wisest economy f o r t h e f u t u r e ,
and the whole cost w i l l be saved w i t h i n a
few years u p o n t h e r u n n i n g expenses.
I t is estimated t h a t t h e H a l l w h i c h w i l l be
b u i l t i n t h e grounds b e h i n d t h e House w i l l
cost a b o u t 1,800.
I t w i l l be recognized
t h a t the m o n e y t o h a n d is e v i d e n t l y proportioned t o meet these i m m e d i a t e needs, f o r as
soon as t h e H o s t e l is i n being some other
home f o r our gatherings, w i l l be r e q u i r e d . The
present H a l l a t t a c h e d t o t h e House is already
p r o v i n g too s m a l l , and we are using Hostel
accomodation.
I t w i l l be remembered t h a t o r i g i n a l l y it. was
stated t h a t 17)000 w o u l d be necessary f o r the
f u l l equipment of a l l the service, and this
looks l i k e l y t o he correct. T h e r e are s t i l l the
furnishings of t h e H o s t e l t o be considered,
not t o speak of other requirements such as
the p u t t i n g of the grounds i n good order.
B u t the L o r d is meeting t h e needs as t h e y
arise. F o r example the f u r n i s h i n g of all the
rooms occupied thus f a r has n o t cost the funds
as mentioned above a p e n n y ; i t has a l l come
direct f r o m H i m .
A s w e go t o press we are
able t o face t h e e q u i p m e n t of the large
d o r m i t o r y over t h e present H a l l w i t h cubicles
at a cost of 2fl0 as another p r i v a t e g i f t .
TESTIMONY
W i t h these blessed and obvious indications of

H i s wiH are we not compelled t o p f o r w a r d
boldly ?
\
A l l these resources have come t o us i n a
manner t h a t precludes m u c h reference t o t h e m
in the ordinary w a y .
T h e y are made up of
personal a n d anonymous g i f t s , and these m a i n l y
f r o m " the larger f e l l o w s h i p / ' T h e y have t r u l y
been a seal t o the m i n i s t r y of t h i s " Witness
and T e s t i m o n y . "
B u t our local fellowship has also h a d signal
proof of t h e L o r d ' s h a n d upon us i n matters of
finance. Our accounts arc being a u d i t e d , and
w i l l s h o r t l y be p u b l i s h e d , b u t our treasurer,
M r . B o n d , i n f o r m s us t h a t d u r i n g t h e past year
over 1,3<.0 has been placed i n our offertory
boxes i n t h i s free anonymous m i n i s t r y of tbe
L o r d ' s people. T h e L o r d bless a l l his f a i t h f u l
stewards!
EASTER
CONFERENCE
Our vision f o r t h i s is c r y s t a l l i z i n g .
appear t h a t the m a i n theme w i l l be,
THE
I t would
CROSS, A N D T H E P A T T E R N
IN
THE
HEAVENLIES.
W e t r u s t j t h a t thiB means t h e u n f o l d i n g i n
measure of t h e p a t t e r n of t h e S p i r i t ' s m i n i s t r y
i n our m i d s t , and t h r o u g h our f e l l o w s h i p t h u s
i n a l l the e a r t h . T h e H o s t e l p a t t e r n has become
f a i r l y clear. W e w a i t f o r H i s w o r d concerning
the T r a i n i n g Centre. B u t i t is obvious t h a t the
whole " F e l l o w s h i p " needs t o share t h e vision
of God for t h i s place, a n d t h i s w i l l only be
f o r t h c o m i n g as w c jealously guard our corporate
life i n p r a y e r . I t is n o t the coming t o meetings,
b u t the c o m i n g together i n t h e H o l y S p i r i t t h a t
counts. B u t there must be t h i s l a t t e r assembl i n g , and each gathering should be regarded as
p r o v i d i n g the H o l y S p i r i t w i t h H i s o p p o r t u n i t y
of u n v e i l i n g t h e g l o r y and purpose of t h e Son
of God i n H i s Church for a l l t h o w o r l d .
Jt may also be needful t o say t h a t d u r i n g
this testinsr and t r a n s i t i o n t i m e those of us w h o
have had t h e responsibility f o r t h e leadership
and guidance of t h i s w o r k have been obliged t o
keep clone counsel, f o r there are m a n y adversaries, and we have f o u n d i t t r u e t h a t the last
member t o come under the complete Sovereignty
of H i s grace is t h a t member t h a t is used for t h e
confession of H i s fire t and h o l y N a m e .
We
have been compelled t o guard the secrets of t h e
Lord.
B u t now t h a t t h e p a t t e r n is c o m i n g t h r o u g h
we are looking f o r w a r d t o the closer co- operat i o n of the whole fellowship i n all t h e w o r k .

28
WITNESS
AND
T h e weather at Easter w i l l , we t r u s t , be
sufficiently m i l d t o m a k e our gatherings i n a
large Marquee i n t h e grounds a comfortable
experience. W e are s t i l l h o p i n g t o e n t e r t a i n
some of our guests i n t h e H o s t e l , b u t whether
housed so, or i n p r i v a t e homes, we are m a k i n g
arrangements u p o n one basis of charge, the
lowest w e can estimate f o r t h e 5.1 d a y s . T h u r s day t o Tuesday, a n d we especially advise a l l
w h o feel led of t h e L o r d t o come t o make
a p p l i c a t i o n i m m e d i a t e l y t o our secretary, M r .
Paterson, w h o w i l l also deal w i t h a l l m a t t e r s
r e l a t i n g t o t h e i r accomodation.
LARGER
ISSUE
OF
THIS
PAPER
We intend getting the A p r i l number out

before t h e Conference, a n d so propose t o p u b l i s h
our first enlarged issue (16 pages) i n M a y .
PERSONAL
Our sister, Miss R u t h Rogers, of S w i n d o n ,

has n o w j o i n e d Miss F r e a r s o n , a t her orphanage, a t Sheralan, L e b a n o n , S y r i a .
Our s] i r i t
responds t o t h i s leading of one w h o has already
been used t o g i v e o u t t h e t e s t i m o n y of t h e Cross
i n t h a t l a n d . T h e A r m e n i a n p r o b l e m presses
i n u p o n t h i s w o r k a t Shemlan, b u t t h a t w i t h
a l l o t h e r w orld-problems meets i t s s o l u t i o n as
f a r as i n d i v i d u a l lives are concerned i n the
Cross.
M a y our sister be g r e a t l y uBed t o
strengthen Miss Frearson's hands a n d t o a d d t o
the F i r e of God i n t h a t place.
Our sister, Miss Barnes of t h e K u r k u and
Central I n d i a n H i l l Mission w e n t o u t again t o
service o n t h e 22nd of l a s t m o n t h , a n d w i l l b y
t h i s t i m e have landed a t B o m b a y . L e t us h o l d
her u p before her L o r d .
THE
MARCH
CONFERENCE:
T h e messages of t h i s t i m e were v e r y personal,

a n d m o s t of us have come t h r o u g h w i t h t h e
i m p a c t of God's w o r d u p o n our hearts. W e were
b r o u g h t v e r y l o w a t his feet.
Our b r o t h e r ,
M r . Crowe, again shared t h e m i n i s t r y w i t h us.
H i s message was m a i n l y u p o n t h e necessity of
t h e believer being * w i t h ME"
Christ's call t o
those w h o profess t o be H i s came w i t h almost
unbearable power. T h e f i n a l message on M o n d a y evening was a n u n v e i l i n g o' the whole
h i s t o r y of t h e " B o d y " t h e t r u e c h u r c h , a m i d
the pseudo * professing ' c h u r c h " f o l l o w i n g the
L a m b whithersoever H e gocth \ W I T H H I M ,
r i g h t t h r o u g h t o t h e f i n a l breaking of the power
of t h e p r i n c i p a l i t i e s and powers, so t h a i last
c o m p a n y shall bo caught-up, simultaneously
w i t h t h e O U T r e s u r r e c t i o n , tr> meet t h o L o r d .
O u r o w n w o r d wa9 k e p t m o r e t o t h e theme.
Conformableness t o t h a t I M A G E of God i n the
:
TESTIMONY
Christ is o n l y possible t h r o u g h conformableness

t o H i s death. T h e process of t b c g l o r i f y i n g is
now going on (2nd Cor. i i i , 1 8 . Tt takes place
there i n t h e Presence, " a s we walk i n the
L i g h t . " B u t w h a t h u m b l i n g , what abasement
of self c o n t i n u a l l y ! T h e d a i l y d y i n g ! Selfm o r t i f i c a t i o n ! Y e t t h e j o y of k n o w i n g t h a t as
we decrease so H e increases. T h e old theme of
t h e Cross t h a t once we shunned becomes now
Wc
more a n d more t h e v i t a l w o r d of God.
cannot breathe i n a n y other a i r t h a n t h a t which
surrounds i t , f o r there the H o l y Ghost witnesses
s t i l l t h r o u g h t h e B l o o d and t h e W o r d . B u t o h ,
the atmosphere elsewhere t h a n a t t h e CTOSB,
w h a t subtleties of S a t a n infest i t !
O n Sunday evening t h e H a l l was t a x e d t o ite
u t m o s t , and i t was e v i d e n t t h a t o u r marching
orders are t h r o u g h . D u r i n g the Conference we
were rejoiced t o h a v e t h e fellowship and prayers
of our b r o t h e r s , M r . Tearson H a r r i s o n and M r .
P. W . F a u n c h .
OUR B R O T H E R :
I t is b u t k i n d t o i n t i m a t e t o m a n y enquiring
hearts t h a t o u r b r o t h e r M r . Sparks, w i t h his
f a m i l y , is r e c u p e r a t i n g a t W h i t stable this
m o n t h , one of t h e L o r d ' s c h i l d r e n h a v i n g p u t
a house a t t h e i r disposal. Strength is r e t u r n i n g ,
a n d there seems every p r o b a b i l i t y of a r e t u r n
t o m i n i s t r y f o r t h e Easter Conference. There
are m a n y calls t o service b u t we ne ed especial
prayer, n o t o n l y f o r s t r e n g t h , b u t t h a t we may
b? k e p t i n t h e w i l l of G o d , w i t h i n the compass
of H i s a p p o i n t m e n t s . There do :<s appear, however, t h e l i k e l i h o o d of a Conference i n Newcastle i n M a y or J u n e of three days, i n w h i c h
we shall share t l i e m i n i s t r y .
PRAYER.AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS
T H E n u m b e r of requests f o r prayer, a n d also
of enquiries concerning personal problems, is
g r o w i n g t o considerable p r o p o r t i o n s .
T h e L o r d w i l l raise u p i n r e l a t i o n t o the
f o r m e r a more definite p r a y e r i n s t r u m e n t in
the H o s t e l ; and as w e do not propose t o open
a correspondence c o l u m n i n t h i s paper.
We
shall be glad a< f a r as we are able* t o a t t e n d
personally t o t h e l a t t e r .
W i l l our readers therefore for t h e present
address a l l correspondence under both these
heads t o the a c t i n g e d i t o r , T . Madoc Jeffreys,
" T h e H o n o r Oak Christ inn I'YllowHhip Centre,"
\
\
\ H o n o r Oak Road S.E.23.
I t may be best noted here t h a t this address
w i l l serve as a c o m m o n address f o r a l l the
workers i n connection w i t h the W I T N E S S A N D
TKKTIMONY.

A WITNESS
AND A TESTIMONY
B O O K L E T S (By T . A.-S.).
X o s 1 and 2.
" I n c o r p o r a t i o n into C h r i s t . "
Price. 2d.
No. 7. " T i n : I n n e r M a n of tho H e a r t " (with
diagram). P r i c e 4d.
H o n o r O a k C h r i s t i a n Fellowship Centre. H o n o r O a k R o a d , S . E . 2 3 .
Apply Secretary :
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T l i e L o r d continues to stir up the hearts of
His peo]>le to m a i n t a i n this message, and we have
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Philadelphia, 4s. 2 d . : A s h v i l l c , U . S . A . , 4s. 2 d . :
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T o avoid confusion w i l l readers note t h a t remittances for this paper s h o u l d be sent t o Miss S a c h ,
A l l mailing is
29 M u n d a n i a Road. S . E . 2 2 .
attended t o b y Miss Hawes, 24 R y e D a l e , S . E . 2 2 .
T H E CROSS, AND
THE E T E R N A L GLORY OF GOD
NOTES
OF AN ADDRESS D E L I V E R E D
DECEMBER CONFERENCE.
AT T H E
(Continued from last

month).
Here t h e n y o u have t h o sevenfold breaking
f o r t h of H i s G l o r y i n specific a n d definite m a n i festations a n d acts. B u t t h a t doeB n o t carry
you v e r y f a r u n t i l y o u begin t o realise t h e connection of these manifestations of G l o r j , a n d I
would have y o u j u s t n o t e t h e connections of
these a n d t h e specific significance. T h e y arc
m a i n l y revealed t o us t y p i c a l l y a n d t h a t i n
two t r i o s , a n d t h e n y o u get t h e one glorious
isolated r e v e l a t i o n of H i s G l o r y i n t h a t cons u m m a t i o n a n d y o t n o t isolated, because i t is
the c o n s u m m a t i o n of a process w h i c h is going
on n o w u n t i l t h a t t i m e . Y o u notice i n t h e
Tabernacle t h o supreme characteristic a n d
feature is H i s mediatorial w o r k . T h e Tabornacle
has as i t s c e n t r a l r e a l i t y t h o system of sacrifice
and priesthood i n mediation, and when this
thing w h i c h is supremely a m a n i f e s t a t i o n of
mediatorial p r i e s t l y w o r k i n t h e behalf of sin
and sinners is set u p a n d f u l f i l l e d according
to the d i v i n e o r d e r i n g , t h e n t h e g l o r y of the
L o r d fills t h o t e n t : and here y o u have Christ
mediatorially glorified as t h e H i g h * Priest, a n d
as the A l t a r and as t h e Sacrifice, t h e g l o r y
of God r e s t i n g u p o n a n d w i t h i n H i s w o r k
as M e d i a t o r , bore HO f u l l y revealed i n tho
Tabernacle:
t h e g l o r y of G o d , t h e glory of
r
Christ, is f o u n d w i t h i n H i s a t o n i n g w o r k ,
H i s m e d i a t o r i a l w o r k as Saviour, t h e One w h o
doals w i t h sin. D o y o u notice t h a t couplet
which we have o f t e n m e n t i o n e d i n t h i s f e l l o w ship. I t runs r i g h t t h r o u g h the W o r d of God
u n i t i n g Grace a n d G l o r y : T h e L o r d is a Sun
and a Shield, H e w i l l give grace and g l o r y . "
The sun is t h e g l o r y , b u t grace is t h e shield
w h i c h makes i t possible f o r s i n f u l m a n t o dwell
i n the g l o r y . I f t h a t full-orbed g l o r y of God
were t o blaze suddenly u p o n one of us here wc
should die i n s t a n t l y . " N o m a n h a t h seen
God and l i v e d . " I t is n o t possible t o s t a n d i n
the f u l l blaze of t h e g l o r y of God unless y o u
have something t o shield t h a t g l o r y , a n d the
i n c a r n a t i o n is t h e g l o r y of G o d shielded b y
grace, so t h a t w c can enter i n t o t h e g l o r y of
God w i t h o u t being consumed.
Y o u have o f t e n
looked a t t h e sunset a n d y o u have said
" H o w glorious."
N o w w h a t is a sunset ?
I t is s i m p l y t h e r i s i n g of t h e mists of earth
l a y i n g h o l d of t h e sun rays a n d breaking
t h e m u p so t h a t the f u l l blaze of t h e sun is
arrested b y these mists of e a r t h , a n d y o u look
t h r o u g h t h e shield of mists a n d see t h e glory
of t h e sunset, w h i c h is s i m p l y t h e f u l l blaze
arrested so t h a t y o u can enjoy i t , so t h a t y o u
can look a t i t i n its v a r i e d hues a n d shades.
So H e t o o k our flesh ; H e was made i n our
likeness i n order t h a t being one of us H e m i g h t ,
y e t being G o d , reveal t o us i n grace t h e glory
of God, so t h a t we could e n j o y i t w i t h o u t being
consumed.
H e w i l l give grace a n d g l o r y . T h e
mediatorial w o r k of grace, t h e a t o n i n g w o r k ,
the w o r k b y reason of H i s sacrifice, as H e was
t h e L a m b slain, as H e was t h e m e d i a t o r f o r o u i
sins, t h i s is the grace of G o d in C h r i s t b y w h i c h
the g l o r y is revealed ; a n d , beloved, y o u ce<n
never understand the g l o r y , or k n o w a n y t h i n g
about t h e g l o r y , u n t i l y o u have been led t o t h o
apprehension of grace, a n d w h e n y o u k n o w
the meaning of grace, t h e n y o u k n o w t h e meani n g of g l o r y ; and I t h i n k of a l l w h o o u g h t t o bo
able t o appreciate grace, we hero o u g h t t o be
able t o appreciate i t t h e m o s t . F o r has there
n o t been disclosed t o us t h e r e v e l a t i o n of the
awfulncss of flesh, t h e i m p o s s i b i l i t y of flesh
entering i n t o t h e presence of God. H a v e wc
n o t scon the flesh l a i d bare, exposed, and have
wc n o t come t o stand i n h o r r o r and dread of
a n y t h i n g t h a t is flesh % W e loathe i t !
Wo
know what havoc t h o d e v i l can do . i f o n l y he
can got hold of a l i t t l e b i t of flesh ! So wc have
come t o halo find loathe and s t a n d i n fear of
flesh ; ami w i t h t h i s revelation of t h e awfulnesB,
the i m p o s s i b i l i t y of flesh, o h , h o w m u c h wo
H

30
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
aeed tho grace of G o d t o s t a n d i n H i s presence ! as o u t f r o m t h e heavenlies. D a v i d got the

t a 11, a l l t h e w h i l e e n d u r i n g t h i s exposure a n d \ p a t t e r n b y r e v e l a t i o n . I t was s t i l l the p a t t e r n
knowledge of flesh, t h i s awfulness. B u t t h a t we
of t h e t h i n g s i n t h e heavens, b u t t h i s t i m e t h e
w i t h t h i s t r u e knowledge ( w h i c h is n o t a t h e o r y , j m a i n feature was t h e monarchical, the k i n g l y ,
h u t is t o us a d a i l y agony before God, lest flesh , a n d t h e n w h e n t h i s t h i n g had been finished
should come i n a t all) can s t a n d a n d e n j o y fellowaccording t o the o r d e r i n g of the L o r d , and a
ship w i t h t h e L o r d , t h a t is grace ! A n d u n t i l
k i n g r e p r e s e n t a t i v e l y stood over i t a n d handed
y o u understand grace b y reason of w h a t H e has
i t t o t h e L o r d a n d represented the L o r d before
done on our behalf i n being made i n t h e likeness
the people as t h e p r i e s t had done in the other
of sinful flesh, a n d f o r flesh condemning sin i n
case, t h e n t h e g l o r y of t h e L o r d filled t h e house.
the llesh, bearing i t a w a y H i m s e l f , u n t i l y o u
H e r e y o u have t h e k i n g l y aspect of the C h r i s t ,
appreciate t h a t , y o u c a n n o t appreciate the g l o r y .
the sovereignty of t h e L o r d Jesus. W e have no
B u t w h e n y o u u n d e r s t a n d t h a t , t h a t is the g l o r y ,
need t o s t a y f u r t h e r t o t a l k a b o u t i t , we are
t h a t t o y o u is t h e g l o r y of G o d .
I cannot
always t a l k i n g a b o u t i t . H e is sovereign L o r d ,
define t h e g l o r y of God n o w i n o t h e r t e r m s
and we preach Jesus Christ as L o r d , a n d t h a t
t h a n grace.
L a t e r o n , we m a y be able t o . H e is L o r d t o t h e g l o r y of God t h e F a t h e r .
define i t i n other t e r m s , b u t a t present t h e
" L i f t up y o u r heads O ye gates : be ye l i f t e d up
g l o r y of God is t h e grace of G o d , H i s forbearance,
ye everlasting doors, r.r.d t h e K i n g of G l o r y
H i s longsuffering, H i s tenderness, H i s m a n y
shall come i n . W h o is t h i s Kim/of Glory ? The
mercies, t h e t h i n g s t h a t H e does f o r us, always L o r d s t r o n g a n d m i g h t y , t h e L o r d m i g h t y in
w h a t H e is d o i n g . T h e w o n d e r of i t a l l ! T h e
b a t t l e , H e is K i n g of G l o r y . " On the g r o u n d of
u p h o l d i n g , t h e sustaining i n t h e m i d s t of t h e
H i s tremendous conquest, on t h e g r o u n d of H i s
direst assaults a n d m o s t t e r r i b l e pressure,
great t r i u m p h a s H e t r o d t h e w inepress alone,
yet there is t h a t h o l d i n g of us u p a l l t h e t i m e , j as H i s garments were d y e d r e d w i t h the blood
so t h a t a l t h o u g h we w o u l d give u p a l l t o o
of H i s enemies, as H e t r a v e l l i n g i n t h e greatness
r e a d i l y , and s h r i n k b a c k , H e holds us a n d brings [ of H i s s t r e n g t h b y w a y of H i s cross where he
us t h r o u g h , a n d t h e n H e allows us t h e honour,
stripped off t h e p r i n c i p a l i t i e s a n d powers,
which we so o f t e n t h i n k of as being a n y t h i n g
where H e l a i d l o w t h e powers w h i c h were against
b u t a n h o n o u r t o be l e d i n t o t r o u b l e i n i H i m a n d t r i u m p h e d g l o r i o u s l y H e is t h e K i n g
order t h a t t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of H i s grace m i g h t
of G l o r y . U p o n t h e t r i u m p h a n t w o r k of Christ
bring g l o r y t o H i m s e l f . T h i s is t h e g l o r y of
as L o r d a n d K i n g t h e g l o r y of God rests.
G o d ; a n d i t is a l l because of t h e m e d i a t o r i a l ,
N o w t h e t h i r d is i n t h a t l i t t l e passage in
a t o n i n g , representative a n d
substitutionary
Isaiah ; I s a i a h is being called t o a prophetical
w o r k of t h e L o r d .
W h e n w e understand
w o r k . H e is t h e p r o p h e t of t h e Messiah, and
grace, t hen t h e g l o r y of t h e L o r d fills t h e house.
the w o r d s suspended i n t h e a i r i n t h e presence
Y o u ask a n y sinner w h o has been sayed f r o m ! of t h e revelation are : * W h o w i l l go for us % "
the a w f u l depths and r e a l i t y of sin b y t h e grace
and w h o m shall I send 'I Here is a " Sent One "
of God if he k n o w s a n y t h i n g of t h e g l o r y of
required, an Apostleship demanded, one t o go
God ! W h y i t is i n his face all t h o t i m e , a n d j o u t t o f u l f i l a p r o p h e t i c a l m i n i s t r y and w o r k
i t o u g h t t o be i n our faces a l l t h e t i m e , we
in an apostleship, being s e n t . " T h e S p i r i t of the
w h o k n o w t h e awfulness of t h e flesh. T h e
L o r d is upon m e , " said t h e great Sent One
L o r d w i l l give grace and g l o r y . These t w o later,
because H e h a t h anointed me t o prothings a l w a y s go t o g e t h e r , a n d so y o u f i n d the ; c l a i m : H e h a t h sent me"
N o w here y o u have
first m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e g l o r y of God is in t h a t
r i g h t i n t h e centre a prophetical w o r d . Some
s t r u c t u r e , t h e Tabernacle, t h a t presentation
have, I t h i n k q u i t e j u s t i f i a b l y , made Isaiah
w h i c h speaks supremely of H i s grace, t h e media- | t h e highest o f t h e prophets because of the
t o r i a l aspect of t h e Saviour's life a n d w o r k .
revelation of t h e C h r i s t w h i c h H e was perm i t t e d t o give, or Which God gave t h r o u g h
The next is i n t h e B o o k of Chronicles, when
y o u come t o t h e T e m p l e . H a s i t s t r u c k y o u S h i m ; b u t t h e phase here is u n d o u b t e d l y a
t h a t i t was n o t i n t h e p r i e s t l y so much as ! t y p e of t h e " p r o p h o s o r i a l " w o r k of t h e L o r d
Jesus. H i s m i n i s t r y is a * Sent O n e , " a p r o p h e t ;
in t h e m o n a r c h i c a l , t h e k i n g l y , t h a t the g l o r y
is vested.
I t was a k i n g w h o b u i l t t h i s j and as t h i s p r o p h e t of t h e Groat Prophet, t h i s
one w h o JH included i n t h e prophetic or prot e m p l e ; i t waB a k i n g w h o dedicated t h i s
phcsoi'ia] m i n i s t r y of the Greater W h o was to
temple, i t was a k i n g w h o was G o d s rettome
l a t e r , of W h o m ho prophesied, as he was
presentative i n t h i s .
T h e p l a n was s t i l l the
before
the L o r d , t h o G l o r y of t h o L o r d fills the
same p l a n , t h e p a t t e r n was s t i l l t h e same p a t t e r n ;
:
41

A
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
31
t o carry i t o u t , i n order t h a t t h e G l o r y of t h e
house t o create a n d t o establish t h i s p r o p h e t i c
m i n i s t r y . N o w t h e L o r d Jesus is here fore- ! L o r d m i g h t be revealed, before he ascended t h a t
shadowed in H i s prophesorial m i n i s t r y or office, i m o u n t he b u i l t an al'ar a t i t s f o o t , a n d offered a
the " Sent O n e , " t h e A p o s t l e , God's A p o s t l e , and i sacrifice before he went u p . H e r e is C a l v a r y in
in t h i s enming f o r t h o u t f r o m t h e F a t h e r of ; the Ascension, i n t h e heavens, t h a t the p a t t e r n
which we read so m u c h and so often speak. * * I
of the Church m i g h t be revealed. T h e cross is
(tame f o r t h o u t f r o m G o d . "
" 1 came o u t f r o m
basic t o t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e heavenly
flic F a t h e r . "
God so l o v e d
t h a t H e gave "
p a t t e r n , a n d t h e b r e a k i n g f o r t h of t h e heavenly
here is t h e G i f t , t h e Sent One of God. On t h e
glory.
ground of H i s h a v i n g come f o r t h f r o m God t o
W h e n Solomon dedicated t h e temple the altar
declare t h e counsel of God, a n d t o reveal t h e
WAS there. Y o u remember, t h e sacrifice was
m i n d of God, a n d t o d r a w men back t o God,
offered, a n d he k n e l t b y t h e a l t a r a n d presented
as w e l l as t o w a r n men of t h e j u d g m e n t s of
i t t o God. and t h e g l o r y broke t h r o u g h , b u t the
Cod, upon t h i s w o r k of a p r o p h e t t h e g l o r y
revelation had come f r o m t h e heavenlies. T h e
of the L o r d is seen filling t h e House. N o w y o u
three t h i n g s are always t h e r e t h e Cross, the
see t h i s three-fold phase when y o u get to the
Resurrection, t h e Ascension. I n I s a i a h i t is
New T e s t a m e n t , w h i c h is t h e c o u n t e r p a r t of t h i s
a l l too p a t e n t . " W o e is me, f o r I a m u n d o n e , "
Old T e s t a m e n t t y p e .
then t h e c h e r u b i m t o o k a l i v e coal f r o m t h e
altar;
here is t h i s coal soaked i n blood a n d
Y o u notice t h a t i n t h e m o u n t of transfigura
permeated
w i t h fire. T h i s is t h e cross t h a t alone
t i o n the Saviour is i n t h e presence of H i s a t o n i n g
makes
t
h
i
s
m i n i s t r y possible, a n d t h r o u g h t h i s
and m e d i a t o r i a l w o r k ; f o r w h y was H e there
m
i
n
i
s
t
r
y
makes
possible t h e manifestation of
in t h e m o u n t ? W e l l H e was being spoken t o ,
the
g
l
o
r
y
of
God.
I n t h e N e w Testament we
and h a v i n g c o m m u n i o n concerning H i s exodus,
see
t
h
a
t
t
h
e
cross
is associated i m m e d i a t e l y
H i s going o u t , w h i c h he was s h o r t l y t o accomw
i
t
h
t
h
e
m
o
u
n
t
of
t
r
a
n s f i g u r a t i o n . T h e cross is
plish a t J e r u s a l e m .
H e was i n the m o u n t
also
at
Pentecost.
L
i
s
t e n t o Peter's sermon and
concerning t h i s g r e a t w o r k w h i c h H e was going
see
i
f
i
t
is
n
o
t
t
h
e
r
e
;
a
n d we shall recognise t h a t
t o accomplish b y t h e exodus of t h e Cross, a n d
i
t
was
upon
t
h
i
s
s
p
i
r
i
t
ual recognition and entry
t h e passion, t a k e n i n t o t h e Ascension, a i d
into
t
h
e
meaning
of
t
h e cross t h a t the g l o r y
through t h e Ascension i n t o t h e g l o r y . A n d when
f
o
r
t
h
a
t
Pentecost.
T h e crucified Christ
broke
t h i s w o r k of t h e cross is nearest a n d most real
had
now
been
revealed
t
o
t
h
e
m in a l l t h e meaning
and accepted anew b y H i m i n t h e m o u n t , conof
H
i
s
C
a
l
v
a
r
y
w
o
r
k
.
There
was a t i m e when
firmed a n d r a t i f i e d by H i m before God and
t
h
e
y
could
n
o
t
understand
a
n
d
appreciate t h a t .
the heavenly witnesses, t h e g l o r y of t h e L o r d
T
h
e
y
said,
F
a
r
be
i
t
f
r
o
m
thee
Lord. This
breaks f o r t h upon H i m a m i is manifested in
shall
never
come
t
o
thee.
I
f
t
h
i
s
happens
then
H i m and t h r o u g h H i m . There i t is. W e need
t
h
a
t
is
a
n
end
of
e
v
e
r
y
t
h
i
n
g
.
There
is
no
hope
not stay, f o r we have already said w h a t is t o be
a t a l l i f vou go u p t o Jerusalem and f a l l i n t o
said a b o u t t h e m e d i a t o r i a l g l o r y of the Saviour.
the hands of w i c k e d m e n . "
T h e y could see
T h u s t h e second i n t h e N e w Testament is t h e
n
o
t
h
i
n
g
beyond
t
h
a
t
;
b
u
t
n
o
w
t h e y had got
AsccnBion, t h e K i n g of G l o r y entering i n ; t h i s
beyond
t
h
a
t
,
and
t
h
e
y
saw
t
h
e
cross
was everyis the sovereign, t l i e m o n a r c h i c a l . T h e n Pentet
h
i
n
g
i
n
t
h
e
risen
C
h
r
i
s
t
.
A
n
d
t
h
e
n
i n union
cost is t h e p r o p h e t i c a l , or a p o s t o l i c t h e sending
w
i
t
h
t
h
e
ascended
Christ
W
h
o
was
received
up
of those i n l i k e manner as H e was sent. " As
i
n
t
o
g
l
o
r
y
,
t
h
e
n
,
on
t
h
e
g
r
o
u
n
d
of
t
h
e
cross,
the F a t h e r h a t h sent me, oven so ( i n l i k e manner)
and all its outcome, t h e g l o r y broke t h r o u g h .
Tsend y o u . " A n d as H e is now t h r u s t i n g o u t H i s
I
Y o u see t h a t these three t h i n g s are there a l l
church, H i s B o d y , C h r i s t corporate, Christ repre|
the way through.
sentative, t h e going o u t i n t o t h e apostolic,
the p r o p h e t i c a l m i n i s t r y , t o speak of H i m and
Beloved, i n t h a t c o m i n g again t o be glorified
for H i m , t o e x h o r t , and t o w a r n , a n d t o entreat ! in H i s saints i t w i l l s t i l l be the cross, i t w i l l
t h e G l o r y of God is t h e r e .
s t i l l be o n t h e ground of t h e cross. B u t t h i s
N o w , beloved, t h i s is all so clear and p a t e n t ,
is the p o i n t w e can o n l y share the g l o r y as we
Wo see the u n d e r l y i n g t r u t h or ground-work j have shared t h e cross. The cross is t h e r e , a n d
of t h e G l o r y of God. B u t w h a t I w a n t y o u t o j we can o n l y share the g l o r y as we k n o w H i m
notice is that in (Mich of these cases there is t he I in t h e power of H i s resurrection. W e can o n l y
relationship t o the crossthe d e a t h , the resur- , k n o w the g l o r y as we have already been made
rection a n d the ascension. W h e n Moses went
t o sit w i t h H i m in the heavenlies. These three
i n t o t h e m o u n t t o recoivo t h e p a t t e r n , i n order I things, u n i o n w i t h t h o crucified L o r d , union
11
,%

32
WITNESS
AND
w i t h , t h e risen L o r d , u n i o n w i t h t h e ascended
L o r d , t l i i s is union w i t h a glorified L o r d . A n d i f
there is t o he a n y b r e a k i n g f o r t h of t h e glory
of God i n us i n d i v i d u a l l y i t m u s t be as, f i r s t l y ,
the cross docs i t s w o r k ; t h e n as H e is Sovereign,
and n o t o n l y M e d i a t o r ; a n d t h e n as we go o u t
to f u l f i l H i s apostolic m i n i s t r y , as " sent f o r t h "
m e n o n l y so can t h e S p i r i t of G l o r y rest
upon us. T h e ascension g l o r y is t h e i n d w e l l i n g
of Christ b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t . H e has come
f o r t h in t h e person, of H i s H o l y S p i r i t t o i n d w e l l ,
and H e is t h e glory i n t h e m i d s t . O n l y on these
simple, b u t f u n d a m e n t a l realities of union w i t h
Christ can t h e g l o r y be. I f H e is t o be g l o r i fied i n t h e m i d s t of us c o r p o r a t e l v , i t w i l l be as
we arc separated b y t h e cross f r o m a l l t h a t
which the cross condemns a n d rules o u t ; as we
are j o i n e d i n a personal t e s t i m o n y e x p e r i m e n t a l l y t o t h e resurrection of t h e L o r d Jesus; and
as we k n o w w h a t i t is w i t h H i m j o i n t l y t o
reign i n life i n t h e ascension power b y t h e H o l y
Ghost c o m i n g a n d i n d w e l l i n g us. W e have made
i t our supreme a m b i t i o n a n d p r a y e r t h a t " I
m i g h t k n o w H i m a n d t h e power of H i s resurrect i o n , a n d t h e f e l l o w s h i p of H i s sufferings, being
made comformable t o H i s d e a t h . " A n d t h u s
we shall k n o w H i m n o w i n H i s g l o r y .
r
There are m a n y phases of t h e p r a c t i c a l

application of t h i s t h i n g , b u t t h e broad
range of r e v e l a t i o n w i l l be enough, a n d other
applications m a y f o l l o w , i f t h e L o r d so leads.
W e h a v e o f t e n said m u c h a b o u t t h i s t h a t H e
m i g h t be allowed t o t a k e us i n t o t h e death of
t h i n g s , a n d of a l l t h a t we are, i n order t h a t H e
m i g h t be glorified i n a t e s t i m o n y t o H i s resurrect i o n i n us, a n d i n t h e m . T h i s is t h e g r o u n d of
the g l o r y . H we suffer w i t h H i m , we shall reign
w i t h H i m . A n d t h a t m u s t begin n o w , because
we have g o t t o have an earnest of our i n h e r i t anceto k n o w H i m as E l i s h a k n e w H i s master
E l i j a h , w h o w e n t u p i n t o t h e g l o r y i n t h e power
of H i s ascension. W h e n t h e m a n t l e f e l l (the
t y p e of t h e S p i r i t ) u p o n E l i s h a f r o m his master
as he w e n t u p i n t o g l o r y , t h i s is a p i c t u r e of
our r e l a t i o n s h i p t o our L o r d , j o i n e d w i t h H i m
ascended, b y t h e f a l l i n g of H i s S p i r i t upon us,
and t h e entering of H i s Spirit, i n t o u s t o k n o w
H i m i n t h e fellowship of t h e S p i r i t , wearing
H i s m a n t l e . T h i s is t h e g r o u n d of t h e g l o r y .
M a y we k n o w i t . M a y i t n o t be t o y o u as a
b e a u t i f u l o b j e c t i v e m e n t a l v i s i o n , b u t a real
p r a c t i c a l experience. T l i e modi a t o r i a l , t l 1 e s< >v ereign, t h e apostolic C h r i s t i n us f u l f i l l i n g ali
those m i n i s t r i e s of Saviour a n d L o r d and
P r o p h e t i n us, a n d t h r o u g h us, BO shall t h e
glory be revealed. T h e C h u r c h H i s B o d y
TESTIMONY
is the i n s t r u m e n t a n d sphere of t h i s m i n i s t r y .
Christ continues t o manifest H i m s e l f as Mediator,
Sovereign and A p o s t l e i n a n d t h r o u g h H i s B o d y ,
a n d even so H i s g l o r y rests u p o n a n d breaks
f o r t h in t h i s T e m p l e as H e is allowed so t o do
f u l l y b y each member becoming incorporated i n
Himself as Saviour, Sovereign a n d Sent One.
T . A.-S.
T H E A L M I G H T I N E S S OF T H E
RISEN LORD IN HIS CHURCH
Notes of an address given at the
Sunday morning, 'llih February,
CENTRE,
11)27.
M a t t h e w x v i i i . , 20.
" For where t w o or three are gathered
together i n M y name, there am I i n the
midst of them. *
H e m u s t be i n t h e m i d s t of each before H e
is i n t h e midst of t h e m . H e m u s t be i n m y
m i d s t , i n m y s p i r i t . I m u s t be b o r n again,
o u t f r o m H i m , a n d therefore share w i t h H i m
one L i f e . Where t w o or three such, sharing
w i t h H i m one l i f e , are gathered together,
there perforce H e is i n t h e m i d s t , being i n the
m i d s t of each i n t h e i r s p i r i t , G o d d w e l l i n g i n
and u p o n t h e m i n d i v i d u a l l y t h r o u g h the
C h r i s t ; a n d therefore w hen t w o or three such
come together H e s u r e l y is i n the m i d s t of t h ? m .
T h e verse is a n e x p l a n a t i o n . H e iB explaini n g w h y almightiness belongs t o t h e c h u r c h .
W h y the a u t h o r i t y of t h e T h r o n e a b o u t w h i c h
wc have been speaking m u c h i n recent years
is vested i n the c h u r c h of God. H e has g i v e n
t h e . m a z i n g promises f i a t " Whatsoaver t h i n g s
y e shall b i n d o n e a r t h s h a l l be b o u n d i n
heaven, and whatsoever t h i n g s y e shall loose
on earth shall be loosed i n heavenWhosoever sins y e f o r g i v e t h e y arc f o r g i v e n , & c . " B u t
i t is w h e n we t h u s come t o g e t h e r ; a n d i t m u s t
be such a c o m i n g t o g e t h e r , f o r i t is a unique
c o m i n g together, t h e l i k e of w h i c h has never
been k n o w n i n heaven or e a r t h . I t is a c o m i n g
together of t h e members of t h e body of
Christ, a w o n d e r f u l assemblage i n t h e H o l y
Ghost of an incarnate L i f e of God i n m e n t h r o u g h
Christ. 1 have n o t touched, t h e f r i n g e of t h i s
" m y s t e r y of Godliness,** much less exhausted i t ,
and w h i l e these w o r d s are a m o n g t h e best k n o w n
i n t h e scriptures we cannot understand t h e m
w i t h the n a t u r a l m i n d , and need t h e r e v e l a t i o n
t h a t i t is n o t f o r flesh and blood t o i n h e r i t
the k i n g d o m . Oh ! we do need r e v e l a t i o n t o
understand every t e x t of s c r i p t u r e . I t is our
peculiar danger t h a t w e have come t o t h i n k
r
WITNESS
AND
that I iblo knowledge is sufficient. Bible-taughtChristians t a l k m u c h

about
the
coining
of the L o r d and w e t h i n k we kiio%v because
we have been i n s t r u c t e d i n d o c t r i n e as f r o m
w i t h o u t ; b u t we tlo not k n o w except by the
Holy ('host's revealing w i t h i n . I t is t h e H o l y
({host alone W h o enables us t o understand
the i n f i n i t e meanings of t h e w o r d of G o d .
These w o r d s f o r m t h e basis of w h a t are
supposed t o be i n a well-known d e n o m i n a t i o n
' C o n g r e g a t i o n a l P r i n c i p l e s " ; b u t how l i t t l e
are t h e y apprehended.
F o r there is a great
vista i n these w o r d s , a r e v e l a t i o n , a wonder
of a u t h o r i t y a n d power. T h e y instance t h e
fact t h a t i n t h e c h u r c h there is possible a
manifestation of D i v i n e Omnipotence b y reason
of the Cross. T h a t where t w o or three of
H i s people are t r u l y gathered together i n the
Spirit of God t h e y can loose on e a r t h and i t
is loosed i n heaven, t h e y can b i n d on e a r t h
and i t is b o u n d
i n heaven.
Authority
Divine!
Vested i n t h e c h u r c h ; b u t not as
men, n o t as i n d i v i d u a l s , n o t as persons w h o
can i n themselves say t h a t t h e y h a . e a u t h o r i t y ,
b u t as those w h o have become i n c o r p o r a t e d
i n t o t h e C h r i s t of G o d , as those w h o share
w i t h H i m one L i f e , as those w h o are b o r n
o u t f r o m H i m , and therefore look u p o n H i m
as t h e e n t i r e source of t h e i r being, and are
prepared t o c o n t i n u a l l y c r u c i f y t h e flesh or
their o w n make-up, t h e i r o w n n a t u r e , and
accept instead t h e i n d w e l l i n g and t h e operation
of H i s S p i r i t as t h e i r l i f e . W h e n t w o or three
such come together i n such a
condition
w r o u g h t o u t by C h r i s t , recognizing t h a t t h i s
is made possible b y t h e tremendous
.ct
of the Cross, and by the ever continuous operat i o n of t h e B l o o d of t h e L a m b i n t h e m i d s t of the
t h r o n e ( t h a t is t h e effluence of God t h a t now
proceeds f r o m the T h r o n e by the S p i r i t in eternal
passion), w h e n t h e c h i l d r e n of God realise t h a t ,
t h e n t h e y re swept t h r o u g h b y t h e c u r r e n t of a
D i v i n e L i f e , and t h e y arc gathered together i n t o
an a c t i v i t y of t h i s D i v i n e L i f e , and t h e y are
made t o rcjiresent t h e l i v i n g God i n t h e e a r t h ' .
This is the majesty and power of God's grace in
the c h u r c h . Of course y o u have t h e caricature
of t h i s i n t h e systems of t h i s w o r l d as represented i n such sy stoma tisod bodies as t h e Roman
and A n g l i c a n
churches,' and
now i n the
denominations w h i c h are becoming organized
p o l i t i c bodies. B u t these arc creations in this
world of t h e flesh and of t h e d e v i l as against
t h i s tremendous but bidden FACT of the church
w h i c h is H i s B o d y .
T.M.J.
(To he confirmed.)
4
33
TESTIMONY
" SCORCHED."
Xo!t s oft'n
Address
a' January
Conference.
b y M r . A . S. Crowe
T H E w o r d t h e L o r d gave me t h i s m o r n i n g was
j u s t this w o r d . " S c o r c h e d , " a n d i t is n o t a w o r d
one w o u l l choose t o give f o r t h . One w o u l d
prefer t o go f o r w a r d i n t h e f a i t h t h a t there is
none w h o is i n a n y w a y r e j e c t i n g the w o r d of
t h e L o r d , a n d y e t one cannot do other t h a n
give f o r t h t h e ' w o r d t h a t H e g i v e s Y o u
remember where i t c o m e s y o u find i t i n t h e
4 t h chapter of t h e Gospel according t o M a r k ,
i n t h e 3 r d verse :
" There went out a sower to sow."
and t h e n i n t h e 5 t h v e r s e :
* A n d some foil on stony ground, where it had
not much e a r t h ; and immediately i t sprang up
because i t had no depth of earth. B u t when the
sun was up. i t was scorclied; a:vl because i t had
no rDOt it withered away."
W c w i l l read the L o r d ' s o w n i n t e r p r e t a t ' o n of
the W o r d , 16th verse:
" A n d these are they likewise which are sown
on stony g r o u n d : who, when they have hoard the
W o r d immediately receive i t w i t h gladness, and
have no root i n themselves, and so endure but for
a time : afterward, when affliction or persecution
ariseth for the Word's sake, immediately they are
offended."
" W h e n t h e sun was u p i t was scorched." T h e
Son, W h o t o us is t h e Centre of a l l things, our
L i f e , our L i g h t , our L o r d of L o v e ; and w h e n
t h e d i v i n e heat of t h a t L o v e shines f o r t h i n a l l
I t s g l o r y , t h e n t h i s seeming w o r k of grace
shrivels u p ! W h e n we begin our w a l k w i t h t h e
L o r d i t is l i k e early m o r n i n g , freshness, beauty
and a gladness as wc w a l k w i t h H i m and t a l k
w i t h H i m ; h u t as we w a l k on w i t h H i m t h e Sun
gets up. t h a t L o v e w h i c h has b e m a cheering
r a y , w h i m has been something t h a t has enlighten d and i l l u m i n a t e d , a n d we enjoyed i t ,
becomes somehoA- unbearable.
T h e figure is
t h a t of the oriental sun, the. mid-day sun. Some
of us k n o w w h a t i t is, especially when i t is
i i i the heat of t h e h o t t e s t season of the year,
l i k e a blast o u t of the oven, and y o u have t o
shut yourself i n t h e house away f r o m i t ; and
y o u r garden is s i m p l y w i t h e r e d u p , and t h e l i t t l e
water t h a t y o i f r boy p u t s on the flowcrB is j u s t
enough t o b o i l t h e m ; and y o u come back a t
the end of a h o t season l i k e t h a t t o find everyt h i n g w i t h e r e d , scorched : " Scorched."
N o w , do y o u k n o w where t h e f u l l r e v e l a t i o n
of the Love*of God is t o be f o u n d ? W h e r e do

A WITNESS
34
AND A
y o u have t o go t o f i n d t h e S u n u p a l l the
f u l n e s s a l l tlie a r d o u r a i l t h e fierce heat of
Divine L o v e shining f o r t h w h e r e is t h a t ? W e
know : t h a t is a t C a l v a r y ; t h a t is a t the Cross.
A n d a l l of i t is L o v e , t h e v e r y perfection of
IJOVO. W e begin our w a l k w i t h t h e L o r d , and
because i t is a w a l k w i t h H i m H e must lead us
here ; and because H e is L o v e , H e must take
And
us on t o t h e f u l l r e v e l a t i o n of H i m s e l f .
then i t is t h e test comes.
Oh, the m u l t i t u d e of souls w h o w i l l w a l k w i t h
Jesus u p t o a p o i n t , b u t w h e n t h i s fierce heat
comes, t h e i r soul draws b a c k ; t h e y are s t u m b l e d ;
and t h e stone of s t u m b l i n g a n d t h e rock of
offence is t h e crucified L o r d , a n d the Cross t o
which H e brings t h e m ; a n d t h e y begin t o have
a quarrel w i t h t h e i r G o d ; t h e y are offended
w i t h H i m . H e is n o t t r e a t i n g t h e m as t h e y
t h i n k H e o u g h t ; H e is n o t d o i n g f o r t h e m
w h a t t h e y expected H e w o u l d d o ; a t least, H e
is n o t d o i n g i t i n t h e w a y t h a t H e should be
expected t o do i t ; a n d so t h e r e is a q u a r r e l ,
and a suppression i n s p i r i t , a n d t h e l i f e t h a t was
so f u l l of promise, t h e response, t h e gladness
and j o y , i t a l l seems t o die o u t a n d w i t h e r , a n d
there is n o t h i n g l e f t b u t a w t h e r e d l i f e , a
scorched, blackened, c h a r r e d l i f e .
B u t the
L o r d is showing here h o w one reason f o r i t a l l
is, t h a t t h e great desire of H i s h e a r t f o r f r u i t
is n o t realised. I n s t e a d of t h e f r u i t there is
j u s t t h i s blackened l i f e , a l l t h e promise t a k e n
away. W h a t has done i t ? T h i s W o r d , t h e W o r d
of H i s T e s t i m o n y , t h e W o r d of H i s L i f e has
been received, b u t t h e soul is n o t w i l l i n g t h a t
i t should go o n u n t o p e r f e c t i o n . W h e n i t comes
t o t h e Cross i t dies a w a y ; i t says : " N o ! " T h e
L o r d says i t is " t r i b u l a t i o n " because of t h e
W o r d , t r i b u l a t i o n f o r t h e W o r d ' s sake. I f t h e
W o r d g i v e n i n t h e power of t h e S p i r i t comes t o
f u l l perfection, t h i s w o r d " t r i b u l a t i o n " is i n i t . I t
s the same t h o u g h t of pressure " n o t t h e same
w o r d b u t i t is v e r y m u c h a k i n t o a w o r d w h i c h
the Apostle P a u l useB: "Constraineth"
2 Cor.v.14.
Here was a m a n w h o y i e l d e d t o t h e pressure;
he f o u n d himself held i n p o s i t i o n b y t h e L o v e
of C h r i s t ; pressed i n t o one place b y t h e L o v e
of Christ. I t is t h e w o r d t h e L o r d H i m s e l f uses
of Jerusalem, where Jerusalem is surrounded b y
armies, a n d hemmed i n o n e v e r y side, a n d there
is n o escape f r o m t h e armies. N o w , t h e L o r d
seems t o say t h a t i t is n o t t h e armies of m a n
t h e persecutions of m a n y o u have g o t t o f e a r ;
i t is M y L o v e , M y h e m m i n g y o u i n t h e r e is no
escape; I a m pressing y o u i n .
TESTIMONY
H i m , t h e y seized H i m and k e p t H i m . w i t h a
d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o hold H i m . A n d y o u j u s t t u r n
i t r o u n d i t is n o t w e arresting t h e L o r d , i t is
the L o r d a r r e s t i n g us, t h e L o v e t h a t w i l l n o t
let us g o ; b u t t h a t L o v e f o r c i n g us i n t o one
place, f r o m w h i c h there is no escape; a n d
D i v i n e L o v e presses y o u i n t o t h a t one place
C a l v a r y ; t h a t one placethe Cross ; t h a t is
the t r i b u l a t i o n . Those of y o u who need the
power, here is t h e secret of p o w e r : w h e n God
brings pressure t o bear, y i e l d t o i t . N o , b u t
the soul s a y s : " N o t t h a t w a y ! W e are i n for
all t h e delights, f o r a l l t h e j o y s , a n d a l l the
gladness t h a t Jesus can b r i n g i n t o our lives,
and a l l the peace a n d t h e r e v e l a t i o n even of
t h e L o r d ' s love f o r us, b u t we are n o t w i l l i n g
t o go o n t o a l l t h e f r u i t a g e . " T h a t means t h e y
are not w i l l i n g t o go t h r o u g h p a i n , a n d t h e y
are not w i l l i n g t o go t h r o u g h t r a v a i l , and f r u i t
can come no o t h e r w a y .
" N o , we w i l l n o t
" have t h a t Cross.''
N o w w h a t is t h e reason f o r t h e " scorching ? "
T h e L o r d gives t h r e e reasons. F i r s t H e s a y s :
,
" Because t h e y had no depth of e a r t h . "
They had just a l i t t l e ; b u t t o take you through

y o u need m u c h . W e saw t h e a l t a r last n i g h t ;
! a n d we saw t h e t h r o n e . N o w a l l t h e resources
; of t h a t t h r o n e are b e h i n d t h e soul t h a t w o u l d
! lead o n t o t h e a l t a r , a n d on a n d o n t o f r u i t f u l J ness. B u t y o u have g o t a l i t t l e L o r d , a n d H e
; does l i t t l e t h i n g s f o r y o u , a n d y o u are satisfied
: with little thingsa little j o y a little love
i a l i t t l e p r a y e r a n d i t is v e r y l i t t l e ; and y o u
I do n o t k n o w t h e r e is a n y t h i n g bigger i n t h e
L o r d . Y o u have n o t h a d w h a t our b r o t h e r
! has been speaking of, t h i s r e v e l a t i o n of Himself.
i A n d before y o u can r e a l l y go t h r o u g h , there
| m u s t come t h i s r e v e l a t i o n of W H O H E I S ,
H i s wondrous power, t h a t H e is o n the t h r o n e ,
t and t h a t the H a n d t h a t is going t o so deal w i t h
\ y o u is the M i g h t y H a n d . Y o u have n o t seen
i t , y o u do n o t see w h a t there is t o d r a w y o u ,
and because y o u do n o t see t h a t , w h e n t h e
; pressure comes y o u are a t sea so t o speak, and
y o u come t o a f u l l s t o p y o u h a v e finished
I w i t h t h e impossible. Y o u have stopped because
j there is not much e a r t h ; and y o u r real need is
, t o be shown b y t h e H o l y Ghost t h a t there is
I m u c h y o u have never seen, m u c h t h a t has
never entered i n t o t h e h e a r t of m a n , never can
. enter i n t o the h e a r t of m a n , b u t by the S p i r i t .
A n o t h e r of t h e reasons i s : N o r o o t . " W h a t
j does t h a t mean? N o hidden l i f e i t is t h a t .
There is also a w o r d used a b o u t our L o r d ; N o w we a r e ' g e t t i n g t o t h e connection of w h a t
when t h e soldiers h e l d H i m ; t h e y " arrested " i was i n m y brother's m i n d , " P r a y e r , " and w h a t
44
44

A
W I T N E S 5
AND
was i n m y m i n d , " N o R o o t " ; n o secret life

w i t h God, t h a t is t h e r o o t . Y o u w i l l go along
quite m e r r i l y u n t i l t h e hour of pressure comes,
u n t i l God begins t o m a k e some d e m a n d ; b u t i t
is i n t l i e hour of t r i b u l a t i o n , i n t h e hour of t r i a l ,
(hat y o u f i n d w h a t i t means t o have no r o o t ,
no secret l i f e .
W c were speaking l a s t n i g h t a b o u t t h e S h u t
Door, W e saw t h a t i t was t h e S h u t D o o r t h a t
shut the flesh o u t . T h e r e is also a S h u t D o o r
t h a t we d i d n o t m e n t i o n , a S h u t D o o r w h i c h
when y o u are inside y o u are s h u t i n , a n d y o u
are shut i n t o a place of power, a n d y o u h a v e
access t o t h e T h r o n e .
A n d w h e n t h e need
comes y o u get t h e v i s i o n of t h e T h r o n e , y o u are
cast back u p o n H i m . T h e L o r d speaks of i t i n
the 6 t ' i M a t t h e w , 6 t h v e r s o :
" B u t thou, when t h o u prayest, enter into t h y
closet, a n d when t h o u hast shut t h y door, p r a y
to thy F a t her which is i n secret; and t h y Father
whicli scoth i n secret shall r e w a r d thee openly.
When ye p r a y , use n o t v a i n re]>etitions, as the
heathen d o :
for they t h i n k
heard for their m u c h
t h a t they s h a l l be
speaking."
There is a r e p e t i t i o n w h i c h is n o t v a i n r e p e t i tion.
Some of y o u have r e a d t h a t
book:
"Praying Hyde."
I was p e r m i t t e d t o see
Hyde's p r a y e r l i f e , t o be w i t h h i m i n p r a y e r ,
and t h a t was one of t h e characteristics a b o u t
his p r a y i n g , t h e y w ere n o t w o r d y p r a y e r s ; b u t
he w o u l d j u s t lie o n his face before God w i t h
one w o r d perhaps, a n d he w o u l d repeat t h a t
w o r d , and repeat, a n d repeat, a n d repeat. Some
people w o u l d n o t c a l l t h a t a p r a y e r . There he
was, j u s t h o l d i n g one t h i n g before t h e L o r d .
W e t h i n k i t is t h e w o r d s we use, a n d i f t h e
words do n o t come, t h e n i t is n o t p r a y e r . I t
is very'simple ; t h e L o r d does n o t say a n y t h i n g
about n h a t he hzars i n t h e secret p l a c e ; i t iB
w h a t H e sees.
I t is t h e a t t i t u d e of h e a r t
t o w a r d H i m s e l f , t h a t soul i n t h e secret place
j u s t standing there w i t h t h e L o r d , standing o n
the promises, m a i n t a i n i n g t h a t a t t i t u d o of
S p i r i t t o w a r d s H i m , a n d H e is l o o k i n g f o r i t .
Of course t h e t i m e comes w h e n w o r d s come
f o r t h o u t of t h a t , b u t t h e L o r d looks f o r t h a t ;
and i t does n o t m a t t e r i f t h e w o r d s do n o t
come.
T h e L o r d is l o o k i n g f o r something i n
the secret place. H e is l o o k i n g f o r t h e secret
life behind t h e S h u t D o o r .
A n d t h e n comes t h e pressure. W h a t is t h e
pressure but H i m s e l f ? J t is Jesus f r o m above
pressing i n u p o n me b e h i n d circumstances, and
even behind t h e power of t h e d e v i l , H e uses
a l l of t h i B : and t h e soul t h a t has g o t no r o o t
dies been use i t has n o means of g e t t i n g i n t o
r
TESTIMONY
35
I
1
!
!
|
j
c o n t a c t w i t h t h e T h r o n e , even i f i t k n o w s there
is a T h r o n e t o get i n t o c o n t a c t w i t h . T h e soul
is d r y , and I am n o t g e t t i n g t h a t w h i c h I m u s t
have i n m y i m m e d i a t e surroundings. I cannot
find w h a t I m u s t h a v e I m u s t h a v e w a t e r , t h e
m o i s t u r e i f i t is n o t here, t h e n I m u s t go
where I can get i t , a n d o u t go l i t t l e fresh r o o t l e t s ,
' pushing t h e i r w a y here, and p u s h i n g t h e i r w a y
i there, and t h e y go d o w n a n d d o w n u n t i l t h e y
! begin t o suck i n m o i s t u r e , a n d w h e n t h e y have
f o u n d i t t h e unexpected happens, a n d instead
: of t h a t l i t t l e p l a n t w i t h e r i n g u p i n t h e fierce
j rays of t h e sun, as y o u w o u l d expect i t t o do,
j i t l i f t s u p i t s head, s t r o n g i n t h e L o r d a n d i n
! t h e power of H i s m i g h t , a n d i t is f u l l of L i f e ,
i I t has d r a w n i n t h e L i f e . T h e pressure of Jesus
! f r o m w i t h o u t , and t h e l e t t i n g go of a l l t h i n g s
\ i n search of Jesus i n t h e h i d d e n p l a c e ; t h e soul
meets t h e c a l l of t h e L o r d w i t h o u t , a n d finds
t h e L o r d w i t h i n . T h a t is t h e second reason,
i W h y scorched ? " N o R o o t , N o R o o t !
!
T h e n comes t h e q u e s t i o n : W h y no R o o t %
N o D e p t h ; so a w f u l l y s u p e r f i c i a l ; a l l u p o n the
j surface, g l i b , p l e n t y f o r show, b u t n o d e p t h .
! W h y no d e p t h ? I t is n o t so m u c h stony ground
I t h i s , as r o c k y g r o u n d ; y o u l o o k across t h e field
i and y o u cannot see t h a t there is a n y r o c k
there,' i t looks good g r o u n d ; i t looks j u s t l i k e
I t h a t p a t c h f r o m w h i c h t h e L o r d is going t o
i get a good h a r v e s t , t h i r t y , s i x t y , a n hundredj f o l d ; in f a c t , i t looks m u c h b e t t e r ; b u t i t is
i n o t going t o l a s t . W h a t is i t t h a t prevents the
j r o o t going d o w n ? R o c k : a h a r d h e a r t , t h e
i flesh. W e do n o t p r a y , we cannot p r a y , we
cannot r e a l l y pray.
W h a t is i t t h a t has t o be
; dealt w i t h ? T h e flesh. T h a t is t h e secret of
, our f a i l u r e i n p r a y e r f l e s h , flesh. T h e L o r d
! speaks of t h a t h a r d h e a r t so o f t e n . There is
i t h a t w o r d i n the 3 r d H e b r e w s , 8 t h verse:
<;
I
Harden not your hearts, as i n the provocation,
l in the day of temptation i n the wilderness."
44
! B u t if ye w i l l hear H i s voice, t h i s W o r d of H i s ,
j t h i s l i v i n g W o r d , t h i s W o r d w h i c h is S p i r i t
a n d L i f e , t h i s W o r d w i l l , i f i t is received,
bring forth f r u i t an hundredfold unto God
if God can have H i s o w n w a y , i f H e does n o t
| f i n d a h a r d l i f e . A h , w h o can break t h i s h a r d
j h e a r t ? H e alone can break t h e h e a r t .
He
can ! L e t us t u r n back t o t h e 9 5 t h P s a l m :
O eomo, let us sing unto the L o r d : let us
m a k e a joyful noiHe to tho rock of our salvation,
i L e t UHcemo before H i s presence w i t h thanksgiving
I . . . for tho L o r d is a great G o d . a n d a great K i n g
abovo all gods. I n H i s h a n d are the deep places
! of tho earth : the strength of the hills is H i s also.
T h o sea is His, and Wo made i t : and H i s hands
44

.36
WITNESS
AND
formed the d r y l a n d . O come, let u s worship and

bow down ; let us kneel before the L o r d our Maker.' *
T h i s is t h e r e v e l a t i o n of t h e L o r d , w h a t H e
is, w h a t H i s p o w e r i s ; a n d as t h e r e v e l a t i o n
comes, kneel d o w n , n o t m e r e l y w i t h t h e knee,
b u t w i t h t h e w h o l e b e i n g , d o w n i n H i s Presence.
And then this w o r d : " Harden not your h e a r t "
as i n c o n t e n t i o n t h i s c o n t e n t i o n w i t h G o d !
W h y ? T h e y h a d g o t i n t o one of those h a r d
places, those places of pressure, those places
of t r i a l i n t h e wilderness, d r y b u r n i n g heat, no
w a t e r . G o d h a d H i s o w n p r o v i s i o n , H e was
able t o g i v e t h e m w a t e r , b u t i n s t e a d of believing
t h a t , t h e y s a i d : " L e t us h a v e a q u a r r e l w i t h
G o d ; l e t us c a l l G o d n a m e s . " A n d t h e y
s t u m b l e d t h a t is t h e h a r d h e a r t . A n d t h i s
flesh m u s t be d e a l t w i t h .
O h , t h e r e m u s t be a c o m i n g t o t h e Cross, i f
there is t o be t h e f r u i t , a n d i f t h e r e is t o be
t h e l i f e i n p r a y e r ; a n d is i t n o t so t h a t i t is
j u s t i n t h a t place t h a t H e teaches us t o p r a y %
We s a y : " L o r d , t e a c h us t o p r a y . " B u t how is
He going t o d o i t % B y s h o w i n g us t h e pattern
of p r a y e r . T h e man w h o p r a y s *, t h e m a n w h o
is j u s t i n t h i s p o s i t i o n , w h o is feebng t h e
pressure ; t h e pressure of m i d n i g h t . I t is d a r k ,
t h e m i d n i g h t h o u r . H e is feeling t h e pressure
of another's need, a n d he k n o w s e x a c t l y w h a t
t h a t need i s , a n d t h a t need is w e i g h i n g u p o n
h i m ; a n d he is feelnig t h e pressure of his o w n
absolute p o v e r t y ; he can d o n o t h i n g .
Now t h e n , w h a t are y o u g o i n g t o do i n a
case l i k e t h a t ? J u s t t h i s : a m a n w*ho has g o t
no r o o t s , a n d n o t m u c h e a r t h , a v e r y poor
conception of t h e L o r d of G l o r y , a n d n o contact
w i t h t h a t L o r d of G l o r y because there is no
r o o t , i t is t h e r e he is g o i n g t o f a i l G o d . B u t a
m a n w h o has g o t r o o t , t h e r e is o n l y one t h i n g
t o dosearch after G o d . B u t t h e door is shut,
a n d H e does n o t a n s w e r ; a n d t h a t brings fresh
pressure s t i l l ; b u t he p r a y s , a n d he stays t h e r e ;
i t is n o t t h a t he comes n i g h t a f t e r n i g h t t o
t h e L o r d ; he stays j u s t t h e r e ; i t is a p e r p e t u a l
b u r d e n o n his s p i r i t ; a n d he does n o t l e t go
u n t i l he gets t h r o u g h . A n d i t is n o t a b u r d e n
for h i m s e l f ; he is a f t e r s o m e t h i n g f o r another ;
a n d t h e V e r y pressure drives h i m t o G o d , a n d
he w a i t s t h e r e u n t i l H e does arise, a n d does give
t o h i m w h a t he needs.
The
107th
Psalm.
" T h e n t h e y cried unto tho L o r d i n their trouble,

and H e delivered t h e m out of their distresses.''
T h a t is w h e r e t h e L o r d b r i n g s y o u , w h e n y o u
ask t o be t a u g h t t o p r a y u n t o distresses.
M o s t of these distresses i n t h e 107th Psalm are
distresses b r o u g h t u p o n t h e soul b y i t s o w n
TESTIMONY
foolishness a n d t h e i r sins, b u t n o t a l l of t h e m .
A n d there is one phase of t h i s , a n d I do p r a y
t h a t t h e L o r d m a y b r i n g us i n t o t h e meaning
of i t , verse 2 3 :
" T h e y t h a t go d o w n to the sea i n ships, t h a t do
(Business in great waters
business i n great waters.
" I m u s t be a b o u t m y F a t h e r ' s business.*') These
see the works of the L o r d , a n d H i s wonders in the
deep."
N o w w e are a l l w a n t i n g t o see something

w o n d e r f u l , we a l l l i k e t h a t b u t t o be b r o u g h t
i n t o t h e place w h e r e God can w o r k t h e miracle
h o w H e answers o u r p r a y e r : Teach us t o
p r a y . " B u t t o b r i n g us i n t o t h a t p l a c e ! W h a t
is t h a t place ? Verse 2 5 :
" F o r H e c o m m a n d e t h , and raiseth the stormy
w i n d , w h i c h lifteth u p the waves thereof. T h e y
are m o u n t e d u p t o the heaven, thoy go down t o
the d e p t h s : their soul is f u l l of trouble . . . t h e y
are a t their w i t s end."
A n d the L o r d brought the storm to bring them

there. These places of distresses, of t r i b u l a t i o n ,
of t h e heat of t h e Cross w h i c h brings y o u r i g h t
t o a n end of yourself, n o t h i n g t o be done, i t is
impossible, except one t h i n g , and t h a t y o u
h a v e t o be a b a b y t o do such a silly t h i n g ,
such a simple t h i n g j u s t c r y , keep on c r y i n g ,
verse 2 8 :
" T h e n they c r i e d unto the L o r d i n their trouble,
a n d H e bringeth t h e m out of their distresses.
He
m a k e t h the s t o r m a c a l m , so t h a t tho w a v e s
thereof a r e still. T h e n t h e y are glad because they
be q u i e t ; so H e bringeth thorn to their desired
haven."
A n d t h a t desired h a v e n is n o t s i m p l y a haven
t h a t t h e y d e s i r e ; H e desires i t f o r t h e m , and
H e creates t h e s t o r m i n order t h a t H e m a y get
H i s w a y , t o get t h e m i n t o t h i s haven t h a t H e
desires t o get t h e m i n t o .
T h e business of G o d , t h a t is w h a t we w a n t .
A s l o n g a s we are juBt p r a y i n g l i t t l e prayers
a b o u t our o w n l i t t l e needs, and w e are n o t
concerned a b o u t t h e great business of G o d , we
arc i n t h e c o n d i t i o n of robtlessness, and theref o r e dryness a n d hardness.
" I m u s t be about m y F a t h e r ' s business."
and there, in the midst of the storm you see the

wonder of wltat Odd can do; you see the strength
of the Arm of the Lord.
Y o u s a y : " I a m not
going t o h a v e t h e s t o r m , 1 w a n t c a l m soas
T h e n y o u w i l l miss t h e w o n d e r of the miracle.

I
do
not
think we
can
really
learn
to
pray
w i t h o u t thiB progressive teaching i n t h e m i d s t

of storms. T h e L o r d answer our p r a y e r t o
be t a u g h t to p r a y t h r o u g h t h e s t o r m s .
A . S . C.

PRIL,
Vol
1927
S,
No. 4.
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
3
A*-
as from
T H E HONOR O A K CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP C E N T R E ,

Meetings for Spiritual Edification, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Prayer and
SUNDAYS i 1 1 a.m. and G.oO p.m.
MONDAYS:S (Prayer Meeting).
......
Ministers:
All
\VISXKSI>AYS :8
SATURDAYS:7.30
T.
N
(Bible
Fellowship.
School).
(Prayer Meeting).
AUSTIN-SPARKS
M . .
i.
MADOC
JEFFREYS
p a r t i c u l a r s m a y be o b t a i n e d f r o m M r . G. PATERSON*, 27 T i n t a g e l C r e s c e n t
London. S..22. the Secretary of the
Fellow s h i p . "
11
38
A W1TNES5 AND A
MINISTERS'
LETTER
HONOR OAK CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
B E L O V E D OF OUR L O R D ,
CENTRE.
April,
1927.
A n d after t h e t o i l joy. ? Is t h i s the order ?

I n a sense, a n d beyond measure, yes. B u t
by no means altogether so. F o r w h i l e we look
for t h a t u n u t t e r a b l e j o y of t h e
Morning
w i t h o u t c l o u d s . " even n o w , b y H i s grace, there
is a j o y of t h e S p i r i t , of w h i c h i t is said, " T h e
j o y of the L o r d , it is y o u r s t r e n g t h . "
The
" i t " is l e f t o u t i n b o t h our versions, y e t h o w
emphatic i t is. I T , t h e j o y of t h e L o r d , is
alone o u r s t r e n g t h . There can be n o strength
apart f r o m t h i s present j o y .
T h e romance of t h e N e w Testament is i n its
j o y . A l l t h r o u g h i t is a j o y o u s book.
Amid
the storms of i l l - w i l l , persecution, h a t e , and the
battle f o r the gaining of t h e soul, i t is t h e confession of t h i s company of harassed s a i n t s
W e rejoice w i t h j o y unspeakable a n d f u l l of
g l o r y . " B u t here we h a v e purposely l e f t o u t t h e
d y n a m i c centre a n d cause, I n W h o m . " F o r i t is
the j o y of t h e C h r i s t - L i f e : i t is the fellowship
of H i s J O Y a m i d the fellowship of H i s sufferings.
W i t h o u t t h i s , C h r i s t i a n l i f e a n d service are
impossible. T h i s j o y of G o d comes i n s t a n t
and i m m e d i a t e t o meet t h e pressure of t h e o u t w a r d sorrows of t h e b a t t l e , so t h a t t h e g r o u n d
of our s a l v a t i o n being clearly revealed, the
apostle says, A n d n o t o n l y so, b u t we rejoice
i n t r i b u l a t i o n s also." E x t r a o r d i n a r y language !
B u t i t is t h e expression of t h e e x t r a o r d i n a r y
character of t h e S p i r i t - b o r n l i f e . F a i t h ( A b r a ham) begets laughter (Isaac). Oh, t h e j o y of
t h i s f i g h t i n g f a i t h . I t has i t s taste of v i c t o r y
a m i d t h e confusions of t h e c o n f l i c t .
So i t says, " T h e L o r d l o v e t h a cheerful, a
hilarious, g i v e r . " Surely t h i s is one w h o i n a l l
things sacrifices w i t h j o y , endures w i t h j o y ,
suffers w i t h j o y .
B u t h o w is t h i s possible ? I t is impossible
f o r t h e n a t u r a l m a n ; b y w h i c h we m e a n , i t is
impossible f o r t h e C h r i s t i a n i n t h e ground of
n a t u r e . T h e r e are n o such springs of j o y i n
our
flesh." T h i s j o y springs u p f r o m t h e
wells of s a l v a t i o n . I t is of t h e S p i r i t ; b u t of the
S p i r i t as within us. T h u s t h e second aspect
of t h e celestial f r u i t of t h e S p i r i t is J o y " :
T h e f r u i t of t h e S p i r i t is L o v e , Joy
"
T h e K i n g d o m of God, already a realised F A C T
i n t h e S p i r i t , is righteousness, and peace, and
joy.
B u t t h e well-spring is t h e D i v i n e L o v e .
T h e c h i l d r e n of God share so dec]) a fellowship
w i t h t h e i r L o r d t h a t t h e J O Y of H i s accomplished t r i u m p h springs u p w i t h i n t h e i r hearts.
41
44
44
44
44
44
44
TESTIMONY
D i d n o t H e e n j o y so i n t i m a t e a fellowship
w i t h t h e F a t h e r here o n e a r t h t h a t i n the face
of H i s anguish H e was able t o pass on t h e
inheritance of H i s j o y t o H i s disciples, saying,
These things h a v e I spoken u n t o y o u , t h a t
M.Y j o y m i g h t r e m a i n i n y o u , and t h a t y o u r j o y
m i g h t be c o m p l e t e . "
I t is therefore His j o y . N o t h i n g else can
sustain the Cross. W e do n o t go t h r o u g h upon
d e t e r m i n a t i o n , stoicism. Between t h e upper
and t h e nether millstones of God's w i l l and
Satan's a l l flesh w o u l d be i n t o l e r a b l y crushed.
I t is n o t i n us t o stand the pressure of the
Cross.
T h e j o y of t h e L o r d , I T is our s t r e n g t h . "
So H e calls,
Rejoice w i t h M e . " H e has
t r i u m p h e d , and H e is t r i u m p h i n g .
Rejoice!
H e has f o u n d , a n d H e is finding: H e is calling,
and H e is g a t h e r i n g : H e is leading H i s flock
l i k e a Shepherd, a n d the Gateway of t h a t
E t e r n a l F o l d is close a t h a n d , l l e j o i c e !
J o y therefore n o t our o w n : n o t selfish,
springing f r o m personal motives or achievements ; b u t i n c a p t i v i t i e s , straitenings, afflictions, sorrows, suspenses, delays,
postponements, a n d seeming present defeats, J O Y , t h a t
springs u p i n o u r s p i r i t f r o m the E t e r n a l
H e a r t , because our life is i n t h a t stream of
t h e L o v e of H i s Purpose, w h i c h t h e Cross has
already accomplished i n t h e unseen, a n d w h i c h
t h e S p i r i t is w o r k i n g t o w a r d s i n t h e saints i n a l l
the world.
As we seek t o co-operate w i t h H i m i n the
building-up of t h e House m a y i t be said of us,
The L o r d made t h e m j o y f u l t o strengthen
t h e i r hands for t h e w o r k . "
Rejoice, and again I say u n t o y o u , l l e j o i c e . "
Yours i n this hidden Life,
44
44
4f
44
44
T.
T.
AUSTIN-SPARKS.
MADOC-JEFFREYS.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
F R O M our w i d e r fellowship w e h a v e received
t h e f o l l o w i n g g i f t s , as denoted, t o w a r d s the
p r i n t i n g a n d c i r c u l a t i o n of t h i s paper d u r i n g
t h e past m o n t h : H e p h z i b a h , N o w Y o r k C i t y ,
1 ; Palmer's Green, 1 0 s . ; H o n g K o n g , 1 0 s . ;
F u k i e n , 6s. ; E g y p t , 5 s . ; N i g e r i a , Ss..; Jerusalem,
5 s . ; China, 5s. ; H e i g h t s i d e , 5 s . ; E p s o m , 5 s . ;
C l a p t o n , 3 s . ; D u n d e e , 2s. Qd. ; C l a p h a m ,
2s. (>d.; Cardiff, 2s. Od. ; D o l l i s H i l l , 2s. G d . ;
W a l t h a m Cross, 2s. (\d. ; Penge, 2s. O d . ; W i m bledon, 2s. Od. ; Manchester, 2s. Od. ; Cardiff,
2s. ; Belfast, 2s. ; C o r n w a l l , 2s. ; Willesden
Green, 2 a . T o t a l , 5 0s.
Will friends note thai all cotnmunicaUonH rnlatltiR to tha
ANI T E S T I M O N Y
should bo add reined to T . Madoc*
Jeffreys at tha "Ooniro."
WITNBAH

A
THE
WITNESS
AND
MINISTRY AND
FELLOWSHIP
PREPARATIONS
This issue is being sent o u t a m i d t l i e pressure

if preparing t h e
H o u s e , " y e t there is no
cumbering w i t h m u c h serving, f o r t h e
needful
t i l i n g " has t h e larger place i n our hearts.
For wc arc made, conscious, and increasingly
so. t h a t these a c t i v i t i e s i n m a k i n g t h e Centre
ready f o r i t s guests a n d service, most p r a c t i c a l
ministries, are as n o t h i n g compared w i t h those
mighty energies of t h e S p i r i t w h i c h t h e L o r d
would release i n o u r m i d s t , so t h a t w e m a y cooperate w i t h H i m as t h e d a y of t h e C h r i s t "
the more n e a r l y approaches, i n t h e D i v i n e P u r pose of gathering-together a n d up-building H i s
Body, t h e c h u r c h , i n t o i t s heavenly L i f e and
service. A n d t h i s , of course, w i t h a l l saints.
Is not this the
house " t h a t t h e Son is
seeking t o b u i l d , a n d we w i t h H i m ? A n d we
have ever t o w a t c h also lest t h e m a t t e r s of the
Lord's H o u s e become o u r
own things " and
are t h u s n o longer t h e
t h i n g s of t h e C h r i s t . "
B y w h i c h we m e a n w e m u s t cease f r o m our o w n
works, however w e l l i n t e n t i o n e d , refusing selfpossessions of a l l k i n d s even i n w o r k a n d
m i n i s t r y , a l l service n o t d i v i n e l y ordained and
commissioned, a n d d w e l l a n d serve o n l y under
the
Anointjng.
Nevertheless t h e r e are these
immediate
burdens a n d necessities, a n d o n l y those of us
who have been p r i v i l e g e d of t h e L o r d t o k n o w
the s p i r i t u a l h i s t o r y of t h i s t i m e of p r e p a r a t i o n ,
could c r e d i t t h e peculiar and insistent a t t e m p t s
of the enemy " t o arreBt t h e progress of the
Lord's w o r k . B u t such are t h e t i m e s w h e n
the secrets of hearts arc revealed. W e l l , i t is a
great a n d effectual door, a n d we need n o t
wonder t h a t t h e r e are m a n y adversaries.
Please God, t h e
H o u s e " shall be ready i n
t h a t hour of t h e L o r d , a n d H i B N a m e gloriously
w r i t t e n upon i t . A n d t h i s is t r u e of t h e Great
House of God as i t is f o r these t e m p o r a l houses
of service.
As f o r t h e l a t t e r , w e arc s t i l l standing for
Easter, a n d w h i l e t h e conditions m a y n o t be
those of perfect c o m f o r t , we are expecting a l l
who shall be earnestly seeking t h e L o r d ' s face
w i t h us a t t h a t t i m e t o endure a l i t t l e hardness
as good soldiers of Jesus C h r i s t .
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
OUR
FINANCIAL
STEWARDSHIP:
T h e L o r d has m i n i s t e r e d l i b e r a l l y t h r o u g h
some of H i s stewards t o w a r d t l i e e q u i p m e n t of
the Centre, and t h u s continues t o reveal H i s
good pleasure i n t h e w o r k . D u r i n g t h e past
4*
TESTIMONY
m o n t h wc have received a f u r t h e r anonymous

g i f t of 2(0 towards t h e f u r n i s h i n g of t h e
H o s t e l . T h e w a y i n w h i c h these g i f t s h a v e
been entrusted makes i t d i f f i c u l t t o p u b l i s h a n
o r d i n a r y statement of accounts. Y e t we feel
i t is necessary t h a t there should be some k i n d
of regular p u b l i c a t i o n of moneys received a n d
spent, and we propose issuing therefore a
q u a r t e r l y statement, a n d our first shall be
p u b l i s h e d i n the M a y W I T N E S S A N D T E S T I M O N Y .
The L o r d ' s gracious seal t h u s f a r u p o n t h i s

t e s t i m o n y gives us every confidence t h a t a l l
the needs y e t t o be m e t w i l l be supplied.
The r e p o r t of t h e Fellowship " accounts f o r
the past year, 1026, d u l y a u d i t e d , has n o w been
circulated among our local members. B u t as t h i s
concerns f o r t h e most p a r t a p e r i o d i n w h i c h ' w e
were s t i l l i n v o l v e d i n d e n o m i n a t i o n a l associations
b y reason of t h e buildings we t h e n occupied,
we do n o t feel i t calls f o r p u b l i c a t i o n here.
W e render g r a t e f u l t h a n k s t o G o d f o r a l l H i s
sustaining grace, a n d f o r t h e s p i r i t of w i l l i n g .
sacrifice i n H i s people's hearts, so manifested
i n t h e figures of t h i s r e p o r t . E v e n
financial
figures can g l o r i f y God, a n d H e W h o saw t h e
gifts t h a t were placed i n t h e
Treasury " i n
t h a t temple of l o n g ago s t i l l scans t h e secret
g i v i n g of those w h o love m u c h because t h e y
have been f o r g i v e n m u c h .
B u t we are now concerned w i t h t h e s t e w a r d ship t h a t devolves upon us b y reason of t h i s
increased m i n i s t r y w i t h i t s increased and i n creasing obligations. A n d we solicit t h e prayerB
of a l l our wider fellowship i n t h e w o r l d t h a t H e
shall order H i s house " i n thiB m a t t e r .
T h e Guest F u n d , w h i c h is n o w necessary f o r
t h e " Guest H o u s e , " as w e l l as f o r t h e m o n t h l y
conferences haB already received t h e seal of t h e
L o r d u p o n i t i n some measure.
Unless friends desire t o send t h e i r offerings
f o r t h i s w o r k of God t o or t h r o u g h either of
t h e pastors, M r . G. Paterson is t h e one t o w h o m
t h e y should be sent, addressed t o h i m a t t h e
Centre."
44
44
44
14
THE DESIGNATION OK T I T L E (Of Che Fellowship.')
I N our last issue we had t o correct t h e

p r i n t e d address over the
Ministers' L e t t e r , "
apparently copied f r o m a n old n u m b e r issued
f r o m our f o r m e r premises w h e n wc called
ourselveB *' H o n o r Oak Free C h u r c h . " I t was
because of our stand as against a l l denominat i o n a l association as a * free assembly of t h e
L o r d ' s people " t h a t we were led t o abandon
tbosc premises t o t h e i r denominational trustees.
B u t upon our c o m i n g o u t we were l e d , we
41

40
WITNESS
AND
believe, b y t h e wisdom of G o d , t o t a k e t o ourselves the present designation, " T h e H o n o r

Oak Christian F e l l o w s h i p C e n t r e , " because such
a t i t l e saves us f r o m t h e i m p l i c a t i o n of s t a r t i n g
a now sect or b o d y . A t least i t should do so.
B u t we f i n d t h a t there are n o t w a n t i n g misunderstandings, a n d these a m o n g t h e L o r d ' s
people, as t o w h a t we stand f o r . T h i s was made
perfectly clear i n t h e October n u m b e r of last year.
I n o u r enlarged issue we shall h a v e space
t o refer m o r e p a r t i c u l a r l y t o t h e specific
emphasis of our t e s t i m o n y , " T h e T e s t i m o n y of
Jesus." W e w o u l d s i m p l y declare here t h a t w c
stand f o r the f u l l message of t h e Cross, and t h e
r e s u l t a n t free f e l l o w s h i p i n t h e S p i r i t of a l l
members of t h e One B o d y of t h e Christ.
Thus not f o r p e d a n t r y b u t f o r p r i n c i p l e we
desire t h a t our correct designation should be e m CHRISTIAN
phasised, " T H E H O N O R . O A K
F E L L O W S H I P C E N T R E "open to all the
children of God t h r o u g h Jesus, t h e Christ.
THE
EASTER
CONFERENCE
W E believe t h e L o r d purposes t o m a k e t h i s
t i m e of g a t h e r i n g t o g e t h e r u n t o H i m s e l f one
of v e r y special a n d v i t a l significance even u n t o
t h e ends of t h e e a r t h .
W e are l o o k i n g t o t h e L o r d , as H e a d of the
C h u r c h , t o call b y H i s S p i r i t such as shall thus
be gathered. W e do l i t t l e m o r e t h a n m a k e
the m a t t e r k n o w n , a n d c o n t i n u e i n p r a y e r t h a t
there shall be t h e L o r d ' s o r d e r i n g . T h i s is n o t
our p r o v i n c e , a n d we keep m u c h before H i m
t h a t , i n accord w i t h t h e Conference t h e m e , all
things shall be according t o t h e p a t t e r n i n t h e
heavenlies. H i s i t is t o u n f o l d , and t o take t h e
i n i t i a t i v e : ours t o be obedient u n t o the heavenly
v i s i o n and d i r e c t i o n .
There w i l l be three sessions d a i l y w i t h times for
open conference and personal m i n i s t r i e s between.
I t w o u l d seem as i f t h e L o r d is leading us t o
devote t h e m o r n i n g and a f t e r n o o n sessions t o
consecutive ministry along definite lines, and
t h a t these w i l l be t a k e n b y M r . S p a r k B and M r .
Jeffreys respectively, w h i l e t h e evening sessions
m a y be held f o r general m i n i s t r y as t h e L o r d
indicates H i s i n s t r u m e n t s . B u t we are ready
t o go f r o m h o u r t o h o u r as led b y t h e H o l y
S p i r i t , and consequently do n o t publish a set
order i n advance.
W e t r u s t t h a t t h e i n a u g u r a l g a t h e r i n g on t h e
T h u r s d a y evening w i l l be one of great j o y and
praise,, and w o u l d ask o u r f r i e n d s 1o p r e p a r e
themselves t o regard i t as h a v i n g a place of
v e r y definite i m p o r t a n c e , and t h u s t o enter i n t o
the m i n d of t h e L o r d f o r t h e Conference.
7
TESTIMONY
A s t h e new Conference H a l l is n o t y e t erected

we expect t o h o l d t h e m a i n meetings i n a large
marquee.
I t is also possible t h a t t h e " G u e s t H o u s e " w i l l
n o t be f u l l y completed i n i t s alterations and
adaptations.
T h i s w i l l m e a n t h a t the friends
j w h o j o i n us m u s t seek grace t o accept t h e best
j arrangements t h a t can be made, t h o u g h we
t r u s t t h i s w i l l n o t mean a n y serious discomfort
or inconvenience.
I f friends w h o are coming f r o m a distance
w i l l advise us as t o t h e a p p r o x i m a t e t i m e of
\t h e i r a r r i v a l a t a n y of t h e local points or ter| m i n i (especially such as have luggage) we w i l l
j t r y and have t h e m m e t and conveyed t o the
, Centre. D o n o t forget t h a t i f y o u arc i n any
difficulties our Telephone N o . is Sydenham 5216.
A syllabus w i t h plan of t h e l o c a l i t y and
directions f o r reaching t h e Centre w i l l be sent
upon application.
HOLIDAY CONFERENCE
CENTRE
W E are being s t r o n g l y exercised concerning
t h e need of such a m i n i s t r y f o r t h e children of
God as w o u l d r e s u l t f r o m our establishing a
Centre f o r Conferences d u r i n g t h e spring t o
a u t u m n m o n t h s , f r o m A p r i l t o October.
These Conferences w o u l d p r o b a b l y be midm o n t h l y , a l t e r n a t i n g w i t h t h e regular w eek-end
Conferences a t H o n o r Oak, w h i c h are fixed
b y t h e first S u n d a y i n each m o n t h .
I f t h i s be a v i s i o n of G o d i t w i l l materialise.
Meanw hile we ask our readers t o co-operate
w i t h us i n p r a y e r t h a t t h e l o c a l i t y m a y be
D i v i n e l y chosen, a n d t h a t H i s w i l l m a y be
realised i n t h e means t o p r o v i d e t h e equipment.
T h i s brings us t o say a f u r t h e r w o r d u p o n The
financial
m i n i s t r y of the " f e l l o w s h i p , " and our
I
o w n responsibility before the L o r d . W e are
made t h e more conscious of t h i s responsibilty
because n e a r l y a l l t h e means already p r o v i d e d
f o r t h e b u i l d i n g of t h e Conference H a l l and the
e q u i p m e n t of t h e " Guest House " have been
entrusted t o our personal stewardship and
discretion.
W e v e n t u r e therefore t o assure
j
those
w
h
o
share
t h i s " T e s t i m o n y " w i t h us
.
j t h a t we are g i v i n g ourselves v e r y f u l l y t o w a i t i n g
j u p o n t h e L o r d f o r H i s r e v e l a t i o n t o come
j t h r o u g h as t o t h e practical avenues whereby
! H i s purposes a t t h i s t i m e shall be achieved
| t h r o u g h these resources.
These
lie
i
n
m
a
n
y
directions,
and
there
are
\
I
m
a
n
y
needs.
O
u
r
friends
w
h
o
are
thus
led
t
o
J
\
j shave our m i n i s t r y by placing at our disposal
j any resources, can d o so w i t h t h e confidence t h a t ^
(Continued on\ page 45).
|
r
WITNESS
AND
THE HOUSE, T H E N A M E AND

T H E GLORY
41
TESTIMONY
j n a t u r a l l y as we have m e n t i o n e d these passages

]icked "up t h e l i n k of association of three
things
1
T H E H O U S E T H E N A M E T H E GLORY.
of an Address- given by Mr. Sparks at the !
December
Conference.
" The zeal of t h i n e house h a t h eaten me u p , "
St. J o h n x v i i . 1.** CilorifV t h y Son, t h a t t h e j said The One W h o was t o b u i l d a more glorious
Son m a y g l o r i f y t h e e . "
' house t h a n t h a t of Solomon, a more w o n d e r f u l
St. J o h n x v i i . 2 4 . T h a t t h e y m a y behold m y
temple t h a n t h a t w h i c h a l m o s t stunned t h e
g l o r y , w h i c h t h o u hast given me : f o r t h o u , Queen of Sheba w i t h i t s a m a z i n g b e a u t y ,
lovedst me before t h e f o u n d a t i o n of t h e j Christ " a s a Son over H i s o w n house, whose
. world."
house are w c , if we h o l d f a s t t h e confession of
St. J o h n x v i i . 1 0 . " A l l t h i n g s t h a t are mine j our f a i t h , " and over t h a t house, w h i c h is more
are t h i n e , a n d t h i n e are m i n e : a n d I a m ! f a m i l i a r l y k n o w n t o us as t h e C h u r c h w h i c h is
glorified i n t h e m . "
I H i s B o d v . is H i s N a m e : a n d t h e N a m e is t h e
St. J o h n x i i . 2 8 . " F a t h e r , g l o r i f y t h y n a m e .
object of t h e g l o r y F a t h e r g l o r i f y T h y
There came therefore a voice o u t of heaven,
Name."
These things y o u m a y more f u l l y
saying, I have b o t h glorified i t , a n d w i l l
connect, b u t we take up t h e inclusive suggestion
glorify i t again."
of t h e m i n t h i s w o r d t h i s evening t h a t f r o m
St. J o h n i i . 1 7 . " T h e zeal of t h i n e house h a t h ! e t e r n i t y t o e t e r n i t y t h e object a n d basis of
eaten me u p . "
God's g l o r y is H i s N a m e .
A n d t h a t glory,
St. M a t t h e w i . 1. Jesus Christ, t h e son of
because of t h e N a m e , is t o be revealed a n d
David."
manifested i n the House u p o n w h i c h t h e N a m e
I Chronicles x v i i . 1 1 , 1 2 , 13.** 1 w i l l set u p
rests. Y o u notice our syllabus :
t h y seed after thee, w h i c h shall be of t h y
T H E GLORY BEFORE T I M E S E T E R N A L ;
sons ; a n d 1 w i l l establish his k i n g d o m .
T H E GLORY INCARNATE ;
H e shall b u i l d me an house, a n d I
now
p
u
t
these
t w o t h i n g s t o g e t h e r T h e zeal
w i l l establish his t h r o n e for ever.
of
T
h
y
House
h a t h eaten me u p . " I s n ' t i t
" I w i l l be his f a t h e r , and he shall be
remarkable
t
h
a
t
i m m e d i a t e l y associated w i t h ,
ray son : and 1 w i l l n o t t a k e m y mercy
t
h
a
t
p
r
a
y
e
r
G
l
o
r
i f y . " t h a t declaration The
away f r o m h i m . as 1 t o o k i t f r o m h i m t h a t
zeal
of
T
h
y
House
h a t h eaten me u p , " t h e
was before t h e e . "
Pharisees
s
a
y
G
i
v
e
us a sign ; show us
Hebrews i . 5 . F o r u n t o w h i c h of t h e angels
y
o
u
r
credentials,
w
h
a t is y o u r a u t h o r i t y
said he a t a n y t i m e , T h o u art m y Son,
:
f
o
r
doing
t
h
i
s
u
s
i
n
g
these k n o t t e d cords
t h i s d a y have 1 begotten thee ? and again,
and
d
r
i
v
i
n
g
out
of
t
h
e
temple them t h a t
I w i l l be t o h i m a F a t h e r , and he shall be
.
bought
and
sold
?
Give
us
a sign of a u t h o r i t y
t o me a Son ? "
for doing t h i s . T h a t was asked o n t h e g r o u n d
SOLOMON became a t y p e of C h r i s t , b u i l d i n g of t h i s s a y i n g T h e zeal of T h i n e House h a t h
Destroy
the house and h a v i n g a t h r o n e . Remember ; eaten me u p . " H i s answer was,
t
h
i
s
temple
and
i
n
three
days
1
w
i
l
l
raise
i t up ;
always t h a t t h e house a n d t h e t h r o n e are c o m .Vfrfwr
44
4 4
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
bined i n C h r i s t .
T h e , s p i r i t u a l temple or
thiB Baid H e concerning H i s B o d y . "
The
church, and t h e sovereignty of t h e Christ j v i n d i c a t i o n of t h e sovereignty of ChriBt is i n
t h r o n e d and eternalthese t w o t h i n g s always
t h e Resurrection B o d y , i n t h e t r i u m p h over
go together. N o w y o u have heard
read
death i n t h e B o d y of t h e Resurrection, and
already t h i s evening t h a t p o r t i o n f r o m the
when y o u get on t o resurrection ground and
I I Chronicles v i . where Solomon has b u i l t his
t a l k about the B o d y y o u always remember
Temple and dedicated it- t o t h e L o r d and i n his
t h a t , so far as t h i s w o r l d is concerned f o r
prayer he asks t h a t (the L o r d had said H i s
present purposes, and beyond t h a t of course,
name should be there) whenever p r a y e r was
b u t i m m e d i a t e l y f o r present purposes, t h a t
directed t o w a r d t h a t House and a n y m a n in
B o d y iH a corporate B o d y . Composed of a l l
any p a r t of t h e e a r t h looked t h i t h e r w i t h eyes w h o have been u n i t e d w i t h Christ- i n resurrecof l o n g i n g and s p i r i t u a l hunger because the
t i o n life. Y o u have no need t h a t 1 r e m i n d y o u
name of the L o r d was there such a m a n should
of 1 Corinthians x . 1 1 .
realise t h e L o r d ' s loving-kindness and experi- i
F i r s t l y , i n x . 1 0 T h e loaf w h i c h we break
ence t h e L o r d ' s p o w e r a n d deliverance.
You
is it not the c o m m u n i o n of t h e B o d y of Christ,
w i l l have, w i t h o u t m y p o i n t i n g i t o u t , q u i t e
! seeing t h a t we are one loaf, one B o d y . " There
4 4

