Comment By Torchlight

"Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

Bears all its sons away."

These words of Isaac Watts come to mind at the Opening of another year. They express the fact of human frailty and they pose the question of human destiny. For all of us the passage of time has a solemn voice, and we do well to pause and ponder. Each year that passes into history brings nearer the consummation of divine purpose. Unlike ourselves, God does not waste time. He is moving forward majestically towards the goal - "new heavens and a new earth" (2 Peter 3.13). Men plan, and struggle and die; creation groans. At God's right hand our victorious Saviour waits to intervene once more in human affairs and to set in motion the next phase in the divine plan.

Will 1964 bring our Lord's return to the air? Many instructed believers are convinced of the imminence of this momentous event. In the light of it we should live and work. In each age of history God has used human instrumentality in the furtherance of His plans. It should be our concern to be in the van of His purposes, so that in our day, as did David in his, we may serve the counsel of God.

Re-union of Christendom

The year 1963 will be marked in history as one of rapprochement by the Church of Rome. The movement initiated by the late Pope John has been widely acclaimed, and the indications are that the present Pope will follow the lead of his predecessor. Taking advantage of the present climate in religious circles, a subtle and determined effort is being made to bring back the "separated brethren" into the fold. Those who raise their voices in protest are dubbed as hinderers of unity and out of step with "enlightened thought". The significance of all this will be grasped by students of Biblical prophecy.

In our present issue the commencing article of a series by W. Bunting of Edinburgh draws attention to some of the precious truths brought into prominence by the Reformers. We commend this series to the attention of our readers. It is important to keep in view the historical background to the battle Rome is waging to regain the ground she lost in that struggle. It is also vital that God's people should not be misled by the specious propaganda which is being put forth. We hope to comment further on these matters in future issues, if the Lord will.

President Kennedy's Assassination

The world was startled in November last when the news broke upon it, "President Kennedy is dead". Such an event and the tragic circumstances surrounding it produced a paralizing effect. It seemed an outrage which was not possible in this twentieth century. The first reach on was one of deepest sympathy for the young widow and her two fatherless children. Throughout this terrible ordeal she bore herself with remarkable fortitude but the heartbreak remains, and the prayers of God's people should continue unceasingly on her behalf.

Because of America's present prominence in world affairs a tremor passed through the chancelleries of the world, in fear of the possible repercussions of this terrible tragedy in the relations of East and West. Mercifully, hasty recriminations were avoided with a restraint which surprised many observers. So far as we can observe with our limited knowledge of world affairs the status quo between East and West, tenuous though this is, has not been disturbed. It is our conviction that this is an answer to many prayers. We should continue to pray intelligently for men and nations, and the Psalmist's words could well be employed as particularly applicable at the present time:

"Arise, 0 LORD; let not man prevail:

Let the nations be judged in Thy sight.

Put them in fear, 0 LORD;

Let the nations know themselves to be but men."

(Psalm 9.19.20)

Speaking truth in love

One of our readers in California has drawn our attention to an article which appeared recently in "Assembly Testimony", a periodical published in Northern Ireland. This article, entitled "Another coming out", purports to warn its readers against certain doctrines and practices of the Churches of God by whom "Needed Truth" is published. Our reader in California is among those known as Open Brethren, but from his own reading of "Needed Truth" he knows quite well that the article in question misrepresents teachings which have been consistently set forth in this magazine. In our present issue John Drain of Belfast replies to some of the points raised by the writer of "Another coming out". This reply is given in no spirit of repartee, but so that the facts can be seen in true perspective.

There has never been any secrecy about where we stand on questions of church constitution and practice. For over 70 years we have consistently set forth what we believe to be the teaching of the New Testament on these crucial matters. Numerous pamphlets and booklets are available at our Publishing Office. We trust that interested believers will investigate for themselves and not be misled by our critic who appears to be sadly misinformed. It is, of course, a common device in controversy to discredit your opponent by misrepresenting the position he takes, but such tactics ill become a servant of Christ. On our part, we will endeavour to follow the apostolic injunction "speaking truth in love".

unknown | Jan 1964
Comment By Torchlight