A WORD FITLY SPOKEN.

“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes,

and yet is not washed from their filthiness.”—Proverbs.

Dear Brother, —May I be permitted through you, to express a few thoughts to our fellow-believers of the glorious gospel of salvation.

The close of one year and the commencement of another, are generally regarded by persons of every class with some feeling of interest. The children of this world mark the season according to their different dispositions—the gay with increased gaiety, the devout with increased devotion; shall we then, the children of light, suffer such a period to pass unnoticed, we to whom every year is fraught with things of the deepest interest seeing that our relationship is not merely with such things as are “passing away,” but that we are so closely allied with the invisible and eternal? The past year, to many of us, has been one of trial and of change. Some dear ones have been hidden from our eyes in the dark cold grave—some have been stricken, but not unto death: yet we are called upon to give thanks alike for those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, and for such of us as are yet spared to improve the talents wherewith we are entrusted. Doubtless, the future year will bring its individual trials and sorrows, but may we not look for something more? The death-like calm that has, for some time, seemed to hush the vast sea of nations, cannot be expected to last much longer. Peace may smile on the opening year, but is it not a false and a fleeting smile? May we not, ere its close, see the sword unsheathed wherewith the Lord will subdue all things unto himself? Will not the storm have begun which must rage in unremitting fury, till every high thing shall be uprooted and extinguished that exalts itself in opposition to Jehovah? In view of these probabilities, doth it not become such as are enlightened with the knowledge of God, to look to their own position? “Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments”—much need have we to wrap them tightly about us when we see the storm clouds gathering in the distance. “Look to yourselves that ye lose not those things which ye have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward,” seems a word in season to all the saints of God. “The time is short,” so that we all need to do at once whatever we can to improve our talents, thus increasing our honours. What we can do for the truth should be done now, lest the time pass by and find us in the position of “the unprofitable servant.” I would, dear brother, say to all who are in Christ Jesus, let us not, for lack of exertion, run the risk of losing that bright destiny which awaits the faithful. And, truly, what a destiny is ours! To be exalted to the high places of the earth—to take our part as princely potentates in the grand and universal empire of David’s Son and Lord, which is soon to supersede the pigmy and unstable governments now existent. “Behold I come quickly,” saith our unseen and beloved Lord. Do not our hearts respond, “Even so come, Lord Jesus?” Blessed, thrice blessed, the heart whose breathings are thus in unison with the Lord’s own mind and will. But, dear brother, I greatly fear that all who believe and know the truth cannot thus “look for, and haste unto the coming of the day of God.” I speak of such as profess to believe the one true gospel, yet have not obeyed it. Their conduct is to me perfectly incomprehensible. If they believe it to be the truth, wherefore linger in obedience? We cannot address them in the words of Elijah, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” seeing their opinion is, decidedly, that the gospel of the kingdom is the one gospel, concerning which an apostle saith, “If we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel, let him be accursed!” They acknowledge, also, that the baptism into the name of Jesus of one who believes this gospel, is the only way to obtain remission of sins. In opinion they hesitate not to express themselves on the Lord’s side, but wherefore enlist they not under the banner of our salvation? We may, indeed, say to them as Ananias to Paul, “Why tarry? Arise and be baptised, and wash away your sins, invoking the name of the Lord.” Believers of the glorious gospel of God, yet disobedient thereto! Is it so light a matter to rest under the condemnation of the Most High? Are ye so in love with your sins that ye remain content therein? Wherefore do ye not hasten to put on Christ Jesus? Grovelling, indeed, would ye think the beggar clad in filthy rags who would refuse to change them for clean and wholesome clothing, and behold what a garment is suffering to lie neglected by you, even that name which is above every name, with all its attributes and privileges! Ye know that He comes to take vengeance on them that OBEY not the Gospel, and yet do ye linger from day to day, and month to month, yea some even from year to year, knowing but not doing. What sort of love for the Lord Jesus is shown in remaining disunited from him? Is the sense of reconciliation with God, and the answer of a good conscience so small a boon? Oh, surely the closing year may see an end to such delay! Surely many weeks of the new one may not pass ere all who believe the truth may be found clothed with it! I am sure that you, dear brother, who labour so much in the Lord, would join in the above words of expostulation to the apparently faint-hearted and lukewarm, and I feel convinced that you and all our brethren and sisters in the Lord would rejoice to see an end to such unaccountable conduct. In conclusion, I desire to say to all who are in Christ Jesus—Let us continually rejoice in the Lord—let us see that we abide in Him, “for we are made partakers of Christ if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Scattered we may be, and are, even to the four winds of heaven, but our hearts are one in Him, and whether our lot be cast in the crowded scenes of civilised life or in the new and enterprising regions of the south and the far west, we know that it is our own fault if our path be not “as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” And to you, dear brother, in congratulating you on having been the means of usefulness to so many, allow me to express my earnest prayer and desire, that you may be the honoured instrument of adding more jewels to the diadem of your Lord, so that they may be to you a joy in the day of His appearing. You have much to contend with and many trials, but “He that now goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again, with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Trusting that you and all of us called to be saints, may, in the storm that is about to burst, be hidden in the hollow of Jehovah’s hand, until He again shall “make the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof be still,” and that then we may enter abundantly into the joy of our Lord.

I remain, yours in Christ Jesus,

ARISTOBULUS.

ENGLAND, December 10, 1852.

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