42
WITNESS
AND
is t h e loaf w h i c h represents i n c l u s i v e l y the

Christ a n d H i s members as one loaf.
X I . 2 4 " T h i s is m y b o d y , b r o k e n f o r y o u . "
N o w here y o u have t h i s f a c t t h a t H e i m m e diately refers t o H i s R e s u r r e c t i o n B o d y corporately as t h e v i n d i c a t i o n of H i s a c t i v i t i e s
and t h e establishment of H i s sovereignty.
Destroy t h i s S a n c t u a r y , t h i s place of d i v i n e
abode, i n three days I w i l l raise i t u p . T h a t
is m y sign, a n d t h a t is m y v i n d i c a t i o n , t h e
Resurrection S a n c t u a r y , t h e B o d y of Christ.
God v i n d i c a t e s H i m , justifies H i m , and u p o n
t h a t B o d y H i s N a m e rests. A s t h e L o r d ' s
name s y m b o l i c a l l y rested u p o n t h e t e m p l e of
Solomon, so t h e N a m e i n r e a l i t y rests u p o n
t h i s Resurrection B o d y , a n d t h e N a m e is t h e
basis of t h e D i v i n e G l o r y . " G l o r i f y T h y
Name."
N o w i f w e h a d t i m e a n d were so disposed
we could go t h r o u g h t h e W o r d and trace the
phrase*' T h e N a m e of t h e L o r d " or " M y
N a m e , " or " M y H o l y N a m e , " a n d y o u w i l l
f i n d a v a s t a m o u n t of l i g h t t h r o w n u p o n t h i s ,
t h a t t h e one t h i n g over w h i c h G o d is jealous is
H i s N a m e , a n d t h e u p h o l d i n g of H i s N a m e is
t h a t u p o n w h i c h H e displays H i s G l o r y .
N o w a l l t h a t is basic. I t h i n k i t is perfectly clear, b u t i t carries us back t o t h e beginning of t h i n g s w h i c h h a d t h e i r beginning,
before t i m e s e t e r n a l .
L e t us remember, t h a t
the name does n o t necessarily represent a
h u m a n t i t l e . I t is t h a t i n t r i n s i c value w h i c h
is enshrined w i t h i n t h e N a m e of t h e L o r d .
L o r d . I t is w h a t t h e N a m e represents. W e y m o u t h gives us such a splendid t r a n s l a t i o n
which helps us o u t here w h e n he is t r a n s l a t i n g
about t h e N a m e t h a t is above e v e r y N a m e , he
translates i t ** T i t l e of sovereignty above every
t i t l e of s o v e r e i g n t y , " a n d f o r purposes of definition I would make a f u r t h e r improvement and
s a y " T h e t i t l e t o sovereignty above every
t i t l e t o sovereignty " because t h a t is where y o u
begin. Y o u find t h a t i t was t h e t i t l e t o supreme
and all-inclusive a n d u n d i v i d e d sovereignty i n
t h e U n i v e r s e w h i c h was assailed. I t was
assailed i n heaven. T h e e q u a l i t y of the Son
w i t h t h e F a t h e r i n t h e t i t l e t o sovereignty was
as we have so o f t e n saidchallenged and
assailed b y one w h o sought t o have t h a t selfsame e q u a l i t y t o be equal w i t h God-*and
thus t o get i n and d i v i d e and occupy a place t o
w h i c h he was n o t e n t i t l e d , and t o t a k e t h a t name
for himself u n l a w f u l l y , ever t o be worshipped
as God. H i s last all-inclusive effort w i l l be
sought i n t h e T e m p l e of God being worshipped
as God i n t h e A n t i - C l i r j s t . W h e n I say t h e
TESTIMONY
" all-inclusive," I mean t h a t he w i l l sum up

every f o r m t h r o u g h o u t t h e ages of his a t t e m p t
to get t h a t possession. E v e r y f o r m i n which
he has come t h r o u g h t h e ages a t d i f f e r e n t times,
i n different places, t o t a k e the place of God i n
t h e race a n d t o capture the race f o r himself.
I n t h e gods of t h e E g y p t i a n s y o u have the
t h i n g back of a system w i t h a l l its paraphernalia. I n Canaanitish w o r s h i p y o u have a
system of demonology, the worship of demons
and the i n i t i a t e r i g h t of passing t h r o u g h the
fire. T h i s aspirant f o r t h e position of the Son
of God has sought t o capture the race, a n d i n the
Anti-Christ y o u w i l l find t h a t a l l these methods
are s u m m e d u p , i n s p i r i t i s m , a n d demon worship, veiled, covered and glorified as f a r as he can
clothe i t w i t h a l l k i n d s of things w h i c h w i l l
capture the i m a g i n a t i o n and the soul of m a n ,
and he w i l l be worshipped as G o d .
Against
the N a m e of t h e L o r d has t h i s t h i n g been
organised and p r o j e c t e d and asserted. The
t i t l e t o sovereignty on the p a r t of t h e Son is
w h a t t h e N a m e represents, and i t is f o r t h e
h a l l o w i n g of t h a t N a m e t h a t the Son has come
o u t f r o m the bosom of the F a t h e r , and entered
u p o n this tremendous w o r k i n a n d t h r o u g h H i s
Cross, a n d gained b y inheritance a more excellent name t h a n angel and archangel, and t h a t
N a m e being t h e s y m b o l of his r i g h t f u l aut h o r i t y a n d sovereignty i n the universe, i n the
heavens and i n t h e e a r t h , is the t h i n g w h i c h God
desires t o g l o r i f y , a n d t h e d e v i l desires t o slander.
N o w y o u u n d e r s t a n d , perhaps, i f y o u look
a t i t i n t h i s l i g h t , w h y i t is t h a t every diabolical
t r a p and snare and" resource is i n s t i t u t e d and
t h r u s t f o r w a r d against those w h o bear t h e N a m e
of t h e L o r d , f o r w e , beloved, have t o meet w h a t
no one else has t o meet i n these efforts of the
A d v e r s a r y s i m p l y because the N a m e is upon us,
t o slander and dis-hallow t h a t N a m e i n us and
t h r o u g h us. I n as much as t h e L o r d has
determined t h a t H i s N a m e , shall rest upon a
s p i r i t u a l house, a t e m p l e n o t made w i t h hands,
and t h a t t h a t N a m e shall be the t h i n g w h i c h
he w i l l m a k e glorious i n a n d t h r o u g h a n d b y
t h a t House, so, i n t h e same degree and measure,
the A d v e r s a r y has determined if he can by any
means to dishonour t h a t N a m e as i t is upon us
as we h o l d i t , and every t i m e he gets an
advantage where we are concerned, he is able
t o t h a t degree t o dishallow the N a m e , and
therefore t o r o b God of H i s G l o r y . So t h e n ,
the Glory of God is w r a p p e d up w i t h the
h a l l o w i n g of the N a m e . T h e object of the L o r d
is t o get a people f o r H i s N a m e , and such as are
consumed w i t h t h e zeal of H i s House, and who a t

A
WITNESS
AND
Mic* same t i m e w i l l go f o r t h as of t h a t House

for the sake of t h e N a m e . "
I n those e a r l y days the L o r d always glorified
the N a m e as i t was used eorporately against
the a t t e m p t s of t h e adversary t o assume the
sovereignty and challenge the D i v i n e a u t h o r i t y .
Wherever those m e n went upon w h o m t h e N a m e
rested t h e enemy opposed and God v i n d i c a t e d
the N a m e . I n t h e i r act of witness a n d testimony t o t h e i r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h Christ the
Name of t h e L o r d was called upon t h e m .
James says
T h e y c o n t i n u a l l y blaspheme t h a t
H o l y N a m e w h i c h was called u p o n y o u . "
The N a m e is n o t m e r e l y a l a b e l , i t is a t i t l e or
e n t i t l e m e n t , and. u l t i m a t e l y universal confession
shall be made of t h a t r i g h t t o r e i g n .
N*>w t h e n t h e L o r d says, i n order t h a t i t
might n o t be slandered, t h a t there m i g h t be
no ground f o r i t t o be dishallowed, ** l e t everyone
t h a t n a m c t h t h e N a m e of t h e L o r d depart f r o m
iniquity " ; for immediately you take that Name
and i n i q u i t y is f o u n d i n y o u t h e N a m e is dishallowed a n d dishonoured and t h e g l o r y is
arrested, because t h e r e is g r o u n d there upon
which t h e e n e m y can operate t o destroy the
works of t h e L o r d . I can see i n a l l this a n
explanation of t h e enemy's assaults upon the
B o d y of C h r i s t and members i n p a r t i c u l a r .
As one has o f t e n said t o y o u , i t is n o t s i m p l y
because of y o u r i n d i v i d u a l i m p o r t a n c e or m y
i n d i v i d u a l i m p o r t a n c e . W e d o n ' t count f o r
a n y t h i n g i n ourselves, b u t i t is because of t h a t
H o l y N a m e w h i c h has been called u p o n us t h a t
we become as o u t f r o m E t e r n i t y the object of
the enemy's interest a n d malice. Before times
E t e r n a l , b u t s t a r t e d on a much higher plane
than ourselves, t h a n the h u m a n race, he started
upon the Son of God H i m s e l f w h o bore the name,
the t i t l e of sovereignty equal w i t h God.
And
this, beloved, on t h e o t h e r h a n d , is t h e m o t i v e
for our s t a n d i n g f a s t and r e f u s i n g , no m a t t e r
w h a t t h e cost is, t o y i e l d t o t h e pressure of the
enemy and t o go d o w n . W e cannot, because
of the N a m e , f a i l H i i n . W e cannot y i e l d
because t hat N a m e is upon us. W e cannot dishallow t h a t N a m e b y g i v i n g w a y t o the enemy
under IUR pressure. T h e m o t i v e is the N a m e ,
for the sake of t h e N a m e we must stand iast.
B u t t h e n t h i s f u r t h e r t h i n g is t h a t God's glory
is going t o be manifest where H i s N a m e is, anil
that glory of course is t h e more enhanced by t he
intensity of t h e adversary's assaults upon us if
we stand in the power of t h a t N a m e .
Christ,
as we k n o w was the centre of assault and a t t a c k .
A l l hell raged upon H i m because of W h o H e was
ami w h a t H o was, b u t i n the presence of H e l l ' s
1
TESTIMONY
43
most vicious assault as H e came i m m e d i a t e l y

under the shade of Gethsemane and t h e Cross
H e said'* T h e hour is come. F a t h e r , g l o r i f y
T h v N a m e . " and t h e F a t h e r r e s p o n d e d " I
have and I *vnl."
B e l o v e d , believe t h i s , t h a t the hour of the
fiercest and most a w f u l assault on the N a m e
may be t h e hour w h e n t h e N a m e is the most
glorified. W h e n y o u feel t h a t a l l hell has
opened up t o swallow y o u , t h e n t h e L o r d is t o
be most glorified. W e have f o u n d i t l i k e t h a t
i n t h e h o u r of direst a n d deepest anguish b y
reason of the pressure, we have appealed f o r the
honour of t h a t N a m e , a n d t h e L o r d has come
i n and has been glorified i n t h a t h o u r i n t h a t
hour ! w h e n the Cross was being shared i n its
deeper meaning, H e has come i n a n d been
glorilied i n w h a t H e has done.
T h e L o r d is v e r y jealous f o r H i s N a m e , the
h a l l o w i n g of H i s N a m e , a n d H e has s a i d
" W h e n ye p r a y , " do not say t h i s prayer,
" but p r a y after t h i s m a n n e r , " according t o these
E t e r n a l l a w s " F a t h e r . T h y N a m e be hall o w e d . " T h a t is t h e quest, t h a t is t h e fight
of p r a y e r , t h a t is the issue on t h e b a t t l e f i e l d of
p r a y e r , t h e h a l l o w i n g of t h e N a m e in a r e a l m
where the A d v e r s a r y is seeking t o dishallow i t ,
and believe me, B e l o v e d , we are called i n t o t h e .
fight and i n t o t h e fire, i n t o t h e conflict,
i n t o t h e v e r y blood of C h r i s t , a n d
the
anguish of Christ i n t h e behalf of t h e N a m e .
W e are i n t h i s t h i n g f o r t h e sake of t h e N a m e ,
we are being baptised i n t o t h e honour of the
N a m e . T h e h o n o u r i n g of t h e N a m e i n t h i s
age is a terrific business, y o u k n o w i t . Y o u
recognise t h a t t h i s is registered i n y o u r o w n l i f e ,
y o u k n o w t h a t in a h u n d r e d ways every day the
N a m e could he easily dishallowed. Oh ! the
t r a p s w e could never m e n t i o n t h e m a l l . W e
could n o t catalogue t h e t r a p s t h a t t h e D e v i l
sets f o r the people of God. IS he can only get an
u n h o l y alliance, some l i t t l e fleshly l i n k , some
m o v i n g o u t f r o m ourselves i n t h e resources of
the liesh, something he can make us say or do
in any M a y w h a t e v e r , if o n l y he can get at t h a t
N a m e w h i c h we bear, so t h a t t h a t N a m e is
dishallowed and dishonoured.
N o v t h i s t h e n is t h e c r y f o r the hallowing
of the N a m e b y the h a l l o w i n g of ourselves w h o
bear the N a m e , the consecration of our liveB
i n t h e interests of t h a t N a m e t h a t
God
may be glorified where H i s N a m e is honoured.
L i f e has got t o be adjusted b y the grace
of God t h r o u g h t h e Cross t o t h e h a l l o w i n g
cf t h a t N a m e t h e c u t t i n g off of t h e flesh
and y o n appear in H i s presence because of HiB

44
WITNESS
AND
N a m e t h a t is amongst y o u .
Be s a n c t i f i e d !
Sanctify yourselves, and there is only one means
of sanetitication, and t h a t is t h e cross.
The cross is the means of s a n c t i l i c a t i o n , and
therefore the means of the h a l l o w i n g of t h e
..Name and therefore t h e means of the g l o r i f y i n g
of God i n Christ, ' t h i s t h e n is t h e emphasis
upon t h e necessity ui the Cross being accepted
and planted deep i n our lives t o the c u t t i n g off
of a l l t h a t upon w h i c h t h e enemy can t o the
slightest degree achieve t h e ends w h i c h he had
in view f r o m e t e r n i t y t o t a k e the g l o r y f r o m
the Son of God.
T n e cross m u s t c u t off all
flesh. So the L o r d is glorified i n us, b u t there
is the o t h e r side, more p o s i t i v e a n d p r a c t i c a l i n
the o u t w o r k i n g t h a t t h e L o r d m i g h t be glorified
t h r o u g h us, by our m o v i n g out as i n H i m s e l f b y
the S p i r i t f o r t h e sake of t h e N a m e .
T h i s is
one's confidence a n d one's hope. W h a t is our
assurance t h a t , as we go f o r t h , something w i l l
happen, something w i l l be done, something w i l l
be accomplished i W h a t assurance have we
t h a t w hen we move o u t t h e r e m u s t be a n issue \
W e i l , we have no assurance i n ourselves. I t is
n o t t h e value e i t h e r of our p r a y i n g i n itself, nor
of our preaching i n itself, n o r of a l l our labours
i n themselves. I t is n o t h i n g t h a t we can do i n
any w a y w h a t e v e r t h a t can give us a n assurance of any effectiveness, b u t i t is i n T E E N A M E :
T h a t is a sound enough basis : T h a t is a t h i n g
w h i c h is recognised i n heaven, e a r t h a n d h e l l ,
i n t h e t h i n g s above a n d under t h e e a r t h .
We
have o f t e n q u o t e d t h a t passage v e r y usefully,
always c o m i n g i n a n d h e l p i n g us, concerning
the A p o s t l e m e e t i n g t h a t s i t u a t i o n i n t h e N a m e ,
and effectively m e e t i n g i t , b u t someone else
came along and t o o k i t i n a secondhand w a y
" I n t h e N a m e of Jesus w h o m P a u l preaches,"
and t h e issue was v e r y d i f f e r e n t i n d e e d !
i n s t e a d of success, u t t e r f a i l u r e , a n d more t h a n
f a i l u r e a n a w f u l w r e c k ! B u t t o move o u t i n
the N a m e , n o t j u s t using i t i n a secondhand w a y ,
a d o p t i n g i t as phraseology, b u t m o v i n g o u t
e x p e r i m e n t a l l y i n t h e N a m e because we stand
cut off b y t h e Cross f r o m t h e t h i n g w h i c h dishonours t h e N a m e m o v e o u t i n t h a t N a m e
t h i s is the g r o u n d of our assurance that, somet h i n g must Happen., God is jealous of H i s N a m e ,
very jealous, a n d God w i l l always g l o r i f y H i s
N a m e where i t is t r u l y and soundly
proclaimed i n t h e S p i r i t and acted upon under the
leading of t h e S p i r i t . T h a t is our assurance.
Beloved, y o u t a k e t h e N a m e of .Jesus, everyone of y o u , and y o u see t h a t i t is a tremendous
t h i n g t o bear t h e N a m e , t o t a k e t h e N a m e ,
it
links y o u u p w i t h a t h i n g of i n f i n i t e significance
TESTIMONY
.and importance w h i c h began before the w o r l d

was.
I t links y o u up w i t h the battle of the
ages, and i t l i n k s y o u up w i t h the glory of
e t e r n i t y when he shall come t o be glorified i n H i s
saints, t h a t is H i s c h u r c h , where H i s N a m e is.
W e an? l i n k e d w i t h t h i s eternal t h i n g , t o the
g l o r y of God associated w i t h the N a m e w h i c h is
t o be established t h r o u g h t h e " L a m b slain f r o m
the f o u n d a t i o n of t h e w o r l d , " and we, i n t i m e ,
joined t o H i m i n H i s cross. E v e n so shall the
glory of C o d be revealed, and i n a thousand ways
the g l o r y of the L o r d m a y be revealed every
day. i a m n o t sure t h a t the L o r d is anxious
t o give a d e m o n s t r a t i o n a l display of H i s glory
t o m o r t a l s " t o cast H i s pearls before s w i n e , "
but there is a r e a l m i n w h i c h the g l o r y of the
L o r d has a signification w h i c h transcends t h a t
of t h i s w o r l d b y dimensions i n f i n i t e . O h !
amongst principalities a n d powers t h e g l o r y of
t h e L o r d means something, i t is n o t a n e m p t y
show. I t is t h e establishment of H i s infinite
t i t l e t o sovereignty and the manifestation of the
power of t h a t sovereignty. W e are i n an
enormous t h i n g , a n d so y o u r d a i l y t r i u m p h s , b y
grace, go a long w a y b e y o n d the local s i t u a t i o n , a
long w a y beyond o u r o w n g r a t i f i c a t i o n t h a t we
have n o t failed, t h e y have registered something t o
the glory of God i n a universe, t h e height and
breadth and d e p t h of w h i c h y o u have never
imagined. T h e g l o r y of G o d is manifested b y
every v i c t o r y w o n , b y every standing steadfast,
b y every refusing t o give u p ; t h e N a m e is saved
f r o m dishonour, a n d t h e L o r d H i m s e l f , the
Christ of God w h o bears t h a t N a m e is v i n dicated before angels and before demons.
There arc elements of m y s t e r y about i t , w h y i t
should be necessary, b u t there i t is. I t is the
revelation of the W o r d t h a t i t is so, so our union
w i t h H i m is a u n i o n w i t h H i s N a m e i n order
t h a t H e might be g l o r i i i e d , and because H e has
called us under H i s N a m e t o meet w i t h H i m
t h i s challenge w i t h a l l its f u r y , its vehemence,
its ndentlessness, a n d we feel also t h e impact
of t h a t challenge a n d the h a t r e d t o t h a t N a m e .
H e has assured us t h a t i f we suiTcr w i t h H i m
we shall be glorified together w i t h H i m , and if
we were chosen before the f o u n d a t i o n of the
w o r l d in H i m , i t is t r u e , as the W o r d says, t h a t
we woi\* chosen i n t o H i s eternal g l o r y w e shall
arrive i n t h e g l o r y , experience the g l o r y , know the
gk>ry, j u s t as n o w we f o r t h e sake of the N a m e
end lire hardship. Stand steadfast, t h a t t h a t
N a m e may be delivered o u t of the hands of H i s
enemies and v i n d i c a t e d as the t i t l e t o a l l sover e i g n t y above every t i t l e of sovereignty i n this age
and i i i t h a t w h i c h is t o come,
T . A.-S.
WITNESS
AND
(Continued front pane 4 0 ) .

we have no personal ends t o serve, no a m b i t i o u s
schemes or plans, as of t h i s e a r t h , t o realise.
O u r one b u r d e n before God is t h a t t h e T e s t i mony of Jesus shall be t r u l y established,
and t h a t t h e Church, w h i c h is H i s B o d y , shall
he edified a n d fitted f o r i t s m i n i s t r y i n t h e
heavens, a n d t h u s u p o n t h e e a r t h .
T h e s p i r i t u a l needs of our t i m e are v e r y
great, a n d t h e L o r d seems t o have set before
us a door open t o m u c h service for H i s c h i l d r e n
in a l l t h e w o r l d . W c are deeply concerned,
therefore, t h a t every p e n n y shall be t u r n e d to
account i n d i r e c t a n d sanctified usage t o H i s
ends.
T . A.-S.
T. M. J.
>
T H E A L M I Q H T I N E S S OF
T H E RISEN LORD IN HIS
k,"CHURCH ON E A R T H "
(Continued.)
Xotes
baaed upon an address given al the Centre,

Sunday morning,
February
21th, 1927.
" F o r w h e r e t w o or t h r e e are gathered

together i n M y N a m e , t h e r e a m I i n t h e m i d s t
of t h e m . " M a t t h e w x v i i i . 2 0 .
T H E Church of t h e l i v i n g G o d , however, is a
very d i f f e r e n t t h i n g t o such churches as we have
mentioned. T h e y represent e a r t h l y conceptions a n d creations, t h e f r u i t of t h e carnal m i n d .
The Church w h i c h is t h e B o d y of Christ is a
H e a v e n l y F a c t , realised here on e a r t h under
certain conditions ; and these are l a i d d o w n i n
the words we are considering.
F i r s t l y , i t is obvious t h a t t h e persons
so
gathered - together
are
not
ordinary
persons.
T h e y are gathered-together
unto
a N a m e , t h e N a m e Jesus. B u t t h i s N a m e
indicates
a t t h e outset s a l v a t i o n a
cond i t i o n of salvation on t h e i r p a r t . " T h o u
shalt call H i s N a m e Jesus f o r H e shall save H i s
people f r o m t h e i r siiiB." I t is t h e N a m e of God
as Saviour, and t h e people called together are
H i s people. T h e y have? become H i s possession.
I n a peculiar and especial sense t h e y are H i s .
H e is n o t ashamed t o call t h e m " B r e t h r e n . "
They f o r m a b r o t h e r h o o d w i t h H i m . T h e
dovil*H c o u n t e r f e i t t o t h i s is, of course?, the socalled " brotherhood of m a n . "
B u t t h i s is the
" B r o t h e r h o o d of t h e C h r i s t . " These have
been saved f r o m sin t h r o u g h H i s Cross. H e has
tasted t h e i r d e a t h , t h e i r s p i r i t u a l sentence.
T h e y , h a v i n g been convicted of the hidden
45
TESTIMONY
t h i n g called sin, t h a t m y s t e r y of i n i q u i t y i n the

h u m a n heart t h a t involves all m e n i n t h e satanic
system, have gladly accepted H i s s a l v a t i o n . F r o m
t h e i r w r u n g hearts has issued a c r y t h a t has
brought t o t h e m s a l v a t i o n . A n d now. t h e y belong
u t t e r l y t o God. T h e y are redeemed, a n d t h e price
of t h e i r r e d e m p t i o n , t o t h e i r o w n praisingheartknowledge (not head-knowledge) is t h e outpoured
soul of I n c a r n a t e God i n t h e B l o o d of Jesus.
So the N a m e f o r these has i t s f u l l c o n t e n t , b o t h
as t o depth a n d h e i g h t . H e i t is t h a t descended
i n t o t h e lowest p a r t s of t h e e a r t h : H i s love
took H i m d o w n i n t o t h e n e t h e r m o s t regions of
evil : H e descended i n t o Hades. B u t H e i t is
also W h o has ascended, as v e r y M a n as w e l l as
v e r y God, f a r above a l l heavens t h a t H e m i g h t
fiirall
t h i n g s , a n d become t h e fulness of a l l
things. H e r e is revelation.
These t w o or three
possess no o r d i n a r y knowledge. Angels desire
t o k e n t h e m y s t e r y of t h a t Godliness " w h i c h
is t h e song of t h e i r h e a r t . T h e y k n o w God i n
Jesus Christ. T h i s is f u n d a m e n t a l .
T h i s is t h e
rock experience u p o n w h i c h alone Christ can
b u i l d H i s C h u r c h . W i t h o u t t h i s knowledge
t h e counsels of h e l l w o u l d easily p r e v a i l against
i t . I n d e e d t h i s is w h a t is h a p p e n i n g , n o t
o n l y i n Christendom generally, b u t even where
t h e o r t h o d o x credal acceptances are w i t h o u t the
l i v i n g f a i t h t h a t comes f r o m r e v e l a t i o n . A n d
surely these are such as have n o t o n l y h a d the
Son of God revealed to t h e m , b u t H e has been
revealed in t h e m . T h e y are born-from-above,
and therefore share one S p i r i t w i t h H i m . Marvellous t w o or t h r e e , therefore, i n every case !
41
Secondly, we note t h a t t h e y are gatheredtogether n o t o n l y u p o n a specific basis b u t i n a

specific manner.
T h e y have been called by a
Voice, convened b y an A u t h o r i t y . H e r e we come
t o t h e essence of t h e w o r d " c h u r c h . " W e cann o t do b e t t e r t h a n quote T r e n c h as t o the
meaning of t h i s w e l l - k n o w n w o r d . P r o b a b l y
wc already k n o w i t , b u t i t w i l l bear revision.
A c h u r c h , t h e n , or assembly (ecclesia)
was
the l a w f u l assembly i n a free Greek c i t y of a l l
those possessed of the r i g h t s of citizenship
for t h e t r a n s a c t i o n of p u b l i c a f f a i r s . " T h i s is
v e r y f u l l a n d e x p l i c i t . I t is evident t h e y are
summoned, called ; b u t i t is also apparent t h a t
o n l y c e r t a i n p r i v i l e g e d persons are called,
n a m e l y , " those possessed of t h e rightB of
c i t i z e n s h i p . " A n d so i t is we have seen w i t h
the church of God. N o n e b u t t h e Bloodbought, Spirit-filled, urc convened,those whose
citizenship is i n heaven, whose life is h i d w i t h
Christ i n G o d . There is, as i t were, an outer
and nn inner call. Mnnv Would hear t h e voice
11

46
WITNESS
AND
of the h e r a l d , b u t only-those whose hearts responded t o t h e challenge of citizenship, t h e

privilege a n d o b l i g a t i o n of belonging t o t h e
state or k i n g d o m , could accept the i n v i t a t i o n ;
and f u r t h e r , be free t o obey t h e c a l l .
T h i s obedience t o t h e call m u s t be emphasised e q u a l l y w i t h t h e r i g h t t o hear and t o
accept t h e c a l l , f o r t h e u l t i m a t e ecclesia or
assembly w o u l d be made u p of those w h o had
obeyed. These have made t h e i r c a l l i n g and
election t o citizenship sure.
A n d t h e w o r d of God emphasises t h e especial
character of t h i s c a l l i n g , i t s specific realisation
in t h e n a t u r e of t h e c o m p a n y of people t h u s
f o u n d t o g e t h e r . F o r e x a m p l e , i n E x o d u s and i n
all references t o t h e *' church i n t h e wilderness "
(a t y p e of t h e c h u r c h of C h r i s t i n its pilgrimage
here on e a r t h ) , y o u h a v e a d i s t i n c t i o n d r a w n
between t h e ** assembly " and t h e * congregat i o n . " W h e n I s r a e l obeys t h e c a l l of the
silver t r u m p e t s of r e d e m p t i o n and assembles
a t t h e entrance of t h e t e n t of m e e t i n g (God's
a p p o i n t e d meeting-place, v i a t h e w ay of t h e
A l t a r a n d t h e B l o o d , and the Laver)
t h e congregation becomes a n assembly. T h i s dist i n c t i o n f i r s t appears i n E x o d u s x i i . 6, a n d m a y
be traced i n N e w b e r r y ' s B i b l e t h r o u g h o u t t h e
r e m a i n i n g " Books of Moses." B u t here i t is
in Exodus x i i . 6 ;
T h e w h o l e assembly of t h e
congregation of I s r a e l . "
T h e congregation of I s r a e l h a d a r i g h t t o
gather, t h e r i g h t of r e d e m p t i o n secured i n t h e
blood of t h e Passover l a m b , b u t o n l y as t h e y
h e a r d t h e Voice a n d obeyed i t i n t h e blooda p p o i n t e d w a y a n d according t o t h e P a t t e r n
of t h e House d i d t h e y become an assembly, a
c h u r c h , a n ecclesia.
I B n o t t h i s significant ? " N o t all Israel are
of I s r a e l : m a n y are called, b u t few are chosen :
a r e m n a n t Bhall be s a v e d : L i t t l e f l o c k ! "
T h e S p i r i t stresses t h e especial character of
t h i s c a l l i n g . " H o w shall w e escape i f we
neglect, m e r e l y neglect, t h e so-great salvation.
T h i s is a solemn emphasis.
A u g u s t i n e suggests
t h a t t h e c h u r c h " is a convocation r a t h e r t h a n
a congregation, t h a t is, i t is n o t t h e mere assemb l i n g of a c o m p a n y u p o n t h e basis of even
an o r t h o d o x f a i t h h e l d i n c o m m o n , b u t such as
arc convened b y a l i v i n g Voice w h i c h t h e y have
heard a n d obeyed. Surely t h i s is so.
My
sheep hear M y Voice, and t h e y f o l l o w M e . "
Only so can H e , t h e Shepherd, f o l d t h e m ,
gather t h e m u n t o H i m s e l f , Hhnt t h e m i n w i t h
Himself, t h a t t h e y m a y be w i t h H i m , H e in
the m i d s t . T h i s , a n d m u c h m o r e , is t r u e of the
church w h i c h iH H i s v e r y B o d y .
k
14
44
41
TESTIMONY
T h i s " gathering-together," beloved, is v e r y

i m p o r t a n t . Y o u come together as those w h o are
spiritual,
h e a v e n l y , citizens of the K i n g d o m
of God b y blood-bought r i g h t and b y new b i r t h ,
f o r none are Christ's save those i n d w e l t b y the
S p i r i t of t h e C h r i s t . T h e H o l y S p i r i t Himself,
as w i t h i n y o u , is t h e g r o u n d and witness of your
c a l l , a n d t h i s a l w a y s answering t o t h e B l o o d .
B u t even so y o u must be
gathered-togethcr."
Y o u assemble n o t as m e n , b u t as those w h o are
now j o i n e d .to t h e L o r d , One S p i r i t . Y o u press
t h r o u g h t h e V a i l of H i s flesh, of w h i c h y o u are
members, i n t o t h e v e r y Presence of God, h a v i n g
boldness t o do so, because of the B l o o d w i t h
w h i c h H e sprinkles y o u . A n d so each indiv i d u a l saint appears before God i n Sion. This
is our i n d i v i d u a l ** religious service " when we
come together. W e present our bodies as l i v i n g
sacrifices, as temples of t h e H o l y S p i r i t , and
worship God i n t h e b e a u t y of holiness, i n the
S p i r i t a n d i n t h e T r u t h of t h e C h r i s t , H e i n
us, a n d we i n H i m . B u t do y o u n o t see t h a t
as we t h u s gather-together, i t is i n t o a U n i t y
of L i f e , H i s L i f e ? W e are no longer single,
individual
m e r e l y , t h o u g h we r e t a i n the
i n t e g r i t y of our persons (one w o u l d be careful
n o t t o suggest mere m y s t i c a l absorption), b u t
are m e e t i n g as members of t h e Christ, a n d the
H o l y S p i r i t recognises t h e Sonship, H e descends
t o d w e l l u p o n t h i s u n i t y of t h e Son's L i f e i n us,
and w h e n o n l y two such are so gatheredtogether, t h e l i v i n g God is Presenced, t h e great
* 1 A M " comes d o w n t o f u n c t i o n i n H i s Church.
T h i s is t h e v i t a l p r i n c i p l e u n d e r l y i n g these
words. T h e y u n v e i l t h e F A C T of t h e B o d y .
These are the t w o essential discernments of the
c h i l d r e n of G o d , t h e Cross and t h e B o d y .
By
the Cross we mean a l l t h a t is represented
in t h e death of t h e n o w l i v i n g and exalted
L o r d . W e discern t h e B l o o d : i t is t h e Blood
of H i s CroBs. B u t we m u s t also discern
t h e B o d y . T h e t r u e cccleBia of God must
gather around t h e L o r d ' s t a b l e . P a u l had this
by r e v e l a t i o n ( I . Cor. x i . 23). B u t there t h e y
" remember (and b y the H o l y S p i r i t ) t h e L o r d ' s
death till lie come"
A n d t h u s the whole purpose and p l a n of God in t h i s age is ever before
t h e m . T h e Cross and t h e Consummation, the
Cross and t h e ' C h u r c h . T h e y discern the death,
b u t t h e y also discern the manifestation of the
L i f e (in t h e H e a d , of course) b u t in the B o d y .
T h i s is the crucial test of t r u e diHciplcship of
the L o r d Jesus, the discernment and love of the
B r o t h e r h o o d i n the Christ : i n other words, discernment of the B o d y . F o r g i v e us, beloved,
f o r c o n t i n u a l l y r e i t e r a t i n g these t r u t h s . We
44
WITNESS
A N D A
would n o t w e a r y y o u . B u t i t is t h e Spirit's
burden. T h e r e is so m u c h individualism
among
the children of G o d to-day, indeed as always.
A n d the d e v i l seeks h a r d t o keep t h i s t r u t h of
the B o d y of Christ obscured, or he allows us t o
hold i t as a mere m y s t i c a l a b s t r a c t i o n . Whereas
the H o l y S p i r i t has p u t i t w i t h t h e Cross i n t h e
forefront of o u r ** T e s t i m o n y . " I t cannot v e r y
w e l l be otherwise, i f we arc f a i t h f u l t o G o d a n d
t o H i s w o r d . A n d as w c have said i t is v e r y
p r a c t i c a l : f o r i t is i n t h e " House of G o d , " i t is
i n our service a n d fellowship as redeemed
priests as w e l l as sinners, t h a t t h e t r u t h of t h e
Cross is worked-out b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t experimentally
i n us. T h e B o d y " is n o t a n
abstraction conceived of as " i n t h e heavenlies "
only. I t is here o n e a r t h as w e l l i n a fellowship
i n the H o l y S p i r i t . W e m u s t n o t forsake t h e
assembling of ourselves together as t h e manner
of some is, a n d so m u c h t h e more as w e see t h e
D a y approaching. I t is so easy t o p u s h a l l these
things over t h e horizon i n t o another w o r l d .
B u t t h e L o r d has ordained t h a t there should
always be a t e s t i m o n y here o n e a r t h t o t h e
f a c t of H i s Cross, a n d t o t h e f a c t of H i s B o d y ,
till He come. A n d w e believe i t is n o t o n l y a
testimony t o H i s V i c t o r y , b u t a mode of operation of H i s V i c t o r y u n t o H i s Purpose. A n d so
when H e s a y s , L o , I a m w i t h y o u a l l t h e days
even u n t o t h e c o n s u m m a t i o n of t h e age," H e
is speaking t o H i s c h u r c h . W e k n o w H e is
w i t h (being w i t h i n ) us as H i s c h i l d r e n , i n d i v i d u a l l y ; b u t H e is w i t h us as t h e representatives a n d members of H i s B o d y unto t h e cons u m m a t i o n of t h e age. I t is t h e consummation
of the age H e is set u p o n . H e has delivered
us put of i t , t h i s present e v i l age ; b u t H e
desires t o consummate i t , t o b r i n g i t t o a head,
t o e n d i t . W e l l , t h e church t h r o u g h t h e H o l y
S p i r i t is H i s i n s t r u m e n t t o b r i n g t h i s about, as
w e l l as being t h e r e s t r a i n i n g f a c t o r against t h e
p r e c i p i t a t i o n of t h e rage of t h e anti-Christ.
O h , h o w w c have f a i l e d H i m ; b u t H e is with
us f o r t h i s end, nevertheless.
N o w , w h a t is t h i s gathering-together t h e n ,
b u t t h e gathering-together of t h e members of
the B o d y of Christ ? A s Buch, a n d b y t h e H o l y
Ghost. L o v e , as w e have seen is t h e basis of
our . fellowship, c o n d i t i o n a l t o f u n c t i o n i n g .
A n d t h e eyes of t h e L o r d t r y t h i s n a r r o w l y .
I t must be no make-believe. I t m u s t be t h e
v e r y love i n o u r hearts w h e r e w i t h o u r L o r d
W e d and loves us. A n d so J o h n says quite
b l u n t l y , " I f a m a n Bay, I love G o d , and h a t e t h
bis brother (Christian) he is a l i a r : f o r ho t h a t
loveth n o t his b r o t h e r (Christian) w h o m he
4i
47
TESTIMONY
h a t h seen, cannot love G o d W h o m he h a t h n o t

seen," w h i c h is as m u c h as t o say i f y o u do n o t
discern y o u r fellow-m?mber3 of t h e B o d y y o u
do n o t discern t h e C h r i s t a t a l l . Y o u are y e t
i n darkness, or are w a l k i n g i n darkness
T h i s love of God i n us t h e n is basic a n d essent i a l t o o u r service, f o r o u r service is i n t h e S p i r i t
of Holiness, t h e S p i r i t of F i r a , Consuming L a v e ,
t h e L o v e t h a t burns i n t h e A l t a r , t h e Cross.
H o w v e r y f a r r e m o v e d is t h i s f r o m being
merely sentiment a n d good feeling ? I t is t h e
practical d v n a m i c of t h e Cross. I t is t h e power
of G o d . I t is i n t h e B l o o d . A n d if t h e Blood
is calling us together w e com? n o t t o indulge
merely i n a closed social c o m m u n i o n , b u t t h a t
t h e B r e a t h of t h a t E t e r n a l L o v e m i g h t sweep
t h r o u g h o u r spirits, a n d t h a t we m i g h t be
gathered i n t o t h e H e a r t of G o d . T h e n , then,
the H o l y S p i r i t w i l l use us as t h e expression of
the D i v i n e Dasire here o n e a r t h , a n d p r a y e r
t h a t is t h e mightiest i n s t r u m e n t of G o d i u
p r a c t i c a l service w i l l come t h r o u g h .
B u t there m u s t be t h e c o n d i t i o n of t h e u n i t y
of t h e L i f e . I t is t h i s p r i n c i p l e of t h e corporate u n i t y of t h e whole B o d y of t h e Christ
t h a t is being emphasised, a n d so t r u e is this
" Oneness " of t h e L i f e of t h e Risen L o r d i n
H i s saints, t h a t i f b u t two so gather-together,
H e , as G o d , is also i n t h e m i d s t .
T h i r d l y , l e t us note t h e u n q u a l i f i e d character
of H i s Presence. I t is His Presence. I t is
a d d i t i o n a l t o t h e presence of H i s c h i l d r e n . H e
is i n t h e m i n d i v i d u a l l y already b y H i s S p i r i t .
B u t n o w w h e n t h e y so come together u n t o H i s
N a m e , H e also is there. T h i s is t h e nature a n d
manner of t h e A n o i n t i n g .
W h e n t h e C h r i s t of G o d was here o n e a r t h ,
H e came as conceived of t h e H o l y Gho3t. a n d
d w e l t i n o u r m i d s t f o r t h i r t y years a L i f e of
perfect g r a c e ; b u t w h e n H e came f o r t h
u n t o H i s great " W O R K , " t h e w o r k of t h e
Cross, t h e p a t t i n g a w a y of s i n , a n d t h e
destruction of t h e w o r k s of t h e d e v i l , H e was
A N O I N T E D as
'MAN'
f o r t h i s purpose.
The
S p i r i t of G o d came u p o n H i m w i t h o u t measure,
a n d as M A N H e was G O D manifest o n e a r t h .
F a t h e r , Son, a n d H o l y S p i r i t , t h e T r i u n i t y of t h e
Godhead, was thus able t o tabernacle i n H i m .
T h i s iB t h e great m y s t e r y of " GodlinesB " or
" Godinness."
B u t BO i t was, A N D I S .
W o k n o w w h a t H e has achieved. H e w e n t
f o r w a r d b y reason of t h a t A n o i n t i n g t o accomplish t h e w o r k of t h e F a t h e r . N o t t h e i n c i dental w o r k s of H i s words a n d miracles are
here t h o u g h t of, b u t t h a t stupendous w o r k of
s t r i p p i n g off f r o m H i m s e l f , as M a n i n o u r like-

48
WITNESS
AND A
ness, t h e w h o l e range a n d power of t h e satanic

system, p r i n c i p a l i t i e s a n d powers, t r i u m p h i n g
over t h e m i n I T , t h e Cross ; o r i n H I M S E L F , as
m a n i n o u r likeness. ' W e cannot enter i n t o
those shadows of Gethsemane, o r penetrate
t h a t deep darkness of t h e Cross w h e n H e
cried.
M y G o d , M y G o d , w h y hast T H O U
forsaken M e * ' except t o receive the r e v e l a t i o n
that H e w a s made t o be S I N f o r us there a n d
then, w h e n H e so cried o u t . Doubtless i t was
as M A S H e so suffered. B u t u p t o t h a t m o m e n t
w h e n H e entered i n t o t h a t t h i c k darkness H e
went f o r w a r d t o accomplish t h a t stupendous
w o r k of G O D . under the Anointing.
I t could n o t
be otherwise. T h e Cross is a n A c t of t h e E t e r n a l
S p i r i t , t h e m i g h t i e s t ever w r o u g h t i n t i m e a n d
space.
T h e L o r d disappears i n t o t h e n i g h t of d e a t h .
B u t o n t h e t h i r d d a y H e is raised " f r o m among " t h e dead, a n d ascends t o t h e F a t h e r
t h e same d a y . appearing a n d re-appearing t o
H i s disciples d u r i n g t h e space of f o r t y days
t h a t t h e physical t e s t i m o n y t o H i s R e s u r r e c t i o n
m i g h t be f u l l y established as a m o n g m e n .
B u t w h e n H e finally is " received-up " t h e
t r u e character of t h i s R e s u r r e c t i o n is revealed.
44
It
is t h e R e s u r r e c t i o n of t h e A N O I N T E D , b u t
TESTIMONY
the B o d y , as t h e y d w e l l together i n U N I T Y .
So t h i s f u n c t i o n i n g of 4he twos a n d threes,
or more, is n o n e o t h e r t h a n t h e f u n c t i o n i n g of
the
ANOINTING.
I t is t h e p o w e r of t h e C H R I S T
of God. T h e K I N G , O m n i p o t e n t , is n o w set i n
Sion, t h e H e a v e n l y Sion, t h e C i t y of the L i v i n g
God. H e became so i n t h e h o u r of H i s Resurr e c t i o n i n t o t h e power o f . t h a t A n o i n t i n g .
" G o d h a t h m a d e t h a t same Jesus
both
Lord and CHRIST." " Thou a r t M Y SON, this
day (this r e s u r r e c t i o n ' d a y ) have I begotten
T H E E . " A c t s i i . 36, x i i i . 33* I t is on H i s T h r o n e ,
as t h u s set, t h a t i t is also announced, " A s k of
M e , a n d I w i l l give TJ-: E E t h e nations f o r T h i n e
inheritance ; a n d t h e u t t e r m o s t p a r t s of t h e
e a r t h f o r T H Y possession."
B u t i t is t h e
" C h u r c h " t h a t is t o ask. I t is b y means of
t h e A n o i n t i n g i n t h e T h r o n e descending i n
power u p o n t h e members here on e a r t h t h a t
t h e a u t h o r i t y of t h a t T h r o n e is t o be v i n d i c a t e d .
T h i s is t h e w o n d e r of o u r " calling " under t h e
A n o i n t i n g . T h e H o l y S p i r i t , as we claim t h e
B l o o d of t h a t Cross a n d t h a t T h r o n e (For t h e
B l o o d is i n t h e T h r o n e : J o h n beheld a
" BLEEDING
LAMB "a
L a m b as i t h a d
been
newly-slain) gathers us together under t h e

A n o i n t i n g , a n d t h e power a n d a u t h o r i t y of t h e
C H R I S T is manifested o n e a r t h , and before p r i n c i palities a n d powers, i n the church, the assembly.
F i n a l l y , t h e N A M E . I t is t h e N a m e of t h e
K i n g of K i n g s . B u t i t is a N a m e o n l y understood of t h e S p i r i t . T h e name of Jesus is
f a m i l i a r enough, b u t t h e N A M E u n t o w h i c h we
are gathered b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t represents a l l
t h e N a t u r e of t h a t Person W h o so descended
now i n t h e i l l i m i t a b l e p o w e r a n d m a j e s t y of t h a t
A N O I N T I N G . " I n H i m d w e l l e t h t h e fulness o f
the Godhead b o d i l y . "
B u t t h e evidence of H i s R e s u r r e c t i o n i n t h e
]lower of t h e A n o i n t i n g is t h e g i f t of t h e H o l y
S p i r i t , t h e T h i r d Person i n t h e T r i n i t y . H e
has received t h e Promise of t h e F a t h e r . T h e
H o l y S p i r i t is g i v e n t o H i m as t h e G O D - M A N i n
a n d is s o : e x a l t e d . , I t is t h e N A M E of G O D i n
the T h r o n e t h a t H e m a y baptise H i s C h u r c h
the M A N .
i n t o H i s B o d y , t o become i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o
.
A n d w e come together t o transact
public
H i m s e l f . T h i s is t h e f u r t h e r m y s t e r y of " G o d l i affairs.
W
c
meet
i
n
t
h
e
K
I
N
G
'
S
business.
We
ness." t h a t those w h o t r u l y come t o G o d t h r o u g h
are
set
on
e
a
r
t
h
t
o
be
H
i
s
v
i
n
d
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
His
t he Cross under t h e c o n v i n c c m c n t concerning sin,
mouth-piece.
H
i
s
W
I
L
L
is
t
o
f
u
n
c
t
i
o
n
i
n
UB,
and are bora-out-from t h a t H e a v e n l y One; are
a n d w c arc t o u t t e r i t b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t i n
also made One w i t h H i m i n H i s B o d y . I n
p r a y e r , p r a y i n g I N t h e H o l y S p i r i t . * W h a t is
other w o r d s t h e y come under H i s A n o i n t i n g .
this b u t the C H R I S T praying'( T H E I A M "
T h e y become together w i t h H i m , t h e C H R I S T .
i n t h e m i d s t of H i s people. T h e k i n g d o m s of
1 CorinFnians x i i . 12. " T h i s is tEe~true a n d
t
h i s w o r l d , t h e sovereignty of Satan, compelled
safe conception of t h e b a p t i s m i n t h e H o l y .
t
o bow d o w n , t o surrender t h e i r spoils, t o t h e
S p i r i t . I t is n o t a n experience f o r t h e " self,"
utterance of t h e H o l y S p i r i t i n t h e saints.
b u t a n experience f o r t h e B o d y . I t is n o t a
W h a t a m i n i s t r y ! W h a t an
ecclesia" 1
baptism of " t h e flesh," b u t a b a p t i s m of t h e
Citizens of H e a v e n , of t h e N e w Jerusalem,
s p i r i t (regenerate) i n t h e S p i r i t of t h e C h r i s t
p r o c l a i m i n g a n d d e m a n d i n g t h e F A C T of Calof G o d . H i s A n o i n t i n g rests upon t h e B o d y .
B u t u p o n the Body, n o t e . I t is o n l y as wc arc v a r y ' s V i c t o r y t o be made m a n i f e s t here o n
earth t o t h e gathering-out f r o m every n a t i o n
members of t h e B o d y t h a t t h e A n o i n t i n g so
of t h a t " T e s t i m o n y " t o H i s Sovereign grace,:
rests. Psalm
exxxiii.
again
supplies t h e
t h e completed church of t h e Redeemer. So we^
s p i r i t u a l p i c t u r e of t h e S p i r i t w h o rests upon t h e
l a b o u r unto the consummation of this age. T . M . J , j
H e a d descending t o t h e l o w l i e s t members of
m
r u i n * ! ! liy I i m A t h e i i f m n u l'r*>H. ] 1 m i d
MI>-RIII'M H I I I I I U H R N . U t i a i u w y
l.onilor>. K . C 4.

MAY,
Vol.
1927
S,
So.
5.
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as from
Meetings for S p i n i e r ! Edification, the Prccl.vnatien of the Gospel, Pray<?r and Fellowship.
Sundays: I I a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Mondays: 7.3C p.m. Wednesdays: 8 p.m. Saturdays: 7 30 p.m.
' ''iifftvnrivi n i v h e l d i*very w e e k - e n d ( S a t i n d a y a m i S u n d a y ) , a n d a l s o a l o n g e r w e e k - e n d a t t h e
.'"'Sinning oi e a c h m o n t h . Ibis
lixnl
ly i 1st- lh>t S u n d a y .
( F r i d a y to M o n d a y e v e n i n g s ,
"K-hisive.) A l l p a r t i c u l a r s m a y he o b t a i n e d from I.!. P a t e r s o n . IToiuir O a k C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p
Centre. I f o m . r O a k \U;u\. S . K . i : ; .
M i n i s t e r s : T . Atistin-Sparkes; T . .Madoc J e f f r e y s ; t i . P a t e r s o n (Genera! S e c r e t a r y ) .

Guest !lou5C If '5l e s s e s : La!y O ^ ' c ; .Vr.. M , [Jrnnd.
Telephone: Sydenham 5216
ToU-gra;r..i " Sya-JLeicw, i'orosl. London."
Cables : " Syadesmos, London

50
MINISTERS'
WITNESS
AND
LETTER
H o n o r Oak C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p Centre.
M a y , 1927.
BELOVED
OF OUR
LORD,
" Y e have need oi patience, t h a t after ye have

done t h e w i l l of God, y e m a y receive t h e
promise."
H o w m a n y of us become w e a r y and f a i n t i n
the tests of our f a i t h , n o t recognising t h e i r
necessity a n d i m p o r t !
T h e w i l l of God, as revealed i n t h e Cross, has
been accepted b y us, a n d our i n t e g r i t y i n this
consent t o our o w n death is before H i m .
We
are conscious of n o t h i n g as against ourselves,
for we have come t o H i s L i g h t , a n d d w e l l i n I T ;
and t h o u g h t h e experience be a constant
h u m i l i a t i o n o n t h e one h a n d , o n t h e other the
B l o o d is speaking a n d cleansing, a n d we have
peace. Y e t are we s t i l l hedged i n , our p a t h is
trouble-thronged a n d straitened. There is no
break i n t o service, f r u i t f u l n e s s , t h e open ways
of blessing, t h e p r o s p e r i t y of H i s k i n g d o m .
W h a t is t h e meaning of i t a l l %
Beloved, t h i s is i t . N o w is t h e v i n d i c a t i o n
of God's grace i n us. H e is able t o say before
principalities a n d powers concerning us, " H a s t
t h o u considered M y servant ? " H e knows
the sacrifice is f u l l y u p o n t h e a l t a r . B u t w i l l
t h a t " love of God " as n o w w i t h i n us keep us
b o u n d there ? W i l l Isaac, t h e son of promise,
consent t o his o w n execution, so t o speak 1
F o r this is the test of sonship, t h e t r i a l of H i s
grace. T h e t r i u m p h of t h e Cross m u s t first of
all be made manifest in us ere we can become
t h e p u b l i c proclaimers of t h a t t r i u m p h . Fear
n o t therefore because of present s t r a i t e n i n g .
T h e w o r k s of our s a l v a t i o n are a l l complete.
B y one offering H e h a t h perfected t o p e r p e t u i t y
t h e m t h a t are sanctified. W e have free and
blessed access i n t o t h i s c o n t i n u a l grace wherein
we stand as i n t h e Presence of God i n H i s Son,
but t o t h e glory-praise of H i s grace t h i s t h i n g
muBt be tested, t r i e d , p r o v e d
F o r t h i s reason is i t n o t added t o the f u l l
declaration of our s a l v a t i o n ? " A n d n o t only so,
b u t we e x u l t i n the t r i b u l a t i o n s also, k n o w i n g
t h a t t r i b u l a t i o n w o r k e t h patience."
I t is well t o correctly discern t h i s w o r d
" p a t i e n c e . " I t is n o t t h e
long-suffering "
we usually designate a* t h a t v i r t u e . The N e w
Testament discrimi nates between these t w o
phases of Christ's grace i n us. B o t h words
occur, for example, i n Colossians I . 11. T h i s
patience " is steadfast endurance, f o r t i t u d e ,
41
TESTIMONY
\ or l i t e r a l l y " an abiding-on-top " d u r i n g t r i a l /

I t is t h e unconquerableness of f a i t h . " Ye have
heard of the patience of Job ? " B u t Job was
n o t merely long-suffering. Indeed, one does
n o t always discern t h a t v i r t u e i n his speeches.
B u t he had t h e f o r t i t u d e of his f a i t h ; he endured and believed i n God despite the eonfu| sions of his circumstance and the contradictions
t o his f o r m e r experience of God, and i n this
patience he said, " T h o u g h H e slay me, y e t
w i l l I t r u s t H i m . " T h i s is Biblical patience,
t h e steadfastness of saints. W c also have need
of i t , a n d more so as t h e conflict thickens.
Recently we saw a m i g h t y battleship newly'
launched, a magnificent and costly piece of
w o r l d l y a r m a m e n t , perfect i n a l l its parts and'
f u l l y equipped f o r service. B u t wc were t o l d
t h a t a l t h o u g h perfect i t was going f o r its
" t r i a l s . " I t s engines, i t s boilers, its guns, and
the whole f a b r i c of t h e vessel had t o undergo
t h e s t r a i n , prolonged a n d r e a l , of a thorough
testing. There w o u l d be heavy seas and h a r d ,
d r i v i n g and u t m o s t pressure, severe demands
made u p o n a l l i t s p a r t s and equipment, before
i t could be passed i n t o active service.
So w i t h us. W e also arc o n t r i a l , a n d we*
have therefore need of steadfast endurance,
patience. A n d i n t h i s t h e apostle is quite p l a i n ,
as t o the reason, f o r " patience " says he, worked
" experience,"or as t h e Ilevised Version hasv
i t , " p r o b a t i o n . " So we are going through?
p r o b a t i o n . T h e L o r d sometimes allows the devil;
t o experiment u p o n us i n t h i s w a y : he experiences;
the t r u t h of God's grace i n us, and wc discover'
also w i t h thankfulness t h a t t h e f a i t h of t h e Son;
of God t h a t weathered C a l v a r y can meet other;
storms.
*
Wherefore, " S t a n d fast i n the f a i t h ; quit}
y o u l i k e men ; be s t r o n g . " I n y o u r patience;
gain possession of y o u r souls, f o r he that?
e n d u r c t h u n t o t h e E N D , t h e same shall be saved *
;
Y o u r s i n t h e j o y of the W a r r i o r ,
T. AUSTIN-SPARKS.
T . M A D O C JEFFREY'S,
J
5
jf
THE
THE
F E L L O W S H I P AND
MINISTRY
PATTERN
f
|
-|
The outlines of t h i s have come o u t luminouslyr

Hinee our last issue. T h e theme for the Master]
Conference, T h e Cross, and the P a t t e r n i&<
t h e Heavenlies ' was prophetic and has beerf
a b u n d a n t l y v i n d i c a t e d . W h i l e the House w a *
n o t ready for its f u l l complement of g u o s t l j
1

A
WITNESS
AND
there were some rooms available, i n c l u d i n g t h e

lining-room and t h e l i b r a r y ; and t h e seal of
(iod's peace was upon t h e household fellowship.
Hut i t was i n the things t h e L o r d began t o do
in certain lives t h a t we saw t h e " p a t t e r n , " and
ear hearts have been u p l i f t e d i n m a r v e l l i n g
praise.
F i r s t of a l l , the Conference came t o
us as a t i m e when wc felt the L o r d w o u l d
reveal something w i t h regard t o our b r o t h e r ,
Mr. Paterson. W e were convinced t h e hour
had come for his l i b e r a t i o n . O u r b r o t h e r , and
his dear w i f e also, have f o r a l o n g w h i l e been
ready t o come o u t i n t o the L o r d ' s service ; b u t
they w i t h us had f e l t t h a t t h e t i m e and
manner of a p p o i n t m e n t m u s t be p l a i n l y of t h e
Lord. I t was evident t h a t t l i e demands of his
ministry as the " general secretary " of the
Fellowship Centre were t o o h e a v y a t a x u p o n
time and energy, and t h a t these were increasing ;
but we were equally clear t h e call " m u s t be of
God. F o r t o come o u t t h u s i n t o full-time
spiritual service means t h a t our b r o t h e r gives
ii]) a l u c r a t i v e a n d secure G o v e r n m e n t a p p o i n t ment, and m u s t cast himself u p o n t h e L o r d
as t o m a t e r i a l resources. T h i s is n o t o n l y
a test of grace and f a i t h , b u t m u s t also be done
in the w i s d o m of t h e L o r d , under H i s distinctcall and guidance.
T h e question was t h e
" hour."
44
I t had been b o r n e i n u p o n us t h a t t h e
responsibility l a y w i t h t h e F e l l o w s h i p , and t h a t
wc had t o call " our b r o t h e r t o specific m i n i s t r y , under the a n o i n t i n g , i n t h e house of God.'
But i t was n o t expected t h a t t h e S p i r i t w o u l d
give so clear a witness t o our brother's separation as H e d i d . A n assembly of all w h o felt
that they shared w i t h us a s p i r i t u a l fellowship
14
44
in t h i s W I T N E S S A N D T E S T I M O N Y of the
Lord
Jesus as i n H i s B o d y , the C h u r c h , was convened

from the p l a t f o r m of the. Conference for the
Monday evening a t (>.!*'). T h i s t o o k the place
of w h a t used t o be called i n t h e o l d days a
church-meeting " ; b u t t h i s g a t h e r i n g was open
to all children of God, w h e t h e r resident locally
or afar, w h o could t r u l y confess fellowship w i t h
us i n life and service.
We m e t i n the Presence of t h e L o r d . A v e r y
Bolemn consciousness of our r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o
H i m and t o one another tilled our hearts. I t
was an o p p o r t u n i t y for a t e s t i m o n y t o the
essential fellowship and m i n i s t r y of the H o l y
Spirit in the assemblies of t h e
Church."
And i t was then t h a t the st rong convict ion came
that this was the appointed t i m e f o r calling our
brother t o a separated life of m i n i s t r y i n and t o
the Body of Christ. T h e H o l y Spirit gave clear
44
44
TESTIMONY
51
witness i n our hearts, a n d accordingly w i t h a

dc^p sense of our responsibility before God,
b u t w i t h great j o y of f a i t h , we called our brother
George Paterson t o t h e service of eldership i n
the ehureh of G o d , and p r a y e d w i t h h i m
after the m a n n e r . "
Our brother resigned his p o s i t i o n t h e v e r y
n e x t d a y , and is now installed i n his m i n i s t r y
a t the Centre. W c feel t h a t his f u n c t i o n is
d i s t i n c t l y t h a t of an
e l d e r , " as one h a v i n g
oversight, over a d m i n i s t r a t i v e ministries a n d
also h a v i n g a care f o r t h e
flock." Our
b r o t h e r takes over t h e whole of t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e supervision of o u r w o r k ; b u t w h i l e endowed
w i t h rare business a b i l i t y and experience, i t is
n o t u p o n such capacities t h a t his m i n i s t r y is
based, b u t u p o n t h e s p i r i t u a l e q u i p m e n t of t h e
H o l y S p i r i t as under our A n o i n t e d a n d A n o i n t ing H e a d . H i s m i n i s t r y w i l l be w h o l l y s p i r i t u a l ,
a n d we shall n o t be surprised t o discover a
b r e a k i n g f o r t h of other ministries of helpfulness,
and i n t h e w o r d of G o d , as t h i s grace of Christ
f o r service is increased i n t h e power of p r a y e r .
T h e call of G o d , was coming i n t o other
lives d u r i n g t h e Conference. I n d e e d , M o n d a y
seemed t o be a d a y of
decisions."
The
result has been t o t h r u s t u p o n us responsibilities, a n d t o m a k e clear t h e lines of our
service as t o t r a i n i n g . "
Three of our y o u n g b r e t h r e n w h o have been
preparing f o r m i n i s t r y a t t r a i n i n g centres were
independently and w i t h o u t w o r d f r o m us, led
t o come o u t " i n t o a free m i n i s t r y of t h e S p i r i t
as i n t h e House of G o d . "
W h e n t h e i r decision was made k n o w n w e
at once saw t h e L o r d ' s call t o commence
immediately
our long-spoken-of
Training
C e n t r e , " a n d so i t is t h a t these three y o u n g
b r e t h r e n are now i n residence w i t h us a t t h e
Hostel.
A s we go t o press other requests are c o m i n g
i n t h a t we should meet t h i s need, a n d i t w o u l d
appear t h a t v e r y soon our accommodation w i l l
be f u l l y t a x e d / W e w i s h t o m a k e i t p l a i n ,
however, t h a t b y
T r a i n i n g " we do n o t p r o pose t h e usual c u r r i c u l a of seminaries or colleges,
b u t r a t h e r t h a t intensive fellowship i n p r a y e r ,
and over t h e w o r d of G o d , b y w h i c h t h e revelat i o n anil equipment of t h e H o l y S p i r i t shall be
g i v e n , a n d t h a t t h e n those w h o share such
fellowship w i t h us shall go o u t as the L o r d
directs, preaching t h e gospel, r e t u r n i n g here
as t o their base " i f need be.
A l r e a d y a large field of m i n i s t r y has been
opened u p t o us f o r these summer m o n t h t ,
and we can f i n d a r i c h m i n i s t r y f o r a doze-*
14
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44

A
52
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
w o r d of God as are prone t o this generation.

y o u n g f o l k w h o k n o w b y experience first i n
Y e t neither was there a l i m i t i n g of t h e S p i r i t
t h e i r o w n liveB, t h e fulness of t h e D i v i n e
i n H i s operations as revealed i n t h e m i n i s t r y of
V i c t o r y secured b y our "Risen L o r d t h r o u g h
w
o m e n i n t h e N e w Testament. T h e whole of
H i s Cross, and arc ordained
and
empowered
this
d i f f i c u l t question was seen t o hinge u p o n t h e
by the Holy Spirit to declare it.
principle
of g o v e r n m e n t , a u t h o r i t y , a n d r e l a t i o n W e s t r o n g l y m a r k t h i s last clause, f o r " H o w
ship
i
n
the
B o d y of Christ, always h a v i n g regard
shall t h e y preach, except t h e y be sent? "
t
o
the
need
of
covering " because of the
T h e gospel can o n l y be effectively proclaimed
principalities
and
powers.
T h i s i m p o r t a n t subi n t h e H o l y S p i r i t sent d o w n f r o m heaven, and
j
e
c
t
m
a
y
be
f
u
r
t
h
e
r
dealt
w
i
t h i n these columns
t o go o u t a t one's o w n charges or impulse
as
t
h
e
L
o
r
d
directs,
a
n
d
also
some of the adw o u l d be f a t a l . T h u s i n every case we t h r o w ,
dresses
m
a
y
be
edited.
t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r decision i n t h i s m a t t e r u p o n
t h e i n d i v i d u a l concerned, reserving t h e s p i r i t u a l i
T H E LORD'S
MONEY
freedom t o discern w h e t h e r t h e y are called of
God, a n d also w h e t h e r H e directs us t o receive
The
p a t t e r n " of t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of
t h e m . T h i s i n a l l tenderness.
these resources is also c o m i n g t h r o u g h . Our
q u a r t e r l y income f o r a l l purposes, u p
to
B u t , as we have said, t h e L o r d has surely
M
a
r
c
h
3
1
,
a
m
o
u
n
t
e
d
t
o
2,490.
T
h
i
s
includes
t h r u s t before o u r eves t h e " p a t t e r n " as t o
t h e offerings g i v e n i n t h e
Treasury Chest "
this
t r a i n i n g " : H e w o u l d have us receive
,
a
t
t
h
e
H
a
l
l
,
v
i
z
.
,
2S5,
under
t h e heads of
Buch as are i n a measure already equipped for
(1) P a s t o r a t e ; (2) E x p e n s e s ; (3) Missionary.
service as f a r as academic q u a l i f i c a t i o n is
I t w i l l be seen therefore t h a t t h e sum of 2,205
necessary (we do n o t say t h a t i n every case i t
has been g i v e n a n o n y m o u s l y , a p a r t f r o m the
is) i n order t h a t i n fellowship w i t h us a f u r t h e r
local fellowship c o n t r i b u t i o n s . T h i s capital
s p i r i t u a l e q u i p m e n t m a y be g i v e n of H i s grace.
sum was referred t o last m o n t h as being given
THE EASTER
CONFERENCE
for t h e equipment of t h e H o s t e l and t h e new
Conference H a l l .
L i t t l e remains t o be said of t h i s , f o r i t s m a i n
purpose is revealed i n t h e i n f o r m a t i o n already
W e are f u l l of g r a t i t u d e t o God t h a t this
given.
means t h a t t h e needs of t h e H o s t e l as
for adaptation and equipment
have now
Y e t it s h o u l d be said t o t h e praise of God
t h a t t h e gatherings t h r o u g h o u t were f u l l of
been almost m e t . W e have spent during
s p i r i t u a l power, a n d the w o r d of t h e L o r d
t h e q u a r t e r 726 u p o n t h i s w o r k . There
came t h r o u g h i n great l i b e r t y . F r o m t h e
is, of course, w o r k s t i l l i n progress, and
t h e M o n d a y f o r w a r d we were able t o meet i n ! w h e n a l l is completed t h e H o s t e l requirements,
t h e Marquee. I t came j u s t as t h e weather
w i l l have demanded some 1,500.
\
needed i t , a n d is commodious a n d comfortable,
T h e Conference H a l l w h i c h we i n t e n d building
p i t c h e d i n a sheltered spot.
i n the grounds w i l l soon become a pressing
necessity, and m u s t be p u t i n hand forthwith.Our b r o t h e r , M r . Sparks, was able t o take
I t is estimated t h a t t h e t o t a l cost w i l l be about
his f u l l share of m i n i s t r y i n sustained s t r e n g t h .
|
2,C00. Of t h i s about 1,G4< has .come to
A p a r t f r o m t w o h e l p f u l messages f r o m our
|
h
and.
i
b r o t h e r s , C a p t a i n W a l l i s a n d M r . Crowe, t h e
There
have
been,
and
t
h
e
y
are
s
t
i
l
l
arising,
L o r d gave t h e m i n i s t r y of t h e w o r d t o t h e
t w o pastors. W h e n i t is considered t h a t there s man} incidental needs, w h i c h require a constant
were sixteen meetings, i t w i l l be realised how o u t l a y of c a p i t a l . Of these, we m a y instance
w o n d e r f u l l y o u r b r o t h e r was sustained.
W h i l e j the Marquee, about 80 f i x i n g l i g h t and water
. M r . Jeffreys dealt chiefly w i t h t h e principles I supplies f o r t h e t e m p o r a r y buildings i n th6
of t h e L i f e t h a t served God i n t h e Cross, and ! grounds, and f i t t i n g these o u t as tea rooms, & c j
n o w i n t h e c h u r c h serves God t h r o u g h the ; say 2(/(). T h e n wc have t o meet the L.C.Qj
Cross, M r . Sparks unfolded the principles of j regulations, and provide* safety exits and other
g o v e r n m e n t , a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , relationships i n | safeguards i n t h e present H a l l and H o s t e l
m i n i s t r y and membership i n t l i e HOUHC of God. . W e might, say t h a t 500 w i l l cover these, count*.
I n t h i s connection a v e r y h e l p f u l and t i m e l y |
B u t we have* every proof t h a t such t h i n g !
w o r d WaB spoken w i t h regard t o the m i n i s t r y j being required for the w o r k of the L o r d evert
of w o m e n , and of t h e i r place i n t l i e B o d y of
need w i l l be f u l l y m e t . As an example of Htf
C h r i s t ; t h i s according t o the scriptures, and n o t i provision, one of t h e Lord'B stewards desired
according t o such forced interpretations of the
t o present us w i t h an i n s t r u m e n t t o lead
:
44
44
44
44

A
W I T N E S S
A N D
the praises of God i n t h e new H a l l , a n d t h i s

m o n t h we have accordingly secured a B e l l
two manual organ ; t h i s w i t h t w o other i n s t r u ments placed a t our disposal, m a k e i t possible
to have t h e needful accompaniment f o r t h e
L o r d s praise alike i n t h e H a l l , t h e Marquee,
and the House.
To come back t o t h e local q u a r t e r l y account,
2X5, t h e expenditure under t h e three heads
has been 281. I t w i l l be seen therefore t h a t
the L o r d has j u s t m e t t h e needs.
B i i t t h e whole question of t h e M A I N T E N A N C E
of the w o r k is t h e aspect of s p i r i t u a l finance
which n o w confronts us, a n d i t is f o r t h i s we
seek t h e L o r d ' s w a y s .
F o r example, t h e disbursements d u r i n g t h e
past few m o n t h s have been f a r i n excess of
current income, b u t t h e r e has been sent i n
special p r o v i s i o n f o r t h i s t r a n s i t i o n a l period of
extraordinary expenses. T h u s t h e H o s t e l ,
though i t h a d been r u n n i n g w i t h some staff
for six weeks p r i o r t o t h e Easter Conference,
had h a d i t s c u r r e n t needs m e t p r i v a t e l y .
F r o m t h i s t i m e f o r w a r d however we m u s t
seek the L o r d f o r t h e c u r r e n t expenses. TheBe
w i l l a m o u n t altogether t o a b o u t 50 per m o n t h
(including r e n t , & c , domestic staff, a n d a d d i tional service). A s there come i n t o residence
those w h o are p r e p a r i n g f o r m i n i s t r y these
current costs w i l l , of course, increase. I t is
estimated t h a t t h e cost per i n d i v i d u a l w i l l w o r k
out a t about 25s. per week, a n d w h i l e i n some
caseB t h i s , i n whole or i n p a r t , m a y be m e t b y
the person concerned, we rauBt be free t o receive
all w h o m t h e L o r d shall Bend. T h e h o s p i t a l i t y
of Guests " has also t o be considered, and
we wish t o be able t o e n t e r t a i n such of t h e
L o r d s servants as c o u l d n o t meet t h e i r o w n
expenses. F o r these purposes b o t h a
Students' A i d F u n d " a n d a
Guest F u n d " h a d
been t h o u g h t of.
Then the question of
M i n i s t r y " has also
to be adjusted. H i t h e r t o thiB lias been partially sustained under t h e head of P a s t o r a t e , "
but now t h a t our b r o t h e r , M r . Paterson, has
joined us ( w i t h a great welcome i n o u r hearts)
we feel t h i s need m u s t be m e t under t h e head
of
M i n i s t r y . " I n t h i s wo are q u i t e confident t h a t t l i e L o r d is as easily able t o meet
the. needs of t h r e e aB of t w o , and t h i s H e
has abundantly p r o v e d , f o r i t m u s t be manifest
to all t h a t the local offerings, generous as t h e y
are, could n o t have m e t these needs h i t h e r t o .
The whole m a t t e r of Missionary " offerings
has now t o bo looked a t f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t
of the Fellowship's " obligations and m i n i s t r y
44
44
44
14
44
41
44
14
53
T E S T I M O N Y
to the B o d y of Christ. H i t h e r t o we have acted

as conveyers of g i f t s t o various
missionary
societies," t h o u g h these i n m a n y cases have been
ear-marked." N o w , however, w i t h t h e clearing of the mists f r o m t h e
p a t t e r n " we see
t h a t i t is t h e
E x t e n s i o n of t h e T e s t i m o n y "
w i t h w h i c h we have t o be concerned. T h e
L o r d , we feel, w o u l d l a y us under obligation t o
meet t h e needs of a n y w h o s t a n d w i t h us f o r
the f u l l t r u t h of t h e Cross, a n d are f a i t h f u l i n
their discernment of t h e
B o d y . " These,
together w i t h us, w i l l be suffering because of t h e
t e s t i m o n y of Jesus " a n d need our cherishing
b o t h i n prayer and resources. A l r e a d y there
is a number of such as have passed t h r o u g h
our fellowship, and of others w h o are i n correspondence w i t h us f r o m m a n y lands, a n d
share our prayer-life. T o these surely t h e L o r d
w o u l d also call us f o r fellowship i n sustenance,
as wc are able.
These also w h o shall come i n t o t h e H o s t e l f o r
t r a i n i n g " are a charge u p o n t h e
missionary " v i s i o n a n d service of t h e c h u r c h . T h i s
summer as mentioned before we propose sending
o u t a band of workers f o r a n i t i n e r a t i n g m i n i s t r y
i n t h e villages of a populous d i s t r i c t . T h e
maintenance of conferences i n various parts of
t h e c o u n t r y has also t o be m e t u p o n a n i n creasing scale. T h e question of extending t h e
T e s t i m o n y " i n o t h e r parts of t h e w o r l d a n d
i n t h i s c o u n t r y is arising.
F r o m our scanning of these horizons of
m i n i s t r y and services i t m u s t be obvious t h a t
we need t o re-cast our t h o u g h t s concerning
maintenance, a n d t o p r a y t h e L o r d ' s ways a n d
means t h r o u g h .
W e have a r r i v e d a t t h e conclusion t h a t our
local Treasury Chest " should henceforth be
d i v i d e d i n t o three c o m p a r t m e n t s , allocated as
f o l l o w s : (1) M i n i s t r y (instead of P a s t o r a t e ) ;
(2) General Expenses (to cover c u r r e n t charges
upon maintenance of H o s t e l , H a l l s , staff, &c.) ;
(3) E x t e n s i o n of T e s t i m o n y (this w i l l include
such needs of t h e servants of t h e L o r d , b o t h i n
t h i s c o u n t r y and a b r o a d , as are m e n t i o n e d
above). W e realise also t h a t t h e t i m e has come
w h e n these obligations shall n o t be merely
local, b u t t h a t as wc have n o w a m i n i s t r y t h a t
reaches i n t o m a n y lands, these divisions of our
resources m a y also serve f o r a l l w h o m t h e L o r d
leads t o s u p p o r t t h i s Witness a n d T e s t i m o n y . "
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
THE
PAPER
I t w i l l be n o t e d t h a t t h e issue is increased i n
size, a n d we are also compelled t o increase
t h e number issued t o 2,000 per m o n t h . T h e

54
W I T N E S S
A N D
cost of t h i s ( w i t h postage) w i l l be about

10 per m o n t h .
T h e L o r d has honoured t h e
p u b l i c a t i o n of t h i s l i t t l e paper b y sending
i n sufficient donations t o meet t h e c u r r e n t cost,
a n d w c shall therefore s t i l l keep
separate
t h e special f u n d .
N o w t h a t o u r b r o t h e r , M r . Paterson, has
t a k e n * over t h e w h o l e of t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
6ide of t h e " T e s t i m o n y he w i l l a c t as receiver
of a l l monies.
I n t h e case of t h e paper these
donations h a v e been h i t h e r t o sent t o Miss Sach,
b y request.
Will
our readers
note that from
henceforth
Mr. Paterson should receive all such
gifts,
and
that he also
is taking
over the
" Mailing
list " hitherto in the cliarge of
Miss
Hawes.
W e are g r a t e f u l f o r t h e diligence i n
sen-ice t h a t b o t h Miss Sach a n d Miss Hawes
h a v e g i v e n t o t h e issue of t h i s paper. T h e i r s
has been a l a b o u r of l o v e e f f i c i e n t l y a n d cons i s t e n t l y c a r r i e d o u t . A l l other communicat i o n s , such as refer t o t h e subject m a t t e r of t h e
paper s h o u l d be d i r e c t e d t o t h e j o i n t editors,
T . Austin-Sparks a n d T . M a d o c Jeffreys. I t
m a y be t h a t i n t h e near f u t u r e we shall deal
w i t h s p i r i t u a l d i f f i c u l t i e s a n d p r o b l e m s i n these
columns.
M
N o w t h a t we h a v e t a k e n our w i d e r fellowship
i n t o o u r confidence w c leave these questions
of a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a n d finance. W e have r e f e r r e d t o t h e m p u r e l y as m a t t e r s o f ' o u r stewardship a n d of o u r o b l i g a t i o n t o those w h o share
w i t h us t h e v i s i o n , a n d we m e n t i o n t h e m t h a t i n
spending as i n g i v i n g t h e L o r d m a y be glorified.
A n d i t w i l l be u n d e r s t o o d t h a t these references
have n o t h i n g i n t h e m of t h e n a t u r e of a n appeal
for m o n e t a r y h e l p . W e leave t h e maintenance
of t h e w o r k i n t h e hands of H i m W h o has p r e p a r e d these m i n i s t r i e s t h a t w c m i g h t ' e n t e r i n t o
t h e m , a n d serve H i m i n t h e S j i i r i t t o H i s g l o r y .
"THE
W E E K L Y
HOUSE AND T H E
GARDEN "
T h e n w e realise the L o r d h a s not given us these

spacious a n d s u n n y grounds t h a t they should lie
idle. T h e y m u s t be used for the fullest spiritual
ministry of w h i c h they are cnpable. W e are
h a v i n g t h e m p u t into better order, w i t h seats a n d
shelters so t h a t our visitors m a y enjoy rest a n d .
personal fellowship. I t is for this reason m a i n l y
t h a t the thought of a w e e k l y conference came to
us. A n d so while we w i s h our friends to enjoy
this retreat we realise the need of m a k i n g each
occasion profitable. T h e r e w i l l accordingly be a
meeting of fellowship from 3 to 4 P.M., a n d thus
a good i n t e r v a l before the further gathering at
7.30 r . M . , i n w h i c h these opportunities for enjoying
the grounds m a y be given. T e a s w i l l be provided
at a moderate charge.
%
M a y tho L o r d be as nigh i n the garden as in the

house. W e w o t of a garden where H e sorrowed
the sorrows of God for us. M a y w c remember
H i m i n our garden, rejoicing in H i s salvation, a n d
giving H i m praise a n d spiritual service.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
M i s s S A C H h a s received t h e following sums
towards the expenses of t h i s p a p e r during the
past m o n t h : P a l m e r ' s G r e e n , 1 : Tunbridge
Wells. 5s. ; Glasgow, 5s. ; H e a d i n g , Us.; S w i n d o n ,
4s. 8rf. ; Cardiff, 3 s . ; F r i o m R o a d , 3 s . ; D o v e r ,
2s. Gd.; S w i n d o n , 2s. 6rf.; C h a t h a m , 2s. 6d. ;
D e n m a r k H i l l , 2s. 6d. ; R y d e , 2v. Ik/. ; M a i d a V a l e ,
2s. 6 d . ; Mortimer Street, 2v. Ud. ; Leigh-on-Sea,
2s. (id.; C e n t r a l H a l l , 2s. ; W o r t h i n g , 2 s . ; Cheshire,
2 * . T o t a l 3 l i s . Sd.
>
T h e r e are also local contributions w h i c h Miss
S a c h will continue to receive, b u t will our readers
once again note t h a t all contributions and remittances should be made p a y a b l e a n d sent to the
General Secretary, M r . P a t e r s o n , a t the Centre.
W e are full of praise to our C o d for H i s signal
blessing upon t h i s W I T N E S S A N D T E S T I M O N Y .
T h e total cost of printing a n d mailing during last
year w a s nearly 80, a n d yet without making a n y
appoal w c had 12 8s. K</. in hand at the end of the
y e a r . T h o cost for tho current year w i t h the
enlarged issuo a n d increased number of copies,
a n d a growing m a i l list, will amount to about
15'). T h o L o r d i s meeting tho need, as w c g
along.
0
BOOKLETS
CONFERENCES
I T h a s come to us t h a t e v e r y week-end should

see a gathering of tho L o r d ' s people as from Saturd a y afternoon a t S r . M . over the S a b b a t h , a n d this
will be i n a u g u r a t e d on M a y 28th, w h i c h wo sball
treat a s a k i n d of * Opening D a y " for tho " (Juest
H o u s e " a m i promises. TJioro are so m a n y of our
fellowship who share w i t h us an interest in till Mint
the L o r d h a s dono foj UH. tlint we fool tlie opport u n i t y should bo afforded thorn for seeing the
rooms, <Vc. W e shall therefore m a k e arrangements
for parties to bo conducted over the promises on
tliat date, M a y 28th.
4
TESTIMONY
(WITNESS ANIJ
TESTIMONY).
NOH. T. a n d I I . ' Incorporation into Christ, by T .

Austin-Sparks. 2d. e a c h .
No.
7. ' T h e I n n e r Man of the H e a r t '

with
diagram, b y T . Austin-Sparks. 4d. each.
No.
111. of
* Incorporation
into
Christ.'
is
now in proof, mid .will bo ready for issuo
iit tho end of the m o n t h : Partie.ulni'H w i t h
regard to further booklets b y Mr. S p a r k s *
a n d also M r . Jeffreys will bo given in our J
noxt issuo.
\

A
WHITSUNTIDE
WITNESS
AND A
CONFERENCE
W c are a n t i c i p a t i n g t h a t a larger company

representative of m a n y lands w i l l gather w i t h
us o n these dates, J u n e 3 r d ( F r i d a y evening)
to the 8 t h (Wednesday e v e n i n g ) .
Accommodation, while increased i n some measure b y the completion of t h e H o s t e l , w i l l s t i l l r e m a i n somewhat
l i m i t e d , b u t there w i l l be a c c o m m o d a t i o n f o r
12 t o 15 guests a t t h e House.
W e are able t o
make arrangements, however, a n d friends need
have n o h e s i t a t i o n i n c o m i n g u p o n t h i s account.
B u t we need t o h a v e due notice, a n d therefore
i t is essential t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n s h o u l d be made as
early as possible t o M r . Paterson.
The t h e m e has n o t y e t come t o us, b u t w e
feel sure t h e L o r d w i l l have s o m e t h i n g t o say
t o us u p o n ' T h e OOSB a n d t h e H o l y S p i r i t /
NEWCASTLE
T h e p r o c l a m a t i o n of t h e message goes o n
f r o m m o n t h t o m o n t h here.
T h e interest i n
the Conferences is w e l l sustained, a n d there is
much hunger f o r t h e w o r d of G o d as g i v e n i n t h e
power of t h e S p i r i t .
T h e three d a y s ' Conference i n w h i c h b o t h
Mr. Sparks a n d M r . Jeffreys w i l l ( D . V . ) be
God's messengers
has been a r r a n g e d f o r
June O t h 1 1 t h ( T h u r s d a y t o S a t u r d a y ) a n d
there iB promise of i n t e r e s t i n g developments i n
the s u r r o u n d i n g d i s t r i c t .
AND
ELSEWHERE
W e ask f o r fellowship i n p r a y e r f o r ministries

at ChaDt F a r m , M a y 10-21*. Central H a l l ,
Westminister, M a y 25. Jersey, M a y 30-Junc 3.
H o n o r O a k a n d Newcastle as above, J u n e 3-8,
June 0 - 1 1 . Jarrow-on-Tyne, 12-15. M a y t h e
" u t t e r a n c e " of H i s W o r d be g i v e n i n every
place a n d 2 n d Cor. i i . 14 he f u l f i l l e d i n us.
SUMMARY OF
T H E MAY CONFERENCE
(April
20/7* to May 2nd)
ON t h o eve of issuing t h i s n u m b e r we come

through t h i s " s t r o n g " t i m e w i t h t h e L o r d i n
Bis truth.
A r r i v i n g RO q u i c k l y after t h e Hiaster Conference thiB series of gatherings was more i n
the n a t u r e of a domestic r a l l y ; b u t a f e w of
Btich a* we d o n o t doom strangers camo, and
55
TESTIMONY
f o r these as f o r t h e h o m e circle, t h e t i m e was one

f r a u g h t w i t h decisive meanings.
N o concrete t h e m e h a d been t h o u g h t of,
bub t h e sequence of subject was most s t r i k i n g .
T h e f o l l o w i n g key-words m a y m a r k o u t t h e
progress of t h e t e a c h i n g : Priesthood, F a i t h ,
Ascension, t h e T r u t h a n d t h e l i e , t h e Flesh a n d
t h e S p i r i t , Intercession, p o s i t i v e a n d p r a c t i c a l
F a i t h in the next step.
W e t h u s commenced o n t h e F r i d a y w i t h
" P R I E S T H O O D . " E v e r y believer is called t o
be a priest ( I Peter i i . 5, 0 ; Revelations i . 6)
i n a Ufe l i v e d b y t h e " F A I T H " of t h e Son of
G o d , f a i t h being a p r i n c i p l e of t h e D i v i n e L i f e .
T h e believer as p r i e s t was already assured of
his s a l v a t i o n . F o r h i m t h e finished w o r k o f
C a l v a r y registered a complete confidence i n
H i s L o r d s saving a n d keeping power. H e was
indeed k e p t alive i n t h e w o r l d b y t h e power of
H i s L o r d ' s intercession i n t h e T h r o n e i n order
t h a t he m i g h t f u n c t i o n o n t h e e a r t h w i t h a l l
o t h e r believers t o b r i n g a b o u t t h e consummat i o n of t h e age, i n t h e c o m p l e t i n g of t h e c h u r c h ,
w h i c h is b o u n d u p w i t h t h e " c o m i n g " of t h e
Lord.
A s a n opening address t l u s p r o v e d t o be a
survey of t h e t h e m e as i t a f t e r w a r d s u n f o l d e d ,
f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g gatherings were l a r g e l y t a k e n
up w i t h
F A I T H " based u p o n i t s r e v e l a t i o n
i n Hebrews x i . , as a p r i n c i p l e of D i v i n e
activity
among
men.
This
being
so
because i t manifested a dependence u p o n t h e
14
unseen
TRUTH
of
God
as
against
the
satanic L I E i n t h e universe, appealing i n i t s

m a n i f o l d f o r m s t o t h e w i s d o m of m e n . T h e
invisible t h i n g s of G o d were realised a n d apprehended by t h i s God-imparted a n d God-witnessing
principle
of
" RIGHTEOUSNESS."
It
was p u r e , w i t h o u t p o s s i b i l i t y of corruptness,
because i t depended n o t u p o n t a n g i b l e a n d
visible rewards, being w h a t i t is c a l l e d f a i t h .
Therefore i t was a n a b i d i n g p r i n c i p l e of p u r e
s p i r i t u a l l i f e , t h e a c t i v i t y of t h e D i v i n e l o v e :
" F a i t h t h a t i s energised b y l o v e " Galatians v .
G. Bub t h i s f a i t h i n us as t h e c h i l d r e n of G o d
was t h e f a i t h of t h e S o n of G o d , a n d therefore
m e a n t a n ASCENSION l i f e , a life t h a t h a d conquered d e a t h a n d t h e I x m l of d e a t h , t h r o u g h
t h e p u t t i n g away of siti. I t was a L i f e h i d
w i t h Christ i n G o d , a n d therefore i t was n o t t o
be f o u n d i n t h e " FLESH " o r t h e psychical
n a t u r e of m a n . T h u s there is stated w h a t
seems t o bo a t w o - f o l d c o n d i t i o n of i n a b i l i t y
t o please G o d . R o m a n s v i i i . 8 declares t h a t
" t h e y t h a t are i n t h e flesh cannot please G o d " ;

56
WITNESS
AND
Hebrews x i . (> states t h a t " a p a r t f r o m faith i t

is impossible t o please H i m . " B u t t h i s is t h e
same t h i n g as t o say t h a t t r u e f a i t h is of the
S r i n i T . There is n o such p r i n c i p l e as f a i t h i n
the ilesh.
Coming back t o t h e question of " priesthood "
i t was seen t h a t t h i s v o c a t i o n was a n inevitable
result of t h e L i f e of t h e Son i n us, since we were
One S p i r i t i n H i m as baptized" i n t h e H o l y
S p i r i t , W h o is t h e Intercessory S p i r i t as i n
H i m and i n us, albeit w i t h different f u n c t i o n ing!}. H e , l i v i n g i n the T h r o n e t o intercede
for us ; we, also u n i t e d w i t h H i m b y
One
S p i r i t i n t h e T h r o n e t o intercede as b y and for
Him.
T h e S p i r i t as n o w given t o t h e Church.
H i s B o d y , was of necessity the S p i r i t saturated,
so t o speak, w i t h C a l v a r y , t h e o i l was mingled
w i t h b l o o d . " T h i s urge of p r a y e r i n t h e H o l y
S p i r i t i n t h e B o d y was God H i m s e l f coming
t h r o u g h i n t h i s w a y " t o effect H i s Purpose i n
the universe. I t was a f o r m of H i s m a n i f o l d
w i s d o m n o w being manifested before p r i n c i palities a n d powers, i n t h a t we erstwhile sinners
(conscious s t i l l i n t h e L i g h t of H i s Presence of
a s i n f u l self-nature t h a t needs t h e continual
cleansing of t h e B l o o d ) b u t called a n d sanctified
heirs of the D i v i n e N a t u r e i n C h r i s t , were now
moved by t h e D i v i n e interests r a t h e r t h a n b y
our o w n interests t o p r a y i n t h e groanings a n d
strivings of t h e S p i r i t w i t h i n us t o w a r d the
effecting of t h e D i v i n e purposes, n o t a b l y i n t h i s
age t h e c o m p l e t i n g of t h e C h u r c h , t h e B o d y .
T h e final m e e t i n g gathered a r o u n d t h e p e r t i nent question, " Bow can the believer, while
believing in and relying upon the Divine
Initiative
through the Spirit, avoid passivity ? "
I t was seen t h a t w h i l e salvation and works
were w h o l l y of G o d as w r o u g h t i n us b y the
S p i r i t , t h e r e m u s t be a n intense p r a c t i c a l cooperation o n t h e p a r t of t h e believer, a cont i n u e d , sustained, p o s i t i v e assent of " F A I T H . "
T h i s m e a n t " steps of f a i t h , " and thus a school
of discipline a n d education i n t h e life of the
S p i r i t was entered i n t o . Each step of f a i t h
demanded a n e w enterprise of t h e s p i r i t , a
p r a c t i c a l stepping f o r t h w i t h G o d every t i m e .
T h e experience of t h e past d i d n o t suffice for
the t r i u n i ] h of new emergencies. Each new Btep
was also harder, since these steps were p r o gressive. A b r a h a m ' s life was a t y p i c a l example.
H e m i g h t f a i l i n t h e f u r t h e r steps despite t h e
previous v i c t o r i e s , as witness his declension
when he went d o w n t o K g y p t . T h i s meant he
had t o come back t o the place of the altar, the
Cross. So w i t h us. W e have t o eoine back
t o t h e Cross t o p u t the m a t t e r r i g h t wherever
TESTIMONY
wc began t o decline, or t o go astray f r o m t h e

faith-way. I t was a p r i n c i p l e i n t h e believer's
life t h a t i f he s h i r k e d a n issue w i t h G o d , a step
of f a i t h , he w o u l d get n o f a r t h e r w i t h G o d .
T h i s was the secret of m a n y a n arrested l i f e .
There h a d been a f a i l u r e t o obey t h e voice of
God i n some new d e m a n d of f a i t h , and no
m a t t e r w h a t m i g h t be the pretence t o s p i r i t u a l i t y i n such lives because of past experience
and m i n i s t r y , such lives were now profitless t o
God. T h e y were b a r r e n and dead whatever
m i g h t be the o u t w a r d show. There w o u l d have
t o be a re-tracing of t h e p a t h back t o t h a t place
where t h e y h a d f a i l e d God.
j
I
i
j
;
The p r a c t i c a l question f o r every one present

We
was, " W h a t is t h e n e x t step f o r y o u ? "
knew w h a t i t was. God had spoken t o us i n
t h a t Conference. H e was demanding somet h i n g f r o m us. W h a t was i t ? I t m i g h t appear
t o be o n l y t r i v i a l ; i t m i g h t appear tremendous,
B u t i n any case i t h a d t o be obeyed, i f we were
going any f a r t h e r i n t h e D i v i n e Fellowship.
I t was f u n d a m e n t a l t o f u r t h e r advance.
TAKE
| T H E N E X T STEP !
W e are glad t o record t h a t t h e Conference

saw t h e issue decided f o r some. There has
j been a coming o u t u p o n G o d i n a new a n d
decisive w a y , and i n some cases, a definite act
of f a i t h .
T h e acts of the H o l y S p i r i t are a l l acts of

! faith.
i
NOTES OF ADDRESS AT
EASTER CONFERENCE
41
THE
PATTERN
IN THE
HEAVENLIES"
April
19th,
1927.
1 W A N T t o read t h e statement of a v e r y
humble m a n i n t h e P h i l i p p i a n Epistle i i i . 13 :
" B r e t h r e n (speaking t o t h e brotherhood
i n Christ) 1 c o u n t n o t myself t o have apprehended ; b u t t h i s one t h i n g I do, f o r g e t t i n g
those things w h i c h are b e h i n d , and reaching
f o r t h u n t o those t h i n g s w h i c h are before, I
prcBs t o w a r d t h e m a r k f o r the prize of t h o
h i g h calling of God i n Christ Jesus."
Or " the calling f r o m on h i g h of God i n ClvriBt
J e s u s " : ( i o d calling i n Christ Jesus t o
us His sons on e a r t h t h a t we m i g h t come up
t o Himself and
Jim! our abode in H i m
and realise in H i m t h a t L i f e E t e r n a l . - A n d
| thiB n o t i n d i v i d u a l l y , b u t c o r p o r a t c l y . T h i s
WITNESS
AND
is the confession
of
one
with
a
true
spirit of h u m i l i t y , w h o . counts himself n o t
to have apprehended ; a n d y e t he speaks as a
" perfect " m a n , and i t is t h i s t h o u g h t of t h e
" Perfection " of t h e C h r i s t i a n t h a t one wishes
to d w e l l u p o n t h i s evening, because each one
of us as w e go f r o m t h i s series of gatherings
should be
perfect " Christians, c h i l d r e n of
God w h o arc made perfect.
r
44
H e says i n t h e f o l l o w i n g verse.
L e t us therefore as m a n y as be perfect*
be t h u s m i n d e d t h a t is, a l l w h o are perfect
w i t h t h e Apostle b o t h i n t h i s h u m i l i t y ,
and i n t h i s unquenchable desire t o apprehend,
and t o press o n " A c c o r d i n g t o t h e m a r k for the
prize of t h e h i g h c a l l i n g L e t us be t h u s m i n d e d . "
41
N o w i t was t h e c o n t i n u a l b u r d e n of t h e H o l y
S p i r i t i n t h e A p o s t l e t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n of
God were so o f t e n n o t f o u n d i n t h i s state of
perfection. Y o u f i n d i n a l l H i s epistles t h a t
he is ever pressing t h i s c r y of t h e S p i r i t home,
calling t o t h e c h i l d r e n of God t o be perfect.
B u t we m u s t k n o w w h a t he means b y t h i s w o r d
" P e r f e c t . " T h i s is essential. H e does n o t
mean " sinless perfection."
I t is v e r y easy t o
discern t h a t . H e is n o t speaking of such a
t h i n g , neither has he i t i n m i n d , because he
speaks of n o t h a v i n g y e t apprehended, of
n o t h a v i n g a t t a i n e d ; he is t h e chiefest of sinners
i n his o w n s i g h t : he is t h e less t h a n t h e least
of a l l saints ( i n his o w n estimation) ; a n d is n o t
w o r t h y t o be called a n apostle, as f a r as he is
concerned. There is a constant deep h u m i l i t y
of heart i n t h i s m a n ; and y e t he accounts himself
t o be ' perfect " i n a n o t h e r sense of t h e w o r d .
A n d there are others w h o are perfect, f o r as
such he exhorts t h e m As m a n y as be
perfect, be t h u s m i n d e d . " N o w t h i s w o r d
P e r f e c t " s i m p l y means t o have a t t a i n e d
the c o n d i t i o n of a n o r m a l C h r i s t i a n ,
to
have come t o t h a t stage w h i c h is t h e i n i t i a l
stage u p o n w h i c h there can be progress i n t h e
div ine life. T h a t is t o say u n t i l t h i s stage has been
reached there can be no p o s s i b i l i t y of progress i n
the d i v i n e life. W e shall be for ever m o v i n g i n
circles and c o m i n g back t o t h e same place.
M a n y of y o u here to-night w i l l bear t h i s
out. T h a t was our experience, a c o n t i n u a l
wandering a r o u n d i n circles, never g e t t i n g
t h r o u g h . Y o u h a v e t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n of t h i s
anomalous life of a professing f a i t h i n t h e
wanderings of t h e c h i l d r e n of I s r a e l . T h e y
had come o u t of K g y p t . l i n t y o u remember
how, despite t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n t o t h e m of the
m i g h t y h a n d of G o d , t h o y never
passed
4
4 4
14
57
TESTIMONY
through Jordan.
W h e n i t came t o passing
t h r o u g h J o r d a n t h e y f a i l e d , there was s h r i n k i n g a n d fear, a n d lack of f a i t h i n t h e i r
hearts, so t l i a t t h e y failed t o cross i n t o t h e
l a n d , or t h e r e a l m where
the
purposes
of God i n t h e m could be achieved. T h e n
follows t h e h i s t o r y oi t h e i r wandering i n t h e
wilderness, a c o m i n g back t o t h e same altars,
the same camps, t h e same places, t h e same
historic remembrances, anniversaries a n d a l l
sorts of recollections, b u t never g e t t i n g t h r o u g h .
They ne\ er came t o t h e basis of a life i n w h i c h
God could t a k e t h e m i n t o H i s purpose a n d
w o r k i n t h e m t h a t w h i c h H e desired. T h e y
h a d n o t been made
perfect." A n d you
remember how i n t h e Epistle t o t h e Hebrews
t h e H o l y S p i r i t stresses t h i s , a n d warns us as
t h e c h i l d r e n of G o d , s a y i n g
44
To-dav i f ve hear H i s voice, do n o t make

y o u r hearts insensible."
D o n o t m a k e y o u r hearts d u l l t o the repeated
hearing of e x h o r t a t i o n s w h i c h y o u do n o t obey ;
and t h r o u g h neglect y o u r hearts a t last become
insensible and y o u f a i l t o enter i n t o t h a t rest
of God. A n d H e s a y s
44
There r e m a i n e t h a rest f o r t h e people of

