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p396 [Dr. C Wolston] VERY DEAR BROTHER, - I am glad you are working, and glad to hear you are doctoring. It is well to labour thus if we can. W.'s pamphlet came by the same post as your letter. I do not see any sign of his being taught of God in it. I see many truths he has learned from brethren, and a quantity of mixed confused stuff he has added, and no real statement of his views, with many things quite wrong, the moment he leaves what he has learned from men. But it is well brethren should learn from it. If they have left their first love, they are called to humiliation and repentance. I feel nothing more important than singleness of eye and devotedness at this moment. It is the way of light, the way of joy of heart with Him who is the only source of true joy, and the source of eternal joy. Oh, may the brethren have fast hold of this! all they have learned is of no use without it - yea, in their faith and for others, they will lose. That heart devotedness to Christ and obedience will only be thought of value in the past, when we come to meet Him.

As regards the want of moral tone in the gathering, we and you and they ought to lay it deeply to heart - pray over it - if we do with faith, we shall find the blessing; if two, a direct answer. But patience is called for in our dealings. The tone of the whole meeting has to be raised in these cases, to judge particular facts. Had we power, a letter would do it, like Paul's first to the Corinthians. That we have not always, but we have always the sure resource of the faithfulness of Christ the blessed Lord, who loves His own, and has purchased them at the price of His own blood, so that we can count upon His desire to bless them. But it is a trial of faith, because, meanwhile, the name of the Lord is dishonoured, and alas! often felt as the honour of the body dishonoured; but if remedy may be, we must go through this for His sake and the sake thus of His, and He will make good His own cause at the end: only surely it is loss and humbling meanwhile. The Lord arouse His saints by His power, that He may give them light.

Here, on the whole, in detail we are blessed, though I cannot speak of power; the additions (and they are pretty numerous) are generally precious ones, and there are souls both converted and awakening: what is sometimes striking, and a wonderful grace of God, that if the purposes of heart are right, He will bless in conversion and gathering where there is not the most union, and thus keep up the health of a gathering. I do not say we ought to be satisfied, but He does so. I have been up the country and in the hush - pretty cold, 26 degrees below zero; but found mercy, and the Lord carrying on His work. It is spreading about more or less, and souls inquiring. In the States too, so far we can heartily bless God - when should we not? only we wait for eternity to do it well. My kindest love to the brethren: may the gracious Lord sanctify them to Himself. . . . The good Lord keep you near Himself.

Your affectionate brother in the Lord.

Toronto, 1865.

[51241E]

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