God."
H e uBes t h i s experience of t h e c h i l d r e n of
Israel f a d i n g t o enter t h e l a n d of promise
because of a lack of f a i t h , t o urge u p o n t h e
c h i l d r e n of God i n Christ t h a t t h e y i n l i k e
manner must h a v e a basis of f a i t h w h i c h enables
t h e m here and n o w , i n t i m e , t o enter i n t o t h e
rest of God, a n d he says : t h e r e r e m a i n e t h
therefore a B E S T (a keeping of Sabbath) u n t o
the people of G o d . " A basis of rest i n heart
u p o n w h i c h we can begin t o realise t h e t h i n g
f o r w h i c h God has called us i n t o t h i s s p i r i t u a l
fellowship i n C h r i s t , H i s C h u r c h . T h i s iB t o
come t o p e r f e c t i o n , m a t u r i t y , a stage of life
t h a t should be n o r m a l i n Christ, a n d w h i c h H e
intends f o r everyone w h o is called. T h e ' L o r d
never intended t h a t H i s c h i l d r e n should be
a congregation of s p i r i t u a l i n v a l i d s , freaks,
people of arreBted development w h o need a l l
k i n d s of o u t w a r d props a n d helps. H e meant
H i s people t o have i n t h e m a L i f e as sufficient
i n itself. A s H e
lived by the
Father
t h r o u g h t h e H o l y S p i r i t and had L i f e i n H i m self so H e t o l d us t h a t t h e y w h o t r u l y partake
of H i m , w h o c a t of H i s flesh a m i d r i n k of H i s
blood (this also b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t ) , t h e y too
shall have L i f e i n themselves. N o w o n l y as
y o u have L i f e i n yourself, can y o u go o n
u n t o those t h i n g s t h a t God has prepared
44
44

58
W I T N E S S
A N D
f o r y o u f r o m t h e f o u n d a t i o n of t h e w o r l d . A
coming t o perfection, a coming t o m a t u r i t y ,
a c o m i n g of age, a c o m i n g t o f u l l - g r o w t h , t h i s
iH God's i n t e n t i o n f o r every one of H i s
c h i l d r e n . A n d t h i s n o t a t t h e end of a
C h r i s t i a n experience l a s t i n g as we so o f t e n
describe i t f o r t y , fifty or s i x t y years i n t h i s
w o r l d . I t is H i s purpose a n d i n t e n t i o n t h a t
every c h i l d of G o d should come as s w i f t l y
and as q u i c k l y as possible t o t h i s stage. The
H o l y S p i r i t is ever stressing t h e necessity of
t h i s , a n d i t is one of t h e griefs of t h e S p i r i t ,
as expressed i n t h e e x h o r t a t i o n s of t h e apostle,
t h a t so m a n y
of t h e c h i l d r e n of
God
r e m a i n babes, c a r n a l , i n a stage of i m perfect d e v e l o p m e n t . Perhaps t h a t brings
us t o t h e best d e f i n i t i o n of w h a t t h e Apostle
means b y " P e r f e c t i o n . " H e means a perfect
development, a n o r m a l i t y , a stage of life
where we can f u n c t i o n , where we begin t o l i v e
t r u l y i n C h r i s t , a n d k n o w t h a t t h i s salvation of
H i s is a r e a l s a l v a t i o n w h i c h gives t o us a
perfect rest f r o m a l l those t h i n g s w h i c h
otherwise t r o u b l e , harass a n d hamper our
C h r i s t i a n progress. I t is u p o n t h e basis of this
L i f e w e begin t o harmonise
w i t h God's
purpose, a n d w o r k t o g e t h e r w i t h H i m as
priests i n H i s House, a n d f u n c t i o n i n t h e church,
w h i c h is H i s B o d y . " A s m a n y as be perfect,
let us be t h u s m i n d e d . " M i n d e d t o t h i s
tremendous urge of t h e H o l y S p i r i t , to* realise
t h e purpose of God i n t h i s age. N o w so often
w h e n one has t o speak of t h i s purpose of God,
t h i s c o n s u m m a t i o n of G o d , one finds m a n y of t h e
c h i l d r e n of G o d becoming depressed
and
bewildered and saying, " T h i s is f a r beyond
me, t h i s is impossible t o me, t h i s is some other
gospel f a r b e y o n d t h e horizons of m y v i s i o n , "
" G i v e me t h e simple G o s p e l , " a i i d thus t h e y
s u p p l y t h e v e r y evidence t o t h e necessity of
w h a t t h e A p o s t l e iB here stressingthe need
of our c o m i n g t o perfection.
N o w i f y o u t u r n t o t h e H e b r e w Epistle y o u
w i l l recognise t h a t t h e subject m a t t e r of t h a t
epistle gathers l a r g e l y a r o u n d t h i s v i t a l f a c t i n
the C h r i s t i a n experience. T h e L o r d , t h r o u g h
H i s S p i r i t , a n d t h r o u g h H i s Bervant, is seeking
t o b r i n g h o m e t o t h e hearts of those t o w h o m
. H e is w r i t i n g t h e necessity of going o n t o
perfection. H e says i n t h e ( i t h chapter, after
h a v i n g a l r e a d y spoken v e r y b l u n t words i n t h e
5 t h chapter. ( A n d do n o t , m y friends, become
depressed when the H o l y S p i r i t says hard
things t o you : " For whom tlie L o r d lovcth
H e c h a B t c n c t h . " I f y o u are being pressed by
t h e w o r d of G o d , w e l l t h a n k God for i t ; and
T E S T I M O N Y
if y o u are being s m i t t e n b y t h e w o r d of God,

open y o u r hearts more t o t h e s m i t i n g . L e t
the L o r d search y o u .
D o n ' t shirk the
searching, and t h e
chastisement
of
the
L o r d . Some of us are beginning t o love the
chastisements of t h e L o r d . H e humbles us
everj (hay. W e come before H i m every day
as n o t h i n g . A n d i f y o u k n e w t h e secrets of our
hearts before H i m , y o u w o u l d recognise there
was a great difference f r o m w h a t m i g h t seem
t o be t h e assurance w i t h w h i c h we speak
u p o n t h i s p l a t f o r m , a n d our h i d d e n a t t i t u d e
before H i m . H e does chastise us and makes
us t o realise our nothingness i n H i s presence.
W h e n we speak s t r o n g l y i n t h i s fashion, i t is
because of t h e b u r d e n of t h e L o r d , and because
we k n o w i t is t r u l y needed.)
N o w , the
H o l y S p i r i t is saying some v e r y h a r d things
here. !He says i t is impossible t o give o u t t h e
w o r d of r e v e l a t i o n w i t h p r o f i t , because those
who are hearing i t have become d u l l of hearing.
H e means spiritual
hearing. N o w v e r y often
i n our evangelical circles, we t h i n k we k n o w
all about t h e t r u t h because wc have j u s t t h e
stories of t h e gospel, and some elements of t h e
doctrine, a n d we t h i n k t h a t is a l l t h e r e is t o
know.
B u t t h e H o l y Ghost is t a k i n g " t h e
things of C h r i s t " i n t h e H e b r e w Epistle a n d
u n v e i l i n g t h e eternities, opening t h e heavens,
causing t h e glory of God t o be manifest i n the
face of Jesus Christ, and t h e w r i t e r has t o say
*' Of w h o m (even t h e L o r d Jesus) w e ' have
m a n y t h i n g s t o say a n d h a r d of i n t e r p r e t a t i o n ,
seeing ye arc become d u l l of h e a r i n g , " t h a t
is, t h e s p i r i t u a l senses have become insensible.
They do n o t grasp t h e I D K A w h e n t h e revelation
comes, i t passes over t h e m , or seems vague and
i m a g i n a r y , a n d t h e t h i n g is n o t gripped. The
H o l y S p i r i t addresses such words t o t h e
children of God, n o t unbelievers b u t believers
" Hard
of
interpretation,
seeing
yc have become d u l l of hearing. F o r when
for t h e t i m e ye o u g h t t o be teachers, ye
have need t h a t one teach y o u again w h i c h be
t h e first principles of the oracles of God : a n d
arc become such as have need of m i l k , and n o t
of strong meat. F o r everyone t h a t useth m i l k
is unskilful i n t h e w o r d of righteousness."
The l i v i n g w o r d of God w h i c h divides asunder
between soul and s p i r i t , and is ofTcetual and
operative, ye are n o t able t o bear if. " because
ye are babes ; h i l t solid food is for f u l l g r o w n
men."
Here y o u have another p i c t u r e of
those w h o are p e r f e c t f i t I-grown m e n who
have come t o m a t u r i t y , t h e age of service, when
t h e y can enter i n t o s p i r i t u a l service i n t h e
7
WITNESS
AND A
TESTIMONY
59
Lord's House ; " E v e n those w h o b y reason | f o r ever as f a r as w e are concerned. O u r heart

of use have t h e i r s p i r i t u a l senses exercised t o | is i n perfect peace a b o u t t h e t e s t i m o n y of Jesus,
discern b o t h good a n d e v i l . " A n d t h e n he : a l l t h a t w h i c h s h o u l d be t h e basis of H i s
says i n the n e x t chapter, as w e h a v e i n d i c a t e d ,
f a i t h is settled f o r us. One k n o w s when t h e
" T h a t we arc t o leave t h e first principles of , H o l y Ghost comes a m i does H i s w o r k , f o r t h i s is
Christ a n d press on u n t o p e r f e c t i o n . H e also ; t h e fashion of H i s d o i n g i t ; i t is a perfect w o r k ,
shows w h a t arc those t i l i n g s w h i c h reveal t h a t
for H e cleaves t h e depths of o u r hearts, a n d
wc are n o t come t o f u l l g r o w t h if w e are s t i l l
lays bare our inner being i n t h e presence of
concerned w i t h t h e m , i f t h e y d o n o t l i e b e h i n d ; G o d . There is a s w i f t w o r k done t h e n , a n d t h e
us as settled facts. That, is, y o u a n d I before ; i n i t i a l stage of t h e C h r i s t i a n L i f e is soon w o n
ever w c can be perfect or m a t u r e , have t o
t h r o u g h . One k n o w s t h i s f r o m personal excome t o c e r t a i n settled facts, c e r t a i n t h i n g s
perience, f o r when t h e H o l y Ghost came d o w n
have t o be d e t e r m i n e d , w c m u s t come t o a j u p o n those w h o were seeking L i f e i n t h e R e v i v a l
decision upon t h e m , a n d t h e y are t o be behind I i n Wales some t w e n t y years ago these t h i n g s of
us, once a n d f o r a l l s e t t l e d , so t h a t we have | w h i c h we arc speaking were a l l settled v e r y
no longer a n y d i f f i c u l t y a b o u t t h e m . I t does n o t i Bwiftly, men and w o m e n were prepared t o obey
mean, t h a t we ignore t h e m . There are some i and t o d o e v e r y t h i n g t h e L o r d commanded i n
friends w h o w o u l d suggest t h a t i f w e ignore i H i s W o r d . H e h a d called t h e m o u t of darkness
these v i t a l i n i t i a l a n d f u n d a m e n t a l t r u t h s , | i n t o H i s most marvellous L i g h t . T h e y were
facts a n d testimonies, t h i s f o r s o o t h indicates ; n o t t e n t a t i v e Christians, f o r somehow t h e
perfection, t h a t y o u are t o consider yourself as j heavens h a d been opened, a n d t h e y saw t h a t t h e y
superior t o t h e m , t h e y a r c beneath y o u , y o u | were n o t p l a y i n g w i t h some t e m p o r a r y t h i n g ,
ignore t h e m , t h e y d o n ' t come i n t o t h e h o r i z o n ! some n o t i o n a n d idea o f f a i t h , b u t t h e y were
of y o u r f a i t h . I t does n o t mean t h a t . I t dealing w i t h t h e l i v i n g G o d . T h e Uving G o d
means y o u h a v e passed these mile-stones, y o u . h a d come d o w n t o t h e m i n t h e H o l y Ghost
have realised t h e i r s p i r i t u a l i m p o r t , y o u have ! revealing the Person a n d W o r k of t h e L o r d Jesus,
settled t h e m , a n d y o u h a v e n o longer a n y I revealing t h e u t t e r necessity of a complete
question a b o u t t h e m . Y o u are n o t debating : break w i t h t h e o l d c r e a t i o n a n d a l l t h a t i t
t h e m a n y l o n g e r ; t h e y belong t o t h e stage of ! represented ; a n d t h e y came o u t u p o n a basis
i n i t i a l r e v e l a t i o n . T h e y came i n a t t h e I of u t t e r obedience i n w h i c h life could be
very gateway of E t e r n a l L i f e , f o r t h e y are ! b u i l t u p i n t o t h e B o d v of Christ t o t h e g l o r y
those things w h i c h m a r k e d o u t i n y o u r heart j of G o d .
the testimonies of t h e grace of G o d , " N o t
T h e A p o s t l e is u r g i n g t h i s ; b u t i t is n o t
l a y i n g again t h e f o u n d a t i o n of repentance f r o m
t h e Apostle o n l y . D o n o t m a k e t h e mistake
dead w o r k s . "
of hearing t h e voices of m e n i n t h e Scriptures.
D o n o t hear t h e voice of sav P a u l or James or
H o w o f t e n wc find t h e c h i l d r e n of G o d ,
owing t o a n .imperfect r e v e l a t i o n , everlastingly I J o h n . A great m a n y Christians are m a k i n g
t h i s mistake a n d s t r a i n i n g t h e i r cars, saying
" l a y i n g again t h e f o u n d a t i o n of repentance
P a u l teaches t h i s a n d James a n d J o h n teach
f r o m dead w o r k s " (coining back t o t h e same
t h a t . N o , t h e w o r d of G o d is n o t d i v i d e d .
t h i n g , harassed b y t h e same d o u b t s , never
I t is t h e w o r d of G o d , i t is t h e H o l y S p i r i t ' s
coming t o a realisation of t h e perfect finished
w o r k t h a t G o d has w r o u g h t f o r t h e m i n t h e l Voice. A n d once y o u a n d I come t o a clear
death a n d resurrection of b u r L o r d Jesus Clirist realisation of t h e w o r d of G o d as T h e w o r d
through H i s cross) ; of f a i t h t o w a r d G o d , of ! of G o d , " we shall u n d e r s t a n d t h a t t h e t r u t h of
the teaching of baptisms, of laying-on of hands,
G o d is n o t d i v i d e d i n t o d i f f e r e n t k i n d s o f
of resurrection of t h e dead, a n d of eternal
teaching and d i f f e r e n t k i n d s of r e v e l a t i o n s ;
judgment."
I f w c are s t i l l asking questions
b u t t h a t there is one g r e a t all-inclusive r.-velaabout these t h i n g s , t r o u b l e d about
them,
t i o n of God i n Christ g o i n g t h r o u g h H i s w o r d
revolving around t h e m , i t indicates a stage of
from Genesis to R e v e l a t i o n . W h e n t h e H o l y
i m m a t u r i t y . T h e y should have been settled,
< ihost comes d o w n and makes a m a n see t h e
and we should have come t o t h a t p o i n t where j Cross w i t h H i s G o d a n d Saviour u p o n i t , things
we ask no more questions a b o u t t h e m . W c
are s w i f t l y s e t t l e d . T h e r e is n o debating about
have heard t h e c o m m a n d m e n t of t h e L o r d i n
t h e m ; there is no r u n n i n g h i t h e r a n d t h i t h e r ,
theni-, we k n o w t h e obedience of f a i t h ; we are
asking is it r i g h t t o d o t h i s o r t h a t . T h e
f u l l y yielded t o t l i e e x h o r t a t i o n s of t h e H o l y | foundations of repentance w i t h a l l t h e i n i t i a l
(Jliost. and t h e t h i n g is done w i t h a n d settled t r u t h and t o s t i m o n y are l a i d ; t h e m a n is born
44
44

A
60
WITNESS
AND
o u t f r o m God b y the H o l y Ghost. W e l l , here

is t h e . H o l y S p i r i t , u r g i n g upon t h e saints,
as y o u and I are being urged b y H i m i n t h e
final hour of t h i s Conference, t h a t we should
press on u n t o perfection, and t h a t i n t h i s v e r y
h o u r , n o t a t a stage i n years t o come, b u t i n
t h i s v e r y m o m e n t we should leap t o t h a t L i f e
and M i n i s t r y of God w h i c h H e offers t o us i n
Christ. W e should t a k e t h e t h i n g s of Christ
w h i c h are civ en so freelv f o r our s a l v a t i o n , a n d
have the basis of our s p i r i t u a l life w e l l and t r i d y
and finally l a i d p e r f e c t i o n i n us. H e says
i n t h e t h i r d verse
TESTIMONY
! the place of t h e p a t t e r n , purpose, and entire

! resource of our calling i n Christ is i n t h e heavens.
There are t w o w o r d s w h i c h represent or
signify t w o halves of one great t r u t h A s c e n s i o n
and T r a n s l a t i o n ; these are c o m p l e m e n t a r y t o
each other. T h e one makes possible t h e other,
a n d t h e other demands t h e one.
Ascension
! is a n act, conclusive a n d d e f i n i t e . T r a n s l a t i o n
is a process c u l m i n a t i n g i n a c l i m a x . W h e n
the L o r d Jesus ascended up o n h i g h and was
,
received u p " i t was" representative and
\relative j u s t as was H i s d e a t h a n d resurrection.
As t h e representative of t h e m a n y sons w h o m
he w o u l d b r i n g t o g l o r y " H e i m m e d i a t e l y and
| definitely transferred f r o m e a r t h t o heaven the
A n d t h i s w i l l we do, i f God p e r m i t "
source of s p i r i t u a l l i f e , t h e spring of s p i r i t u a l
W c w o u l d l i k e t o hear y o u say " A m e n " t o j being ; a n d i n f a c t e v e r y t h i n g t h a t pertains
u n t o salvation, sanctification, service, g l o r y , is
t h a t . Come t o t h a t resolution, dear friends.
n
o w i n t h e heavens, and cannot be f o u n d i n the
M a k e a n end of d i l l y d a l l y i n g and h e s i t a t i o n
e
arth.
and l o o k i n g a t t h e t h i n g . Say w i t h a l l y o u r
heart's desire a n d purpose i n i t
:
F r o m t h e p o i n t of being b o r n f r o m above "
i e v e r y t h i n g i m p l i e d and i n v o l v e d i n b o t h nature
" T h i s w i l l w e d o i f God p e r m i t "
j and purpose is o u t f r o m above. A n exquisite
cameo of t h i s is f o u n d i n the 8 7 t h Psalm.
A n d God w i l l p e r m i t i t . H e w i l l t h i s very i T h e terms are t y p i c a l or i l l u s t r a t i v e . Here
n i g h t do a t h i n g i n y o u , i f y o u come t o t h a t ! t h e p a r t i a l i t y of God is seen f o r t h e s p i r i t u a l as
place where H e w a n t s y o u t o come, even t o
against t h e carnal h a b i t a t i o n s T h e n t h e t h i n g s
Calvary w i t h a l l i t s significance and make a
of g l o r y are related t o t h i s s p i r i t u a l c i t y . T h e n
clear end of a l l pettiness and littleness. Get
the boasted n a t i v i t i e s of men are reviewed :
t o t h e place where y o u are o u t f o r God a n d
t h e j boast i n h a v i n g been b o r n i n E g y p t ,
n o t h i n g else. M a k e a n end, a break w i t h
B a b y l o n , P h i l i s t i a , T y r e , or Cush. B u t transe v e r y t h i n g t h a t is t e m p o r a r y and e v e r y t h i n g
cending a l l boasts is his whose citizenship is of
t h a t temporises.
Zion and u p o n w h o m Zion's franchise has been
conferred.
T. M. J.
(To be continued)
T h e L a m b ' s book of life looms i n t o v i e w , and
the nameB are mentioned, a n d t h e all-inclusive
realisation of these heavenly citizens is t h a t
l l t h e i r w e l l springs " are t h e r e . Their's iB
INCORPORATION INTO CHRIST a aheavenly
calling, l i f e , v i s i o n , citizenship, w a l k ,
HI.
hope, c o u n t r y , k i n g d o m , &c. One of tho most
ASCENSION AND GLORY.
m a r k e d things i n t h e pre-ascension experiences
WHILE
m u c h emphasis is l a i d upon t h e
of God'B people is t h e f a i l u r e of a n y t h i n g of
death a n d resurrection of the L o r d Jesus, i t is
t h i s e a r t h t h o u g h given of G o d t o satisfy the
n o t generally realised t h a t H i s ascension is no
vision and expectation of H i s t r u l y spirituallyless i m p o r t a n t as a t r u t h basic t o our life i n
minded people. A b r a h a m had promise of a
H i m a n d f o r H i s universal purpose. I n t h e
c o u n t r y and a c i t y . H e moved o u t w i t h God,
f u l l e r u n v e i l i n g s of s p i r i t u a l life i n Christ w h i c h
b u t i t is q u i t e clear t h a t as his f a i t h expanded
came progressively t h r o u g h t h e a n o i n t i n g of
the fullest possibilities of realisation on the
the H o l y S p i r i t we have m u c h said, on the one
earth failed t o f u l f i l his hope and the promise.
h a n d , about our h a v i n g been made t o s i t i n
H e came i n t o t h o l a n d b u t he was n o t a t a l l
t h e heavenlies i n Christ, a n d , on t h o other
satisfied t h a t the promise was fulfilled ; in f a c t ,
h a n d , w e are reminded t h a t wc are strangers
though there may have been blessing and
a n d p i l g r i m s here. T h i s r e v e l a t i o n interprets
increase he grew less satisfied. T h e t r u t h is
t h e whoie B i b l e along a c e r t a i n line, and t h e
t h a t his s p i r i t u a l life waB expanding and w i t h
k e y d e c l a r a t i o n t o thiB sweep of t h e w ord is
i t his f a i t h demanded something more t h a n
t h a t t h e seat a n d baBc of a l l life and w o r k ,
t h a t of e a r t h . T h a t t o w h i c h he looked for!
44
44
44
44
44
WITNESS
AND
ward a t first as adequate t o meet t h e expectation

t h r o u g h promise, he came b y closer fellowship
with Cod t o regard as altogether insufficient.
This led h i m t o a series of refusals a n d rejections
of tilings of e a r t h l y g l o r y . T h e " Promised
Land " u l t i m a t e l y ceased to be f o r h i m a t h i n g
of e a r t h , and so writerR u m l e r t h e i l l u m i n a t i o n
of the same S p i r i t as was leading A b r a h a m t e l l
us t h a t he looked f o r " a heavenly c o u n t r y , "
and " a c i t y whose b u i l d e r (architect) a n d
maker is G o d . "
Placing over against t h i s
such passages as M a t t h e w i i i . 9, J o h n v i i i . 56,
Galatians i i i . 7, i v . 20, H e b r e w s x i i . 22, we are
surely compelled t o recognise t h a t A b r a h a m ' s
vision became more and more o t h e r - w o r l d l y "
as his f a i t h became clearer.
Simultaneously
with t h i s t h r o w i n g back of t h e h o r i z o n , and as
a means t o t h a t end, e v e r y t h i n g of e a r t h was
taken down i n t o death t o pass t h r o u g h a n d
o u t on t o resurrection g r o u n d b y resurrection
life. I t t h e n was a t h i n g no longer of t h i s
earth b u t of t h e heavens. T h i s a p p l i e d t o
possessions, relationships, prospects, v i s i o n ,
promise, f a i t h , service, c a p a c i t y .
A n i m p o r t a n t p r i n c i p l e is here revealed as
basic t o a l l t h e accomplishments of God and
of all effective life a n d service i n fellowship w i t h
God.
!l"e must come into every Divine thing as
out Jrom above, and not from the earth level.
Such phrases as " t a k i n g u p C h r i s t i a n w o r k , "
getting into Christian service," contain a
very dangerous and false concept. Unless such
would-be workers have h a d t h e i r o w n w o r k s
even f o r G o d b r o u g h t t o d e a t h , and t h e y
themselves also, t o get i n t o t h i n g s w h i c h are
related t o God is t o result i n one of three things ;
one t o be smashed b y t h e m , or t o f i n d t h e m selves sooner or l a t e r a t deadlock as i n a
cul-dc-mc, or t o go o n w i t h a show and appearance of success, b u t r e a l l y effecting n o t h i n g i n
any heavenly sense ; t h e t h i n g being of t h i s
w o r l d , t h o u g h religious and w e l l meant.
44
44
Moses u n d o u b t e d l y had a heavenly r e v e l a t i o n

in E g y p t . B y i l l u m i n a t i o n of s p i r i t he saw
t h a t t h e poor oppressed, crushed, distracted
mob of Semites were t h e elect of God (Hebrews
x i . 2.">). H e f u r t h e r saw t h a t the Cross as
the reproach of Christ was t h e method of
redemption (v. 20).
T h e n he saw
that
sin in his case w o u l d be t o r e t a i n the
pleasurable advantages of t h i s w o r l d in denial
of t h a t Cross and its o b j e c t i v e . Jn the light of
this he made his deeision ; he refused, he chose,
he forsook, and feared n o t . B u t even w h e n bo
had a r r i v e d a t t h a t p o s i t i o n in his Bpirit he had
t o li-iun tlie m a i n lesmm o f b j s |jf|.. n a n n I . <!: I
61
TESTIMONY
heavenly visions r e q u i r e heavenly i n s t r u m e n t s

f o r t h e i r realisation. H e assayed t o p u t his
r e v e l a t i o n i n t o effect f r o m the s t a n d p o i n t of
some n a t u r a l or e a r t h l y vantage g r o u n d . T h i s
jeopardised e v e r y t h i n g , b r o u g h t
confusion,
delay, shame, and fear. H e h a d t o go o u t and
t h r o u g h discipline be b r o u g h t t o his famous
/ c a n n o t , " and t h e n come i n t o i t as f r o m
above. T h e real effect was t o have been t a k e n
out a n d u p and t h e n t o come d o w n on t o i t as
f r o m above ; f o r a f t e r w a r d Moses was a m a n
| l i n k e d w i t h t h e t h r o n e of God. I t has ever
been t h u s . F o r p a t t e r n s , commissions, and
powers, a place of ascendency has been the
Divine method. I n
t h e patterns of the
t h i n g s i n t h e heavens '* a m o u n t a i n w i l l do, b u t
f o r t h e actual t h i n g s a s p i r i t u a l u n i o n w i t h the
ascended L o r d is essential.
T h i s can be t r a c e d as i n the case of Moses,
D a v i d . I s a i a h , E z c k i e l . P a u l , a n d others.
!
" T h e n t h e S p i r i t l i f t e d me u p a n d set me
j d o w n " is a clause w h i c h implies t h e D i v i n e
order.
T h i s is n o t t h e elevation of the soul b y
i m a g i n a t i o n s , ecstacies, idealisms, or m e n t a l
visions.
Such, as w e l l as false or t r u e presentations
of great prospects, m a y be presented b y the
Devil.
T h e Master refused t h e elevations a n d visions
g i v e n b y t h e enemy because the t r u e prospect
| was o n l y b y t h e w a y of t h e Cross,
j
P a u l called himself
a wise master-builder,"
j b u t t h i s i n his a c t u a l language o n l y meant
i one w h o h a d been allowed t o l o o k a t the
; A r c h i t e c t ' s p l a n a n d was w o r k i n g according t o
j i t . F o r t h i s look he had been
caught u p , "
j b u t t o be i n the S p i r i t " is always t o be caught
u p . T h e L o r d Jesus said much about being
as i n heaven while on e a r t h .
T h e Son w h i c h
i s i n the bosom of t h e F a t h e r . "
Whatsoever
he (the Son) seeth t h e F a t h e r d o i n g t h a t doeth
he, a n d i n l i k e m a n n e r . "
His Spirit had a
heavenly u n i o n by t h e H o l y s p i r i t and so He
. w r o u g h t . I t is .one t h i n g t o t a k e even the
B i b l e as a m a n u a l , text-book, or system of
t r u t h , teaching, practice, and order. I t is
. q u i t e another t h i n g t o see t h e E t e r n a l s p i r i t u a l
principles behind t h e jireccpts, practices, and
! system. The one is t o l i v e and w o r k according
t o t h e transmission o f t r u t h t h r o u g h t h e medium
of h u m a n i n t e l l i g e n c e : T h a t is, a n infinite
t r u t h has been s h a p e d i n finite terms t o m a k e i t
intelligible t o men. T h e other is t o apprehend
: by a quickened and renewed s p i r i t the infinite
11
44
44
44
1
;
44
44
siVoiibeimee nf t h e r e v e l a t i o n .
The transmission

<*2
W I T N E S S
A N D
TESTIMONY
represents t h e h u m a n range, t l i e s p i r i t u a l ! w i t h h i m a n d be w i t h h i m i n t h e place of

r e v e l a t i o n i n f i n i t e l y transcends t h i s , a n d re- | ascension.
(piires a heavenly mind;the m i n d of the s p i r i t j
I t is ever t h u s . T h e H o l y S p i r i t mediates
as against t h e m i n d of t h e flesh.
the sovereigntv of t h e H e a d t o and t h r o u g h
the B o d y , and for t h i s " H o l d i n g t h e Head "
Only, such as have been made one w i t h the
heavenly u n i o n is essential.
T h e Church is
ascended Christ have H i s m i n d and can effect i v e l y serve H i m . I n so m a n y ways t h e f a c t . ! a heavenly b o d y n o t an e a r t h l y society,
i n s t i t u t i o n , organisation.
T h e ccelessiastical
n a t u r e , and need of ascension union w i t h Christ
systems of this w o r l d w h i c h call themselves
is emphasised i n t h e whole B i b l e and cspeciallj
i n the N e w T e s t a m e n t . H e ascended w i t h the j " t h e C h u r c h " and " t h e Churches," arc too
keys of a u t h o r i t y i n H i s possession. As m a n ! often a grotesque caricature. There arc no
a n d f o r m a n t h e d o m i n i o n h a d been wrested j sects, denominations, " branches of t h e c h u r c h , "
f r o m t h e Prince of t h i s w o r l d . As a m i g h t y ' w i t h God. O n l y one Church exists i n t h e m i n d
and interest of God, and t h a t " the Church of
conqueror H e was " received u p . " T h i s v i c the F i r s t b o r n , " and a l l t h i s other mess is because
torious r e t u r n was foreshadowed i n the s p i r i t
there has been an a t t e m p t made again and
of t h e Psalmist when he sang
again t o set up something f o r God on this earth
" L i f t up y o u r heads, 0 ye -gates ; and be
ye l i f t up ye everlasting doors, and the k i n g , as of t h e e a r t h . God is not i n t h i s , b u t leaving
i t t o compass i t s o w n end i n confusion, or
of g l o r y shall come i n . . . . T h e L o r d m i g h t y
proceed apace i n i t s delusion, H e is q u i e t l y ,
in b a t t l e . . . . "
w
i t h o u t sound of axe or h a m m e r p u t t i n g H i s
I f i t is t r u e t h a t Christ has t a k e n our h u m a n i t y , j
elect
stones i n t o a s p i r i t u a l t e m p l e , a heavenly
redeemed, p u r g e d , sanctified, i n t o the v e r y
house.
O n l y such as have the vantage ground
t h r o n e of God, a n d is r e p r o d u c i n g t h i s corporate I
of
t
h
e
heavenly
places w i l l see t h i s , discounteu n i o n of H i m s e l f w i t h us a n d of ourselves w i t h !
nance
t
h
e
false,
and find f u l l blessedness in
H i m s e l f i n H i s B o d y t h e C h u r c h , t h e n ascen- j
doing
w
h
a
t
the
F
a
t h e r is d o i n g .
sion u n i o n means t h a t we n o w have a place i n j
t h e place of H i s sovereignty t o have d o m i n i o n j
W e n o w proceed t o say a l i t t l e a b o u t t h a t
i n H i m over p r i n c i p a l i t i e s and powers. T h e
half of t h i s t r u t h i m p l i e d i n t h e w o r d " Transsafer w a y t o state t h i s is t h a t H i s Sovereignty
l a t i o n . " A t the outset we said t h a t " transf u n c t i o n s o r is m e a n t t o f u n c t i o n t h r o u g h
l a t i o n is a process c u l m i n a t i n g i n a c l i m a x . "
H i s B o d y and a l l i t s members.
j The c l i m a x is, of course, t h e appearing of our
There are o t h e r doors mentioned i n t h i s j L o r d and Saviour Jesus Christ. The whole
connection beside t h e E v e r l a s t i n g doors. There j course of Christian experience when w r o u g h t
are " T h e gates of. H a d e s , " w h i c h means t h e ; out b y God is one of progressive t r a n s i t i o n or
councils a n d schemes and j u d g m e n t s of hell.
t r a n s l a t i o n f r o m earthlies t o heavenlies.
Faith
These arc represented as being againBt t h e
is t h e p r i n c i p l e of t r a n s l a t i o n and i t s v e r y
C h u r c h . I t is therefore said t h a t , because of j nature demands a basis w h i c h is s p i r i t u a l and
t h e heavenly- xinion w i t h a n d i n . H i m w h o has I not of t h e senses, w h i c h is heavenly and n o t
passed t r i u m p h a n t l y t h r o u g h t h e everlasting | of the e a r t h . T h e L o r d ' s dealings w i t h H i s
doors, these o t h e r " gates " shall n o t p r e v a i l , i people have ever been r e s u l t a n t i n t h e i r losing
because H i s sovereignty is i n t h e Church and j a l l e a r t h l y ground of confidence and assurance
t h e Church is i n H i s Sovereignty, N o t t o a i and being made u t t e r l y dependent
upon
Jewish group as such, or t o t h e nucleus of an | Himself.
e a r t h l y k i n g d o m r e l a t e d t o a n y one age, b u t |
F a i t h always brings us i n t o precarious and
t o t h e nucleus of H i s church H e addressed the I d i f l i c u l t situations. F a i t h always demands a
above words a b o u t b u i l d i n g t h a t church and j l e t t i n g go of things seen and t e m p o r a l . F a i t h
i t s ascendency over the councils of h e l l . T o j threatens and carries o u t its t h r e a t t o bewilder
t h e m as such H e also said " B e h o l d I give y o u j and confound our n a t u r a l j u d g m e n t s , w i s d o m ,
a u t h o r i t y . " T h i s i n t h e l i g h t of H i s Cross j acumen, hope, confidence, and security. F a i t h
w h i c h was t h e a b i d i n g background of all H i s ; never fails t o cut the ties of our n a t u r a l safety,
utterances and actions. There can be no \and d r y up the springs of our h u m a n resource.
resting of t h e H o l y S p i r i t i n and upon believers
A l l this must be in order to open up an entire
o n l y as i n c o r p o r a t i o n i n Christ Crucified, B u r i e d , ! system of heavenly fulness, ( h i d makes reveRisen, and Ascended has t a k e n place. F o r
lation indispensible and H i s o w n heavenly
EliBha t o receive t h e " double p o r t i o n " of his
realities absolutely essential t o existence. T h u s
master's s p i r i t lie m u s t pass t h r o u g h J o r d a n
H e meets UB i n some challenge nnd demand, a
7
WITNESS
AND
crisis is p r e c i p i t a t e d , a step i n the obedience of

f a i t h is r e q u i r e d , and w h e n it is taken it is a
step u p w a r d whieh gives us some s p i r i t u a l
vantage ground where we see w h a t we d i d n o t
know before. . T h u s by a succession of u p w a r d
steps in f a i t h we are h a v i n g the f a i t h of God's
elect w r o u g h t i n us in p r e p a r a t i o n f o r that
climax i n t r a n s l a t i o n . It is corporate f a i t h i n
the whole B o d y of C h r i s t , p r o v i n g i t t o be
w h a t i t r e a l l y i s a heavenly B o d y t h a t w i l l
b r i n g a b o u t the advent of Christ.
The
Second Coming of Christ " is n o t some merely
historical event i n a D i v i n e time-table of
prophesy. I t is the c l i m a x of f a i t h i n t h e
Body of C h r i s t , w h i c h f a i t h has severed t h a t
Body absolutely f r o m t h e w o r l d and merely
e a r t h l y t h i n g s , even 1 hough t h e y be religious
things a n d systems. T h e obedience Of f a i t h
increases capacity for apprehending the s p i r i t u a l ,
eternal, and unseen principles of God's eternal
purpose, a n d thus makes possible t h e effecting
of t h a t purpose. Surely t h i s is t h e p r i n c i p l e
r u n n i n g t h r o u g h Hebrews x i . as a s u m m a r y of
the n a t u r e and course of f a i t h . B u t i t is
One
F a i t h , " even
T h e F a i t h of t h e Son of G o d . "
This f a i t h is a m i g h t y energy, s p i r i t u a l l y m i l i t a n t , and the means by w h i c h t h e battles of
the L o r d have ever been f o u g h t . T h u s i t is
t h a t t h e f i n a l great c o n f l i c t w i t h the Satanic
heirarchy w i l l be b r o u g h t t o a v i c t o r i o u s issue
by the f a i t h of the C h r i s t t r i u m p h a n t i n H i s
Church (Revelations x i i . 11). T h u s shall t h e
sovereignty of the heavens be established over
the g a t e s " (counsels) of hell b y tlie Church,
and the earth w i l l feci t h e i m p a c t of t h a t
triumphant faith.
44
44
44
4 4
This k i n d of t r a n s l a t i o n f a i t h is rare and fewthere are who w i l l pay i t s price. W e l l might

the L o r d ask if H e s h a l l f i n d i t i n the earth a t
His coming. L e t i t be emphasised once more
t h a t t r a n s f e r r i n g of a l l t h i n g s t o t h e heavenlies
so that wc arc feeling more and more the strangeness of strangers, and the homclessness of
pilgrims here, and the athomencss i n s p i r i t u a l
and heavenly t h i n g s is t h e n a t u r a l course of a
true life i n God. W h e n we are finally translated, or when the c l i m a x comes, i t w i l l be no
great change for our inner m a n ; there w i l l be
no awkwardness or feeling of being out of place
and strange. B u t j u s t t h e last phase of the
spiritual journey where the g l o r y breaks upon us,
and like Knoch, W e are n o t , f o r God took u s . "
I t only romains to be said t h a i this is the
path of and t o the ( ' l o r y .
The g l o r y is always heavenly g l o r y . U l t i mately i t w i l l be manifested in a perfected
44
63
TESTIMONY
h u m a n i t y . A t present i t is secretly w i t h i n the

s p i r i t of the believer, a n d w i t h each fresh step
up i n f a i t h , t h a t w h i c h cannot be defined t o
others becomes more w o n d e r f u l t o h i m . I t
w o u l d be a poor r e f l e c t i o n of the D i v i n e G l o r y
t o say that i t is i n c o r r u p t i o n and i n c o r r u p t ableness, perfection of u n d e r s t a n d i n g , perfection of
harmoniousness, p e r f e c t i o n of capacity, perfection of graciousness.
B u t almost imperceptably t h e m o v e m e n t of f a i t h a n d the action
of Grace is leading on t o t h i s . T h e i n c o r r u p t i b l e
seed w h i c h makes possible t h e i n c o r r u p t i b l e
b o d y is already i n t h e sons of G o d b y f a i t h .
There is a n opening of t h e eyes of t h e i r understanding, and heavenly t h i n g s f o r t h e m are
much more real t h a n the things seen. There
is a peace w h i c h passeth understanding realised
i n deep crises w h i c h is t h e f r u i t of a harmoniousness i n the w i l l w i t h God's w i l l . The w o r d
peace " w o u l d always be b e t t e r translated
h a r m o n y . So also s p i r i t u a l capacity is t h a t
w h i c h transcends t h e l i m i t a t i o n s of t i m e and
space, and bounds t h e universe i n effects and
issues. A n d the graciousness of D i v i n e l o v e ,
compassion, tenderness, considerateness, h u m i l i t y , & c , need no p o i n t i n g o u t t o be the g l o r y
of* God.
44
These t h i n g s , however, do n o t t o u c h a l l t h a t
H i s g l o r y means. Perfection of character,
capacity, and service, b r i n g perfection of
satisfaction, t h i s is b u t t h e basis of H i s G l o r y .
Here we have t o stop s h o r t . T h i s g l o r y can
o n l y be k n o w n i n s p i r i t and n o t p o r t r a y e d i n
words. W e r e m i n d ourselves t h a t i t is w r i t t e n
t h a t wc have been
called u n t o H i s E t e r n a l
G l o r v , " a n d t h a t our s a l v a t i o n is w i t h eternal
g l o r y " and that
the l i g h t affliction worketh
an exceeding w e i g h t of G l o r y . "
44
44
44
So as wc have been
crucified together w i t h
H i m , " buried w i t h H i m , V raised w i t h H i m , "
so we are ascended a n d glorified together w i t h
Him.
M a y wc have grace t h a t every movement of
God b y w h i c h H e w o u l d m a k e our ascension
union "manifest and e x p e r i m e n t a l l y real m a y
find a n
A m e n " i n our h e a r t , cost w h a t i t
may i n the u p r o o t i n g of our lives f r o m e a r t h .
44
4 4
4 4
44
H e w o u l d have us see t h e heavens open

always and the representative and inclusive
Son of M a "
i n the g l o r y as vs. even while
we are on the E a r t h ; e v e r y t h i n g i n m i n i s t r y
here m o v i n g f r o m and t o t h e heavens.
44
T , A.-ST

6t
A VV 1TN ESS
A N D _ A _ T R 5 T I M ON Y_
THIS MINISTRY
(Kciumwr. htisrter.KS.)
Tin-: H o n o r O a k (.'hristian Kollowship C e n t r e is, ns its n a m e p l a i n l y i m p l i e s , n o t h i n g uwm?
a n d n o t h i n g less t h a n a centro it fellowship in the H o l y S p i r i t far s u c h of the c h i l d r e n of C o i l
t h r o u g h f a i t h in J e s u s C h r i s t o u r L o r d as shnll ho led to g a t h e r w i t h us f r o m t i m e to t i m e .
I t is e n t i r e l y free in s u c h s e n s e from d e n o m i n a t i o n a l a s s o c i a t i o n s of a n y k i n d .
T h i s h e i u g so it s h o u l d not h e n e c e s s a r y to s t a t e f u r t h e r t h a t wo do n o t c o n s i d e r ourselves
to h e a n y o t h e r t h a n a fellowship of the L o r d ' s pcoplo : wo a r e n o t a n e w h o d y or s e c t .
O n t h e c o n t r a r y w e a r e open t o fellowship, ns g i v e n b y tho S p i r i t , w i t h nil m e m b e r s of tho
O n e B o d y of C h r i s t , H i s C h u r c h , i n a l l the w o r l d .
N e v e r t h e l e s s w o realise t h e L o r d h a s c a l l e d us i n t o t h i s l i b e r t y a s o u t f r o m s y s t e m a t i s e d
a n d o r g a n i s e d " c h u r c h e s '' for a specific m i n i s t r y of t e s t i m o n y i n a n d to t h e B o d y of C h r i s t ,
a n d to t h i s t r u s t w e m u s t bo f a i t h f u l .
O u r b a s i s is n o n e o t h e r t h a n the r e v e l a t i o n of G o d i n J e s u s t h e C h r i s t a s g i v e n b y the
S p i r i t i n t h e u n d i v i d e d w o r d of G o d . the h o l y s c r i p t u r e s , b o t h O l d a n d N e w T e s t a m e n t s .
W e p r o c l a i m J e s u s as the C h r i s t of G o d , O n l y B e g o t t e n f r o m a l l e t e r n i t y , b u t b e c o m e
MAX f o r u s : H i m , crucified, r i s e n , ascended, glorified i n t h e G o d h e a d , a n d the G o d h e a d i n
H i m , Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
W e recognise t h e w o r k of t h e H o l y S p i r i t in t h i s age a s f o i m i n g t h e B o d y of C h r i s t i n a
c a l l i n g a n d e l e c t i o n out from a m o n g the nations, a n d t h a t tho c o m p l e t i o n a n d perfection of
t h i s B o d y is b o u n d u p i n the S p i r i t w i t h the " c o m i n g " of o u r L o r d J e s u s , t h e H e a d of this
c h u r c h , w h i c h w i l l t h e n be glorified together w i t h H i m , b o t h t h o s e w h o sleep t h r o u g h J e s u s ,
a n d t h e s e w h o s h a l l be a l i v e o n the e a r t h , h a v i n g r e m a i n e d u n t o H i s " c o m i n g . "
We
recognise o n l y O n e B o d y .
T h e unities of E p h e s i a n s i v . 4 a n d 5 b e i n g o u r s a f e g u a r d f r o m
s c h i s m a n d error in this direction.
T o t h i s e n d w e behove i t i s t h e c a l l of the s a i n t s t h a t t h i s gospel of t h e S o v e r e i g n t y
o f J e s u s a s L o r d , b y r e a s o n of H i s Cross, s h o u l d be p r e a c h e d for a w i t n e s s a m o n g a l l n a t i o n s .
W e e m p h a s i s e t h e C r o s s therefore a s the m e a n s t h a t t h e S p i r i t u s e s t o a c c o m p l i s h t h e
e n d s of G o d : b y t h e Cross w e include all t h a t m i g h t y w o r k of G o d t h r o u g h t h e E t e r n a l
S p i r i t w h e r e b y o u r S a v i o u r p u t a w a y s i n , j u d g e d t h e w o r l d , nullified d e a t h , a n d v a n q u i s h e d
S a t a n , i n t h e s a c r i f i c e of H i m s e l f ; it embraces c o n s e q u e n t l y H i s d e a t h , b u r i a l , a n d r e s u r r e c t i o n
i n t o t h e T h r o n e of G o d . T h i s V i c t o r y i s sealed to u s i n t h e B l o o d of t h e N e w C o v e n a n t .
A s " o b e d i e n t c h i l d r e n " w o bear specific testimonies to t h e d e a t h of our L o r d a n d t o
t l i e u n i t y of H i s b o d y a s these a r e revealed in t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t , n a m e l y , tlie one b a p t i s m
of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h o u r L o r d i n H i s d e a t h , b u r i a l , r e s u r r e c t i o n ( R o m a n s v i . 3, Colossians i i .
1 2 ) : t h e L o r d ' s t a b l e as p r o c l a i m i n g H i s d e a t h u n t i l H e c o m e a n d a s a d i s c e r n i n g of the
c o r p o r a t e n a t u r e of t h e B o d y o f C h r i s t , the C h u r c h |T. C o r i n t h i a n s x i . 2 9 , x . 10, 17, Jfcc).
W e a l s o recognise t h e D i v i n e a u t h o r i t y of J a m e s v . 14, 15, a n d r e s p o n d to the call of tho
s i c k m e m b e r s of C h r i s t , p r a y i n g w i t h t h e m a n d a n o i n t i n g t h e m w i t h oil in the N a m e of the
L o r d , t h i s p r i v a t e l y , a n d o n l y i n s u c h cases as those i n w h o m w e d i s c e r n a s p i r i t u a l recognition
of t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e of t h i s t e s t i m o n y , v i z . , a n a c k n o w l e d g m e n t of t h e A n o i n t i n g S p i r i t W h o
r e s t s i n a n d u p o n t h e B o d y of C h r i s t because of t h e A n o i n t e d H e a d , u n d e r w h i c h anointing
t h e b e l i e v e r c a n c l a i m c o v e r i n g through the B l o o d . W e also p r a y , w i t h t h e laying-on of
h a n d s of tho p r e s b y t e r y , over s u c h as in the a s s e m b l y of t h e L o r d ' s people h a v e borne
w i t n e s s to t h e i r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h their L o n l in b a p t i s m , a n d also o v e r s u c h a s the H o l y S p i r i t
h a s c a l l e d to s p e c i f i c m i n i s t r y .
I n a l l s u c h cases it is k e p t i n m i n d t h a t these are c orpora te
a c t s of f a i t h in p r n y c r on the p a r t of the a s s e m b l y in w h i c h t h e elders a r e b u t representative.
F o r i n nil these m n t t e r s of t h e L o r d ' s H o u s e w c c l a i m no p e c u l i a r a u t h o r i t y , nor do wo
m a k e o u r s e l v e s o t h e r t h a n t h a t w h i c h should he e v e r f o u n d w h e r e the L o r d ' s peoplo are
gathered i n the H o l y Spirit unto H i s Name,
'J here lie it.
W e tlo not r e g a r d those testimonies ns o r d i n a n c e s in tho e c c l e s i a s t i c a l sense, neither
do w e regard t h e m ns c o n d i t i o n a l to s a l v a t i o n : h u t wo h a v e p r o v e d t h e m to he m e a n s of
grace, p l e a s i n g to t h e L o r d as a c t s of obedience, testimonies to tho faith once for all delivered
u n t o t h e s a i n t s , a n d revealed a s s u c h in the s c r i p t u r e s . W e therefore cannot but choose to
h o n o u r I h e m e v e n as wo h o n o u r the L o r d l ho Sjiril W h o g a v e thorn.
O u r financial b a s i s is one of faith, relying s i m p l y u p o n t h e L o r d ' s provision for H i s o w n
w o r k t h r o u g h the s t e w a r d s h i p of H i s people.
(race he w i t h all t h e m t h a t lovu our L o r d J e s u s C h r i s t in s i n c e r i t y .
P r i m e d by T b u A l b e i u o u m
l'tw,
Hand
13, B r a u ' a B u i l i l i i i K s T C h a n c o r y Laja, L o n d o n , 1C.C.4.

JUNE,
1927
Vol.
5,
No.
6.
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as from
T H E HONOR O A K C H R I S T I A N F E L L O W S H I P
CENTRE,
Meetings for S p i r i t u a l Edification, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
Sundayt: 11 a.m. 3 p.m. & 6.30 p m. Mondays: 7.30 p.m. Wednesdays: 3 p.m. Saturdays: 3.30 p.m.& 7 p.m.
Conferences arc held every week-end (Saturday and S u n d a y ) , and also a longer week-end at the
beginning of each month, this fixed by the first S u n d a y . ( F r i d a y to Monday evenings,
inclusive.) A l l particulars may be obtained from G . Paterson, Honor O a k C h r i s t i a n Fellowship
Centre, Honor Oak R o a d , S . E . 2 3 .
M i n i s t e r s : T . Austin S p a r k e s ; T . Madoc J e f f r e y s ;
O. Paterson (Qencral S e c r e t a r y ) .
Q u est H o u s e H o s t e s s e s : L a d y Ogle ; M r s . A\. B r a n d .
Telephone: Sydenham 5216.
Telegrams: " Byndesmos, Forest. London."
Cables: " Syndesmos, London.
A WITNESS
66
MINISTERS'
AND
LETTER
I N OUR
LORD,
June, 192". . j
He is giving to all of us, as wc abide in the

Anointing, both grace and glory. A n d these
twain must needs be together, for wc not only
need grace to sustain glory when i t shall be
manifest, but the present operations of glory
are so painful t o our " flesh " that only His
grace is sufficient t o endure them.
For the principle of glory, as in us now, is
t h a t of fellowship i n the sufferings of the
Christ. The glorj is not now manifestedtho
universe waits for t h a t , and we hope for i t
i t is a hidden glory of the heart. I n the deeps
of our being God is fashioning t h a t glorious conf o r m i t y to the image of H i s Son. Many sons
shall be brought unto glory.
" I have chosen thee i n the furnace of afflict i o n / ' and " H e shall sit as a refiner and purifier
of s i l v e r / ' are t w o words t h a t indicate the
character of t h a t grace which now works i n our
hearts as being the very filial nature of H i m
Who learned obedience through the things
t h a t H e suffered, and so came to consummation
as our Saviour.
T h e grace of the L o r d Jesus- Christ be w i t h
t h y spirit"
Yes, for there is the operating
sphere of grace, a deep inwrought likeness to
the S p i r i t of H i m Who pleased not Himself at
any t i m e , neither had pleasure i n His own w i l l ,
undefined as t h a t w i l l was, b u t subjected H i m self t o a W I L L t h a t became a Gethsemane of
pressure, and a Calvary of passion, b u t emerged
i n a shout of V i c t o r y and a Resurrection into
Glory.
B u t this is the miracle of grace, His grace.
A n d H e still addresses us encouragingly as we
wonder whether we can possibly endure the
weight of His yoke. " M y yoke is easy, and M y
burden is l i g h t " because also, " M y grace is
sufficient for t h e e . "
Does this need the telling ? For you have
heard of the grace of our L o r d Jesus Christ,
. . . . I t is the wondrous story. The loveliness
of t h a t filial obedience t o such an emptying,
and such a humbling consequent upon the
emptying, is the Theme of our new song,
" W o r t h y art Thou ! "
Then let us not utter cry, nor even entertain
the smart of our hurt flesh, because God is
educating our spirit i n Sonship that wc may
be able to sustain the weight of glory.
*
TESTIMONY
For the invisible glory already is ours. He

The daily
dyings, the pressures almost beyond measure,
the battle in the gates, but drive us to entertain
H i m in the hidden shrine of our spirit, where
the blood speaks peace, and the glory of our
Beloved is made manifest, even Jesus, crowned
w i t h glory and honour, who by the grace of
God tasted death for every man. Yes, by the
grace of God.
Shall wc not also, by the same grace, taste
our own death in His. For " The bitter is
(or should be) sweet " n o w ;
the medicine
f o o d . " Marah's waters are sweetened by that
Tree.
A n d so, maintain the affirmative " I F S " of
our f a i t h , which are confirmative also, " I F SO
be t h a t we suflcr-togcther-with H i m , t h a t we
may be also glorified-togcthcr-ivith H i m . "
j is storing i t w i t h i n our hearts.
(Honor Oak Christian Fellowship Centre,)

BELOVED
!
j
j
Yours, counting i t j o y ,
T.
T.
THE
AUSTIN-SPARKS,
MADOC
JEFFREYS.
FELLOWSHIP
AND
MINISTRY
INAUGURATIONS
The " Opening D a y , " May 2Sth, found the

" House " meet and prepared for the Master's
use, but much service had t o be packed into
the immediately previous days. However, all
things were serviceable and ready. A large
company of such as have a spiritual interest
i n the work came together, and meeting first of
all i n the tent the L o r d gave us a spirit of
reverence and praise, so t h a t the element of
sight-seeing was quite eliminated. Indeed,
there was small danger of this for those who
came had gathered i n the fellowship of the
ministry t h a t this " House " stands for, a
ministry in and to tho Body of Christ in all
the world, and tho responsibility for this work
of faith and labour of love lay as a burden of
prayer upon all hearts.
Parties of twenty were conducted through
the House by the brethren, and explanations
i were given of the Lord's goodness in providing
directly so much of what was seen, as well as
of the extensive alterations and adaptations
that had been made. The prevailing feeling
was one of wonder and even of awe at what
God had wrought. A l l things were so mani! festly of Himself in their order and perfectness.
A WITNESS
AND
and the fact t h a t the provision of all these

had come without any o{ tho usual appeals
stamped the whole, matter a s one of If is doing.
WHITSUNTIDE
CONFERENCE
The chief impression t h a t remains with us
of this time of great refreshing is t h a t of a
Divine carrying through in a tide of Life and
of the Spirit's witness to the w i l l of God. I t
was a season of blessed confirmations. First,
the " House " was f u l l , ami this was not onto
with guests but w i t h the Presence of the L o r d
in peace and power.
The gatherings were unprecedented i n sizci
and the tent proved too small to hold the
Monday afternoon and evening assemblies.
Over 300 met t h a t evening around the Lord's
table.
One of the results of this increase i n attendance has been to change our thought as to the
required capacity of the new Conference H a l l ,
and the plans have been altered to arrange for
a seating accommodation of 600.
B u t i t is far f r o m our m i n d to t h i n k of
spiritual prosperity i n terms of mere number,
for there are always perils to be found i n any
kind of popularity, and i n a testimoney of this
character that places the Cross of the L o r d
Jesus as the central dynamic of life and service,
only those who are prepared to pay the price
that the Cross demands are going to endure
unto the end. Nevertheless i t is encouraging
to note the real hunger for the T r u t h t h a t
gathers such companies together f r o m distances
near and far, and i t is a further call for praise
that the Lord met the crisic needs of many
hearts and that throughout the conference the
messages were clear and strong. While the
theme of T h e Cross and the H o l y S p i r i t "
was adhered to i n the main the L o r d gave
some fresh emphasis and revelation upon the
nature of His Blood, and also upon His Body
as the first f r u i t of the New Creation. Towards
the end of the time (and perhaps the final but
smaller meetings of the Tuesday and Wednesday were the more significant) the chief emphasis
was upon the reenwed spirit of the believer,
how this is the organ of the H o l y Spirit, and
that the primary need of the children of God in
these days of perilous deceptions is a clear and
jght discrimination between soul and spirit.
The " excavation " of the spirit, so to speak, its
severing from the soulish or psychic, elements
f our natural religious life, is a work that only
the living word of God can accomplish. N o t
4 t
TESTIMONY
67
only arc the days fraught w i t h the peril of the

Satanic invasion among the children of God in
deceptions and counterfeits, but the spirit of
schism and of failure to recognise the Body
of Christ according to the New Testament
pattern and testimony, all comes about because
of a lack in appreciating the true realm of the
H o l y Spirit's operation, viz., the renewed spirit,
the inner man of the heart.
Nothing less than the H o l y Ghost applied
power of the w o r d of God can pierce asunder to
the dividing between soul and spirit, so that the
pure life of t l i a t which is God-born may come
under the Anointing. The H o l y S p i r i t does
not come upon the " flesh " or soulish nature.
Such so-called baptisms are the counterfeit of
that which marks the Christ of God. The
Anointing is the recognition of the S p i r i t of that
which is begotten of the Spirit, a n d therefore
is spirit.
EXTENSION
OF
T H E
TESTIMONY
The need f o r taking o u t the t r u t h received

and declaring i t i n the " field " is pressing upon
us, and the time has come when for the summer
months at least those who have been i n residence
w i t h U3 during the past weeks, must go f o r t h
bearing the " precious seed."
As indicated i n our last number there are
doors already open, and we feel the hour has
come for these young people to go out. Particulars of the proposed ministry, localities and
itinerary, cannot at this time be given, as the
Lord's method w i t h us appears to be t h a t in
every particular the principle must be that of
faith, and t h a t then the way opens up further.
I t w i l l therefore be interesting to see what the
L o r d w i l l do w i t h these young lives i n the
coming months.
I t may be stated here t h a t if there are any
centres known to our readers where there is an
urgent demand for the proclamatian of the
" Testimony " we should be ready, as the L o r d
directed, to respond to such appeals.
MtNISTRrKS
FROM
WlTIIIK.
I t would appear also t h a t the clamant need

for an increased number of such as can give out
the f u l l message of the Cross as the testimony
of the Body of Ch'-ist f r o m the standpoint of a
personal experience of its power is going to be
met in some measure f r o m w i t h i n our fellowship.
We have been prayerfully watching for indications i)i the Lord's Anointing f o r ministry
in the. Word in this direction, and i t has been an

_A_WITNES5
68
AND
e n c o u r a g e m e n t to r e c o g n i s e t h e h a n d of C o d
u p o n s o m e of o u r b r e t h r e n .
W e can only trust
t h a t a s t h e y abide under H i s S h a d o w in true
h u m i l i t y of h e a r t t h i s m i n i s t r y s h a l l i n c r e a s e
a n d t h a t the t i m e w i l l c o m e w h e n t h e L o r d
s h a l l m a n i f e s t l y s e p a r a t e t h e m u n t o t h e vrt>rk.
T h e r e arc already indications that w c shall
b e s h o r t l y o b l i g e d to m e e t t h e d e m a n d s of s o m e
centres for a more continuous ministry. T h e
p r e s e n t v i s i t s to s u c h p l a c e s a r c too f e w a n d f a r
b e t w e e n to satisfy the need. S o m a n y children
of G o d a r e c r y i n g o u t for c o r p o r a t e f e l l o w s h i p
i n p r a y e r u p o n t h e b a s i s of C a l v a r y ' s f u l l
v i n d i c a t i o n , a n d i t w o u l d s e e m that it is almost
i m p o s s i b l e to h a v e i t h i s n e e d m e t i n t h e c h u r c h e s ,
so n a m e d .
I t therefore becomes a n imperative
c h a l l e n g e to t h i s " T e s t i m o n y of J e s u s " a s h i
a n d t o t h e B o d y o f C h r i s t to m e e t these s c a t t e r e d
c h i l d r e n of G o d , h u n g r y n o t o n l y for t h e W o r d ,
b u t s t a r v i n g for t h a t fellowship i n the H o l y
S p i r i t w h i c h is a l a w of life i n t h e C h r i s t .
B u t t h i s w o r k n e e d s to b e f r e e , w i t h o u t s u s p i c i o n o f a n y a t t e m p t to o r g a n i s e a n e w d e n o m i n a t i o n ( t h e L o r d f o r b i d !) a n d so e a c h s t e p m u s t
b e t a k e n a l o n g a w a y o p e n e d b y t h e S p i r i t of
God, and in His wisdom.
. A t J e r s e y , Newcastle, and Jarrow, this crying
n e e d of the L o r d ' s o w n people became a l m o s t
tragically evident.
I n e a c h case there w a s
great liberty i n message-giving, the hungry
were f e d , a n d a situation has developed that
w o u l d s e e m to r e q u i r e f u r t h e r m i n i s t r y .
May
t h e L o r d w a t c h o v e r the seed sown, a n d over
the g r o u n d also, for we k n o w that the enemy
is b u s y .
THE GUEST
HOUSE
A l l t h e rooms a r e now equipped, a n d w e are

a b l e t o a c c o m m o d a t e m a n y of t h e g u e s t s for
the w e e k l y a n d m o n t h l y conferences a s well
a s s u c h a s h a v e c o m e i n t o r e s i d e n c e for t r a i n i n g .
A l l p a r t i c u l a r s a s to t h i s s e r v i c e s h o u l d be
a d d r e s s e d to our b r o t h e r , M r . P a t e r s o n , a t t h e
Centre.
L a d y O g l e h a s b e e n o b l i g e d to l e a v e u s for
s o m e w h i l e to t a k e u p a p e r s o n a l m i n i s t r y i n
Italy.
S h e h o p e s t o r e j o i n us ais soon a s the
w a y m a y re-open.
W e thank G o d that distnneo
d o e s n o t d e s t r o y t h e sense of h e r close a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h us a n d of Iter real f e l l o w s h i p i n the
work.
AUGUST
CONFERENCE
W e h a v e felt t h a t t h e A u g u s t B a n k H o l i d a y
w e e k a f f o r d s a n o p p o r t u n i t y for a H o l i d a y t'oiifcrencc.
TESTIMONY
T h e t i m e for g a t h e r i n g is s u g g e s t e d to bo
from
F r i d a y e v e n i n g . J u l y 2 0 , to t h a t
of
August 5th.
T h e s y l l a b u s will he issued in
full i n o u r n e x t i s s u e .
M e a n w h i l e i t w o u l d he
wise a n d desirable for friends w h o would like
to j o i n us to s e n d i n t h e i r a p p l i c a t i o n s i m m e diately.
O u r w e e k - e n d c o n f e r e n c e s n o w m a k e the
ministry almost continuous, but w c shall have
t h e l o n g e r w e e k - e n d s e a s o n , J u l y 1st to t h e 4 t h
( F r i d a y to M o n d a y ) .
NEWCASTLE
T h e next Monthly Conference, 3rd F r i d a y in
the month, will be held J u l y 15th. J a r r o w will
be visited 13th a n d 14th.
THINGS
THAT
DIFFER
LACK of s p i r i t u a l p e r c e p t i o n a n d d i s c e r n m e n t
is a c c o u n t a b l e f o r m o r e c o n f u s i o n , p a r a l y s i s ,
i n e f f e c t i v e n e s s , a n d f a i l u r e i n C h r i s t i a n life
a n d service t h a n w e realise.
T h i s l a c k is i t s e l f a n i n d i c a t i o n of m a n y
t h i n g s , b u t p r i m a r i l y of f a i l u r e t o m a t u r e or
develop i n spirit. I n other words it implies
spiritual infancy.
T h e r e a r e v e r y m a n y of
the L o r d ' s children, truly born again, who,
while they have become mature m e n
and
women, rich i n experience so far as Christian
work and works are concerned; a n d more or
l e s s m e l l o w e d b y y e a r s , m a d e s t e a d y b y disi l l u s i o n i n e n t s a n d t h e v a n i s h i n g of f a n c i e s ,
d r e a m s , idealisms, r o m a n c e s , before the chilly
w i n d s of f r i g i d f a c t s ; w h o s e s y m p a t h i e s a r e
e n l a r g e d b e c a u s e of a n e x p a n d e d k n o w l e d g e o f
h u m a n weakness and sunering, and who, in
m a n y other w a y s h a v e become good a n d k i n d l y
a n d f u l l of t h a t k n o w l e d g e w h i c h r e s t r a i n s
from extremes a n d
checks preponderances,
are, nevertheless, still v e r y immature in those
spiritual faculties w h i c h discriminate in things
t h a t differ.
I t w o u l d s e e m a l m o s t i m p o s s i b l e to l a y too
great a n e m p h a s i s upon the fact t h a t to fully
s a t i s f y t h e m i n d of G o d i n i t s e t e r n a l c o n c e p t i o n
a n d p u r p o s e i n i t i a l c o n v e r s i o n is n o t e n o u g h ,
a n d at l e a s t t w e n t y of t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t h o o k s
w e r e w r i t t e n for
T h e p e r f e c t i n g of tho s a i n t *
u n t o tin* w o r k of m i n i s t e r i n g . ' *
It is n o t o n e of t h e l*ast i m p o r t a n t of t h e s e
vital discriminations that the laying
mulct
g r a c e of o u r n a t u r a l life, it< t e . n p e r a m e u t .
disposition, and constitution, so t h a ! our soul
is p u r g e d a n d s w e e t e n e d is n o t t h e s a m e a t
having our spirit quickened, energised, endowed
WITNESS
AND
with spiritual gifts, and exercised unto essentially spiritual service. There are many benevolent and benign old saints who arc pathetically
lacking in this latter sense.
The first may be passive in temper, though
active i n ' good w o r k s , " but the second will
sec through and beyond and know by spiritual
discernment (not shrewd natural judgment)
whether a t h i n g bo of CJod or not, and what
are the limits of the Lord's acceptance, approval,
and seal.
There arc " many mighty works " i n His
Name which stand i n no relation t o H i m , and
only t h a t which tho Father is doing can carry
His resource. The knowledge of such things
is spiritual discernment. N o t a l l work F O R
God is service T O God. A child's sincere desire
to help its mother may only result i n more mess.
So i n the matter of service there is the great
difference between engaging i n w o r k i n His
Name which seems t o us to be good and right
and necessary and even scriptural but which
fails t o achieve His end even while i t seems t o
be successful: and on the other hand there is
that which springs firstly out of a revelation of
self which brings one t o an end of their own
works for God, and then a revelation of the
Lord which makes spiritual m i n i s t r y possible.
We must be constituted ministers b y the things
wherein the L o r d has appeared unto us, and
will yet appear unto us (Acts x x v i . 16).
4
This l i m i t s a l l effectual service. Is i t by

revelation or is i t on any other ground \
We propose f r o m time to t i m e t o give a
little space to the presenting of these differentiations on such matters as Salvation, Prayer,
Preaching, Revelation, Suffering, &c.
T . A . S.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T H E following s u m s h a v e been recoivod u p to
(late t o w a r d s tho m a i n t e n a n c e of this
paper:
Crouch E n d , 5*. ; S c o t l a n d , 2*. (k/. ; M i l d m a y ,
2*. Otf. ; H o x t o n , 2*. G</. ; Glasgow, 1
; Lv. Vjl.;
Colinton, 3</.; W i m b l e d o n , Ii*. Gd. ; P o s m l c n a ,
U . S . A . , 1 ; 5*. ; T u n b i i d g o W e l l s , 1 l.<*. ; I*, (k/. ;
Clap] m m , 2*. fk/. ; Coonoor, I n d i a , LU.v. ; G e r m a n y ,
5*.; R i c h m o n d , 2 * . ; B r i s t o l , 2.*.: P u d d i n g on.
2*. Gtt. ; C a n a d a , JU. tk/. : Ik/. : M a r g a t e , f>.v. ;
Uormondsoy,
2.*.
Ik/. ; N e w
Soulhpite.
2.v. ;
Mcustoii, fi.v. ; Jtrawor .St., 2*. tk/. ; K c u s u l J{i.<e.
I*. II .W. : t'nmberwell.
2.<. #/. ; D u n o o n . f.v. ;
L'arlilt, lo.v. ; S t o k e N e w i n g t o n , 2*. /.
Hij-'niiigham, 2*. ; ]louur, I.: K i l l i n g . Itw. : E p s o m ,
* (k/. ; L i n g l i e l d , 2*. Ik/.; C e n t r a l J l a l l , L.v.;
^'illosdeji G r e e n , 5*. ; N o r w o o d . 7*. tk/. ; JJolmont,
^ s s . , U . S . A . , 4*. I t / . T o t a l , 0 I l.v. /.
;
TESTIMONY
69
BOOKLETS
(WlT.VKSS AND
TESTIMONY).
T h e r e a r c new n u m b e r s o f these
available.
T w o b y M r . S p a r k s , a n d one b y M r J e f f r e y s , a s
d e s c r i b e d b e l o w . T h o series is n o w e x t e n d e d t o :
' Incorporated into C h r i s t . '
N o . I . P r i c o 2d.
' I n c o r p o r a t i o n into C h r i s t . ' N o . 2. P r i c o 2d.
I n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o C h r i s t . ' N o . 3. P r i c o 2d.
Vision and Vocation.'
P r i c o 3rf.
' T h o I n n e r M a n of tho H e a r t , ' b y T . A u s t i n Sparks.
P r i c o -id.
1
*The Divine
Price 2d.
THE
Unities,' by
SENTENCE
T . Madoc Jeffroys.
OF
DEATH
I I . Cor. i . 9, i v . 10.
" Yea, we ourselves have had the sentence
of death w i t h i n ourselves t h a t we should not
t r u s t i n ourselves b u t i n God w h i c h raiseth
tho d e a d . . . .Always bearing about i n the body
the deadness of Jesus t h a t the L i f e also of
Jesus may be manifest i n our m o r t a l b o d y . " J
T H E burden of the L o r d ' s w o r d is mainly t o
His o w n people, b u t there may be j u s t a t the
outset a simple w o r d w h i c h may t a k e us r i g h t
back t o the beginning of things and reach any
who are not quite sure t h a t they are the Lord's,
or are quite certain t h a t they are n o t , b u t who
may nevertheless be reaching out to find H i m ;
and t o such I would l i k e t o say again, w i t h
renewed emphasis t h a t t o belong t o the L o r d ,
to know the secret of H i s fellowship, and to
have the realisation t h a t y o u have passed from
death i n t o life, to be a child of God, is not to
enter i n t o any system of religion, though y o u
might call i t " Christianity " ; and i t is not to
j o i n a company of religious or Christian people
whom y o u may call the Lord's people, or " the
c h u r c h , " wherever they may be f o u n d or under
whatever name they may go. T o bo the
L o r d ' s is to receive into the centre of your very
being a g i f t of God which i s called L I F E : a
L I F E which we by nature do not possess : a
L I K E which is God's own L I F E , ami which alone
can bring n s into a place where s i n no longer
has dominion over u s . where we arc saved
from s i n . and where we have the assurance of
that salvation.
There are s o many who arc struggling to be
Christians, t o be good, to be better, or the best
they can be ; struggling to be the Lord's and
70
WITNESS
AND A
t o live as belonging to the Lord ; struggling to

to move w i t h the L o r d and to do those tilings
which are pleasing unto Hi in ; struggling and
striving and yet all the time despairing. And
I tell you w h y ; Satan cannot cast out .Satan !
Satan is L o r d of Death, and he has gained a
foothold in the very race at its beginnings,
and death has passed upon all, and is i n all.
The nature of that death is separation from
God, and thus i t is w i t h every child of Adam.
Death reigns by tho work of Satan, and by i t
he has this h o l d , this standing, this established
place i n the race, and everyone i n that race is
i n this sense dead. N o w what is the good of
a dead thing t r y i n g to cast out death 1 What
is the good of the thing which is but the f r u i t
of death t r y i n g t o overcome the very source of
death 1 Satan cannot cast out Satan, and so
you may struggle to the end and despair. You
need
LIFETRIUMPHANT
LIFEPERSONIFIED
L I F E f o r if death is personified i n Satan, L I F E

is personified i n the L o r d Jesus who says:
" I AM THE LIFE,"
AND " I
RESURRECTION A N D T H E
AM THE
LIFE."
A n d you need H i m as the Life resident w i t h i n

your very being to eject death, and " To
overcome h i m t h a t hath the power of death,
t h a t is, the d e v i l . "
So to be the Lord's
is t o have the L o r d , t o be a Christian is to
have H i m as L I F E resident i n your spirit,
m i g h t y , triumphant, able to resist the powers
of death, and t o make you to overcome by
H i s L I F E . " The L I F E "as this servant of
God, Paul, p u t i t :
" The L I F E whereby Jesus conquered death."
Now t h a t is the basis of all Christian experience,
and, as we may see, of Christian service, and I
do want to urge upon y o u , for I know i t is
necessary, that i t should be emphasised that
i t is not joining a fellowship, i t is not coming
into a company of religious people and associating yourself w i t h t h e m ; i t is not accepting
some system of teaching; i t is not merely
deciding for Christ, i t is something infinitely
more than that, and all that may only prove
the instrument of your undoing and your
despair. You may be wretched even in* the
presence of heavenly j o y , you may he miserable
even i n the place where heavenly light is, vou
may be a-hamcd where the glory of Cod* k ,
you may be despairing in the very presence of
the " Hope which make t h not ashamed " if
you have not the one Life of the Son of Cod
with all H i s children. The one L i n : ! What
you need is the gift of God, which is Ktcrnal
TESTIMONY
Life i n and through Jesus Christ our L o r d .

T h a t is the essence of tho gospel, the beginning
of the gospel, the end of the gospel: i t is t h e
gospel in sum total. T H A T Y O U S H O U L D H A V E
HIS
LIFK.
Now, beloved, having said t h a t , one goes

on to speak mostly to the Lord's people,
though the others listening may by the Holy
Spirit's aid sec something more for themselves,
and the burden is t h i s
DEATH
COMPLEMENTARY
AND
DEATH
ANTAGONISTIC.
Y o u w i l l see by a glance through the word

of God, w i t h this two-fold thought i n your
m i n d , t h a t death can be either of these.
Death can be an advantage, or i t can be a
disadvantage ; i t can be complementary, or i t
can be antagonistic; i t can make possible the
higher purpose and blessings i n God, or i t can
be absolutely paralysing and nullifying to all
fruitfulness i n H i m . Now y o u wonder how
death can be complementary or advantageous,
the very ground of fruitfulness, because you so
often hear i t said t h a t death is death, and that
i t is desolate and barren and there is nothing
t h a t can come out of i t ; but you must remember
t h a t i t prepares the way for all the other, i t
brings y o u to the point where everything else
is possible, and n o t until you have come to
death is anything else possible at all. Now
you notice the passages we read
" Yea, we ourselves, had the sentence of death
i n ourselves t h a t we should not trust i n ourselves."
T h a t is the very basis of everything i n real
spiritual fruitfulness and effectiveness. " The
sentence of death i n ourselves." Of course
here Paul is undoubtedly speaking i n the first
place about something very serious which had
overtaken h i m . I n the beginning of the
chapter he speaks of this something which had
come i n the way of a terrible aflliction, and he
said he despaired of life, and had. the very
sentence of death i n himself so that there was
no hope whatever for him from any human
standpoint, there was no hope according to all
human judgments and verdicts. He ought to
have diedthe very sentence of death was in
h i m , and I do like the way he puts i t , i t is so
richly significant, lie uses just tlie little word
T H A T , and it gives an entirely different complexion to the whole situation. H e might
have put i t ,
We had the sentence of death
i n ourselves <.;.</ we cannot trust in ourselves,"
but he did not put i t like that. Of course that
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
71
would bo quite logical to say, " Wc bad the

ourselves accomplish anything, there is the
sentence of death i n ourselves, i t was there,
mighty life of God for everything. This that
and of course, that being the case, wc were no is " Christ i n y o u , " the Life of God, the hope
good for anything at all, and there was no hope of glory.
whatever and therefore wc cannot trust ourGod has brought us to this v e r y point, i n
selves." B u t he d i d not put i t t h a t way.
order t h a t wo might not trust i n ourselves, but
" We had the sentence of death i n ourselves in God " Who raiseth the dead." You notice
THAT"
There is purpose i n i t , there Is an
that Paul puts the three-fold rescue work of
object i n i t , there is something i n i t as a basic
God immediately over against t h a t a n d we
and fundamental principle. He realised t h a t
do t r u s t i n H i m who hath rescued us and doth
i t was not the end b u t the beginning, w i t h a
rescue us, and we believe t h a t He w i l l yet rescue
design t h a t we should not trust i n ourselves,
us, t h a t we shall not be wholly swallowed up
of death, b u t i n death, maintained i n Life.
but in God who raiseth the dead. So t h a t the
sentence of death was not the end of everything
Now this is only the beginning of things, the
i t was the beginning of everything. There was basis. This is the thing t h a t is w i t h one w i t h
a real purpose i n this t h i n g , and i f you take tremendous force i n these days, t h a t if you are
up the H o l y Spirit's teaching i n the New Testagoing t o be effective i n the realm where the
ment you find t h a t this has become the fundaprince, the L o r d of Death holds sway, you
mental principle of all divine activities and
cannot be effective by the means and resources
operations. The sentence of death passed upon
i n which he has got a stronghold, and he has
us, and registered i n us, and working out i n us, t h a t i n a l l the resources of our natural life,
and all the time another t h i n g doing the w o r k
however fine and splendid they m a y be from the
of God, triumphing over this sentence of death
natural standpoint. The only t h i n g t h a t can
in us, this other t h i n g which is i n us, working be effective i n t h a t realm is the L i f e whereby
Jesus conquered death, and i n order that that
through us, giving us ascendency over death
i n Christ: so t h a t the wonderful things of God Life might have f u l l sway and free course, and
are manifest by us and yet there is no account- the utmost and fullest fruitfulness of t h a t Life
as t r i u m p h a n t over death might abound, all
ableness for them in us. The L o r d has swept
away w i t h one stroke the whole basis of our t h a t i n w h i c h tho enemy has any hold whattrust i n ourselves, has wiped out for ever any soever (our natural life) has got t o be p u t out,
hope in ourselves, not to destroy us, n o t to and we must have no t r u s t i n ourselves for this
make everything impossible, b u t T H A T H e work.
who raiseth the dead might show the m i g h t y
Now t h a t immediately defines and delimits
works by this Resurrection L i f e which is f r u i t f u l
the measure of spiritual effectiveness. I t is
in us. Have y o u ever noticed this, I do not
the measure of His L i f e coming t h r o u g h by the
know where i t came f r o m , whether i t was sentence of death being i n ourselves. These
Satanic or Divine inspiration, t h a t even Herod, cries of the Apostle i n the f o u r t h and sixth
" that old f o x , " when i t was reported to h i m | chapters of this second letter, concerning
that the L o r d Jesus was doing His many
oppositions, adversity, t r i a l , afflictionhe sees
mighty works, said
" This is John tho i n all this a great advantage for the Life of
Baptist risen f r o m the
dead, " therefore
God, and t h a t this death is complementary
really to the purpose of God, t h a t i t is aiding
these mighty works arc shown ! " Risen f r o m
the purpose of God. Paul always looked upon
the deadmighty works ! H o w he got t h a t
inkling I don't know, but there is this principle things in t h a t way. H e saw t h a t those things
which might be reckoned impossible of fruitin i t , that resurrection f r o m the dead implies
fulness to God were essential to make that
mighty works, works mightier than those before
death. There is that there, and this is the fruitfulness ]K>ssible. Death itself, is not tho
end of all things, but is the beginning of
principle all tho way through the word, t h a t
things where God is concerned, and so he will
on the ground of a Life wrought in us through
say " a great door and effectual is opened unto
the cross by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
me"and w i t h no repining or complaining, " but
God is ablo to achieve and accomplish His
there arc many adversaries," rather w i t h the
"iiprcinc purpose. B u t , in order to do i t , the
complementary " A N D there arc many adversentence of death must be planted right at the
saries." T h a t is, that these things arc included
centre of our old life to rule i t out, so that
where wc despair of life in ourselves and have in the great door and effectual to make i t all
the more effectual. The fact t h a t there arc
*o trust in ourselves, we k n o w we caimot of
l
72
A" W I T N E S S
AND A
adversaries is not any reason why wc should sit

down and refuse to go in through the door, but
the very reason why wc should go in that very
door to prove how effectual i t is. Tilings which
men would consider to he against arc the very
things which are for God, and death becomes
His captive and the L o r d of Death His slave
to serve His higher ends, so that death must
be registered i n us i n order that His Life might
show w h a t a triumphant Life i t is. These
paradoxes of Paul are very beautiful.
Now, beloved, we are right up against this
whole situation, the situation of dealing w i t h
the system of spiritual evil and spiritual death.
We have often said of late that we have passed,
and are passing more completely, out of the era
and time of certain orders of Christian work.
I t h i n k i t is recognised by most spirituallyminded people t h a t the old forms of Christian
enterprise, organised religious activity, are
breaking down, are failing everywhere. I t
seems t h a t the thing has been rejected, and
cannot meet the need. We have passed into
a new t i m e , a new phase which we believe to
be t h a t culminating phase i n the age when we
shall come more directly into conflict w i t h the
forces of darkness, w i t h the power of Satan.
The church has been meeting h i m for a long
time through things, and now i t is going to
meet h i m face to face, and that is the time
and condition into which we are moving now.
We are finding t h a t means and old forms and
institutions and organisations cannot meet the
more direct encounter w i t h the enemy. We
are being forced t o recognise the need of something more, and t h a t something more is simply
the naked L i f e of God as manifested i n the
resurrection of the L o r d Jesus Christ coming
into tremendous contact w i t h the whole system
of death and of darkness. That is our position.
H o w many of you are able t o appreciate
this I do not know, b u t I know there arc
some who can appreciate i t . God synchronises H i s provisions w i t h recognised and
realised needs. Now the movement is to be
along this line where the Life of God, unmixed
w i t h the resources of men, with human machinery and human drive and human enterprise,
the very Life of God has got t o be directly,
immediately, nakedly manifest in the church
for the last phase of the battle unto the ultimate
t r i u m p h . I n order t h a t this might be so, there
must be this tremendous emphasis of God upon
the need for the wiping out of all that which
stands i n the way of a pure and clear maniestatiou of His Life, and of the intermingling
TESTIMONY
of those things in which there is death, that is,

the natural life of man. A l l that intermingling
has got to be removed, and God is coming to tho
time, has come to the time, when He is going
to have very close accounts w i t h His people,
so that you cannot touch the earth, you cannot
touch the flesh, you cannot touch the world,
you cannot touch anything i n which death is,
without at once having a check and an arrest
put upon your spiritual effectiveness; you
have to stand absolutely clear. Now that is
why Paul in this fourth chapter, speaking about
the Life of God being manifest i n us because
" We are always bearing about the deadness
of the L o r d Jesus " immediately goes on to
say, " Be not unequally yoked together with
an unbeliever, for w h a t is there in common
between God and Belial, fight and darkness ? "
What fellowship, what i n common ? These two
are poles asunder, and absolutely antagonistic,
" Wherefore come out f r o m among them and
be ye separate." A n d i n as far as there is that
coming out and being separate, and being cut off
from all t h a t i n which death, and a coming into
t h a t in which Life is, can there be a manifestation
of the triumphant and effective L i f e of the Risen
L o r d i n us. There is always a big purpose, as
big as eternity and as big as God Himself, i n
every injunction i n the scripture, not just some
little b i t of spiritual advice; i t is as big and
great as God Himself, and as vast as His Eternal
purpose, and when He says, " Be not unequally
yoked together w i t h unbelievers," He is not
just giving you a b i t of spiritual advice that
will save you trouble i n your domestic arrangements. He is laying down a vast principle
that spiritual effectiveness to the maximum
depends upon your being out of the range of
the grip of death so far as your spirit is concerned and your life voluntarily lived.
Now I want to stay for a moment herethe
L o r d might just help some. Beloved, the
principle of Life i n your spirit is to be the
guiding principle of all your service in the Lord
Jesus Christ. I do not mean Life in your
surroundings. The L o r d may take you to a
place where death reigns, but if death reigns in
you, you may as well give up the whole thing
at once. You may be there, and the Life of
God may be in you to meet that situation, to
triumph over i t ; but mark you, if you begin
to touch what you call pieces of work for God
and there is no Life in your spirit, and the
thing is dead in your spirit, you have no right
there until you get in your spirit the Life of
God relative to that thing. Don't touch i t ,
A WITNESS
AND
or you will be found in dead works, t r y i n g to

do something where there is no vital principle
at all. Now note, i t is all very well to have a
broad view and say, Yes, but the L o r d Jesus
Christ, as the Life, has come into the world
where death is i n order to save the world, and
that Life can be taken as the broad basis upon
which wc should enter upon any work for the
Lord that seems to offer itself, or is presented
to us. B u t t h a t is no criterion. There was a
time when the L o r d Jesus recognised i n His
spirit t h a t the l i v i n g purpose of God was
arrested w i t h regard to certain situations, and
He had no Life witness there and He came
out.
We believe t h a t t h a t was so i n the
case of Israel as a nation.
He gathered
the whole situation up i n the incident of the
fig tree. Ministered t o , witnessed to for a long
time, b u t the moment the curse of God had t o
fall upon i t (What is the curse of God ? I t is
death), f r o m t h a t moment H e was cut off f r o m
Israel. He had no ministry to Israel as such ;
He recognised i n His spirit t h a t there was death
there, and i t was no use being sentimental
about poor Israel, no use t r y i n g to act upon
a basis of human sympathy and compassion
and having imaginations and mental pictures
of what could be done and what might be done;
that was an end. I am only using this b y way
of illustration, for spiritual effectiveness demands
that we should have the witness of L I F E i n our
spirit. A l o t of people hold on and continue
in certain realms, certain spheres, certain companies, certain connections, and they are there
merely from the standpoint of natural reasoning
and argument, sentimentally, traditionally, or
somehow thinking t h a t by staying i n something
is going to be done; and i n their spirit they
know the thing is dead, and they have no L i f e
there. May t h a t not be the Lord's witness to
them that they should serve H i m where they
have Life, where the witness of Life is i n
them, and a spirit of promise ?
I f all afound is dead but they have Life in themselves
't is all right, but if all around is dead and they
have no Life in their ministry surely something
is wrong, the door is closed. I t is important
that for spiritual effectiveness up to the h i l t
jhe witness of Life i n us should be born,
^f course wc have swept aside, in ourselves
that which might bring the. deatliwc have
tood by the cross and seen hat the sentence
't death must be in ourselves as such, in order
>akc the Life possible, but if t h a t has been
' ^ t with, and we have the sentence of death,
d wc no longer trust in ourselves but put our
v
,l,f
TESTIMONY
73
I f a i t h i n H i m who raiseth tho dead, then wo

' have the r i g h t to claim and receive tlie witness
of Resurrection Life i n ourselves for ministry
as the Lord appoints, and the day i n which the
. L o r d brings death upon one's spirit in any
sphere or k i n d of ministry, t h a t is the day
j when one w i l l begin t o look to see where the
. L o r d is going to bear the witness of Life for
: ministry. Now that is important. I do not
, know why the L o r d should give one such emphasis
upon this, b u t i t is no use your going on to do
God's work when you have death i n your spirit.
Nothing w i l l come of i t ; drop i t , and ask the
L o r d to bring you into a place where you can
i n your spirit bear witness by L i f e t h e L i f e
whereby Jesus conquered death, t o meet the
situation as i t is around y o u .
N o w you notice one t h i n g Paul says i n this
| very connection, i n this opening chapter of
j his'second l e t t e r : " T h e afflictions of Christ
! came upon us above measure. W e despaired
j of life, the sentence of death wa3 i n us." H o w
I d i d the Apostle regard the afflictions of Christ ?
| Y o u read anything t h a t the H o l y Spirit says
j about this matter, and you w i l l f i n d t h a t i t is
| always related to a testimony, or t o p u t i t
j i n this way, the afflictions of Christ, the suffer
! ings of Christ are intimately related t o , and, i n
| fact, inseparable f r o m , W h o Christ is and what
! H e is going t o do. The impact of Christ w i t h
j the purpose of God upon the system into which
| H e has come has immediately precipitated this
i whole matter of affliction. You may go out and
S do Christian w o r k , and y o u may do i t i n such a
j way and by such means as t o reduce suffering
: t o a minimum, t o have a comparatively smooth
j and easy time. You may seem i n t h a t realm
i to be having a tremendous amount of success,
| the thing is beginning to get big and prosperous,
i Beloved, do not t h i n k for one moment t h a t
; t h a t is always a testimony to spiritual v i t a l i t y .
On the other hand, you may go out i n tho service
of what you call the Kingdom of God and you
, may suffer much because you r u n counter to
, the traditions of men, or to "the accepted system
of the day, or to the popular public mind, and,
! as a reformer, die a reformer's death, being
j rejected and refused and perhaps murdered.
' T h a t need not be a criterion either of spiritual
effectiveness. How many there arc who arc
deceived along both of these lines, and 0 ,
tragedy of tragedies, how many of the Lord's
dear children are suffering in what they call
His work without real spiritual value and result,
without breaking through, w i t h o u t planting
the standard of the victory of His cross i n the
1
74
A WITNESS
AND
enemy's territory ! They arc out for the Lord,

and they arc suffering, having a hard time, a
bad time, b u t nothing is coining of i t all, they
have r u n counter to a system, to traditions,
they have r u n counter to the personal preferences and likes of maidund. You may take
i t that you can never, i n corporate union w i t h
the L o r d Jesus Christ move for the fulfilment of H i s mission without bringing His
sufferings upon you. As to this, if you are in
corporate union w i t h the Lord Jesus and you
are out w i t h H i m , and He is in you for the
accomplishment of His purpose, there need be
no fruitless sufferings, all the suffering will
be f r u i t f u l . The explanation of course is that
the w o r l d , n o t being an end in itself, but being
embraced, circumterenced by this whole system
of spiritual antagonism knows Who Jesus
is and knows the destiny of Jesus according
t o the w i l l and determination of God, and
therefore a l l its antagonism and wrath is stirred
up f r o m the bottom against H i m and against
H i m i n H i s corporate presentation as well as
i n His personal, against H i m i n the form of
H i s Body, the one Body which is Christ, just
as much as against H i m as a separate
entity.
TESTIMONY
waste of energy and waste of time. We have

got to get on to the thing that God is doing
for only i n this can we have the witness of LuY
that i t is the thing of God and we shall gc
through. I n order t h a t He might bo able tc
consummate Hi3 purpose, gather up His plar
and bring i t to a mighty victorious issue in the
coming of the L o r d , our need is t o have Life
more abundant, and the spiritual discernment
by Life to know where L i f e is and where death
is. You may be doing what you call the work
of God and have death i n your spirit, and that
very doing of what you call the work of God,
because there is death i n your spirit is antagonistic t o the purpose of God. Y o u may have
Life i n your spirit and death all around, but
the fact t h a t you have the witness of Life is
both the key and the assurance t h a t something
is t o be accomplished.
I believe, beloved,
t h a t we dare not do a t h i n g unless we have
definite witness i n our spirit t h a t i t is the thing
of God t o be done through us. We cannot
take these broad sweeps, we must have the
witness of L i f e , and not take the general conception t h a t the world is to be saved, and
therefore we ought to get out into the world to
save i t . D o not make t h a t mistake, the world
will not be saved. Y o u may say " the whole
wide world for Jesus," b u t God is looking to
take out a people f r o m the nations, and this
part of the dispensation w i l l not see the whole
wide world for Jesus. I s God i n this, is God
i n t h a t , has God undertaken i t ? The answer
to that question i n your spirit w i l l not be an
audible voice, i t must ever be the liberty and
the freedom, and the uprising of His Life in
you that gives you a clear way through i n your
spirit. The L o r d teach us how to be led thus
i n our spirit by the H o l y Spirit that He may
bring us t o the place where the maximum of
spiritual effectiveness is attained, and, i n order
that i t may be so, beloved, " We must have
the sentence of death i n ourselves (our flesh), that
wc should not trust in ourselves," and " always
bearing tho dcadncss of the L o r d Jesus that His
Life might be manifested."
W e l l now these are the sufferings of Christ

relative t o the work and person of Christ, but
they are m i g h t i l y effectual sufferings, and the
Apostle recognised t h a t and pointed that out.
The sufferings are f r u i t f u l sufferings, they are
m i g h t y sufferings because they represent the
challenge of t h e Christ of God, and they imply
not H i s defeat, b u t His triumph. Satan would
not bother himself if he knew that Chri3t could
and would be defeated; he bestirs himself because
he knows the end of this thing, what i t means,
the coming of the Christ of God into his domain.
Now i n order that this might be so, that deadness of the L o r d Jesus t o all that to which He
died is the t h i n g that has to be ruled out in
order t h a t the issues of His L i f e might be
realised and manifested, and 0, that God's
people had discernment, spiritual discernment!
The one cry i n our s p i r i t is that His people
might be more discerning, be able to discern
God only works now on resurrection groundi
i n their s p i r i t where Life is and where death
by resurrection life, and this life in us is the
is. Y o u know i t would accelerate and expedite
basis of the H o l y Spirit's operation in revelation
the whole business if wc had more of this
and service.
discernment as to matters of life and death.
The law of the Spirit is life. Romans
Y o u know how frequently wc have tried to do !
v i i i . 2.
a thing for the L o r d , to do a thing with the
T . A. S.
best motive for the L o r d and inside there has
been death. D e a d ! A n i l yet wc have tried
t o do i t , to force i t , and there is nothing but
NOTES
OF
EASTER
WITNESS
ADDRESS
AND
AT
CONFERENCE
upon
" THE
PATTERN
IN
THE
HEAVENLIES."
" C H R I S T I A N M A T U R I T Y OR F U L L - G R O W T H . '
1
(Continued.)
matter of " perfection " is a very simple
one, as we have seen, when once the heart is
laid bare.
The first thing necessary is the realisation
of the Person of Jesus Christ. This may seem
very elementary, b u t wc shall never exhaust
that revelation. We must see Jesus, and Jesus
in terms of God. I t is this qualification t h a t
bars the way t o the " flesh." He t h a t thus
sees the Son hath life : Jesus, as the very image
of the living G o d : Jesus, not i n the denominators of our own thought about H i m , b u t
Jesus, as revealed by the H o l y Ghost: Jesus,
as coming out f r o m the F a t h e r : and Jesus, as
Regnant by means of His Cross in t h e Father.
Jesus i n terms of God !
This is the first and essential basis of all
revelation, and we must remember t h a t revelation is essential to realisation.
And when once y o u have realised the Person
of Jesus you discover t h a t y o u are not dealing
merely w i t h something i n human history, something that has come along the level of anything
that has been wrought out i n the earth only,
but that you have come into touch w i t h something t h a t has come f o r t h from eternity and
goes on into eternity, b u t which has been
manifested i n time and upon this earth for our
sakes. I t is the I n c a r n a t i o n ! God, manifest
in the flesh.
You are now i n touch w i t h the living God,
and the realisation oi this comes as a tremendous
blaze of L i g h t upon your spirit. There is an
amazement, a wonder, and an awe now upon
our heart. Y o u echo the apostle's w o r d , L e t
us have grace, whereby we may servo (this)
God acceptably w i t h reverence and godly fear."
t is thus you get the first element of perfection,
r maturity, coming into your heart, for i t is
J l true t h a t
the fear "of the L o r d is the
'^ginning of wisdom." Have you noticed t h a t
Ii
^ l . Spirit tises eight chapters of this
Hthrew Epistle simply to establish this revcla the Person of Jesus in terms of Infinite
' V before He passes on the irorA'of the Divine
j . o u r , the full and eternal character of His
* , , as revealed i n the Blood of the New
tenant ?
THIS
14
,4
r,(
ilv,
ross
TESTIMONY
75
I n tho n i n t h chapter t h o blood is the theme,

for the blood of Jesus contains all the eternal
elements of His Cross, and the writer is speaking
of the blood of the L a m b as i n the midst of tho
T h r o n e : i t is the Cross as realised in God, the
passion of God Triune revealed i n the Cross.
The blood has been taken through into the
Holiest of A l l . A Life has been given, poured
out as through the eternal Spirit, and then taken
through i n t o the Heavenly Sanctuary.
Ho
causes us t o see tho Sanctuary i n the heavens
open, and y o u and I see the Cross as i t stands
i n the heart of God.
This t h e n brings us to the r . alisation t h a t the
finished w o r k of Jesus o n Calvary is something
wrought o u t in God for y o u and me, and this
fact should settle all questions of time and
eternity as f a r as we are concerned, f o r we now
know t h a t we arc saved upon the basis of a
Life t h a t is h i d w i t h t h e Christ i n God, and
sealed by a Blood t h a t is i n the midst of the
Throne. A n d this is t h e basis of perfection,
the revelation of the two-fold D i v i n e Fact
t h a t He W h o is the Son of God f r o m all
eternity poured out a t t h e Cross a L i f e , the
nature and value of w h i c h can be measured
only i n terms of the E t e r n a l S p i r i t . Through
the H o l y S p i r i t H e offered Himself as M a n unto
God, and t h r o u g h the same Spirit H e has taken
the value of t h a t offering r i g h t i n t o t h e Throne
of God, a n d the Cross therefore stands i n
eternity, n o t only as God's means of bringing
His church i n t o relation w i t h Himself, b u t as
His means also of seeming the universe i n the'
ages to come i n the Sovereignty of t h a t Life.
Henceforth t h e T H R O N E of God is also the
T H R O V E of the Lamb.
This is t h e revelation, and upon such a basis
you arrive a t m a t u r i t y .
We come t o the tenth chapter, a n d here is
unveiled the Body of Christ, and i n relation to
us, the V a i l , His flesh, is spoken of. The Vail
is rent, and you and I now, because we are
perfected, a n d know t h a t everything for our
salvation is secured i n t h e Blood, are ablo to
come into t h e glorious Presence, n o t i n that
old nature i n winch wo were born and which
still seems t o cling around us i n this body of
death, but i n the New Man W h o is Christ
Himself as before God. Wo share H i s nature
in the new b i r t h by One S p i r i t . Wc ascend by
the H o l y Spirit into the very presence of God,
but we do so only as tlie members of the Body
of Christ, by passing through the V a i l , t h a t is
to say, His flesh. B u t y o u sec, beloved friends,
here is mystery, for we are member? o i that

A
76
WITNE5S
AND
flesh. " This mystery is great, but I speak

concerning Christ and the church. We arc
members of His Body, of His flesh and of His
bones." I t is to those who arc perfected upon
such an assurance of faith in the Person ami
Passion of Jesus that this tenth chapter applies.
For wc have come not to the shadows and
types of things, not even to the patterns of
things, b u t " to the very image of the facts *'
x . 1 (marg.). This reminds us how the writer sets
o u t upon this H o l y Ghost argument, by declaring
Jesus to be the very image of God ( i .
or as
the apostle expresses the same t r u t h in Colossians i . 1 5 : " Who is the visible image of the
invisible God ' (Conybeare). We have thus
come to things that are of God, out-from God.
O h , how the H o l y Spirit reiterates and insists
t h a t i t is G O D in* Christ, for if only we can be
brought to the revelation of Deity i n Christ
everything changes into Infinite Dimensions,
and we see the Cross is of God, the blood is of
God, the resurrection is of G o d : " all things
are of God." W e have come therefore to the
very image of the facts, eternal things, heavenly
things, the things of the ChristReality. This
present universe of things seen, as far as we are
d i m l y able t o apprehend i t , through our limited
senses, is b u t the shadow of a very different
reality of God t h a t lies behind i t " the things
which are seen, are n o t made out of the things
which appear," x i . 3 ; b u t i n J E S U S we have
come into touch w i t h the living God, the only
t r u e or actual God, the Reality Who is the
great " I A M . " There w i l l come a moment,
we do not know how soon i t mav be, but i t
w i l l be the moment of our Translation, when
we shall pass through this present aspect of
things as seen, and become One, identified with
the Christ of God through all eternity. Then shall
we know as we are known, I Corinthians xiii. 1 2 .
B u t do you not see t h a t as born-children of
God we have already arrived there ? Wc are
there in spirit, and therefore in t r u t h , in life.
Later i n the epistle wc read, " B u t ye have
come unto Mount Sion, the city of the living
God, the heavenly Jerusalem : and to myriads
of angels, the universal gathering; and to the
assembly of the firstborn, registered in the
heavens ; and to Got!, the Judge of a l l : and to
the spirits of the just who have been perfected :
and to Jc*us the Mediator of a fresh covenant;
and to the blood of sprinkling, speaking better
things than that of Abel *' x i i . '22-24 (Lit.).
We have arrived ! We have come there !
O, beloved friends, do you not know that this
Life which you now possess is not a mere
T
TESTIMONY
devotion to religious belief, but is the very Life

of God w i t h i n your spirit i This is the amazing
nature of the Christian experience" Chri.it in
i/oit, the Hope of G l o r y . " He in you, and you
in Him, by One Life, One Spirit. If the Holy
Spirit has come to y o u , He has come to unveil
this, and to take you into thisthe Life hid with
Christ in G o d .
I t is God to Whom wc have come in this
" Testimony.
We arc not dealing with religion, so-called, systems of t r u t h , organisation,
neither to a " witness and a testimony " in
terms of men, or of the leadership of men. I t
is the fact of Cod i n the church, the Body of
Christ.- to which wc have come. I t is the
Holy Ghost seeking to do in the earth the thing
that shall bring about the end, the consummation of the age. God is in this. I t cannot,
and must n o t , be man's work. God is coming
to His people, seeking to build-up and perfect
the Body of Christ t h a t remains in the earth
so that we may enter into that corporate L i f e ;
and in the energy of the One Spirit, in the
travailing and intercessions of the Holy Ghost,
shake the powers of the heavens and of the
earth, and bring to an end this horror that
is i n the w o r l d , the satanic system.
I n the very next verse (x. 2) we read that those
sacrifices which were b u t mere shadows or types
could never make the coiners thereunto perfect,
as pertaining to conscience. You must be
perfect, in this sense, t o draw nigh to God, to
stand before God, to act as priests i n the Presence.
How is this possible ? By the revelation of
the ôicer of the blocd of Jesus.
We often quote
Revelations x i i . 1 1 , which prophetically relates
that final issue of the Lord s battle with the
adversary, this time i n and through His saints
on earth, " They overcame him, because of the
blood of the Lamb, and because of the word
of their testimony, and they loved not their
own fives unto the death." B u t you will
recognise t h a t these must have pressed on
unto perfection in their standing before God.
These surely knew the Holiest of A l l , their
intimate relation w i t h (Jod Himself in the
Person of His Son. their identification with
the Christ in the Throne, their membership of
the Body of Christ as a functioning Life in
M
the Spirit. The>e know the power of the blood

to enable, them In stand where the- cherubim -
and the (.'lory are. and arc presenccd before

God in the Christ.
Now right through tin- tenth chapter you find that the kev thought is the fact of *th
c
WITNESS
AND
B o d y " of tin* C h r i s t : " a B o d y hast, Thou

prepared for Mo."
T i n s was spoken by the
Holy Spirit centuries before the Internal Logos
became flesh at Bethlehem, a n d I believe wc
arc entitled to take this Body as the. One. taken
right through the progress of the
Divine
Humiliation ami (Jlory.
11 was ever the " n a o s "
or sanctuary of G o d .
It was begotten " holy "
though in the likeness, or effigy, of sinful flesh ;
TESTIMONY
77
! not the discernment t h a t H o alone had tho

words of " T h o L i f e of the A g e s . "
Lor He
teaches t h a t H e is the L i v i n g Bread, that wc
j arc to cat of H i m , to p a r t a k e of H i s fledi and
nevertheless i t was never sinful flesh, but holy

flesh, given for the life of the w o r l d . When
the Lord was challenged by the rulers to give
a sign to justify His authority over the temple
of God, He answered, " Destroy this ' sanctuary,' and i n three days I w i l l build another ;
but He spake of the ' sanctuary ' of His B o d y . "
This same Body was offered upon the tree, b u t
it was resurrected the t h i r d day, manifested on
earth, and received up into t h e glory of the
Godhead. I t is now i n the heavens, the
Habitation of God by the S p i r i t , and y e t i t is
the Body of which we are members, the dispensing of which we remind ourselves as we
gather around the Lord's table.
For this is the fulness of our incorporation
into the Christ, t h a t we become members of
His Body, of H i s flesh and of H i s bones.
We
[partake now of His flesh, b y f a i t h , i n the
I power of the H o l y S p i r i t ; and also d r i n k of
i His blood. So the Body has become corporate,
He and His brethren, subsisting i n One L i f e .
And all the teaching of the Book, the summing
up of the revelation is t h i s : " A Body hast
Thou prepared M e . "
This, then, is the thing t h a t God is after.
It is the extension ot t h a t B o d y , or its consummation i n corporate manifestation. The
whole creation groaneth and t r a v a i l c t h for the
manifestation of the sons of God, i n and w i t h
the Son of God, as in One Body. This is the
harden of the S p i r i t .
I t is this B o d y of which you and I partake
of H i s blood. H i s Life and Nature and Subi stance are t o T i p imparted " to us. A l l true
; TK'Tlevcrs. 1**5" H i s One S p i r i t , arc to be incorporated i n t o the Christ of God, so t h a t at last,
when H e " is' manifested they also shall he manifested asÔue..Christ of God i n One Body that
Jms.-lJCC" . P I P . r ^ before the foundations of
the world.
Now i t is obvious t h a t y o u and I can never
hope to a t t a i n b y merit unto t h a t consummation, and so this 2^rfcclion
as a matter of
acceptance and standing w i t h God must be
finally settled i n our conscience, and this is
what we are assured of i n the following words :
" For b y one offering H e h a t h 2>crfccted for ever
them t h a t are sanctified."
T h a t is t o say, we m u s t come t o a final and
settled conclusion about our salvation. You
cannot enter i n t o spiritual service as long as
y o u are troubled about the matter of your
personal salvation. Y o u d o n ' t l a y again the
foundations t h a t lead u p to t h a t blessed state
of absolute assurance. One is often led. to say
this, and I hope i t is n o t misunderstood, viz.,
t h a t one is no longer concerned about one's own
salvation, i n the sense of w o r r y i n g about i t .
I cannot save myself. I cannot add a single
thing to w h a t God Himself has accomplished
on my behalf. H e has completed a glorious
work of salvation for me : H e has m e t sin in its
depth for me ; H e descended into Hades. And
so as I discover the depths of sin i n my carnal
human nature, as the H o l y Spirit shall, for my
own humbling and means of grace, unveil the
iniquity of the human heart i n me, I am not
going to allow the devil, the false accuser, to
take advantage of God's grace i n m y chastisements, but I w i l l look again at t h a t marvellous
hy faith, and in w h i c h and unto which we should

minister by the S p i r i t .
if you desire to have the s p i r i t u a l revelation
''f this dispensing of the Body of C h r i s t among
Nis members, read prayerfully the ("th chapter
'** John's gospel. T h e r e we sec how He gives
that bread which seems to be, according to
'i>ible and h u m a n estimate, so insufficient :
in His Hands it becomes satisfying food for
multitude, for a great c o m p a n y ,
lint the
. hrjlo objective and purpose of that " sign "
'* to U;ul on to the miracle of the dispensing
[
His Bn<iy. the teaching concerning which
' " siii-h a cause of stumbling to all who had
! settled in heaven.
Be thou therefore perfect,
| even as t h y F a t h e r in h e a v e n is perfect.
Your
: Saviour s a y s that : not I .
Y o u sec. if this be not so, you a r c not ready
to go into H i s Presence this moment ; and you
have no gospel of assurance of salvation to
proclaim.
Y o u cannot go
to the world
to
proclaim a n uncertainty, a doubt.
Y o u cannot
tell desperate and needy sinners t h a t you arc
not quite sure about things. N o , the Christian
ls
Cross, ami I hear that blessed God and Saviour

say, " I T I S F I N I S H E D . " ' A n d the Blood is
always s a y i n g that. Beloved c h i l d of God, the
i matter of y o u r personal salvation is eternally

78
WITNESS
AND
experience is always t h e experience of being

ready t o go i n t o t h e Presence of a Thrice-Holy
God. One used t o hear the saying, " Sudden
death, sudden g l o r y ! " I t is j u s t t h a t .
Your
sins, a n d y o u r S I N ; j o u r failings, a n d e v e r y t h i n g
about y o u r c a r n a l n a t u r e , have been settled
forever i n t h e d e a t h of the Christ of God.
A n d t h o u g h t h e r e m a y be a b o u t y o u , as y o u
well k n o w , m a n y imperfections of n a t u r a l disp o s i t i o n , y o u are forever t r u s t i n g i n the power
of t h a t c o s t l y b l o o d , w h i c h even n o w as y o u
w a l k i n t h e L i g h t , is cleansing y o u f r o m a l l sin.
" T h e m t h a t are sanctified."
Those w h o are separated, set apcirt, u n t o a n
end t h a t G o d has i n v i e w . W h a t is t h i s ?
I s it n o t epitomised i n t h e 19th, verse : * H a v i n g ,
therefore, b r e t h r e n (these
are t h e * h o l y
b r e t h r e n , p a r t a k e r s of t h e heavenly calling ' )
l i b e r t y f o r entrance i n t o the Holies i n the blood
of Jesus, b y a newly-made a n d l i v i n g W a y
w h i c h He dedicated f o r us, t h o u g h t h e V a i l ,
t h a t is t o say, H i s flesh : (He sanctified Himself
i n H i s o w n B o d y f o r our sakes, t l i e church,
t h a t we m i g h t share w i t h H i m One L i f e , One
N a t u r e ) : a n d h a v i n g a Great Priest over the
House of G o d (this House, w h i c h is H i s B o d y ) ,
l e t us d r a w near w i t h a t r u e h e a r t , i n f u l l
assurance of f a i t h , h a v i n g been s p r i n k l e d (as
t o t h e h e a r t ) f r o m a n e v i l conscience, & c . "
T h i s is t h e o n l y possible g r o u n d of our funct i o n i n g as members of t h e B o d y of Christ. T h e
service i n t h e House of God is t h a t b y w h i c h
wc m u s t f i r s t of a l l be c o n t i n u a l l y able to come
i n t o t h e H o l i e s t of A l l , i n t o t h e v e r y Presence
of God. I t is there w e serve, surely, first i n
w o r s h i p a n d f e l l o w s h i p . T h e L i g h t and the
B r e a d a n d t h e Incense are there. T h e V a i l
is gone, f o r we arc members of it. T h e B l o o d
speaks i n t h e Presence.
r
T h u s w e see our p r i e s t h o o d , t h e f u n d a m e n t a l
o r d e r i n g of t h e House. T h e basis of the
ordered H o u s e is t h e p r i e s t h o o d of all believers,
t h a t is, true believers. Y o u cannot become
a n y t h i n g i n God's House u n t i l y o u become a
priest. Y o u need n o t w o r r y y o u r h e a r t a b o u t
a n y o t h e r service, apostleship, the prophetic
m i n i s t r y , p a s t o r h o o d , teaching, evangelising.
Y o u are none of these t h i n g s , whatever men
m a y call y o u , unless y o u arc first a priest i n
the m i n i s t r y of t h e S p i r i t W h o intercedes i n
t h e saints. T h i s is to be a s a i n t ; a n d y o u m u s t
be a Baint before y o u can be a n y t h i n g else.
Our m i n i s t r y is t o come c o n t i n u a l l y i n t o the
Presence of G o d t h r o u g h t h e V a i l , there t o
w o r s h i p and t o m a k e intercession before God,
i n t)v N A M K
TSJol for ourselves dn wo. make
TESTIMONY
intercession. Oh, n o ! T h e priest does n o t

m a k e intercession f o r himself. I t is H E , W h o
Liveth t o m a k e intercession f o r us does t h a t .
A n d the priest i n t h a t Great Priest has his o w n
matters settled b y t h e precious B l o o d .
He
intercedes for other things.. T h i s is w h a t God
w a n t s . T h e basis of a l l m i n i s t r y is prayer.
T h e essential character of a l l s p i r i t u a l service
is intercession. One w e l l knows y o u cannot
preach u n t i l y o u have interceded ; y o u cannot
do or be a n y t h i n g i n t h e House of God u n t i l
y o u k n o w w h a t intercession is. A n d t h i s is
the b u r d e n of t h e H o l y S p i r i t i n these days of
m u c h so-called C h r i s t i a n a c t i v i t y w h i c h simply
gets nowhere, a n d is n o t k n o w n i n heaven.
It
is t o get t h e c h i l d r e n of God t o t h i s first,
p r i m a r y , stage of m i n i s t r y . W e are t a l k i n g
a b o u t m i n i s t r y . W h y , t h e beginning of a l l
m i n i s t r y is " p r a y i n g i n t h e H o l y G h o s t , " and
t h i s is n o t b e y o n d us as t h e h u m b l e s t a n d
weakest of the c h i l d r e n of God. T h e more
h u m b l e a n d b r o k e n we are, t h e more we recognise w i t h t h e deepest g r a t i t u d e of h e a r t t h a t
a l l t h e w o r k s of our r e d e m p t i o n are finished,
and t h a t we can a d d n o t h i n g t o t h e m ; t h e more
we see t h a t the same M i g h t y H a n d of God t h a t
t o o k us d o w n i n t o t h e grave of t h e Christ has
also raised us u p i n t o H i s resurrection G l o r y ,
so m u c h t h e more shall we g l a d l y y i e l d our
whole being t o t h e H o l y S p i r i t t o m a k e this
w o r k of God t r u e i n us, and t o i d e n t i f y us w i t h
the Christ i n the heavenlies.
One wishes t h a t t h i s m i g h t be made so real
t o us t h a t i n t h i s v e r y h o u r we should humble
ourselves under t h e M i g h t y H a n d of God, for
t h e w o r l d is w a i t i n g u p o n this : G o d Himself iB
waiting upon this.
Read again the 8 t h chapter of R o m a n s upon
the character of t h i s L i f e of Christ i n the S p i r i t
and you w i l l sec t h a t t h i s S p i r i t of Intercession
is t h e f u n d a m e n t a l guarantee of t h e Spirit's
Presence i n the believer. I f we have received
the S p i r i t of the Christ of God we begin of
necessity t o experience t h e groanings t h a t
cannot be u t t e r e d i n t h e terms of our flesh, and
therefore need t h e S p i r i t ' s power f o r utterance.
I f t h e m u t e creation groanB, are we, t h e children
of God, less sensible of the desires of God t h a n
the creation ? A r c w c w h o have received the
first f r u i t of t h e S p i r i t less sensible t o H i s
E t e r n a l Purpose ? 'No, i t says, W e ourselves
groan w i t h i n ourselves, w a i t i n g f o r t h e Sonship,
t o w i t , the r e d e m p t i o n of our b o d y . "
B u t do n o t i n t e r p r e t t h i s in t h o n a r r o w , selfish,
and exclusive w a y J h a v e heard aomo children-'
if (hid speak of i t , ns if nil i t mount was t h a t
44
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
79
wc were w a i t i n g f o r a c o n s u m m a t i o n t o o u r
t o t h e h e a r t of t h i n g s . Cease lingering i n these
own personal experience, a n i n d i v i d u a l t r a n s stages of i m m a t u r i t } , as i n f a n t s , perambulated
lation. N o , t h e r e d e m p t i o n of our b o d y is
b y every changing d o c t r i n e . Come i n t o t h e
incidental t o t h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n of the B o d y .
H o l y of H o l i e s . God w a n t s t o b u r n i n y o u
Our desire is t o sec our C h r i s t receiving H i s
w i t h t h e burnings of H i s o w n passion.
He
fulness, t h o c h u r c h , a n d t h e g l o r y a n d t h e
w a n t s t o fill y o u w i t h H i s H o l y S p i r i t .
blessing. Our l o n g i n g is t o sec t h e L a m b of
N o w are we prepared t o be filled w i t h the
God, of C a l v a r y a n d of t h e T h r o n e , m e e t i n g . H o l y S p i r i t ? Y o u can o n l y be filled w i t h the
H i s f u l l r e w a r d . W e p r a y t h a t He m a y see of
H o l y S p i r i t as y o u are e m p t i e d of yourself.
the t r a v a i l of H i s Soul, a n d be satisfied.
I t is
T h i s o i l does n o t come u p o n flesh.
such longings t h a t m a r k t h e i n d w e l l i n g of t h e
T h e b a p t i s m i n t h e H o l y S p i r i t is t h e b a p t i s m
Holy Spirit.
of y o u r born-again s p i r i t i n t o t h e S p i r i t of t h e
H a v e y o u received t h e Holy S p i r i t , dear
E t e r n a l God i n C h r i s t . I f y o u are filled w i t h
friends * T h e Holy S p i r i t , m a r k . T h i s t h a t
t h e H o l y Ghost, y o u w i l l be filled w i t h t h e love
we have i n d i c a t e d , is t h e true sign of t h e b a p t i s m
of G o d , t h o passion of God, t h e longings of
i n t h e H o l y S p i r i t of God i n t h e Christ. A
God, t h e t r a v a i l of God ; and y o u w i l l underbaptism t h a t is n o t m e r e l y a blessing, a n exstand something of C a l v a r y w r o u g h t o u t i n
perience, something t o t a l k a b o u t , t o p u t i n t o
y o u r o w n h e a r t . T h i s is w h a t G o d is after i n
the papers as a sensation, t o discuss w i t h y o u r
H i s c h u r c h . T h e B o d y of C h r i s t means t h i s .
friends.
H a v e we received t h i s Holy S p i r i t ,
I t is n o t a n academic d o c t r i n a l t r u t h , some
the S p i r i t W h o speaks i n t h e b l o o d of Jesus,
t h i n g pushed u p o n y o u r m e n t a l h o r i z o n , so
the S p i r i t of t r a v a i l i n g 1 " U n t o y o u i t is
t h a t y o u say, Yes, I believe t h a t .
Wonderful
given in the behalf of the Christ, n o t o n l y t o
vision ! ! T h e L o r d deliver us f r o m t h e t h e o believe on H i m , b u t also t o suffer f o r H i s sake."
r e t i c a l . I have seen people w h o preached t h i s
Our flesh w o u l d l i k e t o stay i n t h e beginning
t r u t h f a i l i n g l a m e n t a b l y i n t h e mere discerning
of t h a t verse, a n d proceed n o f a r t h e r . W e are
of t h e B o d y w h e n t h e y were c o n f r o n t e d w i t h
prone t o stay a t E l i m where there are m a n y
t h e p r a c t i c a l d e m o n s t r a t i o n of t h e i r o w n
comforts of f o u n t a i n s a n d p a l m trees, a n d
theories. T h e B o d y is n o t o n l y a f a c t i n t h e
forget t h a t t h e p i l g r i m a g e of f a i t h means n o t
heavenlies ; i t is a f a c t i n t h e e a r t h . There is
only a n escape f r o m E g y p t b u t an adventure
t h a t of t h e B o d y of t h e Christ i n t h e w o r l d
i n t h e w o r s h i p of G o d t o t h e conquest of a
to-day, a n d our service is i n i t a n d f o r i t .
Canaan. W e t a k e such w o r d s as " L e t n o t
B u t y o u cannot m a n u f a c t u r e t h i s m i n i s t r y .
your heart be t r o u b l e d ; y c believe i n God,
I t is God-given. A n d BO H e says t o H i s
believe also i n M o " a n d a p p l y t h e m t o our
disciples, " Receive y c t h e H o l y S p i r i t . " H e
personal c o m f o r t a n d consolation (for w h i c h ,
breathed i n t o t h e m . D o w c believe H e is s t i l l
of course, t h e y a r c ) , b u t f o r g e t t h a t t h e y were
able t o breathe i n t o us ? I n t o our s p i r i t ?
addressed t o t h o disciples i n t h e face of the
Surely. I t is t h e l i v i n g G o d i n t h e Risen Christ
great Conflict w i t h t h e enemy.
O h , the f a i t h
W h o so comes i n H i s finished w o r k f o r us, and
of t h e Son. of G o d , b y w h i c h we n o w l i v e , is
says, Receive y e My S p i r i t , t h e Holy S p i r i t .
something f a r more t h a n a w a y of escape f r o m
A n d we no longer rejoice o n l y because of a
personal d i s e l i n a t i o n t o faco t h e real issues of
personal s a l v a t i o n , b u t are sent i n t o t h e w o r l d
life. I t is a fighting f a i t h : " N o t o n l y t o
as H e was, out from G o d ; b u t t o G o d w a r d are
believebut to suffer."
j o i n e d t o t h e L o r d , one S p i r i t . O m a y H e
cause us t o see t h e n a t u r e of our heavenly
I t is t h o sufferings of t h e C h r i s t t h a t y o u and
calling, t h e character of t h i s L i f e , h i d w i t h t h e
I are called t o i n t h e m i n i s t r y of intercession.
Christ
in G o d , t h a t i t iB something wrapped
The beginning of m i n i s t r y is t h i s . T h e H o l y
u
p
w
i
t
h
t h e E t e r n a l Purpose a n d W i l l of God.
Spirit iB calling y o u t o thiB, a n d t h a t is w h y
Name's sake, A m e n .
F
o
r
H
i
s
ereat
the w r i t e r here, and t h o apostle P a u l especially
T.M.J.
in all bin opintleB, iB over e n t r e a t i n g t h e children
of God t o ceaao being mere c h i l d r e n , babes ;
THE
BLOOD
to leave t h o m i n d i n g of childish thingH, the
I t s atoning v i r t u e lies not i n its m a t e r i a l
toys and ] day things of s p i r i t u a l l i f e , if t h e y may
substance but in tho life of w h i c h it is the vehicle.
be BO calledtho discussions of elementary
Moreover the B l o o d a l r e a d y shed is distinctly
treated as living. W h e n it is sprinkled - u p o n the
doctrines and testimonies of f a i t h a n d t o
a l t a r it m a k e s atonement i n v i r t u e of the
life'
como t o t h e conclusion of t h e whole m a t t e r , the
w
h
i
c
h
is
in
it.
W
E
S
T
C
O
T
T,
central i l y of t h o Christian experience. Conic*
7

80
A WITNESS
AND A
TESTIMONY
H E A V E N L Y CITIZENSHIP
A MAN'S (1 welling i n one country, and holding citizenship i n another and far rcmoto
is not an unknown circumstance. In such a case, wo may have the singular anomaly
of one being most a stranger in the land in which he is present, and most at home i n the
land from which he is absent. Our blessed Lord was the first perfectly to realise this
idea respecting the heavenly country. For He speaks of himself as " He t h a t came
down from heaven, even the Son of man who is i n heaven." So t r u l y a citizen of the
other world was He t h a t even while walking with men and talking w i t h men He regarded
Himself as there, not here. And this saying of His occurs i n t h a t discourse where, w i t h
an emphatic " verily, v e r i l y , " H e declares that " except a man be born from above ho
cannot see the kingdom of God."
Here is the key t o the whole mystery. As the only begotten of the Father, Christ's
native country was a b o v e ; and during all the days of His flesh He neither relinquished
H i s heavenly citizenship nor acquired an earthly residence. " Blessed be the L o r d God
of Israel: for H e hath visited and redeemed His people," is a significant note in the prophecy
of His birth. A n d four times i n the Gospels is our Lord's advent to earth spoken of as
a visit. B u t i t was a visit which never for a moment looked toward a permanent abiding.
A t His birth H e was laid i n a borrowed manger, because there was no room for H i m i n
t h e i n n ; at H i s burial He was l a i d in a borrowed tomb, because H e owned no foot of
e a r t h : and between the cradle and the grave was a sojourn i n which " the Son of man
had not where to lay His head."
The mountain top whither H e constantly withdrew
t o commune w i t h His Father was the nearest to His home. A n d hence there is a strange
pathetic meaning i n t h a t saying, " And every man went unto his own house; Jesus
went unto t h e Mount of Olives."
Now, as i t was w i t h the L o r d , so i t is to be w i t h H i s disciples. " For our citizenship
is in heaven," says t h e apostle. Herein is the saying of L a d y Powerscourt true : " The
Christian is n o t one who looks u p from earth to heaven, b u t one who looks down f r o m
heaven to e a r t h . " A celestial n a t i v i t y implies a celestial residence; and w i t h a certain
divine condescension may the Christian contemplate the sordid, self-seeking children
of this present evil age and say, w i t h his L o r d : " Y e are f r o m beneath ; I am f r o m above:
ye are of this w o r l d ; I am not of this w o r l d . " L e t us be admonished, however, t h a t t o
say this t r u l y and t o live i t really may subject us to the experience indicated by the
apostle: " Therefore the world knoweth us not because i t knew H i m n o t . " There is a
certain quaint beauty i n the apology which an old reformer made for the hard treatment
which he and his friends received from the men of this world. " W h y , brethren," he
would say, " they do not understand court manners or the etiquette of heaven, never
having been, i n that country from, whence we come; therefore i t is t h a t our ways seem
strange to t h e m . " W o u l d that i n the Christians of to-day celestial traits were so conspicuous as t o occasion like remark ! Perhaps i t is because there are so few high saints
i n the Church that there are so many low sinners outside the Church, since the ungodly
can never be powerfully lifted up except by a Church t h a t reaches down from an exalted
spiritual plane.
What means t h a t lofty address of the apostle, " Wherefore, holy brethren, jxiriakers
of the hsavenly calling " ? (Hebrew iii. I ) . The reference is not merely to our final destiny
as those who arc to be called u p to heaven, but to our present service as those who have
come down from heaven ; sons of God rejoicing in a celestial b i r t h , bringing the air and
manners of glory into a world that knows not God. As such we are exhorted to " consider
the Aj'O-stle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus " ; an apostle being one who
come? forth from God. and an high priest one who goes i n unto God. And Christ Jesus
not only fulfils both these ofhees in Himself, a s he says, ** I came forth from the Father
and am come into the world ; again I leave the world and go to the Father," but He
make.* us partakers w i t h Him of the same heavenly calling, sending u s into the world,
as the Father hath sent H i m . and permitting u s " to enter into the holiest by the blood
of Jesus." as He has entered i n by His own blood.
A. J. GOKDON.
P r i m e d by T b a A t h c t i K u a P r * M , 11 u d
13, H r e & u ' t B u U d i n g t , Cl>aDcry
Un,
L o u d u t i , K . C 4.

JULY,
1927
Vol
5,
No. 7
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as from
Actings for Spiritual Edification, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
Sundays: 11 a.m. 3 p.m. 6 6.30 p m. Mondays: 7.30 p.m. Wednesdays : 8 p.m. Saturday*: 3.30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
{'inferences arc held every week-end (Saturday and S u n d a y ) , a n d also a longer week-end nt the
Spinning of each month, this fixed hy the first S u n d a y .
( F r i d a y to Monday evenings,
E l u s i v e ) A l l particulars m a v be obtained from O. Taterson, H o n o r Oak Christian Fellowship
"Centre, Honor Oak K o a d , S.U.:13.
M i n i s t e r s : T . A u s t l n S p a r k e s ; T . Madoc J e f f r e y s ; G. P a t e r s o n ( d e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y ) .
M**t* Hntese5: L a d y Ojjle ; M r s . At. B r a n d .
82
MINISTER'S
WITNESS
AND
July, 1 9 2 7 .
O F OUR
TESTIMONY
circumstances of his life, coming along that

path of glory. W h a t a way of looking at life !
Seeing its events in the light of the Throne, andoften seeing them long beforehand, for this
is surely the i m p l i c a t i o n : " as soon as I shall
sec."
Coming events thus cast not their*
shadows, but their glory, before them ; for they
arc seen coming i n the will of God and along the
line of His Purpose as we arc found " lookingaway " unto Jesus.
This forward look makes the forward step
of faith possible. Our vision is not of the
present anarchy, confusion, and menace of the
earth phase of the situation, bub of the Sovereign
security of the Divine W i l l for us, His own.
Beloved, look away, and thus see your lives
coming to you as f r o m His Throne.
LETTER
(Honor Oak Christian Fellowship Centre.)

BELOVED
LORD,
There is no other way of running this arduous

race of f a i t h than looking-away " unto Jesus,
w i t h such a vision as we have of H i m i n the
Throne.
B u t i t must be this v i s i o n , " Jesus, crowned
w i t h the Divine Honour and Glory." Tho
heavenly revelation of His absolute Lordship
i n the Throne of God is the supreme incentive
t o f a i t h . Such was Paul's constant beholding
of H i m in the S p i r i t ; and this was Stephen's
witness, for which he died, and surely by which
he lived through t h a t brief and glorious time
Yours w i t h such a vision,
of testimony. So whether i n the heart, or face
T.
AUSTIN-SPARKS.
t o face, this is the heavenly vision, " The Glory
T. M A D O C J E F F R E Y S .
of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand
of G o d . "
Then looking away, or " looking-onward "
u n t o H i m . There is not only a direction of the
gaze toward H i m , b u t a l i f t i n g of the eyes away
THE FELLOWSHIP
AND
f r o m near scenes and horizons suggested.
MINISTRY
Otherwise there must he hesitation, doubt, fear,
vacillation. Our only safe way of adventuring
JULY
CONFERENCE
this faith-path t o the' Throne is t o maintain
A great t i m e ! Y e t not so much i n the
our looking-away unto Jesus. Otherwise the
realm of things seen and heard, though here
spectacle of the seemingly insuperable diffithere were many indications of the Divine
culties of the path to H i m w i l l daunt the
Favour. I t is interesting to note t h a t in
stoutest heart. Thus i t was w i t h Peter's
gatherings where definite testimonies are being
venture upon the heaving sea. There was the
borne to the truths of identification w i t h our
i n i t i a l vision, " H i t be Thou, L o r d . " There
L o r d i n death, burial, and resurrection-life
was the confidence t h a t i t was the L o r d Who
i n His heavenly Body, the Church, there is
thus called; h u t we read, " when he saw
usually a degree of pressure and conflict. I t
the w i n d boisterous, he was a f r a i d . " So i t
would seem t h a t the devil hates the explicit
always is, when we lose sight of the L o r d as
demonstrations of " the faith once for all dethe eyes are directed toward the present and
livered unto the saints." He does not seem to
near troubles and problems to our f a i t h .
care a great deal as long as these things are
" J E S U S , crowned " is faith's incentive.
kept i n the realm of the theoretical, the merely
This becomes the habit of the believing heart.
I t is interesting to note that this word " looking" doctrinal or mental vision ; but let them come
into the positive realm of obedience of faith
is used only twice i n the New Testament, and
and become matters of actual and demonthe other reference is made by Paul with regard
strated
testimony, how he rages !
to the events of his life i n Phillipians i i . 2 3 :
Looking
back over this time we arc able to
" as soon as I shall sec how i t will go with mc.',
see the clear lines of the Lord's leading, and
H e is i n prison, of course. His earthly vision
marvel at His wisdom. I t is our joy that amid
is very narrowed, but he maintains vividly his
so much that withstands the testimony of our
heavenly vision, for i t is in this epistle wc
Lord, He is surely bringing His own children
remember he has that glorious passage about
through to a clear, not to say a large, place of
pressing on " toward the goal unto the prize,
identification
w i t h Himself, and this not only
of the high calling of God in Christ J e s u s . "
His faith's view* is (!od in Christ, and therefore, I as to that completed Act of CJod in the Cross,
but also in Life-union by the O n e S p i r i t ; s
he sees the things of time, the happenings and
M
WITNESS
AND
that the out-working of the Cross is realised

not only in an individual personal life, hut in
that life of service in and to the Body of Christ.
One strong word among many others during
the Conference was t h a t upon the opening
words of the 40th Psalm (Margin R.V.), " I n
waiting I waited for the L o r d . " I t was seen
by this rendering that there is a patience of
the Divine Spirit planted i n the heart of the
child of God whereby " waiting " becomes no
longer a passive and wistful resignation t o
hope deferred, but rather an active co-operation
in a knowledge of the m i n d of G o d : an assurance of f a i t h t h a t i t is the very wisdom of
God which necessitates the seeming delay of
His promises. This waiting s p i r i t is sure of
the event: what i t is concerned about is the
time of God. The cry, " H o w long, 0 L o r d ,
how long ? " does not imply a doubt as to the
the certain fulfilment of God's purpose,
but an inquiry as to His " fulness of t i m e . "
Thus here is a restraint of f a i t h t h a t w i l l
not hurry God, nor agitate the soul, b u t
perseveres i n a " waiting " which is itself a
constituent of the Divine patience. Such a
sense as this is i n t h a t age-long cry of the Spirit
to the waiting church concerning the t a r r y i n g
vision of the Epiphany. " Though i t t a r r y ,
wait for i t ; because i t w i l l surely come, i t w i l l
not delay"
THE MINISTRY OF T H E GUEST
HOUSE
We are praising God t h a t i n so many ways

He is owning the ministry of w h a t we have
called the " Guest House." We cannot t h i n k
of a* better name.
The character of its ministry is becoming
more defined, and while this ministry has
many aspects, i t may perhaps be best condensed and focalised as t o description b y
saying that we think of this " House " as " a
house of prayer for all nations." Prayer is its
essential ministry, and prayer w i t h a world
horizon and purpose.
We arc receiving many enquiries and applications as to its accommodation and hospitality,
n d i t may be well to set forth more clearly
die limits and character of its service to the
Church. Perhaps i t would be best to state
finite frankly that it is not a " Rest Home "
hi the usual sense of such designation ; that is
to say i t is not a Christian boarding house.
I t is Christian worker,* wc desire to serve;
those who arc or have been engaged in active
service for the L o n l . and who know no discharge in that warfare. For such the House
a
TESTIMONY
83
certainly possesses a ministry, w i t h many

facilities of situation and equipment, that
provide ideal conditions for rest and spiritual
recreation.
Already during the brief space of these
opening months, many of the Lord's servants
f r o m different parts of the w o r l d have passed
through the Centre, and have gone o u t with their
vision clarified, their f a i t h renewed, and their
service for the L o r d made definite and enhanced. This then appears to be the nature of
the m i n i s t r y , and the purpose for which the
" Guest House " has been provided,that the
children of God shall be brought t o recognise
the all* inclusive work of the Cross through the
Spirit, and the reality of their membership i n
the Body of C h r i s t ; t h a t those who have
suffered f r o m isolation, indefiniteness of calling
and m i n i s t r y , incomplete and inadequate knowledge of " The T r u t h " as i t is i n Jesus, a lock consequently of corporate fellowship i n the Spirit,
and an inevitable failure both to discern and
therefore t o serve the Eternal Purpose of the
Christ into which they are called, may through
the ministry of the W o r d and the fellowship i n
prayer fivd themselves i n Christ even as they
find Christ i n their hearts, and go forth again
into the w o r l d as positive factors counting tor
God, and helping to b r i n g about b y the energies
of the H o l y Spirit the consummation of the
agethe coming of the L o r d for H i s completed,
perfected Body.
HOSPITALITY
TO
GUEST
FUND
While we are obliged as a matter of righteousness to have a rate of expenses f o r hospitality,

we are intensely concerned t h a t none of the
Lord's servants should be deprived of this
ministry and fellowship through inability to
meet such obligations. I t may be possible i n
some cases to meet the expenses, wholly or
i n part, of those w h o m we would delight to
receive i n His Name, b u t as our o w n resources
arc entirely dependent upon f a i t h we realise i t
is best to definitely open a " Guest Fund " on
this account.
Should any of the Lord's stewards therefore
be constrained to co-operate i n this ministry,
w i l l they kindly direct their gifts, car-marked
" Guest*Fund," to our brother, M r . Paterson.
The L o r d is opening up avenues of service
i n several directions. Our young men, five in
number, arc at present proclaiming the Message
of the Cross in and around Newcastle and Durham. The mining villages of this area promise
a f r u i t f u l field both i n the ministry of the
A WITNESS
84
AND A
f u l l evangel, and in teaching those spiritual

truths which radiate from the Cross and arc
necessary to the building-up of the Body.
The monthly Conferences at Newcastle reach
a wide field. * There is great interest i n , and
desire for, the Word all around, and we believe
the Lord would have us provide a regular and
continuous ministry to meet this need i n the
near future.
A t Lowestoft, our sister, Miss Parncll, has
for some years past been arranging " Sand
Services " during the month of August. She
has now come into close fellowship w i t h us,
and realising the need of a living
message
solicits our active co-operation i n this work.
Accordingly some of our workers hope to labour
a t Lowestoft i n this connection. L e t us pray
t h a t the Lord's appointments be clearly made.
The " G i l g a l " Mission, 48 Annerley Road,
Upper Norwood, hitherto under the direction of
our sisters, Miss Bridges and Miss Thompson,
has been transferred b y them to our care. We
have accepted this responsibility as from the
Lord.
W i l l interested friends please note t h a t
regular meetings are held at " G i l g a l " on
Sundays a t 3 and 6.30 P . M . ; Mondays, 7.30;
Wednesdays, 3.15 and 7.30.
THE
HOLIDAY
CONFERENCE, AUGUST
As intimated i n our last issue we have decided

to have a Conference of this character over the
B a n k Holiday period i n August, commencing
F r i d a y , J u l y 29th a t 7.30 P . M . , w i t h a gathering
i n the nature of a reception. Meetings w i l l
then be held daily u n t i l Friday, August 5 t h ,
a t the usual h o u r s ; but from the Tuesday onward there w i l l be no afternoon gatherings so
as to provide our guests leisure for recreation.
Applications to a considerable number are
already i n . I t w i l l therefore be necessary for
our friends to advise us without delay. A l l
particulars of meetings and other directions
may be obtained i n leaflet from our secretary.
The Theme of the Conference w i l l be The
Centrality and Universality of the Cross.'
TESTIMONY
stand he has now decided t h a t he m u s t be free

in the ministry of the Spirit to serve the whole
Body of Christ. We rejoice in his liberty and
pray God to preserve and empower him in this
" Testimony of J e s u s . "
Those who may h a v e heard of a recent indisposition of our brother, M r . Sparks, will
join with us in praise to God for his restoration
to strength and to ministry. R o m a n s viii. 10
and 11 s t a n d s !
Several gifts to the treasury of this testimony
have recently been received anonymously.
Wo
would s a y " thank y o u " i n the L o r d ' s Name
to the senders, a n d trust t h a t they may sec
this grateful acknowledgement.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T H E following sums, apart from local gifts,
have been received up to J u l y 18th towards the
maintenance of this p a p e r : Jerusalem 5a.; Sandown, I s . lid.; Norwood, 5a.; Hook (Basingstoke),
10a.; Henham, 5s.; Monkstown (Ireland), 5s.;
Muswell H i l l , Q\d.; Anon., 2a.; Bermondsey, 3*:
"Upper Norwood, 5a,; Maida Y a l e , 2a. Qd.;
Streathaxn, 2a. 6d. and 2a. 9d.; Southsea, 7*. 7t|d,;
Leigh-on-Sea, 10a.; New Y o r k , 1 j Edinburgh,
5 s . ; Northampton, 5a.; Blackpool, 6d.; Wimble*
don, 2a. Qd.Total 5 la. Id.
We gratefully acknowledge also the receipt
through the post of the following anonymous gifts
towards the maintenance of the Lord's work here:
28 10a.; 2.
BOOKLETS
WITNESS A N D TESTIMONY.
T H E following are now available-:

B y T . Macdoc Jeffreys
* The Divine Unities.' Price 2d.
B y T . Austin-Sparks
'Incorporation into Christ,' No. 1. Price 2d.
,,
No. 2. Price 2d.

No. 3. Price 2d.
The Inner Man of the Heart.' Price 4d.
* Vision and Vocation.' Prico 2d.
The Prisoner of the L o r d . ' Prico 2d.
1
PERSONAL
It
was a considerable encouragement re-
THINGS THAT
DIFFER
II.
cently to find that the L o r d had been leading

O F the things that differ wc now proceed to
our brother, Mr. Oliphaut, of Wimbledon, quite
say a little on the subject of salvation.
Far
independently from ourselves, to a recognition
be it from us to even seem to make the way
of the unity and corporate character of the
of salvation dillieult or complicated, but we
church of Christ, and to an obedience of testi- ; feel that there arc many very strong demands
mony to the truth of IOKNTIKICATION with I for an emphasis upon the tremendous nature
Christ in all its scriptural range. We under- ; of a conversion. T h i s matter has been made
WITNESS AND
TESTIMONY
8S
all too simple and easy w i t h disastrous conse- a birth from the dead of such as arc dead in
quences in after life.
trespasses and sins. The inwrought faith of
"Vhilc i t is true that in many notable cases
God Himself is the only adequate faith and the
t3 linal touch by which the new birth has essential principle of resurrection. Apply this
ta."ii place has been very gentle and undemonto the scriptures and you w i l l find i t is true.
strative, this docs not by any means weaken When wc believe wc t u r n w i t h willingness and
the case or take from the terrific nature of the sincerity toward the L o r d and come to H i m ,
entire new b i r t h . Precautions must be taken thus opening our hearts t h a t His Spirit may give
against such contingencies as arc commonly unto us the extra essential requisite, even
met w i t h amongst those who have professed saving f a i t h .
faith in the L o r d Jesus.
So often there has been quoted to the unFor instance, there are many who come to a converted as a simple basis of salvation the
time when the whole question as to whether familiar words " W i t h the heart man belicveth
they are really born again children of God unto righteousness and w i t h the mouth conarises and they are tossed about i n uncertainty, fession is made unto salvation," b u t ' w e must
darkness and helpless impotence. Then there remember t h a t f a i t h i n the heart which is
are many who after a time of seeming reality justifying f a i t h follows upon a previous work
drop back into the old life and are carried away of the H o l ) Spirit i n the deep conviction of sin,
into greater excesses of sin and worldliness than and such f a i t h is by the H o l y Spirit's energising.
ever. Further, the Master spoke of many who I n ourselves we have no saving faithour life
in that day w i l l say " L o r d , i n T h y Name we i n Christ f r o m start to finish is " b y the faith
have prophesied and done many mighty works " of the Son of God."
and that He would answer " Ye stand i n no
Then also we must remember t h a t " no man
relationship to M e . "
can say t h a t Jesus is the Christ b u t by the
Now while i n the two first instances there may H o l y S p i r i t . " This carries w i t h i t the law that,
have been a real transaction w i t h God at some n o t by a n y mere mental assent t o certain protime and i n their case doubts have arisen under posed t r u t h s about the person and work of the
extreme pressure f r o m the Enemy, and i n the L o r d Jesus, n o t by any mere mental appreother instance a pure case of backsliding, hension of the terms of the Gospel can man be
experience goes to prove t h a t i n all too many saved, b u t b y nothing less t h a n the mighty work
cases the origin of this " Christian L i f e " (?) of the H o l y Ghost upon and w i t h i n them.
was doubtful or inadequate.
We have n o t sufficiently measured the force
I n view of the tremendous sifting which must of spiritual death, the authority of Satan, the
take place and of the words, " I f the righteous awful nature of sin, and the real change in the
scarcely be saved where w i l l the sinner and nature and level of man's life through the Fall.
the ungodly appear " i t behoves us t o be very To apprehend b y revelation b u t a little of all
clear and certain as to the nature of salvation. this would enable us t o see t h a t souls are not
I t is a tremendous thing to be born out of as easily born and cheaply w o n as we have
God. The resurrection of the L o r d Jesus is been prone to think. Sooner or later i n our
set throughout the scriptures as an example of relationship to Christ we shall be forced experia new b i r t h . The divine attestation to His mentally t o recognise the infinite measure of
Sonship is always reserved for His resurrection,
the resurrection of Christ w r o u g h t n o t only
both hi type, prediction, and fact. The Bible f b u t i n every true child of God.
is written from Genesis to Revelation i n the
The L o r d make us very sure for ourselves,
terms of the resurrection of Christ. When the and to make very sure i n the case of every one
Father says " Thou a r t M y Son, this day have w i t h whose salvation we have anything to do.
1 begotten Thee " i t refers and relates to His
T . A.-S.
resurrection by winch He was the first begotten
from among the death
THE
BLOOD
Now the Apostle says, " The exceeding
W H I M S tho t h o u g h t of C h r i s t ' s B l o o d (as shed)
Neatness of His power to us ward who believe i n c l u d u s a l l t h a t is i n v o l v e d i n C h r i s t ' s doath ; tho
^cording to the energy of His might which He d e a t h of C h r i s t , on tho o t h e r h a n d , e x p r e s s e s only
'Jicrgised in Christ when He raised H i m from a p a r t , tho i n i t i a l p a r t , of tho w h o l o conception
V'c dead/' This energy of the might of God of C h r i s t ' s JJlood. Tlte Mood tUivay.i include*
resurrection is " t o us ward who believe " the thought of the life preserved and active beyond
""d represents the nature and requirement of death.WKSTCOTT.
r
o r
1,1
86
WITNESS
AND
morning,
SPEAKING of Jesus in His absence of selfsufficiency, there was always i n His life an
uprising of Divine strength as He depended
upon i t ; and wc arc to walk in no other fashion
t h a n He walked. He could not vindicate H i m self, for H e had no power as from Himself.
T h a t was the taunt of His enemies; and
through their lips the Avenger spoke" He
saved others, ^Himself He cannot save." His,
verily, was a life of faith, and these words could
be found on H i s l i p s " The L o r d is the strength
of M y l i f e . "
Perhaps for the realisation of this law of the
Spirit of L i f e i n Christ Jesus i t is necessary to
say t h a t the inner man is not formed u n t i l
y o u are b o r n again. The natural man is one
m a n , and has no inner man as distinguished from
himself. H e is the " p s y c h i c a l " man, the
m a n of s o u l ; b u t the man born from above
is t w o men, BO to speak, and y o u find the
d u a l i t y coming out i n Romans v i i . Remember
Romans
vii.
comes after Romans
vi.
In
Romans v i i . he finds he is a d u a l i t y ; he finds
there is an outer man and an inner man.
A n d here starts the real trouble, and a ploughing
through a v e r y difficult period of spiritual
experience. B u t i t is only the spiritual man
who has this experience. The natural man
has i t n o t ; and very often the natural man who
touches these spiritual things, and is found
among the Church of the L o r d Jesus says
I do not understand, I never have the experiences y o u have. No, for this two-foldness
belongs t o the spiritual man.
<
We are saved out of faith unto f a i t h . I t is a

big thing when you step out i n f a i t h ; but the
t h i n g is to walk by faith. Peter, the natural
man, got out of the ship (He did get out of the
ship. Y o u must give Peter the credit for that.)
H e took the first step of faith, depending there
and then not upon natural resources, not upon
the foundation he could feel beneath his feet;
and he began to walk upon the sea to Jesus.
B u t he had not learned that he had to walk
b y faith all the way there. For the first step
is only one of many steps, as Abraham discovered. I t was one thing for Abraham to
leave Ur of the Chaldccs, but quite another
thing to reach Canaan. You know how he
stood still at Haran. He did not move until
TESTIMONY
the " old m a n " was buried. A n d when ho

reached Canaan he had to walk up and down
the Land of Promise w i t h a little lapse here and
there, such as a going down to Egypt, and
failure here and there.
But even in these failures, by grace, through
faith ho was strengthened; t h a t is to say he
was strengthened inwardly by his faith. I t is
not the first step, but i t is the sequence of
steps. Walking after all is a series of falls and
recoveries. I t is a stumble, and then an arrest
of the stumblingone learns t o p u t out the
other step of f a i t h . We are only children,
after all, i n this walk of f a i t h . We know very
little. We have left the b o a t ; we have stepped
out of the natural. We have accepted the
Cross as far as we see its meaning, and we are
saved ; b u t now we are to walk by f a i t h , and
not by sight. One's stride of f a i t h is not yet
beautiful! I f we could see ourselves as the
L o r d sees us we are stumbling along this
road of faith. The two creations, the New
and the old are jostling together, and you
know something of both. Y o u know the old
creation by natural b i r t h , natural intelligence
and natural experience. Y o u know the New
Creation by f a i t h . Y o u had a glorious time
when y o u were born f r o m above; b u t you
are learning many lessons sinceyou have
stopped a t many a place for a while, and there
have been many holdings and lapses.
" The L o r d is the strength of my life ; of

whom shall I be afraid."Psalm x x v i i . 1 .
Notes of an address given on Sunday
January 23rd, 1927.
" The L o r d is the strength of m y l i f e . " The

L o r d is m y life, t h a t is true. B u t we want to
feel H i m all the while. Just as we can feel
.natural life, so we want to feel the Lord's
life.
B u t the W o r d says the L o r d is the
strength of my life, the inward resource of my
life ; and i t is only as I acknowledge H i m , that
He is there i n m y experience. I have to rely
upon H i m , depend upon H i m , affirm H i m ; and
as I affirm H i m He is there. T h a t is the
law of f a i t h . The confession of faith is i n the
Living God. We believe i n our heart that God
has raised the L o r d Jesus from the dead. We
believe i t as an inward experience, not only as
an historical fact.
He was raised up on high that He might fill
the heavens, and His resurrection is the breaking forth of God i n our humanity. I f you are
born from above i t means that the Spirit of
j that living reigning Christ is w i t h i n you I
; and therefore His resurrection power is within
you, and you arc raised together with Hi-"*
His life is your life now and you arc to depend
upon H i m , and to find H i m w i t h i n , not con*
j fined and limited, but ever rising i n a continu*'
!
A WtTNfiSS
AND A
ascension of life and power and testimony.

The Lord is the strength of my life ! I t is
infinite. I t is more than spacious. I t is
universal. I t is a tremendous thing to have
within you, the L i v i n g Godyour spirit joined
to the L o r d , one Spirit, so t h a t there can arise
within you all sufficiency, all grace. B u t you
may have no feeling ! I t is by faith you find
this out. The Lord is tho strength of my life.
The L o r d has to teach us t h a t we live by His
faith. We do not live by His feeling. A l l the
natural exuberance is dried up, &c., L i v e
by faith. God is w i t h i n . God is f a i t h f u l ,
though we fail because of unbelief. H e
abideth faithful.
God makes you to see i n this fashion also
the corruption of the old m a n ; t h a t i t had t o die.
I t became to us as the corruption of Lazarus; b u t
by the voice of the Son of God, there arises
a pure life t h a t can sit i n communion i n the
banquet t h a t is given to the honour of Jesus.
And he who thus sits is he t h a t stank 1 When
we come to see t h a t we have no goodness, no
power of discipleship, nothing a t a l l and then
affirm b y naked f a i t h t h a t the m i g h t y Eternal
God lives w i t h i n us, we have discovered the
secret of t r i u m p h . Y o u find the Apostle Paul
continually referring to t h i s . H o w d i d he go
to Corinth and elsewhere ? I t was not t h a t
the great Evangelist was going t o take a
successfully advertised mission*' I was w i t h
you i n fear and trembling and weaknessa
sense of utter i n a b i l i t y , " bearing about i n the
body the deadness of the L o r d Jesus. Do y o u
know anything about t h a t deadness, no life
going out to ministry, nothing to say, no
power ? Y o u are going t o a service, and you
feel you want to r u n away ; nothing i n you ;
you cannot even say at t h a t moment t h a t y o u
Have much Christian experience. Y o u do
not know how you are going t o c a n y on. B u t
you can say " The L o r d is the strength of m y
life! " You will find t h a t w i l l be enough, and
niore than enough.
Now as we have emerged i n this testimony
t a place where there is much pressure, where
the enemy breaks i n upon us w i t h new weights
f his accusations of the helplessness and i m potence and impossibility of our flesh, you and
,, Jiavc to learn the secret of this simple w o r d
. flic L o r d is the strength of my l i f e . " A n d
is thus, you sec He will get all the glory, and
Perhaps this explains what happens to manv of
J?J in these days. For i t must be, " N o t I , ' b u t
Ujrist "
l t
87
TESTIMONY
Then listen to the Apostle's prayer: " H e

would grant you, according to tho riches of His
glory, t h a t yc may be strengthened with power
through his Spirit into the inner
man"
(Eph. i i i . 10).
I n this new life you arc related to God
y o u arc joined to the L o r d i n one spirit. You
have Eternal Life b u t i n His Son. You aro
His s e r v a n t ; you are to depend upon H i m ;
and you are to walk b y faith and not by sight.
Y o u do n o t lose your individuality. I t is not
t h a t one is absorbed into something which
makes y o u impersonal. B u t the L o r d is going
to teach y o u t h a t y o u have to w a l k b y faith,
and there is only L i f e i n you, as y o u abide i n
H i m . Y o u are a branch of the vine, and all
your resources are i n H i m . H e must teach
y o u that. He is now the fountain of your life.
Thus though our o u t w a r d man perish, our
inward man is strengthened. Christ has His
settled residence in y o u r heart b y f a i t h . When
y o u find yourself cast back upon H i m i n
dependence, w i t h no room for self-assertion;
no opportunity for the l i f t i n g up of your own
head, the exaltation of your own a b i l i t y ; your
own flesh no longer glorying i n H i s presence;
a l l this gone, and y o u weak and helpless,
discover deep down w i t h i n y o u , t h a t God
Himself is the strength of your L i f e ; and as
y o u affirm i t y o u find i t t r u e . . . . Salvation
is not merely a pigeon-holed dogma. Salvation
is of God. Salvation is God Himself as H e
gives L i f e by His renewing.
Shall we place our whole weight upon H i m
as He lives w i t h i n . Lean hard upon H i m .
Y o u will find t h a t H e is always there. Underneath are the everlasting arms. H e is bearing
you up and He is there a l l the while. Turn
to H i m as the indwelling Life, the Spring of
the inward man t h a t is renewed day by day.
L e t the outward man perish : for when i t has
come to this state i t is a sign of grace.
* Spring Thou up w i t h i n m y heart, rise to all
Eternity."
For unto the end " the just shall l i v e o u t of His
f a i t h " : f a i t h unto f a i t h .
_
T . M. J.
N O T A
B E N E
T I I K R B h a v e boon thoso, w h o , h a v i n g rocoiyod

somo s p e c i a l gift or o n e r g y , h a v e i n solf-will d e n i e d
tho g i l t its t r u e d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d s u b s t i t u t i n g
thoir o w n h a s t y p u r p o s e for t h a t of H i i n
Who
c a l l o d thorn, h a v o s o u g h t to vtso tho S p i r i t to
thoir p r i v a t o onds, t h u s i n j u r i n g t h o m s e l v e s a n d
the w o r k of G o d u n s p e a k a b l y . A d a p t e d .
88
T H E PRISONER
WITNESS
AND
O F T H E LORD
" The Prisoner of the Lord."Ephcsians iv. 1.

" Thanks be unto God Who leads m c o n
f r o m place to place i n the t r a i n of His triumph
to celebrate His Victory over tho Enemies of
C h r i s t . " I I Corinthians x i . 14 (Conybcarc).
" We had the sentence of death w i t h i n o u r selves that we should not trust i n ourselves."
I I Corinthians i . 9.
TESTIMONY
men he knew best that he was entirely and

utterly dependent upon the life not his own,
even his physical body was dependent upon
the inner quickening of the Spirit of H i m that
raised up Jesus f r o m the dead. He had no
life of his own for the work of God. The sentence of death was in h i m , the lord of death was
ever against h i m , death beset his course seeking
to get its advantage at every point, and, but for
this energising w i t h i n b y the Risen L o r d , the
great purposes of God could never have been
accomplished. I t was not the Lord's will
that i t should be otherwise and in fact wc might
t r u l y say that the L o r d would have i t thus,
and Paul himself realised that i t was for the
safety of the revelation that his own life should
be staked through and pinned down. Thus
i t would be impossible for him to move i n any
self-directed way and act as out from himself
without immediately coming up against the
fact t h a t he had no life from above for such a
course, and therefore i t would prove fatal to
seek so to essay. Thus he was a prisoner of
the L o r d because of his utter dependence upon
the Lord's life for all service. The principle is
an abiding one f o r all who are " called according
to His purpose." I f there should be the full
recognition of the principle, and obedience to
this law then the working out of i t i n physical
weakness and suffering m i g h t , be modulated
accordingly, but who is there who w i t h large
resources of personal energy w i l l not draw
upon them and count upon them and make
them i n themselves almost unconsciously a
factor of strength. This was Paul's dangerous
tendency at the outset and as i t might be so
w i t h the m a j o r i t y of those whom the Lord
would greatly vse they have to be brought to
the place where by reason of their own weakness and utter insufficiency they draw every
breath by the H o l y Spirit and come to realise
that the Risen L o r d , as w i t h i n them, must live
their life for them. I t is thus that the Master
secures for Himself the greatest percentage of
real spiritual life and work and protects His
own interests against the judged and condemned flesh seeking to glory in His presence.
I T is a matter of v i t a l importance that in

our relation to the L o r d Jesus for the outworking of God's eternal pun ose we should
have a r i g h t conception of out* elves. Among
the many designations b y which the Apostle
Paul expresses his conception of himself, that
of the " Prisoner of the L o r d " is by no means
the least significant. This designation had i n
his experience various aspects. There was that
which related to the literal imprisonment at
Home, true, b u t there were others which we
shall consider. B u t even this captivity i n
Rome was n o t regarded b y h i m as a captivity
t o j a i l or jailor, to Borne, Cajsar or circumstances, b u t the " Prisoner of Christ." I n
other words he was a captive b y a foreseen
and fore-ordained purpose of God and all was
according t o the divine schedule. There was
a sense i n which such imprisonment meant
l i b e r t y . H i s body may have been i n chains
and under close guard b u t his spirit was " i n
the heavenlies i n Christ Jesus " and he was
traversing the limitless realms of divine t r u t h
and revelation. T o those who live i n the Spirit
there are no l i m i t s t o spiritual influence and
effectiveness. The prisoners of the L o r d have
realised this i n all ages. I t is not upon this
aspect, however, t h a t we desire to dwell, but
upon others.
The spiritual experience of the Apostle had
become the ground of the great revelation that
the prisoner of Jesus Christ is such because he
is not i n the slightest degree free to draw upon
his own resources. The vital discrimination
between the inner man or spirit as indwelt and
controlled by the H o l y Spirit and t h e outer
Wo are only allowed to undertake that in
man w i t h his reasonings, feelings, and willings
which the L o r d gives the witness of life and
is very apparent throughout the N e w Testa- this must remain the basic principle i n all
ment, and i t is this inner man, enslaved to the purely spiritual service. What is true i n tlii-*
L o r d Jesus, who has t o bring a l l the rest into j direction is true in all others. Much has been
said about I he wonderful intellect of tin*
t h a t captivity.
Apostle, just as it has concerning his energyi n o u r last issue w c sought to s h o w how t h i s
But in this respect the Apostle himself would
is fundamentally true i n t h e matter of our life.
Paul is a sign to us h i this matter, for of all I have, w i t h equal emphasis, pointed out that the
5
A.W-TNE55
AND
TESTIMONY
8$
spring of everything was the spirit ot wisdom

restriction and imprisonment, those horns speak
and revelation as a specific endowment i n
of strength and might.
Christ. He of all men woidd have most
Now i n the second passage quoted above the
strongly discriminated between reason and
Apostle suggests or declares other aspects of
revelation, between the judgment, acumen,
this imprisonment ( I I Corinthians i i . 14). He
and intellectual resources of man and that
draws for us a picture of the victorious return
wisdom and discernment by revelation from
of a R o m a n general f r o m campaign. As he
heaven. I n fact he did deliberately say on
approaches the gates of the imperial city his
one occasion t h a t he did not think himself
distinguished prisoners are fastened w i t h chains
sufficient to gain wisdom by his own reasonings
to his chariot. The whole populace has turned
as if i t came f r o m himself ( I I Corinthians i i i . 5).
out to greet him and applaud his prowess. He
sweeps through the gates and t h e n a t a given
Then again, has he not i n one classic declarapoint the procession halts. He makes a speech
tion shown t h a t " the natural man rcceiveth
telling of his conquests and then w i t h a wave
not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can
of his h a n d toward the prisoners would make
he know themthey are foolishness unto h i m . "
For all spiritual service spiritual revelation is .them the evidence of his t r i u m p h . . I n effect
he would say " These prisoners speak for themessential and indispensableour speaking, our
selves
of t h e t r u t h of w h a t I s a y . " Then the
plans, our methods, our times must be b y
procession
would move forward a n d the same
revelation. So many there are who have
thing
w
o
u
l
d happen again and y e t again. I t
schemes and enterprises, visions and underis these prisoners who are on show f o r his glory
takings for the L o r d , but who are falling far
and used t o celebrate his t r i u m p h . Paul takes
short of real spiritual effectiveness.
up this historical background a n d uses i t t o
A mentally conceived purpose and desire for
illustrate his own relationship t o the L o r d
God is n o t adequate even though i t be an assent
Jesus. W e see this i n a twofold aspect. . F i r s t l y
to a programme as contained i n the W o r d of
the subjective. As Paul was led b y the L o r d
God.. W h a t is i n the w r i t t e n W o r d by revelaf r o m place t o place he i n himself was the evition of the H o l y Spirit must also be i n the spirit
dence of w h a t Calvary and its t r i u m p h means
of each servant of God i n the same way. We
w i t h i n a man. Many would remember Saul
shall be held t o this if we really are abandoned
of Tarsus, his pride, his vehemence, his forceto the L o r d and walking not. after the flesh
fulness, his intolerant and bitter opposition to
even i n Christian servicebut after the S p i r i t . . the followers of Jesus of. Nazareth, how t h a t
On tho one hand we may essay .to go here
he would stand at nothing; even t o the hurling
and there i n the general conception t h a t the
of women as well as men into prison, and f u l l y
Lord wishes w o r k to be done i n such places,
consenting t o the murder of the young man
but to our surprise and temporary bewilderStephen. A n d here is this m a n , the same,
ment we may And t h a t the Spirit suffers us
y e t another, suffering for the " W a y " t h a t he
not. On the other hand wc may find t h a t
persecuted, no longer bigoted, p r o u d , bitter.
while everything according to our judgment
He who once would brook no interference w i t h
and the arguments of Christian men would
his schemes now shows infinite patience w i t h
dictate a certain course of restraint, we have t o
those w h o oppose themselves. H e who once
go " bound i n s p i r i t " i n the face of all.
i n w r a t h would breathe out thrcatenings and
Then again i t is not sufficient to have received
slaughters against those whom he h a d made his
revelation, b u t for the transmitting of such a
enemies, now, when even carnal believers
special enablement of utterance is neccssar)*.
criticise, malign, misrepresent, as a t Corinth,
Few men have received greater and fuller
would w r i t e to them one of the most glorious
revelation than the Apostle Paul, but how he
pieces of spiritual literature ever penned, namely,
besought the saints t h a t they would pray that
I Corinthians 13, showing how lovo when i t
he might have utterance! A l l this emphasises
gains the ascendent, even the love of God in
the principle of our complete imprisonment t o
Christ, suffers long, is k i n d , envieth not, is not
pulled u p , behavcth not itself unseemly, seekcth
the Lord Jesus so t h a t every word, every step,
not its o w n , keeps no record of e v i l , and never
every undertaking shall be as out from Himself
gives up. Surely this change w o u l d speak for
*nd not of ourselves. To change the metaphor
"lor the. service of God to be consumed unto the itself and this man's testimony w o u l d ever be
l rd requires that the sacrifice shall be *' bound as i n his life a celebration of Calvary's victory.
He was on show to the glory of Christ and being
y t l i cords to the horns of the a l t a r . " l i n t if
those cords speak of l i m i t a t i o n and curtailment.
5

90
W1TNE5S
AND
led f r o m place t o place t h u s t o celebrate HiB

victory.
B u t there was another v i t a l aspect, namely,
t h e o b j e c t i v e . P a u l realised t h a t t h e great
adversary of C h r i s t was h o l d i n g sway i n the
w o r l d . H e h a d his hands u p o n m a n , was
h a v i n g t h i n g s his o w n w a y , was t h r o w i n g a
w o r l d darkness a r o u n d t h e m i n d of m a n as
a p r e c a u t i o n against t h e l i g h t of t h e knowledge
of the g l o r y of G o d i n t h e face of Jesus s h i n i n g .
i n u n t o t h e m . A n d y e t C a l v a r y was v i c t o r y ,
and t h e P r i n c e of t h i s W o r l d was cast o u t , and
principalities a n d powers were s t r i p p e d off,
b u t h o w was t h i s t o be "wrought o u t f o r the
deliverance of m a n ? So t h e Apostle conceived
of himself as being l e d i n t h e t r i u m p h a l t r a i n of
his L o r d t o meet t h e enemy back of t h e s i t u a t i o n
i n a l l those places of t h e d i v i n e a p p o i n t m e n t
and there t o h a v e t h e celebration of Calvary's
t r i u m p h i n t h e f o r m of a s m a l l c o m p a n y who
w o u l d m a i n t a i n i n t h e i r place t h e t e s t i m o n y of
Jesus, even t h e t e s t i m o n y of H i s m i g h t y
Calvary conquest. So t h e L o r d w o u l d lead
P a u l first t o one place, a n d there t h e enemy
recognising t h e significance of his presence
w o u l d s t i r u p a l l his resources against h i m a n d
i t m i g h t seem t h a t t h e first encounter ended
disastrously, as a t P h i l l i p i , or L y s t r a , or Ephesus,
& c , b u t there was n o element of disaster i n t h e
s p i r i t of t h e A p o s t l e a n d h e firmly h e l d on f o r
t h e c e l e b r a t i o n t o be complete. W e k n o w t h e
issue, b o w t h a t i n a phenomenal w a y i n a few
s h o r t years t h e t e s t i m o n y of Jesus was t r i u m p h a n t l y established i n a m u l t i t u d e of places
each of w h i c h was itself strategic.
W h a t a conception of our r e l a t i o n s h i p t o t h e
L o r d ! A l l our o w n programmes scrapped, our
o w n schemes set aside, our o w n resources
ended, dependent t o t h e l a s t degree even t o a
w o r d u p o n t h e L o r d as our l i f e , chained t o H i m
as prisoners, h a v i n g no f r e e d o m t o t h i n k ,
speak or a c t f o r or of ourselves, a n d t h e n led
b y H i m f r o m place t o place, a n d i n each place
a l m o s t i m m e d i a t e l y encountering a deluge of
Satanic o p p o s i t i o n , t h e terrific efforts of t h e
enemy t o m a k e i t impossible f o r us t o stay there,
a n d y e t , h e l d i n Bpirit, r e a d y t o die f o r t h e
t e s t i m o n y of Jesus, a t l e n g t h t h a t t e s t i m o n y
represented perhaps i n a Bmall c o m p a n y a
n u c l e u s H i s t r i u m p h celebrated, HiB v i c t o r y
declared. So d o t t e d hero and there as m a r k i n g
t h e stages of a t r i u m p h a l march there is t h a t
witness t o t h e f a c t t h a t Jesus C h r i s t is L o r d
t o t h e g l o r y of God t h e F a t h e r and each of theHc
a t e s t i m o n y , a n d a prophecy of H i s possession
of a l l t h e e a r t h .
T . A.-S.
TESTIMONY
THE
HEADSHIP
OF
CHRIST
" A n d H e is t h e H e a d of t h e B o d y , t h e
Church*; W h o is t h e B e g i n n i n g , t h e F i r s t - b o r n
f r o m among the d e a d ; t h a t i n a l l things He
m i g h t become pre-eminent."Colossians i . 18.
(Newberry.)
H a v i n g made k n o w n u n t o us t h e m y s t e r y
of H i s w i l l , according t o H i s good pleasure,
w h i c h H e purposed i n H i m s e l f , u n t o a dispensat i o n of t h e fulness of t i m e s , t h a t H e might
gather together in one (these l a s t f o u r words are
best translated as " H E A D - U P " ) a l l things i n
Christ, b o t h w h i c h are i n t h e heavens, and
w h i c h are o n e a r t h , even i n H i m . " E p h e s i a n s
i . 9 a n d 10.
14
T H E H e b r e w epistle takes t h e f o r w a r d and

the b a c k w a r d aspects of t h e eternal unchanging
Christ. L o o k i n g f o r w a r d first, as is t h e manner
of i t s v i s i o n , i t states, " W h o m H e made H e i r
of a l l t h i n g s " ; a n d t h e n l o o k i n g b a c k w a r d i t
explains, " T h r o u g h W h o m also H e made t h e
u n i v e r s e . " H e b r e w s i . 2.
God, aB t h e eternal a n d only-begotten S O N ,
is t h e Creator. H e is before a l l t h i n g s , a n d i n
H i m a l l t h i n g s subsist. B u t H e has become
S O N of M A N as Jesus, a n d h a v i n g first of a l l
t h r o u g h H i m s e l f p u t a w a y s i n , a n d also made
p u r i f i c a t i o n f o r our sins, H e has ascended i n t o
t h e T h r o n e of G o d as H e i r , F i r s t - b o r n of the
New Creation. T h u s t h e paradox of the
Creator becoming H e i r is explained.
H e n o w Bits i n t h e T h r o n e of God expecting.
T h e w o r k of r e d e m p t i o n and reconciliation has
been completely effected. T h e B l o o d of t h e
L a m b i n t h e m i d s t of t h e T h r o n e is the seal of
t h e E t e r n a l Covenant i n G o d as concerning
t h e N e w Creation i n a l l i t s r a n g e s ; b u t t h e .
process of consummation is s t i l l i n t i m e , a n d
bound-up w i t h t h e f u l l realisation a n d perfection
of t h e Church, w h i c h is t h e B o d y of Christ.
There is a Headship of C h r i s t over t h e entireuniverse t o be realised, a n d t h i s iB described i n
t h e passage f r o m Ephesians a s s " heading-up,"
or a gathering under One H e a d . T h i s is the
eternal Purpose of t h o D i v i n e Being, or Godhead. B u t i t w a i t s u p o n a consummation, or
f u l f i l m e n t . There is t o bo a dispensing of this
glorious Sovereignty or Headship i n the fulness
of times. Meanwhile wo Bee n o t y e t all things
subjected u n t o H i m . There is f o r the Christ a
Headship of t h e universe, t h e a l l things b u t
n o t y e t . W h y does i t w a i t ? W h a t is the
object of t h o D i v i n e Husbandman's l o n g i
:

A
WITNESS
AND
patience ? T h e answer is, t h e Church, w h i c h

is t h e B o d y of t h e Christ. T h i s m u s t f i r s t of
all be presented t o t h e S O N of G o d ere H e can
enter i n t o H i s H e i r s h i p or Headship of t h e
\iniversc ; f o r i t is the i n s t r u m e n t of H i s f u t u r e
d o m i n i o n ; a n d f r o m its v e r y n a t u r e a n eternal
testimony t o H i s grace. T h i s is t h e precious
f r u i t of t h e e a r t h o u t of every n a t i o n t h a t t h e
F a t h e r is w a i t i n g f o r t h a t H e m a y give i t t o
t h e Son. This also is t h a t f o r w h i c h t h e S O N
is -waiting t h a t H e m i g h t give t o i t H i s O W J I
E t e r n a l L i f e . W e ever need t o remember t h a t
the " eternal life " is t h e L i f e of t h e Son of God
become Son of M a n ; a n d therefore i t is o n l y
t h e life of t h e believer as he shares i t i n the
fellowship of t h e S O N . N O m a n has t h i s life
as i n himself. I t is " he t h a t h a t h t h e S O N
h a t h l i f e . " W h i c h is a l l t o say, t h a t t h i s life
is i n a B o d y , shared as f r o m a H e a d .
B u t t h i s brings us t o t h e f a c t of Christ's
Headship of t h e B o d y , a n a l l - i m p o r t a n t t r u t h
for t h e believer i n these days of t h e near c o m i n g
of the L o r d , t h a t none of us be ashamed f r o m
before H i m a t H i s appearing.
F o r w h i l e t h e Headship of Christ over t h e ent i r e universe, n o t t o speak of H i s f o o t s t o o l , t h i s
earth, is n o t realised nor realisable as y e t , H i s
Headship over a n d i n the B o d y is " the" present
truth."
A n d so w e have i t declared, A n d H e is t h e
Head of t h e B o d y , t h e C h u r c h . " W h i l e i n t h e
EpheBian epistle i t states t h a t God, t h e F a t h e r
of g l o r y , " gave H i m t o be H e a d over a l l t h i n g s
t o the C h u r c h , w h i c h is HiB B o d y . "
ThuB God has n o t o n l y g i v e n H i s . only-begotten Son t h a t H e m i g h t be made a sacrifice
for the w o r l d ' s s i n ( J o h n i i i . 16), b u t H e has
also given H i m , a n d H e haB sanctified i.e.,
dedicated H i m s e l f , t h a t H e m a y be t h e L i f e of
H i s B o d y , t h e C h u r c h , " aB i t s H e a d . So we
read such passages, " Christ l o v e d t h e Church
and gave H i m s e l f for i t . F o r t h e i r sakes I
sanctify Myself, t h a t t h e y also m a y be t r u l y
sanctified, & c . " W c have f o r t h i s ago a K i n g Priest over the House of G o d , W h o ever lives
t o rule i n intercession f o r us a n d over us. T i n s
a n d m u c h more is contained i n the f a c t of
Christ's Headship of H i s C h u r c h .
I t w i l l be n o t e d t h a t i n each place where i t
is e x p l i c i t l y declared t h a t our L o r d is H e a d of
the Church t h e s t a t e m e n t is related t o H i s
universal L o r d s h i p and D o m i n i o n .
I n the Kphesian epistle i t is t h o superlative
position H o occupies as i n t h e power of H i s
Resurrection t h a t is being emphasized, f o r this
iB the measure of t h e exceeding groatnesB of
11
91
TESTIMONY
t h e power of God t o w a r d us, as believers i n t h e

Resurrected Christ t h a t we m i g h t s i t enthroned
together w i t h H i m , " according t o the energy of
t h e s t r e n g t h of H i s m i g h t , w h i c h H e "wrought i n
Christ, w h e n H e raised H i m f r o m among the
dead, and set H i m a t H i s o w n r i g h t h a n d i n the
heavenlies, f a r above everj p r i n c i p a l i t y and
a u t h o r i t y , a n d m i g h t , a n d l o r d s h i p , and every
name t h a t is n a m e d ; n o t o n l y i n t h i s age, b u t
also i n t h a t w h i c h is t o come ; a n d p u t a l l things
under H i s f e e t " ; a n d i t is t h i s Supreme
One, be i t n o t e d , t h a t G o d gave, " t o be H e a d
of t h e Church, w h i c h is H i s B o d y " ; a n d this
B o d y (ideally, n o w , a n d a c t u a l l y When i t is
perfected) iB also " t h e fulness of H i m t h a t
filleth a l l i n a l l " ; t h a t i s , t h e Church is t h e
fulness of C h r i s t , as C h r i s t is t h e fulness of
G o d . B u t t h i s is i n v o l v e d i n t h e Headship.
Perhaps the simplest a n d most d i r e c t meaning
of t h e t e r m " H e a d " is t h a t w h i c h suggests
sovereignty or loTdship, a u t h o r i t y over. T h i s
is t h e simple sense of t h e w o r d i n I Corinthians
x i . 3, " I w o u l d have y o u k n o w , t h a t t h e head
of every m a n is C h r i s t ; and t h e head of the
w o m a n is t h e m a n ; a n d the head of Christ is
G o d . " H e r e t h e w o r d suggests sovereignty or
headship i n the S p i r i t . B u t t h e w o r d m u s t be
measured b y i t s c o n t e x t , a n d i t is obvious f r o m
t h e passages i n w h i c h i t is used t h a t i t possesses
a n unique fulness of m e a n i n g , where C h r i s t a n d
HiB B o d y is concerned, t h a t can o n l y be discerned b y r e v e l a t i o n .
U s u a l l y t h e t h o u g h t is coupled w i t h covering.
ThiB is so i n t h e passage already q u o t e d . ^ T h e
relationships i n d i c a t e d are those t h a t provide
covering. I n thiB sense t h e w o m a n m u s t be
covered, as also t h e m a n , as also t h e Christ.
There is a D i v i n e order of acknowledged r e l a t i o n ship t h a t protects. So God was ever held as
t h e H e a d by Christ i n t h e obedience of f a i t h .
H e m e t t h e Satanic atmosphere n o t i n t h e
naked t h r u s t of H i s o w n self assertion, pure as
t h a t Belf "was, b u t u n d e r t h e covering of a
v o l u n t a r y submission t o God the F a t h e r .
And
H e learned t h i s obedience u n t o a consummat i o n , v i z . , t h e Cross, t h r o u g h t h e t h i n g s t h a t
H e suffered. T h i s was v o l u n t a r y o n H i s
p a r t , f o r i n H i s prc-incarnate God-form H e was
equal w i t h God, as a c o n s t i t u e n t Person i n t h e
D i v i n e B e i n g . ThuB also m u s t each believer
h o l d f a s t the H e a d s h i p of Christ f o r t h i s is his
covering, and w h i l e i n C h r i s t there is neither
male n o r female, nevertheless here o n e a r t h are
those psychic relationships, determined b y sex
aB long as we are i n these bodies of h u m i l i a t i o n ,
a n d there m u s t be a d u e observance of these
T
92
A WITNESS
AND
relationships, as set in the Body of Christ, if

the head is to be protected from the fallen
angelic hosts. This vexed question of relationship as between the sexes -would easily he solved
if believers, instead of discussing i t from the
standpoint of earth relationships, would accept
the wisdom of the word of God, and be consistent
also with their professed belief in its inspiration,
and recognise that Paul is speaking of relationships in the Body of Chirst, and of the danger
of our emergence into t h a t conflict in the
heavenlies (Ephesians v i . 12) which should be
the direction and impact of the Church's
spiritual ministry i n this age, unless we are
' covered. T h i s ^ f course, n o t only applies to the
relationship o f m a n and woman in Christ, b u t
also to that of every member of the Body.
The Lord is our Head or Covering in this
direction, and submission t o the law of relationships as ordered by H i m is imperative and
v i t a l if unity i n the Body is to be attained and
preserved. I n this submission to one another
i n the fear of God He has left us an example
t h a t we should follow H i s steps.
I n the Colossian passage a t the head of this
article, Christ is declared t o be the Head of
the Body as the visible image of the invisible
God, the First-born of a l l Creation, and there
follows the marvellous logic of what such
ascriptions must include. H e is at once the
L o r d and Sustainer of the Universe i n its known
and unknown dimensions. Surely here the
Name of El-Shaddai is included in the Name
of Jesus. B u t i t should be recognised that the
Creation spoken of here has in view the New
Creation, for the Creator Himself has become
through His " oid-resurrection " or " resurrect i o n from among the dead," the First Born of
this New Creation.
I t is He therefore w i t h a l l this wealth of title
who is already and actually Head of the Body,
the Church. He is the Beginning of the New
Creation : in H i m i t subsists, and i t is as the all
inclusive Sustainer of its life that He is the
Head of the Body, t h a t H e in i t as in the
universe to come, might be Pre-eminent.
Here the thought of Headship
includes
derivation, origin, begetting. He is First-born
i n order to beget. I t is He Who gives eternal
life (John x v i i . 2). Here, as One with the
Father, but now as Son of Man. He quickencth
(maketh alive) whom H e will (John v. 21).
T h e church of the first-born ones (Hebrew x i i .
23) have their inheritance of Life in the Firstborn One. They arc not separate from H i m .
I f they have eternal life, they have i t as sharing
TESTIMONY
i t with the Only-Begotten from eternity, Who

now has become First-born f r o m among tho
dead for their sakes. Wc could multiply
texts to shew the Headship of Christ as the
! Source and Sustainer of this eternal life. As
! He lived by the Father, even so wc live by Him,
but this is" One L i f e of which He remains the
Fountain Head.
I t follows that if Christ be Head over all
things to the Church i n this all-inclusive sense,
to hold-fast the Head (Colossians i i . 10) means
far more than the single personal relationship
that each believer should maintain w i t h Him.
" I f we have eternal life, and this life is in
His (God's) Son," i t must soon dawn upon us
that others also share this life, and that therefore an unique Divine Family i n the One Spirit
is discerned and desired. We cannot discern
the Body without immediately desiring and
cherishing the fellowship of that Body, for i t
is a fellowship of the Christ i n the Oneness of
His Life i n all its members.
Have we come t o Christ as the FountainHead of Eternal L i f e ? We discover the " from
Whom " almost immediately: " f r o m Whom
all the Body, through joints and uniting bands,
being supplied and k n i t together, increaseth
w i t h the increase of God." B u t here is an
organic, a functional, Life of God. Christ as
Head is not only the L o r d of the Body's i n telligent motive or direction of Life, b u t He
remains its Life as uniting every member to
every other member i n a Oneness of Life. So
the apostle cries, " When Christ Who is our
Life shall be manifested, then shall we also be
manifested with H i m i n glory." B u t not as
individuals ! As a Body 1 " Beloved, now are
we the children of God." We have this witness
of the Spirit w i t h our born-again spirit. But
i t is not yet manifested what we shall be.
Why not ? Because i t is as that wonderful
Body of Christ wc shall be corporately manifested together w i t h H i m . I t w i l l be as that
finished, perfected, temple of God which He is
building-together as unto Himself, a habitation
of God. I t is as t h a t church of glory which
He will present to Himself as Bride, the Divine
Love's counterpart and help-meet, not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. I t is tho
corporate Church of the living God, the mystery
: of all generations! " The Fulness of H i "
, who tills all things everywhere with Himself! "
T h e Body therefore is revealed as His Fulness,
complementary and essential to H i m as the organ
' of His Kxpression. Without it He docs not choose
| to function; and since this is the counsel oi
1
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
93
(Joels Eternal Purpose, outside of i t as i n this

move forward to greet the coming oi the Lord
purpose. He cannot function, for H e has so in a sense and experience of corporate fellowlimited Himself to a f o r m of energy as revealed ship. B u t alas, so often the amazing fact is
in the Resurrection of the Christ.
discovered t h a t the highest expression of
The Body consequently is revealed as essential spiritual a c t i v i t y as represented i n conferences
to the purposes of God. I t is the crowning con- and conventions is to recover t h a t lost ground
ception of this dispcnsational t r i u m p h . The i n measure, .and personal salvation, from
building-up and completion of the B o d y is the justification t o s a l i f i c a t i o n of the individual
first great realisation of Calvary's v i c t o r y over believer are the greatest things presented, and
sin and Satan upon which God has set H i s w i l l . this to " mature *' Christians !
This is the Mind of the Spirit. The B o d y is the
L e t i t not be thought wc minimise the
first-fruits of that New Creation ushered in by essentiality of these foundational t r u t h s , but
the Resurrection of Jesus as the Christ of God, the coming of the L o r d draweth nigh, and
and must be presented before the Father i n a this is not an individual matter, but a corporate
joint heirship with Jesus Christ as H e a d before experience. I t includes the whole Body.
those millenial harvests can be gathered i n .
A n d the S p i r i t of God w o u l d have us know
How v i t a l then is a revelation of w h a t the unto w h a t we are called, and w h a t is our
Headship of Christ as over and unto the Body
ministry as saints.
involves. Out of such a revelation a l l prayer
Holding-fast the Head then includes a realisaand spiritual ministry must issue. W i t h o u t i t tion of w h a t H i s Headship involves. I t is not
we are beating the air. For God's Purpose is only our covering, b u t the Fountain-Head of
revealed not as saving a multitude of souls, supply for a l l life and m i n i s t r y for t h e Body's
but the gathering of such as are saved into a sake. He lives for the Body, and i f we are
definite corporate Life, i n which and unto t h e t r u l y holding H i m i n a spiritual fellowship,
full and perfected expression of w h i c h , t h e y He w i l l use us i n a Body m i n i s t r y .
roust minister.
As is often emphasized i n these columns
Yet t h e tragedy is t h a t such a number of t h a t m i n i s t r y commences' i n H o l y Ghost praying
believers seems to have no conception what- (Romans v i i i . 26-27). He maketh intercession
ever of t h e Purpose f o r which they are saved, i n and w i t h the saints according to t h e Divine
and so they absolutely fail t o serve God as Purpose. I t is out of t h i s t r a v a i l w r o u g h t b y
ministers i n and to the Body of Christ. Salva- the Spirit i n the matured believers' heart t h a t
tion is considered only f r o m the standpoint of those gracious ministries of knitting-together
the individual, personal problem. Of course, and fitly framing our fellowship i n the Spirit
it commences there. The foundations of re- proceed, u n i t i n g bands are thus formed, and
pentancefaith toward God, and all t h a t are joints of supply are brought about i n the u n i t y
involved i n these by way of personal holiness of the S p i r i t . Thus ministries of utterance
are i m p l i c i t l y included i n what we say. B u t become safe as they are realised t o be not
unto w h a t are we saved ? W h a t is God's
individual ministries b u t expressions of a
Purpose i n His Son ? These are the matters corporate L i f e upon which the individual
that should concern the saints, and n o t an ministry is dependent and the increase of God
eternal repetition and re-iteration of the becomes manifest.
elementary foundations of our so great salvation.
(To be continued).
Yet this is the sad state of things at the v e r y
T . M. J.
end of the Dispensation when the coming of
the L o r d is a favourite topic for p l a t f o r m
MEETINGS FOR SPIRITUAL EDIFICATION,
utterance, that even the " Coming " is viewed
OF THE
GOSPEL,
hom the individual standpoint rather t h a n the THE PROCLAMATION
corporate experience i t must i n v o l v e !
PRAYER AND FELLOWSHIP
Some of us have seen what one has called
SunJnys : 1! a m., 3p.m A6.30 p.m. Mondays : 7.30 p m.
these " wanderings of God s Israel." T h i r t y
Wednesdays : 8 p.m.
Saturdajs: 3.30 p.m. & 7 p m.
*nd forty years ago the Holy Spirit seemed to
Conferences
are
held
every week-end (Saturday
'e quickening the whole church of God throughand
Sunday),
and
also
a longer week-end at the
out the world unto this end. Tho great truths
beginning
of
each
month,
this fixed by the
the Cross were unveiled, the S p i r i t was
first
Sunday.
(Friday
to
Monday
evenings,
manifest i n a dawning conception of the B o d y ,
inclusive.)
it looked as if the children of God would

94
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
hail
J accept the entire programme. T h e y
world desires, a limited salvation a n d e\.
. pericnee. " Bring us not o v e r . " M o s e s uxr,|
t h e words, " b a s e not
w h o l l y followed the
Lonl."
T h a t is I he point oi' the d i v i s i o n ;
THAT is the* request of two-aiul-a-half tribes,
t h a t is the mark w h i c h r u n s between the two
the tribes of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, ami half
the tribe of Manosseh. I t takes you right to I and-a-half tribes a n d the remainder; t h a t is
the heart of this extraordinary phase of Israel's the lino drawn between those w h o lived o n the
history. I t is quite impossible to study the j edge of the wilderness a n d those w h o hail gone
whole subject of Cod's plan for Israel without ! over Jordan, the question ais to whether they
would or would not wholly follow t h e Lord.
seeing beyond a shadow of a doubt that Cod's
Now the meaning as regards the rest of
purpose for Israel was that they should as a
Israel: the position was parallel with the posiwhole, i n entirety go over Jordan and possess
tion of a proceeding generation, when they
the l a n d . T h a t was His covenant with Araham,
rejected the report of Joshua and Caleb.
confirmed t o Isaac and Jacob. The whole
Moses says " this is rebellion against the
programme of God for Israel lay inside of
purpose of God, a reservation i n your acceptCanaan, over Jordan. We have already seen
ance of the divine programme. I t is not only
i n our previous studies in the Book of Joshua
in yourselves, b u t see what i t means to the
and t h e letter t o the Ephesians the spiritual
rest. They w i l l lose heart, they w i l l say,
significance of this history. Canaan, bounded
" Here is Reuben, Gad, and half Manosseh
b y Jordan, clearly represents the life of fulness
having a good time without any fighting." I f
i n Christ, and Jordan represents the Cross of
they had followed their example, Canaan would
Christ, as i t invariably through the Bible
never have been conquered. Canaan would
marks t h a t clear, distinct division between the
never have become the land by which the
old life, where self, the flesh, the world are s t i l l
revelation of God would be given to the world.
uncrucified, characterised b y defeat; and the
Moses saw the peril for all the people of God
new l i f e , where God Himself is supreme i n the
and all the purposes of God. " No man liveth
midst of His people, characterising their life by
unto himself and no man dieth unto himself."
v i c t o r y and enrichment. Now, t h a t being the
Bound up i n your attitude t o the revealed w i l l
historical event w i t h its spiritual interpretation,
of God is the life of another or many others.
we come up against thisthat the two and a
half tribes decided not to go over Jordan into
Then there was a compromise made. I t
Canaan. " B r i n g us not over Jordan " is their
looks as if i t was a perfectly satisfactory one,
request t o Moses and the other leaders of the
but you have got to read the story i n the light
people. I n effect they were saying, " We
of later history. " Well, we w i l l leave our
don't w a n t absolute separation unto God.
We
cattle, our flocks, our possessions, our wives
don't w a n t a l l t h a t is involved i n this aggressive
and children here. We w i l l arm ourselves and
programme. We are not prepared to risk all
go over before Israel and help them, and help
t h a t is implied b y going over i n t o the land and
them into the land, and then we will go back
subdue i t for God. We are n o t prepared for
again." Y o u see the distinction between
t h a t programme, t h a t aggressive life, that life
certain things. " We w i l l help you, but we
which y o u call fulness of life. We have found
w i l l not identify ourselves w i t h you. We w i l l
a certain satisfaction this side of Jordan, wc
recognise your programme, b u t we w i l l not
have found here a good deal t h a t is good, a
identify ourselves w i t h i t . N o t that we would
great deal t h a t satisfies us. We are quite condo i t ourselves, b u t we w i l l do i t for you. Our
tent w i t h the life we have this side of Jordan,
hearts are not i n this thing, wc are not abanw i t h o u t d r i v i n g this distinct barrier of the
doned to i t , but we are prepared to stand by,
Cross between. There are risks involved,
place our services at your disposal, but we are
possessions, children, & c . " So they would
not w i t h y o u . " So they would do everything
live their lives there and not risk the dangers
to help, but for the rest of their lives they were
and the sacrifice which seemed clearly to he
back there with their flocks and their children.
involved in this aggressive programme.
Their heart was w i t h their treasure, not in the
real purpose of God.
W h a t d i d i t all amount to i W e l l , i t amounted
to thisthey were prepared t o go so far but
There arc plenty of people like that to-day,
no further. They were prepared to be reckoned
prepared to help i n the work of G o d , associate
i n w i t h Israel but they were not prepared t o
themselves i n the programme of the Kingdom.
' B R I N G U S NOT O V E R
JORDAN."Numbers 32-5

A WITNESS
AND
They come to God for their salvation, they have

n share in the work, hut they are. not in i t
utterly, they are not in i t heeause they cannot
keep out of i t . Their hearts arc somewhere
else, because their treasure is somewhere else.
They are not prepared at all costs to risk all
their possessions for the Kingdom. They
cannot accept the Cross and all i t demands, to
live or to die, to sacrifice to the last degree,
that the Cross may be vindicated utterly, they
arc not i n i t like that.
A compromise was made. W h a t d i d i t
result i n ? Division. T h a t spiritual breach
between them, for all time. I t was seen i n
the schismatic altar. There was a breach
between them. How true i t is i n the Church,
in Christian work. There wc are, all together,
apparently, on the surface, working for the
same ends, i n the same big thing.
But we know that clean through the centre
is a spiritual division. They are not i n this
thing by absolute identification w i t h the Cross
as represented i n Jordan. There is that which
marks a division and some live this side of the
Cross and only accept a certain limited interpretation, and others accept i t i n its f u l l meaning. I t created a spiritual severance which for
all time meant a strain of relationship. I t
only commenced there. T h a t was the first
thing, and a terrible thing. W h a t else happened? I t meant that the two-and-a-half
tribes went into spiritual decay. Of them i t
was true. " He gave them their request b u t
sent leanness into their souls." I f we choose
deliberately to accept only a part of the divine
programme, we are just t y i n g a knot i n the
artery of our spiritual blood, we are cutting
clear across our f u l l development in the w i l l
and purpose of God, holding up all God means
for us, we become spiritually lean, we do not
become effective, our life does not tell w i t h a
mighty sledge hammer blow.
Such people with their self-centred life w i l l
not commit themselves beyond a certain point.
" N o , " they say, we w i l l not go further w i t h
you. We won't become singular. We object
to the emergency element. Let us be sane,
well-balanced, have nothing out of the ordinary
in our Christianity." How this talk deceives
the people who use i t . I t really means, " Wc
won't have the whole purpose of God, we won't
go all the w a y . "
'* He gave them their request." These arc
the lean soids, not growing fat w i t h the good
things of the Kingdom. There is no victory
element i i i their life, there is no executive
M
TESTIMONY
95
authority in their Christianity, no standing in

the sovereign power of (Jod and dominating
the situation.
W h a t about the ultimate issue ? Deborah
has no praise, but only scorn and reproach for
them in her song. They missed the best.
They were the first to go into captivity to
Assyria. I n the day when the storm came,
they first went into exile, first came under the
full blow of the enemy. I t is always like that.
When the stress of adversity comes, when
circumstances or situations arise which are
calculated to upset your Christian experience,
i t is the borderland people who go under, the
people who faint because of the way, who are
submerged, crushed, not the people who stand
in the glory and power of His transcendent
victory.
" Be sure your sin w i l l find y o u out " n o t
" w i l l be found o u t " " w i l l find you out.."
Your reservation of consecration w i l l find you
out i n the circumstances i n which you can only
t r i u m p h when j ou have gone all the wav w i t h
Him.
W h a t w i l l you do i n the swellings of Jordan
i f you do not know the glories of His victory,
the wonderful confidence of reigning in life by
Him?
This compromise was the result of their
insistence. God is very often forced to give
us less than His best because we w i l l not have
His best. Israel again and again refused. God
said, " I w i l l give y o u m y second best. Y o u
w i l l lose." God said, " A l l r i g h t have what
you want, but you are losing. The day w i l l
come and declare i t when you w i l l find t h a t you
made a great mistake, a terrible mistake, and
lost infinitely more than you could have lost
by taking all the risks involved by the f u l l
consecration." Some demand, some fear of
loss, some sacrifice which seemed t o be required
of us. We say, " Bring us not over this Jordan.
Let us stay here. Do not present t h a t challenge.
Do not obsess us w i t h these t l 'tigs, let us stay
here."
We find them everywhere. I f t h a t is your
attitude let mc say, as one who has taken that
attitude before now, there is more over that
Jordan, at any cost, than eye hath ever seen
or car heard or that hath entered into the heart
of man.
Let us say, " I am going over Jordan, accepting the full programme of God." " B y any
road, at any case." Believe mc, you will find
it has been infinitely worth while,
T

96
" THE
UNITY
OF
THE
SPIRIT"
(Ephesians iv. 3.)

T H I S imitv is that which is resultant fiom tho indwelling ami dominating control of tho
Holv Spirit.
T h o illustration is that of tho head and tho hotly. E v e r y limb or mcmhor, and faculty
of the body is controlled hy tha norvo systom and this ncrvo system works from and to tho
head whore it has its baso.
I n the Body of Christ tho Holy Spirit is tho great norvo systom and only as thoro is an
immodiato response to ovory intimation of tho will of tho Head, and tho life unbrokonly in
correspondence with His mind, can thero bo tho unity of which the Now Testament speaks.
Three things must be clearly noticed.
1. We cannot " k e e p " what does not exist. Tho admonition presupposes our having
received tho Holy Spiiit into our lives in a vital way and having surrendered ourselves entirely
to H i s control and diiection.
2. We cannot create this unity. I t is essentially spiritual. Creeds, organisations, the
social spiiit, compromise on matters of interpretation and con never achieve it.
3. Th3re is the paradox of unity. " Feece " in the scriptures means harmony. B u t
while Christ is called " tho Prince of peace," and while that harmony has been created in many
lives and spheres where He has been enthioned, Ho clearly said that one result of H i s coming
would not be peace but tho sword.
I t is clear that wheiover H i s cross haB beon fully presented, thoro has been trouble and
upheaval. A l l the things against which His cross stands have at once created a state of war.
The world, the flesh in all thoir forms and expressions make spiritual unity impossible, and
in as much as even Christians aro influenced in thoir judgments, their standards of reckoning,
their conceptions, as well as their methods and means, and motives by the woz Id-spirit or the
Adam, nature make spiritual oneness impossible.
T h e fuller the presentation of the Cross the greater the arousing of the fallen nature
elements and therefore on tho one hand the greater peril and possibility of discord and on
the other hand the call for a more complete capitulation to the life of the Spirit as against
tho life in tho flesh.
T h i s work of separating will be carried out in ourselves personally, i n our homes, in our
local churches, and in Christendom at large.
O n this basis of flesh and spirit tho " house divided against itself " will fall.
T r u e unity has its birth at Calvary whero the world, the fleshwith the D e v i l working
through both to maintain his discord in the universewore dealt with and for ever ruled out
of tho new creation.
I t is this unity which Calvary creates which is the call for our diligence for its maintenance.
Certain things might well be borne in mind :
1. T h e Holy Spirit is of one mind, and never leads i n two ways which contradict each
other i n principle.
2. T h e Holy Spirit is unchanging in truth and with H i m there is no variableness from
time to time.
3. Differences of degree should never be a ground of division. Tlie different ages and
degrees of maturity i n our family need nevor throw tho family in schism.
4. Basic contradictions will evor result in arrested fellowship, and bo fruitful ground
for the satanic sowor of seeds of discord.
5. Wo must never act on a principlo of expediency, policy, or projudico, to try and advanco
the Lord's interests and safoguard tho truth. I t would bo bettor to havo a moro limited sphcro
of usefulnessas men tegard itthan keep doors open by compromise This, at length
brings a breach with the faithful.
t>. Spiritual ononess is " i n Christ," not in ourselves. Tho ascendancy of Christ ovor
self is tho only way of this oneness.
7. L o t it bo over recognised that in tho Lord's spiritual houso thero is H i s order and
appointments.
T o be out of our place, to assume a position or ministry which is not ours,
to interfere with others who aro tho " Lord's anointed." to mentally ignore, despise, or sot
aside such, to bo negligent of our ministry, or in any other way to disturb tho Divine order
is to upset " the unity of the .Spirit." and to throw tho Hody into u disturbed and conflicting
stato. There aro many things to he discerned in our *' giving diligence to keep tho unity,"
but if tho Cress has been truly applied to our own life, ami we ate really walking after the
Spirit we shall know within ourselves what these things arc.
*
T . A.-S.
f
P r i o n J by T b
AlhcnKum
Prm,
\\ a n d
13, B T M U ' I B u i l d i n g s , C t t a u c c r y L * n , L o n d o n , K . C . 4 .

fiUGUST,
1927
Vol.
5,
No. 8.
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as from
%H$*U
f. .
for Spiritual Edification, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
t l a.m. 3 p.m.A 6.30p.m. Mondays: 7.30 p.m. Wednesdays: 8 p.m. Saturdays: 3.30 p.m.&7p.ra
nccs arc held cverv week-end (Saturday and S u n d a y ) , and also a longer week-end a t the
filing of each month, this fixed by the first S u n d a y .
( F r i d a y to Monday evenings,
" c)
A l l j>articulars mav be obtained from G . Paterson, H o n o r O a k C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p
'Centre, Honor Oak R o a d , S . F . 2 3 .
^ b l i s t e r s : - A u s t i n - S p a r k s ; T . Madoc J e f f r e y s ; O. P a c e r s o o (Genera! S e c r e t a r y ) .
? s t House Hostesses : Ladv O g l e ; M r s . M . B r a n d .
Telephone : Sydenham 5216.
Toi
~ . . . . . . .
r (
M v
98
MINISTERS'
WITNESS
AND
LETTER
(Honor Oak Christian Fellowship Centro).

August, 1 0 2 7 .
B E L O V E D OF OUR
LORD,
TESTIMONY
of sinners lost and ruined hy tho F a l l , " there \

%
for those who have believed that Jesus cam
forth out f r o m God, who havo through theit
deep repentnnco and sorrow of grace como unto
H i m Who calls them from His Cross, yea, they
who aro no longor of this world, but as Ho is s
aro they i n it,there is for them, so witnesses
the Holv Ghost, a love in God as between the
Father and the Son. " The Father Himself
lovcth y o u . " A n d , again, " T h a t the love
wherewith Thou hast loved Mo may be in them
and I in t h e m . "
9
So wo constantly address you. And this is

no formal designation. I t is the address of the
H o l y Spirit.
T o many this fervent hearted New Testament
speech may have become a dead language ;
b u t this is the case w i t h all scripture when tho
So " Beloved of God " is no exaggeration of
letter has supplanted the v i t a l experience of the
religious
ecstasy, but the sober speech of
spirit. To those who live because they hear
believing
hearts.
" Herein is love."
the voice of t h e Son of God this " beloved "
The
devil
would
have us doubt this or paaa
has the music of God's t r u t h i n i t .
i
t
by
as
something
unreal and ecstatic, some
T o love, and to be loved : this is the compass
cloud
of
deluded
dreaming,
or else something
of life i n God. " We love H i m , because He
i
t
is
not
now
lawful
for
us
to
gaze upon. But
first loved u s . " This is the wondrous f r u i t
the
t
r
u
t
h
is
sealed
in
ransoming
blood. He
of Calvary's wooing. " H e loved me, and gave
loves
me.
Take
i
t
to
your
heart.
Himself for me" declares Paul. Faith dares to
One would press the balm home to bruised
interpret and t o bring t h a t Infinite Heart down
and torn souls. Some maybe who arc seeking
t o the personal, individual life. This is also
rest at this time, and finding none, because
the supreme goal of spiritual knowledge,
there is no rest w i t h i n . Are you i n danger of
namely,in those paradoxical words of grace
forgetting or disbelieving God's personal love
" t o know the knowledge-surpassing love of
for
you T Have service, obligation, or even
C h r i s t " ; for i t is beyond all knowledge, y e t
t r u t h , as impersonal and doctrinal t r u t h , so
shall we know i t , as we do now i n part.
crowded i n upon your mind, that y o u are cumB u t it's this blessed inner and essential "me"
bered
i n heart, jaded and lean as to this vital
we need to know as the especial object of the
treasure o f . grace,God's love 1 Have you
D i v i n e Love : " He loved me." For the love
forgotten t h a t He loves you, and wants you to
of Christ is t h a t foreknowing, elective, eternal,
rest i n t h a t , and to give H i m love i n return that
y e t discriminating and personal love of the
shall be the unfailing spring of all service 1
Good Shepherd that has singled me out for His
W i l l you not therefore sit i n His Presence
Desire : " He calleth H i s own sheep by name."
this holiday-time and w i t h great delight
A n d when our f a i t h can accept this mentally
incredible fact we are perfected i n love, and * realise H i s Banner, His very Protection over
you, is love 1
all fear is cast out : we have boldness for the
day of judgment. The Blood in the Throne
Beloved, let us t h i n k of His love once again.
is speaking i t s Covenant Love in our hearts.
This is a month of rest for many a Christian
E v e r y disciple then becomes " that disciple
worker. The tired and tho weary are seeking
w h o m Jesus l o v e d , " for the Bosom upon which
quiet places. Oh, is there not a place of the
he rested has become I n f i n i t e , and we all have
deepest and quietest rest, rest of heart, wherf
place there. " Behold, what love ! " exclaims
the fury of the oppressor cannot touch the
this same disciple, " the Father hath bestowed
warrior of the Cross ? I t is to allow H i m , Wb
upon us." A n d what provokes this further
alas, is so often the Divine Stranger oven *
astonishment of f a i t h ? I t is that we share the
His own, to pour i n His Oil and His Wine, e?
L i f e of tho Only-Begotten i n tho " new b i r t h . "
tho Love of God poured forth in our hearts V
We are His very own whom He has purchased
His Spirit. Wc have ministered to H i m through
w i t h His blood for a
peculiar possession."
out the year, i t may have been feebly an
A n d wc are tho Father's gift to the Son.the
very imperfectly. He would also minister to usg i f t of Love Universal to Love Particular. Let
Yours in the Love of the Paraclete,
h i m that rcadeth understand.
F o r while wc may never forget that wide
T . AUSTIN-SPARKS.
embracing love of God that includes a world i
T . MADOC JEFFREYS.
f
eP
14
,
;
;
j
j
j

A
THE
THE
WITNESS
AND
F E L L O W S H I P AND
MINISTRY
HUNGRY
SHEEP"
A t Jarrow and at Newcastle, J u l y 13th t o

15th, there was abundant further evidence of
the real hunger of tlie Lord's people for tho
living word of God.
Although the holiday season had commenced
nnd little announcement of tho meetings had
been given the numbers were representative of
many denominations, and many were the expressions of gratitude for l i g h t a n d help
received.
I t is intended to face the question of our
responsibility to make the m i n i s t r y more
continuous and practical i n these directions,
and a Conference at which the issues of m i n i s t r y
and fellowship i n the Newcastle d i s t r i c t w i l l
probably arise and be met, is being arranged at
the Connaught Booms, Newcastle, for September
9th, when our brother, M r . Austin-Sparks,
will, if God so appoint, be H i s messenger.
OUR
HOLIDAY
CONFERENCE
We have reason for wondering praise a t all

the manifest tokens of the Lord's approval
during this prolonged season o f intensive
meditation i n H i s t r u t h .
The ministry of the w o r d was carried t h r o u g h
by His Spirit i n a constant stream of utterance.
The main theme, The Centrality and U n i versality of the Cross,' was illustrated b y a large
chart, the facsimile of which is t o be f o u n d on
the back page of this issue. The vision a n d the
word had come to our brother, M r . Sparks,
during his recent season of confinement, and
thus once again the wisdom' of the Lord's
dealings w i t h His servants was vindicated. M r .
Jeffreys took the parallel theme of ' The S p i r i t
of Sonship,' related as i t is to the revelation of
tho Son of God i n the Cross, and i t was revealed
that the operation of the Cross i n the life of the
believer wrought-out the manifestation of t h a t
same Spirit of Sonship to tho praise of tho glory
f God's grace. I t was a very happy and
fruitful fellowship i n joint-ministry.
The characteristic feature of the Conference
was tho remarkable and daily occurrence of
applications for testimony bearing. E v e r y
Jay witnessed these practical fruits of tho
ministry's impact upon hearts, and this spirit
f obedience to the Lord's commandments goes
u up to tho time of writing.
We cannot but accept these ovidenecs of tho
forking of God's Spirit as a gracious encourage'Went from H i m to pursue unswervingly our
TESTIMONY
99
" Witness and Testimony " both to tho v i t a l

centrality of the Cross and also to our necessary
personal and experimental discerning of and
identifying w i t h the Body of the Christ born out
from the Cross. The acceptance of the Cross
in its fulness means the emergence of a L I F E
from i t which is found to be none other than
that of the l i v i n g glorified L o r d , enthroned in
GOD, shared by all members of His B o d y i n tho
fellowship of One Spirit. These witnesses to
the t r u t h of I D E N T I F I C A T I O N i n all i t s rango
from Calvary t o the Throne, came from far
sundered localities, and they have taken back
a definite testimony i n their hearts which must
be lived and preached where they are, and
which we believingly expect w i l l result i n
strategic w o r k for the gathering together into
O N E of the Lord's elect.
EXTENSION
OF
MINISTRY
Our young brethren who have been i n training

with us had very definite m i n i s t r y i n the N o r t h .
Two of them are now i n Lowestoft where the
L o r d seems t o be opening for them a path of
ministry for this m o n t h . I t might be helpful
for prayer t o n o t i f y t h a t i n September there
w i l l be the following outgoingsMr. Sparks to
Newcastle, 9 t h ; Dieulefit ( D . V . ) , 19th t o 2 2 n d ;
Mr. Madoc Jeffreys, Ebbw Vale, 1 1 t h ; Aberdare,
14th and 15th ; Sutton, 29th. There are likely
to occur many developments i n w o r k and
ministry during the coming weeks, a n d prayers
are solicited for the Lord's constraining and
restraining hand.
MRS.
PENN-LEWIS
The news of the Home-summons of our sister

has j u s t come t o hand. Thus a great teacher
and a champion for the T r u t h of the Cross rests
from her labours, and has entered i n t o tho
Presence of our L o r d .
The church of God owes a n incalculable debt
to this valiant a n d unfaltering pioneer of a t r u t h
that has been b u t slowly grasped by the children
of God, b u t which is nevertheless the basis of
all victorious life and service* We refer, of
course, to tho t r u t h of tho Identification of the
believer w i t h Christ, through H i s Cross, both in
His death to sin and His L i f e unto God.
Our sister's testimony i n speech and w r i t t e n
word has been industriously poured f o r t h for
many years w i t h o u t cessation ; t h a t testimony
has gone out i n t o all tho w o r l d ; and i t is not too
much to say that her ministry must have had a
radical and far-reaching effect upon the whole
Body of Christ as found in every land.
Wc thank God w i t h sincere hearts for H i s
great gift to H i s church in her faithful ministry.
100
WITNESS
AND
As is well k n o w n now the Lord has led us in

this Fellowship " to emphasise h o t only the
personal identification of tho believer with our
L o r d in death a n d life as a matter of personal
salvation, but t o the fact that this identification
brings the believer into a L I F E that is corporate
i n naturo and functioning, namely, into tho
Body of Christ. W e have been obliged to go
forward with the L o r d i n all that this revelation
means to us b y way of definite testimony.
B u t we have never ceased to appreciate tho
foundational character of our sister's great
ministry, the testimony to Jesus as the Christ,
and Him crucified as the message of the gospel.
The L o r d has t a k e n her to Himself, and when
the Crowning D a y comes, as we believe soon .it
w i l l , when this tenser conflict that s t i l l awaits
the church of God shall have issued i n gathering
the members of Christ's Body here on earth
into a f u l l revelation of their Oneness i n the
glorified L o r d , we shall hail our sister i n His
Presence as one w h o helped to lay the foundations of a w o r k of the Spirit t h a t shall have
issued i n the completion of the Temple not
made w i t h h a n d s ; and she also w i l l b y this time
have recognised t h a t we could have done no
other than obey t h e L o r d .
The L o r d stir u p our hearts at every remembrance of her to a l i k e zeal i n all the t r u t h . T . M . J.
44
FURTHER
WORD
As We go t o press the news reaches us that

our sister, Mrs. Penn-Lewis, has passed from
the battle to j o i n the great cloud of witnesses.
We have had v e r y blessed fellowship w i t h our
sister both personally, privately, and i n ministry,
and learned to k n o w her on a side which is not
discerned by a great many who d i d not touch
her so intimately.
We deliberately chose to share w i t h her tho
prejudice from w h i c h she suffered for the sake
of her message, which message The Message
of the Cross'was and is that i n which wc
stand.
We deeply regret that for other reasons this
personal fellowship was interrupted, but wc
have not ceased t o bear her up before the Lord
for succour and protection.
Few needed covering more than she, for few
have assailed the enemy more bitterly and
relentlessly, and few were more in danger to his
fury. The strength and aggressiveness of her
nature made i t difficult for her to keep under the
cover which tho L o r d sought to give her in His
servants, and one feels that sho was often the
more harassed because of this.
Our sister has fought a good fight, she has
4
TESTIMONY
suffered much, but there is a great multitudo

that w i l l rise up and call her Blessed." God
takes His servants, b u t carries on His w o r k ;
and all work that is out from H i m is immortal.
Wo should like to write much more, but time
docs not permit us now. Wo shall meet our
sister again, and tho mists w i l l then have
rolled away.
T . A.-S.
44
THINGS THAT D I F F E R
HI.SERVICE.
I F i t is difficult to avoid misunderstanding
when w r i t i n g to discriminate i n the matter of
salvation, i t is even more so i n the matter of
service. There is so much, and there are so
many ways which claim to be God's service "
and
m i g h t y works i n the Name of Jesus."
Thank God, however, t h a t we have not to judge
and decide what is and what is not true service
to God. I t is, nevertheless, given to us to recognise and emphasise basic principles b y which,
all who claim to serve H i m must judge them...
selves i n this matter. I t must be observed at'
the outset that, while the L o r d makes even?
antagonistic elements and personseven the
wrath of manadversity of circumstances;
and while there is even such a thing as irreligious
solicitude for God, H i s direct and elect means *
and method is by chosen and consecrated
members of His spiritual household. Now, of
this service there must never be a judging after ~
the seeing of the eyes or the hearing of t h e '
ear!
This is a matter into which the senses
cannot come w i t h o u t the peril of deceiving
and misleading the whole life. The service of
God like every other thing i n relation to Him
is essentially an unmixedly spiritual thing. There
are two things at least which are basically
wrong and inevitably disastrous from the
standpoint of true spiritual value: one is the
regarding of the work of God as a set system,
just as any other commercial, industrial, or
professional system is a vocation or calling.
So much is heard a b o u t entering the ministry,"
" t a k i n g up Christian w o r k , " "becoming a
missionary," &c., and this as static, organised,
systcmatiscd. The other is going into service
on tho basis of an external appeal to tho senses;
the intellect, tho emotions, the volition, by
or reason of a presentation to tho ears of the
eyos. Wo do not say that theso means have
never been overruled by God to something
more, b u t i n themselves as such they aro both
inadequate and perilous. B o t h of theso thing*
14
44
4i
A W1TNE55
AND
are not according to the principles of tho Divine

order, and tho W o r d of Godread w i t h spiritual
insightproves i t up to tho h i l t . Moreover,
ovcry man and woman who has como up
against spiritual realities in the service of God
knows t h a t i t requires something stronger
than hot air, electric atmosphere, v i v i d pictures,
romantic conceptions, idealistic visions, mental
impressions, and occasional stimulants for tho
will, to make them able to continue indefinitely
and be spiritually effective. N o , i n every
way, the senses are an insufficient basis and a
dangerous criterion.
The service of God being spiritual w i l l always
have an element of mystery about i t , and this
mystery is t h u s ; the greater the degree of real
spiritual effectiveness and value, and the more
spiritually accountable a thing becomes, the
less is i t a thing that can be seen and handled
by the Benses and by the flesh, the less the
elements and forms of human demonstration
and natural appreciation. Again and again
we have marked the grievous tragedy of
ministries personal and otherwise w h i c h
were mighty i n spiritual significance at length
taking on human significance a n d ' assuming
forms of natural impressiveness a t the expense
of that essential value to God. Yes !. I t has
grown,* big, expansive, famous. Yes ! He, or
she has a name, a reputation, a following, a
fame, and a position, b u t so often, 0 so often at
a cost of accountability amongst " principalities
and powers " (this is where spiritual values
are judged) which makes i t all poor gain, and
makes God's heart bleed.
W i t h o u t seeming to judge of this ourselves
let us Btate a further principle or t w o o r reemphasise i n definite f o r m : A l l inclusively,
only what God does Himself is God's service!
This is basic to the entire revelation of the
purposes of God i n the whole scriptures. The
Lord Jesus is most insistent upon this Himself.
** The Son can do nothing of Himself."
The Father doeth the w o r k s . "
TheFathcr
apeakcth tho words." *' M y Father workcth
until now."
I t is not you t h a t speak, but tho
Spirit of your Father Who spcakcth in y o u , " &c.
This principle was well recognised by the
Apostles. I n fact i t is tho primary object of
the indwelling of the H o l y Spirit. * The H o l y
Ghost said." " Tho Spirit suffered them n o t . "
Only as all service is brought w i t h i n the limits
f this Divine ordering by a positive witness
within the sanctified and quickened spirit of
tho chosen vessel " can there bo Tho works
11
44
44
TESTIMONY
101
of God " which alone count. This, on tho other

hand, rules out all our works.
Motivo, good intont, laboriousncss, enthusiasm,
i n the namo of Jesus," ** for tho
K i n g d o m , " ** i n the interests of m a n k i n d , " & c ,
these do not count i n tho realm of the eternal
purpose i n Christ Jesus," if they are our own
activities w i t h our own natural resources. I t
must be God who works w i t h i n . "
We have y e t to know the nature and immensity of the works of God, and how H i s ends
call for H i s infinite energy, and when we have
a little l i g h t on this matter we shall see t h a t
all our works are dead works " indeed.
The flesh cannot enter into the worKS of G o d ;
hence the measure of spiritual effectiveness is
the measure i n which the Cross of Christ has
slain our flesh experimentally. N o t w h a t
appears to be successful Christian w o r k , b u t w h a t
is d o n e n o t b y m e n b u t b y God through
crucified men. We must be content to have
our fruitfulness and spiritual value registered
i n the unseen, and not be dominated b y the
scales of values as set up b y men o n the earth.
One sign of counting beyond mere flesh and
blood is the malice and f u r y of the oppressor
and his persistent efforts t o get one o u t of the
fight. F i n a l l y : we can only get i n t o the true
service of God as we are p u t i n t o i t b y the
H o l y Spirit. This is not as from the earth but as
from above.
Men cannot make these appointments or
ordinations! To press i n t o this service of
oneself is t o meet the fire of God breaking
f o r t h . To touch this a r k of testimony " w i t h
our hands is t o die.
Even after Moses had been chosen, received
the revelation, and been commissioned,
God
met h i m and sought to k i l l h i m . " W h y 1
Becauso the circumcision of the flesh had been
neglected, a n d no flesh can serve the L o r d .
T . A.-S.
, l
44
44
44
44
44
BOOKLETS
(WITNESS AND TESTIMONY.)
44
44
T U B following oro now available:

B y T . Austin-Sparks.
' Incorporation into Christ.' No. 1. Prico
* Incorporation into Christ.' No. 2. P r i c e
'Incorporation into Christ.' No. 3. P r i c e
Theso uro now publishod i n one volume,
G<1., paper cover.
Tho Inner Man of tho Heart.* Prico 4d.
' Vision and Vocation.' Prico 2d.
T h e Prisoner of tho Lord.' Prico 2d.
B y T . Madoc Jcffroys:
' Tho Divino Unities.' Prico 2d.
4
2d.
2d.
2d.
Price
A WITNESS AND
102
TESTIMONY
before wo can begin to serve H i m . A n d then,

when H e has done this, i t is not t h a t wc may
drift inconscquontly, waiting for something to
(Continued.)
happen ; b u t that wc may t u r n toward H i m ,
" N o t holding fast tho Head, from which and in our spirit, " lay strong-hold-of" H i m .
. . . . . . . . t h e increase of God."Col. i i . 19.
Arc you there ? Arc you waiting upon God,
W E are pressed i n our hearts to continue wrestling w i t h H i m i n spirit, t h a t the Great
Anointing may fill you w i t h a Divine energy
this theme with especial reference to ministry,
and passion i n prayer for the Body of Christ ?
a ministry given to every mcmhcT of the Body
A l l service springs out of such a laying strong
of Christ. Beloved, behold and believe your
vocation. You are called everyone of you to hold of the Head.
minister to the Body of Christ.
The inward pattern of service, t h a t is, its
B u t how, you may ask. By the in-working
working as through our spirit, is perfectly
of H i s mighty power. This is the nature of illustrated by four words which Paul uses in.
all ministry. I t is spiritual, that is, i t is wrought Col. i . 29 : Labour, striving, working, workethi n your spirit by the Holy Spirit. I t is deeply i n me. This order as stated is f r o m the outinward, i t energises or works w i t h i n . First, i n ward to the inward.
groanings that cannot be expressed, a pressure
1. The labour of Paul was manifest: i t was
i n your spirit that drives you to prayer, to hard labour, incessant, crushing. I t was inintercession, and then issues, as the case may be, supportable to any natural determination,
i n Spkitrdirected service, concerning which you
enthusiasm, or resource. Bead 2 Cor. i v . 8 ;
need have no anxiety as to its programme or v i . 3-10 ; x i . 23-29 consecutively, and ask your-t^
definition; for what you do and what you- are self whether any mortal man could have sua-.'!;,
i n Christ will be made plainly-manifest to all, tained such burdens or performed a tithe of the
and*you do not require name or title.
. . .
prodigious labours of the apostle. The ques-^
* I t ' is interesting to note that the . word, t i o n only needs to be asked t o make i t plain t h a t j
" h o l d i n g ; " which we translate as "holding- here is a miraculous and unaccountable spiritualfast " has the same derivation as the word energy.
/
" p o w e r " i n Eph. i . 1 9 ; v i . 10. I t means,
2. The next phase of his service, and thiSj
literally, " to lay strong hold of." B u t w i t h also would be apparent t o any one who was in,/'
what k i n d cf power 1 W h a t might 1 N o t by contact w i t h h i m , was a " s t r i v i n g . " This word!,
any power or might that is natural,' b u t by. a is^translated " c o n f l i c t " i n the very next Verse,/.
spiritual power working within us. I t is to lay Col. i i . 1 , literally, an " agonizing." The^'
hold of with a spiritual strength, and is exem- apostle was i n tho grip of an inward concern ;' ,
plified i n that wrestling of Israel (Hosea x i i . 3 a contraction of the heart, so-to speak; aj*.
and 4 ) " By his strength he had power w i t h
travail for tho church of God. H e was under i'j
God :. Yea, he had power over the angel and spiritual constraint. Ho could not help him-,; '
prevailed. He wept and made supplication self. H e was a bond-servant of the Lord.
unto H i m . " B u t this is not the strength of Jesus i n his spirit, and was subject to tlnY
t h a t Jacob, the tenacious self-seeker. A l l that inward striving, a.prisoner of the L o r d con-*"
natural strength has been brought to an end
tinually i n this sense, as he was outwardly at
at Jabbok, i n a knowledge of its failure times i n Roman chains and fetters. This was
and futility. Henceforth i t must be crippled the spring of his labours: they issued from this
and kept under the judgment of the Cross. I t
inward constraint.
is the weeping and supplication that indicate
3. B u t this was due to what he calls " His
the nature of this strength. Even thus our
working,"
literally, " H i s energising." This
blessed Lord with strong cryings and tears made
is
the
whole
secret of Christian service. I t is
supplication in the Garden, and was heard for
a
ministry
in
and by the H o l y Ghost within us;
His divine fear. I n fearfulness and trembling
i t is the release w i t h i n us of tho mighty power
He worked-out our great salvation ; He was
crucified through weakness; but through that of the Christ's resurrection. I t is the manifestation of t h a t resurrection in the Body of Christ.
weakness the power of tho Almighty God in
H i m was manifested, even the Power of the I t is God Himself breaking through in us in
that victorious Life that met and vanquished
Resurrect iou.
the powers of darkness at Calvary. Sco what
So with us. God has to bring us to an end
a " striving " Paul has in Ephesians i . 17-23,
of ourselves, an end of all our natural resources, and again i n i i i . 14-11). I t is his constant con'
THE
HEADSHIP
OF
CHRIST
WITNESS
AND
corn that the members of tho Body may have

(he revelation: that thoy may sec what is the
fellowship of tho mystery " (Eph. i i i . 9), namely,
that i t is God that worketk i n you both to w i l l
nd to do of His good pleasure (Phil. i i . 13).
This
working " or
energising " is the
secret, beloved. I t is the
New Creation,"
(Compare Gal. v. 6 w i t h v i . 15.) H o w tho
apostle yearns then that believers might know
what is the exceeding greatness of His power
to U8wardaccording to tho working of H i s
mighty power," t h a t is, the power of H i s
Resurrection."
4. For himself ho declares t h a t t h i s energy "
works i n h i m mightily. A n d this is always
the explanation of his service. See E p h . i i i . 7.
B u t the apostle speaks of himself as a pattern
and type of believers (1 T i m . i . 16), and that wc
are to be imitators " of h i m as he was of
Christ (1 Cor. x i . 1). The
w o r k i n g " that
wrought i n h i m can also w o r k i n u s ; but the
degree of i t is measured b y the degree of our
death. This .is the law of its operation, plainly
stated i n 2 Cor. i v . 10-12. Our L o r d Himself,
in the days of His flesh worked b y no other
principle. The. m i g h t y works of God, words
and deeds of power, signs and wonders, were
wrought b y an energising of the S p i r i t as He
lay down, deliberately negated, H i s own life
(soul).; He bare about i n H i s body a deadness,
or 'putting-to-death, of every self-activity,
in order t h a t the Father, thus having place i n
H i m , might do the works. Calvary was the
consummation of this obedience u n t o death.
This is the principle He enunciates i n John
xii. 24-26, and note i t is w i t h regard to service,
H any man desire to serve, minister to, Me,
let h i m follow M B . " I t is the way of the Cross,
daily, continually. A n d so i n ah the Gospels,
Matt. x v i . 24, 25 ; Mark v i i i . 34, 36 ; L u k e
ix. 23, 24.
We have taken the order f r o m the outward
to the inward. The secret of tho mighty
labour is the in-working," somothing operating i n tho spirit of the apostlo ; and this operative power is nothing other than tho Lifo of tho
Risen L o r d by His Spirit i n the inner man "
of His bond-servant. I t is tho very saino
" energy of tho strength of His might " t h a t
wrought tho Resurrection of tho sacrificed M A N
into tho Throne of God. Tims Calvary is
manifested and vindicated i n tho operation of
the Spirit of tho Risen Christ i n the mombers
of His Body. This is how God is glorified in us.
B u t remember tho j>rocess of ministry is f r o m
tho inward to tho outward. Wo do not com44
ft
44
44
44
44
4 4
44
44
44
44
44
TESTIMONY
103
mence w i t h tho m i g h t y works : wc commenco

w i t h the in-working." Cease f r o m yourself,
your dead works. L a y strong hold of God
inwardly. Take your identification w i t h Christ
practically, actually. I t is not a theory. I f
you aro " crucificd-togcthcr-with " H i m , then
cease from self, and let tho Christ b y His Spirit
arise w i t h i n your renewed spirit. This is easy
to s a y ; b u t i t needs gripping, wrestUng w i t h ,
taking hold of ; for all the powers of Hades and
all the inertia and stubborn reluctance and
enmity of the old m a n , " a l l the disobedience
of unbelief i n us, are against this simple step. I t
needs the power of H i s Resurrection, the
mighty power of God, t o enable y o u to step
over tho threshold i n t o t h a t
inner m a n "
continually, and there abide. E v e n when you
have learned the secret, how the enemy lures
you out. H o w much, tho Master stressed
abiding " (John x v . ) .
44
44
44
44
Scrutinise carefully the language of Eph.

i i i . 16. A l l the riches of the glory of the Father
of our L o r d Jesus Christ are invoked to this end;
namely, t h a t through. H i s S p i r i t y o u might be
strengthened to an i n w a r d life, t h a t w i t h i n you
there might arise tho m i g h t y power of God, and
t h a t y o u m i g h t discover how to live out from
t h a t very L i f e of God W h o dwells w i t h i n you.
We are speaking n o t of salvation b u t of service.
Thank God, H e takes h o l d of us f o r salvation;
b u t we t u r n , and take h o l d of H i m for service.
So Paul, again, breathing out t h a t " s t r i v i n g . "
and in-working " of the S p i r i t aspires that he
may apprehend (lay h o l d of) t h a t f o r which he
was apprehended b y Christ Jesus (Phil. i i i . 12).
As for salvation t h a t mighty H a n d of God
has laid hold of us, and none can : l u c k us thence
(John x. 27-30). B u t as to service we are to
enter into t h a t L i f o t h a t has taken hold of us,
and using i t s power b y a f a i t h t h a t is energised
by love, we are to w o r k the works of H i m that
sends us i n t o the w o r l d even as H o was sent
into the w o r l d . Thus are we to bo rcsurrectionmombcrs of tho glorified Incarnate L o r d .
This much as to tho nature of the ministry.
I t is entirely spiritual, resulting f r o m heart
conflict by an in-working of tho H o l y Ghost,
and there arc no exceptions to the scope of its
operations i n the B o d y of Christ.
Every
member should be subject to this working of tho
One Spirit, not passively, but b y an activo
inward co-operation as a temple of the H o l y
Ghost. Failure in spiritual service may bo due
to a lack of knowledge. I t may also bo due to a
lack of
laying-strung-hold-of "holding-fast
the Head. B u t we are called to be Cod's fellow44
44

104
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
such a t h i n g as the " B o d y of C h r i s t . " One has ^

been appalled a t t h e ignorance t h a t appears t o
p r e v a i l among such as w o u l d be considered -t
stalwarts of " the f a i t h , " w h o seem t o r e g a r d *
any reference t o such a theme as " T h e B o d y *
of Christ " t o indicate a tendency t o unsafe ,
teaching. W e suffer m u c h f r o m such d e t r a c t i o n . **
Y e t there is no other purpose i n t h e g i f t of the
One is l e d t o believe t h a t i f t h e n a t u r e of jj H o l y S p i r i t t o the " church " t h a n t h a t the b o d y
t h i s service is once comprehended surely its ' of Christ should be completed a n d perfected. ..
I f there be conversions, w h a t are t h e y conscope a n d u n i t y w o u l d be likewise discerned.
versions t o ? A r e there " new b i r t h s " ; o u t i
T h i s Btrong l a y i n g h o l d of Christ m u s t certainly
b r i n g us i n t o t h e secret of t h e L O V E of the S p i r i t i f r o m W h o m and i n t o W h o m a n d W h a t are
t h e y b o r n and baptized b y One S p i r i t ? I s
w h i c h embraces t h e whole B o d y of Christ,
i t t o add t o the n u m b e r of adherentB of denomi- *W h a t does t h e apostle mean b y " being-rooted
nations, churches, a n d " i s m s , " or are t h e y *
a n d grounded i n l o v e , " a n d thus being " able
" added " t o t h e Christ ? Unto what were ye
&c. ?
t o f u l l y comprehend with all saints,"
baptized, asks P a u l .
A n d w h a t is t h e comprehensive
a n d allinclusive y e t intensive L O V E t h a t can perDoes n o t the conclusion of a l l m i n i s t r y
severingly supplicate f o r a l l saints 1
reveal t h e essential scope a n d u n i t y of i t
" T H E INCREASE
OF GOD ? "
I t iB a D i v i n e -:'
Does i t n o t h a p p e n t h a t as I enter i n t o t h a t
L
i
f
e
received
a
n
d
c
o
m
m
u
n
i
c
a
t
e
d
b y One S p i r i t .
oneness of Christ's L i f e a n d mine in me t h a t the
I
t
has
a
m
y
r
i
a
d
channels
a
n
d
instruments
as '
H o l y S p i r i t takes me w i t h i n t h e V e i l , and i n a
men,
b
u
t
all
these
derive
t
h
e
i
r
service,
as
t
h
e
i r isense reverses t h e order, a n d I discover the
L
i
f
e
,
f
r
o
m
One
Source.
T
h
e
i
r
life
is
s
p
i
r
i
t,
oneness of m y life w i t h C h r i s t in G o d ? A n d
their
m
i
n
i
s
t
r
y
is
s
p
i
r
i
t
;
b
u
t
a
l
l
o
u
t
of
One
S
p
i
r
i
t
.
t h e n , w h a t takes place % Does n o t t h e perTherefore
all
inter-related,
co-ordinated,
n
a
y
,>
sonal, t h e i n d i v i d u a l concern cease, a n d the
organically
O
N
E
.
'
T
h
e
v
e
r
y
f
a
c
t
of
a
s
p
i
r
i
t
u
a
l
D i v i n e L o v e , t h e concern of God, t a k e i t s place ?
strong-laying-hold-of t h e H e a d of t h i s B o d y 4:
D o I n o t t h e n e n j o y t h e M i n d of C h r i s t , and a l l
W h o is Christ w i l l mean t h a t t h e y discern the~
self-interest i n m y h e a r t discerned a n d t h e n
Oneness of t h e m i n i s t r y of building-up t h a t 5
cleansed b y t h e B l o o d i n t h a t L i g h t , t h e M i n d
B o d y ; a n d t h e y daTe n o t w o r k evangelically
of t h o S p i r i t has place i n me % O h , w i l l I n o t
for themselves. T h e y dare n o t build-up closed
diBcem t h e B o d y w i t h t h e M i n d a n d L o v e of
communities called " c h u r c h e s " w i t h t h e i r <
God as I enter i n t o t h e Place of t h e Evervested interests a n d t h e i r increasing selfl a s t i n g B u r n i n g s ? W i l l n o t t h e F i r e of t h a t
imposed l i a b i l i t i e s . T h i s is n o t N o w Testament fA l t a r enter m y h e a r t ? Shall I n o t see the
C h r i s t i a n i t y , a n d wc arc persuaded i t is n o t the f
L a m b i n t h e m i d s t of t h e T h r o n e a n d cease
t h i n g t h a t the L o r d is going t o t a k e h o l d of a n d '7
f r o m t h i s wTctched self t h a t w o u l d lust for
receive i n t o H i s G l o r y .
"I
D i v i n e t h i n g s f o r i t s o w n satisfaction %
N o , t h e m i n i s t r y is first t o begot children
I
a m persuaded, beloved fcllowrmembcrs
u n t o God b y t h o " w o r d of God " spoken i n tho c
of t h e B o d y of C h r i s t , t h a t t o lay strong h o l d
power of tho H o l y Ghost. T h e n t o i n s t r u c t s
of our Glorious H e a d means t h a t wc shall paBS
t h e m b y the same S p i r i t i n t o a discerning of the y
o u t of a l l d e a t h i n t o a l l l i f e , and love the whole
B o d y of the Christ. N e x t t o b r i n g t h e m i n t o vf"
brotherhood of the Christ.
the Fellowship of tho H o l y Ghost, w h i c h iB t h a t
A n d t h i s is n o t ecstatic : i t is p r a c t i c a l . F o r
of the Father w i t h the Son, and we in Him, ^
i t IB t h e B o d y of C h r i s t on earth t h a t has t o be
Thus t o introduce t h e m t o t h e i r m i n i s t r y w h i c h
b r o u g h t i n t o a u n i t y of l i f e , and n o t those who
is t o f o r m u n i t i n g bands and j o i n t s of supply b y ^
aro absent f r o m t h e b o d y , present W i t h the
intensive fellowship i n t h a t One Foilowslup, '
L o r d . A great m a n y h o l d w h a t has boon called
t h a t t h e y may p r a y i n the H o l y Ghost. A l l this i |
" T h e B o d y t r u t h , " b u t i t is obvious t h a t t h e y
is " of ( i o d . " I t * i s D i v i n e L i f e . A n d o u t of -j*
h o l d i t m e n t a l l y , t h a t is, t h e o r e t i c a l l y , and n o t
t h i s D i v i n e L i f e , proceeding f r o m t h e H e a d ,
i n t h e L o v e of t h e S p i r i t Bince there is no
w i l l come tho closer k n i t t i n g s together, t h e : ?
d e m o n s t r a t i o n of t h a t m i n i s t r y i n and to the
fitly f r a m i n g together, t h e building-up i n t o the %
B o d y t h a t IB f o u n d e d i n " s t r i v i n g " prayer.
Christ. H u t always " increase of G o d , " more M
Others again w h o Would be deemed strongly
of God. There w i l l follow t h e d i r e c t impactJ|j
evangelical do n o t seem t o k n o w t h a t there is
labourers, w o r k e r s together w i t h H i m (2 Corv i . 1). W o n d e r f u l designation ! God's fellowlabourers. L e t us ponder i t w e l l , understanding
t h a t i t is b y t h e grace of God t h i s iB so, a n d a t
last come t o the conclusion, " I am. strong for
a l l things i n t h e C h r i s t W h o in-strengtheneth
me " ( P h i l . i v . 13).
WITNESS
AND
of God u p o n the p r i n c i p a l i t i e s a n d powers, tho

brcakings-forth of t h e L o r d , t h e broaches made
u p o n t h e k i n g d o m of S a t a n , t h e t e s t i m o n y t o the
nationsevery
n a t i o n where such a t e s t i m o n y
is made t o the Sovereignty of t h e H e a d w i l l be
awakened t o t h e f a c t t h a t a Power t h a t " t u r n s
the w o r l d upside d o w n " has b r o k e n o u t among
t h e m . T h i s t h i n g c a n n o t bo h i d . I t is t h o
H o l y S p i r i t manifesting t h e Sovereign Christ
as i n H i s B o d y . T h e k i n g d o m s of t h i s w o r l d
w i l l bo aroused, s t i r r e d , d i s t u r b e d . T h e y w i l l
bo obliged t o confess t h a t a stronger t h a n t h e
" strong man " is spoiling his goods.
Thus
w i l l there come those last i n v i t a t i o n s t o t h e
" marriage feasts " when t h e compulsions of tho
S p i r i t are b r o u g h t t o bear u p o n t h e hearts of
men ; a n d t h e d e v i l a n d his hosts aro compelled
t o release t h e i r p r e y . B u t a l l t h i s pre-supposes
corporate p r a y e r . Intercession f o r O N E T H I N G .
A Great E t e r n a l P u r p o s e !
T h e t r a v a i l of
t h e S p i r i t ! B u t f o r t h i s w c m u s t be free, free
f r o m t h e p e t t y , t h e personal, t h e p a r o c h i a l , t h e
systems, t h e elements of t h i s w o r l d . H o w can
t h i s be except there be a n e n t e r i n g i n t o t h e
fellowship of H i s sufferings, a n d a filling-up of
t h a t w h i c h y e t remains of t h e afflictions of t h e
Christ f o r H i s B o d y ' s sake, w h i c h is t h e Church ?
I t is w h e n t h e H e a d is t h u s l a i d h o l d of i n t h e
energy of t h e H o l y S p i r i t t h a t it w i l l be realised
t h a t the A n o i n t i n g t h a t flows f r o m H i m is One
A n o i n t i n g , a n d t h a t n o m i n i s t r i e s are r e a l l y
personal, t h e y belong t o a corporate purpose a n d
L I F E . N o n e can l i v e or serve t o himself.
There can bo no closed c o m p a r t m e n t s i n t h a t
w h i c h is one organic L i f e . . W e shall f i n d ourBclvos strangely and sensitively O N E w i t h a l l
the members of Christ i n a l l t h e e a r t h . T h e
H o l y Ghost i n P a u l saw a n d spake before t h e
t i m e . B u t t h e t i m e is c o m i n g , is i t not n o w
closo a t h a n d , w h e n t h e members of Christ w i l l
only s u r v i v e those t h i n g s t h a t come u p o n t h e
e a r t h aB t h e y como i n t o t h a t intense i n w a r d
L i f o of t h e S p i r i t , and f i n d t h a t t h e y are a l l
b o u n d together i n bonds of H i s c r e a t i n g , a n d
t h a t they must live for the Body, and not for
themselves. T h e n w i l l i t be l i t e r a l l y t r u e t h a t
if one member of the B o d y suffer a l l suffer
together w i t h t h a t one ; and otherwise, if one
bo glorilicd a l l members shall ho glorified
together w i t h t h a t one. A h ! T h a t is t i n ;
consummation.
T h e n Bhall d e a t h be swallowed
u p in v i c t o r y ! T h e last enemy shall be
destroyed i n t h e Church f i r s t , before he be
destroyed i n t h o age t o come.
L o o k i n g o u t u p o n t h o v i a b l e church of God
(as far as such a t h i n g may bo v i s i b l e , f o r t h e y
TESTIMONY
105
t h a t aro s p i r i t u a l aro s p i r i t u a l l y discerned)

one m i g h t w e l l d e s p a i r ; f o r chaos, d i v i s i o n ,
a b o u n d i n g self interests a n d
complacencies
seem t o p r e v a i l . A n d u p o n tho p a r t of those
earnest souls w h o w o u l d seem t o have been a
v a n g u a r d of pioneers w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e t r u t h
of " The B o d y " there have been m a n y deceptions a n d delusionsyea, m a n y false prophets
arc gone f o r t h i n t o the w o r l d . T h e s p i r i t of
a n t i c h r i s t is manifest i n m a n y subtle forms,
a n d he p l o t s against t h e realisation of Christ
corporate even as he d i d against Christ personal. B y t h i s is he k n o w n . B u t Jesus the
Christ is come, a n d is coming in the flesh, a n d
there shall be t h o m a n i f e s t a t i o n of t h e sons of
God together w i t h the Son of God. None can
Btay H i m . A n d t h e H o l y Ghost is in-working,
f o r there is a strong-laying-hold-of t h e H e a d .
God has H i s h i d d e n ones, a n d t h e y are more
t h a n w c k n o w a n d t h i n k . A s some of t h e m
read these pages we w o u l d e x h o r t t h e m t o be
of good courage, f o r t h e day of our r e d e m p t i o n
draws n i g h . B u t there is a g r i m f i g h t o n .
Satan w i t h all his hosts is seeking t o v e i l , t o
hinder, t o deter, t o deflect t h e c h i l d r e n of God
f r o m a r e a l i s a t i o n of t h i s U n i t y of t h e Christ
i n H i s B o d y . T o such, we say, s t i r u p the g i f t
t h a t is w i t h i n thee. L a y h o l d of t h a t One
E t e r n a l L i f e . T a k e y o u r place i n t h e Christ
as one w i t h a l l t h e c h i l d r e n of G o d . P r a y f o r
the B o d y . L i v e for the Body.. The L o r d w i l l
t h u s b r i n g y o u i n t o H i B secret w a y s a n d w o r k ings i n the B o d y a t thiB t i m e . Y o u w i l l see
w h a t H e is d o i n g , and y o u w i l l enter i n t o t h a t
w o r k i n g of t h e H o l y G h o s t i n t h e e a r t h w h i c h
even n o w is i n process of gathering-togetherinto-one t h e c h i l d r e n of God t h a t are scattered
abroad. "Mighty t h i n g s are s t i r r i n g .
Watch,
be Blccpless i n t h e S p i r i t . A w a k e , as those w h o
arc awakened f r o m t h e dead. F o r a t t h o last
o n l y t h o wise shall u n d e r s t a n d .
T . M. J .
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T H E following a m o u n t s towards the expenses
of this paper h a v e been received since our last
issue. Wo proiso G o d for t h e m : W h i t l e a f , 1 ;
Glasgow, 1 ; L a n d w o r t , H o l l a n d , 1 0 # . ; Southgate,
1 1 0 * . ; Maesycwmmcr, 1 1 * . ; Arnhom, Holland,
7*. ; Now Y o r k , 1 0 * . : T u n b r i d g e Wells, 5 & . ;
Wilhwdon G r e e n , 4s.; H i g h b u r y H i l l , 5 * . ; H e a t o n ,
tt*. (W.; Cholsoa, 3 * . ; S o u t h H a c k n e y , 2s. 6 d . ;
O l d K e n t R o a d , 2*. Od.; B l a c k p o o l , 2s. 6 d . ;
ITppor N o r w o o d , 2s. Ctrl.; L i v e r p o o l , 2s.
6d.;
W e s t K i r b y , 2*. ikl.;
P a l m e r ' s G r e e n , 2s. 6d.;
Houlah H i l l , 2*. 4c/.; F r i o r n R o a d , 2s.; S o u t h
T o t t e n h a m , 2s.;
W a n d s w o r t h , 2s.;
Palmer's
Uroun, Vtl.; L o c a l Subscriptions, 2 5s. 6 d .
T o t a l , 1 0 0s. Id.
106
THE
(Introduction
SPIRIT
OF
WITNESS
AND
SONSHIP
to an Address given at the August

Conference, 1027.)
THERE is a w o r d i n the New Tcstamont,

which contains the measuro of our salvation
together w i t h the significance of its character.
I t is the word adoption." Y o u find i t i n
Tho first is i n
four suggestive passages.
Romans v i i i . 15, " For ye have not received
t h e spirit of bondage again unto fear " (and
this, at any t i m e ) . " B u t ye received the
spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba,
Father."
The word
adoption " as i n each of the
following instances should be translated " Sons h i p , " " Ye received the Spirit of Sonship
whereby we cry Abba, Father." Thus are we
able to say " Our Father " w i t h the Son of God.
I n the 23rd verse of this 'same chapter you have
t h e word again, b u t this time referring to the
finality of the w o r k of this Spirit of Sonship
i n us as i t shall have brought us at last to the
consummation of God's purpose i n the church,
t h e Sonship being completed at the translation
of the Body of Christ. " A n d not only they (that
i s , the creation) b u t ourselves also, which have
t h e F i r s t - f r u i t ' of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan w i t h i n ourselves, waiting for the
* Sonship,' to w i t , the redemption of the body."
H e r e we see t h a t the all-inclusive thought is
t h a t of Sonship, perfected Sonship.
I t is n o t so much the redemption of our
individual bodies that is the concern of the
S p i r i t w i t h i n us (this is included, of course, i n
t h i s so great salvation); b u t we are groaning
w i t h i n ourselves, we who have received the
' first-fruit' of t h e Spirit, waiting for the
consummation of this " Sonship." The creat i o n groans d u m b l y , inarticulately; but i n
t h e church that groaning becomes more or less
articulate i n intercessory prayer (verses 26, 27).
Tho word is also used again i n tho epistle
t o the Romans, b u t i n a connection which wo
need not consider here, referring aB i t doos
t o the Hebrew people as the vehicle through
revelation by which tho " S o n s h i p " came,
a n d to their future place in its glories.
We pass oti to Gal. iv. 3 : " Even so we, when
we were infants wero i n bondage, under the
rudiments of the world ; but when tho fulness
of the time came, God sent forth H i s Son, come
of a woman, como under the law, to redeem
them that wero under the law, t h a t we might
recoive the ' adoption-of-sons' (literally, ' tho
Sonship ' ) . And because yc arc sons, God sent
11
TESTIMONY
forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts,

crying Abba, Father. Wherefore, thou art no
longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son,
then an heir of God through the Christ."
A n d then in E p h . i . 3 to 5, the apostlo utters
that benediction of God inspired by tho rovclation of H i s eternal purposo in this " Sonship."
" Blessod bo tho God and Father of our L o r d
Jesus Christ Who h a t h blessed us w i t h ovory
spiritual blessing i n tho hoavenlies in Clirist,
according as He hath chosen us in Him before
the foundation of the world, t h a t we should bo
holy and without blame before H i m ; (here i n troducing the pause)in love having predestinated us unto ' Sonship ' through Jesus
Christ to Himself, according to the good
pleasure of His w i l l . "
T.M.
J.
(To be continued.)
T H E C E N T R A L I T Y AND
U N I V E R S A L I T Y O F T H E CROSS
(Notes of an Address given by Mr. Austin-Sparks
at the August Conference, 1927.) ..
N o w beloved, the reason we are gathered i n
this place this morning is because we believe
that the L o r d has called us t o bear witness and
testimony t o a revelation which He has given
us upon the basis of His dealings w i t h us and
i n us, which is of very v i t a l account and import
for these days. This is not said i n any religious
conceit, or spiritual pride, for i t represents a
great cost and a considerable conflict and
travail and anguish not to be coveted for an
instant by the flesh, b u t rather ever and always
to be shunned f r o m that side, but accepted
as a stewardship, so that we find ourselves i n
this, i n the presence of the L o r d , unable, though
the flesh shrink, to be or do otherwise.
Now t h a t revelation, which is not, let me
emphasize, a mental apprehension of t r u t h ,
but that which has sprung out from deep and
drastic handling of us, and is basic to this
testimony, is summed up, I t h i n k , almost entirely
in its outlines i n this diagram that is before
you (see back 2>age). I think I need not say how
the L o r d brought that to one, other than this
that i t was in the hour of tlie deepest anguish
of spirit, and tho hour of deepest death to all
but Himself; but i t came, and i t made all the
other well worth while. How far wo shall bo
ablo to deal w i t h the content of this i n these
days I do not know. I t will be entirely i n the
Lord's hands, and by His leading, but if you
should bo ablo i n your spirit to apprehend,
M ?
A
WITNESS
AND
the main outlines of this thing, you w i l l no

longer he in tho dark as to w h a t this Centre
and Testimony representsas wo believein
tho will and purpose of God. This morning
wc shall only seek to deal w i t h the broad outlines
leaving details for other times. The theme, as
you recognise is
THE
CENTRALITY
AND
UNIVERSALITY
OF
TIIE
CROSS,
and tho thing t h a t wants to be ro-cmphasiscd

(May I say hero i n parenthesis t h a t most of
this is old ground t o many of y o u , b u t i t is a
statement purely of the whole t h i n g w i t h w h i c h
we are more or less familiar) is this, t h a t , inasmuch as the phraseology or terminology of the
Cross is so common to our testimony, m a n y
have come to t h i n k t h a t we are stressing one
exclusive line of teaching, and they regard this
word of the Cross, this message of the Cross as
some narrow theme, some phase, some department of t r u t h ; t h a t we are v e r y much r e stricted i n our outlook, and t h e y say we are
always talking about the Gross as though there
was nothing else t o t a l k about. T h e y say, y o u
are always on t h a t . l i n e , w h y d o n ' t y o u get on
to some other lines of revelation ? W h y are
you so unbalanced, unequal, uneven, emphasising one thing a l l the time ? N o w , beloved,
should there be any such conception, or misconception here this morning, I w o u l d t h a t
the L o r d w o u l d ' dispel s u c h ; and to state
the thing accurately, let us once and for a l l
say that according, not to our revelation, b u t
according to the revelation of tho entire w o r d
of God, both i n the Old and New Testaments,
the Cross is the hub of everything, and this
diagram really represents a wheel w i t h all its
spokes and its r i m , and its wheels w i t h i n a
wheelbut the hub of everything is the Cross
of tho L o r d Jesus. I t is n o t ono of the spokes ;
i t is not ono of tho lines of teaching; b u t i t
gathers up in itself everything, and i t makes
possible everything; and if y o u fail to recognise
God's placo and God's moaning for and i n the
Cross of tho L o r d Jesus Christ, i t is then t h a t
you becomo unbalanced ; i t is then t h a t y o u
becomo departmental; i t is then t h a t your
perspective is t h r o w n out, and your vision is
distorted. For the right adjustment
and
regulation and balancing of all t r u t h y o u must
placo the Cross r i g h t at the centre and see the
relationship of everything else to the Cross and
of tho cross to everything else.
Now here is a sweeping w o r d , b u t quite
considered: I venture to sav t h a t there is
TESTIMONY
107
not a theme i n all the w o r d of God rdativo

to the eternal purpose of God which H not
rooted i n the Cross of the L o r d Jesus, ajni that
works o u t to minutiae. Your tongue, your
lips, your speech, }*our conversation, t h e most
common-place thing hasaccording t the
word of Godto be bound u p w i t h t h e Cross
of tho L o r d Jesus, and the Cross of t h e L o r d
Jesus t o bo bound up w i t h i t , a n d f r o m '
t h a t most common-place t h i n g ever out
i n widening circles and a growing nimber
of directions the cross has tho central place.
Of course, you know, t h a t , so fa as
we are concerned, and the w o r d of Cod is
concerned, the Cross does n o t represent just
(and hero I do not minimise that) t h e death
of tho L o r d Jesus; b u t the all-inclusive a i d f u l l
sweep of the eternal work of God f r o m ages
to ages, f r o m eternity past to eternity fcture,
which was. centred i n the Cross of t h e L o r d
Jesus; and t h a t through the death, fcorial,
resurrection and ascension to the throne* and
sovereign relationship vested now i n Child; for
us, as i n the w o r d , t h a t also is the Cross and
we never see the throne apart f r o m " t h e I a m b
i n the midst thereof as i t h a d j u s t been
slain." T h a t is as much the message of the
Cross as t h a t pertaining to w h a t was doie on
the green h i l l far away outside the c i t y wall.
Now t h a t , of course, is a l l too commonplace
and simple to say, b u t perhaps necessary rnarder
t o p u t the Cross i n t o its r i g h t r e a l m , its adequate
realm. So then, let us recognise once a n i for
a l l t h a t the Cross is n o t a specific line of teaming,
n o t a department of teaching, n o t an isdhtcd
message i n an unbalanced emphasis, b u t the
all-comprehending and all-including atad allexplaining centre of the universe. That is
the Centrality of the Cross, and you must p u t
i t so. I t is the hub of the wheel. To i t and
f r o m i t a l l tho spokes move through ckarly
defined circles of divine i n s t r u m e n t a l i t y and
a c t i v i t y i n t o the farthest bound of the universe,
i n the supcr-heavcnlies, tho heavenlies " far
above a l l : " there the cross is still.
You
never get outside the range of the cross. L e t
u s p u t i t theregive i t its r i g h t place. For
some of u s this revelation of the centrality of
the Cross has settled everything and made the
word of God a living thing in a new w a y .
Now having said that, not a
spoke, but the hub, everything to
thing-from, and everything in the
w u want, before w c take some of
spokes, to note the next circle,
i m p o r t a n t if the Cross of the L o r d
line, tut a
and everylight d i t ,
these* hner
for ties is
Jesus B at
I*
;>;
c
;>
**
t
*
Wi
ft!
M
!# i. .
fro
:r
i *i
v
f i
:1
ft'
t i

108
A WITNESS
AND
the centre, the first circumfcrcnco, tho first

circlo t o which i t moves, and which moves
back to i t is " tho Church which is His Body."
The Body of Christ. You will notice in the
diagram that everything moves to that, and
then thero is an unbroken line round that which
suggests that everything is, i n the first movement of God, shut up to and within tho Church
the Body of Christ. We shall sco how that is
so perhaps presently, b u t wo want to recognise
this fact, t h a t the first inclusive movement of
God through the Cross is to and i n tho church
which is the Body of Christ. T h a t is the horizon
of the Cross i n the first instance. The Cross i n
this p a r t of the. age stands to secure that, to
realise t h a t , t o ^ a i n that. The end of God for
this p a r t of the age is tho church, the Body of
Christ, and the whole revelation which comes
through, and on the ground of the Cross is
bound up w i t h i n the church, and all the other
ranges depend upon the church for their
knowledge, of the meaning of the Cross, and
a l l t h a t is included therein. Let that be
perfectly clear. The nations of the world,
the encircling principalities and powers and
world rulers of this darkness and spiritual hosts
of wickedness, and then upward to' the uttermost bounds of the heaven of heavens, all
depend for their knowledge and instruction,
whether i t be unto jubilation, as i n the heavens,
or as t o confounding and judgment, as amongst
principalities and powers, they all depend for
their knowledge of the f u l l wisdom and power
of God upon the Church i n which that is
revealed and manifested. H e hasin other
wordseternally elected to display unto the
increasing bounds of the universe His wisdom
i n and b y the Church, and t h a t through the
Cross as wrought out and revealed w i t h i n the
Church, the Body of Christ. The instrumenta l i t y of God for the manifestation of all the
infinite meaning of Calvary is the Church, the
Body of Christ. We have often said i t is like
the city to the kingdom, the metropolis to the
world, i n the light of which the nations shall
walk, b u t tho central thing by the Cross is the
church which is H i s Body, and revelation is
there and only through therethe revelation
of this work of God in the ages and in the
universe. When wc come to speak more about
the church wc shall have to rc-cmphasisc this
w i t h further p o i n t s : B u t wc want to notice
that the first realisations of Calvary's work arc
unto tho securing of this eternally elect body,
the chlurch, as tho instrument for the divine
revelation and manifestation beyond. Now is
TESTIMONY
that perfectly clear 1 One good man a little while

ago said that the sublime factor of this ago was
tho dethronement of the Biblo from its placb
of infallibility, but what a contrast between that
and this, that the sublime and supremo factor
of this part of tho ago is the securing of the
church, the Body of Christ, out from tho nations
to bo an instrument and vehicle of tho everlasting, tho eternal revelation of tho power and
glory of God. T h a t is what H o is bent upon
now. Wo can do no less, and God save us
from the depair which w i l l come by our trying
to do any more than t h a t t h e realisation of
His purpose for now, the gathering out and
together by tho H o l y Ghost of the Body of
Christ unto completion, unto the coming of the
L o r d . Now t h a t defines the limits, but that
becomes a large enough outlook for anyone,
and y o u will find i f t h a t is revealed to you by
the H o l y Ghost, i t w i l l occupy all your moments
for the rest of your days, be they few or many,
to give heed to the discerning of the Body unto
its completion and its building up and perfecting
i n preparation for the L o r d .
Now having seen this innermost centrality
of the cross, and then the first range of i t s .
intention, we are prepared to'just note some o f '
the major truthB t h a t are wrapped up w i t h the
Cross i n the Body of. Christ. Of course much,
as your recognise, bears beyond t h a t for other
purposes, b u t which is the treasure, or the
deposit w i t h i n the body of Christ, and you
notice t h a t the first of the four major
spokes of this wheel w i t h i n a wheel is the
Person of the L o r d Jesus. Now, beloved^
you require the Person of the L o r d Jesus, arevelation of Who Jesus is i n order to explain'
the language of the Cross. This is no common {
Cross upon which any man may die i n a kind
of vicariousness i n human devotion to t h e '
interests of his fellows. This is something
more than that. There is only one Cross in
the m i n d of God to effect this purpose. I t is
unique, but you must recognise who Jesus is
before you can discern the true values of
Calvary ; but Calvary i n its out-working, and
this is tho experimental wonder of the cross,
Calvary in its out-working makes you know
who Jesus is. Y o u by f a i t h come to accept
all that Calvary means, not knowing what i t
means, but by faith apprehending and accepting
and yielding and challenging God in reverence
and fear to make Calvary real in your experience,
and as the Holy Spirit begins to do i t you will
discover that this is no common Cross, you will
discover that you havo come up against the

A
WITNESS
AND
infinitude of tho Christ of Calvary. The Jews

and the Greeks despised the Cross and laughed
i t to Bcorn and waved i t aside as the uttermost
absurdity, foolishness, and scorned i t as a
scandal, an offence. They were destined to
discover that there was something there i n t h a t
Cross, as manifested i n and through the church,
the Body of Christ, i n its nucleus of those days,
which was capable of tearing their empires
limb from limb and pulling d o w n all their
vaunted pride of empire, and of wisdom. Y o u
notice what we have read this morning concerning the wisdom of this w o r l d . Tho princes of
this world who crucified the L o r d of Glory, and
their w i s d o m ! H o w they v a u n t e d their wisdom, their academic achievements, their scholarship, their philosophies ! H o w t h e y boasted i n
these things, and Paul goes i n t o one of the
centresprime centresof this world's wisdom
and tells them. " Brethren, when I came t o
you, I had deliberately made u p m y m i n d
that i t was n o t going t o be i n words of man's
wisdom, not i n excellency of speech, and was
among you i n much weakness and trembling, n o t
knowing anything. I m i g h t have k n o w n a l l
about these things. I have a knowledge of
these things i n which y o u boast, b u t I had
deliberately made up m y m i n d t h a t I was going
to be ignorant i n these matters, and k n o w
only one t h i n g a n d t h a t " Jesus Christ and
Him crucified." Y o u notice how he goes o n ,
" we speak God's w i s d o m ! " H e is p u t t i n g
this over against the wisdom of this w o r l d i n
its highest development. " God's wisdom, b u t
i n a mystery, even the wisdom t h a t h a t h been
hidden, which God fore-ordained before the
worlds unto our glory, which none of the princes
of this world k n o w e t h . " N o w w h a t is this
wisdom 1 W e l l , go back to t h e previous
chapter. ( I t is a p i t y the chapters are divided.)
" For the word of the Cross is foolishness,"
and that word there " the w o r d of tho Cross,"
as you know is the logos of the Cross, and the
central meaning of t h a t very far-reaching and
icnlusive term the " Logos " is the wisdom, or
reason of God. Tlie wisdom, or tho reason
back of the universe by which, on the ground
of which, His creative activities camo i n t o
operation. He made the worlds w i t h a reason :
He had wisdom directing all H i s operations
bringing into being the universe. Now God's
wisdom, and the Apostlo says all t h a t wisdom,
that infinite wisdom of Goil is gathered up i n
the cross of the L o r d Jesus." The logos of
the cross," the divine reason, wisdom of the
cross, and he puts t h a t over against all the
TESTIMONY
109
wisdom of this world. " Wc preach Christ

crucified," and, mark y o u , tho world was
destined to discover t h a t there was something
infinite i n t h a t Cross as proclaimed and administered i n and through tho B o d y of Christ.
They may t r y to wipo this thing o u t , to destroy
i t from the faco of tho earth, they may exhaust
all thoir resources of might and power in the
physical realm of force, and i n tho intellectual
realm of reason and academic genius, and
Nero ( t h a t d e v i l incarnate) w i l l massacre
thousands of these who stand for the testimony
of Jesus i n one full-blooded effort to destroy
t h a t testimony from the earth, b u t he discovers t h a t i t cannot be done. I t cannot be
done, and the more the shedding of blood, the
more this t h i n g spreads and grows, and every
b i t of Satanic invective launched against this
testimony f r o m the first scattering of the
church f r o m Jerusalem, on through all the
persecutions and martyrdoms only recoils upon
the D e v i l t o destroy his own works, and to
further t h i s testimony and cause i t to take
deeper r o o t . There is something i n this Cross,
beloved, t h a t is infinite i n its power and i n
its possibilities; and i t is interesting to note
t h a t t i n y b i t of irony appended i n salutations
t o one of the apostolic letters. " The saints
i n Caesar's household salute y o u . " Upstairs
the schemings, plannings t o wipe out this
Name, this Testimony, downstairs, these people
cooking his very dinner, these peoplesaints
i n his housedoing his w o r k f o r h i m . W h y
they are i n the fortress ! God is v e r y ingenious,
b u t y o u see there is something here t h a t y o u
cannot cope w i t h . I t is the Logos of the Cross
as represented i n the Person of Christ, who is
made u n t o us wisdom, the wisdom of God.
Now y o u require the cross i n experience to
make known to y o u who Jesus Christ is because
His power is vested i n the Cross, and as the
cross is planted i n your life y o u f i n d that you
have n o t accepted a creed or a symbol. Y o u
have accepted nothing less t h a n the inclusive,
infinite power of God to do things. Y o u
require the Cross to bo interpreted b y the Christ,
and you cannot separate your teaching of tho
Person of Jesus, tho Person of Christ, or any
of your Christologios f r o m tho central reality
of the Cross. You w i l l never know Jesus
Christ really unless y o u know H i m crucified i n
this sense.
Now much more, as you sec, is bound up
w i t h t h a t , the Logos, the* Eternal Logos. " I n
the beginning was the Logos, and tho Logos
was w i t h God and tho Logos was God, and
110
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
tho Logos became flesh and

tabernacled I the uttermost realms of its meaning in them.
amongst us," and the Logos of the Cross " I H e is to the church, for the church as its
God in Christ on the Cross! That is the
supreme gift, Comforter, the other One along,
supreme reality of Calvary. I t is God in
side. I t is i n tho church that the Holy Spirit
Christ, that is the deepest wonder of the incarnaresides, and i t is by tho church that the Holy
tion right through. We arc not going to touch
Spirit operates. T h a t is His instrument, and
the other phases at the moment, but in H i m
all this because the church has been secured
all the fulness of the Godhead in bodily form "
on the ground of Calvary's work, and you get
existed, and the transcendent power of inthe many sided a c t i v i t y of tlie Holy Spirit,
finite God came into operation in the raising
w i t h which we cannot stay at this time, as
of H i m from the dead." The exceeding greatHe acts, as wo have seen, before conversion, in
ness of His power whereby He raised Jesus
relation to those who arc tho heirs of salvation
from the dead "but all that is in Calvary.
y e t unborn, those who shall be. A n d after
conversion, new activities, A N O I N T I N X .
We
Wc come to the second major spoke of this
arc not going to stay now to specifically define
wheelthe H o l y Spirit. Now we know that
these different terms, b u t each one is not
there are those' who have nothing else to talk
synonymous w i t h the other. No two of them
about but the H o l y Spirit. A l l their teaching,
are exactly alike i n their meaning. They all
their title and everything else is the H o l y Spirit.
have their own specific meaning.
The A N Y o u may become unbalanced on the Holy
O I N T I N G and
tho
INSPIRATION
are
not
the
Spirit if you take the teaching as separate,
same. The Inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
b u t you require the Cross t o get the balance;
Inspiration, Revelationthese two are not
i t is relative, i t is not isolated. A l l the advent
alike. Between R E V E L A T I O N and I L L U M I N A and activity and revelation of the H o l y Spirit
T
I O N you might find difficulty i n discriminating.
is related at centre to the Cross, and i n the
R E V E L A T I O N is t h a t which is presented t o you.
first circumference to the Body of Christ. The
I L L U M I N A T I O N is t h a t i n your spirit which can
H o l y Spirit is t o , and for, and i n , and by the
take hold of the revelation, when y o u are
Church. Have you got that? I n t h e first
enlightened at the presentation of T r u t h .
instance the H o l y Spirit is to the church. Not
There may be revelation here this morning,
the Church as* experiencing its salvation at the
moment, b u t the Church perhaps i n i t s un- h u t y o u need illumination i n order to get i t .
Y o u need " the eyes of your understanding
regenerate state, for He knows the eternal
enlightened," illumined, " i n order that you
counsels Of God, the election according to the
m a y be able to apprehend w i t h all saints what
.foreknowledge, n o t the especial election of God
is the height, & c . " and here is the revelation
unto salvation and damnation, but according
of the Spirit, but illumination is needed by tho
t o foreknowledge. Gcd knew from eternity
inspiration of the H o l y Spirit. A n d we know
how His supreme gift of freewill woidd be
the difference between I L L U M I N A T I O N and
exercised i n relation to the revelation of Jesus
INTERPRETATION,
as wo have already menChrist.
He cannot help but know the
tioned this m o r n i n g " As the Spirit gave them
way that free volition would be exercised
utterance," and Paul be sought fellow-believers
toward the Christ. Whom He foreknew, them
t o pray for h i m t h a t he might be given utterH e predestinated, He marked out, b u t i t is
ance. 0 , i t is one thing to possess revelation
only according to the foreknowledge, and not
and
to have illumination i n your spirit, beloved,
according to any favouritism. Now i t is to
i t is quite another thing to utter these infinite
the church. There may be a member of the
truths ; they may stay there, they may become
Body of Christ in this tent this morning still
an inward burden and anguish to you, until
unsaved, unrcgencrate. To you and to the sum
thero is tho enablement to utter them. You
of the whole Body cf Christ in its members
know something of the groaning under a
unborn, unborn natvjAlly, literally, unborn
revelation and feci i t is of such far-reaching
spiritually, the Spirit has come, in the first
account to the Body of Christ, and not be able
instance, to secure
complete number of
to say i t , the time has not yet come for the
the elect, but by theO:>$. Ho will do nothing
working of this t h i n g u n t i l the Spirit gives
apart from the Cro.. xvA He Avill bring every
y o u utterance. 0 , that all our speaking, our
such member to the Cross, and He w i l l keep
preaching, and our teaching, were by the
every such member a: :ie Cross, and w i l l never
utterance which the H o l y Ghost gives! Tho
never let them for an izitant escape the Cross.
L o r d will bring us there. And of courso
He will in other word* work out the Cross to
44
A WITNESS
AND
within the Body of Christ the H o l y Spirit is

for
ADMINISTRATION.
Ho
is
there
to
ad-
minister. He calls upon us to put aside our

programmes, even in the conduct of meetings,
not to arrange our speakers and our order of
service and to tio H i m down as to how wo t h i n k
tho thing ought to go, b u t to lcavo H i m free,
and you will notice t h a t wherever tho H o l y
Spirit has freedom to direct and administer i n
such a matter (and i t is only one fragmentary
point of tho whole administration) thero is a
wonderful co-ordination, H e is of one m i n d
and Ho is working to one end. We have ideas
as to what wo would like done and achieved,
and we t r y to manipulate and move the pieces
on the board to secure and accomplish some end,
b u t , 0 , let the H o l y Spirit administer. I t is
n o t for us to say who is to speak, and when soand-so is to speak; i t must come out of the
divine order and appointment, b y the leading
of the Spirit, otherwise we-shall n o t get there.
B u t i n numerous other ways the Spirit is i n
the Church, the Body, t o administer, and,
beloved, the final w o r d is this, y o u can never
hope to have the judicial m i n i s t r y or administration of the H o l y Ghost t o deal w i t h
preponderances and disorders, to judge and
to* rectify, unless you have given the H o l y
Spirit f u l l course on all matters. I t is no use
getting yourself i n t o a mess and then asking
the H o l y Spirit t o judge the wrong for which
y o u are responsible. I t may be y o u w i l l be
the judged one; b u t if, mark y o u , the H o l y
Spirit is i n possession, having f u l l sway, administering in the Body of Christ, woe betide
the person who, like Ananias and Sapphira
tries to deceive the H o l y Spirit, or like any
other who may touch the B o d y of Christ
w i t h fleshly h a n d s ! The H o l y Spirit w i l l
meet t h a t . B u t the blessed restfulness of the
whole business when i t is a testimony of the
L o r d Jesus according to the H o l y Ghost is
t h a t you need not worry, if y o u are moving
and walking in and after tho Spirit, and He
has brought the thing into being, and Ho is
carrying i t on, and you aro b u t co-operating
w i t h H i m . You need not worry, let anybody
gct up against you and touch the Lord's
anointed, you w i l l discover you need not say
anything, "they w i l l come up against the thing,
or i t will come up against them, and lire w i l l
break out from the altar. T h a t is Christ in
H i s corporate expressionHis Body. I f you
want to be safeguarded, if you want to ho
protected, you want to be vindicated for the i
sake of Jesus and the Testimony vindicated do |
P r i o u d by
the
Alhwn.-eum
TESTIMONY
III
not take i t in hand yourself. Be sure that tho

wholo thing is according to t h e H o l y Spirit,
and that He is administering, that your plans
and programmes are not i n i t . and y o u arc
moving as led by the S p i r i t , then tlie t h i n g
w i l l be safe-guarded b y the L o r d because i t is
His. And inversely, as wc go into i t apart
from H i m and touch i t w i t h natural hands of
wisdom, or desire, or motive, w e l i m i t the H o l y
Spirit, and make i t impossible for the t h i n g
to bo maintained for the L o r d ' s needs by H i s
own protection. A n d what is t r u e of that side
t h e judicialis true o:" every other side of the
administration of the Body o f Christ. H o w
familiar we are with the w o r d s " The H o l y
Ghost said-Separate me Barnabas and Paul u n t o
the w o r k whereto I have called t h e m . " The
eternal purpose of God concerns every member,
of the Body of Christ a n d He says i n the church
to those who are " m i n i s t e r i n g to the L o r d , "
" now I have put M y hand u p o n so-and-so,
you p u t your hands o n t h e m for m e , " " a n d
when they had laid their hands upon them t h e y
sent them f o r t h . " T h a t is the order of spiritual
effectiveness. And t h e n i n t h e goings a n d
directions and the ministries, " the Spirit
suffered them not," or they w e n t " bound i n
the S p i r i t , " and i t is one h u n d r e d per cent
effectiveness whenever the H o l y Ghost is i n
the ascendency in the administration of the
B o d y of Christ. B u t you see how the a d ministration requires the Cross, t h e searching of
our motives by tte Cross, the crucifying of our
flesh i n the church (and there seems sometimes
to be a great ded more flesh i n the church
than out of i t ) the bringing t o death of our
personal interests in t h e K i n g d o m of God. 0 ,
the Cross must be planted t h e r e , ruling us o u t
t o rule H i m i n . so t h a t " i t is no longer I . "
A t every point t i e H o l y Spirit: works by the
Cross and tho Cress works o u t to the H o l y
Spirit. This is all poorly s a i d , and one is
overwhelmed w i t h the enormous amount t h a t
is gathered u p in t h i s , b u t o u r time is gone,
and w c will not stay further. W e "*-ill consider the
other things later, s.* to salvation a n d the second
coming, and then thf other circles : the nations of
t h e W o r l d , the r e a l ? : of spiritual Lierarcies, of t h e
super-hcavenlies*: o celestials. T h e L o r d hold
r
us to t h i s fr.vjmcr.! : His r e v e l a t i o n a n d o p e n t h e
e y e s of o u r i;r.*!ers:. -. l i n g .
T . A-S.
T H E SEPTFMBER CONFERENCE
T u t s "will he 1- . a s fi<-in F r i d a y e v e n i n g ,
S e p t e m b e r M1 to .'. :.day e\vnii*_r. the M b .
The
T l i r m o tha* l.iis > '" c o m e to u- i s " T h e C i t o s s
utid tho O w v e u i i i i :
Life.*'
P r * n , 11 *tid 13. B * * u ' t B u i l l i i i . Cft*bry
I***-
L o n U o n . L C 4.

I
SEPTEMBER,
1927.
Vol
5,
No. 9.
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
at from
T H E HONOR O A K CHRISTIAN F E L L O W S H I P CENTRE,

Meetings for Spiritual
Edification, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
Sundays: 1 1 a.m. 3 p.m.A 6.30 p.m. Mondays: 7.30 p.m. Wednesdays: B p.m. Saturdays: 3.30 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Conferences arc held every week-end (Saturday and S u n d a y ) , and also a longer week-end at the
beginning of each m o n t h , this fixed by the first S u n d a y . ( F r i d a y to Monday evenings,
inclusive.) A l l particulars mav be obtained from G . Paterson, Honor Oak Christian Fellowship
'Centre, Honor Oak R o a d , S . E . 2 3 .
M i n i s t e r s : T . A u s t i n - S p a r k s ; T . Madoc J e f f r e y s ; Q. P a t e r s o n (General S e c r e t a r y ) .
Guest House Hostesses : L a d y O g l e ; M r s . M . B r a n d .
TelecraniB: " Syndeumoa, Forest. L o n d o n . "
Cables
" Syndcsmos, L o n d o n . "

114
MINISTERS'
WITNESS
AND
LETTER

September, 1927.
B E L O V E D O F OUR LORD,
Two New Covenant words, sealed i n His

Blood to y o u , " grace " and '* peace " ; but
always His grace, and His peace.
This was the common salutation of our first
brethren. I t is suggested that these t w o words
formed the symbolum " or password of the
early Christians. And if so, w h a t more fitting,
because what more true ? B u t whether so or
n o t , this was the manner of Paul's greeting i n
every church letter" Grace be unto y o u , and
peace
" He wrote, of course, as a minister
of Christ, and these words contain the essent i a l message of that ministry. The good news
f r o m heaven is of the kindness and " philanthrop3" of God our Saviour t o w a r d man
(Titus i i i . 4). This is grace: and w i t h i t comes
t h e inevitable peace. But these words are now
celestial i n their meaning, and neither .tongues
of men nor of angels can convey t h e i r message
unless the H o l y Spirit speak them i n our heart,I t is from God the Father and Our L o r d Jesus
Christ they come, and He, the S p i r i t , Who"
comes from them must speak.them. " Grace
be unto you, and peace I
Y e t they were derived f r o m t h e common
every-day language of that time, for i t is the
H o l y Spirit's way thus to take t h e commonplace and to glorify i t , to take the clay and
fashion i t for His habitation.
Grace " from the every-day greeting of the
Greek, a w o r d signifying joy. Matthew tells
how the L o r d when He met the women hurrying
w i t h their news of resurrection hailed them,
" Rejoice 1 " (Matt, xxviii. 9). B u t " g r a c e "
covers the whole range of greeting, Giver and
g i f t : message, Messenger, and mediation. The
" A l l hail 1 " of God includes a l l the Divine
Favour.
Peace " from the every-day greeting of the
Jew. Johif gives us the first word of the Risen
L o r d to His disciples, His assembled church, as
then gathered to His Nome, Peace be unto
v o u ! " (John x x . 19). I t is the salaam of the
East.
The Holy Spirit has taken these t w o salutations and transfigured them into the Christian
greeting. I t is the greeting of the Risen Christ
t o H i s church. He brings * i t h H i m , out of the
t r i u m p h of His Cross, all grace: grace of
forgiveness, grace of acceptance, grace of faith
44
44
TESTIMONY
and righteousness, and of l o v e : grace of God

infinite i n Himself. A n d w i t h the grace there
comes peace that surpasseth all understanding.
Notice that the salutation is n o t complete in
itself: w i t h i t are always linked the Divine
source and emphasis," from God the Father
and Jesus Christ our L o r d . " As the blessing is a'
unity so also is the Source. The Father and
the Son come i n One Spirit. I t is the grace of
God, the peace of God, but both as Father and
Son i n One Spirit. Of this " Fulness " are we
invited t o receive.
. I t was a morning and an evening greeting.
Joy came t o men and women who had spent
nights of weeping for a vanished and seemingly
vanquished Lord. He was i n the tomb, and
their f a i t h seemed v a i n . B u t early t h a t morning He came w i t h the word of heavenly salutat i o n , and their night of doubt and despair was
for ever past. Then i n the evening H e stood
into the midst, and there was " Peace."
This seems to .be significant for this whole
day* of grace i n which His church is waiting
for the f u l l manifestation of His Glory t o them
and i n them'.. \
. Our f u l l day of Glory has n o t y e t come. The
D a y Star has not y e t arisen w i t h i n our hearts.
B u t the Morning Star, herald of t b a t Daybreak
has already come. Christ, risen and ascended,
has come by His Spirit, into our hearts with
all the resources of God's grace. A n d then as
shadows of evening gather, the evil hour of
anti-Christ thickens around us i n the confusion
and fear of this prolonged waiting time, He
breathes H i s wonderful
Peace " i n t o ' o u r
spirit, and despite the denials of Satan we know
t h a t our Redeemer liveth ! Thus shall H e find
us awaiting' His " parousia " H i s
Coming."
A n d so He says the words. I f H e hails us
w i t h Grace ! " and bids us Peace 1 " what
more can heart desire? L e t us enter His
Jerusalem, the City of His Peace, and of the
L i v i n g God.
44
44
44
44
44
Yours through grace, and in peace,

T . AUSTIN-SPARKS.
T. MADOC JEFFREYS.
44
OCTOBER
CONFERENCE
T h e u s u a l A l o n t h l y Conference i s due as
from F r i d a y , S e p t e m b e r 30, to
Monday,
October, 3. T h e m e : - " T h e C r o s s a n d the
Hidden Life."
THE
WITNESS
FELLOWSHIP
' MINISTRY
AND
AND
TESTIMONY
115
N O T E S FROM A M E S S A G E
G I V E N ON J U L Y 2 , 1 9 2 7
A M I D many calls wc are n o t able t o give

details of the Lord's dealings w i t h us during
. the past month.
The river of God is full
of water," and we . h a v e much matter for.
testimony and praise wero there space and
time to relate i t .
The gatherings at the Centre " are strong
in numbers, and what is much better, are
strong i n spirit also. There is a continued
stream of testimony t o the M i g h t y Victor of
Calvary. Praise
Him!
Those who had journeyed t o m a n y places
both for rest and service, have now returned,
and the September Conference was a time of
real re-union and praise. The L o r d led us
mainly into the epistle of J o h n , and the Logos
of the Life " ( I . John i . 2) as related t o I . Cor.
i . 18 was the main emphasis.
But now, as we send i n these notes our
hearts are much occupied w i t h a new phase
in the illness of our beloved brother, M r . Sparks,
who has again been taken t o hospital w i t h
renewed internal trouble. H e was especially
strong i n ministry at this Conference; and at.
the final meeting was carried through i n a
remarkable utterance- concerning The Testimony of Jesus."
We are holding h i m before H i m W h o loves
him, and Whom he so loves t o serve, t h a t
His w i l l shall be revealed i n these manifold
afflictions.
Meanwhile there await many ministries for
the coming month a t
Dieulefit, Dublin,
Jersey, Edinburgh, Newcastle, &c. We rejoice,
that the September Conference at Newcastle,
on the 9th, was marvellously carried through
by the L o r d i n the ministries of our brothers,
Mr. Paterson and M r . Alexander. We are
having
indications
that
the
Lord
is
raising up others to carry the message out.
The testimon3 of the L o r d w i l l suffer no lack
and we feel convinced He w i l l thrust forth
labourers into His harvest.
The last week at Lowestoft i n which our
younger brethren were engaged was one of
great liberty and blessing.
41
44
44
44
BOOKLETS
T H E following aro n o w a v a i l a b l e :
B y T . Austin-Sparks :
' Incorporation into C h r i s t . '
No. 1. Prico
' Incorporation into C h r i s t . *
N o . 2.
Prico
' Incorporation into C h r i s t . '
N o , 3.
Prico
2d.
2d.
2d.
I n the seventh chapter of Hebrews there

is a. verse of definition which gathers into itself
an unspeakable word of vision,
44
KINO OF RIOnTEOUSNESS ! "
I t is one of the descriptions given to Melchizedek, who i n his person, is K i n g of Righteousness ; and i n the realm of His jurisdiction, as
i n Salem, is K i n g of Peace.
Y o u do n o t need to be told he is a type of
the L o r d Jesus. He is the K i n g of Righteousness ; "Who, i n virtue of being i n H i s own person
K i n g of Righteousness, has also become K i n g
of a universal peace. A peace which you and
I , if we be the children of God, are already
experiencing i n our hearts. I f H e is sovereign
L o r d i n our hearts we know the blessed power
of t h a t sovereignty i n peace,
The peace of God, which surpasseth our
understanding, and keeps our-hearts i n the
knowledge of Christ Jesus our . Lord.'
A n d out of that peace we are able to give H i m
the t r u e ascription of L o r d . " W h e n we give
back t o H i m t h a t ascription of Lord,-we are
t r u l y sayingKing o f Righteousness.
We.
are giving to H i m the acclamation t h a t is His
due f r o m our hearts.- I wonder i f t h a t is bur.'
happy experience this evening! One' felt- i t
was the experience of many as. we sang the
hymn
O, Thou Exalted Son of God "
D i d we have t h a t i n our spirit ? D i d we have
t h a t direct revelation of Jesus Christ i n the.
throne of G o d K i n g of Righteousness ! Were
we filled w i t h t h a t profound obeisance and
praise of spirit which belongs to the childrenof God, so t h a t there was this coronation song
i n our hearts
0 , K i n g , live for ever."
Now j-ou know .whether t h a t is so, or not. B u t
i t is impossible apart f r o m the peace of God
reigning i n your heart. I f the realm of His
sovereignty in peace has extended to you and
now includes you, in and out of t h a t God-given
peace you arc able to praise H i m as you should,
for none of us can say t h a t Jesus is L o r d , but
in and by the Holy Ghost, for y o u recognize
that t h a t is not a lip homage, but heart homage.
I t is out of His peace wc arc ablo to acclaim
H i m K i n g of Righteousness. T h a t is the
experience, of course, of a Holy S p i r i t indwelt
heart, and there is no other k i n d of Christian
heart, but the H o l y Spirit indwelt heart. I
44
44
44

A
116
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
make a h a s t y u t t e r a n c e ; b u t his h e a r t is
t h i n k w c are i n danger of becoming too tcchnicul i n our t h o u g h t s a b o u t Christian experience.
f e r v e n t and i t cannot be contained, a n d o u t
W e have a l l k i n d s of gradations w i t h regard t o
of the abundance of t h e h e a r t , as b y t h e H o l y
acceptance Of d o c t r i n e and measures of f a i t h ,
S p i r i t , he speaks, a n d t h u s s a y s :
n o t perceiving t h a t t h e f o u n d a t i o n of God
" I speak of t h e t h i n g s w h i c h 1 have made
standeth sure, a n d t h a t there is only one basis
touching the k i n g :
of s a l v a t i o n , a n d t h a t is a f u l l acceptance of
M y tongue is t h e pen of a r e a d y w r i t e r . "
a l l t h a t t h e Person of t h e L o r d Jesus Christ
T h e n y o u f i n d i n t h e f o l l o w i n g verse t h e three
means i n t h e effective w o r k w h i c h o n l y H e ,
phases of t h e Person of t h e L o r d Jesus w h i c h
i n H i s Person, c o u l d b r i n g a b o u t i n H i s cross.
he sees b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t . W e recognize
T h a t is t h e R o c k u p o n w h i c h t h e ecclesia of | f r o m t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s g i v e n t o us of t h i s and
God is b e i n g b u i l t , a n d there is n o o t h e r founda- j other passages of t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t , as i n the
t i o n . I t h i n k i t is w e l l we m a k e t h a t v e r y . N e w , w h a t are t h e meanings of t h e H o l y S p i r i t
clear, lest t h e r e be some t e r r i b l e delusions, a n d
i n such words as t h e s e ; a n d t h e L o r d Jesus,
we f i n d a t t h e end of our l i f e here t h a t We are
i f we ask H i m , w o u l d s p i r i t u a l l y open our
m e t w i t h t h e a n s w e r " I never k n e w y o u , "
understanding t h a t we m i g h t u n d e r s t a n d t h e
T h o u g h we m a y say
L o r d , L o r d " w i t h the
scriptures, t h a t as we read such passages as
l i p , i t is o u t of a h e a r t confession, o u t of a
t h i s we, t o o , m i g h t have t h e fire b i n n i n g i n
f e r v e n t h e a r t , n o t a n effervescing of soul, b u t
our hearts as we read t h e w o r d of God. F i r s t
o u t of a h e a r t t h a t has w i t h i n i t t h e fires of t h e
of a l l he surveys t h e loveliness of t h e Person
H o l y S p i r i t are we able t o give t h i s acclamation
of Jesus as i n t h e days of H i s flesh (second
of p r a i s e :
verse).
K I N G OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 1
T h o u a r t f a i r e r t h a n t h e sons of men ;
I n P s a l m 45 t h e r e is t h i s confession :
My
( T h a t is a g l o r y u p o n Thee i n character
h e a r t is i n d i t i n g a good m a t t e r , " t h e w o r d i n
t h a t surpasses t h e sons of men)
t h e m a r g i n is
bubbling u p . "
M y h e a r t is
Grace is poured i n t o T h y lips.
b u b b l i n g u p w i t h a good m a t t e r . " T h a t is n o t
Therefore God h a t h blessed Thee f o r e v e r . "
a superficial feeling m e r e l y , b u t i t comes f r o m
There i n brief sentences y o u have t h e p o r t r a i t
a m u s i n g of t h e s p i r i t u p o n t h e t h i n g s of God.
of t h e loveliness of t h e L o r d Jesus as H e is
I n Psalm 39 is a s i m i l a r experience.
revealed w a l k i n g among t h e sons of m e n , as H e
1 said I w i l l t a k e heed u n t o m y w a y s ,
is seen b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t . T h o u g h b y us, as
T h a t I sin n o t w i t h m y tongue,
m e n t h e r e is no comeliness a b o u t H i m t h a t
I w i l l keep m y tongue w i t h a b r i d l e
we should desire H i m , a n d H e is h i d i n g , as i t
W h i l e t h e lawless one (the D e v i l ) is before
were, H i s face f r o m us, a n d we despised H i m
me."
a n d esteemed H i m n o t . " Y e t here is t h e
revelation of t h e H o l y S p i r i t made centuries
A n d y o u k n o w where t h e D e v i l does stand.
before as H e w a l k s among t h e sons of men.
H e Btands a t h w a r t t h e p a t h of t h e sain;t. t h e
T h a t is how heaven regardH H i m . T h i s is t h e
c h i l d of G o d , a n d we do w e l l t o p a y heed t o
language of the F a t h e r T h i s is M y Beloved
t h e w o r d s of o u r m o u t h , a n d as t o w h a t
Son i n W h o m I am well pleased."
m a y be u p o n o u r lips.
1 w i l l keep m y l i p s w i t h a b r i d l e w h i l e t h e
T h o u a r t fairer t h a n the sons of men ;
lawless one is before me
Grace is poured i n t o T h y lips.
I was d u m b w i t h silence,
Therefore God h a t h blessed Thee for e v e r . "
I held m y peace even f r o m g o o d ;
N o w v e r y often t h e gospel is n o t preached
A n d m y s o r r o w was Btirred.
by the H o l y S p i i i t sent d o w n f r o m heaven..
M y h e a r t was h o t w i t h i n me,
There is a great dcul to-day of w h a t seems t o
W h i l e I was musing t h e fire b u r n e d :
be a lovely evangelism t h a t has the regard of
T h e n spake 1 w i t h n r y t o n g u e . "
m a n y , is listened t o b y thousands, good
N o w t h a t is t h e e x p l a n a t i o n of Psalm 45,
sermon tasters w h o appreciate all the beauty
where t h e pKulmist is b u b b l i n g u p i n his heart
of phrasing and glory of description t h a t can
w i t h a goodly m a t t e r . There is a revelation.
be p a i d t o t h e person of JCHUH of Nazareth*. I
A t h i n g t o o deep f o r words. A t h i n g too
t h i n k we may Hay there are hundreds of thouw o n d e r f u l f o r u t t e r a n c e , and lie is musing.
Hands of people gathered around a B i b l e t h a t
H e is i n t h e presence of G o d , i n t h e presence of
only gocH UN far UH t h i s . I t can never of course
t h e great facta of God and H e ifi n o t going
come u p t o t h e standard of t h e H o l y Ghost's
t o be l i g h t a n d s u p e r f i c i a l ; H e is not going t o
description of t h e L o r d Jesus, b u t even i f i t
44
44
41
44
44
4 4
44
4 4
44
A WITNESS
AND A
could, it w o u l d n o t save ; even i f t h e r e v e l a t i o n

of t h e Person of t h e L o r d Jesus as g i v e n , b y t h e
H o l y S p i r i t could be p u t -within our lips, i t
w o u l d n o t save. I t is n o t t h e g l o r y of H i s
Person as H e is seen w a l k i n g i n t h e days of
H i s flesh beheld b y a l l heaven t h a t saves. ' T h e
devils see a n d t r e m b l e a t t h e g l o r y of H i s
Person, b u t t h e y h a v e n o t , a n d are n o t able t o
accept t h e effectual w o r k of H i s cross.
And
so there is no s a l v a t i o n i n a r e v e l a t i o n o n l y of
the Person of Jesus ante-calvary. Y o u
find
the n e x t passage indicates t h a t t h i s One
m u s t go t h r o u g h a w a r f a r e . I n some of our
Bibles t h e p a r a g r a p h is described as " W a r f a r e " :
G i r d t h y Bword u p o n T h y t h i g h , 0 m i g h t y
one, w i t h
Thy g 1
* T h y majesty,
A n d i n T h y m a j e s t y prosper T h o u ,
H i d e T h o u o n behalf of t r u t h a n d meekness a n d
righteousness:
A n d T h y r i g h t h a n d shall t e a c h Thee t e r r i b l e
things.
T h i n e arrows are sharp i n t h e h e a r t of t h e
K i n g ' s enemies.
The peoples f a l l under T h e e . "
Y o u have there something o t h e r t h a n merely
a r e v e l a t i o n of t h e L o r d Jesus as i n t h e flesh,
manifest t o those w h o were w i t h H i m , a n d w h o
were a p p o i n t e d t o be w i t h H i m , those t h a t were
chosen t h a t t h e y m i g h t at- last k n o w H i m ,
that the revelation might
break i n
upon
t h e i r s p i r i t . W h o Baid such thingB as theBe
W e beheld H i s g l o r y , t h e g l o r y of t h e o n l y
begotten of t h e F a t h e r f u l l of grace a n d t r u t h " :
" T h o u a r t t h e C h r i s t t h e Son of t h e l i v i n g G o d " :
or " T h o u hast t h e w o r d s of E t e r n a l L i f e , t o
w h o m else shall w c go ? " S u c h revelations c o u l d
n o t s a v e ; f o r t h e y s t i l l l e f t t h e m where t h e y
were, and y o u f i n d t h e v e r y one w h o was most
p r o m i n e n t i n t h e confession, d e n y i n g H i m w i t h
oaths a n d curseB. T h e r e is n o s a l v a t i o n i n t h e
r e v e l a t i o n of t h e Person of t h e L o r d Jesus
as before H i s cross. I t is t h a t f u r t h e r revelat i o n of w h y H e came, a n d w h a t was t h e w o r k
H e h a d t o d o , a n d t h e m a n n e r of H i s d o i n g i t .
t h a t saves. A n d so y o u h a v e i n t h e n e x t
passage t h e r e v e l a t i o n of t h e w a r f a r e t h a t lies
behind t h e e a r t h l y v i s i o n of t h e L o r d Jesus;
Y o u get t h e n t h e t r u e significance of m a n y of
those episodes i n H i s experience. Jesus, f o r
instance, t r o u b l e d i n S p i r i t g r o a n i n g w i t h
i n d i g n a t i o n i n H I H s p i r i t a H a t the. sepulchre of
L a z n r c t h w i t h a b u r d e n incalculable c o m i n g
upon his h e a r t , and t h e n t h e a w f u l w r e s t l i n g
i n Gethscmane w i t h t h o pressure m i d darkness
t h a t pnflier* around O l i v a r y , something H i n t
117
TESTIMONY
you a n d I can o n l y d i m l y discern a n d estimate*

b u t i t is t h e w a r f a r e , t h e b a t t l e , t h e energies
of t h e E t e r n a l S p i r i t expressed t h r o u g h t h e
passion of H i s h e a r t , H i s groanings, H i s cries,
H i s tears, H i s supplications, w h a t do t h e y
mean 1 There y o u get t h e v e i l l i f t e d , a n d t h e
B i b l e becomes a new book t o y o u w i t h i t s u n v e i l i n g of w h a t is b e h i n d t h e m y s t e r y of our
h u m a n degradation a n d misery, a n d t h e confusion t h a t c o n t i n u a l l y rests u p o n t h e w o r k s of
m e n a n d t h e race of m a n , a n d y o u get the k n o w l edge t h a t H e came t o b a t t l e .
(To
be
continued.)
44
o r v
44
ADOPTION
a n (
The S p i r i t of Sonship
(Continued.)
Notes of addresses given al the August
Conference.
S c r i p t u r e s : R o m a n s v i i i . 15, 2 3 ; G a l . i r . 3 ;
E p h . i . 3 t o 5.
" W E discern f r o m a careful r e a d i n g of these
passages t h a t i t is r e q u i r e d i n t h e h e a r t of t h e
c h i l d of G o d t h a t he s h o u l d h a v e a r e v e l a t i o n
of t h e S p i r i t i n h i m as t h e S p i r i t of S o n s h i p :
i t pleased G o d t o r e v e a l H i s Son in m e . "
W i t h o u t t h i s essential r e v e l a t i o n b o t h as t o
t h e n a t u r e a n d scope of our salvation t h e r e w i l l
be a n ever-recurring declension i n l i f e a n d
m i n i s t r y , a f a l l i n g back of one k i n d or another
t o lesser t h i n g s , or an e n t r a p p i n g i n some
f u r t h e r s u b t l e t y of b o n d a g e a l l t h i s arising
f r o m our f a i l u r e t o enter i n t o t h a t Bupreme
Purpose f o r w h i c h G o d has saved us in
His
Son.
E v e n a t best we shall pursue an i n d i v i d u a l l i n e of personal experience a n d service,
m i n d i n g our o w n t h i n g s , instead of t h e things
of t h e C h r i s t , " a n d so becoming n a r r o w e d
d o w n , a n d i n r e a l i t y Belf-ccntred, w e shall
cease t o f u n c t i o n as cosmic factors. W e shall
n o t bo engaged a b o u t our F a t h e r ' s business,
t h o u g h we call i t H i s . A n d l e t n o one be a f r a i d
of t h i s w o r d cosmic, i t s i m p l y means w o r l d " ;
a n d i t is t i m e w c Were n o t c h i l d r e n i n understanding.
G o d has a w o r l d purpose i n H i s
C h u r c h , a n d i f H i s S p i r i t be i n us, a n d we l i v e
b y H i m , we c a n n o t escape n o r w i s h t o escape
that
w o r l d " purpose.
.
One docs n o t need t o m a k e p l a i n t h e i d e n t i t y
of t h o
Sonship " a n d " t h e B o d y of C h r i s t , "
t h a t t h e y are one a n d t h e same corporate L i f e
of H i s S p i r i t . T h e " sons of God " a n d t h e
44
44
44
44
44
A WITNESS
AND A
Son of God, Jesus, share One L i f e . Tins is

the three-fold testimony of God through the
Spirit, the Word, and the Blood, concerning
His eternally Only Begotten Son in His
Ascension,in lluit day He said,
Thou a r t
M y Son, this day have I begotten Thee."
B u t He is addressing H i m as Head of the Body
and First-born of the New Creation.
God has obtained a Son for Himself i n a New
F o r m , Man F o r m . The eternally Only-Begotten,
has become through His Incarnation .Passion, and
Resurrection, the First-begotten of the New Creat i o n , the New Man in the Throne, and Head to His
Body, the church, the " sons of God."
But
H e became such for our sakes t h a t we might
be begotten by the H o l y Ghost as out from
Himself, and share w i t h H i m the inheritance
of Sonship. A n d so the testimony of God
concerning H i s Son has become t h i s " that
God gave unto us eternal life, and this Life is
i n His S o n " (1 John v . 11). The Eternal
L i f e t h a t was manifested i n the Resurrected
Christ, (1 John i . 1-3) the L i f e of God i n the
Man, is now being corporately shared by the
members of Christ's Body, i n the begetting
and the baptising of the Spirit of God, Who
now proceeds .from the Father through the
Ascended. Son as Man i n the Throne.
' B u t how far short of this glorious revelation
of the liberty of " the sons of God " had the
Galatian Christians f a l l e n ! They had been
entrapped i n t o an attempt t o secure for themselves a better salvation t h a n t h a t already so
gloriously secured i n their identification w i t h
the crucified Christ. They had t r i e d t o i m prove upon the gospel of free grace.
14
Absurd, we say. Nevertheless, the same

subtlety of Satan besets us i n other forms.
W h a t we,need to see as w e l l as they is (a) the
clear basis (6) the nature of our salvation.
The Christ, out from God, has condemned and
swept out of the Divine programme an old creat i o n . I t is judged and finished w i t h i n H i s Cross.
W h a t awaits now is a New Creation. This
He has inaugurated as i n Himself, risen into
the Throne of God. We are invited to share
i t i n His Life. Nothing can be done to earn
the inheritance, nor having entered i n can
anything be done to improve one's condition
i n i t . The Cross has completely and finally
dealt w i t h the old life. The new life is the
Life of God's Son. Wc receive i t by f a i t h in
His finished work ; and wc live i t by an inwrought faith of His Spirit. B u t i t is l l i s Life
all the way through, begotten and continually
renewed ia us by One Spirit. Wc cannot im-
TESTIMONY
prove upon the plan of salvation, nor upon the

quality of this salvation, since all things are
of God."
This is very simple, but the facts and range
are tremendous. We are identified w i t h the
Christ as the corporate Son of Man in the
Throne.
We are all One Man i n Christ
Jesus " (Gal. i i i . 28).
The apostle asks the pertinent question, Who
hath beurilchcd you V
So graphically had tlie
Christ been presented crucified i n their midst
t h a t their change of mind seems sinister.
They must be bewitched, mazed, hypnotised!
We know well what Spirit bewitches God's
people.- The basilisk's eye t h a t diverts the
vision from Jesus ! Here are these who having
tasted the L i f e of Christ b y the Spirit are now
seeking to go on b y means of their own fleshly
a c t i v i t y . a n d merit. I t is the devil, the god
of this age, who not only blinds the minds of
those who believe not, b u t seeks to devour
t h a t which is begotten of the Spirit. Beloved,
his veils and poisonous mists w i l l be thickly
poured out upon us" at the end of the age. . We
do well to pay heed lest we fail t o enter into
t h a t Rest of God through unbelief . i n the absolute sweep of Calvary's V i c t o r y . .'
The urgency of the H o l y Ghost is behind
these words, and f o r . our comprehension of
the T r u t h . " He strives i n the heart of t h e .
apostle.
M y l i t t l e children," he cries, of
whom I am again i n travail u n t i l the Christ be
formed i n y o u . . . . 1 am perplexed about you I " *
We can repeat these words to the Church of
to-daynot only w i t h respect to the individual
experience of the believerthat is often unsatisfactory enoughbut w i t h respect to the
failure to recognise the Body, the One Sonship
of God i n the Church. The emphasis, even
where healthy i n doctrine,' is all personal;
personal salvation, personal sanctification, personal translation; whereas the Spirit of Sonship would cause all to live for the Church, the
Body, and contribute spiritual ministry to its
completion : this is the, W i l l of God.
For u n t i l there takes place i n us t h a t Divine
revelation as to what is the nature of this
Christian life we are at a standstill. Do we
not sec i t is none other than the Christ Life in
us 3 I f any man have not the Spirit of the
Christ, he is none of His.
The apostle has laid down the elementary
experience in Gal. i i . 20. This is not advanced
teaching. I t is the most simple, elementary,
but essential foundation for Christian exi perience that can possibly be stated.
44
44
44
44
44
44
WITNESS
AND
Substitution may avail f o r an ago to come:

but i t is identification t h a t brings you into the
Body of Christ, and is the o n l y basis upon which
the Holy Ghost is given (Acts x i x . 2, K p h . i . 13).
For having been crucified together w i t h Christ
how' aro wc going to live any more except by a
Divine energising and i n d w e l l i n g ? This L i f e
can only be lived by its o w n a c t i v i t y , and t h a t
must come from H i m W h o is Risen. I t therefore takes the f o r m of the f a i t h of the Son of
God energised by the love of the Son of God :
both the faith and the love are D i v i n e activities
within us by the H o l y Ghost. I n other words,
i t is only the Christ L i f e i n us t h a t can live the
Life of Christ, A n d this is the confession of the
Apostle.
I n this L i f e of Sonship we have been translated
(Col. i . 13) out of world bounds, f r o m a l l l i m i t s
that are carnal, into the Christ as i n God. A n d
i t is fatal to our communion w i t h God t o r e t u r n
at any time to the rudiments of. this w o r l d , as
had the Galatians. N o w o r l d l y religious v i r t u e
can convey any virtue of Christ, b u t is rather
a denial of t h a t v i r t u e . His v i r t u e comes only
b y the Spirit.
B y t h a t mighty act of God, represented i n
the full range of Calvary (death, b u r i a l , and
resurrection) we have been raised together w i t h
Christ to share w i t h H i m i n H i s Throne a L i f e
of absolute* freedom i n the S p i r i t . This is
the Life that conquered death, t h a t has i n its
essence a Sovereignty over a l l t h e powers of
darkness; and which w i l l make us b y reason
of its indwelling contributory t o the ends t h a t
God has i n this dispensation. B u t always,
i t is the Life of the Son, and t h i s statement i n
itself reveals t h a t L i f e as n o w corporately
shared, One Sonship shared i n the fellowship of
the Spirit.
Beloved, God has called us i n t o the fellowship
of H i s Son ! Do wc understand this 1 Do wc
recognise our calling t
I f not, we arc moving i n b u t a t i n y circle,
the centre of which is s t i l l self, though now
k n o w n as " spiritual experience,' or even
Christian w o r k s : but those works have yet
to be tried by fire. I t is life w i t h a blind end,
so to speak. I t really achieves nothing and
gets nowhere as far as the D i v i n e Purpose in
the Christ is concerned. Surely this is ail that
counts ! And what a tragedy if at the end of
our life we find i t has been our programme and
not God's, that i t has been misspent, ami our
only satisfaction be that we have escaped ourselves from eternal destruction : but our works
1
TESTIMONY
110
arc burned. W h a t a meagre salvation ! A n d

how dishonouring to God !
On the contrary the nature of the. Christ life
in us is one of an ever increasing freedom and
expansion of ministry and service t h a t reaches
unto the ends of the earth, though this be a t
present hidden and unseen by men. I t is b y
no means a Life that ends in confusion, i n
entanglements, in discussions and contradictions, as was the case w i t h these Galatians.
W h a t havoc " the flesh " can bring into a life
commenced i n the Spirit ? The standard of
the Christ life is one of absolute freedom i n the
H o l y Ghost. W h a t else can the words of the
L o r d Himself mean, " Ye shall know the t r u t h ,
and the t r u t h shall make you free " (John
v i i i . 32). B u t you remember this met w i t h an
immediate uprising i n the flesh of those who
had seemed to be disciples : they who were y e t
i n bondage repudiated the idea of bondage.
Then the L o r d adds the significant words,
" Ii the Son shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed " (v. 3G). The Son abides i n the
House for ever. W h a t is this b u t t o say t h a t
salvation is a L i f e given by the Son of God ?
" H e t h a t h a t h the Son hath the l i f e : and he
t h a t hath n o t the Son hath not the l i f e . "
I t is t o have the Son then as an indwelling
life, residing b y the power of the Spirit i n one's
heart. This is the so-great salvation. Joined
to H i m i n the corporate Life of One S p i r i t we
are energised to make increase of the B o d y
unto the D i v i n e Consummation.
Later i n this Galatian epistle he introduces
Isaac as a type of this Spirit of Sonship" N o w ,
we brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of
promise " ( i v . 28). This is a most interesting
exposition of the H o l y Ghost. Here is f a i t h
as represented by Abraham, having descended
to tho energies of the flesh and having produced
I s h m a e l ; a child of the flesh, albeit circumcised
and brought up in the household of f a i t h .
This works confusion, and brings forth no prospect of the *' SEED " which is Christ. Then
when very energy of the flesh is exhausted
Isaac is born by the power of the Spirit. W c
arc asked to look at this type of the Christ L i f e .
His name means " Laughter." This Life is one
of rejoicing in the possession of the inheritance.
Passing over the earlier history of Isaac,
we come to this significant passage (Genesis
x x v . 11) " A n d it came to pass after the death
of Abraham that God blessed Isaac his son :
and Isaac dwell by the well Beer-la-hai-roi."
WITNESS
AND
T h a t is t o say, when justifying faith had

come to its completed end, bringing fulness of
assurance, then that life which represents
Sonship dwelt by " the well of vision."
This well is mentioned, interestingly enough,
i n the 16th chapter where God finds Hagar,
the mother of Ishraael, that other son of
Abraham (spirit of faith) born in bondage and
unto bondage, who gets but partial glimpses
of t r u t h and measures of salvation. I t is probable that from this very well his life was
saved in after years, eh. x x i . , and his bottle
was filled. She had called the Well after the
Name of God, " The God of Seeing." I t was
the well of H i m Who liveth and seeth; or the
order may be reversed, " of him who seeth
and l i v e t h . " Either way, i t is the Well of
Vision, of Revelation. Here Isaac lived and
prospered.
Which is t o say, beloved friends, that here
y o u and I must live also if we are sons of God,
for vision brings life, and then life brings further
vision. Have you noticed how i n every epistle
P a u l wrote t o the church of God, he prays
t h a t they may dwell by this very " well of
Vision ? " Revelation, understanding, wisdom,
knowledge of God and His Purposes are the
constituents of the Divine Life he entreats
f o r them, t h a t " the eyes of their heart " might
be enlightenedthe heart, observe. I t is the
affections toward God t h a t must be kindled,
- for out of these true wisdom grows. I t is not
head knowledge we require, but heart knowledge. B u t is not this t h a t very Spirit of
Sonship t h a t loves t o live close to the Source
of all revelation, God Himself 1
A n d of all knowledge i t is the knowledge of
H i s Will t h a t is supremely filial. The essential
characteristic of' the Spirit of Sonship is a
revelation of the W i l l of God. I t is the declarat i o n of the S o n , " I come to do Thy W i l l , 0 God."
Must we repeat i n these columns that by the
W i l l of God we mean that all-inclusive, universal
W I L L revealed through Calvary, the End He
has i n view, and to which He is determined to
bring the whole universe, through the Cross ?
Tluit W i l l ! Do you see i t ? Do you know i t 1
Do you feel i t as w i t h i n your heart by the
passion of the Spirit % For that W i l l has first
of all to complete the Church, not as a determinate force working upon i t from without,
b u t as an energy of the Spirit within every
member. Do you know anything of this inworking, this striving of the Holy Ghost within
you unto the Divine End 1 This is the Spirit
of Sonship.
TESTIMONY
See how t h a t W i l l of God in-wrought our

L o r d Jesus and kept H i m i n an unswerving
path f r o m Bethlehem t o Calvary. H e never
deviated a hair's breadth, held b y t h a t inworking W i l l . I t was the constraint of the
Divine Love i n His heart as the Son in Whom
the Father was well pleased, the Son of God as
Son of Man for our sakes. B u t t h a t Spirit of
Sonship is now in you because y o u also are
sons born of H i s S p i r i t : " God has sent forth
the Spirit of H i s Son into your hearts, crying
Father / "
So this Spirit of Sonship is revealed i n us as
we possess a heart-knowledge of the W I L L
of God, the determination of God, the urge of
G o d ; the f r u i t of the Passion of God. Do we
live by this deep well % Or are we content
to merely fill a bottle now and again from i t ,
and take our own journeyings, pursue our
own w i l l . Saved but selfish 1
No, the Spirit of Sonship dwells there, hard
b y , close t o the Heart of the Eternal Purpose,
and has there unfolded the increasing Vision
of God. N o w one is constrained t o ask oneself the question, and would have you also
interrogate yourselves, beloved'friends, " D o
I dwell there % " A m I a l o y a l loving son. of
God ? This is what matters. A r e we there 1
These are days when we indulge in much
speculation about the coming of the-Lord, but
the coming of the L o r d is n o t a mere objective
t r u t h to delight i n ; it is a t r u t h which has its
subjective Bide in the Body of Christ, and in us
therefore as contributory - members of that
Body. A n d the urge of the H o l y Ghost, as
ever, is a t r a v a i l unto the consummation of
the Divine Purpose.
I f we are sons, then are we heirs, joint-heirs
w i t h Christ, and this w i l l mean t h a t we shall
have a jealousy of God for the Inheritance, and
an inward-striving by the. One Spirit i n H i m
and i n us towards the Divine Purpose. And so
you see this life of ours is essentially a life on
the one hand of ever increasing devotion and
love and worship of God, b u t on the other side
i t is a life of increasing conflict, of increasing
pressure, of increasing burden because of the
Spirit of Sonship. Y e t is this burden easy and
this vokc light, for this Spirit says " I delight
to do T h y
W I L L , 0 My God
! "
And so the Christ must he formed w i t h i n us.

Then i t is we have come to m a t u r i t y , to the
revelation of that good and perfect W I L L oi
(Jod. We shall no longer be passengers in the
thing that God is after in His Church, but be
contributory factors, those who count, those
WITNESS
AND
whose names aro w r i t t e n i n heaven, those who

are known among principalities and powers,
those whom Satan knows because he has to
reckon w i t h them. They count because the
love of God works i n their hearts, a passion
for the Divine Ends, and they k n o w the travail
of prayer. Now all of us can enter i n t o t h a t
ministry, the travail of prayer, the m i n i s t r y of
intercession, by reason of the S p i r i t working
i n us. This is the m a r k of the S p i r i t of Sonship.
Once y o u are so indwelt and so exercised you are
r i d of your questions, your discussions, your
schools of thought and interpretation, your
eclectic inner circles of selective s p i r i t u a l i t y
" i n t h a t day you ask no more q u e s t i o n s "
(John x v i . 33). Y o u are swept i n t o the
mighty current of t h a t dynamic Will of the
Eternal Love.
There never was a t i m e so much as now when
God is seeking " sons," those in w h o m H e can
reveal Himself, and through w h o m H e can
contribute to that E n d which has been sealed
in the Christ, and w h i c h H e is determined to
consummate whether y o u and I help i n i t or not.
. One wonders whether the L o r d Jesus d i d
not see something at the end of this age when
He spoke of a compulsion being brought to
bear at last upon those on the highways t h a t
they might come i n t o the Banquet of God.
Y o u remember how he warned those who had
something of revelation, who h a d been versed
i n t h e word of God and who were v e r y f o n d of i t
" i n the l e t t e r , " and had had m u c h t a l k and.
discussion of the Messiah, t h a t t h e y would not
enter i n because their hearts knew n o t the t r u t h ,
but harlots and the victims of vice and passion
would because they w o u l d accept H i m as One
Who came a Saviour t o their hearts.
A n d i t is i n one's heart t o say t h i s , for we
too are l i v i n g at the end of an age, and in the
Coming of the L o r d God is after something
urgent, insistent, the Divine Passion is seeking
to break through in the Church, i n y o u r heart
and mine. God must have the channels
through whom His W i l l shall be expressed in
their heart's desire. A n d if wc do n o t respond
then He must get others. I f wc do not come
into that personal fellowship w i t h H i m , ,
hearkening to His spoken "word, and giving
His Spirit place; then God will get those from
outside yet, those who have had no privileges
such as wc enjoy, but whose hearts are broken
and empty of self, who w i l l yield u t t e r l y to the
Cross, and shall receive the effectual in-working
of His S p i r i t ; who will know the power of His
121
TESTIMONY
Resurrection because they embrace the fellowship of H i s sufferings. Beloved, i t is n o t

sufficient to talk about these things : we must
be i n t h e m , and they i n us. We can know i t
all intellectually, and be r i g h t out of this thing
spiritually.
Forgive mc for lingering upon this note.
One is speaking to oneself as much as to any,
for there is a real danger of saying these things
upon a p l a t f o r m , and being out of the actual
fight. One knows the pressure and subtlety
of the d e v i l , the weakness and the workings
of the flesh, and apart f r o m the in-working
of the S p i r i t this L i f e of Sonship is quite i m possible. B u t this is an hour of God i f ever
there were one. This is God's day. Y o u and
I are privileged to live at the end of the Dis,
pensation of Grace when God is seeking sons,
those who shall come into the Oneness i n
Himself i n the Christ, who shall thus have i n
them the urge of the Divine W i l l t h a t shall
cause t h e m by prayer i n the H o l y Ghost t o
contribute unto t h a t E n d of God. Shall we
p u t away a l l lesser things, the systems, theories,
thoughts, speculations, discussions even about
the Body of Christ as scriptural t r u t h , and get
i n t o the M i g h t y Thing itself t h a t God is after.
L e t t h a t Cross have its f r u i t i n us. Then
shall H e see of the t r a v a i l of H i s soul ' i n us
and be satisfied. W h e n % W h e n H e sees the
t r a v a i l of the Spirit exercising our hearts.
The t r a v a i l of His great soul is wrought out
i n the t r a v a i l of our spirit as we share the fellowship of H i s Sufferings, and prove b y grace t o
be " the sons of God," sharing w i t h H i m the
passion of One W i l l !
T . M . J.
CONCERNING
" M I N D "
OR
" N0U,S "

T
T H A T
IS,
" U N D E R S T A N D I N G "
T i n s w o r d occurs 24 times in the N e w T e s t a ment, in 17 of which i t is translated " M i n d " ;

in the remaining 7 " understanding." " Nous "
is the soul's
sense, and is an activity
of the spirit of man, constituting w i t h the
" conscience " what is known as the " h e a r t . "
T h e heart is the organic centre of life in man,
and here his spirit emerges in the form of soul.
I t will be seen therefore that the " m i n d " with
the " conscience " arc the. twin activities that
determine our moral life as a life of good or evil.
W e have intimated that the heart is that organ
for the spirit whereby it- may emerge in the
form of sovd ; that is, h u m a n life. W c arc not
disembodied spirits, and as long as w c live in
spiritual

A
.... t*2
WITNESS
AND
bodies, t h e s p i r i t has t o find i t s expression i n

our bodies, a n d t h i s i t does i n t h e f o r m of soul.
T h u s t l i e h e a r t as a n expression of consciousness
is v e r y closely r e l a t e d t o t h e s p i r i t , a n d is often
confused w i t h i t : b u t i t should be clearly recognised as t h e organ f o r t h e s p i r i t , a n d therefore
t h o u g h closely related should be distinguished
f r o m i t . T h i s S c r i p t u r e is always careful t o do.
(Note, P s a l m l i . 10 ; Ezekiel x x x v i . 2 0 ) . T h e
heart m a y be described as t h e place of " exchange " where s p i r i t a n d soul re-act u p o n one
another i n o u t f l o w a n d i n f l o w of l i f e . I t is also
by reason of t h i s m u t u a l a c t i v i t y of soul a n d
s p i r i t a f a c t o r y a n d a storehouse of life. Here
our life is p r o d u c e d a n d discovered as t o its
n a t u r e a n d q u a l i t y , a n d here i t is stored.
T a k e t h e f o l l o w i n g scriptures : C o m m u n e w i t h
your own heart
a n d be s t i l l ' * ; " G u a r d
t h i n e h e a r t w i t h a l l diligence f o r o u t of i t are
t h e issues of l i f e " ; " O u t of t h e abundance of
t h e h e a r t t h e m o u t h speaketh " ; " O u t of the
heart p r o c e e d e t h , " &c. These a n d m a n y other
references shew t h a t t h e h e a r t is t h e place of
emergence where t h e essential l i f e of us comes
f o r t h , a n d t h e y i n d i c a t e also t h a t here there is a
s t o r i n g of t h e deeds done i n t h e b o d y either of
good or e v i l .
Some d a y t h e h e a r t w i l l be
obliged t o g i v e o u t i t s h i d d e n stores, " the
secrets of m e n " (Romans I I . 16), a n d even
now t h e l i v i n g w o r d of G o d is able t o l i g h t u p
t o our consciousness t h e " t h o u g h t s a n d intents
of t h e h e a r t , " h i d d e n m o t i v e s , secret or u n discovered sins. Jeremiah, b y t h e H o l y S p i r i t
says, " T h e h e a r t is d e c e i t f u l above a l l t h i n g s "
a hidden deep and "incurable." " Who
can k n o w i t ? " . T n e answer is, " I t h e L o r d
search t h e h e a r t . "
W e are a t painB t o m a k e these distinctions
clear so t h a t i t m a y be seen t h a t t h e " m i n d "
or " u n d e r s t a n d i n g " we arc dealing w i t h is n o t
* t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l m i n d , t h e mere f u n c t i o n i n g of
the b r a i n , b u t t h a t m o r a l sense of t h e heart of
m a n , a deeper consciousness t h a t arises as the
s p i r i t is s t i r r e d w i t h i n us, b y t h e i m p a c t of
m o r a l l a w , &c.
So f a r w e are speaking of t h e n a t u r a l m a n
as of t h e s p i r i t u a l m a n t h a t is, merely of the
faculty of t h i s m i n d . " . T h e f a c u l t y is there.
H u t i n t h e n a t u r a l m a n since t h e s p i r i t has
fallen under t h e d o m i n a t i o n of soid, w h i c h i n
t u r n ia n o w fleshly a n d r u l e d b y t h e o u t w a r d
senses a n d appetites, n o t t o speak of i t s satanic
t h r a l d o m , t h i s nouB " or .miud of t h e heart han
alHo f a l l e n i n t o a darkness a n d a d i s a b i l i t y t o
f u n c t i o n as i t o u g h t . I t is o n l y as t h e S p i r i t of
Clod comes i n grace f r o m w i t h o u t t o quicken
11
44
44
TESTIMONY
such a f a c u l t y t h a t m a n can n o w k n o w or
understand a n y t h i n g a r i g h t i n r e l a t i o n t o G o d
or t o himself. T h u s E l i h u says " T h e r e is a
s p i r i t i n m a n " (this is t h e unregenerate s p i r i t ) ,
" and the b r e a t h of t h e A l m i g h t y g i v e t h h i m
understanding."
Observe i t is t h e breath or
inspiration
of t h e A l m i g h t y t h a t gives h i m
understanding.
T h e f a l l e n s p i r i t has n o t the
power t o exercise t h i s f a c u l t y of t h e heart as
f r o m itself. T h e grace of G o d m u s t come t o
quicken i t . I n t h i s sense also i t is said,
The
s p i r i t i n m a n is t h e candle of t l i e L o r d . "
Yes,
b u t t h e L o r d m u s t use t h e candle. T h e m a n
cannot do t h i s a r i g h t . E v e n i n r e l a t i o n t o
himself t h e s p i r i t i n m a n is unable t o discern
his t r u e n a t u r e a n d c o n d i t i o n . T h u s the
Psalmist a s k s : " W h o can understand
his
errors ? Cleanse t h o u me f r o m secret f a u l t s , "
t h a t is, f a u l t s h i d d e n f r o m myself. A n d w h e n
t h e apostle enquires w h o k n o w e t h t h e things
of a m a n , save the s p i r i t of m a n t h a t is i n h i m % "
(1 Cor. i i . 11) he does n o t i m p l y t h a t a n y m a n
has a perfect knowledge of himself, b u t t h a t he
possesses t h e f a c u l t y w h e r e b y alone he can k n o w
t h e secrets of his o w n h e a r t . T h u s as t o t h e
d e p r a v i t y of his n a t u r e , t h e c o n v i c t i o n concerni n g sin he needs t h e convincement of t h e
Holy Spirit.
44
44
Nevertheless, t h e f a c u l t y of t h e n o u s " is
there. A n d b y means of
conscience " and
t h i s m o r a l reasoning " God is able t o register
H i m s e l f u p o n t h e consciousness of a l l men,
leaving t h e m n o t w i t h o u t witness either as t o
Himself or t o t h e i r m o r a l obligations, and t h u s
j u d g m e n t has its basis i n t h e h u m a n h e a r t
(Romans i i . 14-16).
4 4
44
44
Where this consciousness of t h e h e a r t has

been neglected, and i t s knowledge deliberately
a n d continuously refused, We learn t h a t God
hands over Buch t o a
reprobate m i n d
(Romans i . 2fi), a n d t h a t i t becomes c o r r u p t
(Titus i . 1 5 ) ; and a fearful p i c t u r e of such a
condition iH given i n E p h . i v . 17, 18, where the
m i n d " being n o w v a i n , i t s t h o u g h t s are
darkened, and such are alienated altogether
f r o m the life of God, because of t h o ignorance
t h a t is i n t h e m , and t h e callousness (hardness)
of t h e i r hearts. T h e t w i n faculties of t h e heart,
conscience and vow< have become a t r o p h i e d ,
incapable of response t o the D i v i n e L i g h t a n d
L o v e . Such is the negative Bide of t h e question.
AH t o w h a t happens i n t h e N e w ( V c a t i o n we
shall see f u r t h e r , f o r such urc able t o HUV *' W e
have the Mind of C h r i s t . "
T . M . J, '
44
, l u
44
44
(To
be
continued.)
WITNESS
AND
THE
CENTRALITY
AND
UNIVERSALITY OF T H E CROSS
(Continued.)
going over t h e g r o u n d again, m a y
I j u s t pause one m o m e n t f o r a re-emphasis u p o n
t h e c e n t r a l i t y of t h e cross. I t h i n k w c were
able t o see i n some s m a l l w a y h o w c e n t r a l t h e
cross iB i n t h e e t e r n a l d e t e r m i n a t i o n of God i n
a l l m a t t e r s , a n d h o w i t has been made t h e hub
of a l l r e v e l a t i o n a n d of a l l experience ; a n d i t is
j u s t t h a t last w o r d w h i c h one feels m u s t be
stressed. W i t h t h e cross as c e n t r a l , i t s cent r a l i t y has got t o be so b y experience.
It
w o u l d be q u i t e i n t e r e s t i n g a n d i n f o r m i n g t o go
t h r o u g h t h e B i b l e a n d see stage b y stage of t h e
historic u n f o l d i n g h o w t h e cross is a t t h e
c e n t r e ; a n d as t h e result of such a n investigat i o n a n d such a search, we m i g h t easily l a u n c h
o u t u p o n a spoken m i n i s t r y , teaching t h e cent r a l i t y of t h e cross. I t m i g h t b o t h g r i p us
w i t h i t s fascination a n d g r i p our hearers i n t h e
same w a y , a n d y e t t h e i m p a c t of i t m i g h t be
u t t e r l y l a c k i n g . * Y o u w i l l p a r d o n t h i s reflex
u p o n one's o w n experience i n w h i c h t h a t has
been e x a c t l y t r u e . One is n o t saying a v e r y
great deal m o r e , or d i f f e r e n t l y , f r o m w h a t one
d i d say i n t h e f i r s t decade a n d more of o n e s
m i n i s t r y , b u t one is s a y i n g t h a t same t h i n g
w i t h a n altogether new r e a l i s a t i o n , a n d , one
t r u s t s , w i t h a new i m p a c t . One came t o see
t h e place of t h e cross, a n d m u c h of t h e m e a n i n g
of t h e cross as i n t h e B i b l e a n d i n t h e o l o g y ,
a n d one spoke a b o u t i t c o n t i n u o u s l y .
The
language of C a l v a r y was t h e r e i n speech, i n
preaching a n d t e a c h i n g , a n d Calvary's cent r a l i t y t o a l l t h e other doctrines of t h e B i b l e ;
b u t , beloved, t h e difference is
enormous
between t h a t a n d t h i s i n one's o w n knowledge
a n d experience. T h e d a y came w h e n a l l t h a t
rose u p l i k e an enormous pole-axe a n d Braote
one between t h e eyes i n i t s c u m u l a t i v e effect,
and one was as good as dead.
One was b r o u g h t
t o t h e place where t h e k e y was t u r n e d u p o n a l l
t h e past, a n d f a i l u r e was w r i t t e n i n a c o m p a r a t i v e sense w i t h w h a t one saw o u g h t t o be,
and m u s t be, i f a l l t h a t one h a d been saying f o r
years was t o h a v e any adequate j u s t i f i c a t i o n
and v i n d i c a t i o n ; a n d i n t h a t deepest a n d d a r k e s t
and most anguished h o u r one came t o see the
beginnings of w h a t t h e cross m e a n s and h o w
the crosH is central a n d all t h e theology a n d ull
the boasted B i b l e knowledge as Hindi ( t h a t is,
the mere d i a g r a m m a t i c
comprehension,
or
apprehension of t h e books of t h e B i b l e and t h e
ninin l i r e * of leaching, nod HO on) nil floored and
WITHOUT
TESTIMONY
123
s m i t t e n w i t h oneself t h r o u g h years of deepening

dealings w i t h one o n t h e p a r t of God, a n d i n
t h a t d a y , t h a t d a y , a n end ! B u t i n t h a t d a y
also a b e g i n n i n g ! N o w one is n o t going t o
d w e l l u p o n one's ow*n experience, one s i m p l y
refers t o i t for t h i s w o r d of emphasis. I w a n t
t o ask y o u , t o i n t e r r o g a t e y o u most earnestly
as we go o n , f o r a l l t h i s t e a c h i n g w o u l d f a i l ,
w o u l d o n l y again resolve itself i n t o mere m e n t a l
grasp, unless we face t h e issue of thishas
there been a d a y or a t i m e i n y o u r experience
when y o u were as good as dead ? W h e n the
cross r e a l l y b r o u g h t t h a t issue t h a t i t was i m possible f o r y o u t o go o n i n yourself i n the
w o r l d a n d r e a l m of s p i r i t u a l experience, t o say
n o t h i n g of C h r i s t i a n w o r k a n d a c t i v i t y , . b o t h
as a person a n d as a w o r k e r , a preacher, a
teacher recognised i n d i v i d u a l l y i n t h e r e a l m of
religious a c t i v i t i e s , w h e n i n every sense t h e
cross registered once a n d f o r a l l i n y o u r
deepest consciousness t h a t t h e r e was n o t h i n g
possible i n y o u a n d of y o u , a n d t h a t unless
God H i m s e l f came i n i n a n y t h i n g
short
of
t h e exceeding greatness of H i s power
w h i c h H e w r o u g h t i n C h r i s t w h e n H e raised
H i m f r o m t h e d e a d , " t h e r e c o u l d be
no
Christian m i n i s t r y ? N o w I aBk y o u , have
y o u h a d i n a d a y or a week, or m o n t h , or year
(for some i t extends over a l o n g period) t h a t
d r i v e u p o n y o u of t h e d i v i n e h a m m e r of t h e
w o r d of t h e "cross b r e a k i n g t h e rocks i n pieces
and p i e r c i n g t o d i v i d i n g asunder ? T h a t is
t h e c e n t r a l i t y of t h e cross " i n r e a l i t y when
i t is a t t h e centre of experience, p l a n t e d
a t t h e centre of y o u r b e i n g ; n o t i n t h e
centre of y o u r intellect, n o t i n t h e centre
of y o u r emotions, n o t i n t h e centre of
your natural volition and w i l l , b u t i n the very
centre of y o u r s p i r i t so t h a t w h e n i t was p l a n t e d
there i t was b e w i l d e r i n g a n d staggering a n d
s t u n n i n g ; a n d as f o r i n t e l l e c t , i t could n o t cope
w i t h i t ; as f o r w i l l , i t c o u l d n o t face i t ; as
for emotions, w h y , y o u were p e t r i f i e d , t h e
t h i n g was staggering ? H a s t h e cross come to
y o u i n y o u r s p i r i t i n any such w a y ? Remember
t h a t is*where i t has g o t t o be p l a n t e d i n y o u r
s p i r i t first. I f y o u arc seeking, beloved, either
t o a t t a i n t o s p i r i t u a l effect, or t o reproduce
s p i r i t u a l effect b y t h e knowledge of t h e croBS
i n y o u r reanon a n d y o u r i n t e l l e c t i n the first
instance, y o u arc destined t o s p i r i t u a l failure.
I f y o u are seeking t o h a v e t h i s t h i n g f o r yourHclf, a n d t h e n t o be able t o minister i t t o others
i n t h e r e a l m of y o u r emotions or feelings, i n the
f i r s t place, y o u are destined t o misB t h e m a r k .
N o w we need t o reverse our order i n t h i s
44
44

124
A WITNESS
AND
t h i n g . One of the most amazing things to one'

i n these days is the failure to recognise this
o n the p a r t of strong, pure, earnest evangelical
men and women. W h a t I mean is this mystery,
t h e inconsistency of a strong and mighty
repudiation of modernismas i t is calledin
t h e matters of biblical interpretation, and at the
same time the wholesale swallowing of moderni s m i n the matter of psychology. Where do
y o u get your psychology fromPlato, Aristotle
Pagans ? That is the foundation of modern
psychology and the Evangelicals have swallowed
t h a t as much as the modernists. I t is not
biblical psychology 1 I t does not take into
account the fact that the soul which i t claims
t o expound and interpret, is ruled out by the
B i b l e in the first instance, and the spirit is
demanded t o be quickened and energised by the
H o l y Spirit to grasp spiritual realities. You
k n o w quite well t h a t modern psychology only
recognises t h e duality of human lifesoul and
body, m i n d and matter, and after a good deal
of difficulty and struggling to interpret some
t h i r d element w i t h which i t is confronted, i t is
a t length called the " Subconscious mind "
' w h a t the Bible calls the supreme thing, the
innermost and deepest thingthe human
s p i r i t i n which things are eternally registered
a n d never lost, and which w i l l reproduce them
i n the Day of Judgment, and we shall find that
t h e basis of condemnation and eternal judgment
is i n t h a t spirit itself. H e l l might well be the
divulging i n the spirit of man of what is stored
u p therein as never t o be forgotten without the
cross of Christ to deal w i t h i t . To put i t i n
another w a y , one lets a psycho-analyst to-day
b r i n g up f r o m the past without providing an
adequate remedy for ridding you of the past,
and you have hell begun, and suicide, or an
as3 lum, or something of that k i n d follows:
y o u let the real state of your being be brought
t o light w i t h o u t the presentation of the cross,
and you have hell begun. I t is a merciful
t h i n g t h a t there is a covering over of the human
spirit, a door of forgetfulness for a little while,
u n t i l we know the cross, and then i t is safe for
us and i t is blessed for the depths to deliver up
their content, to have i t cast into a greater death,
" the depths of the sea." B u t the cross is
central, and the cross has got to be placed at
the very centre of our beingin our spirit.
Beloved, wc may not understand, wc may not
be able to grasp i t thoroughly in all its meaning ;
i t may be bewildering and stunning, too great
for us, and i t may make our very minds rock,
and our emotions freeze, and our wills to be
TESTIMONY
paralysed, and there wc arc smitten by that

cross, as good as dead naturally, b u t , i n the
power of His resurrection, i t gets our spirit
quickened and energised to rise up. Y o u can
never follow in the way of the cross naturally
in your spiritneverand u n t i l resurrection
has taken place i n your spirit, y o u w i l l never be
able to go on by Calvary.
Well, now, that is a long way round and
opening up many other questions, but one has
this emphasis i n one's spirit all the time t h a t we
must not stay here for mere teaching, though i t
may be right teaching; wc have got to come
to the practical issue, and the centrality of the
cross is not the centrality of the cross i n theology, or i n the Bible as a book, or i n Christian
doctrine, or upon a platform. Tlie centrality
of the cross is essentially and indispensably experimentally planted i n your spirit, and from
that time, out from the very centre of your
being the cross radiates upon every activity
of your l i f e ; for you find t h a t your thinking,
your reasoning, your speaking and your going
and your staying, your speech and your silence,
your handling of all matters i n business,' inthe home, everywhere, everything is governed^
by the spirit and law of the cross w i t h i n you!.'*
Y o u look at everything i n t h e l i g h t of t h e
cross. Y o u do not stay t o consider i t men;
tally and intellectually, but i t is a spiritual force
within you which controls y o u a l l the time and
challenges you when you have unwisely said
something, you are smitten b y the power of
the cross,you ought not t o have said that^br
you ought not t o have said t h a t i n t h a t way,
and you know i t . You have no need for anyone to tell you. I t is a very blessed thing when
people are i n the Spiritno need to rebuke, you
can keep quietthe Spirit is there making the
cross central i n their spirit life t o judge and to
slay.
1
Oh, t h a t we should be brought r i g h t there

and held there i n all ministry. Beloved-7
rcvclation and the commission are not enough.
Are you a Christian worker, a Sunday School
teacher, arc you i n any special sense a servant
of the Lord ? Yes, you believe t h a t you are
that by divine commission : there is no question
about i t : you held i t before the L o r d , you prayed
over i t , and you followed what would take the
world and eternity to shake as your conviction
that you arc in the will of God in t h a t . The
Lord may have appeared unto you from glory
to commission you. and he may have given yoa
his revelation as the message for your ministryThat is not enough. Listen, the L o r d appeared
A WITNESS
AND
unto Moses, gave him the revelation and said

* Go ! " Commissioned on the basis of a revelation of Himself and of H i s purpose" A n d
the Lord met h i m and sought to slay h i m "
" sought to k i l l h i m 1 " Have y o u never
been met i n the way of a divine commission
and almost p u t r i g h t out of action 1 There is
no question about the commission and revelation, but you have been met, and y o u have not
got on, you have stopped there and something
of a smiting has taken place. " A n d the L o r d
met him and sought to k i l l h i m ! " W h y ?
Because he had failed i n the covenant sign of
circumcision. I t is the symbol of the encircling blood by which the whole body of the
flesh is cut off and p u t away (Col. i i . 11). A
covenant of L i f e w i t h the L o r d of L i f e against
the lord of Death, as the ground of his right,
power, and a c t i v i t y is p u t away, t h a t is, the
flesh. A n d a revelation and a commission can
never be carried out effectively u n t i l the cross
has been placed r i g h t a t the centre of things.
You can. speak of divine revelations i n the flesh
and do yourself harm, and the revelation h a r m .
You can seek to do the Lord's w i l l i n t h e flesh,
and rob the Lord's w i l l of a l l i t s dynamic
because i t is done i n the flesh. The cross has
got to be central to m i n i s t r y . N o w are you
there ? Have y o u had your Calvary \ Everything is bound up w i t h thatreverythingit
changes things entirely, i t changes the outlook,
the. apprehension, the consciousness, and relationships are a l l changed, u t t e r l y changed from
that moment, and y o u never again judge
things according to man's standards. You
never judge success i n Christian w o r k b y the
following and numbers and the f u l l pews of a
church and all those outward signs of prosperity ; not to say t h a t outward signs are not
sometimes wholesome and good, b u t y o u never
judge according to that, you judge altogether
according to the spiritual effectiveness and
*e are going to see what spiritual effectiveness
eally is by way of the cross before we arc through
I trust; but the whole consciousness is changed at
he cross from the natural to the spiritual, and
you have a new k i n d of consciousness a new revcUion, and you are perfectly satisfied w i t h it.
Now we have already seen the centrality of
he cross as to the Person of Christ, and as to
/lie Holy Spirit. Wc are not going over that
gnin, other than to say that i t takes the cross
> make manifest who Jesus Christ is, and
Ifsus Christ is only manifest in the full power
1 His Person in and through the crossyou
aiinot know H i m in any other way. 1 am
r
;,
TESTIMONY
125
going t o stay here for this moment. There is,

mark y o u , a n apprehension of the Person of
Jesus i n a certain sense which is universal, so
far as this w o r l d is concerned, because of the
universal elements i n Christ. There are those
universal elements which make H i m timeless
and nationless,that H e is of all nations and
of all t i m e , and y o u can never fit H i m finally
into any one water-tight compartment of t i m e ,
or race, or n a t i o n . A n d there is a certain apprehension of H i m i n all the world as He can be the
ideal of all nations, b u t you have to cut out the
cross. Here is the tragedy of a book like
Stanley Jones' ' Christ of the I n d i a n Road.'
There is the apprehension of the Christ and the
evangelical presentation of the Christ, b u t be
careful how y o u press the matter of the cross
or y o u w i l l upset India,the same everywhere
else. Y o u w i l l have to modify your interpretat i o n and application of the cross when y o u
preach Christ or else y o u w i l l spoil H i s chances
of acceptance, keep t h a t out and y o u w i l l have
success and prosper and get on,keep t h a t o u t
i n a l l i t s deeper meanings. A n d y o u k n o w ,
beloved, t h a t w h a t is t r u e i n t h a t sense i n the
larger ranges is true w i t h i n the' Christian
community itself. Yes, preach Christ historic,
heroic, i d y l l i c , b u t don't mention- t h a t cross
i n its substitutionary t r u t h . . Or come nearer,
s t i l l i n t h e evangelical circle. ' Y e s , we w i l l
accept Christ as our substitute, b u t when y o u
ask us t o accept t h i s identification w i t h Christ,
t h a t is another matterleave t h a t out. We are
prepared t o t a k e the objective, b u t don't press
the subjective.' The nearer you get t o the
cross the more y o u sift your following. The
nearer y o u get t o the very central meaning and
heart of t h e cross the fewer there w i l l be t h a t
follow. T h e real central reality of the L o r d
Jesus is found there, and you do not know H i m
most deeply and t r u l y u n t i l yon have got to the
innermost secret of Calvary.
Then as t o the H o l y Spirit, we have seen t h a t
there is no knowledge of, or manifestation of the
H o l y S p i r i t only by way of the cross.
Passing t o the n e x t section we quite clearly
sec how the " So Great Salvation " is i n and
through and by the cross. One uses t h a t fragment So Great Salvation " because of its
comprehensiveness, its inclusivcness. We arc
not going to stay w i t h i t because i t is so patent.
The words p u t on the diagram represent
each oneits own specific significance i n the
all-inclusive salvation.
We p u t Substitution first. One died as a
substitute, i n the place of the many.
41
A WITNESS
126
AND
Wc follow with Representation. " I f one

died for all, then all died i n H i m . " That is
representative and inclusive.
And then Redemption. I f you want to
follow these things in their own particular meaning you have only to ask one question relative
to each word. What state docs this word suggest man to be i n to make i t necessary ? When
you speak of Redemption, then you ask, what
is the state that makes that necessary. He is
" sold under sin," and there is to be " a redemption of the purchased possession." " Ye were
bought with a price."
Next Justification. By this we are given
a place in a plane and in a position
as though we had never sinned at all.
The marvel of Justification!
We
must
remember that that can only be made
possible by death.
He that hath died is
justified from sin." Someone inclusively of
ourselves most have died to make i t possible
for us to occupy a position i n the presence of
God as though we had never sinned at all.
What a wonderful standing.
Reconciliation. I t suggests enmity, antagonism, alienation, conflict. These all dealt
w i t h at the root and spring.
Regeneration. You may not have defined
i n your minds, or had defined for you the
difference between Regeneration and New
B i r t h . They are not synonymous terms. A l though they are the same thing, they are not
synonymous in their significance. Regeneration relates to the new race. I t is a racial
term. New Birth relates to sonship. The gift
of Sonship. the Spirit of Sonship, born out of
God, sons of God. As you are a new creation,
regenerated, you come to receive the gift of sonship in that new race of sons.
And then Sanctification and Glorification.
We are familiar with these things, but all this,
beloved, centres in and issues from the cross;
but wha: I want you to notice with this, like
all that of which we have spoken and shall
speakin its first meaning in this age and dispensation, is for and in the church. I t is
for the eject Body. Now, of course, i t would be
easy to s*e that that means that there arc
many er:luded from the possibility of salvation,
41
but only by their own exclusion, not God's, but
God foreknew, and He gathers up all this So

Great Si!vation " into and for and in those
whom E-? foreknew in Christ. Now perhaps
you arc &.4:ing, what if the special and subtle
Value o: that ? Well, this, that God must have
a specif.: instrument through which to mediate
44
TESTIMONY
the So Great Salvation," and the mediation

of t h e So Great Salvation " cannot be less that
experimental. Anybody could preach the gos"
pel aB a doctrine, as a teaching, as a 8} stera, but
only those i n whom the gospel has been wroughi
out, and who have been wrought out in the"
gospel can preach the gospel with any effectiveness. I n other words, if this So Great Salvation " is bound up with the cross, then it
requires a Body in whom the cross has been
planted experimental!}' to preach the gospel.
That Body must be an elect Body, secured in
foreknowledge beyond the possibility of being
lost or of failure. I t is mdispensable to Christ
and therefore as secure as Himself. Only
according to the measure i n which Calvary
has become experimentally real i n us, to that
degree, and to that degree alone, is there
eternal effectiveness i n our preaching of the
gospel. I n another way, we have got to be the
gospel, and the gospel has got to be us before
there can be any transmission of i t w i t h spiritual
effectiveness; so God must have a sphere and
a centre i n which He makes the gospel not
merely a revelation, but an experience. You
can p u t i t i n this other way. Christ, Himself,'
had to have the cross wrought i n H i m to the
deepest depths representatively i n order to make
the gospel effective i n the universe. I t is not"
coming along and taking up your Bible and
saying t h a t the Bible teaches that, and so prepare an address on what the Bible teaches and
get i t off on the congregation. That is. the
tragedy of the modern pulpit. God has
nothing to do with that, and is not interested
i n that. H e will call out a people, drawing them
by the cross, and then begin to plant the cross
at the centre of their- being, and make all its
meaning actual, experimental, and then through
them, mediate the forces of Calvary out to the
widening circles of the universe u n t i l principalities and powers feel the impact thereof.
This is i n the Church: the gospel demands the
Church. The cross with all its gospel requires
the Church, and the Church in the fulfilment
of the universal purpose of God is the Church in
which the cross is central in experience. I
that clear 1 The Church " is Christ's Body,
and what is true of the Head has to be mode
true of the Body, so that salvation is in Christ,
corporately as well as personally.
Wc come to the fourth and final main section
of the inner circle ; that is. the doctrine of the
Second Coming of Christ. Just as each of the
others have been detached, separated, and made
a specific line of teaching by some, and taken
44
44
14
44
WITNESS
AND
out of their relative position and significance,

so, to-day, there is a dangerous tendency to
make the Second Advent a separate t h i n g . We
thank God for every clarion voice t h a t tells of
His coming, but wc must not fail to recognise
the relative place of the teaching of the Second
Coming, otherwise wc become investigators of
prophecy and experts on the ages and the dates,
and the geographical and historical movements,
and while we may fascinate the minds of
people w i t h the romance of i t a l l , we are not
making different people of them, and we are
not putting into them the
commensurate
dj'namic of a spiritual effectiveness. W e must
see, beloved, the two major things i n each of
these connections. F i r s t l y , the r o o t i n the
cross, and secondly, the expression i n the Body ;
and as for the Second Coming i t must be the
consummation of progressive translation b y the
Spirit. A n d i f you are looking f o r w a r d to some
isolated event i n history for translation f r o m
earth to heaven, and have failed to recognise
that the H o l y Spirit is here, like Eliezer of old,
piloting y o u progressively back b y way of the
cross; and t h a t by i t y o u ought t o be translated
from things of earth t o the things of heaven as
you are'becoming every day less of this earth,
and less of this world, and more of the heavens,
that everything in" your life and make-up is
being changed according to the p a t t e r n i n the
heavenlies,-1 fear t h a t y o u m a y have a shock,
even a disappointment, i n the day of His
appearing./ I n order t h a t we l i k e Enoch might
at least take the cne step i n t o the presence of
God, we must walk i n the presence of God
every day, n n t i l as i t were, almost unconsciouslyleaving, the things of earththere
will-be no. shock, catacylsmj no startling elem e n t about'the Lord's appearing, we shall find
ourselves w i t h Himno terrific upheavalwe
shall wallc infor we have been walking t h a t
way all the time. We have often p u t i t i n this
way, as Peter puts i t , " P i l g r i m s confessed
and strangers " so t h a t the things of earth are
becoming more and more strange, and the
things of heaven arc becoming more and more
familiar, and wc are feeling more at home i n
those spiritual things and less at home in
earthly thingsprogressive translation. When
ftliczcr goes for Abraham to find a bride for his
on Isaac he brings her back over the long road,
and the last meeting, with Isaac, is only an
alighting from the camel which has been moving
n that direction all i\c time. I t was not the
Sudden bumping down from one country into
another. That is what some people seem to be
-
TESTIMONY
127
looking for i n the Second Coming !

Now the test is, are we of the earth, or are
we in the heavens. There are two blue lines
there. Blue, the heavenly glory is the church
as i t is of the heavenlies, far above all, and
there has got to be t h a t relationship, The
Church is a heavenly body. The fact is i t is
by the approximation to what we arc. Wc arc
a heavenly body, and we have got t o approximate t o t h a t every day. That is the church's
progress and pilgrimagebecoming w h a t we
are i n the m i n d and thought of God. The consummation of progressive translation b y the
Spirit 1 T h a t , beloved, is the end of walking
after the S p i r i t , and walking in the ' Spirit.
The dropping off of all that is of the flesh and
of the earth, t h e n the climax of the walk of
faith. For the w a l k of faith is the walk of faith !
i n accordance w i t h this law so that the progress
of spiritual experience is the progressive confounding of all t h a t upon which the senses rest
and to which t h e senses cling. Oh, I assure you
t h a t if y o u are going on i n the Spirit the i n tellectual as such is going to become far, far
less, and y o u are going to recognise t h a t t h i s
t h i n g to y o u , a n d everybody else, is the biggest
enigma i n creation, i n the universe, the biggest *
mystery. There is no doubt about t h a t from
the intellectual side, the rational side. . God is
simply confounding y o u w i t h what H e is. doing
w i t h y o u , getting y o u into.realms where.you
cannot follow i n any other way b u t i n your
spirit. Y o u k n o w i n your spirit t h a t the t h i n g
is r i g h t ; y o u k n o w t h a t you cannot be elsewhere;
or otherwise ; y o u know t h a t your life eternally
depends. upon i t , and yet for the life of y o u
you cannot explain what the L o r d is after, and
w h a t the L o r d is doing and w h y He does i t i n
this way. H e is defying every attempt of
yours to follow H i m i n the flesh. A n d as for
emotions, as for comfortable, nice, warm feelings
i n the way t h a t the L o r d leads you, well some
of you have got to the end of all this long ago.
Yes, the walk of f a i t h is the walk of f a i t h , ever
increasing, w i t h an ever crushing intensificat i o n u n t i l at last the climax of the walk of faith
w i l l be going i n w i t h the L o r d and the f u l l unfolding of the meaning and all the mystery of
His dealings w i t h us now. " Now wc sec in a
glass darkly (and i t does seem that the film
and the smoke on the glass deepens and intensifies as wc go on w i t h the Lord as to any
explanation), but then face to face. Now I
know in part (but Oh, what a little part it is
as we get into the realm of His greater mysteries),
but then I shall know, even as I have been
128
WITNESS
AND
known " b y H i m , not by other people. The

climax of the walk of f a i t h t h e complement
of an ascension union. T h a t is only saying in
another way what wc have just said. The
approximation to what wc aro through our
being identified with and incorporated into
Christ. We were made to sit in the heavenlies
i n Christ and become a heavenly body i n H i m .
The complement of t h a t spiritual reality is the
appearing of our L o r d , and so i t is the Body of
Christ moving, according to its own spiritual
laws, by reason of the crosswhich is a deepening mystery in its out-workings and methods,
and demands,that brings the L o r d at last.
The Coming of the L o r d is relative, not an historic event i n solitary isolation, but the .consummation of a spiritual process and progress in
and of the Body of Christ.
Now having gone round, or taken the first
round, merely skimming the surface, we must
leave i t there and speak a little more of the
Body of Christ another timeas to its nature
and function. Then move out t o . the nations
of the w o r l d , then s t i l l further out t o the
principalities and powers, and then out to far
above a l l heavenlies.* M a y the L o r d continue to
.give us utterance, revelation and light. T . A.-S.
:
T H E RELIGION OF MAN
(From a reported sermon of Dr.
Tauter.)
T H E w o r k of the H o l y Ghost i n the souls of
men is hindered i n various, ways.... .one hindrance is, t h a t even. good, men look at divine
and spiritual things i n a; carnal waythey have
natural and fleshly thoughts about.' the Lord
Jesus, and t h i n k much of visions, and represent
t o themselves the L o r d Jesus, or the angels, in
some bodily shape,of their own imaginings, and
work themselves up.to t h i n k they are especially
favoured by. God because of these workings of
their imagination," and a love for Christ which
is the excitement of natural feeling. Therefore
the L o r d said to His disciples, I t is good for you
t h a t I go away, for they knew H i m after the
flesh, and thus even the presence of His blessed
manhood had become a hindrance to them.
People arc, notwithstanding, satisfied and
proud when the)* have let their natural hearts
occupy themselves w i t h the things of God.
Dear children, whoever you may be who arc
thus taken up with your natural feelings,
remember that He of Whom you speak is not a
man only, but the great and mighty God, who
created all things, and upholds them w i t h tlie
P r i n t e d by T b o
AOienwuia
Praa, U a.ud
TESTIMONY
word of His p o w e r ; and that H e became ^

nothing for our sins, and therefore let t h
thought of His sufferings lay y o u low in the
dust before H i m w i t h shame and sorrow.
Oh, how little f r u i t has the blessed and glorious
Buffering of the L o r d brought f o r t h i n men i
Even the remembrance of i t can fill the heart
w i t h pride and w i t h self! Y o u hear people
talk of these deep things of God, just aB if
they had flown up i n t o the highest heaven, and
have never yet taken one single step out of their
wretched selves!
They talk of the dear L o r d Jesus,' and His
birth and death, a n d are filled w i t h an enjoyment which they t h i n k is of G o d ; or they weep
tears over the sufferings and the cross of Christ
b u t all these things pass smoothly through their
souls, as a ship through the waters, and leave
no trace behind. F o r their love is a love of
the enjoyment of t h e i r own feelings, and not a
love of God. Outside things have touched
their hearts, and the inner truth has never reached
them.
:

. V.:
. B u t natural love, and Divine love, look often
so much alike, i t is more than easy to mistake
the one for tbe other.
. . ,#tr
Yes, b u t how can we know the one f r o m the
other ? Master Tauler tells us t h i s also. .'
11 i t is natural love and enjoyment, such .a
man w i l l drag himself away with, a great effort
from the things of the world. B u t i f i t .is
Divine love, the things of the w o r l d w i l l drop
off, and he will despise them, and they will
become nauseous and loathsome. I t w i l l ;be
as though he can see no longer, for the glory;
of the L i g h t that has shone down upon h i m , for
the natural eye is darkened by the radiance of;
that Glory. A n d when this has happened to a
man i t does not exalt him, but casts him down,
and he fades away as i t .were into his own.
nothingness. Thus can we know i t was the
light of God.
A n d therefore, dear children, i t is exactly
contrary to the spirituality of the natural
heart, for that hoists people up t o a wondrous
height in their own self-satisfaction and selfconceit, and mokes them look down on others
from this giddy height, and they say they are
above this one, and that onethis thing or that.
A godly man never talks of being above any
person or thing, however small or mean : but
when it is God who has raised him up above, b
sees himself less than the least, and above none.
(Truly wise and simple words, revealing *
knowledge of the Cross, and of t h a t living word
which discerns between soul and spirit.Kn-1.
e
13. B r e a m ' * B u i l d i u g * . Cba.nc*y L * a c . Loo don, E C 4.

OCTOBER,
1927.
Vol
5,
No.
10.
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as f r o m
T H E HONOR O A K CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CENTRE,

^ t i n g s for S p i r i t u a l
Edification, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
n d a y a : 11 a.ra., 3 p-ni. (Young People's K e e l i n g ) , and 6.30 p m. Mondays: 7.30 p.m. Wednesdays: 8 p.m.
V,
v. .
Saturdays :j7.30j p.m.
.
[inferences arc held e v e r y week-end ( S a t u r d a y and S u n d a v ) , and also a longer week-end at tne
g i n n i n g of each m o n t h , this fixed by the first S u n d a y . ( F r i d a y to Monday evenings,
E l u s i v e . ) A l l p a r t i c u l a r s u i a v be o b t a i n e d from G . T a t c r s o n , Honor Oak Christian Fellowship
'Centre, H o n o r Oak R o a d , S . E . 2 3 .
M l n U t e r s : T . A u s t i n - S p a r k s ; T . M a d o c J e f f r e y s ; 0 . P a t e r s o n (Oeneral S e c r e t a r y ) .
Quest House H o s t e s s e s : L a d y Ogle ; M r s . M , B r a n d .
Telegram* 1 Bjndeamoa, F o w l . London."
C*ble Syndesmos, London."
Su
130
A' WITNESS
AND A
MINISTERS' LETTER
(Honor
Oak
Christian
Fellowship
Centre.)
October, 1927.
BELOVED
O U F OR L O R D ,
I t is H i s great desire to lead us beside the

waters of quietness, if He can only get us to be
still.
T h i s is H i s great difficulty w i t h us, for we
have to confess that our nature is yet that of
somewhat stupid sheep, prone to go our own
way, and thus missing so much t h a t H e would
lead us i n t o . B u t then H e must lead 1 A n d
are we not so restless, speculative, adventurous,
yes, clever i n an uncharted region, where none
can travel without the Pillar going ahead 1
The confession at the head of this so familiar
psalm is a revelation of God i n a new character
and relationship," Jehovah, m y Shepherd ! "
I t is an exclamation of f a i t h the works of which
must immediately follow. He does not become
.our Shepherd u n t i l we have seen H i m as such,
and so confess H i m , yielding' up t o H i m a l l '
direction 'and leadership.: T h e . stubbornness
and foolishness of our flesh, BO self-confident,
our haughtiness and pride (often concealed f r o m
our own hearts) take the direction out of H i s
H a n d s ; and then we wonder why* our souls
find such a r i d places, such tumults and distresses. . Yes, b u t i t is we who have found
these. H e would never have led us i n t o such
plights. A n d how tenderly H e extricates' ns
f r o m them when we have learned our lesson,
and understand that i t is H E W h o is t h e
Shepherd!
We 'are speaking of our inward life.. I n t h e
outer realm of circumstance and happening there
must perforce be storm. D i d H e not say, " I n
the world ye shall have tribulation ? " But H e
had prefaced the prophecy of this conflict w i t h
many words of comfort t h a t " i n Me ye might
have peace." This is the order,peace first,
battle afterwards, and out of that peace.
So He would lead our inner man, our spirit,
into still places where the River of the Water of
Life flows deeply and tranquilly, u n t i l i n communion w i t h God in Father and in Son by One
Spirit our restlessness and fever are all abated,
and we are content to be with H i m where He is
in the Bosom of the Father. Worship, fellow,
ship : these God seeks first, and not our service.
Thus He causes all self-activity to cease,
making us to lie. down (for like silly sheep we
would never lie down of ourselves) amid pastures of tender grass. True inward rest in God !
TESTIMONY
The waters follow, they are waters of L i f e , not

of p a s s i v i t y ; and so our souls arc restored to
vigour and to health. The places of rest arc
the places of recovery.
A n d then there follow those true and fruitful
activities of spiritual progress and service,
He leads i n the paths of righteousness for His
Name's sake. No Name b u t His is now
glorified. H i s Name is Jesus; but as we now
say, " Jesus 1 " are we n o t t r u l y saying,
" Jehovah, my Shepherd ! "
A n d though we have not y e t entered into the
unveiled Glory, still walking by f a i t h and not
by sight, yet i t becomes true of us also
" Therefore are they before the Throne of God,
and serve H i m day and night i n His temple;
and H e W h o sits upon the Throne shall tabernacle over them. They shall not hunger any
more, neither shall they t h i r s t any m o r e . . . .
because t h e Lamb which is i n the midst of the
Throne shall shepherd them, and w i l l lead them
t o l i v i n g fountains of waters." Alpha and
Omega, the L o r d our Shepherd 1
' Yours i n t h e ' following of His steps,
T.
AUSTIN-SPARKS.
'
T . MADOC-JEFFREYS.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T H E f o l l o w i n g list represents t h e gifts of two
months, A u g u s t and September, a n d Teflects the
result of a.statement made t o the fellowship as
i t meets locally, t h a t the increased cost of publicat i o n a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n n o w a m o u n t i n g t o about
15 per m o n t h , required a closer co-operation i n
p r a y e r f u l interest, so t h a t t h e financial obligation
'should be met as each issue is due. W e have
always h a d the Lord's seal of money i n h a n d , and
t h e position now is t h a t we face the publication
of the October number w i t h a small balance to
t h e good, 1 16s.
L o c a l , 12 135. 2d.;
Cardiff, 5 ; D e r b y , 1 ;
N . B e r w i c k , 1 # Reading, 1 0 * . ; Syria, 10J. ;
N e w Y o r k , 10*.; Clapton, 10s. ; K i r c u b b i n , 10*.;
P l y m o u t h , 10s.; Wimbledon, 10s.; Leigh-on-Sea,
10*. ; L i v e r p o o l , 10s. ; Coulsdon, 5s. ; Lowestoft,
5s. ; Swansea, 5s. ; Co. W i c k l o w , 5s. ; E g y p t , 4s. Gd.;
Sundown, 3s. 8d. ; Glasgow, 2s. 10a. ; Palmer's
Green, 3s. ; Dundee, 3s. ; Belfast, 2s. Gd. ; Swindon,
2s. Gd. ; N o r t h a m p t o n , 2s. 6c?. ; Crouch
End,
2s. Od. ; W e y m o u t h , 2s. Gd. ; Colchester, 2*. Gd. I
Dennistoun, 2s. Gd. ; W i m b l e d o n , 2s. Gd. ; Manchester 2s. Gd. ; Fnirlight, 2s. Gd. ; Brewer Street,
2s. 2d. ; E l g i n , 2s. ; Heaton, 2s. ; Kenniugton
Road, 2s. ; Highbury New P u r k , 1*. ; Ncwington
Green, Is. ; Shirley, 8d. ; L i v e r p o o l 4J</. ; Gateshead, 4d.
T o t a l , 27 Gs. 8}a\
THE
WITNESS
FELLOWSHIP
MINISTRY
AND
AND
A
THE
TESTIMONY
131
HOUSE.
These and other recent events have served

to bring out very definitely what we believe is
the more specific ministry of the Guest House,
RESTORATIONS.
and wc would ask all interested t o read careO U R readers are awaiting news of our beloved
fully and to pray earnestly over these observabrother, Mr. Sparks, whose serious condition
tions. F i r s t , all throught of a " training
was reported in our last issue. The situation
centre " along the lines of a Bible seminary
then had been somewhat suddenly precipitated,
has been ruled out by these happenings.
We
and we were not able t o give any particidars.
are seeking that those of our young people
There is good n e w s ! A further operation
who have had a specific call to m i n i s t r y , and
became manifestly necessary. This has not
who need therefore to cultivate habits of
only been successfully accomplished, for there
regular study and self-discipline b y submitting
appears to have beei a D i v i n e direction for a
themselves to authority, may be led to such
centres as are true t o the Word of God, where
clean and very skilful dealing w i t h the physical
such academic training is provided.
trouble, b u t the recovery t o strength has been
very rapid and steady, and we have every cause
A t the same time we are the more confirmed
for grateful praise.
i n our conviction t h a t a ministry of spiritual
A t the time of w r i t i n g our brother is out of
training is committed to us, but t h a t i t is for
hospital, and has now been able to leave home
those of the Lord's servants w h o , already
equipped i n the manner indicated above, may
again for change of scene and rest. I t w i l l be
necessary t h a t the period of convalescence this ' need an intensive teaching by the Spirit i n the
f u l l message of the Cross, and who. thus i n
time should be adequate, and the rest complete.
fellowship of prayer w i t h us, m a y be given
I t w i l l help matters considerably i f all conrevelation and equipment of the H o l y .Ghost
cerned recognise t h a t no demands for any k i n d of
service should be laid upon our brother for many for victorious life and service. Problay periods
of a m o n t h to six weeks should be sufficient i n
months t o come.. A n undue haste t o re-enter
most cases, but i t is obvious there can be laid
ministry w i l l only involve another breakdown:
down n o h a r d and fast rule i n such a matter
and we cannot afford f u r t h e r risks.
Our
as the Lord's preparation of our hearts.
brother needs a long and well-deserved holiday.
A t the same time we are glad t o realise there
I n H i s goodness the L o r d appears to have
provided a very clear pattern of such training
is another potent m i n i s t r y available for h i m ,
i n the experience of our young brethren,
namely, t h a t of writing his messages. T h a t
Gresham Speedy and Victor Thomas, who
ministry can, w i t h o u t break, go on through
having come to us w i t h a sufficient academic
these pages, for there has been accumulating
training, have to the joy of us a l l swiftly
material of. what has been uttered during recent
matured
under the Anointing of the Spirit, so
Conferences, and these messages w i l l be pubt h a t t h e y are now going forward i n manifest
lished during the forthcoming months, and, as
fruitfulness and power. The news of their
in this issue, w i l l serve a f r u i t f u l purpose even
labours, which we mention lower down, i n
before our brother has recovered sufficient
these notes, should be illustrative of what we
strength to take up his pen again.
suggest.
A restoration of another character, but
I n addition to this ministry of the House
equally pleasing, has been the return of Lady
there is, of course, the regular hospitality
Ogle for a temporary resumption of her ministry
afforded t o those who come to our week-end
at the Hostel. During the past months Mrs.
and m o n t h l y Conferences. I n some cases these
Brand has had to shoulder the whole burden
brief periods are prolonged. When the story
of the House ministry. She has been wonderof what lias already been accomplished i n recent
fully sustained. The strain has been very
months w i l l be unfolded i t will be a triumph
great. We are rejoiced therefore t h a t Lady
Ogle is able t o make her contribution to a true j to His Name. Much blessing has spread to
many a place in this and other lands through
spiritual ministry during these weeks, and will
these brief contacts and times of fellowship, and
be with us over the November, and possibly
thus the two-fold revelation of the Cross and
the December Confticnce.
of the B c d y is spreading. We should like to
We can say of these things, " The Lord i s
make i t very clear that workers either from
pood to all, and H i s tender mercies arc over
home
or foreign spheres of service who are on
all His works."

132
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
took us there. Despite peculiar difficulties w i t h

vacation arc particularly welcome to Bpcnd
regard to interpretation His w o r d got through,
such time w i t h us as they desire. A n d to Bavc
and there have been several testimonies to
all confusion may i t also be noted that all
revelation. The themes given were The Cross
arrangements should he made through the one
and the w i l l of God ' and ' T h e Prcciousncss of
whom the Lord has appointed to this ministry,
the Blood 'we were led t o stay on an extra
our brother Mr. Paterson
day to give the latter message.
B u t , Prayer. Prayer, Prayer I
There is no space here to give anything like
This one w o r d , spoken by the H o l y Spirit
an adequate description of the spiritual move,
to our hearts, epitomises the ministry of this
ment that has its annual home at Dieulefit.
Housea ministry calling for true holiness
Some seven pastors of the Reformed Church
and spiritual devotion, one that demands and
i n the province of the Drome, Southern France,
entails a ceaseless labour of love, and requiring
have come under the conviction and illumina*
such energy, unremitting practical labour and
tion of the H o l y Spirit concerning the Person
intelligence, as are only possible t o those who
and Work of the L o r d Jesus during the past
are consecrated to this priesthood by
the
five years, and have formed themselves into
filling of the hand " by the Great Priest over
what is k n o w n as " The Brigade," preaching the
the House of God.
Cross i n its fulness, and declaring the need of
The L o r d is leading us .to see a " Prayer
" R e v i v a l . " This preaching has been so i n the
Room " where unceasingly there may be opporpower of the Spirit t h a t t h e movement is
t u n i t y for God-called intercessors to wait upon
the L o r d . ' Our meetings for prayer, general spreading like a living flame throughout France
and more - particular, do not meet the need. in the Protestant circles.
The Conference this year was unprecedented
There' must be liberty for that most costly
i
n numbers and power. I f one were asked what
* y e t mightiest' ministrythe intercessions of
was the especial characteristic of the gatherings,
t h e ' saints' b y the Spirit, Who is God Himself
one would say, " L i f e . " . A feature of the Con.
resident i n the Church, the Body of the Christ.
ference is the preponderance of young people^
dtv;;i::
M U C H ' A N D M A N Y MINISTRIES.;-.
I t w i l l be probably recognised t h a t the past the pastors are mostly quite young m e n . L i k e '
the Revival i n Wales of some twenty-five years
six'weeks have been f u l l of strenuous and u n
ago
expression for spiritual life is found i n much
expected ministry due to the sickness of our
singing.
''
-.''
'
brother, and. the delay-in bringing out the
About five hundred people had gathered into
; h/;
paper w i l l be readily forgiven. *
. B u t i n addition to the stress of work occa- this interesting l i t t l e t o w n , sheltered among
the foot hills of the French A l p s , and the Consioned b y the home situation there has been
vention " between the fixed meetings, seemed
the most extraordinary opening-up of ministry
to be one continuous happy festival of praise,
as from this centre, i n many places. How
even the meal times being liberally punctuated
'grateful we are for the raising up of those who
have -been divinely enabled t o meet these w i t h h y m n and chorus singing.' Y e t all was'
healthy and clean, a clear spiritual happiness
demands/'
.
h:\>
..*:
I t w i l l be remembered that the September untainted by the hectic and hysterical strain
which, alas, sometimes characterises movements
Conference was particularly related i n our
hearts w i t h " service and m i n i s t r y . " The that borrow the term r e v i v a l . "
Spirit was preparing us for the needs of this
Such sound and solid teaching was there
present time.
also, and i t was interesting at the morning
A t home the L o r d has been markedly anointsessions to watch the keen attention w i t h which
ing our brothers, air. Paterson and Mr. Alexthe large companies of young people listened
ander, for utterance, and both have been towers to the lengthy theses of the pastors upon the
of strength to the home fellowship. Sister
various themes, all these, even when the)'
Florence has also been brought into a very
touched upon such practical matters **
vital ministry for our young people.
" finance " springing out of the central therne
Afield, i n every instance, the Lord has
" The Cross."
recorded His own Victory, so that there now
On every hand one had abundant evident
open up many avenues of future ministry,
of the far-reaching results of our brother
DIEULEFXT.
(Mr. Sparks) ministry in the two precedi']?
We had to take our brother's appointment
years. The circulation of his booklets
here, and all we can say about i t is, The L o r d
the French language has met an immedi**'
11
41
, p
A WITNESS
AND
response and need. This movement of the

Spirit w i l l need the protection and cherishing of
our prayers, for as i t assumes dimensions that
promise popularity there w i l l be the usual
readiness of the " flesh " t o take hold of and
to enter into anything t h a t has " prospects " ;
Satan also w i l l attempt to make i t an organised
institution rather than an expression of the
Body of Christ as i n France, and thus open and
related t o t h a t Body i n its need of Cosmic
emancipation at this time of our Lord's nigh
Return.
ABERDARE.
Prior to Dieulefit we had gone t o Aberdare

' f o r September 14th and 15th. Here is a little
piece of work of the greatest significance.
To tell the whole story of i t would be to open
an autobiographical chapter. Suffice i t to say
that " T h e . Aberdare Christian Fellowship
Centre" was commenced i n 1924 before the
writer knew there was such a place a t Honor
Oak. ' I t represents the transformation of the
Aberdare Free Church Girls' Club, a religiosocial institution one was responsible for
founding during the War years, b u t which the
Lord " gave V back i n t o ' one's hands when at
C^cuff-^-this i n accordance w i t h H i s personal
promise'made during a time of chastening,
" I w i l l restore t o you the years the locust hath
eaten." j One's loyal friend and prayer-partner
in this', "who also bore the local and financial
responsibility, was.Miss Giles, who had become
responsible for the leased' premises of the
" Club." ' These were renewed as to lease, the
furniture brought i n , a small h a l l i n addition was
rented, and the present purely spiritual work
was commenced.
I t comprises members of many communities,
but the basis of membership is " the f a i t h once
for all delivered unto the saints " and the service iB " Intercession for the whole Body of the
Christ."
One has been i n close and constant touch with
this little work during the past three j'ears. I t
has had to develop nfiturallj'. There has been
nothing forced. Some of the local ministers,
champions of " The F a i t h , " such as the Rev.
Cynog Williams of Aberdare, Rev. W . J .
Williams of Pcnrhiwcciher, and the Rev. J . R.
Morgan of Trcharris, have been interested in the
Movement from its inception, and have done
touch to encourage the little band that have
Hood for a fellowship and service in the Spirit
"that can embrace the whole Body of Christ.
U has been our privilege to come in at the
TESTIMONY
153
annual gatherings and at times of crisis, and

this visit i n September marked the time of a
very definite step forward.
The.meetings were well attended, and there
was a freedom not only for the utterance, but
for the reception of the W o r d . I t was realised
the time had come to trust the L o r d completely for the financial support of the work,
and therefore t o cease from everything i n the
nature of a n appeal and to do away w i t h
" collections " : this despite the fact t h a t there
is s t i l l a considerable liability standing against
Miss Giles's name, representing the transference
of the premises and furnishing.
T h e n i t was realised t h a t the Centre w i t h its
nicely furnished rooms should be used altogether
for spiritual ends, and used daily, for owing t o the
unfortunate amount of unemployment i n the
district, there is quite a number of young men
who could be received and met i n this way.
The question then arose as to how t h i s ministry
could be provided. .
This , is where the Lord's preparation of our

young brethren Gresham Speedy a n d Victor
Thomas came i n . They were manifestly the
Lord's choice to meet the present emergency.
They have n o w been i n Aberdare f o r the past
six weeks, the Centre is becoming really a
" centre " of spiritual ministry and l i f e , and the
cry is t h a t their w o r k is only just commenced.
Afternoon B i b l e Classes three times i n the week,
evening gatherings for prayer and teaching,
open air services for Gospel proclamation i n the
thronged thoroughfares, are providing them
w i t h r i c h opportunities to celebrate the T r i u m p h
of the L o r d Jesus i n Aberdare, and there are
manifest tokens of the Lord's w o r k i n g . *
The present phase is probably b u t a passing
one. A t the time of writing, we cannot say
what may be the period or nature of t h e i r future
service ; but we arc quite conscious there can be
no discharge f r o m this ministry, and t h a t i n one
way or another the work must go on.
DUBLIN.
The Conference here at the Central Y.M.C.A.,

convened by Captain Wall is for October 4 th
to 8 t h , synchronised with the release of our
brothers, Rev. K . Oliphant, of Wimbledon, and
Rev. A . S . Crowe, of Ealing, into their call to a
free ministry unto the Body of Christ i n all the
earth. The* L o n l set an ample seal t o their
ministrv.
The ' B i b l e readings of Mr. Oliphant, of
Wimbledon, based upon Leviticus v . 14, v i . 7,
dealing w i t h the Lord's ministry in H i s Church,
WITNESS
ANb
as High Priest as meeting with the trespasses

of His people, the presenting of them to Himself
as the Lord's portion typified i n " The F i f t h , "
were rich i n unction.
Mr. Crowe brought the Conference to its
climax i n his closing evening addresses upon
the " Baptism in the H o l y Spirit and Fire "
t h a t thoroughly purges the Lord's threshing
floor, a sane and strong interpretation of the
true significance of t h a t " One Baptism " of
" identification."
A t Dublin the tea-table talks are always a
v i t a l ministry, and this year these with blackboard illustrations describing the nature and
need of man i n his tri-partite being of spirit,
soul, and body, were tr.ken by the v riter. The
keen interest taken by the band of young men
who were present at every session was most
stimulating. One was literally besieged with
questions and enquiries, and there was no
respite f r o m this pleasant ministry from the
Tuesday, to the Friday.
: Our brother, Captain. WaUis, is the steward
of an-unique opportunity i n Dublin. He
organises a Gospel service attended by some
.2,000 every Sunday evening.: There is constant
blessing, and a soul-saving ministry of testimony
going on i n open-air work as well.. He is'alive
t o the need of presenting the full message of the
Cross w i t h its consequent bringing of those
saved into the One Life of the Spiiit as i n the
Church, the Body of Christ. Obviously there
are many difficulties. The devil must hate the
l i f t i n g up of a clear testimony to the Victory
of Calvary i n this strategic centre. Let us
pray diligently for our brother and the work.
:
JERSEY.
. October 12th to 16th. . This lovely island

has its charm for all, but i t is the possibilities
for the Lord's Kingdom t h a t draw our hearts
t o i t , and cause us to constantly seek that our
brother, Mr. R. G. Voison, may be mightily
anointed to make full proof of his ministry to
serve the interests of the Body of Christ there.
There is a movement of real spiritual life
stirring among the rural population, especially
i n the north of the island ; and our brother,
M r . Paillot of the Independent French Church
i n St. Heliers has been much used of God in
gathering together groups of seeking people.
One had the joy of addressing a company of
some hundred persons at Trinity Chapel,
Bouley Bay, who were manifestly in life. I t was
good to hear the prayers, mainly in French, and
these from quite young people, alive unto God.
A t St. Heliers the meetings were held in the
ESTIMONV
Friends' Meeting House where M r . Voiain

ministers. Despite many counter attractions
and no attempt at publicity, the Lord's people
gathered and there was much liberty. I t was
a privilege to meet here Mr. George Fox, of
Chelmsford, who is responsible for such blessed
work i n this country i n evangelising our villages.
air. Voisin now feels he should go forward
to hold regular gatherings upon an absolutely
free basis, having definite Bible teaching and
fellowship meetings for prayer upon the full
message of the Cross. He hopes to make the little
H a l l a real " Fellowship Centre " i n this sense.
N E W C A S T L E A N D JARROW.
We have just returned from this work. At

Jarrow, i n the Baptist church, there is a clear
spiritual ministry commenced under a new
pastorate. Here there is manifest a" real
hunger for v i t a l t r u t h . Members of all denomi
nations gather, and their great cry is for teaching
and fellowship i n the " heavenly things of the
Christ." A t Newcastle the meetings are. now
being held a t the. Connaught H a l l . .^They
were among the strongest i n . s p i r i t u a l power
we have held there!* '* A l l around i n this populous
district there is the need for teaching and fellowship. 'There are \ hundreds w h o having Vbeen
bom-from-above can" o n l y ' l i v e by the words
of eternal life ".and cannot be content with'the
words of men. The need here is imperative,
and requires very earnest; prevailing prayer!''!
:
GILGAL, ANBRLEY. . . '

!
*' * :
; " \*]\
A t the moment , we are holding meetings at

this little mission: There is real .life i n . t l i e
ministry shared by the brethren, and we feel
t h a t the L o r d has a foothold here for a definite
gathering of His people for prayer. :
'.'''J
r
FUTURE MINISTRY.
. . - . . -J
Ebbw Vale and Aberdare, November 13th

to 18th ; Newcastle, 23rd to 25th ; and a further
visit to Jersey in December are the chief calls
for co-operation.
"*
November Conference, Friday, 4th to Monday,
7th. Theme : * The Cross, and God, the Holy
Ghost.'
F R A G M E N T FROM A M E S S A G E
G I V E N ON J U L Y 2, 1 9 3 7
JESUS, K I N O OF RIUIITEOUSXESS.
H e c a m e to w a r f a r e .
H e c a m e to
light.
H e c a m e to g r a p p l e i n the d a r k n e s s .
H
c a m e to
deal with something t h a t
is a
d e e p a s h e l l itself.
I t is w a r f a r e ,
ami
t h e r e c a n be no A s c e n d a n c y of H i s
Person
6 0
A WITNESS
AND
as Son of Man or ascription t o H i m as

K i n g of Righteousness u n t i l He has established
tho righteousness of God in the earth, and i n the
power of His outpoured soul i n the blood
He has not only met, the judicial rights of
Satan in the'carnal nature of man, b u t H e
has on the God ward side satisfied the righteousness of the Eternal heart. Then as Son of Man
He ascends t o be where H e was before as the
eternally Only-Begotten God the Son, Son
of God, having undergone, i f one may- use the
word, a metamorphosis, or a change of fo*cro,
being seen now n o t only as Son of God, b u t
Son of Man seated i n the throne of the Majesty
i n the
HeightsKing
of
Righteousness
acclaimed as such by archangels and angels, led
by the saints who owe their redemption through
His precious blood. T h a t is w h a t y o u have
i n this passage, as quoted i n the first chapter
of the letter to the Hebrews :
" T h y throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever."
And remember this is said t o the L o r d Jesus 1
:But this could not be said of the L o r d Jesus
u n t i l He had passed through His passion, u n t i l
,
He had undergone H i s cross, u n t i l H e had
7 . descended i n t o tne deeps and met a l l the weight
of- our i n i q u i t y gathered upon H i s own head,
made sin for .us I N o t u n t i l H e had bruised
the'head of the serpent and extracted the sting,
the sting of death, which iB sin, could H e ' b e
so acclaimed. N o w H e is addressed as Son'of
Man i n these very words, and here is the marvel
of the w o r d of God, i f we only h a d our ears
cleansed t o hear i t . Here H e is addressed as
Son of Man risen i n t o the throne of God. The
Holy Spirit says this by the psalmist. N o wonder
his heart was burning, bubbling u p w i t h a
goodly matter, for H e was seeing a t h i n g
infinitely greater than he knew, and he was one
of those holy men who spake n o t out of their
own soul, out of their own fancy, b u t as be.
was borne along by the H o l y Ghost. Oh, was
not this one borne along by the H o l y Ghost
not only past all ages, but into eternity, seeing
the Son of Man i n the throne of God, and so
you find h i m addressing, by the H o l y Spirit,
these words to the L o r d Jesus :
" Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever.
The sceptre of Thy kindgora is a r i g h t sceptre.
Thou lovest righteousness and hatest lawlessness :
Therefore God, thy God, hath annointed Thee
W i t h the oil of gladness above T h y fellows."
(Those who share with Thee that which Thou
hast wrought.)
The language in the margin of this passage
TESTIMONY
135
is most extraordinary as we read i t , i n a version

which is perhaps exact and original,' and a l l the
while remembering these words are addressed
b y the H o l y S p i r i t to the L o r d Jesus.
" T h y throne is the throne of God for ever
and ever."
I t is very difficult to speak about things of
these dimensions. One feels t h a t we ought t o
worship and bow down before our Maker.
T . M . J.
" T H E C R O S S AND T H E O V E R COMING L I F E "

(Notes
of an
address given at the September

Conference.)
N o w , beloved, as you are aware, we are being
led these days t o consider
T H E CROSS A N D T E E OVERCOMING L I T E .
and one wants r i g h t a t the v e r y beginning t o

tell y o u something i n order t o settle y o u , and
this is,not anyone of y o u w i l l ever be a n overcomer. Y o n m a y take t h a t as the k e y t o the
Conference, i n ' t h e -sense i n which f o r many
years many of us have thought of being overcomers. Of course; I know t h a t wants a l o t of
explaining, b u t I simply say t h a t because i t is
necessary t o settle i t once and for a l l t h a t we,
i n ourselves, w i l l never be overcomers, and t h a t
opens the w a y f o r the whole of thiB theme and
its r e a l i t y of meaning t o come f r o m t h e L o r d
to us. There is only one Overcomer i n the
universe, and t h a t is the L o r d Jesus Christ
Himself, and i f there are ever any other overcomers, they w i l l n o t be othere at all, t h e y w i l l
simply be the extension of. H i s overcomingthe
expansion of H i s victory. I t w i l l be by reason
of t h a t v i t a l corporate oneness'with H i m which
is n o t t w o lives, two distinct experiences, b u t
which iB one and the same experience shared.
T h a t is the nature of overcoming. I t w i l l
Bimply be the impartation on His part of H i s own
t r i u m p h , the sharing of His own v i c t o r y , so
t h a t i t does not become several victories, or a
thousand victories, but i t becomes one v i c t o r } '
i n One B o d y , n o t i n a host of bodies ; and i n
order to apprehend that t r u t h , and the meaning
and nature of t h a t you have to go a long way
back. N o t to Calvary, but much, much
farther back than Calvary; you have to get
right back before the world was, and there
discover the secret of God's heart. The t h i n g
which was wrapped up i n His own mind as H i s
secret purpose toward which He would w o r k

136
A WITNESS
AND
t h r o u g h the ages, and i n the fulness of times I

disclose, so t h a t i t no longer w o u l d he a hidden
mystery, but s t i l l a mystery, though a disclosed
mystery. Now t h a t may sound complicated
for y o u . Can a t h i n g still be a mystery when i t
has been revealed i n the sense i n which
we have spoken of the mystery of Christ of
late ? That no one whose spirit has not been
illumined by the Spirit can ever understand
o r apprehend; t h a t the believer and the company of believers known as the b o d y of Christ
s t i l l do remain an enigma and a mystery i n the
realm of the flesh, and even i n the realm of their
own flesh, not only i n the world ; t h a t wc are a
puzzle to ourselves and our deepest experience
i n relation to the L o r d is a t h i n g t h a t wc can
never understand w i t h our own minds, a thing
w h i c h utterly defeats and defies all our own
efforts to analyse and understand. The thing
t h a t is going on i n the centre of our being by the
operation of the H o l y Spirit is beyond us all
t h e time, and a l l t h a t we know is t h a t we have
; got t o follow something .that is going on, t h i s .
something t h a t , is being revealed not to. our;
outer understanding, -but. to our inner con-:
.viction, .and-we have to go on b y - f a i t h ; a n d ;
.only as we go on by faith do .we get any revela: t i o n as t o the nature of what is happening, does.
, i t become clear sometimes ;ând i t docs require
a good deal of. persistence and continuance and
endurance i n . this mysterious process of the
divine operations i n our l i f e . before we have
.understood j u s t a l i t t l e of w h a t the L o r d is
doing w i t h us, and what -the I#ord is after.
I t comes out one day, and we apprehend i t
clearly ; but there i t is, a mystery a l l the time ;
:and although t o our spirit i t i s an unveiled
mystery, a disclosed m y s t e r y ; t o our flesh and
t o the world, and' t o all flesh around us i t is
s t i l l a thing t o o deep for natural apprehension,
or. human understanding, or the manipulation
.and analysis of our own t h i n k i n g . We cannot
unravel this t h i n g .
N o w that t h i n g was in the heart of God before
times eternal, disclosed in Christ,, only i n Christ,
i n the fulness of times. A n eternal t r u t h , not
a thing which just comes out and is mentioned
for the first t i m e at some period i n history, but o
t h i n g which has been mentioned al! along, all
through the ages, b u t i t has its interpretation
given in the fulness of times. There is a great
deal of dillcrcncc between the s h a k i n g on the
p a r t of God continuously of a t h i n g , and the
spiritual apprehension of the meaning of that
thing. You notice how frequently that was so
even i n the case of the Lord's disciples. The
:
TESTIMONY
Master w a s saying things to them a l l tho time,

but H e h a d to cover His utterances and H i s
activities b y saying" W h a t I do t h o u knowest
not now, b u t thou shalt know afterward, and
the t h i n g s t h a t I am saying you do not understand no-c, but you w i l l understand them
later." A n d you find t h a t afterward, i n t h a t
near a f t e r w a r d when the H o l y Spirit, the
I n t e r p r e t e r came, then remembered they His
words. T h e n they remembered t h a t i t was
spoken; t h e n they remembered t h a t He had
said these things, and they had come to pass.
He k n o w s ; i t had been Bettled a l l the time,
and God i s saying His eternal things right down
through t h e ages b u t not u n t i l the times of God
arrive is t h e interpretation given. T h a t is why
I most s t r o n g l y stand t h a t the t r u t h of the
Body of C h r i s t was not mentioned for the first
time t h r o u g h the Apostle Paul. I t was n o t a
thing t h a t came out i n mention and reference at
some N e w Testament t i m e ; i t is a t h i n g t h a t is
. a l l the w a y through the scriptures f r o m beginning to e n d ; just as'the Cross is, and others of
those g r e a t revelations.! They are there all the
way t h r o u g h , but i t is not u n t i l a certain t i m e ,
and . a c e r t a i n condition- is realised t h a t the^
i n t e r p r e t a t i o n is given.;;Now we shall see this'
i i i this v e r y subject, so we get back t o the times
eternal t h a t were i n the heart and m i n d of God,
and find t h a t a* two-fold election is made on His
part for t h e realisation of H i s purpose. The
election of a Head and the election of a Body,
the t w o , of course comprising one entity.
The election of the Head and of m a n y members
to comprise w i t h the Head one B o d y a twofold election made by God. " We are back there
before there was any f a l l " I n the foreknowledge of God we were chosen i n Trim before the
foundation of the w o r l d , " and t h a t elect Body
was there and then placed beyond the reach
of any destructive power, or of any possibility
of failure. 0, you get hold of t h a t . That the
elect B o d y of Christ was before times eternal
placed i n the same position as the Head,
beyond the possibility of failure, so t h a t although
the strong delusions of the last days may lead
multitudes away, and deceptions w i l l be of such
a nature as to be almost impossible of discerning and avoiding, it w i l l come t o this point
that the very elect would be deceived, if it
were possible. B u t i t is not possible ! God has
secured t h a t beyond the possibility of defeat,
or failure, or a deception which would wreck
it as God's eternally chosen and elect instrument for Christ. Now just get t h a t as basic
t r u t h , and you may take up your Word, and
t
WITNESS
AND A
%
TESTIMONY,
137
find t h a t there i t is. I t is there a l l t h e way There God is, as God s a i d " I w i l l dwell i n
through, and i t is a v e r y blessed t h i n g to them a n d walk i n t h e m . " N o w when y o u
remember. Of course i t does, I k n o w , make recognise and realise t h a t i t is God w h o has
possible to our finite understanding many pro- come o u t of eternity, first incarnating Himself
blems, b u t these things are n o t revealed* i n all i n a separate i n d i v i d u a l historic body, and
their meaning i n the w o r d of God, and we are, accomplishing t h a t immense w o r k of the Cross,
I take i t , not supposed t o understand. yet. who has changed the f o r m of H i s incarnation
There are those historic, or theological problems after t h a t accomplishment and become, as the
which we have not y e t been able t o f u l l y
factor i n Calvary, incarnate i n the Body and
explain. For instance, the election according in all i t s members. There y o u have the eternal
to the foreknowledge of God over and against secret of God's v i c t o r y , which is Christ's victhe absolute free w i l l of man. H o w do y o u
torious resident b y the H o l y S p i r i t w i t h i n the
reconcile the t w o . B u t there they are, and
believerwithin the House of God. The great
the working out of the election is on the ground difference between the t w o dispensations of t h e
of f a i t h on the p a r t of the elect. N o w h o w . B i b l e t h e Old and the Newis t h a t the one is
do y o u p u t these things together ? There are always objective, and the other is subjective.
many others; b u t we are n o t staying w i t h t h a t . The Old, up to Calvary, including t h e experience,
The basic fact is this. T h a t God has, before was objective. E v e r y t h i n g was objective. Y o u
times eternal, chosen a B o d y i n Christ w i t h the get back i n the wilderness, t h e Cross i n the
same k i n d of choice as H e d i d choose Christ figure of the serpent l i f t e d u p i t is objective,
as the Head of the Body ; and this B o d y being and he t h a t looked, l i v e d 1 W h e n we sing these
one, many members holding the Head, i t is hymns about " L o o k and live I " we must n o t
one i n its ultimate inevitable t r i u m p h which get an objective materialistic m e n t a l i t y and
cannot be destroyed. N o w how is t q a t going have t h i s conception of looking a t something
to be brought about % W e l l , t h e method of God looking o u t to somethingwe have got t o look
is next-revealed, and t h a t is by .incarnation.* .fori t h a t spiritual reality .to be made real and
We are' familiar w i t h certain passages.. Y o u experimental w i t h i n our own s p i r i t . , The great
- might remember such a passage, for instance, difference is between the objective i n the old
as thisColossians i : 27, " T h e mystery which \ dispensation, and a l l becoming subjective i n the
h a t h been h i d f r o m a l l ages and generations,- New. Calvary is n o t objective n o w ; Calvary
which is Christ i n y o u , the hope of g l o r y . " ! is. subjective. - God - as i n t h e blood is n o t
Ephesians v . 3 0 , We are members of H i s body, objective, but subjective. E v e r y t h i n g is subof HI'B flesh and of H i s b o n e s . . . . T h i s mystery jective. I t is w i t h i n , because H e is w i t h i n the
is great." Now passages l i k e t h a t , w h i c h are centre of a l l things ; and H e is t h e sum t o t a l of
' eternal i n their sweep, take y o u r i g h t back, all things.
and r i g h t on. We shall add others t o t h e m as
Now, beloved, do y o u get t h a t far ? H a v e
we go along, b u t the method of God is b y in
you really had a spiritual quickening t o t h a t
' carnation. Christ as God incarnate. " Whereas basic fact. I t would make the biggest differthe children are partakers of flesh and blood, ence possible i n your experience. One spoke
so He also partook of the same." The whole of how t h e blaster was always referring t o this
theme of the incarnation of Christ is so frevery t h i n g . Y o u remember h o w frequently
quently dealt w i t h here t h a t I t h i n k I need not He was speaking of i t . Take H i s parable of the
stay w i t h i t . We accept i t , b u t we must vine and the branches. I t h i n k Hudson
recognise this, t h a t the u l t i m a t e purpose of God Taylor's discovery of the reality of corporate
is not incarnation merely i n an i n d i v i d u a l life w i t h Christ through t h a t parable is one of the
entity known as Jesus of Nazareth. The u l t i most beautiful expositions of the t r u t h t h a t we
mate" and f u l l intention of God w i t h regard
could have. I would like j u s t to give i t to y o u :
to the incarnation is t h a t He should incarnate " As I thought of the vine and the branches, of
Himself i n t h a t Body, t h a t elect Body, so t h a t the L o r d , the blessed Spirit poured direct i n t o
i t becomes the shrine of God in which He mc, how great seemed my mistake i n having
dwellsthe temple of God i n which H e dwells, wished to get the sap, the fulness out of H i m .
and all what was true i n type of the tabernacle I saw not oiily that Jesus would never leave me,
in the wilderness and the temple, and inbut t h a t I was a member of H i s bod}*, of H i s
finitely more, is true of the House of God, the llesh, and of His bones. The vine now I sec is
Body of Christ, the sphere, centre and vehicle not the root merely, but a l l r o o t , stem,
of His self-manifestation and of H i s glory. branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, f r u i t a n d
11
A'-WITNESS
138
AND
TESTIMONY
Jesus is n o t only t h a t He is soil, and sunshine w i t h i n u s ; and t h a t is why one said a t ' the
and showers and ten thousand times more than beginning we shall never be overcomers i n that
we have ever dreamed, wished, or needed."
detached, or separate sense. H e is the o n l j
0 , the j o y of seeing t h a t t r u t h , the oneness, Overcomer, and He w i l l have t o do all the
t h a t the one L i f e iB i n a l l , i n every part to the overcoming i n us, and for us. H e w i l l have to
uttermost leaf or t w i g or b i t ! A n d that Life, work out H i s overcoming, work b u t H i s victory,
simply sharing w i t h us t h a t which H e has
beloved, is the L i f e whereby Jesus conquered
d e a t h ! T h a t is the L i f e of H i s resurrection. w i t h i n , and this is how " He prepares a table
i n the presence of our enemies." He shares
. N o w our mistake has j u s t been t o t r y and
achieve v i c t o r y on the outside, t o fight, to w i t h us the fruit of H i s v i c t o r y r i g h t i n the
middle, and what is more central to the situa'struggle, t o be overcomers and t o wage a
terrific warfare,. without recognising t h a t the t i o n than your own spirit. Your Bpirit,
beloved, and m y spirit, they are the very centre
only t r i u m p h and the only warfare is t h a t which
of
the conflict.
This conflict -only arises
Christ, Himself, wages and achieves. One has
because
Christ
is
i
n
the spirit, because He is
found such tremendous help i n the recognition
there.
This
k
i
n
d
of
warfare, this conflict is
of this wonderful'feality, and since one has come
the
challenge
of
the
enemy,
n o t to us as such,
t o appeal to the L o r d as w i t h i n , this is to meet
he may well snap his fingers a t u s ! L e t us
t h e s i t u a t i o n ! ' 0 , the difference f r o m appealing
never t h i n k t h a t we can meet h i m 1 The Lord
t o . H i m as somewhere objectively, outside, to
deliver f r o m any v a i n confidence of being
- come i n and deal w i t h the situation ! Nothing
able to meet the enemy, he w o u l d snuff us out
ever happens along t h a t line, b u t t o recognise
very quickly, b u t i t is because the L o r d is there,
: t h a t H e dwells, w i t h i n t h e realisation and
-'fulfilment of that.eternal intention i n the mys- and he is the sworn enemy of Christ and he wants
" t e r y of God " -That Christ may-dwell i n your
t o destroy the manifestation of Christ i n us; and
;hearts b y f a i t h " 1 ~ W h a t do y o u mean by t h a t BO i t is i n the nature of a battle t h a t cannot be
- last clause " by' f a i t h V ? '' B o y o u mean; to aay helped, ^ o u have seen some people* who: cahV
' t h a t H e dwells b y f a i t h ? No) t h a t would be as never cross each other's p a t h b u t w h a t t h e y j *
good as Baying t h a t faith makes but t o be what fight, and l i k e some animals i n the streets, they'*
i t ' is not. " T h i s is t h e ' v i c t o r y t h a t over- are sworn enemies, they can never see each
cometh,-"even-our f a i t h . " B u t w h a t is the other w i t h o u t getting their backs up and showing
direction,.or the nature of t h a t f a i t h t h a t over- their teeth." Forgive the v e r y low '.level'of
cometh' 1 The f a i t h t h a t believes, and believing the illustration, b u t i t is like t h a t , the enemy
; counts upon " Greater is H e t h a t is i n you than cannot come anywhere w i t h i n the range of the
h e t h a t is i n the w o r l d . " You see this is the L o r d Jesus Christ, b u t what he shows his teeth,
victory t h a t overcometh the world. " Greater he snarls, and i t is because Christ is i n you that
is H e t h a t is i n you than he t h a t is i n the the battle rages. Now the L o r d has got to
w p r l d . " - N o w p u t t h a t fact i n t h a t " Christ meet the enemy, .has got to share-right i n the
may dwell i n your-heart by f a i t h . " T h a t is, presence of the enemy the fruits of His victory.
f a i t h reckons upon the fact t h a t i f you have B u t , of course, we are not going to lie down and
received the H o l y Spirit into your spirit, you sayNow, L o r d , I simply sit down and you
have received God into your spirit. You have meet the enemy. T h a t is not i t . He is in our
received the triumphant Christ r i g h t into the spirit, and H e has given us i n the first place, a'
centre of your being, and i n f a i t h , appealing to spirit and made us distinct f r o m all other
t h a t , H e manifests Himself, and you discover results of H i s creative activity by giving us a
t h a t this is the secret of overcoming. This is the spirit, because He is a Spirit, and only spirit
victory t h a t overcometh, the f a i t h which turns can have fellowship w i t h spirit, or understand
t o the L o r d not. as objectively, b u t as within spirit, or know spirit. He has given us a spirit
and says" Now, L o r d , as w i t h i n me, I appeal in the first place in order t h a t there might be
t o you to rise up and meet this situation." on the level of His own nature and likeness coThere is a vast deal of difference between that, operation as well as communion, and by His
and our calling upou the t o r d and going out resurrection, and our apprehension i n faith of
the meaning of His resurrection for us through
ourselves to meet the situation. T h a t is Old
Testament, that is not New Testament. Tlie Calvary, He has quickened and raised from the
New Testament is the Lord rising up within our dead our spirit which was slain in the fall, and
spirit to meet the situation, He who already brought i t up out of its sepulchre, out
has the victory, who possesses i t , and dwells of its place of death, quickening i t w i t h His own
:
A WITNESS AVft) A>EstittoNY

Lifo by Hie own Spirit and entering i n t o our
Bpirit i n order t h a t our spirit, being energised
by H i m might co-operate w i t h H i m intelligently
i n t h a t . A n d this is a very v i t a l t h i n g to
remember, t h a t the L o r d is victorious, and the
Lord is i n you. Don't conflict this, because one
finds t h a t there are so many of the Lord's
people who are simply submerged and defeated
and broken, and there is so much t h a t is a
contradiction of the fact t h a t Christ is i n them
for the simple reason t h a t their s p i r i t has n o t
stood up in the Name of the L o r d and claimed
His energising. 0 , how wonderful are the
results of a divinely energised s p i r i t . T h a t is
the secret and the key to everything. This is
very familiar ground t o most of y o u , b u t
perhaps for the sake of some i t is necessary
for the L o r d to take us back t o the beginnings,
and i n all matters, even i n the physical realm
where there is no resource, where there is i n f i r m i t y and weakness, and the very sentence of death
;the secret of accomplishing the w o r d of God
is not i n having our bodies reinvigorated and
made whole and robust, i t is i n having our s p i r i t
energised by the L i f e of God, so t h a t our s p i r i t
can l i f t up our body i n the hour of God's w i l l ,
" and carry i t t o do the Lord's will.-' T h a t is the
'marvel' and the perpetual miracle of Christ
dwelling w i t h i n t h e hope of glory. ' Y o u take
sbme of the Lord's poor cripples, there is no hope
of glory i n them plrysically, or mentally, or i n
any other w a y ; b u t they do become a praise
and a'glory to God, and the glory of God is seen
i n them. W h y ? B y reason of the expression
Christ i n
of this basic and central t r u t h .
you, the hope of g l o r y , " and they are counting
upon H i m i n a positive way t o manifest the
fact t h a t H e is w i t h i n . Surely t h a t was the
secret of the life of the Apostle Paul i n all his
infirmity, i n all his affliction, i n all his weakness,
in all t h a t came upon h i m and arose up w i t h i n
his own natural life, which m i g h t well have
curtailed, to say the least of i t , or swamped h i m
and p u t h i m finally out of action. " Nevertheless
in labours more abundant I labour, more than
a l l . " The marvel of i t was this continuous
energizing of his spirit, and his spirit cooperating w i t h God i n rising up and claiming
the energising ; and so he did w h a t was physically impossible to him otherwise. Beloved,
not only in the physical realm, but in every
other way. the need of the Lord's people is to
recognise that if they aic the Lord's children
thev have been born again, and if they have
received the indwelling of the H o l y S p i r i t
0 , may I pause t h e r e ! T h a t is the point. |
11
The whole point of the emphasis, of tho interrogation upon t h a t question.

D i d y e receive
the H o l y Ghost when ye believed ? D i d ye ? "
I f not, t h e eternal intention of God t h a t you
should be an incarnation of God i n t h a t sense
has been thwarted. This far-reaching question
i n a moment takes y o u r i g h t back to what God
intended before the world was t h a t y o u should
be indwelt b y H i m , the shrine of God therefore.
( A n d the need of many of the Lord's people
again is t o recognise the relative element i n
t r u t h . They are a l l the time making i t personal, incidental, fragmentary, a t h i n g which
is a b i t of t r u t h , an isolated spiritual reality,
something for personal experience, instead of
seeing t h a t every fragment of this thing is
related t o the vast intentions and purpose of
God. 11 only you get a revelation of the vastness, of the infinite range of every, fragment
of divine t r u t h , bow far i t takes y o u back,
and how f a r i t takes y o u on, and a l l t h a t is
wrapped u p w i t h i t t h e smallest fragment
y o u w o u l d feel the power of i t , and realise t h a t
there is a dynamic i n i t ; but'when yo\x l i m i t i t
and make i t personal and local i t loses, a l l i t s
power, a n d you. go on all the.days, of your, life
circling around t h a t thing] and i t never becomes
anything experimental to y o u ; and a t last y o u
g i v e ' i t up.- Y o u need, therefore, t o know and
t o recognise the relative element i n t r u t h h o w
vast i t is, and how i t is a p a r t of a t h i n g which
God pre-determined before tbe ages and the
generations.) / W e l l , . t h a t vis a l l i n j brackets,
b u t . we come back now out of t h e brackets t o
this," t h a t - w h a t the* Lord's'* children want,
above a l l things, to recognise is t h a t i f they are
u t t e r l y H i s children, born of, and o u t f r o m H i m ,
having received the H o l y Spirit t o dwell w i t h i n ,
they must i n their renewed spirit co-operate
w i t h H i m , count upon Hirnêxercise f a i t h i n the
inward reality of Christ, and t h a t is the only
secret of victory. Y o u w i l l find t h a t the L o r d
has got t o do everything for y o u , t h a t y o u w i l l
have, i n spirit, to count upon H i m and exercise
your s p i r i t in f a i t h . You w i l l have t o say
L o r d , now I cannot face this, and H e energises.
I very often have to do t h a t myself, t o let you
into a secretthe L o r d doing everything, but
i t is the co-operation of f a i t h . O, f a i t h is a
tremendously active t h i n g ! F a i t h is not a
passive t h i n g ; f a i t h is not just flabby, as i f
to s a y I leave i t to you, L o r d , I believe y o u
arc aide; and so leave i t there. N o w t h a t is not
the m i g h t y energising faith of God by which H e
created worlds.
T . A.-S.
11
(To be continued.)
1.40
A WITNESS AND' A TESTIMONY
how all this is through the Church. One might

just make a very inclusive statement i n this connection,The Church, which is t h e Body of
Christ, is the sphere and the vehicle and all the
content and issue of. Christ crucified, risen,
ascended and exalted. T o use t h e word with
which the first chapter of the Ephesian letter
closes:
' He is the Head of the Church, which iB His
B o d y : the fulness of H i m t h a t filleth all i n a l l . "
The fulness of H i m t h a t filleth a l l i n all
is the Church which is H i s Body. L e t me
repeat t h a t statement because i t is so important,'
basic and inclusive. The Church, the Body of
Christ,
is the sphere and the vehicle, or channel
T h e following booklets m a y n o w be h a d i n
of the f u l l content of Christ crucified, risen,
F r e n c h : .
'
.
ascended, exalted. I t is H i s elect instrument
T6moignage et Experience (Serie).
P a r T . Austin Sparks.
from all eternity for His Self-manifestation i n
i . ' I n c o r p o r a t i o n en C h r i s t / p r i x r e d u i t , 1 f r a n c .
final fulness. The Church, t h e Body, is
(Suisse 60 c.)
required and demanded b y Christ i n order that
i i . ' I n c o r p o r a t i o n e n C h r i s t / 50 c . (Suisse 25 c.)
Christ might fully and finally reveal Himself.
u i . / I n c o r p o r a t i o n en C h r i s t / 50.c. :
H e is determined n o t to be manifest apart from .
i v . I L ' H o m m e interier d u cceur. L a sphere de
*...V
l a v i e d u c r o y a n t / . 1.franc.T....* .r.;-:V,7*.j.T/ His Church, b u t to bind Himself i n H i s ultimate
*:. v . ' L e P e o p l e q u i f a i t d e g r a n d s exploits/. 30 c . ; .infmite.self-manffestation t o the instrumentahty/.^*.
>\
- (Suisse.20 c:) ;-<:\'*- - r-/:y-<''
:y : .of His. perfected Body. . H i s fulness is r e l a t i v e l y
* v i ^ L a ' Triple Loi'de la Crbix/ 30 c : ^
. f u l n e s s . O u r fulness - is. also relative f u l n e s s , ' ^
rMl-t E t a b h e . c o m n e e i g n e / 30' ei.'M r> )V{W\?\ .'and we can never know the fulness of Christ o n l y ^
: v i i i . .* L a " ' V i s i o n u n i v e r s e l l e / 3 0 ' oV, '*-Vision et; relatively t o a l l the members of H i s Body, and^/>
t,r!- V o c a t i o n / Nos.-6-8, 1 franc.".v* 5.!trr{iv^:i
we shall find our fulness corporately and rela-^.. O n p o u t se les p r o c u r e r a u B u r e a u d e l ' U n i o n j tively and progressively. . t o w a r d the
final
.de : L e c t u r e B i b h q u e , H . J o h n s o n , j secretaire,
realisation of t h a t perfect instrument.' \-V:%if 'z*
3 r u e G r a v e r o l , N i m e s ( G a r d ) . . V h.-ii-""*?
i--r.- .. Now everything .we have said has led up to-/'.'
v i I .\; *
". I : -v\rt j.>:::iY*;i. -w b
' this point. .We have'seen how i n t h e Pereon of
L
X* THE CENTRALITY AND ; I Christ the cross is basic and essential t o make
known W h a t and Who H e is i n P o w e r ; b u t the ^
UNIVERSALITY OF THE CROSS Church is the channel through, which, by the"*?-*
cross, the real nature of t h e Person of Christ is " :
,; v J ;
> (Continued.) ' ''[ \ j'
'
revealed i n all the universe. W h a t is true
( I n r e a d i n g these addresses'it will be found ;
concerning the Person of Christ is true concern-*'
p r o f i t a b l e to. c o n s u l t t h e c h a r t of t h e A u g u s t
ing the H o l y Spirit who binds Himself to the .
Number.)- . ' * .
.
. ..
j.
revelation of the Person, or Logos of the cross,
W E s h a l l c o n t i n u e w h e r e .we l e f t t h i s t h e m e .
and that to and i n , and then through the Body,
T h e p o i n t a t w h i c h w e b r o k e off w a s a t t h e
the Church. The H o l y Spirit is sent to the
c o n c l u s i o n of t h e four-fold r e v e l a t i o n a n d conBody to make the Christ of the cross real i n the
t e n t of t h e c r o s s i n i t s c e n t r a l i t y .
T h a t is, we
Body, i n order that the Body of Christ, knowing
d e a l t w i t h a l l t h a t i s w i t h i n t h e first c i r c l e ,
experimentally the meaning of the cross, may
w h i c h c i r c l e r e p r e s e n t s t h e B o d y of C h r i s t .
preach an experimental gospel out t o the utterA s w e h a v e b e e n led to s a y , all t h a t w h i c h
most bounds of the universe; n o t a theory,
c e n t r e s i n a n d i s s u e s f r o m t h e c r o s s i n i t s first
not a doctrine, but a thing which i n itself has
a n d i m m e d i a t e a p p l i c a t i o n a n d significance is
been wrought out to its depths and its fulness.
i n a n d for a n d to t h e C h u r c h , w h i c h is H i s B o d y ,
The Holy Spirit is here to do t h a t ; He is sent
a s t h e i n s t r u m e n t , s p h e r e , t h e v e h i c l e of i t s o w n .
to secure the Body and to secure the Body of
revelation and manifestation beyond the Church
Christ as an instrument and sphere in which
a n d through the C h u r c h .
W c s h a l l n o t go o v e r
Christ,
crucifiedin all the infinite content of
t h a t grouud even a little bit this afternoon, but
those wordsbecomes a living manifestation
go o n i m m e d i a t e l y to s p e a k for a l i t t l e w h i l e
by experience unto farther reaches of ministry
a b o u t t h e C h u r c h , w h i c h is H i s B o d y ; for w e see
BOOKLETS
(WITNESS A N D TESTIMONY.)
T H E following axe n o w a v a i l a b l e :
B y T . Austin-Sparks:
'Incorporation into Christ.' No. I.
P r i c e 2d.
' I n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o C h r i s t . ' N o . 2. P r i c e 2d.
' I n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o C h r i s t . ' N o . 3. P r i c e 2d.
T h e s e a r e n o w p u b l i s h e d i n one v o l u m e , P r i c e
8d., coloured p a p e r c o v e r (not 6d. a s p r e v i o u s l y
announced). .
P r i c e 4d.
* T h e I n n e r M a n of the H e a r t . '
* Vision and Vocation.'
P r i c e 3d.
* T h e P r i s o n e r of t h e L o r d . ' . P r i c e 2d. .
- B y ' T . Madoc J e f f r e y s :
* T h e Divine Unities.'
P r i c e Zd.
'.
r;
::
Xi
WITNESS
AND
i n the So Great Salvation. Y o u have the outworking of t h a t through all the. stages, and
phases and meanings of the So Great Salvation
i n the Church, the Elect Body ; b u t i t is to be
revealed i n all its wonder as the infinite wisdom
of God, far beyond the ranges of the Church ;
and so, i n t h a t fourth section, the Second
Coming of Christ, as we saw i t , y o u w i l l have
the consummation of the gospel b y the H o l y
Ghost i n the Person of Christ as i n the Body, of
Christ. The Body of Christ is the Person of
Christ revealed. A l l t h a t Christ is i n His
Person and all t h a t He possesses is brought into
action and expression i n the Body of Christ i n
the Church. " T h a t carries you a tremendously
long wayeven to take a fragment; and a
familiar fragmentas the exceeding greatness
of the power of God was manifested and expressed i n raising H i m , the Head, f r o m the
dead, even so, that same exceeding greatness
of .His power has got t o bring the B o d y into
resurrection union w i t h Christ, and there you
get .the .exceeding greatness of the power of
Tery'.God wrought i n t h e .experience .of the
Body of Christ, and. w h a t is true of t h a t , is true
'of e v e i ^ h i n g "else i n t h e Person! I s "He l i f e
so H e is' L i g h t ; and i f H e is L i f e and Light; so
H e is .Power; and i f H e iB Power,'He is also
Glory- and you may expand t h a t unto a l l Ihe
ranges arid realms of the content'of the Divine
'Person* and find that - t h a t content is being
mediated b y the H o l y Ghost t o , and through the
Church, which is His B o d y , unto t h a t timeless,
day when all t h a t Christ is w i l l be revealed i n ,
and through His Body for ever; so t h a t we may
t r u l y say t h a t the Church and Christ, the Body
and the Head are One i n content and expression.
"The Person of Christ is bound up w i t h this
elect instrument of H i s manifestation. Wc
have often put i t in t h i s way,- t h a t He* has
chosen t h a t this new f o r m of H i s incarnation
is the B o d y , and He, i n essence, is at the very
centre of t h a t Body, and i f you touch the Body
you touch Christif y o u touch a member of
the B o d y you touch Christ. " H e that
toucheth y o u , toucheth the apple of Gcd's ej'e "
is an Old Testament w o r d w i t h a New Testament significance of v e r y great importance.
We have so often pointed t h a t out. I t was here
that Paul, the Apostle, got His first glimmer of
revelation concerning the Body of Christ when
the voice said to h i m " W h y persecutcst thou
Me," and but for some perception and insight
which probably came b y that action of the
Spirit upon him he might have answered " B u t
I am n o t persecuting y o u , I am persecuting
v
TESTIMONY
141
these heretics, these apostates, these followers

of the Nazarenc." B u t he saw t h a t the two
were one, and to touch them was t o touch H i m
W h o m he there and then called " L o r d , " toW h o m He submitted Himself for instruction and
direction from t h a t moment. T h a t was H i s
first i n k l i n g of the Body of Christ, the oneness
of Christ and H i s members.. F r o m t h a t the
t h i n g grows u n t i l one day he is caught up i n
peculiar circumstances and shown this thing
i n its greater fulness. B u t there i t is, the
cross is i n t h a t thing, and the Person of Christ
is inseparably bound up w i t h the Body of
Christ, and the Body of Christ is Christ i n t h a t
sense.
N o w t h a t is reiterating things which you have
often heard, b u t here we are being led t o cover
the whole ground of this testimony w h i c h we
feel has been deposited w i t h us t o bear before
the world. So then the B o d y of Christ is Christ
i n content and expression: There is much to be
done, we know, by sanctificatibn, b y the continuous working i n and working o u t of the cross
i n the B o d y before the f u l l revelation'of Christ
is possible. * There are many y e t t o be'gathefed
by the cross and added i n t o t h a t : ultimate ' and
consummate* revelation of C h r i s t / b u t i f it''is
only the nucleus .of t h a t Body;" there Hefiai
H e is implicate, H e is present. * '* j " \ " V " . . ..
. N o w h a v i n g said'that') there is' another^thing
-which grows out of i t , or another thing to be
said which is b u t the. defining or!explanation
. Of i t " more f u l l y : I t " is a* very'mtereating. t h i n g ;
t o notice how t r u l y this is revealed r i g h t through
the w o r d of Godthe oneness of the L o r d and
H i s temple. I n our recent considerings of
the Testimony of Jesus, we saw.on the last
occasion w h a t the word says about the tabernacle of the testimony. We saw first of all the
pure testimony'as within' the ark, and then the
ark as containing the testimony (the ark of the
testimony), and then we moved out, and saw
t h a t beyond the central testimony and the ark
of the testimony there is the tabernacle of the
testimony. Now if the testimony is that
central reality of the Person of Christ, and the
ark represents t h a t instrument by which He
personally and individually brings t h a t testimony i n t o the world i n His own personal incarnation as separate, then the tabernacle of the
testimony is the Church which is H i s Body, and
w i t h i t all the congregation is gathered together.
There is the innermost thing in the type where
the people do not come; but they do come
into the tabernacle of the testimony and are
one w i t h i t , and you notice t h a t all t h a t takes
:

142
WITNESS
AND
place there is on the ground of identification

w i t h i t . Now we are not going to yield to the
temptation t o show how t r u l y t h a t is BO, hut
there i t is.
N o w as to the tabernacle of the testimony.
The tabernacle and its counterparts, in the
later temples, the temple of Solomon, the
temple of Zerubbabel, the temple a t Jerusalem,
and the temple of Ezekiel are the representations of the f u l l ministry of Christ.They are
the instruments, the vehicles of the revelation
of the whole and entire ministry of what Christ
is. . W i l l y o u t u r n t o the Book of the Revelation
here is a remarkable thing (iv. 7) " A n d the
first creature was like a lion, and the second
creature like a calf, and the t h i r d creature had
a face as of a man, and .the fourth creature was
l i k e a flying eagle."Chap, i v , 7.
. " A n d when He had taken the book, the four
l i v i n g creatures and the four and t w e n t y elders
fell down-before the Lamb, having each one a
harp, and golden bowls f u l l of incense, which are
the prayers.of the saints. A n d they sang a
new Bong, saying, W o r t h y a r t Thou to take the
book, and to" open-the seals thereof: for Thou
jvast slain, and didst redeem us unto. God w i t h
T h y Wood: out of every. tribe and.tongue. and
people and nation " ( v . . . 8 ) . . 7

"Now go back f r o m t h a t . - Y o u know t h a t the
whole congregation, or church, of God . i n the
wilderness . was gathered . under... four '. main
standards, or banners. I n the Book of Numbers
they were divided into four great sections each
of. which had a banner or a standard.. Issachar,
Judah, and Zebulon under t h e . standard of
Judah, and upon their, banner or standard there
was the figure of a lion. Manasseh, Ephraim
and Benjamin were gathered under the standard
o f . Ephraim upon which was inscribed the
figure of an ox. . Then. Simeon, Reuben and
Gad were gathered under the standard of
Reuben upon which was inscribed the figure
of a man. Asher, Dan and Naphtali under the
standard of Dan which bore as its insignia the
figure of an eagle. When you come to Ezekiel's
visions of the temple you find t h a t this four-fold
figure is therethe lion, the ox, the man and
the eagle. The tabernaclethe temple. Now
the Revelation, and you notice t h a t i t is not
Christ Himself in any separate way, but under
this four-fold similitude, a congregation singing
a new song" W o r t h y art Thou for Thou wast
slain," so that the two are one, here is the
church united to Christ. B u t what is the implication of this four-fold insignia ? Well, this
is the implication of the four-fold revelation of |
TESTIMONY
Christ i n the church. He is the lion of the t r i b

of Judah. The lion, of course, is always t h
symbol of royalty, sovereignty, and i t is t h
sovereignty of Christ in the church t h a t is t h
revelation here. He is Sovereign Head, say
the Apostle. The sovereignty of Christ, t h
monarchy of Christ, the regality of Christ i
over the Church and upon the Church, and i t i;
gathered under His supreme authority"Where
fore God hath highly exalted H i m and giver
H i m the title of sovereignty above every title ol
sovereignty both i n this age and i n t h a t which
is to come in every realm, things i n heaven and
earth, things under the earth, and t h a t sovereignty is to be resident i n the church and
demonstrated through the Church which is His
Body."
Now you note how i n the case of Israel this
was true b y reason of their identification
w i t h this central thing of their lifethe Testi
mony of JesusJesus there a t the centre oi
their national lifetheir oneness w i t h H i m :
there was not a nation t h a t was able t o stand
before them , a l l the days "of their faithfulness
t o t h a t central thing.. -While their faithfulness
and allegiance were maintained, while they were
.true to" it,' while they, were, unswerving in. their
discerning of the L o r d i n the .midst, while all the
meaning of the cross as. there presented i n its
manifold expression i n the altars and the sacrifice and the priesthood was for' ever governing
their lives, keeping sin out aud ruling out their
own personal interests and riding i n the glory
of God, though , humanly and naturally they
were altogether at a discount (they were not a
people who could have stood. against the
Alidianites and the Ainalekites and all the
children of the East, and against those mighty
world forces of Egypt and Babylon), y e t while
they are true, and i t is a poor k i n d of allegiance
t h a t they show, nevertheless, wheresoever there
i n an expression of faithfulness, the. great world
forces go down before them. The sovereignty
is manifested; the power of their sovereign
Head is shown through them to all the nations
round about. There i t is in foreshadow, in prevision. A n d these aie only types and illustrations, and if that was true in the case of the
church i n the wilderness w i t h all that i t was
not which i t ought to have been, and all that i t
was that i t should not have been, how much
more ought this to be true of that which stands
upon the ground of justification in full and final
acceptance with Gcd, through the cross, having
erfect access, without a question.
But,
Seloved,
first of all the cross is the basis of the
WITNESS
AND
sovereignty of the L o r d Jesus, and j u s t as t h a t

cross becomes central i n the experience, n o t
i n the doctrine, n o t i n the theology merely,
but i n the experience of the church, so the
sovereignty of Christ, by the cross, is resident
w i t h i n the Church by the H o l y Ghost, and
manifest through the Church. There is the
Lion.
The ox we know is always a d u a l symbol
of . service and sacrifice, and here is Christ i n
another phase of H i s m i n i s t r y and a c t i v i t y
the Servant of Jehovahthe Sacrifice of God.
I s i t necessary for me to even use t i m e , v e r y
precious time, i n covering the ground which
Bets H i m f o r t h i n t h a t two-fold capacity
serving, Buffering" The . Son of M a n came
not to .he ministered unto, b u t to minister, and
t o give H i s life' a ransom for. many. There
y o u . have. the. two. things i n one statement,
as i n many other statements. Beloved, t h a t
which is true of the Head (bear w i t h me i n m y
continuous .repetition) must be t r u e of a l l t h e
members. ; .. T h a t we are t o be baptised i n t o H i s
sufferings and to. make up t h a t which is lacking
of, the' BuSermgs .of. Christ for the" Body's sake.
A n d that. is;' service, y o u .seer^taking our share
in * theBuffering i n , order to..serve, as t h a t
wonderful passage,.winch t h e Apostle writes t o
the .Corinthians i n the second letter " Death
wofketh'. i n , us,' hut'. L i f e i n y o u . " " Our
Bufferings a r e " . o n . y o u r behalf."
"Baptised
into His. Bufferings ! " " Can ye d r i n k of the
cup .that I drink[ I Can ye be baptised w i t h t h e
baptism t h a t I am baptised w i t h ? A n d they
BaidWe can, and H e saidYou
shall."
A n d they.'knew i t ; and t o this one who had
been for a time the blind instrument of Jehovah,
and yet in. the hands of the D e v i l , to cause t h e m
to drink of t h a t cup, even Saul of Tarsus h a d ,
had said concerning h i m a t .the time of his claiming as an elect, vessel. " I w i l l show H i m how
great things he must suffer for m y Name's
sake," and he speaks about t h a t i n the f o u r t h
and sixth chapters of the second Corinthian
letterSharing and tasting of the sufferings of
Christ. B u t listen, put the emphasis here,
suffering which is service. Y o u suffer i n y o u r
relationship to the Lord Jesus. Do y o u t u r n
your eyes in upon yourself ? W h y am T
suffering ? W h y should I have so much *?
Why should i t always be I who get it l
What have I done ? W h a t is wrong w i t h me ?
Don't always t u r n your eyes in like that.
Remember that the sufferings of Christ come
upon some above measure not because they are
sinners more than other sinners, but because
t
TESTIMONY
143
they arc elect instruments for the Body's sake

unto a scrivce, and i f y o u arc going t o be an
instrument of the revelation of the fulness of
Christ,, y o u have got to be chosen i n the
furnace of affliction, a sharer i n H i s sufferings.
Take comfort from t h a t . There has never
y e t been a man, or woman, who t r u l y i n the
experience of things by the H o l y Ghost has
been a l i v i n g revelation and manifestation of
the content of Christ, crucified, risen, ascended,
exalted, who has n o t tasted of H i s cup,
tasted deeply of His Bufferings. Believe t h a t .
We have a little way of saying amongst o u r selves here, " Yes, the L o r d w i l l never be able
t o use them u n t i l they have Buffered." There
is a great deal more i n t h a t t h a n y o u realise,
b u t i f y o u are (and I expect many of y o u are)
sharing H i s sufferings, remember i t is unto
something, and i t is u n t o something which need
not be merely related t o the short span of
your remaining years.. This Body of Christ
and its members are timeless i n their ministry.;,,
i t " only begins here,* i t is going on i n eternity.
" A n d His servants shall serve H i m , , f o r .they,
shall 6ee H i s face." 0 , t h a t we knew, t h e true
nature of spiritual service. . We t h i n k t o . serve
the L o r d means to be rushing around a l l the
t i m e taking meetings, organising religious movements, and doing a thousand and one things
externally and feverishly and excitedly and
having a f u l l programme of engagements. ; .The
L o r d undeceive u s ! Spiritual service is n o t
t h a t , beloved. Y o u may take i t t h a t spiritual
service i n reality, every ounce of i t is an ounce
of blood, of passion. I t is out of the cross of
Christ, and nothing t h a t is not born out f r o m
t h a t cross ever achieves the m i g h t y ends ofCalvary, and t h a t has got to be born out f r o m
Calvary i n the Church, a t the centre of which the
Cross is planted. Service and suffering: t h a t
is a ministry of Christ entrusted t o the Church
and fulfilled through the Church t o reach the
utmost l i m i t s of God's intention and purpose,
through Calvary, and the r i m of the universe,
t o reach t h a t . Your service w i l l be through
suffering, and therefore, the deeper y o u arc
baptised i n t o His death, the fuller y o u are
raised into the power of His effective service.
Have y o u got that ? I f you forget a l o t else,
remember that. So, then, there is the ox,
and t h a t is Christ and the Church.
A n d then the man. Y o u know how often the
figure of a man and the word " Son of Man "
occurs i n the Old Tctsament, and then y o u come
i n the New to the all-inclusive Son of Man.
The Son of Man is come to seek and t o save
14
A WITNESS AND A
144
TESTIMONY
i t becomes more and more mysterious even to

the religious people of the churches of the day.
The true church cannot be appreciated, or
understood; the real spiritual people of God
who form His Body are beyond the ken'of the
religious natural man who is always talking
about " the church," nevertheless", and making
much of " the church 1 " O, b u t this thing
is a thing which is neither understood, nor
appreciated; i t iB a mystery, and its deepest
reality is its deepest mystery. Christ i n you 1
There is the four-fold ministry and presentation
and revelation of Christ the heavenly glory.
. Y o u ask the average religious person to-day: to
come on a Bank Holiday t o a meeting i n a tent
i n a garden like this and see what he w i l l say I
H e w i l l see no heavenly glory i n that,and
t o listen to addresses by the hour ! No heavenly
glory i n t h a t . We smile because we know the
heavenly glory i n a mystery. The multitude
of holiday makers w i l l go home empty of heart
Finally,*the eagle as over the camp, the head
to-night,.and we' ahall g o , . I ' t r u s t ; w i t h ' f u l l
of w h i c h was D a n ; and the eagle .throughout
hearts and'eternal treasures. ' B u t t h a t is'ithe*
the. word of God represents heavenly glory and
heavenly, glory, in* a /mystery', which none of
divme' .mysterythat is ." a , phase'.of the. exthe princes of .this world knew-r-" Christ i n you"'V
pression of the L o r d Jesus.' /He^Himself./is a
V the f - d l h e j M ^ - ^ ^ a t ' ' f i n e t h ' i a l l inaU.,'* ; mystery i n ' t h a t ' scriptural ^sense'yof.itl^-He
Now you see t h a t leads you r i g h t through tlTe
always was' a"'; mystery when. H e was "'on the
Old Testamentthe tabernaclethe four-fold
earth. '*" There" standeth one among* you whom
symbol on the standardsi i n the 'revelataon ' of .
y e ' k n o w n o t . " ' " The w o r l d h a t h n o t known
t h a t great' temple given t o Israel, the . same ,
M e . " " Which none of 'the princes' of this
symbols; out then when you come t o the higher
w o r l d k n e w . " " T h e y knew H i m n o t because
f o r m of realisation here i n the ultimate'Revela(as He said) " the world seeth me not, but ye
t i o n i n this book the four l i v i n g creatures they '.
pee me." There is something veiled, something
are Christ i n the church, and the church worhidden: He is the mystery,-says Peter, which
shipping the Lamb because" this four-fold thing
God fore-ordained to. be a propitiation for our
has been wrought .in. . t h e m , " T h o u . hast
sins." I n reverting to the Tabernacle of the
redeemed unto Thyself, T h y sovereignty through
Testimony we see how t h a t tabernacle was a
service and sacrifice i n Thy church and b y Thy
mysterious thing' t o t h e nations round about.'
church, .Thy representative, unto T h y heavenly
I t had n o . beauty t h a t ' t h e y could see, no
glory, which is a secret glory and a mystery.
enchantment f o r ; them, nothing they .would
Thou hast redeemed unto Thyself." . A n d all
covet, and yet there was something about i t i n
these elements t u r n to worship the Lamb, all
their consciousness mysteriously m i g h t y ; they
these elements of divine expression and manihad no entree t o .its secret, no share i n its
festation provoke the Song of Worship
meaning; i t was only those who were one w i t h i t ,
" W o r t h y a r t T h o u . " I t is the church triumonly those who lived by i t and knew i t who
phant singing " Worthy the L a m b , " because the
knew its secrets, the secrets of i t s glory, the
Lamb has become the dearest possession to the
secrets of its power. Now here are the two
church, and all His ministry has been fulfilled in
thingsthe mystery of God, the mystery
her. A t this point, of course, we ought to go
which has been h i d from ages and generations,
right on without a break to show that by the
what is i t " Christ in y o u . " N o t Christ in
church, out of the church you do reach to the
isolation, but in you and i n y o u corporately, the
nations, so t h a t out of the nations He is
church, the body. Christ i n j'ou, t h a t is the
redeeming to Himself a people of every tongue
mystery which has been hid from the foundation
and tribe and nation, but there wc must stop
of the world, and the church i n its spiritual
for the present.
T . A.-S.
nature and reality is a mysterious thing to the
world. One has so often pointed i t out,
(To be concluded.)
t h a t which was lost." N o w the man figure,
the man reality i n the divine presentation
alwaj's means representation and speech.' The
one who stands to represent another and to
utter the mind of that other. So i t was w i t h
the prophets" Son of man, go, speak."
" Son of man, stand, speak ! "
Representation
and speech, t h a t is the man. W e l l , now, that
is so obviously true i n the case of the church,
t h a t the church is the voice of the enthroned
Christ, representing H i m . I t is H i s representat i v e to speak for H i m . Beloved, you need i n all
your visions t o restrict them to this one thing,
for the Lord w i l l only make H i s voice heard.
T h a t is all 6urely we w a n t , we don't w a n t
personality. We do not want a great deal of
human power; and w i t , and wisdom and genius, *
all we want to be is a voice, and t h a t the voice
of the L o r d , representing H i m ; and speaking
for H i m . _
' '.
v
,1
P i i n U d by T b
AtheoKun
P r u , 11 Mid
IS, Brnun'a Bonding*.
Chaaciy
LAO*. London, E . C . 4 .

NOVEMBER,
1927.
Vol. S,
No.
//,
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as from
Meetings for Spiritual Edification, the Proclamation cf the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
Sunday!: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. (Young People's Keeling), and 6.30 p in. Mondays: 7.30 p.m. Wednesdays: 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 7.30 p.m.
Conferences arc held every week-end (Saturday and S u n d a y ) , a n d also a longer week-end a t the
.beginning of each month, this fixed by the first S u n d a y . ( F r i d a y to Monday evenings,
inclusive.) All particulars m a v be obtained from G . Paterson, Honor Oak Christian Fellowship
'Centre, Honor Oak R o a d . S . E . 2 3 .
Ministers : T . A u s t i n - S p a r k s ; T . Madoc J e f f r e y s ; G. P a t e r s o n (General S e c r e t a r y ) .
Guest House Hostesses : L a d y Ogle ; M r s . M Rr->r,<*
-
146
MINISTERS
WITNESS
AND
LETTER

November, 1927.
B E L O V E D OF O U R L O R D ,
" ! T i s life of which our nerves are scant,"

writes one of our own poets, and to this the
scriptures well agree. Said not our L o r d , the
Great Physician, " I came t h a t they may have
life, and have abundance " ?
H o w comes i t t h a t of this life we remain so
scant, and so dubious even ? The Prince of
L i f e has still t o declare, perhaps to those who
call H i m " L o r d , " " Ye w i l l not come to Me
t h a t y e may have l i f e . "
T h i s surely was our attitude as sinners when
the l o r d of death held us i n the illusion of that
false life, naturally ours, which is spiritual
death, " having no hope, and w i t h o u t God i n
the w o r l d . " . B u t now, having seen t h a t life
(soul) poured out i n blood for us' on the Cross,
a l i f e condemned and sacrificed i n our stead,
is n o t the Fountain of His Eternal life opened
also f o r us % Wherefore is* our lack ?
M a y i t n o t be t h a t we'are still 5eZ/-centred
i n our spiritual experience ? "Are we ^poking
u n t o H i m as the Fountain of .that life or seeki n g t o create or t o discover one' w i t h i n ourselves 1 For this L i f e is i n H i m ; i t iB the Life
of Jesus Ascended, Glorified i n the Godhead,
and therefore Holy-Ghost-Life,not a life selfcentred even as i n our renewed spirit, but life
God-centred, proceeding out of that actual Vine
of W h o m we are branches. V A p a r t from (that
is, severed, or cut-off-from) Me ye can do
n o t h i n g . " Oh, there is a deep distinction here
w h i c h many failing to discern are impoverished
b o t h i n life and service. For though I be born
again i t i s n o t out of myself I live henceforth,
b u t out of God, the Father. A n d how ? B y
abiding in the Son. A n d this ? B y the cont i n u a l renewings of the H o l y Spirit which He
desires to shed upon me abundantly, that is,
u p o n m y spirit, causing me to know the fulness
of G o d . L i f e , f u l l , unlimited, and pure thus
flows out of the Divine Being into m y spirit as I
acknowledge the H o l y Spirit to be Lord, that
is to be the Spirit of the Father and the Son,
W h o thus make an abode in mc.
Beloved, it is the simplicity of that word,
" M E . " Y e will not come unto Mc.
W c must
still and continually come unto H i m as by
the Spirit. Through H i m we have access unto
the F a t h e r in the fellowship of One Spirit.
T h i s is the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ
TESTIMONY
J e s u s , that as the living F a t h e r sent H i m into

the world, born of the H o l y S p i r i t , a n d H
lived in One Spirit because of the F a t h e r , even
so we who are now also b o m of the H o l y Spirit
through and out of H i m , should i n like manner
l i v e in One S p i r i t because of H i m .
O r as H
said it, " H e t h a t eateth (ruminateth, con.
s t a n t l y eateth) Me shall live because, of Me."
A n d so through various homely terms of speech
the L o r d impresses upon us the r e a l i t y and
the necessity of our partaking of H i m .
L e t us come unto H i m , J e s u s , as the L i v i n g
G o d , the T r u e G o d , i n W h o m and upon Whom
by the E t e r n a l S p i r i t the I n v i s i b l e Father
dwells,for H e s a y s , " E a t , 0 friends. Drink,
y e a , drink a b u n d a n t l y , 0 beloved 1 "
e
Y o u r s i n this desire for

T.
Him,
AUSTIN-SPARES.
T . MADOO JEFFREYS.
^BOOKLETS
*
". (WITNESS A N D TESTIMONY.)
T H E following are now available :

' Incorporation into Christ.' No. 1. Price 2d.
VIncorporation into Christ.' "Ncf. 2. Price 2d.
' Incorporation into Christ.' No. 3. Price 2d.
These are now published in one volume, Price
8d. coloured paper cover (not 6d. as previously
announced).
The Inner Man of the Heart.', Price Ad.
' Vision and Vocation.' Price 3d. ".
' The Prisoner of the Lord.! .Price 2d.
"
B y T . Madoc Jeffreys;:
' T h e Divine Unities.' Price 3d.
t
The following booklets may now be had in

French:
Tomoignage et Experience (Serie).
i. ' Incorporation en Christ,' prix reduit, 1 franc.
(Suisse 50 c.)
ii. ' Incorporation en Christ/ 50 c. (Suisse 25 c.)
iii. ' Incorporation en Christ,' 50 c.
iv. ' L'Homme interier d u cceur. L a sj>hero de
la vie d u croyant,' 1 franc.
v. * L e Peuple q u i fait do grands exploits,' 30 c.
(Suisso 20 c.)
vi. * L a T r i p l e hoi de la C r o i x , ' 30 c.
v i i . ' E t a b l i c c o m m e sigue,' 30 c .
v i i i . ' L a V i s i o n uuivoj-sclle,' 30 c . ,
Vision et
V o c a t i o n , ' X o s . 5-8, 1 f r a n c .
O n pent s c les procurer nu CJ. P a t e r s o n , Honor
O a k C u r i s l i u n F e l l o w s h i p C e n t r e , L o n d o n , S.K.23.
1
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
147
Here is t h e true sign of the baptism i n t h a t

S p i r i t , t h e blood is i n i t . He is the Spirit
of Calvary. The Cross and the S p i r i t go
T H E N O V E M B E R CONFERENCE.
together, for the Cross is the revelation and the
D I D not dying Wesley say, " The best of
F A C T of t h e Eternal Passion, of the L a m b slain
from the foundation of the world, y e t also the
all is, God is w i t h us " ? This is t h e height
and depth of Christian satisfaction. I t has I L a m b , newly-slain, standing i n the m i d s t of the
Throne of God. A n d while we are n o t called t o
been the ground of our confidence d u r i n g these
bear any burden of sacrifice for sin, as H e d i d ,
past months, Therefore there could be no more
yet the S p i r i t brings H i s yoke, and we accordfitting and opportune a theme t h a n the one t h a t
ingly bear the burden of t h a t Love Btill perengaged our hearts at this Conference," The
sisting i n i t s t r a v a i l u n t i l the Eternal Purpose
Cross, and God, the H o l y Ghost."
i
n the Christ be accomplished. So we were
There were t w o emphases. T h e Cross is
healthfully
lifted beyond the range of surveying
always emphatic i n our gospel, b u t the supreme
our
personal
experience i n relation t o the i n word is
G o d . " The latter emphasis gives
dwelling
of
God's
Spirit, and the emphasis was
the former all its weight. Doctrine becomes
upon the f a c t t h a t God Himself, Other and
mental dogma apart f r o m the D i v i n e Content.
Greater t h a n we, had come i n His S p i r i t t o take
The gospel is summed u p i n one intensive
charge of H i s Body, and t h a t we must give
fact, so aptly p u t by P a u l . " t o w i t ( I like
place t o H i m , recognise H i s Presence constantly,
t h a t to wit') t h a t G O D was i n C h r i s t . " W i t h H i s orderings, H i s a p p o i n t m e n t s , ' H i s Voice,
out t h a t qualifying revelation t h e fabric of
for the S p i r i t is the T r u t h , and the W o r d and the
Christian teaching is an empty, even i f beautiful,
B l o o d w i l l confirm His Testimony, t h a t H e is i n
shell.
Christ as Jesus, and also i n the Church.
The L o r d is strongly w r i t i n g the necessity
Thus we were made t o see t h a t i n this last
of this essential, personal knowledge of Himself
phase of t h e dispensational conflict i n t o which
ever more deeply i n our hearts.
I t came t o
t h e church is now emerging, " i t is n o t i n man,
ass t h a t as they conversed and reasoned,
nor i n a m u l t i t u d e of men, t o lead, or t o direct,
ESTJS HIMSELF, having drawn near, w e n t w i t h
b u t i t is i n the Spirit, God Himself, Christ H i m them." Blessed are such disciples. H o w hopeself.
One f e l t the force of t h a t lesson which
less and f u t i l e a l l discipleship w i t h o u t t h a t
came
t
o Joshua, anointed and appointed though
Companionship.
We are h u m b l y hopeful of our
he was t o lead the Lord's people i n t o their
progress i n grace i n t h a t we h a v i n g an i n possessions, y e t confronted w i t h T h e Captain
creasing sense of His Presence during these past
of
t h e Lord's hosts," he was fain t o humble
months. God ! I t must be ever t h a t emphasis.
himself
and worship i n t h a t Presence, realising
I f as Father, God. A n d i f as Son, s t i l l God.
then
t
h
a
t he was b u t a follower and a servant
Much more so if as S p i r i t H e comes, for t h e n i t
of
a
L
o
r
d
W h o was God Himself. O h , m a y the
is as the Spirit of both Father and Son H e must
L o r d give t o His people i n these days such a
be present, and Jesus is exalted i n t o t h e Godhumbling and self-revealing recognition of the
head as L o r d , to the glory of t h e Father.
Sovereign
Presence of our L o r d Jesus t h e Christ
Happy are they to whom these things of the
i
n
H
i
s
S
p
i
r
i t , as the S p i r i t of the l i v i n g God.
Christ are thus revealed.
F
o
r
where
the Spirit is L o r d there is l i b e r t y ,
This, then, was the strong w o r d of God
liberty
to
behold
the glory of God i n the face of
upon us at this time. The H o l y S p i r i t is none
Jesus the Christ.
other than God Himself, coming both as Father
The " H o u s e " was f u l l , and t h e number
and as Son, to dwell in and w i t h those who are
present a t the fellowship around t h e Lord's
begotten of H i m through Calvary's t r a v a i l .
table on the Sunday evening was unprecedented
He is the Spirit of the Christ, and though coming
for
the H a l l . The'hush of God's Presence was
through the Christ Glorified, the Christ glorified
upon
us i n t h a t service. The theme of " His
does not cease to be the Christ crucified ; and
flesh, His B o d y , " given as our constant sustenso the Spirit brings the Cross w i t h H i m , so to
ance, to continually " r u m i n a t e , " is almost too
.speak. The Life of the Spirit i n Christ is the
sacred
a memory for the printed f o r m of the
"Life that went through Calvary. His S p i r i t
message
which wc give elsewhere, b u t the L o r d
is that Eternal Spirit through W h o m H e offered
gave
utterance
for the spoken w o r d , and we
Himself. He is therefore a sacrificial Spirit
publish
these
notes
praying that the essential
bringing ii sacrificial Life. The Oil is mingled
t r u t h may come through even in these pages.
with the Blood,
THE
FELLOWSHIP
MINISTRY
AND
44
41

148
WITNESS
AND
O U R BROTHER, M R . SPARKES.
We are so grateful to be able to report that

the good progress already indicated is being
maintained. During the past few days our
brother has been unobtrusively joining us i n
public w o r s h i p ; but i t is recognised that the
next few months must be w i t h o u t any k i n d of
strain t o body or nerves such as would be
entailed by public ministry, though we are anticipating t h a t Boon there w i l l be the message
of the w r i t t e n word coming through.
TRANSPORT.
The happy ministry of conveying such as have

had need of transport to and f r o m our gatherings has been one of God's gifts to us i n Miss
Dimsdale who has freely given herself, her time
and resources to this work. Circumstances
make i t incumbent upon the " Fellowship " to
share to the f u l l this obligation i n future, and
the cost of maintaining this service must
devolve upon us. Opportunity for contributing
towards these expenses w i l l be found i n the car,
or gifts can be sent direct t o our secretary. .
A N U N K N O W N BENEFACTOR. .
There are many such, but we wish to express

the appreciation felt at certain timely and wellchosen gifts of provisions t h a t have recently
been forwarded to the " House " f r o m an anonymous source.
PERSONAL.
Our brother Edward Goodwin is now serving

i n Worcestershire under the auspices' of the
Evangelical League of Prayer, Society of
Friends, of which our brother, M r . George Fox,
is secretary. This is an excellent ministry,
and we pray the fulness of the Anointing may
rest upon i t and upon our young brother who
now serves i n its fellowship.
FURTHER MINISTRIES.
TESTIMONY
M r . Oliphant goes t o Dublin for the December

Conference at the Y.M.C.A. H a l l .
The work at Aberdare i n which our young
brethren, Victor Thomas and Grcsham Speedy,
are engaged goes forward steadily. M r . Pearson
Harrison had a f r u i t f u l visit there i n October,
and we paid another call there during the week
at Ebbw Vale, which is not far distant. The
friends at Aberdare are feeling the need of a
definiteness of vision and purpose i n their
testimony there. There are BO many divided
and dividing interests absorbing the attention
and energies of the children of God i n these
days, so many institutions, as such, to be " r u n "
rather than the gathering of the children of
God together i n life and fellowship for that
" O n e T h i n g " t h a t God, the H o l y Spirit;*is
seeking to bring about i n this age. The position
a t Aberdare w i l l crystallise as prayer is unceasingly offered.
Meanwhile our young
brethren remain for t h e while, and we feel that
God's purpose i n m i n i s t r y there w i l l soon be
made very clear.
A t W a u n l i w y d , E b b w Vale, there was much
to cheer during the week, November 13th to 18th.
There was a re-union of many friends of former
days who met w i t h us then the first impact of
" supernaturalism " subsequent to the revival
i n Wales, 1904-5. W e thank God for bringing
us through t o sure ground, b u t BO many have
been shaken and have been driven back in
consequence. There can be no doubt t h a t the
church of God met the principalities and powers
as i t emerged i n t h a t quickening of H o l y Ghost
life, and a " supernaturalism "
simulating
" Pentecost," swept many of God's sincere
children into an enchanted ground.- Movements of this character still gather large numbers
of the unsuspecting i n t o a like delusion, and
sound teaching as to the distinction between
soul and spirit might do much to deliver some
and t o forewarn others. So many confuse
psj'chical experiences, common enough i n these
days of the enemy's pressing through into the
: human consciousness preparatory to the advent
I of the anti-Christ, w i t h that pure and mighty
| work of the Holy Spirit whereby our spirit, in a
[ life of faith, is brought into direct and vital
Our brothers, Mr. Oliphant and Mr. Paterson,

are a t the moment of writing i n the Newcastle
area conducting a series of meetings. Upon
this occasion gatherings are being held at Gateshead and Hexham as well as at Newcastle and
Jarrow. We cannot help feeling that the L o r d
w i l l make some provision for His hungry sheep
in this district. A t Oakwellgate, Gateshead, the
mission under the superintendence of Sister ; relationship with our Ascended L o r d .
Jessie B u t t o n , and of Mr. and Mrs. Heay, is
T h e L o r d gave us a scries of messages upon
stepping out upon the lines of faith and fellowT h e psychology of s a l v a t i o n , " in which the
ship that the Lord has shewn to us here, and
nature of man in his tripartite being of body,
we earnestly pray that the testimony of the
soid, spirit in the old creation, spirit, soul, anil
Holy Spirit to Jesus as Lord, both as in the
body in lite new creation were deli nod. and the
heavens and in His church may be brought into
oi-cration of the Cross as the power of salvation
perfect freedom.
revealed.
There were remarkably good auen*
: i
WITNESS
AND
dances, and a most encouraging feature was the

large proportion of young men who attended
every meeting. Our "brother, Gresham Speedy,
followed on the Sunday, November 2 0 t h , and
wc believe the links formed w i l l be strengthened.
Jersey w i l l be visited December 8 t h to 10th
when gatherings w i l l be held a t the Friends'
Meeting House, St. Heliers, where our brother,
Mr. R. G. Voisin, is standing fast i n t h e L o r d .
TEStlMONV
J i t
T H E C E N T R A L I T Y AND
UNIVERSALITY OF T H E CROSS
(Continued.)
\
N o . 5. (SEFTEMBER CONFERENCE.)
'
1N our consideration of the main theme of t h i s
| ConferenceThe Centrality and Universality
! of the Crossthose of y o u who have keen
present w i l l remember t h a t we concluded, so f a r
as our present consideration is concerned, w i t h
t h a t phase which specifically relates t o t h e
church which is the body of Christ i n itself, as
to i t s n a t u r e ; and the one all-inclusive statement which we gathered t h a t up into was t h a t
the church w h i c h is the body of Christ is t h e
sphere and the vehicle of a l l the content * n d
issues of Christ, crucified, risen, ascended,
exalted. I n other words, a l l t h a t Calvary
means f r o m i t s acceptance on the p a r t of Christ
through its experience, leading r i g h t up t o t h e
throne of H i s transcendent exaltation, t h a i i s
for, and i n , and t h r o u g h , and b y .the church,
which is H i s body,unto the knowledge and
the revelation and demonstration of a l l t h a t the
church was eternally elected t o be for H i m , the
medium of H i s expression, or of His fullest expressionthat Christ needs, requires, demands,
according t o the eternal ordering of God, His
body for H i s self-manifestation.
1
D E C E M B E R C O N F E R E N C E . F r i d a y , Dec.
2nd, to M o n d a y , the 5 t h . T h e m e : T h e Cross,
and i t s Y i c t o r y / o r ' T h e Gospel o f t h e
Sovereignty.' P a r t i c u l a r s f r o m M r . Paterson.
CHRISTMASTIDE.Christmas D a y falls on the
Lord's day this year, a most f i t t i n g coincidence.
We have had a number of applications as to
whether the Hostel is open f o r guests a t this
time. Most, surely. We t r u s t t o spend t h a t
season i n true worship and praise of H i m Who
came into this w o r l d to die, t h a t H e having
tasted death f o r every m a n , m i g h t i n t h e power
of H i s resurrection live for us. We shall gather
around the Lord's table on Christmas D a y
and thus keep t h e feast.
J A N U A R Y CONFERENCE. W e
would
take a d v a n t a g e here t o m a k e a p r e l i m i n a r y
announcement as t o t h e d a t e o f t h e f i r s t
N E W YEAR g a t h e r i n g s . W e h a v e f i x e d t h e
dates as f r o m F r i d a y , Dec. 3 0 t h t o M o n d a y ,
Jan. 2nd, as these f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be g i v e n t o
those whose h o l i d a y t i m e w i l l n o t h a v e ended.
MOTTO CARDS ; 1928 :These are being prepared, and can be obtained on application f r o m
the Secretary.
M o t t o Card.
1

1928
" W H I L E WE LOOKnot at things seen,
but AT THE THINGS NOT SEEN."
I I . Cor. i v . 18.
" Though now WE SEE H I M NOT v e t believing
W c Rejoice."
* I . Peter i . 8.
" H e endures as SEEING H I M who is invisible
FAITH i s . . . .the CONVICTION of the REALITY
of TnrNGS WE DO NOT SEE."
Hcb. x i . i .
" LOOKING-OFF UNTO
JICSUS!"
2.
I f eh. x i i .
D E L A Y OF I S S U E . O u r friends will h a v e
realised the extreme riiCcully of preparing this
paper month by mouth in view of the pressure
of ministry. Wo hope to overtake the time
during the" next weeks, so as to issue it earlier
in the month.
Now we have dealt w i t h t h a t i n various' and

numerous ways, showing the nature of the body
of Christ, and many of its privileges and^ its
responsibilities. One is constrained to just
pause at this p o i n t for one moment to u t t e r one
word of solemn warning, and t h a t against the
sin of presumption i n relation to the b o d y of
Christ. The New Testament has m u c h to
sa} about the sin of presumptionpresuming
upon this great t r u t h . Paul calls i t " n o t discerning the Lord's B o d y . " The oneness of
Christ and His members as forming the " Body
of Christ " is a basic revelation and declaration
to much t h a t took place i n the nature of a
judicial ministry of the H o l y Spirit i n N e r
Testament times.
r
The Master said such things as " H e t h a i

hcareth you, heareth mc, and iic that rcjecteth
you reject eth m c . " " I n as much as ye have
done i t (or done i t not) unto the least of m i n t
yc have done i t (or done it not) unto me."
The firs; glimmer of the revelation of the B o d y
of C h r i f t was one M Inch Paul h;;d w hen the L o r d
said to him " WI13' perseeutcst thou me ? "
He
might have retorted that be was not persecuting
the L o r d , but these followers of the Nazarcne.
150
WITNESS
AND
T h e L o r d , however, made i t clear t h a t i t was

one and the same thing on this occasion.
N o w the case of Annanias and Saphira, of the
Corinthian fornicator, of other Corinthians many
of w h o m were sick and some died, and other
cases, are examples of the danger of failing t o
recognise and discern the Lord's Body. " The
loaf which we break is i t n o t a participation
i n t h e Lord's body. The cup which we bless,
is i t n o t a participation i n the Lord's blood,
seeing t h a t we who are many are one loaf, one
body *? " Therefore the Lord's table is a testim o n y t o the oneness and spiritual reality of the
B o d y of Christ. To set this testimonynot
merely an ordinanceaside, or to enter into i t
i n a spirit of schism, unforgivencss, dissimulat i o n , p a r t i a l i t y , & c , is to be g u i l t y of pres u m p t i o n i n a spiritual sense. The Lord's
t a b l e is not the only form of testimony t o i n corporation i n t o Christ or of the corporate oneness of Christ and His members, ana to neglect
or violate any of these is t o issue i n confusion,
s t r a i n , loss; sometimes- i t results i n delusion,
sometimes i n physical suffering, and we have
k n o w n i t t o result i n the L o r d having to take
Buch' b u t of the way. . D a v i d prayed, as we
have . i t i n the 19th Psalm : " Keep, back T h y
servant f r o m presumptuous sins, then shall I
be k e p t f r o m the. great transgression." I n
H i s conception of spiritual and eternal verities,
t h e great transgression was presumption, and
t h e ' N e w Testament clearly demies and sets
f o r t h the nature of that presumption, and this
presumption i n relation to the corporate nature
of t h e L o r d Jesus Christ, and our incorporation
i n t o t h a t . N o w I dare n o t t u r n aside f r o m
t h e m a i n line t o deal w i t h t h a t further. Y o u
recognise t h a t the anointing of the H o l y Ghost
is through and b y the Head upon the body of
Christ. We have so often pointed out t h a t i t is
n o t upon the individual as an individual, b u t
u p o n the individual by reason of the individual's
relationship t o Christ i n His body.
The
anointing is for all members, not i n a scattered
and detached sense, but i n a corporate and
u n i t e d sense, so that in this way the oneness of
t h e Spirit, the unity of the Spirit is realised
t h r o u g h tlie Head in the whole body. Now
t h e sin against the body of Christ is sin against
the H o l y Ghost, for i t is t h a t which violates the
anointing of the Head as upon the body. You
notice how the appeal, which always brings Cod
i n t o judicial action through the Holy Ghost
i n tlie word of Cod, is *' against the Lord and His
A n o i n t e d . " They are one, and the Anointed
One is Christ corporate i n the body, so that
TESTIMONY
touching a member of the body of Christ is as

touching " the apple of H i s eye." Now against
! the L o r d and against H i s A n o i n t e d i n this
corporate sense, when an appeal is made on that
ground then God, through the H o l y Ghost,
judicially moves. H e rebuked kings for their
Bakes, saying Touch not mine anointedand
do m y prophets no h a r m . " Take t h a t i n New
Testament interpretation, and y o u w i l l find
that i t relates t o the oneness of the L o r d with
His members under the one anointing. B u t one
is not saying i t on this occasion i n order
to especially emphasise the touching of the
members of Christ, b u t one is saying i t now
t o emphasize this f o r m of presumption, lest
we might presume upon the rights, the inheritance, the privileges of our membership
of the body of Christ and exclude, or reject
those specific discernings of the body. Believe
me, beloved, i f ever the L o r d in* any way whatever gives y o u the. slightest degree of spirit
uneasiness about any k i n d of testimony by
which the body of Christ is discerned, and you
do not come i n t o line w i t h t h a t , accept, obey,
f u l f i l , a l l your t a l k about the B o d y of C h r i s t ^
from t h a t t i m e onwardwill f a i l of its spiritual
value t o you i n the hours of deepest crisis, and
although, for t h e time being, i t seems that
nothing happens i n - many cases, something
does happen sooner or later. Although ; i t
seems that nothing happens, and there is a
sense of being able to go on, even a sense of the
L o r d , and blessing upon a certain level within
a certain l i m i t e d sphere, there is i n the path of
such an one, sooner or later, such a mighty
upheaval as w i l l bring them t o a state of
arrest and disaster and w i l l fling them right
back upon t h a t testimony to the body which,
they rejected or neglected) and they w i l l say
" I see the cause of all this as being m y disobedience t o t h a t about which the Lord
touched m y s p i r i t on such and such an occasion." Y o u cannot get past that. The
slightest disobedience to a touch of the Holy
Spirit issues i n your becoming uncovered and
unsheltered i n the spiritual house of Godthe
cover of the Lord's children, the corporate
o'ershadowing and encircling of the Body of
Christ which is indispensable to the members.
They dare not go on alone, uncovered, without
spiritual co-operation, and if we fail to recognise
! the oneness of the Body of Christ, or arc disi obedient to any movement of the Spirit in our
spirit with regard to such testimonies in the
'. body and to the body, the issue will be, believe
j me, t h a t at some time we come up against the
14
W1YN5 A N D A
TESTIMONY
isi
issue of a sin of presumption. W e have preof course, of ministry, is t o , and i n , and among
sumed upon the rights and privileges and
the nations of this w o r l d , as the next circle
resources of the body of Christ and been disindicates, which requires one further w o r d t o
obedient t o the testimonies thereof. T h a t
define its nature ; and the H o l y Spirit, through
issues in the H o l y S p i r i t , by reason of His
Peter, says of the church, " Ye are a holy
obligations, bringing us up w i t h a start. I t
n a t i o n . " I t is a nation w i t h i n the nations
is a thing which well-nigh wrecks our whole
but super-national; not denominational, or
career, and i n the meantime we are on a second
undenominational, or interdenominational but
line of spiritual service and effectiveness, when supcrdenominational, a nation apart f r o m the
wc might be on a first.
nations and above the nations, and y e t i n the
A t an early point we cited the case of Moses nations. Concerning the nucleus of t h a t church
the Master prayed, " I pray n o t t h a t Thou
and saw t h a t the Lord met h i m and sought to
k i l l h i m because of his failure to discern the shouldst take them out of the world, but t h a t
Thou shouldst keep them from the evil one," and
testimony t o the covenant, and Paul distinctly
the man w h o wrote those words b y inspiration
says t h a t baptism is a testimony t o a
later wrote, " The whole world lieth. in the evil
corporate union w i t h Christ (Col. i i . 1 1 , 1 2 ;
one." " I p r a y not t h a t Thou shouldst take them
Romans v i . 4, & c ) .
out of the w o r l d , but t h a t Thou shouldst keep
When the L o r d speaks t o us about anything
them
f r o m the evil one." They are n o t i n the
and we go on and count on the Lord's cover
lap
of
the enemy, although they are i n the world.
and protection i n and through H i s body which
I n a sense t h e y are apart f r o m i t ; though i n i t ,
is His instrument, be sure t h a t cannot be,
not of i t " translated out of the kingdom of
unlesB we are absolutely obedient to every
darkness
i n t o the kingdom of the Son of His
means of discernment. N o w I speak out of a
love
"a
h o l y nation. W h a t is a nation ?
good deal of experience i n this matter. I have
seen spiritual lives wrecked on t h a t , n o t because Well, a nation is t h a t which is of common blood
w i t h an i d e n t i t y of l i f e ; and t h a t is t r u e i n
anybody.has said anything of t h a t t o them.
a peculiar sense-*of the church as a nation.'
Whatever .has been said b y men Has been subA
n i d e n t i t y of life, a life which is unique and.
sequent to something w h i c h was said i n them
peculiar,
which is the L i f e of God Himself-
by the H o l y S p i r i t , and then they began t o
a common seed, the seed of God. A n d a nation
equivocate.. The Spirit of the L o r d led them
is not only one i n identity of life, a common
to a discerning of their identification w i t h
seed,
b u t i t is one i n its identity of purpose
Christ' and a testimony thereto i n the waters
and
i
n
its u n i t y of effort. These things are
of baptism, and they were disobedient. The
specifically
true of His holy nation.
L o r d pressed i t , and t h e y - discussed i t , and
argued and debated i t , and consulted unsymNow the church, as a nation, is called t o bear
pathetic people about i t , and were very glad
a testimony w i t h i n the nations, the strength
when they found someone who d i d n o t agree of which testimony is found i n its separation
w i t h i t , and 60 they let i t go. 0 beloved, the from the nations, and i n its difference of life.
wreckage of such is strewn on the face of the A n d what is its testimony unto ? I t s testimony
earth. Their spiritual lives have f r o m t h a t
is t h a t which has the effect j } f the magnet to
time been narrowed i n their range of usefulness the steel, and the steel to the magnetall the
and serviceableness to the L o r d . I could tell fragments i n the church w i t h the magnetic
you some tragic stories about them, and other force of the cross, in which the drawing power
forms of testimonytestimony o n l y t o spiritual of the love of God is resident to gather out from
facts which the L o r d requires and a failure to the nations to itself, to complete itself out of
face the issue through disobedience; and yet
the nations. The church is out of every
these, all the time, still claiming the rights and
nation and tribe and kindred and tongue, a
privileges and resources and means of Christ
great multitude which no man can number.
in the Body of Christ. B u t disobedience!
Now, beloved, there are one or two specifically
and sooner or later the H o l y Ghost has had to v i t a l matters in this connection I want to hand
, come in and judge.
on. Let us recognise and settle i t once and
Now we come to say a l i t t l e , as the L o r d [ for all t h a t the church, the body of Christ, or
members thereof are not here i n this world
enables us, about the church, the Body of
to have anything to do w i t h the systems of
Christ in its instrumentality beyond itself.
Wc see its nature, i.s content, its intent i n the \this world, as such, and in so far as wc become
mind and purpose of Cod, and its lirst sphere j involved i n the matters of the kingdoms of this
1
1S2
WITNESS
AND A
w o r l d , we loss our magnetic vocation, and wc

shall involve ourselves i n chaos from which i t
w i l l take a ver}" great deal to extricate us.
T h a t has been the historic tragedy of Christendom, i t has i n various ways become linked u p
w i t h the kingdoms and interests of this world,
and t h a t is the secret of its spiritual ineffectiveness. T h e Church which is Christ's Body is
a heavenly thing since Christ its Head has
ascended, and a l l t h a t comes down into and
through H i s Body is heavenly i n source and
nature. This is utterly different from the things
of earth, and cannot even be known by " the
natural m a n . " Moreover, the church is n o t
here now to establish or extend the Kingdom of
God universally i n the earth. I t is here to
testify t o the sovereignty of Christ, to establish
a testimony t o i t i n the nations, and to gather
t o itself a l l the elect members. The universal
K i n g d o m is for a later time. Everyone who
has a revelation of the Body of Christ w i l l
find themselves being detached from tradition,
f r o m organised religion, and that they are
being brought t o t h e place where there is no
alternative but t o come out f r o m a thing which
is a system, and an order, though religious,
though claiming t o be i n the name of. the L o r d ,
and according t o t h e word of the Lord, b u t
which is a thing of this earth. The H o l y Ghost
always leads out f r o m that, and of course He
has got t o do i t . Don't you do i t u n t i l He does
i t i n y o u , u n t i l you can do nothing else. Y o u
stay u n t i l the thing is so plain to you t h a t your
whole spiritual life is i n jeopardy unless you
do i t . Mark you, the Holy Ghost is going to
do t h a t i n order to give to you, and put w i t h i n
you t h e magnetic power of the cross of Jesus
Christ, i n order to gather unto Himself a people
f r o m t h e nations for His Name. Y o u have
got to stand clear i n order to fulfil that ministry,
b u t stand clear i n the Holy Ghost, not b y any
personal exclusiveness, or detachments, because
t h a t can be organised, and that can be prompted
b y fleshly ambition and subtle motive, desiring
recognition, ancf such things.
This gathering o u t of the B o d y of C h r i s t m u s t
be the w o r k of the H o l y S p i r i t o n the basis of a
revelation and an inward withering of our

concern
for and i n t e r e s t i n a l l t h a t is n o t
i n its concept.
W e h a v e tried to
b u i l d u p , t o o r g a n i s e , a n d to i n c r e a s e " t h e
Church."
A d v e r t i s e m e n t , policy, attract inns,
s c h e m e s , d e v i c e s , a p p e a l s , to d r a w a n d to hold t o
" the Church."
T i t l e s , names, a m ! special
i t e m s ; w h o c a n e x h a u s t the r e s o u r c e to realise
t h i n g s w h i c h a f t e r a l l is a c a r i c a t u r e of t h e
heavenly
TESTIMONY
Divine reality. The Lord's method is firstly

to hear " the testimony of Jesus " i n every
place, and then t o gather t o t h a t testimony
such as H e has foreknown and therefore foreordained as those who would respond to His call.
The H o l y Spirit is strategic. " Pentecost " was
a wonderful example of this strategy. " Every
nation under heaven " was represented i n Jerusalem on t h a t d a y , and t h a t i n itself was
another demonstration of the Divine strategy, in
using Judaismnow rejectedto head up to
the Church b y gathering people o u t of every
nation i n one place on this occasion. No
flaming posters emblazoned the advertising
spaces of Jerusalem announcing t h a t at a certain
time i n a given place eleven great men would
preach, or t h a t the Rev. D r . Peter would
preach a pentecostal sermon. They came
together, and everything was carried through
from first to last by the H o l y Spirit Himself.
Y o u see how wide of t h e mark organised
Christendom is ! This is a H o l y Ghost business, and you are delivered f r o m a l l the other
load, deadweight of work and organisation,
and everything else when the H o l y Spirit takes
things i n hand like t h a t . The testimony of
Jesus iB t o be i n the hands of the H o l y Spirit,
and H e shall gather those. foreknown. Y o u
need not t h a t I stay t o define, and t o safeguard
t h a t last clause. Now on the one side, there is.
t h a t , t h a t glorious t r u t h of the Spirit gathering
out a people for the Name of Jesus, and Himself
being Sovereign i n the gathering out, and the
gathering together. I t is perfectly wonderful
what the H o l y Spirit can do, where the people
come f r o m , how they hear of the thing, but i t
gets out. T h a t is the way we p u t i t t h a t the
Spirit has i n hand this business of completing
the church of the L o r d Jesus.
*
"
Well, there are other aspects t o that one
glorious t r u t h , and this is anotherthat the
H o l y Spirit is also strategic i n the placing of
His church as represented by members. He
p l a c e s them here and there, and makes them the
m a g n e t , as i t were, to which H e may draw
e l e c t souls, not elect by favouritism of God, but
elect according t o the foreknowledge of God,
that is all, not because they arc elected to Life,
as a g a i n s t others who are elected to death, but
b e c a u s e t h e L o r d f o r e k n e w who M o u l d believe
" Whom H e f o r e k n e w , them he predestinated "
t h e i r d e s t i n y w a s s e t t l e d o n t h e g r o u n d of His
f o r e k n o w l e d g e of t h e i r f a i t h , a n d i s o n the
g r m m d of H i s o w n g r a c e .
W e l l n o w . s u c h the
L o r d k n o w s " T h e L o r d k n o w e t h t h e m that
a r c H i s , " a n d H e w i l l put H i s b o d v re present a*
A WITNESS
AND
tively down here and there, i n order t h a t they

may be a magnetic force, t h a t unto them He
may bring those who, through their testimony, w i l l find the H o l y Spirit giving them
a response.
I t is most remarkable how in
a place there are those who find at once that
this is the t h i n g for which their whole being has
been crying. Now you w a n t t o be saved from
your hustle and feverish rushing about t o t r y
and get people who ought t o come. L e t the
H o l y Ghost move y o u i n those matters, because
you w i l l be getting a l o t of people to come, and
they w i l l be so upset w i t h the whole thing
that t h e y w i l l be quite disgusted and disappointed, and y o u w i l l be making a mess all
the t i m e . Do we n o t pray here continuously
that the L o r d w i l l keep away those who i n
coming w i l l n o t come into H i s purpose, w i l l not
see H i s w i l l , and accept i t . I t is j u s t as i m portant t o p r a y t h a t as i t is t o pray the other
w a y i t may be t h a t many of these w i l l come
on later. The L o r d has H i s times as well as
His purposes.
This aspect of t r u t h seriously touches the
question as t o whether i t was ever the Divine
purpose and method t h a t commodious permanent buildings should be erected i n numerous
places and the success of " the C h u r c h " be
determined b y whether t h e y are f u l l or otherwise, This is surely not t h e New Testament
conception, and may i t not be t h a t t h e present
system w i t h a l l its organisation, machinery,
advertisement, expenditure, and burdensomeness, b u t comparative spiritual ineffectiveness,
is the inevitable issue of a false conception.
I t is a tremendous t h i n g t o say, b u t we do not
hesitate t o say i t , t h a t spiritual emancipation
from the present system of organised religion
and of what is called " the C h u r c h " and,
" Church l i f e , " w i t h its methods, institutions
officials, governments, & c , is the necessary way
to the m a x i m u m of spiritual effectiveness and
fruitfulness. A n d the L o r d would lead man}'
out if only they had the coinage and f a i t h to
leave their support and vindication t o H i m . The
tragedy of so many, and the paralysis of the
real work of God is the earthboundness of
vision and the t y r a n n y of a system. Never
would wc urge anyone to come out u n t i l the
matter had become to them one of inward
revelation, b u t we do urge upon you t h a t you
should earnestly ask the L o r d to give you a j
revelation of the true nature of L i s Church
which is His Jt*dy.
j
Our meditation w o u l d lack something very ;
important if we failed to remember t h a t while ;
TESTIMONY
153
the Church i n t h e nations b y its testimony is as

a magnet t o draw, i t w i l l also repel and make
impossible the access and taking hold on the
part of flesh a n d of carnal men and women. I n
the w i l d unenlightened lust for members and
increase this has been overlooked w i t h disastrous and ruinous consequences. There must
be t h a t i n Christ and His Body which is forbidding to a l l b u t the consecrated and sanctified. The fire of God to safeguard the glory
of God is i n the H o l y " Tabernacle
or
" Temple " or " House," and this must break
out upon the intrusion of " flesh." I t is no
sign of God's acceptance of our presence i n any
system, local, national, or international, which
claims to be the Church, i n w h i c h , and manipulat i n g , controlling, influencing, and officiating,
are unconsecrated men and women. Such
would find judgment beginning at the house of
God if this were t r u l y H i s spiritual house i n
which the H o l y S p i r i t was sovereign.
" For the rest, no man durst j o i n himself unto
them."
" The L O R D added to the Church."
Can we n o t be satisfied w i t h this o n b o t h
Bides, and make i t our business to see t h a t the
testimony is clear and pure.
T . A.-S.
(To be continued.)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T U B following sums were received towards the
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(approximately):
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Standstead Abbots, 2s.; "U.S.A., 2s. Total,
13 17*. 5d.
CONCERNING
"A1IND"
OR
" N O U S , "
T H A T
IS.
"UNDERSTANUING"
(Continued from the September issue.)

I T is interesting to notice what happens to
this " Nous " or moral understanding in the new
creation. As wc have seen i t is a spiritual
faculty of the soul t h a t lies practically dormant,
buried under the debris of the fleshly soul i n the
oh! creation. I t is not in man to direct his way,
and the glimmers of this deeper consciousness

A
154
WITNESS
ANb
arc entirely unreliable apart from tbe quickening

power of the H o l y Spirit. Indeed, as a faculty
this " Nous " would be misleading, being purely
i n t u i t i o n a l , belonging to the realm of what is
called by modern psychologists
the subconscious m i n d , " and therefore open to Satanic
delusion.
Nevertheless the faculty as a faculty
is there. I t is i n its relations, as well as i n its
inherent v i t a l i t y , that i t is depraved, being
fallen under the dominion of sin and Satan.
B u t when the heart is turned to the L o r d
this is quickened, the v a i l is completely
t a k e n away." We have moral clearness of
vision. We were spiritually b l i n d : we now see.
God is able to speak to us, and we to understand.
Accordingly we find that one of the first
things t h a t happened as the L o r d of the New
Creation companied w i t h His disciples was
t h a t H e opened their understanding, t h a t they
m i g h t understand the scriptures."
W e see thus i t is not an intellectual knowledge
t h a t can apprehend the Scriptures, and this
even i n saved souls; but a new perception, a
new f a c u l t y , energised by L o r d . .
....
D o we sufficiently recognise this?, Are we
n o t perhaps deceiving ourselves'that because
we are saved therefore we can understand the
Scriptures w i t h our natural understanding. I t
is n o t so. None can understand the Scriptures
save b y the Spirit Who gave those Scriptures.
A n d we need an entirely different faculty t o
t h e natural mind or reasoning powers. There
are eyes t o the heart, and these must be
opened: ears also, and these must be pierced,
spiritual senses, lying dead and atrophied, i n
the natural man ; but these have to come under
the power of that Mighty Resurrection, and the
L o r d of Glory must give them new life, His life.
' Few Christians, however, understand this,
the necessity for the quickening of these deeper
senses of the heart. So Paul prays for the
Ephesians, albeit they are full of faith and love,
t h a t the eyes of their understanding may be
e n l i g h t e n e d " (some versions use the word
h e a r t " instead of
understanding." The
writer t o the Hebrews reproaches his readers
because they had neglected these spiritual
senses, so that they remained " babes " and
were unable to assimilate solid food." Paul
again i n 1 Corinthians x i v . 2 0 desires that these
Christians might be men in understanding.
And
although the word * nous " is not used in these
passages, the point is with regard to i t , that the
spiritual faculty of the heart might be quickened
and exercised, by reason of use.
44
44
4 4
44
44
44
14
TESTIMONY
Once quickened, always quickened, is not the

rule of the L i f e i n Christ, otherwise moral
obligations would cease, and the life become
automatic. No, when He has opened our understanding, i t is our task t o keep i t open, active
and increasing i n the knowledge of the things
of God.
This is an important point. For many
Christians stand s t i l l . Their greatest revelat i o n was their first; and often they have little
more of strong history, b u t are ever going
back to that first experience. This may be well
f r o m one aspect, for when we first saw the
L o r d must ever be the greatest moment of our
lives, even to E t e r n i t y . How many say
wonderingly and praiBefully, We abode w i t h
H i m that day: it urns about the tenth hour**
Wondrous day 1 Shall we ever forget i t ?
B u t after t h a t first uprush into our soul of the
spirit's quickened vision we shall need to feed
and nourish the new-born faculty, or i t w i l l die
away. Is not this the meaning of Peter's
adjuration,
As newborn babes, desire the
sincere m i l k of the w o r d , t h a t ye may grow
thereby"*? H o w many tragic instances of
arrested development" are there i n the church
of God ? Those who had a name once that
they were alive !' T r u l y their carcasses Btill
strew the w a y i n this wilderness. Do we not
recognise their sad casein this speech, Where
is the blessedness I knew, when first I saw the
Lord?"
N o , this new " m i n d " must be renewed, and
this constantly. Paul says (Romans x i i . 2),
Be ye transfigured by the renewing of your
n o u s . ' " T h a t spiritual faculty once quickened,
b y the grace of God, to behold and t o recognise
J E S U S i n H i s I n f i n i t e Person, to say
Lord
Jesus " directly t o H i m , as one redeemed by
H i s Blood, must be continually energised i n
this Satan's territory of thick spiritual darkness that we may continue to behold H i m i n
the increasing L i g h t of His Countenance. Thus
we go on to know the L o r d . I n His L i g h t we see
L i g h t . We walk i n the L i g h t as He is i n the
L i g h t . B u t this is by the enlightened consciousness of the
Nous " t h e new mind.
A n d i t must be continually renewed. I n
Ephesians the injunction is more explicit, and
the context is very informative.
Be renewed
in the spirit of your mind (nous)." B u t then
this is in relation to the putting away of the
old man " and the putting on of tlie new .
44
44
44
44
44
4
44
44
44
44
man " (Eph. i v . 2:2-24).
44
Is not this ' the cir4
cumcision of the Christ " ? A n apprehension

of the dynamic of the Cross ? B u t i t is by tho .
WlTNfiSS
AND
renewed mind. The faculties of t h e s p i r i t t o

see, t o hear, to know, must be c o n t i n u a l l y
exercised, encouraged, fed. A n d h o w ? A n
immediate answer would be " B y the rencwings
of the Holy S p i r i t . " Surely ! The L o r d Him
self, by the Spirit, would thus come to us.
" He openeth mine ear morning by m o r n i n g . "
He would anoint our eyes w i t h " eye salve."
Y e t there are means t h a t wc ourselves need t o
employ,His w r i t t e n w o r d , the spoken w o r d
i n the assembly of H i s saints, t h a t fellowship
w i t h H i s people upon which the One A n o i n t i n g
Spirit is pleased to descend as there is t h e Oneness ; also the seeking and exercise of s p i r i t u a l
gifts i n His service, commencing w i t h prayer
i n the H o l y Ghost. A l l these.
B u t once the " m i n d " of the spirit becomes
ascendant by t h e energy of the indwelling and
anointing S p i r i t , and is thus maintained i n
fellowship, i t goes on t o know the L o r d , and the
whole range of revelation is open t o i t s apprehension as a form of knowledge. ( B u t note,
knowledge i n p a r t 1 C o r . x i i i . )
Nevertheless, as such, i t is the m i n d of Christ,
the mind of the L o r d , the m i n d of t h e S p i r i t ,
in us (1 Cor. i i . 1 6 ; Romans x i . 3 4 ; v i i i . . 27).
This is the " m i n d " t h a t h a t h wisdom (Rev.
x i i i . 1 8 ; x v i i . 9). I t is beyond a l l t h e wisdom
and knowledge of men, or of Satan, or of angels,
Bince i t knows God, and knows H i m d i r e c t l y .
Eph. i i i . 19, indicates t h a t the N a t u r e a n d
Attributes of God may be k n o w n d i r e c t l y b y
the instrengthened spirit of t h e new m a n , f o r
he goes on to know at last the love of t h e Christ,
which surpasseth knowledge.
A n d so the very nature of t h a t E t e r n a l L i f e
which is i n Christ, and is now ministered t o us
by the H o l y Spirit, is t h a t i t knows G o d , and
knows H i m i n Jesus the Christ (John x v i i . 3).
And while i t is a knowledge i n our spirit i t must
also become rational and moral, intelligent and
righteous, and therefore i t is exercised t h r o u g h
the " nous." I t is not u n t h i n k i n g and foolish,
blind ecstacy of psychical experiences which
often leave the heart untouched by holiness or
grace but a direct consciousness of a H o l y God
and Father, W h o m thus to know is also t o love
and obey, and to worship i n godly fear. So
" wc know t h a t the Son of God is come, and hath
given us an understanding, that we know H i m
that is true, and we arc in H i m that is t r u e , even
in His Son, Jesus the Christ. He is t h e true
God, and eternal L i f e . "
T . M . J.
A TESTIMONY
155
A D D R E S S G I V E N ON S U N D A Y
E V E N I N G , N O V E M B E R 6, 1 9 2 7
"A
C O M M I T K I O N O F T:-E B O D Y
OF CHRIST."
I C o r i n t h i a n ! x . 16.By One Spirit. ;--

ONE is reminded, as this cloth covers the
bread, the loaf, of w h a t was said recently i n
relation t o the m i n i s t r y of the sons of K o h a t h ,
one of the families of the tribe of L e v i whose
task was t o bear the burden of the sanctuary.
The sanctuary i n this instance singularly enough
is described as being made up of the vessels of
the tabernacle, and the V a i l t h e ark, the table,
the lampstands, the bread, the instruments of
the table, t h e golden altar, and the ashes of the
great altarmost significant thatthe
ashes
of the great altar t h a t was out i n the court,
w i t h the a l t a r itself and the instruments of
t h a t altar. .These were first covered w i t h great
detail of admonition b y the high priestly f a m i l y ;
the sons of K o h a t h d i d n o t see these things
u n t i l they h a d been altogether covered, which
is rather a contradiction i n t e r m s ; and then
they bore t h e m . W e saw how their burden
of these hidden things represents t h a t ministry
i n the church of the revelation of the " heavenlies," the hidden things of the . Christ of God.
There is t h a t ' evangelism which describes
outward things, the things t h a t can be seen and
known of a l l men. There is a m i n i s t r y of
teaching i n the w o r d of God which unveils
many f u r t h e r truths. A n d there is a ministry
of revelation by the H o l y Ghost which is also
to be f o u n d i n the church. A n d only the
H o l y Ghost can give the utterance for such
ministry. H e , Himself, must do i t ; men
cannot do t h i s . Even f r o m the sons of K o h a t h ,
who shared the burden of these inner things
which constituted the sanctuary, these things
were veiled. And so i t is the H o l y S p i r i t alone
W h o can bring out t h e inner things of the
C h r i s t ; and the L o r d has so arranged to confound
the wisdom of men, and to set t h a t wisdom at
naught, t h a t the greatest truths of the Christian,
f a i t h , the f a i t h i n Christ, are, so to speak, wrought
in w h a t m i g h t be called a dumb show. Y o u
and I gather around tho table, and we break
the loai and cat together of i t ; . a n d wc drink
the wine, and if we arc t r u l y in the Spirit nothing
much is said, but the silence of Cod falls upon
our hearts, and wc behold H i m , or s h o u l d ; and
so the H o l v Ghost makes known to us the
thing* of Christ in the breaking of the loaf and
the d r i n k i n g of the cup. So i n baptism, and
so i n other things: the H o l y S p i r i t has to
156
WITNESS
AND
reveal the inner nature of these, but most of

all here a t the Lord's table. I t is not without
significance that there should be raging at the
end of this age a controversy around the
Lord's table, a multitude of voices discussing
that which no man can discussthis mystery
of God i n Christ, of which we partake by faith.
Is i t n o t a significant thing t h a t there should be
this babel and confusion of tongues at the end
of the age w i t h regard to this which only the
H o l y Ghost can make plain i n the heart of the
believer ?
We have before now seen t h a t Paul explicitly declares i n the passage we have read
this evening from I Cor. x i . commencing at
the 23rd verse, t h a t he had not received this
by the mouth of Peter or of James, or of
John, or any of the apostles. A n d he is very
careful to declare i n the Galatian epistle t h a t
he d i d n o t know" any of the apostles u n t i l
three years had passed, and then he only visited
Peter and became acquainted w i t h h i m . ' A n d
here he is asserting t h a t he received this sacrament of faith directly from the L o r d " I ,
myself (the pronoun is emphatic) received
from the Lord, t h a t which also I delivered
unto y o u . " That is t o say, sometime early i n
the experience of the Apostle, the H o l y Ghost,
God Himself, revealed t o h i m t h a t which had
taken place in the upper room t h a t last night
of H i s earthly companionship w i t h His disciples,
and the signincance of i t . H e is here unfolding
the meaning of i t . H e declares that this was
revealed t o him b y the H o l y Spirit, not by
hearsay ; that i t was not i n the nature of some
sentimental remembrance, of what was a last
act of tender intercourse and fellowship of our
L o r d w i t h His disciples, b u t t h a t i t was a
heavenly revelation which the church of
God was t o enjoy u n t i l the L o r d should come.
The meaning and significance of the Lord's
death should thus be proclaimed u n t i l He
came. There is thus a preaching of the word
of the cross in such a fashion t h a t i t should be
unmistakable, and if the voices from pulpits
and platforms became confused and contradictory, there should, by the H o l y Ghost, come
in the midst of God's believing people such a
testimony as to the nature of Clirist's death,
that none might be without excuse at the end
of the age that they had not seen, had not had
presented to them graphically many and many
a time, Jesus Christ and H i m crucified in the
midst of them. You remember how he reproaches the Galatian Christians : " 0 foolish
Galatians, who hath bewitched you, before
TESTIMONY
whose eyes Jesus Christ has been graphically

presented crucified i n your m i d s t . " He may
have been referring to his own testimony, but
one might t h i n k he was referring to this also.
For here is a graphic representation of the Lord
crucified in their midst. Here is the meaning
of the cross i n its deepest and simplest and
clearest significance. A n d so wc see that the
H o l y Spirit has arranged t h a t there should be
this witness r i g h t through t o the end of the
age as to the nature of the death of our Lord
Jesus.
Ye do proclaim (declare, shew openly),
the Lord's death t i l l H e come." I t therefore
has something to do w i t h the consummation of
the age. We know how careful the H o l y Spirit
has been i n the selection of words in the New
Testament, as for example, when the Lord
said, " L o , I am w i t h y o u always, even unto
the end of the w o r l d , " so we read in the Authorised Version; b u t , as y o u know, the literal
translation is, " L o , I am w i t h y o u all the days
even unto the consummation of the age," unto
the completion of t h a t process which is going
on i n this dispensation. . H e r e then we have
something t h a t is related t o t h a t consummation.
We believe, as those w h o m the L o r d has*
awakened out of slumber, and whose hearts
are made sensitive t o the workings of the H o l y
Ghost, t h a t we can feel the pulse of God moving
at this time i n the earth, the throb of eternity
beginning to break into time,-the passion of
God as H e seeks t o break i n upon this slumbering
world of men, and as H e seems to make His
people realise H i s Coming draweth nigh. But
you see, here is a testimony related to that
very thing, the consummation of the age, the
climax to the process of the H o l y [Spirit's
working throughout this dispensation that will
at last come t o t h a t final completion, and
there w i l l be the breaking i n of God upon the
consciousness of His church which is on the
earth, and the simultaneous breaking through
of t h a t church into the " heavenlies " in conscious experience, w i t h the " Out-resurrection "
of all those who slumber through Jesus. We
shall see H i m as He is. A n d so that perfected
building of God, which the Eternal Son Who
was made flesh is now building by His Spirit
as out from heaven, will be manifested. This
gathering around the Lord's tabic has a peculiar
significance therefore in relation to the consummation of the age, a;*.d every time wc gather
around i t there should be a cry in our hearts
for revelation., for a light from the throne of
Cod to shine in upon our hearts in relation to
thin (His Coining); not a " harking " back in
M
WITNESS
AND
sentimental remembrance of some tender episode

i n Palestine. T h a t is not the t h i n g : " I myself
received from the L o r d t h a t which I delivered
unto y o u . " You see, while the apostle is
referring to an act, he is referring t o a revelation.
And herein lies the peculiar danger of this testimonythat you find people on the one hand ever
thinking of this simply as a remembrance of the
Lord along the line of h u m a n sentiment, of
tender human memory, as i f t h a t were the
significance of i t ; whereas y o u see here is the
H o l y Ghost sent down f r o m heaven preaching
the gospel. A n d the " r e m e m b r a n c e " into
which we are t o come is the remembrance of
the H o l y Ghost Who brings a l l the t h i n g s of
Christ to our remembrance. I t is the m e m o r y
of God,, for, as you w i l l readily see, we who
are living i n the twentieth century i n England
cannot remember t h a t i n the human.
We
cannot, as i t were, create a memory b y means
of pictorial, imagination and get back t o t h a t .
That is not the significance. I t is t h a t the
heavens should break over our hearts, a n d t h a t
we might see the nature of t h a t altar w h i c h has
wrought out such a t r i u m p h i n the resurrection
and ascension of our L o r d Jesus Christ as God
in the throne. So here is revelation, and every
time we gather i t should n o t be i n order t h a t
we might somehow t r y t o visualise a t h i n g
that was on earth merely, b u t t h a t we should
see H i m , and know H i m and discern H i m as
the Heavenly One; and while we preach the
Lord's death, i t is unto H i s coming.
We now come to t h a t further t h i n g w h i c h is
mentioned here, and which the apostle makes to
be the crucial thing upon which depends the
worth of our partaking. Y o u find he suggests t h a t
there are those who are remembering the L o r d ' s
death i n the earth fashion, t h e y are n o t remembering the Lord's death i n the H o l y Ghost.
They .are not seeing t h a t this death of the L o r d
Jesus and His resurrection was not only for
the putting away of sin, but for the creation of
a Body, for the bringing out of something as
from God that should be to the eternal praise
of His grace. They are missing r.ll that. They
arc not seeing that here is one loaf, one body ;
they are not seeing t h a t here is something
dispensed by the H o l y Ghost as out from
heaven, that here is a nature and substar.ee of
God as out from Christ of which they partake
by the Holy Ghost; ar.d they are not seeing
that there is a blood in the throne of God. the
blood of the Lamb st; ruling rcgiviut i n the
* midst of the throne, that bleeding L-.nnb W h o m
John saw, in Whose Blood is the eternal
TESTIMONY
157
| covenant between tho Father and the Son,

which is a mj'stery of heaven.
The blood of
sprinkling t h a t speakcth better things t h a n
t h a t of A b e l . " T h e j are missing the revelation.
I t is true t h a t they are well-meaning people,
and t h a t t h c j have some vision, but somehow
the whole i m p o r t of this tremendous declaration,
and their testimony i n i t , is being missed. For
this reason y o u have the solemn warning of the
27th v e r s e :
" Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread
or drink, the cup of the L o r d unworthily, Bhall
be g u i l t y of the* body and the blood of the
L o r d . B u t let a man prove himself, and so
let h i m eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For he t h a t eateth and drinketh u n w o r t h i l y ,
eateth and d r i n k e t h judgment unto himself, if
he discern n o t the B o d y . "
This is, the further discerning. Y o u notice
we are reading f r o m the Revised Version w h i c h ,
i n this instance, is the true version," I f ye
discern not the B o d y , " a n d so there is a discerning of the B o d y , a further revelation of
what is the i m p o r t of this testimony i n relation
to the coming of the L o r d , i n relation t o the
consummation of the age, u n t i l there shall be
the perfection of God's purpose i n building-up,
completing the Church, which is His Body.
Here is the table around which we gather for
revelation, " T , myself, received from the L o r d
t h a t which I delivered unto y o u , " and 0 , there
is need t h a t we should so gather, for we are
challenged b y the devil's confusion i n the
religious w o r l d to-day. There is need t h a t
you and I should more and more gather around
the Lord's table crying for the Spirit of revelation t h a t we might discern the body of the
L o r d , and t h a t body n o t only as i n the Head,
the B o d y in the throne, b u t t h a t Body as
shared and dispensed i n the members of H i s
Bodydiscerning the Body, the nature of the
Body, seeing that our fcllow-member3 are
members of one Body, eating of One Loaf, and
t h a t Loaf, the Christ of God. So we come
back to the previous chapter, to those words
which i n themselves should be to us such a
light, if so be the H o l y Ghost speak them.
May He speak them, for thev are His w o r d s :
j I Cor. x. 10.
!
The cup of blessing/* the Hallel cup, the
j fourth cup in the original passover, the cup of
; praise ; it was not tlie cup of any sorrow, i t
was the cup of praise, ot the consummated
p.issovcr ; and so you ami I as we d r i n k this
cup drink the cup of praise, the cup of blessing,
the cup which represents a consummated
M

158
A WITNESS
AND A
TESTIMONY
and sin, b u t to be born out f r o m God, from

sacrifice, a sacrifice t h a t has accomplished its
purpose. I t is " The blood t h a t speaks better , above, joined to the L o r d , one Spirit, and
baptised into that B o d y ! We disciples need
things than that of A b e l . " I t is not speaking
revelation continually. There were those who
of sin now, i t is speaking of a covenant, i t is
had been following the L o r d Jesus for a long
sp3aking of a pledge i n God on our behalf; i t
while when they heard H i m say those wonis speaking of the union of tho Father and the
derful words i n John v i . which a l l came out
Son i n one Eternal Being i n the Man for 3*our
of the breaking of the bread w i t h which He fed
sake and for mine. That is the cup. You
the m u l t i t u d e . You remember how w i t h what
remember how He said He would not drink i t
seemed to be a limited quantity of this earth
again u n t i l in the kingdom w i t h His Father.
material, something t h a t came out of the earth,
Wha t a world of meaning was in that prediction,
of the clay, of which wc also are a l l made, He
for the Christ is now givensin dealt w i t h
looked i n t o heaven, and blessed and broke i t
Satan cast outthe world j u d g e d ; you and I
and distributed i t so t h a t a multitude was fed.
now drink a cup which is prophetic of the end,
B u t how ? W h a t processes of springtime and
prophetic of the praise of God, prophetic of the
summer and harvest gathered themselves all
outbreaking of all the anthems of heaven and
into one t h a t H e should make bread for many
earth redeemed when He shall come in H i s
out of t h a t which was so l i m i t e d 1 W e l l , you
divine g l o r y :
see, H e was just preaching a parable of the
" The cup of blessing which we bless, is i t
gospel, and when these gathered around H i m
n o t a common participation i n the blood of
and began t o ask H i m about these things He
Christ ? "
s
aid:
. N o w those words themselves are fraught
w i t h the deepest meaning, too deep for words.
" I am the bread t h a t cometh down out of
They stand.there. We must pray that God
heaven," and adjured them to labour (or
m a y speak them i n our own hearts as we read
strive) earnestly, not for t h a t bread which
t h e m ; then we shall bless this cup, we shall sing
perisheth, b u t for t h a t which endureth."
over this cup, we shall rejoice over this cup, for
Then there is linked up to this t h a t great
is i t not a common participation i i i the blood of
history of miraculous grace; how t h a t church
Christ ? " 0 , what blood is t h a t ? A common
i n the wilderness, a feeble folk, w i t h the exeat
participation i n the blood of Christ! Listen again,
hosts around of Assyria and E g y p t , lived for
" The loaf which we break (not the bread, b u t f o r t y years out of bread- f r o m heaven. Of
the loaf, for i t is one loaf) is i t not a common
course we do not expect modernists to believe
participation i n the body of Christ ? " (Sharing
that, b u t we believe i t . " T h e bread t h a t came
one body'together w i t h H i m , partaking of H i s
down out of heaven! " B u t only a parable or
flesh, of H i s nature, sharing His Life, and a t
t y p e : a multitude of people l i v i n g i n the
last becoming visibly corporate w i t h H i m , so
midst of an age oblivious of what was happening,
t h a t " When He shall be manifest, He Who is
a people fed b y bread out of heaven, the manna.
our L i f e , then we shall be manifested with H i m
You know the meaning of the word " manna " 1
i n the glory " ) seeing that we, who are many,
" W h a t is i t ? " Mystery I A n d here i n this
are one loaf, one body : for we all partake of the
Christian dispensation w i t h civilisations passing
one loaf. T h a t is the revelation, revelation
along and t h e great world of nations around,
which even disciples cannot receive because t h e j
we here have been a people from Pentecost to the
are disciples but need to ask for revelation.
Rapture gathering around a table, preaching a
We still need to be before God as worshippers
gospel of the death of God i n Christ, of the
when we gather around the table. We still
Passion i n the Eternal coming through our way,
need to prostrate our hearts before H i m and
visiting this world, the Blood of the Eternal by
say, 0 light of God shine i n and reveal to me
the Incarnation sanctifying this planet to be
more deeply the Passion and its Purpose. j the footstool of God's eternal sovereignty, and
Make me see more clearly the nature of the j a people out of the inhabitants of this world,
death and Ascension of the Christ of God. Who ; out of every nation and tribe and kindred and
He is, and what I am i n relation to H i m . ; tongue that shall be incorporated into H i m ,
W h a t I have becomea sinner erstwhile, but
and live by H i m , and feed upon H i m , eating of
saved bv grace! To see what a tremendous
Him and drinking of H i m , living upon Him by
step was then taken out of death into L i f e
the Holy Chant sent down from heaven! A
into His Life, not merely to live again upon the
hidden Life, a Life sustained by God, and a Life
lower plane of human failure and degradation ; that shall become manifest * soon when the
r
WITNESS AND
church is completed.
B u t the Jews made
their discussion upon the manna,the bread
t h a t was t y p i c a l and w h o l l y material.
And
He answered Moses gave not that bread, but
m y Father givetb, the true Bread, the actual
Bread that comcth down o u t of heaven; then
He goes on to point out t h a t H e is the Bread
that cometh down out of heaven, b u t n o t y e t ,
'He is limited y e t , H i s glory is veiled, He has
imprisoned Himself w i t h i n the likeness (effigy)
of sinful flesh for our sakes.
H e is i m prisoned w i t h i n a form l i k e yours and mine.
N o one can know H i m , for " no one knoweth
the Son, but the F a t h e r , " and t h a t is the
wonder of the revelation when we see H i m ;
i t is the very g i f t of God t o behold H i m . B u t
here H e is n o t y e t unveiled b y the Holy Ghost,
b u t hidden, anointed by the H o l y Ghost, God
incarnate, b u t no one seeing H i s glory, except a
few. A n d w h a t is happening ? 0 , He is
taking away the sin of the W o r l d , and H e is
meeting the mystery of i n i q u i t y behind the
scenes, He is meeting the problem of evil and
pain i n the universe, He is meeting t h a t t h i n g
behind t h a t no man can measure, the v e i l t h a t
wraps itself around us, and prevents us f r o m
recognising the nature of the drama t h a t is
being fought o u t i n this w o r l d , this t h i n g t h a t ,
while i t has i t s issue imprisoned. here,only
down here, because t h a t was the strategy of
God t h a t when Lucifer, the son of the morning,
the archangel of light, i n his lust of pride and
power sought t o frustrate t h e purpose of God
i n t h a t first man A d a m , he was fastened down
to a single issue on this l i t t l e planet, otherwise
he would have ranged the heavens. Y o u and I
are teaching a tremendous gospel. Many
people t h i n k t h i s is a shallow superficial
credulity which some poor benighted people
called " Christians " have, who possess no intelligence and no scientific perspective, b u t when
God has anointed your eyes w i t h eye-salve, you
See t h a t the drama of the Eternal has been
enacted upon this l i t t l e planet, upon the earth ;
and the Archangel of L i g h t , the first created
being who was the anointed cherub that
covered, next to God's throne, with all those
principalities and powers t h a t arrayed themselves against the eternal purpose of C o d , has
been nailed down to an issue here on this earth ;
and that is why God I n c a r n a t e came this w a y to
do this thing. H e wrought it out in .Van form,
and the weakness of Cod triumphed, and stripped
oh*from Himself principalities ami powers; but
when you and I see C a l v a r y we see a man called
' Jesus of X a z a r c l h '' being stricken, broken
TESTIMONY
159
there, and God moves us to f a i t h upon the

single issue of t h a t first vision ; b u t when we get
i l l u m i n a t i o n , wc see the land of far distances
and the length, and breadth and depth and
height of the eternal purpose of God which He
purposed i n Christ Jesus before eternal times,
and you and I , l i t t l e motes upon this planet
t h a t seem b u t t o flicker for a moment i n the
sunlight and are gone, are called into cooperation w i t h God on that issue. D o n ' t you
sec t h a t Satan has been nailed down t o this
t h i n g . Oh, b u t behind the scenes the t h i n g was
done, from behind the scenes came the pressure,
the agony of Gethsemane and of the cross of
Calvary, t h a t w h i c h was wrung out of Eternal
Love t h e r e ; and t h e n t h a t shout of t r i u m p h ,
I t is finished. A n d then you see the resurrect i o n is the breaking back through of God
Incarnate t o H i s throne. " God is gone up on
high w i t h a t r i u m p h a n t noise. The clarions of
the skies proclaim the angelic j o y s ! Listen
now t o the i n v i t a t i o n to you and t o me i n this
little, room t o - n i g h t " Join all on e a r t h . "
B u t they do n o t j o i n because they have n o t the
vision ; they have n o t the revelation :
J o i n all o n earth, rejoice and sing ;
Glory ascribe t o glory's K i n g .
B u t do y o u see t h e B o d y 1 Do y o u see the
Incarnation ? I t is God/
A n d here H e is
coming t h r o u g h i n this sixth chapter of John.
H e is saying these things about H i s flesh which
H e w i l l give, f o r the Life of the w o r l d , ' b u t not
yet. A n d how, when He is ascended on high,
those who should l i v e w i l l five by H i m . I f you
read those words i n the quietness of your rooms
to-night i t m a y be just out of this broken
reference to scripture God may speak t o your
heart, and y o u w i l l d r i n k of this wine as you
have never d r u n k before. B u t now l e t us ask
the H o l y Ghost to hear the wofa of God from
the lips of Jesus: " The Bread which I w i l l give
is M y flesh for the life of the world " (R.V.).
Of course t h a t is going to come true when our
L o r d appears i n advent glory, not as when He
appears to us who are looking for H i m .
When
H e appears i n A d v e n t glory the whole universe

will then k n o w that H e is the Creator and the
Sustainer of the universe, and all will live by H i m .
A l l the energies of creation proceed now outfront H i m as H e is ascended into the throne of
C o d , t h a t new creation, the new heavens and
the new earth in that changed form, when the
blight of evil has been east out. and C o d is all
in all. T h a t new universe will he sustained out
from H i m , a n d so H e is laying down here a
universal principle of the truth. " B y H i m all

160
WITNESS
AND A
things subsist, or arc held together." I t is

then that the whole universe w i l l partake of
H i s glory and live by H i m in the regeneration
of t h e universe, i n the restitution or rectificat i o n of a l l things, for " Even now the whole
creation groans and travails in pain together,
w a i t i n g for the manifestation of the sons of God ;
because the creation itself shall be delivered
o u t of the bondage of corruption into the
l i b e r t y of the glory of the children of God."
So H e is speaking of how ultimately out from
H i m all the powers of creation shall issue i n
beneficent restoration, when Satan is for ever
cast o u t , and t h a t glory never seen on land or
sea shall shine i n , and the earth shall be
f u l l of the glory of God as the waters cover the
deep. This is true, and I am emphasising that
because y o u should know that r i g h t down t o
t h a t 53rd verse there is one Greek word used
for " e a t " ; and then another w o r d is used
when H e comes t o the church.
U p to
this t i m e he has been using the w o r d pkago,
b u t now H e uses trogo i n the next four verses
(54-58):
:
" H e (individual) t h a t eateth M y ' flesh,
and drinketh M y blood hath E t e r n a l ' Life
(His L i f e ) , and I w i l l raise h i m u p at the
last d a y (that one). F o r My. flesh is meat
indeed, and M y blood is drink indeed.
He' t h a t eateth (same word) and drinketh M y
B l o o d abideth i n Me and I i n h i m . Now
notice.As t h e l i v i n g Father sent Me, and I
l i v e because of t h e F a t h e r ; BO he t h a t eateth
Me, he also shall live because of me. This is
t h e Bread which came down out of heaven, not
as the fathers did eat the manna and died (that
was only a parable and type), b u t he that
eateth this Bread shall live for ever."
B u t , as I have said, in these verses you have a
different word for " eat."- The point is this,
t h a t y o u .'and I , b y faith i n the l i v i n g Christ
ascendant i n t h e throne of God i n Man-form
pcrlcke
of Him b y the H o l y Ghost. That is,
y o u have here a spiritual activity, a spiritual
action b y favth, an assimilation, a taking i n , a
l i v i n g b y H i m , and the process is made plain as
H e says :
" As the l i v i n g Father sent Me, and I live
because of the Father (He lived by the Holy
GhostGod the Spirit, relating G o d and Father
and God the Son in one L i f e ) : so he t h a t
eateth Me shall live because of Me."'
This is a n a c t i v i t y of the Holy Ghost, a n d it
is only by the Holy Ghost you c a n c a t of that
Hritiled by The A O I C I I K U I S
TESTIMONY
Bread, and i t is only b y the H o l y Ghost you can

drink of t h a t cup, and so you see wc arc depending upon the H o l y S p i r i t this evening. This
conference has r i g h t l y been given t h e theme :
THE CROSS, AND GOD THE HOLY GHOST.
The H o l y Ghost (God as Spirit relating Father
and Son was i n t h e Christ, f o r through the
Eternal Spirit H e offered Himself unto God,
and by the same Spirit H e was resurrected into
an Ascension L i f e i n t h e Godhead) roust now
minister t o us the nature and substance of
Christ. H e has become i n t h a t resurrected
body t h e eternal instrument of God's purpose,
so that God Triune resides i n and upon H i m ,
and now t o the glory a n d praise of God's grace,
and the complete discomfiture of t h e devil,
there are found men a n d women o u t of every
nation a n d t r i b e and k i n d r e d and tongue, a
people who dare t o believe t h i s . Dare t o
believe t h a t they can eat t h e flesh of that
ascended Son of God, Son of Man. Through the
V a i l , t h a t is t o say, H i s flesh, t h e y come as
" Members of .His body, of H i s flesh, and of His
bones," and so b y eating of t h a t flesh, participating b y the H o l y Ghost i n t h a t body, you
and I are one,' l i v i n g as o u t f r o m H i m , and unto
H i m . ' This is'the mystery of the church. The
oneness i n t h e church is t h e oneness of that
ascension life of Jesus, t h e Father and the Son,
l i v i n g , i n a H o l y Spirit relationship, and you
and I are i n v i t e d t o partake of H i m . O, then,
what, a revelation was t h i s , and how we understand w h y the apostle said : " I myself received
from the L o r d t h a t which also I delivered unto
you."
This is not t h a t k i n d of t h i n g around which the
present controversy rages, i t is something deep, i t
is something. infinite'"and marvellous.' This is
something related to a hidden process of God
which you and I discern as we see the body of
God, i n Christ, upon the throne, and as we see
the body of Christ' shared also i n the members;
and you and I can only live for one end then.
Where can pettinesses and disagreements come
i n after such a vision 1 Where come i n jealousies and other things of t h a t character when
we see the holiness of God, the holiness of the
sacrifice, and the holiness of the thing into
which we are invited ; and Paul explains why
many things happened t o the children of God.
He says, " For this cause many among you are
weak and sickly, and not a few sleep," because
they did not live in and by that Life. May He
bless us as we wait, a nil a s we pray, and a s we
praise, for His Name's sake.
PntM, 11 *u<] 13, UrrHUi'a Builliii|(*>. CU*ucery Lane, Loutloo, K C i.

DECEMBER,
1927.
Vol. S,
No.
12.
A WITNESS
A TESTIMONY
A N D
as from
T H E HONOR O A K CHRISTIAN F E L L O W S H I P C E N T R E ,
Meetings for Spiritual Edification, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Prayer and Fellowship.
Sundayi: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. (Young People's Meeting), and 6.30pm. Mondays: 7.30 p.m.
Saturdays: 7.30 p.m.
Wednesdays: 8 p.m
Conferences are held every week-end (Saturday and Sunday), and also a longer week-end at the
beginning of each month, this fixed by the first Sunday. (Friday to Monday evenings,
inclusive.) A l l particulars may be obtained from G. Paterson, Honor Oak Christian Fellowship
Centre, Honor Oak Road, S.E.23.
M i n i s t e r s : T . A u s t i n - S p a r k s ; T . M a d o c J e f f r e y s ; Q. P a t e r s o n (Ocneraf S e c r e t a r y ) .
Cluest House Hostesses : L a d y Ogle ; M r s . M . B r a n d .
Telephone : Sydenham 5216.
Telegrams: fiyndeitnoa, Forott. London."
Cablet J* H > " M J ondon."
M
162
MINISTERS'
WITNESS
AND
LETTER

BELOVED OF OUR LORD,
December, 1927.
H e hath l i m i t e d a certain day, saying,
" To-day * " Behold, nowthe well-accepted
t i m e 1 Behold nowthe day of salvation !
H o w blessed, as we feel the swift and sinister
current of t i m e , the course.of. this age fast
h u r r y i n g the w o r l d of nations toward their hour
of great t r i b u l a t i o n , t o know t h a t by our acceptance of A l m i g h t y God's great personal A c t of
Calvary, y o u and we* have been lifted right out
of this present evil age, and are now living a
l i f e t h a t is h i d w i t h Christ i n God. W h a t
steadiness of heart we thus possess as we see
things coming t o pass on t h e earth ! N o t the
f a i n t i n g heart of fear is ours, b u t the fixed
anchored heart of f a i t h entering into that which
is w i t h i n the V a i l .
H o w few, however, recognise t h a t God has
stopped the clock, so to say, and has cut out of
the ageB this single " B a y " of receiving Grace,
t h i s " N o w " of*His time of gracious acceptance
of us as a F a m i l y of God in H i s well-beloved Son,
to share t h a t Son's Life, H i s Inheritance and to
enter into H i s Glory, when the House is complete.
I n some senses i t is a dread thought to behold
t h e long-suffering and patience of God, His
suspended judgments during this " B a y " of
grace t h a t has now lasted well-nigh 1900 years.
Noah preached righteousness for 120 years during
w h a t t i m e the A r k was a preparing. The Holy .
Spirit has preached " Wondrous Grace " for a
much longer period u n t i l t h e House of God, the
living Temple, the Body of the Christ, shall have
been completed. Thus the hours are f u l l of
imminence, t h e kingdom of the heavens hath
drawn nigh. God's Purpose already accomplished i n Fact at Calvary awaits " Fulfilment "
i n the completion of the Body. The Lord's
death is being shewn f o r t h t i l l He come!
The H o l y Ghost is i n the world to bring about
the consummation of this age !
W h a t a privilege to live in the closing hours of
this dispensation. As Simeon, Anna, and many
another of a comparatively small and obscure
companv of believers waited for the consolation
of Israei, the Jesus of Bethlehem and Nazareth,
so we, upon whom the ends of the ages have all
this while arrived, wait for the Lord out of |
'Heaven unto Whom we shall be enmplured as j
we arc found joined to H i m in spirit. Tlie
Vision comes ! Though i t tarry, wait for i t . j
Swift will be His coniinu when it eomes. " Now ! :
To-day! "
;
TESTIMONY
A n d as H e has cut a " B a y " o u t of the ages

i n which H i s Purpose, despite all hell's counsels,
is being victoriously and irresistibly accomplished, so H e has cut us off by His Cross from
all those hellish counsels, enmities, and cruelties,
oppressions, imprisonments and chains. Beloved,
3'ou are free i n this Bay of Grace ! Enter into
this Heavenly " Now " of God. Yield to the
power of His Resurrection, t h a t is,- His Life
w i t h i n y o u , to l i f t you up i n spirit, out of this
present evil age, t o abide i n H i m i n heavenly
places. * God would l i f t your spirit out of time
into His E t e r n i t y , into H i s N o w . Wc which
believe do enter into the " Sabbath Rest," for
the works are finished. A n d out of that
heavenly position of Rest," triumphs faith
energised by love, Yea, out f r o m God i n Christ,
you must live, coming down upon events, circumstances, temporal things, i n t h a t Victorious
L i f e t h a t is timeless, t h a t E t e r n a l L i f e into
which you are already begotten, and which by
the H o l y Ghost would be manifested i n you.
Jesus came down to the poverty of His
creatures i n Bethlehem, t h a t y o u and we might
now inherit and dwell i n the Throne of Glory 1
May .your .Christmastide be spiritual, n o t
sentimental. May* the New Creation manifest
its t r i u m p h and glory i n y o u r hearts to the
Glory ana Honour of its K i n g !
For we which believe do enter i n t o His Rest.
Yours i n this great *' B a y , "
11
'
T.
AUSTIN-SPARKS.
T . MADOC-JEFFREYS.
A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S
O U R m o n t h l y receipts t o w a r d s t h e cost of t h i s
p a p e r a r e g r a t e f u l l y recorded b e l o w . T h e y m e e t
the c u r r e n t charges, but n o t t h a t of t h i s issue.
D u r i n g the p a s t y e a r t h e c o s t of p r i n t i n g a n d
of postage h a s almost d o u b l e d , b u t so f a r t h e
L o r d h a s p r o m p t e d H i s peoplo to m e e t the increased
d e m a n d . I f t h e r e are a n y o n o u r m a i l i n g l i s t
who do not w i s h to receive t h e p a p e r a n y m o r e ,
w e s h o u l d bo g l a d if t h e y w o u l d i n t i m a t e this to
our secretary b y postcard, a s wo do not w i s h to
w a s t e a n y copies. W e now p r i n t 1,750 a m o n t h ,
a n d of theso n e a r l y 1,000 a r e m a i l e d .
L o c a l , 3 ; W i m b l e d o n , 1 10*. j B c r m o n d s e y , 1 ;
H e x h a m , 1 ; N e w Y o r k . 1 ; Southend-on-Sea, 10*. ;
P a l m e r ' s G r e e n , 10$. ; H e a t o u . 10*. ; W o l v e r h a m p ton, T>s. ; l i o g n o r , &$. : l l r o x b o u r i i c , Twr. ; T i d w o r t h ,
i).t. :.Shnld<m, JO*.; Seal muses, lU.s. ; N e w c a s t l e , us. ;
Jielt'ast, 4.. IW/. : S w i n d o n , 3*. tit/. ; B r i d g e n d ,
L.v. Oil. : M u s w e l l Htl!. -V. l/. : M a n i a V a l e , 2s. lUt. ;
Paddiiuzton. 2s. lit/.: W . K i r h y , 2.<. fit/. ; C l a p h u m ,
2Jt. lit/. : Ncwiiuitoii Cu-en, 2.v. ; l l o m s e y Ki.*e, 2s. :
G u e r n s e y . 2s.
2d.:
I h i c h t o n , \s.
Ut/. ; E d i n b u r g h ,
1*. 7t/. : X e a l l i , 1*. 37.; U o s e o m b e , Ik/.
Total,
13 ^ . 3</.
THE
W I T N E S S AND
FELLOWSHIP
MINISTRY
A TESTIMONY
many groups of the Lord's people all around.

This m o n t h our brother, Mr. Oliphant, has again
been t h e Lord's messenger to these, and i n addit i o n t o the Conference in the t o w n .of Newcastle
itself, there was evidence of a real desire t o go
forward w i t h t h e L o r d i n Swallwell. Friends
interested should note t h a t the t h i r d week i n
each m o n t h is devoted to this v i s i t n o r t h , fixed
by t h e f a c t t h a t the t h i r d Friday is given t o the'
Newcastle Conference.
Our y o u n g brother, M r . V i c t o r Thomas, is
staying on a t Aberdare. His comrade, M r .
Gresham Speedy is visiting D u b l i n f o r the n e x t
few weeks, where he w i l l be i n touch w i t h
the w o r k a t t h e Y.M.C.A. there. Prayer is
asked f o r t h e M o n t h l y Conference, due the
second Tuesday i n each month convened b y our
brother, Captain W a l l i s . Pastor P. W . Faunch
takes the m i n i s t r y there on January 10th.
AND
THANKSGIVING.
Our December Conference was given t o much
rejoicing, for wc were celebrating the first anniversary of our settlement a t the " Centre."
One finds t h a t the H o l y Spirit honours remembrance when i t is tho vision and visitations of
God that.we would recall.
! So looking back over a year of constant uncertainties, storms and trials of f a i t h , we saw
not these so much, except as the surface of a
troubled sea upon which He has walked i n
t r i u m p h , and we w i t h H i m . His deliverances,
His mercies, His hidden and strong consolations, His compensations f o r all t h a t m i g h t have
seemed l i k e suffering or t r i a l , have been so
manifold and wonderful, t h a t we need an
" instrument of ten strings " a heart attuned t o
God, t o sing His praise. Never d i d we so realise
the t r u t h of those words, " Streams of mercy,
never ceasing, call for songs of loudest p r a i s e ! "
The year therefore had prepared us for the
emphasis of the Conference which-while dealing
w i t h the " V i c t o r y of C a l v a r y " seemed t o
gather round the Victor rather t h a n t o be
concerned w i t h the V i c t o r y . B u t t h i s is healthf u l , and t r u l y the hall m a r k of the S p i r i t . T h a t
H o l y Name of Jesus is becoming more and more
" W o n d e r f u l " t o us. T r u l y i t is an " Enigma "
to the natural m i n d ; b u t God, by H i s Spirit,
is unfolding its riches,the Infinite Grandeur,
Honour, and Glory of t h a t Name of the Godhead i n the Man, Jesus !
Name of Jesus ! Highest Name !
Name t h a t heaven and earth adore.
From the heart of God it came,
Leads me to God's heart once more.
So all the theme of the Conference was i l lumined by the preciousness, the costliness of
His Name : His exaltation into the Godhead,
only made possible through that deep descent
into hades. The humilitation of the Incarnation alone should be sufficient to provoke our
wondering praise,that God should so unclothe
and limit Himself in the abasement of our likeness !
MINISTRIES.
These are becoming too manifold for announcement, but there are c -rliiin matter* that m a y
he mentioned for prais and prayer.
T h e report from the Newcastle area is full
of cheer and significance. T h e pattern of the
Lord is seen in the openings for ministry among
163
j
i
|
[
The v i s i t t o Jersey, December 8 t h to 16thi

was deeply f r u i t f u l . Guernsey was taken i n on
the w a y , and there one found a Bmall group.of
intensely h u n g r y souls, whose gratitude f o r
the v i s i t was overwhelming. Arrangements are
being made possible for a regular sharing of t h e
m i n i s t r y t o t h e t w o islands. I t ' i s hoped.that
our brother, M r . Crowe, w i l l spend a day there
when due a t Jersey f r o m January 15th t o 20th.
The meetings a t St. Helier's, December 8-18
were marked by a real spirit of . revelation, and
our brother was greatly strengthened i n his
endeavour t o gather the children of God around
the central Testimonj'. - He proposes t o conduct the Bible School through the Scriptures;
While the meetings are held at the Friends'
Meeting House, t h e " Fellowship " is an absolutely free one, the building being merely a
matter of convenience.
There was a " discerning of the Body " i n a clearer l i g h t this time
i n Jersey, and much is expected f r o m this
" heavenly vision " i n respect t o freedom from
every other interest but t h a t of serving God's
supreme purpose i n this age. The remarkable
work among the r u r a l districts i n the north of
the island is still going on under the oversight
of Pastor Pallot, between whom and M r .
Voisin there is close fellowship : and one cannot
help feeling t h a t the L o r d will gather out a
people for H i s Name i n Jersey.
The M o n t h l y Conferences at Willesden Green
(Rev. Pearson-Harrison) call for our close eooperation in prayer. These are held the t h i r d
Thursday i n each m o n t h .
Colchester, Friends' Meeting House, January
| 3rd to o t h .
Newcastle, 2Uth. the
j week in district around.
preceding
Dublin, 1 0 t h .
164
WITNESS
AND A
NOTES FROM B I B L E R E A D I N G S ON N U M B E R S "

44
.TESTIMONY
possibility, b u t there have been the wanderings

of nearly 1000 years. N o w once again are wo
being brought not to Kadesh-Barnea, b u t to the
deeps of Jordan, as the place of cntering-in.
The call to the Lord's people to-day is t o recognise the principles and ordcrings t h a t the H o l y
Spirit has given for t h e gathering together and
edifying of the B o d y of Christ, t h a t we might
all arrive a t the oneness of the f a i t h , and at the
oneness of the full-knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect M A N , unto the measure of the age
of the fulness of the C h r i s t . " A h , what a call
is here to those w h o have humble, listening
hearts 1 A n d how significant i s t h a t use of the,
silver trumpets, A n d when t h e y shall blow
w i t h them, a l l t h e congregation shall assemble
themselves t o T H E E (for Moses is b u t the type
of t h a t Infinite Mediator) a t the entrance of the
Tabernacle of the congregation " (Numbers x . 3).
Thus would the H o l y Spirit call us through the
speech of t h a t blood of our common purchasing
and sprinkling, t h a t we m i g h t 'be gathered into
Oneness a t the entrance i n t o t h a t greater and
perfect Tabernacle i n the heavenlies, not of this
creationto pass through as a n assembly" into
.
the Glory of H i s Presence.
W E have been led t o narrowly consider the

Book of Numbers as containing in type spiritual
principles and directions for the gatheringtogether, the marshalling and progresses of the
children of God unto His Divine Consummation,
namely, the Translation and Out-Resurrection
of His Church, which is the Body of the Christ.
I t also contains a history of tragic failure t o
enter into t h a t inheritance for which this chosen
nation was called, redeemed, and initially led.
They failed t o enter i n because of unbelief, and
because of disobedience springing f r o m unbelief.
K e y passages i n the New Testament t h a t
indicate the p u r p o r t of the Book are1 Cor.
x . 1-11; Hebrews i i i . 7iv. 1 1 ; Ephesians
i v . 1-16. These should be read prayerfully and
carefully, for apart from the general principle
l a i d , down i n Romans xv.. 4 t h a t " whatsoever
things were w r i t t e n aforetime were written, f o r
our l e a r n i n g , " i t is plainly declared w i t h respect
t o t h e ' experiences of the . children of Israel
recorded i n N u m b e r s , now these things became
our types " (1 Cor. x . 6) and " all these things
A n d let us remember t h a t we cannot read the
happened unto them for types ; and they are
words the S p i r i t has given except t h e same
written.for our admonition upon whom the ends Spirit energises t h e spiritual faculties of our
of the ages arrived " (v. 11)..
hearts t h a t we m a y understand the scriptures.
The H o l y Spirit would not have us ignorant
One' would n o t be surprised i f the H o l y Spirit
therefore of w h a t befel this " church i n the were t o use much these first five books of the
wilderness "..since H e has recorded its history
Bible to the edification of the Church i n these
as a prophetic parable containing the history last days. The devil would specialise scripture,
and experience of the Church of God, the Body
taking certain parts out of t h e whole volume,
of Christ, i n i t s wanderings throughout this t o create special teaching a n d thus create
present evil age.
sects and schism. The H o l y Spirit would preserve the grand u n i t y of all the scriptures,
.The " exodus " was always for the purpose of
and the blessed truths concerning the Body of
the eisodosthe deliverance, the w a y out of
Christ are found deeply embedded i n all scripE g y p t , b u t the first step for that way into "
the land of promise. The wanderings and failure ture, and do n o t belong t o certain exclusive
while foreseen, were quite unnecessary from the passages i n the New Testament. .
Divine standpoint, and they did not glorify the
A brief comparison of the first five bookB of
" Name " i n the first place, though God i n His the Bible might therefore be useful at this point,
over-ruling wisdom and power used them to the though the information is familiar.
disciplining of H i s people and to the praise of
Genesis, the book of the beginnings or origins
H i s grace. B u t we must n o t condone the illustrates God's dealings w i t h a fallen race
failure, which is as much as to say, Let us
upon the principle of individual calling. Here
continue to sin t h a t grace may abound."
the Spirit blowcth where He listeth," choosing
So w i t h the church of the Christ. There was j men for His purpose according as He w i l l , until
a glorious " exodus " through Calvary's perfect j He discovers i n Abraham a recipient and custriumph and Pentecost'.*' perfect enduemcnt. | todian of that " j u s t i f y i n g f a i t h " (X.B.) upon
The eisodos has always been possible and there- j which shall depend all His future dealings with
fore imminent. " M a i a n a t h a " has always i men and nations.
been the cry of the Spirit. The church of the
The Voice of God is heard " i n the breeze of
New Testament times came very near to that the day." Genesis i i i . S.
44
44
4 4
44
14
41
44
WITNESS
AMD A
Exodus, the hook of the " W a y o u t " has for

its theme " Redemption," b u t i n relation to a
nation rather than to individuals.
This elect nation, Israel, iB the f r u i t of t h a t
elect individual Jacob, himself of the spiritual
seed of Abraham, who represents " the spirit of
service," but service made spiritual b y the grace
of God's dealings w i t h h i m , so t h a t he becomes
Israel, one who prevails w i t h God and men,
for this nation is intended t o serve God's purposes in the earth. I t must therefore be
redeemed and separated f r o m t h e rest of mank i n d , and is accordingly delivered out of the
.power of the world and of its prince, typified i n
E g y p t and Pharaohand i n a definite and particular manner is i t delivered f r o m the " l o r d of
death " by " the blood of the L a m b . "
Then the Yoice of God is heard i n the Mount.
Revelation comes t o a redeemed people. The
law, which is spiritual, is given f r o m heaven.
. B u t the people cannot bear t h e revelation of a
H o l y God, and so a mediator, Moses, is appointed ; also the Tabernacle of t h e Testimony
is constructed upon a Divine p a t t e r n so t h a t a
H o l y God may dwell among a sinful people
through mediation and priesthood.
(How
plainly is the church set f o r t h here 1 We are
the heavenly counterpart of this Israel,a
^heaven-born and therefore a heavenly people,
purchased unto God Himself for a possession.
His inheritance; redeemed o u t of this present
evil age and the a u t h o r i t y of its god, t h a t i n a
H o l y Ghost L i f e , t h a t is, a heavenly life h i d
w i t h Christ i n God, we m i g h t serve our God i n a
ministry of intercession t h a t shall re-act upon
the principalities and powers t h a t rule this
world.)
Leviticus is the book of access and communion for this redeemed people through a
priestly ministry, t h a t of Aaron. B u t propitiation and sanctification i n their manifold forms
of sacrifice are needed to maintain this people
i n the grace of God. I n addition the Day of
Atonement marks the fact t h a t the way into the
Holiest of A l l is barred to t h e i r un cleanness,
though Aaron as their representative is admitted
to the Divine Audience once i n the year, not
without bloodand while he, and they representatively, arc thus accepted, they arc bidden
afflict their souls as they contemplate the fact
that a Holy God can have no abiding fellowship
with their continually, sinful and unholy nature.
The Voice here is signi.ieantly in the tent or the
congregation.
Numbers, briefly the book of " ordering* "
deals with the assemblings and journeyings, the
TESTIMONY
165
fellowship and pilgrim march to victory and

inheritance of this redeemed and sanctified
people. T b e y gather around a central " Testimony " which makes them an ordered host, and
when all the conditions constituting U n i t y
obtain (chapters i . t o x.) they " M A R C H " to a
promised destination underDivine Guidance and
protection.
They are " i n the wilderness," b u t
the Voice is heard f r o m the " Mercy-Seat"
(ch. v i i i . 89).
Deuteronomy, as its t i t l e implies, .'s the
Rehearsal of the L a w . I n s t a n t l y .coi-ies to
mind the words, " H e shall bring all things t o
your remembrance, whatsoever I have said
unto y o u . " Moses recounts all things t h a t
have come t o pass i n the Lord's manifest
dealings w i t h t h e m , and all His words. They
are about t o enter into the promised " L a n d . '
This is another generation than those who
failed.
I t is the book of t h e S p i r i t , and of the! I n heritance of the sons of God. H o w significant
the fact t h a t the Son of God when challenged
b y . Satan a t - t h e end of those " forty [ days*
temptation in the unlderness " as to H i s 'Sonship and Inheritance quoted exclusively f r o m
Deuteronomy.
Here the V o i c e is also the voice of a M a n !
Moses, type of the Mediator, speaks, and sings,
i n the midst of the church.
" I am the Good Shepherd I M y sheep hear
M y Voice, and they follow Me I "
Whither,
L o r d ? I n t o t h a t Heavenly L a n d of Promise.
Jordan is dried up for us b y the A r k a n d the
sons of God enter into their heavenly possessions I
To r e t u r n now t o this " Book of Numbers,"
which as we have noted is r a t h e j a book dealing
w i t h the ordering, assembling, and journeying
of a redeemed people who must be found
gathered together i n a u n i t y around a central
" Testimony." I t is important to recognise
t h a t the first ten chapters f o r m an introduction.
The H o l y Spirit considered i t w o r t h while to
record w i t h a care and reference to detail t h a t
reads laborious!}' to our carnal mind the necessary conditions apart f r o m which the very
first step forward of a united God-ordcred and
God-directed people could not be taken.
B u t how essential is t h a t " M a r c h forward "
if the Divine W i l l is to be realised. They are
not their own, they are bought w i t h a price,
serve a Divine Purpose, to enter a *' L a n d "
occupied by the enemies of Jehovah who must
become their enemies. Tbey are to overthrow
and cast out '* seven nations," and this simply
166
WITNESS
AND
b y their obedience i n following the A r k of

Testimony and the due proclamation of their
f a i t h i n the " N a m e " ; but this must be
ordered and united. How vividly does the
Spirit thus portray i n type the warfare of the
church w i t h those evil principalities and powers,
who arc t o be cast out of their present realm
i n the lower heavenlies by the united testimony
of a people obedient to a u n i t y of " the f a i t h . "
The theme of " N u m b e r s " is warfare, but
warfare realised and the f a i t h for i t kindled
in
the wilderness.
The numbering is for
war: n o t all are numbered. As we read the
first four chapters, this thought of a calling
t h a t is for war is constantly pressed. Note
the description recurring in the numbering of
each t r i b e i n Chapter 1, " a l l that were able to
go f o r t h to w a r . " I t is for this purpose they
are ranged around the tabernacle of the
Testimony i n Chapter i i . pitched by their own
standards. The further and more intensive
aspects of this warfare of a " F a i t h " are
presented i n the " work " of the Levites and
the . 'worship and intercession of the priestly
f a m i l y , chapters i i i . and i v . The phrase
** perform the service " describing the ministry
of the sons of Gershon, Merari, and K o t h a t h
is literally " war. ike warfare" I (ch. i v . 23,
30, 35).
B u t a l l this must be i n the order of God.
T h e y . must recognise His election both to
salvation and t o service, and that these are
distinct and separate appointments of His grace.
Chapter i . deals w i t h the numbering of the
tribes according t o their pedigree or birth,
vers'e 18. Chapter i i . records their numbering
according t o service. The God who calls to
salvation, must also call to service. His
Sovereign grace must be acknowledged equally
i n b o t h phases of our life. I f this principle of
the Divine appointment for ministry i n the
B o d y of Christ were mutually recognised what
deliverances would swiftly come to pass i n the
present chaos*of the church of the first-born!
L e t us also note that before the question of
service comes i n , the ministry of the, as yet, unnumbered Levites is suggested, their encampment
being immediately around the tabernacle of the
Testimony (ch. i . 47-54). The rest of the sons of
Israel, " far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch " (ch. i i . 2 ) , probably
at the minimum distance of [the -2,000 cubits
mentioned in Joshua i i i . 4 ; and this lest there
be " w r a t h . " There must be no presumption
to serve. Salv.ition may be secured, but this
does not warrant an intrusion into holy things
TESTIMONY
except under a Divine i n v i t a t i o n and a com-'

missioning by Divine appointment. H o w shall
they preach except they be sent ? I t must
always be the compulsions of the H o l y Ghost
and n o t the impulses, choices, and desires of
our own flesh that create our service. A n d
every one of us must give account unto God.
Though the Foundation is t r u l y observed wc
must take heed how we build thereon, for
our works i n this respect will be revealed i n
fire (1 Cor. i i i . 10-15). B u t we say this not
t o quench zeal or to deter service, but rather
to encourage i t i n holiness and fear of God,
for every warrior numbered i n chapter i .
because of salvation is also numbered i n chapter
i i . for service; but there is an interposition of
reverence and godly fear, and they pitch their
standards according t o a further call t o ministry,
and listen for the sound of triumpets, waiting
at attention, so to'speak : saying, " Here am 11
send m e : b u t as T h o u dost appoint, and not
as I desire." A n d no brother clashes w i t h
brother, neither is there any r i v a l r y or competition or self-interest of service among the
hosts of God. There is one order for Balvation
t h e n : and another for service. B y b i r t h ' w e
are a l l borne upon the H i g h Priest's shoulders,
w i t h o u t respect of persons. Exodus x x v i i i . 9,
" according t o b i r t h , " and Reuben, though
unstable, as water is given his place; but upon
the Breastplate there is another, order of God's
choice and Judah comes first though Reuben
has s t i l l a place.
This is the numbering
" according t o the twelve tribes." So God gets
some, E p h . i v . 11, b u t all are called to serve
" for the w o r k of the ministry, for the edifying
of the B o d y of Christ." He, the H o l y Spirit,
distributes t o all severally according to His
w i l l (1 Cor. xii.). We are all " members i n
particular," and " unto each one of us is given
grace (for service, here) according to the
measure of the gift of the C h r i s t " (Eph. i v . 7).
A n d the mightiest ministry is " a hidden one "
i n the Holiest of A l l , and he that is least among
you shall be the greatest.
L e t us rapidly recount the principles of
" numbering
those whose names are written
i n heaven, according to chapters i . and i i .
1. Numbering must always be upon a basis
I of Redemption, and remembrance of redemption,
j No other numbering is permitted. " A n d the
! L o n l spake unto Moses, When thou takest the
\ SUM of the children of Israel after their number,
j then shall they give every man a ransom for
I his soul unto the Lord when thou numberest
, them, that there be no plague among them
A WITNESS A N D A TESTIMONY
when thpu numbcrest them " (Exodus x x x .
11-15). I t was for no prompting of pride or
power that Israel was ever to be numbered,
but as a redeemed people. They were to
remember the Blood of their redemption, and
-make their acknowledgment i n the half-shekel,
a pure remembrance of the sanctuary before
G o d ; and i n this they were all alike, w i t h no
superiorities or inferioritiessinners redeemed
by costly blood, who had thus become members
of a holy nation. Thus t w o things should
come to the heart of the true believer, nay
threeRedemption, realisation of their membership of a holy nation, and also of their
pilgrimage towards a speedy destination.
Are
not these embodied i n the Lord's Supper:
(a) We remember His d e a t h ; (6) we should
discern the Body, the church, especially t h a t
of i t present i n the members gathered w i t h us ;
(c) we labour and wait i n the Spirit unto H i s
Coming.
Such are the numberings of chapters i . and i i . ,
and also of chapter x x v i . B u t when D a v i d
was provoked by Satan t o v a i n glory and selfexaltation, and ordered the numbering of
Israel for mere statistical purposes, see what
disaster 1 2 Samuel x x i v . H o w does this
reflect upon church statistics ?
2." The second principle i n numbering, as we
have already seen, was t h a t of " pedigree"
b i r t h . Thus the phrases (a) B y t h e i r generations,* (6) after their families (c) b y the house
of their fathers, (d) and these, according t o the
number of namesare repeated w i t h regard to
every tribe. These references m i g h t be considered redundant were i t not obvious that the
H o l y Spirit is emphasising w i t h great particularity the necessity t h a t each individual should
be able to establish his i d e n t i t y , verse 18. I t
is literally then a counting of heads," by their
polls," but " according t o b i r t h . "
Church membership must be established then
not only upon a basis of redemption, but upon
the fact t h a t those who claim this can also
substantiate their birth-right.
The " new
birth " is as essential as redemption. They
are complementary, and one is not manifest
without the other. B u t the " b i r t l i " must not
only be avowed but proven, A n d h o w ? B\
the witness of the Spirit. God leaves us not
without witness. " Hereby know we that we
abide in H i m and He in us, because He hath
given us of His Spirit (1 John i v . 15, also i i i .
24 : Romans viii. ] ; , 17.)
No one who is not *' born-from-above can
serve in the heavenly army of thy L o r d . "
f
16*7
3. The t h i r d basis of numbering was maturity :

" t w e n t y years old and u p w a r d . " Note the
" upward " : " There is no discharge f r o m this
warfare " : These accordingly were " able to
go f o r t h t o war i n I s r a e l . " The " babes " were
ineffective and added t o the labours of the
warriors since they had t o be protected.
This, of course, is t h e urgent emphasis of the
Spirit i n E p h . i v . I t is essential for the great
Purpose of God t h a t every believer Bhould be
brought t o " m a t u r i t y " i n order t h a t they
may enter i n t o the w o r k of the ministry. A l l
the revelation t h a t issues out of t h a t " Holiest
of A l l " t h r o u g h the service under unction of
those who also " war the warfare," the sons of
K o h a t h , Gershon and Merari (t3 pifying the
ministry of prophet, teacher and evangelist,
who bear t h e burden of the Lord's revelation),
is for the purpose of " perfecting the Baints."
A n d this perfection as we have so often recognised is " full-growth " or " m a t u r i t y , " which
God intends should be brought about as speedily
and healthfully as possible. The tragedy of
even evangelical circles to-day, let us repeat, is
" arrested development." The burden of such
an anomaly issuei i n a t r a v a i l of beseeching
throughout the epistles, " t h a t we be no more
children " I
H o w far are we f r o m the ideal set f o r t h i n this
manifold m i n i s t r y issuing i n the " m a t u r i t y "
of a great a r m y as described i n chapters i-iv 1
Even our highest thought of H o l y Ghost ministry
is t h a t of successful evangelism, a great gathering-in of converts. W e t h i n k if we swell the ranks
of the Lord's hosts w i t h a mighty increase of
those who m a y be t r u l y born again we have
attained t h e end of the " W o r d . " A n d what
becomes of these " b a b e s " ? The land is
strewn w i t h the derelicts of successful missions.
Even the multitudinous " movements," based
upon experiences, and of " schools " based upon
interpretations of t h e . Bible as a text-book are
largely due t o these " babes" being thrust
shephcrdless into a supernatural wilderness
atmosphere where " the prince of the power
of the aerial hosts " lies i n wait for the unlearned and the unwary. True, the L o r d is
over all, and His grace and Anointing provide
a marvellous protection and guidance t o tho
meek and lowly. B u t He has ordained t h a t
wc should live as members of " One Body "
and not as individuals endeavouring as best wc
may to reach a promised " L a n d . " We are
called upon, " One Hope of our c a l l i n g , " and
the prayer of the Great Shepherd was t h a t we
might be perfected into ** O n e " L e t us
r

168
WITNESS
AND
remember t h a t while this oneness of His L i f e '

is true for each believer as we are found joined
t o H i m , the Purpose of God is that this Oneness
should be realised, that i t should function, and
t h a t at the end of the age, the members of the
B o d y should arrive unto i t .
I t is therefore necessary t h a t in addition to
a true evangelising ministry i n the H o l y Ghost
whereby, i n the presentation of the solid foundations and fabric of the T r u t h i n Christ, children
should be brought into " b i r t h " (the burden of *
the sons of Merari) there should be the unveiling
of the further t r u t h for edification i n the
m i n i s t r y of teaching (the burden of the sons of
Gershon), and the revealing of the things of
t h e " s a n c t u a r y , " the heavenlies of the Christ
(burden of the sons of Kohath) so t h a t the
" babes " should be fed first w i t h m i l k , then
w i t h solid food, t h a t they might become " perfect "mature: warriors instructed and instrengthened b y the Spirit i n the heavenly
warfare. '
,
T . M; J.
. (To. be continued.) : ,: :
TESTIMONY
" T H E SONG OF MOSESAND

THE LAMB"
A M E S S A G E A T T H E S E P T E M B E R CONFERENCE.
T H E fragment of the word of the L o r d which

is basic to our meditation is i n the Rev. xv. 3-4:
" A n d they sing the song of Moses the servant
of God, and the song of the L a m b , saying,
Great and marvellous are t h y works, O Lord
God, the A l m i g h t y , righteous and true are thy
ways, thou K i n g of the ages. Who shall not
fear, O L o r d , and glorify t h y name ? for thou
only art holy ; for all the nations shall come
and worship before t h e e ; for t h y righteous
acts have been made manifest."
" A n d they sing the song of Moses the servant
of God, and the song of the L a m b . " A n d what
is t h a t two-fold song, or t h a t one song which
gathers up this marvellous Old Testament
and this glorious New Testament theme. I t
.is the song of a great emancipation; the song
of a great. deliverance; t h e song o f . a great
gathering out accomplished;. t h e . song of a
freeing b y the almighty power of God. " The
. . .
BOOKLETS
song of Moses the servant of G o d " (we will
look a t i t i n a minute). " A n d the song of the

Lamb "one song 1 B u t i t is the Bong of an
T H E following are now a v a i l a b l e "
exodus, a going out, a deliverance, a freeing,
/ I n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o Christ.* N o . 1. P r i c e 2d.
an emancipation by a specific method, and that
I n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o Christ.* N o . 2. P r i c e 2d.
is w h y i t is called not the song of Moses the
' I n c o r p o r a t i o n i n t o Christ.* N o . 3. P r i c e 2d.
servant of God and the song of Jesus the Son
T h e s e a r e n o w p u b l i s h e d i n one v o l u m e , P r i c e
of. God, b u t i t is the " S o n g of the Lamb."
Bd. c o l o u r e d p a p e r c o v e r ( n o t . 6 d . a s p r e v i o u s l y
T h a t is its supreme significance, because i n
announced).
both instances, i n the typical and i n the literal,
T h e I n n e r M a n of t h e H e a r t . '
P r i c e id.
the Lamb slain was the w a y out, and the way
* V i s i o n a n d Vocation.*
P r i c e Zd'.
through, the basis for everything. I t is the
' T h e P r i s o n e r of t h e L o r d . * P r i c e 2d.
B y T . Madoc Jeffreys :
song of the L a m b . A way, a peculiar way, a
* T h e D i v i n e Unities.*
P r i c e 3d.
specific way. .That, beloved, is w h y we gathered
round the n i n t h chapter of the gospel of Luke
T h e following booklets m a y n o w be h a d i n
this evening. The account or record of what
French : '
is called the transfiguration of the Son of Man,
T e m o i g n a g e et E x p e r i e n c e (Serio).
because i t was i n that transfiguration mount
that Moses the servant of God, accompanied
i. ' I n c o r p o r a t i o n en Christ,* p r i x reduit, 1 franc.
by Elijah, appeared with the Lamb i n the glory,
(Suisse 50 c.)
i i . I n c o r p o r a t i o n e n C h r i s t , ' 50 c. (Suisso 25 c.)
and spake not of His death (that is not the
i i i . * I n c o r p o r a t i o n en C h r i s t , ' 50 c.
word i n the original, though so translated in
i v . ' L ' H o m m e interier d u cocur.
L a sphere de
one of our versions), but concerning the exodus
l a vie du croyant,' 1 franc.
which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem
v . L e P e u p l e qui* f a i t de g r a n d s exploits,* 30 c.
a mighty accomplishment i n an exodus
(Suisso 20 c.)
through a grave, through death. There was
v i . ' L a T r i p l e L o i tie In C r o i x , ' 30 c.
never another death in all the history of death
v i i . * E t n b h c conmie e i g n e / 30 e.
v i i i . * L n V i s i o n tiniversollc,' 30 <., ' V i s i o n i-t
like t h a t ; never another grave in all the history
V o c a t i o n , ' Nos. 5-S, 1 f u n i c .
of graves like that grave. The death and the
Oil pent so lcs. procurer do SoiTuluirc. Honor
grave by which this infinite deliverance, or
O a k C h r i s t i a n F e l l o w s h i p C e n t r e , 13 H o n o r Ouk
exodus was accomplished, " And they spake
K o a d , .London, S . K . 2 8 .
1
WITNESS
AND
TESTIMONY
169
w i t h H i m concerning the exodus t h a t H e was

grave. O, b u t what a grave ! T h a t is the
about t o accomplish a t Jerusalem." I t was
point. I t is n o t an ordinary grave, and i t is
an hour of the t r i u m p h of f a i t h . Now mark
j u s t exactly w h a t t h a t grave stood for w h i c h
every word, " A n hour of the t r i u m p h of f a i t h . "
gives the k e y , the interpellation to this whole
And if you had understoodbeen ablo t o enter
theme. T h a t grave as symbolised i n the
intothe deepest meaning and secret and
exodus of t h e people of God of old. Israel
experience of the transfiguration mount you
from E g y p t went through the grave of the Red
would have found t h a t i t was the scene of a
Sea, and i t was a grave as i t proved to be
grim c o n f l i c t ; n o t less g r i m than Gethsemane,
v e r y l i t e r a l l y , as we shall see i n a moment.
and through the conflict-the t r i u m p h of f a i t h .
Their exodus through t h a t grave was t y p i c a l ,
Wherein d i d the conflict lay ? W h y , H e was
and symbolic of the destroying of the whole
already glorified, w h y then go through the
t y r a n n y a n d domination of sin. T h a t is the
Cross ? W h y n o t now pass w i t h the glory into
first note i n t h e heavenly chorus. Sin dealt
the glory ? W h y n o t go r i g h t through into
w i t h i n t h a t grave. Sin i n its root p r i n c i p l e ;
glory now ? We have before mentioned t h a t
b u t I am n o t going t o trouble you to t u r n again
many authorities t h i n k t h a t i n t h a t passage
t o such familiar words as in Romans v i .
w i t h which we are familiar the translation
" H a v i n g been buried w i t h H i m , " " planted
ought to be t h i s " W h o instead of the j o y set
together i n t h e likeness of H i s death," " sin shall
before H i m endured the Cross, despising the
no longer have t h e dominion over y o u . " W e l l
s h a m e " " W h o instead of the g l o r y . . . . "
t h a t is there, and, i n order t h a t H e m i g h t save
Whether y o u accept t h a t , or n o t , the principle
H i s people f r o m their sin, and vindicate H i s
is. there: T h a t was the battle-ground, for here t i t l e , H i s N a m e , H e w i l l make His exodus b y
was the glory, here was the j o y of the glory set
way of t h e Cross, the grave.
before H i m , the open door into heaven. They
N o w t h a t is the first, simple elementary t r u t h
appeared w i t h H i m i n glory. There i t iB, and
of the gospel for any sinner. T h a t is where y o u
i t l H e had sought H i s own, claimed H i s own,
begin, beloved. Have you visions and imagina-.
and stood alone f o r H i s own, and had l e t go
tions of singing t h e song i n the glory. Y o u say,
this other w o r k r e l a t i v e t o a l l these unsaved
y o u hope t o be there, you want t o be t h e r e :
sonls, H e could have gone r i g h t through into
Now begin here. Do you know the cancellation
the glory: I t was His by r i g h t . H e was the
and b l o t t i n g o u t of Bin as by a death t h a t puts
Prince of glory. The battle then was-Shall
sin deep, deep i n t h e abyss of a grave like the
I go through t o the glory, or shall I go the other
grave t h r o u g h which He passed ? Never a
way ? Shall I go this way, or t h a t way ? A n d
rave l i k e t h a t ! I t was a grave t h a t went r i g h t
there appeared unto H i m Moses and .Elijah
own to Hades ; a grave t h a t ploughed its way
and spake w i t h H i m concerning the exodus.
down
to t h e deepest depths where sin dwells,
I wonder what they were saying. Moses I am
and deals w i t h sin a t rock-bottom. B u t a grave
quite Bure was encouraging and saying
like t h a t must stand between your old life
D o n ' t forget long, long ago t h a t people came
and your l i f e i n Christ if you are t o know
out through the Red Sea." T h a t was the way of
anything
of singing " the song of Moses the
their deliverance. A n d E l i j a h was saying
servant
of
God and the song of the L a m b . "
" D o n ' t forget there was a day when I stemmed
Y o u begin there, pardon me beloved saints for
the waters of Jordan, they parted and made a
being so elementary, but one has to start there,
w a j ' for me, and I went through by a chariot
and
you k n o w we have not got out of the realm
into the glory. T h a t is the way. The}' spake
of
preaching
the gospel yet. M a y the L o r d
of the method of His exodus which He was about
deliver
us
f
r
o
m ever having this laid to our
to accomplish. A n d f a i t h triumphed, and He
c h a r g e t h a t we h a v e no gospel for tho uncame down f r o m the mountain, and d i d not go
saved. N o w t h a t is the gospel pure and simple
through to the glory. He waited a b i t , in order
at its beginning, b u t that is not all of tho
to take us w i t h h i m , " Who, by the grace of Cod,
gospelyou begin there. " T h e song of Moses
should bring many .sons to the g l o r y , " instead
the s e r v a n t of God and the song of the L a m b "
of going alone. T h a t is tlie way through.
That is the achievement of Calvary. T h a t is ; is the song of an emancipation fis.m the dominion of s i n .
Mark you, I am not r a y i n g from
the accomplishment a t Jerusalem, and t h a t is
the
presence
of s i n , but from tho dominion
the basis and theme, key-note ami harmony
of
sin.
Y
o
u
have got
to learn to h a v e
of the song of Moses the servant of Cod and \
the song of the Lambexodus through the | dominion, if you arc goir.tj to share thrones
and reign, a n d it is the exercise of your spirit
t70
A WITNESS. AND A
i n the power of reigning life that is your training

to have dominion i n the spirit. T h a t is why
the Master never wiped the Devil out in the
Cross ; He dealt w i t h H i m but never wiped him
out, but gave him a certain lease of life in order
to give us a chance of sharing His triumph and
H i s throne, i n order that there might be a
counterpart i n the church of His own treading
upon the head of the serpent, t h a t He might
say to usin the language of Thomas Goodwin
as to His c h u r c h " Come, my beloved, I have
p u t m y heel on his head, come you and put
your foot where I have placed mine," and so the
apostle realizes t h a t He shall say unto us also,
the church, * p u t your feet upon h i m ' " God
shall bruise satan under your heel shortly."
Then Calvary's bruising must have this counterp a r t , and so*He has not eradicated sin root and
branch from u s ; but He has delivered our spirit
from the bondage, and p u t our spirit, by grace,
i n a place of ascendency, so t h a t i t is for us, by
the energising of God i n our spirit t o have the
donunion. I t is t h a t the victorious Christ,
victorious over sin, dwelling i n our spirit may
w o r k out His own t r i u m p h i n us as He wrought
i t i n the Cross. Do not misunderstand me.
T h a t is a point upon which there is a good deal of
misunderstanding, but there i t isdominion
-from t h a t tyranny of Egypt. As you who are
familiar w i t h the word of the L o r d here know,
E g y p t throughout the Old Testament is always
a type of the senses of the natural man, and out
from the tyranny of those senses which are a l l
polluted by Bin He has delivered us by His
Cross, and we live no longer after the senses, we
live after the Spirit. I t was also an. exodus by
which life's barren waste and ineffectiveness
might be put away, and that we might come out
into our true vocation. You see these people i n
E g p y t were working very hard, b u t to what
purpose ? They were spending their strength,
exhausting their resources but all i n the interests
of the enemy, and they groaned, we read, by
reason of their taskmasters, and, i n order that
they Hhould not have the opportunity of contemplating the exodus their labours were
increased. T h a t is the way of the enemy, no
clearly defined purpose being accomplished, no
work accomplishing the eternal ends of God.

Beloved, you don't know, and you never can
know why you were created until you arc a
sharer in the. triumph of the. Lord Jesus Christ
in and by H i s Cross, and then you begin to discover in your spirit a sense of purpose
You
ttotir" that one of the lirst gestures of a newlybom life is to do something for the L o r d , the
TESTIMONY
first inclination, the first working out arises out of

this sensethat this b i r t h is unto something, and
although many mistakes arc made i n t h a t early
infant consciousness of the newly-born spirit,
nevertheless, there is this t h i n g , a sense of
purpose, of vocation, of definite calling as of
something to be done. Sooner or later there
comes through a revelation i n the main of our
relationship to the eternal purpose which God
purposed i n Christ before the world was, and
then, under the anointing of the H o l y Spirit, we
begin to discover the nature of our place in that
purpose, and we begin to realise the enduement
and equipment to fulfil t h a t for which, as we now
realise, we were eternally elected i n Christ.
The whole matter of vocation as related to some
intention of God settled before the foundation
of the. world comes up now, and life becomes
dominated by a sense of the eternal purpose.
A n d they came out through the Red Sea into the
purpose of God t o . be the instrument and
channel, sphere and vehicle of H i s own revelation.
Now . I am s t i l l speaking perhaps to many
who have not yet .been identified w i t h the Lord
i n t h a t death and that burial,so many who are
wondering why they are alive, some even complaining because they had no choice i n the
matteran injustice has been done them
they would rather not have come: B u t 0 .
how far t h a t is from t h i s , t h a t we are called
into His eternal purpose i n Christ t o fit into a
plan conceived i n the heart of God before the
first man was created I To you who are " called
according t o His purpose ""Chosen i n H i m : "
Wonderful conception! B u t , mark you, you
never put your foot upon t h a t territory u n t i l
you know the power of His death, the depths of
His grave over all that which can never come
into the service of God, for our " old man,"
our flesh, can never serve God. We, beloved,
i n our natural spirit can never be of any use to
God. I would that all who profess to be the
Lord's would settle that once and for all. Our
flesh can contribute nothing to the purpose of
God, not a fragment. There is nothing i n us b}'
nature which God will take and use. Now
settle i t , for you will have to come to i t sooner or
later, if you arc going on with God. T h e service
of God is service in the spirit on the ground of
H i s own working in us to will and to do of His
good pleasure, because He is resident in us, and
He is only resident- in H i s own begotlen-agiviu
children.
A r c you clear about that t
You
only make a mess when you try to do God's
! work for H i m .
. .
A- W t t N f e S S
A N D A TESTIMONY
The matter then of spiritual ascendency over

sin is a matter of resurrection w i t h Christ from
the dead by having shared w i t h H i m H i s cross
and His grave. The matter of spiritual service
is i n the same relationship b y the same way. And
then, blessed be God, i n t h a t grave death's
sting was plucked out. H e went through the
grave, and as He went through H e plucked
the Bting of death f r o m death. I t was the
death of death t h a t H e died so t h a t death is
robbed of its sting and of its prey i n t h e grave of
the L o r d Jesus. I t was a terrific death ! A
mighty death ! Y o u see t h a t i n the symbolism
i n Israel's case. We have so often pointed,
this out. Just let us say i t briefly again
The battle of the Paschal L a m b and t h e exodus
was the battle between the L o r d of L i f e and the
L o r d of Death. The blood was the basis of t h a t
tremendous thing, and the L o r d of D e a t h coming
to Egypt met the L o r d of L i f e i n t h e presence
of the blood poured f o r t h and encircling the
portal of the threshold of the house of H i s
people, and t h a t blood resisted t h e L o r d of
Death. H e had no access for t h a t blood was
the occasion of the access of the L o r d of L i f e
into the house of HiB chosen. T h e position
was not pass b y , i t waspass over t h e threshold
right i n . H e stepped across the blood at the
threshold, and made a'covenant of L i f e on the
ground of t h a t blood w i t h those w i t h i n , who,
by f a i t h , had taken the blood. T h e y may
well have said, " Well, t h i s is a v e r y silly sort
of thing to do, we don't see much i n t h i s
sprinkling the blood on the lintel of the doorposts 1 W h a t is the eeffct of this 1 " 0 , by
faith they sprinkled the blood, and i t was the
triumph of f a i t h i n the blood w h i c h brought
about a covenant of L i f e w i t h the L o r d of Life,
so t h a t the L o r d of Death was excluded and
vanquished, and all t h a t was accomplished i n
the blood, and secured a safe exodus from the
grave which would have swallowed them up,
but for t h a t blood and t h a t covenant, and
that victorious faith ! T h a t is w h j ' the writer
of the Hebrew letter speaking i n solemn
language, refers to those who " trampled
under foot the blood of the covenant and
accounted i t an unholy tiling.*' There i t is
in the symbloism of l i g y p t , of Israel. T h e
" basis of a covenant of life hy which death, and
the Lord of Death is robbed of a u t h o r i t y , of
power, of right of access, and a w a y out from
death into life is made in union w i t h the victorious Lord of Life through the blood, and so
they sing their song. I t was the song of life in
prospect. T h e song of Moses the servant of
%
i?i
God was j u s t j t h a t song which we shall sing one

day, " O death where is (thy sting, 0 grave,
where is t h y v i c t o r y . " " Then shall be brought
to pass t h a t which is w r i t t e n . " T h a t is the
song of the Lamb, the prophesy of the song of
Moses the servant of God. Death swallowed
up i n v i c t o r y through the blood of the L o r d
Jesus. Beloved don't confine t h a t t o physical
death, i f t h a t is what iB horizoned i n your
minds b y what I have said. Death is an
infinitely bigger t h i n g than t h a t , and life is
infinitely bigger than salvation f r o m physical
dissolution.
Then y o u notice this other note, perhaps
the note which was most i n the ascendent
i n the song of Moses the servant of God," the
horse a n d his rider have been cast into the
depths of the sea "
" I w i l l sing unto the L o r d , f o r H e h a t h
triumphed gloriouBly:
The horse and his rider h a t h H e thrown into
the sea.
The L o r d is m y strength and song,
A n d H e is become m y salvation.' This iB m y God, I w i l l praise H i m ;
M y father's God, and I w i l l exalt H i m .
The L o r d is a man of w a r :
The L o r d is His name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath H e
cast into the sea :
A n d H i s chosen captains are sunk i n the B e d
Sea.
The deeps cover t h e m :
They went down into the depths like stone.
T h y r i g h t hand, 0 L o r d is glorious i n power." *
etc. The ascendent note of t h e song is,
not only are the instruments of the enemy
destroyed, but the enemy himself is destroyed.
He has used sin ; he has used bondage ; he has
used t y r a n n y ; he has used death, and they,
w i t h himself are now swallowed up. The
enem}' is wiped out, and that is the song of the
Lamb as i t was the song of Moses the servant
of God.
Now, what I like about i t is this, t h a t i t is
corporate. " Then sang Moses and the children
of Israel."
Moses did not sing a solo, there
was a chorus, and when you come over to the
Revelation, it is not the Lamb singing His song
of t r i u m p h , it is the redeemed who are w i t h
H i m singing the song of the L a m b , the one
song of Moses and of the Lamb, which has one
basisabsolute deliverance from every form
of t y r a n n y , bondage and ineffectiveness tlurough
the grave.
WITNESS
AND
N o w beloved, t h a t might be very good in prospcct, b u t t h a t is not good enough. David sang :
" He h a t h p u t . a. new song into my m o u t h , "
and unless we are able to sing this song now,
we had better abandon hope of singing i t then,
because Calvary i n all its meaning is now
effective, and all its f r u i t is now available, and
the whole of the word of God brings i t emphasis
to bear upon this, t h a t the full meaning of the
Cross of the L o r d Jesus is to be the present
experience of H i s own. I n other and familiar
words,the secret of victory and the song of
victory is knowing our union with H i m i n His
death, i n His burial, i n His resurrection. 0 ,
you have heard t h a t , I know, thousands of times!
I t does n o t matter, do you know i t ? Do y o u
really .know i t ? Can you sing now the song
of Moses and the song of the Lamb. To begin
w i t h , can y o u sing b y reason of a spiritual
emancipation f r o m the tyranny and dominion
of sin.?. -I do not mean t h a t you never fail,
t h a t y o u never break down, b u t have you got
i n your possession the secret of spiritual ascendency ? Shall T p u t i t another way. Do y o u
know w h a t i t is to have a new life mdwelling
y o u w h i c h rises up and gives you the . enablement, even i f y o u do fail, to get up and go ,on,
instead of succumbing to the tyranny and
dominion of sin ? Do you know w h a t i t is
t o have t h a t continuous uprising of resurrection
life t h a t makes you say, " Though I fail, y e t
" w i l l T rise." N o t t h a t your life should be one
continual succession of falling and rising, being
floored and getting up and . going . on again,
'but t h a t you are progressively and certainly
going on i n ascension life, and gaining the
ascendency i n your, spirit over your flesh.
That is the course, t h a t this " old man " f r o m
day t o day, is being brought into the captivity
and control of t h a t " new man " which is i n
us. This outer man of the soul, with the sinful
principle i n him, is being' reduced to tho
authority and power and dominion of t h a t
" new man " w i t h the Spirit of holiness as His
principle. That is, the course of spiritual
experience. There is a progressive and continuous rising and taking ascendency on tho
part of the inner man, renewed in God by the
energising of the Holy Spirit, over the outer
man, the " old man/* Do you know the
'ominiou o* ..hrist i** your surit, or are
vou just where you were twelve months ago, j
or nunc 1 is the law of sin being broken by
the law of Christ's resurrection life i n your
spirit t h a t you do not abide in the bondage of
sin. 1 do not know why the Lord is keeping us .
f
TESTIMONY
back at the beginnings. Perhaps the foundat i o n has got t o be renewed, and i n many cases
laid, even' in cases who know all about this as
a t r u t h . Now, beloved, is this true i n your
experience. T h a t is the thing t h a t is i n my
heart. 0 , the danger of being familiar, with
teaching of this k i n d , and yet not to be abreast
of i t i n experience! Unless y o u are learning
progressively t o sing of victory over sin hero,
there is no hope of your singing t h a t song there.
Are you . afraid of death, to start w i t h 1
A r e you afraid of physical death ? 0 , I ask
t h a t question deliberately, for I know somet h i n g i n a w a y , on this matter.
There
are people who have for many years been
preaching Romans v i . , and have been considered authorities on the subject of the Gross
of Christ, who dread death as they dread
nothing else. Now, beloved, what about i t ,
t h a t form? B u t that is nothing compared
w i t h what death . really is. . Do y o u know
victory in your spirit already over death in
all its forms, t h a t death over you is swallowed
up i n v i c t o r y ? Of course I know t h a t i t
requires test cases.-and test experiences to
prove this i n many instances, and i t is n o t u n t i l
y o u really come up against i t t h a t y o u discover
what peace there is, h o w wonderful is the t r u t j i
of this thing. . Some of us have proved that
i n recent months, t h a t whereas i n years gone
by there was
an
apprehensiveness, we
have discovered i n the time when the earth,
and things of earth were slipping away, - a
marvellous peace. The thing was proved up
to the h i l t . I know i t wants test cases, but
here we begin t o interrogate our hearts. . Are
we sure t h a t the bitterness of death is passed
for us i n our spirit, not i n our. emotions and
imagination,- b u t really t h a t we have passed
already from death into life. For us there is
no such thing as death. Now i n as much as
the test case may be necessary, to prove the
reality, beloved, you must lay the foundation
of i t by your identification w i t h His death, the
death that swallows up death. Victory over
death in all its forms. Well, there is the sure
ground of i t .
I must stop, but this song must begin n o w :

you must know it in your heart now. " And
they sing the song of Moses the servant of God
ami the song of the L a m b , " which is the song
arising out of our vital union with H i m in that,
death of deaths, in that grave of graves, ami
in that resurrection into a Life indestructible,
beyond the reach and power of death. A life
. 60 full of purpose and meaning and effectiveness
A WITNESS
AND
that i t is a lifo of the Lord's o w n l i v i n g , and the

Lord's own working. M a y the song of the
Lord begin i n y o n . M a y y o u begin t o sing
tho new song.
He took me from a fearful p i t ,
And from tho m i r y clay,
A n d on a rock H e set m y fect,
Establishing m y w a y .
He p u t a new song i n m y m o u t h ,
Our God t o m a g n i f y :
Many shall see i t , and shall fear,
A n d on the L o r d rely.
T h a t is the fruitfulness of i t a l l .
May the L o r d make y o u good singers i n this
choir of the redeemed b y a deep experience.
B u t there is another side t o t h e theme which
need only be mentioned i n closing. T h e song
is peculiarly the song of the L a m b as the
raiseful expression of t h e issue of H i s passion,
'here was an hour when H e passed t h r o u g h a
t o t a l eclipse. Friends and followers were cut
off i n trust and.help. H i s w o r k appeared t o
have been a l l i n vain, there was no evidence of
i t having been of permanent value. Enemies
compassed H i m about like bees. H i s physical
strength broke down and gave o u t when H e
fell beneath H i s load.' M u c h more, b u t as the
crowning agony He lost f o r a t i m e H i s Father
and His God. The D i v i n e countenance was
hidden and i n that a w f u l moment a l l H i s
spiritual exercises were of no avail. W h i l e
He did not break down i n H i s f a i t h , i t was a
grim faith which bad nothing i n the realm of
the senses to help i t . B u t he g o t through. I t
could not be otherwise. A n d on t h e other side
He saw all the meaning and h a d an adequate,
answer to the far-reaching " W h y ? " Hence
H e is the author of this song.
Beloved, y o u and I may be called i n t o " the
fellowship of H i s sufferings," and at t h e time
there may be almost total eclipse. I f we have
t r u l y been united with H i m in the likeness of
His death we shall also be i n the likeness of
His resurrection and this must surely mean
that out of the sob a song, out of tho nrystcry
a full vindication, out of the deathlife, but

most of all and inclusive of all the revelation
that the whole B o d y of C h r i s t has in some w a y
been benefitted and e n r i c h e d : a ministry which
could only be fulfilled this w a y , to say nothing
of the impact of it all beyond our sense or
sight upon the prince of D a r k n e s s .
L e t us hold on to that day which will compel
us to sav, " B i g h t was the p a t h w a v leading to
this." '
" T . A.-S.
TESTIMONY
173?
NOTES O F T H E CONCLUDING ADDRESS

A T T H E DECEMBER CONFERENCE
There aro somo passages wo should road together,
first in John i. 32-34 : And John hare witness,
saying, I have heboid the Spirit descending as a
dove out of heaven, and it (the dove, but * He "
tho Spirit) abode upon Him. And I knew Him
not (that is, did not recognise the Christ), but Ho
that sent me to baptise in water, the same said
unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see tlie
Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same
is He that baptiseth with the Holy Spirit. And I
have seen, and have borne witness that this is the
Son of God."
44
THIS was the confirmatory testimony of John

the Baptist, and it is of an amazing character
when we come to think of it, the heavens opened 1
The Spirit in His totality coming to rest in and
upon this One 1 See John iii. 34. Therefore this
One, possessing, and possessed by, the totality of
the Spirit of God would baptise in the Spirit of
God. And this is the clear evidence of His Diet}*.
For who can baptise in the Spirit of God but
God Himself ?
1 have seen, and have borne
witness that this is the Son *of God/* Son of
God in that supreme sense that we have * by
revelation : not the Son 'of God' as detached or .
dissociated from God, but the Son of God as One
with God the Father, this in One Spirit. - F o r there is only One GodGod the Father and God
the Son related in the Life of One Spirit as the
everlasting and unchanging God. We do. not
therefore dissociate the Son from the Father;
much less do we not dissociate the Spirit from
either. They live in and by One Spirit.
Therefore, if the Spirit came upon Him as
Man in His totality, then He is none other than
God Incarnate. And He baptises in the Spirit,
which is His own Spirit as well as the Spirit of
God the Father.
But
not yet! ' Calvary, and J l i s triumphant
Ascension into the Godhead, must come first.
Nevertheless, even at this early stage it is thus
revealed to John the Baptist that this is the otherwise unrecognisable One who shall baptise in the
Holy Spirit of God when He as Man shall have
been glorified. And we press it home to our hearts
for faith, How can a Man baptise in the Spirit of
the Everlasting God unless that Man be God
Himself ?
Wo find this testimony of John the Baptist
confirmed in that, familiar passage of John vii.
37-30 : " Now on the last day, the groat day of
tho feast, .Jesus stood ami cried, saying, If any
man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.
He that believeth on Me (into Me), as tho scripture
hath said, out of his inner being shall flow rivers
of living water. Hut this spake He of the Spirit,
which they that believed into Him were about
to receive ; for the Spirit was not yet given ;
because that Jesus was not yet glorified.**
4 4

A
174
WITNESS
AND
Turn now to the 141 h Chapter of John, niul wo

need to remiml ourselves that the cent rat truth
of the 14th to HWli elmptcrs of John is (lint of the
.SpiritParaclete or Comforterin verso IB wo
rend, " A n d I will pray 1he Father {I, tho Son of
Man, Glorified. Ascended into tho Throuo of Deity,
will pray tho Father, Who shares Ono Life with
Me in the Spirit), and lie shall givo you another
Comforter...." Wo need horo to recognise, aR
wo have so of ton in these '* Fellowship gatherings,"
that .the first Comforter Who camo from tho
Father was tho Son. Jesus Himself in His Presence here on earth ns man in the similitude of
sinful flesh, that is, not an cftulgont Toeing like
Adam was before ho fell, but a being like unto
ourselves in outward form, veiling His glory, that
He was the first Paraclete of God, God Himself
pre*9nt in Manform among us. Now there
shall be another Paraclete, another Presencing of
God; but this will not be in a limited sense, nor
in an external experience, but in a universal sense,
and in an inward experience, as He shall come to
dwell in them who believe upon the Name of the
Ascended Son of God. Jesus, limited and local
here on earth shall become Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent in His'Ascension: He shall
fill the heavens, and the' universe shall subsist
through Him, and He shall pour forth the Spirit
of the Father Who is also His own Spirit in the
glorified Man, " t h a t He may abide with you
unto the age.'
This is a very important reading of the verse,

" f o r e v e r " is literally "unto the age." The
Holy Spirit is given for an age purpose! He could
not have-been so given in-any former age, for
" Jesus was not yet glorified." He will not be so
given in any future age, for a certain purpose, js
to be achieved in.this age, which is a parenthesis
among the ages, being called the " To-day " of
the Holy Ghost; arid when this purpose is accomplished, " the ages to come" are ushered in.
We already should know that purpose, it is the
building of a Habitation for God. The Spirit
therefore is released out from the Godhead as in
the Ascended God-Man for a certain work and
working in this age. Reading on, " He is the
Spirit of the Truth (the Truth of God in the Man,
Jesus the Christ, the Truth of the Incarnation, the
Truth of the mystery of Godliness, God manifest
in the flesh) Whom the world cannot receive
because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him :
but ye know Him (He says to the disciples), for
He abideth with you. Now, in My Presence,
the Comforter is already horo. I am God present
among you through Him, and ho that hath seen
Me hath seen the Father. You have recognised
the Presence of Cod in Mo, the first Com I or tor.
Tt is the same Spirit Who is in and upon Mo Whom
I shall send to be in and upon you. I, here and
now, am the Comforter como in tho flesh : He shall
bo the Comforter, tho same Comforter in fact,
but in the Spirit, My Spirit, tho Father's Spirit,
but in you as your life and as your God, Who shall
reveal Mc as m tho Godhead, and working in and
TESTIMONY
I upon you shall build you up with all such heavenj born ones into my very IJody .' Oh. the marvels
of this Sovereign grace of tlod. What things are
\)u^
that the Saviour-Cod of mankind and of
J*raol is saying to these future members of His
! llody ? And, beloved, He is saying them to us
also." He shall ho in you. I will not leave you
ns orphans, as theso who aro cut off from the Presence and Sustenance of Parenthood, as desolate,
soparato in lifo-ossonco from Cod tho Father.
Cod in heaven, far away : ami you on earth trying
to nourish a desperate faith. Y e t how often is
this tho character of what is called " Christian
experience " ? Children of God, desperately
lonely, cut off from all spiritual resources apparently, trying to hold on to some mental assent,
and all the while having a very hard and lonely
time of it. No, this is not what the L o r d declared
shoidd be our state. The Spirit-Comforter shall
come, as really as Jesus the Christ came as Comforter i n . H i s . flesh, and the-same Presence of
God as was in and upon H i m shall be in and upon
us, in measure, for H e was. i n and upon H i m
without measure.
Notice how the interchangings of the Persons,
i n the Tri-Unity. come in these words, " / will
c o m e : We will come (The Father and the Son)
H e (the Spirit) shall come." Y o u cannot dissociate the Persons in the Trinity, for God is One.
B u t this coming of the Fulness as out from the
Ascended L o r d is to be the consequence of Calvary's
Triumph, the result of the Glorification of the Son
of Man i n the Godhead through the Passion of
the Cross. " What and if ye shall see the Son of
Man ascend-up where H e was before ? " B u t not
.as Son of Man i n H i s self-imposed limitation but
the Son of Man Who is Son of God in the Infinite
Power and Glory of Deity, a .Man baptising in the
Divine Spirit, baptising H i s church into His own
Life and Being, and therefore providing proof
of H i s Deity, proof of His Triumph, ." I come
unto you. I , Jesus, with the Father, and in the
Spirit, as One God' with them, come! " Marvellous words!
Previous to these chapters H e had been Baying
what seemed to H i s disciples to be a strange and
mystic thing, for in reply to Peter's earnest protestations of utter devotion even unto death, He
had said, " Whither I go thou canst not follow
Me n o w ; but thou shalt follow afterwards.".
Whither was He "going ? Not only to the Cross,
but back to the Godhead through the Cross, and
this as Man, He was going to meet in H i s lonely
and God-forsaken soul, for it was in H i s soul, H i *
self-consciousness as man, that there in the gardon
and upon the treo, as the representative Sinner,
as the Lamb of God, that Ho met both tho accusation and power of the enemy and the judgment
of the Divino Nature upon sin. Ho tasted a
spiritual death for all men, nainoly that essential'
separation from God in His soul. B u t that havingbeen* met and overcome He dismissed His pure
Spirit to take its everlasting Home in the Bosom
of the Father.
WITNESS
AND
Thus we see that wc have i n the Passion of I lie;

l.iml Jesus, not- only the saving of mnn,
ns Mo
lakes upon Himself the brudcii of out* iniquity,
"'MHI CM using to meet, in K i m tho iniquity of us
a l l / ' but wo have also a vindication of tho Divine
Nature before tho enemy, the justification of God
Himself. Satan himself shall have no accusation
to mako against the Almighty.
Y o u have to
recognise that in the Cross there is n vindication
of (2nd as God. This is what we read in 1 Timothy
i i i . 10, that the mystery of Godliness is not only
tho fact of God being manifested in the flesh, but
that H e also is justified in the Spirit, and it is thus
that H e is now seen by angels, &c. T h e marvel
of the Cross is that God was in the Christ doing all
this. I t was through the E t e r n a l Spirit He
offered Himself. I t is Cod Who is coming through
H i s creation in the Self-vindication of H i s sacrificial love. T h u s Paul says in Romans iii. 4,
quoting from Psalm l i : '* T h a t Thou mightest be
justified in T h y words, and mightest overcome
when Thou art judged." God Himself is cleared.
Satan will be obliged to confess with all sinners
before an assembled universe i n the great Judg,
ment. that God is Holy, Pure, entirely Lovewithout taint of character upon which any
accusation can fasten, for it is H e Himself Who
passes this way i n the Passion of- the Christ, and
as Man ascends into His Throne " justified in the
Spirit/* . E v e r y knee shall bow, and every tongue
shall confess Jesus as L o r d , and this to the .Glory
of the Father, Who, by the Spirit, dwells in and
upon H i m .
The W A Y therefore that H e is treading which
no flesh can following is the . W A Y through the
Cross into the Ascension that H e may be glorified
in the Godhead. . We must see far more in the
resurrection than its mere physical, aspect; we
do stress this constantly. I t is not the mere
re-animation of the body of our L o r d , but something far more than that, though it includes it.
The resurrection from among the dead is the
glorification of the body to become a shrine of
Deity, a habitation of God by the Spirit. I t is
the revelation of the Infinite nature of the resurrection that we need to have, namely, that it is
the point of our Lord's accomplished Passion
whero H e breaks back through into the Godhead
as the Son, but now as Man. There is an Infinite
expansion of the relationship of H i s Person at this
point... H e Who became, as it wero, limited and
local upon this little plnnot: H e , tho Creator
Who subjected Himself to creaturehood, breaks
back through to Infi ito Deity raised by tho
Clory of tho Father into tho Godhead. This tho
Clory of the Resurrection as an infinite Act of
('od, and this is tho point noted in Hebrews i . ,>,
" Thou art My Son,
have I begotten
Thee." Have you noticed how from that, point
Ho is addressed as Dioty in the chapter, ' ' T h y
Throne, O God, is for ever and ever " : " And Thou
verso 10. Thus tho Resurrection is seen
in its climax as tho Ascension of God i n Christ,
and the..word to Kathanoel is fulfilled, " T h o u
this day
Jehovah,"
TESTIMONY
175
! shnlt- sec the heavens opened, m i d the angels of

| (Sod ascending a n d descending upon tho Son of
i Man." Infinite C r e a t o r !
I hit. wo are speaking of H i s iiuicpio and only
W A Y whereby H o the Son of Man, mado sin for
us, might triumph in that Cross so as to wrest
authority from the devil over the race of men,
and ro-cnter the Glory of the Godhead as Man.
T h a t was the mystery tho disciples coidd not
understand. Do we understand it ?
And so H e saj's, Chapter x v i . , But now I go
M Y W A Y to H i m that sent Me ; and none of you
Asket-h Mo, Whither gocst Thou ? . . . .Neverthe
1 tell you the truth, it is expedient for you
that I go away ; for if I go not away the Comforter (His Spirit) will not come unto you ; but
if I go, I will send H i m unto y o u . "
T h u s we see that the consummation of the
Victory of Calvary is the release of the Holy Ghost
as the Spirit of L i f e in Christ Jesus to those who
accept H i s death.
And we need further to see that the baptism
in the H o l y Spirit is an act of God commensurate
to this L i f e . I t is not an isolated individual
experience to be enjoyed here on earth so as to
give us some self-satisfaction i n our faith, but
an immersion into the Life of H i m Who is i n the
Throne. I t therefore brings us into a oneness
with H i m and with all others who are thus in H i m .
The expression of the Spirit, and the consummation of the Spirit's purpose is
B u t to
accomplish this self and personal interests must,
be swept. out of the heart, ah,. but this is the
Cross ; and the baptism into H i s Life brings.of.
necessity a baptism into H i s death,: His life is
only possible as we consent to die, -and to. die
continually. The Cross is made actual in' us
through the Spirit. A n d this is the manifestation
of H i s Victory before principalities and powers,
that you and I are brought to a place where we
willingly lay down our lives (souls) continually,
we consent to that death of Calvary being wrought
out in us, so that H i s Life may be manifested in
us also. F o r we have known and have believed the
Love of God as revealed in the Cross. We see
that Calvary was an act of God in that consummate Man Who embraced in Himself all the
creaturehood of God, and has thus reconciled all
things to Himself, things visible and invisible.
And so while Calvary was enacted upon this little
planet, it spans tho universe and beyond. I t is
presenced in time and space, and we see it thus,
but it is infinitely greater than what we can see
or measure. I t is God Himself coming through
His universe, fulfilling the Passion, and then,
breaking back through to His Throno in the Man.
As we hiivo said more than once recently, it is the
wonder of wonders that the Eternal God, the
Creator of tho heavens and the earth, should make
this littlo planet the scone of a universal victory.
But so it is, ami tho opening words of scripture
are surely not without, significance in this respect,
* I n the beginning the Triune God united to create
the heavens
the earth being brought
41
less
Unity.
and the cuith,"
176
WITNESS
AND A
into significant relationship with all tho heavens.

Tho moro one knows of tho vast ranges of this
uuiverso with its incredible distances and spaces
and multitudes of stars and constellations, tho
more marvellous is this mighty Gospel, that tells
us that horo upon this little tiny world, and in
this form of human life which you and I share, God
Himself should havo como and registered a Victory
that has brought back the universe into that
purpose of His Divine Love which tho mystery
of iniquity had seemed successfully to frustrate.
B u t , oh, how we need to be humble and teach
able ; how we need to be constantly crying to God
that He would look in mercy upon our native
ignorance, to lighten our darkness, and to bring
us into the counsels o f H i s Spirit so that we might
know the things that H e is seeking to do in the
earth, and might co-operate with H i m , and not
hinder H i m with our blundering and business.
L e t us consider God's poor Man, this suffering,
humble, poor One, Who here on earth was bereft
of all but faith, and lived by that faith in humble
obedience upon the resources of the Spirit, denying
His pure and sinless soul. Oh, that humility of
Christ 1 H e was perfect in that, self-renunciation
continually. He Who had been rich in the Godhead became voluntarily the poorest of the poor.
None of us so poor as H e I B u t it was in H i s
poverty of resources as in Himself that He was
enabled by faith to draw upon the resources of the
Father for all the work of grace. T h e Cross that
denies the self-life was continually operative in
H i m , and Calvary was but the climax to that
obedience of H i s faith.
H e has given us an example that we must'
carefully follow. I f ever there was a time when*
the Lord's children, should entreat that they
might be made truly humble and teachable it is
now at the end of the age, for, believe me, beloved
friends, God Almighty is seeking to do a thing at
the end of the age that will be the. marvel of
eternity. A s He gets now a people so consenting'
to the Cross, so abandoned to God, so -prepared
to allow that thing to work out in their lives that'
they cease* to be, C o d the Holy Ghost shall sweep
through and take that
company right
through to His Throne. B u t it will be a
company (not individual translation, how Satan*
gets the
into a clutch upon the holiest things of
God's purpose), and the triumph of its faith willmean the outbreak of all those who sleep through
Jesus, and thus that crowning manifestation of
God's own triumph shall come, the glorious Body
of the Christ. He isr seeking to work this mighty
thing out in- you and me as constituent members
of that Body. If the release of the Holy Ghost
is the
of Calvary's Victory the completion of the Body of Christ is the
of that Victory. Without the indwelling and
continual energising of the Omnipotent Spirit
of the Christ you and I cannot enter into tho
process of that consummation : we shall not bo
contributory members. The endurcment
corporate
self
consequence
corporate
consummation
from on
P r i V . t d 1r Tta A t h a U M
TESTIMONY
high, tho clothing of tho regenerate spirit with tho

Spirit of the Ascended and Glorified Lord is essential to tho testimony of tho church in this earth
and in tho heavens. Tho Comforter must como
or tho church does not oxist as such. Individual
believers there might be, but of what avail are
theso ? Their faith, of its kind, perishes with
them, or persists merely as a relic of an ancient
creed. Are there not many examples of pseudoChristianity in the world ? B u t it is a corporate
company persisting throughout this age as the
instrument of tho One Spirit that has been effecting
any Divine world-purpose; and at the end, as at
the beginning, this company must be manifest
before principalities and powers. On the day of
Pentecost 120 persons were swept by a mighty act
of God into a oneness of L i f e with the Risen,
Ascended Lord. B y One Spirit they were baptised
into One Body. There is no other baptism. And
He is the Spirit for the age: H e comes for an age.
purpose. We have already noted J o h n xiv. 16:
" that He may be with you for the age " : connect
this with the concluding words of Matthew's
gospel, literal translation, *' L o , I am with you all
the days even unto the completion of the age." It
is a consummation that God is seeking to bring
about, and this can only be effected b y the Spirit
of the Triumphant L o r d ; but He again is limited
to a corporate instrument on the earth, and this
is the Body of Christ as found in the unity of the
Spirit. How earnestly ought we not to seek and
to pray for a realisation of their Oneness b y the
members of Christ's Body, and of the fact that the
Holy Spirit is not given so much for a n individual
experience as for the energising of us in selfless
prayer unto a common end.
You will by this time know how the Lord has
laid this need for Holy Ghost praying, as a burden
upon one's heart, and one is continually emphasing it for one's own sake ; for. this passion of
God in prayer is not in you or in me by any
attainment -of religious: devotion.. We cannot
enter into this'in our own desire. I t is in the
Holy Ghost, that is- to say, i t is in God, in the
Divine B e i n g ; for it is His Love, His Desire,
breaking through in our renewed spirits. I t is not
even in that born-from-above spirit as in itself,
but in the Spirit of our Ascended Lord. Such
praying is His praying. I t is He Himself asking
the*Father in the-Throne for tho inheritance, but
as king through the members of H i s Body, and
these Throne prayers being uttered on earth.
(g'u-k, u-uuHJld.j
l*sA?rfr
.1928 M O T T O C A R D S
Theso are now obtainable at 2d. each, or at
Is. Od. per dozen.
JANUARY CONFERENCE
This, as already announced, is duo for Friday,
December 30th to Monday, January 2nd, and tho
accustomed gatherings will bo held.
Theme, ' The Cross, and the Vision and Vocation
of God through the Cross.'
P r * , 11 *n<l U , B m m ' i B u i l d i n g * , Chfcnry
L*itt, Lo*d, B . C . i .

AWAT1927

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p a r t i c u l a r s m a y he obtained From M r . C. PATKNSON, '17 T i n t a i * c l Crescen

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i i-MOLJa^ u r v^x>u i C^IVJ

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patient b u t proclaiming faith. B u t your faith

W E L L , t h e L o r d has raised o u r " beloved " ;

Our b r o t h e r w i l l need y e t a Jong HVOMOII of

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A WITNESS AND A TESTIMONY

TheBC are t h e weeks w h e n t h e o r d e r i n g a n d

W e have been l e d t o d e f i n i t e l y " c a l l " our

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T f l E R E w a s deep insight i n thoBe old words.

" T h e d e a t h of t h e Cross " d e a t h ' s t r i u m p h

* Prof. Huxgina. B r i L A wo. 1891.

crimson Beal; there m u s t , be the i n d i v i d u a l

A n d as w e go out free, w e find t h a t o n the other

B u t blessed as it i s , t h i s passage into a life of

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A VrtTtVESS AND 'A TESTIMONY

F o r there is, glory b.e to G o d , a definite w a y out

W e are beginning to recognise t h a t t h e ' S p i r i t

Notes of an address given on the. last

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Ezek. x i i . 1 1 . " 1 am your s i g n . "

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1 Cor. i v . 9. " W e are made a Bpectacle u n t o

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{Notes of an address given during

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" T h e w h o l e b o d y of t h e flesh"cut away b y

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A WITNESS AND A TESTIMONY

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L e t God w o r k i n y o u . Y i e l d i n active cooperation y o u r faculties t o t h e H o l y Ghost.

W E announce h a p p y davs. T h e final haver

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f o r such of t h e L o r d ' s servants a t home a n d

T h i s , as already announced, w i l l be held f r o m

As t o t h i s phaBo of m i n i s t r y we are going

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present necessity is t o get our *' house " in

S t i l l another i n d i c a t i o n have w e of t h e L o r d ' s

T h e t i m e is also come w h e n o u r paper needs

, messenger of t h e L o r d w i t h a series of dynamic

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T h e Cross, a n d t h o W i l l of God " as t h e

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" Centre " d u r i n g these m o n t h s , f o r t h i s is t h e

Honor Oak C. F . Centre.

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extract of notes taken at the

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