Austin-Sparks.net

Editor's Letters

by T. Austin-Sparks

February 1926

Beloved of the Lord,

Our first issue under the new title, "A Witness and a Testimony" has met with a wide and encouraging appreciation. We rejoice in the larger prayer co-operation this must mean, and for the larger vision it must bring to us.

When Paul complained, "all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's," he referred not to a material selfishness, but probably to that absorption in their own particular spiritual (sic) interests to which some very earnest people are prone. Perish the parishes! "The field is the world." We all need to smash the glass-houses in which we so carefully cherish our favourite cultures of heart and mind. These would thrive the more healthfully were they in the free Wind of God. "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden".

Others we see, it may be, through our glass windows; but we do not breathe the same air. And this is the great necessity for the Day of His coming. We must breathe the same air: drink of One Spirit: be united to the One Head; confederate, because corporate, for the One tremendous issue. For wherever we be scattered, we are members of One Body, and therefore of one another.

So while we entrench for the Lord in our own especial bit of service, let us listen to His trumpet-call as it peals o'er all the field. Yes, we must have this hearing, and this vocation of a world-wide interest for universal prayer for it is in such a fellowship with all saints that we shall hear "the trump of God."

Yours in the One and Only Fellowship of the Spirit, that with the Father, and with the Son.
T. AUSTIN-SPARKS.
T. MADOC JEFFREYS.

In keeping with T. Austin-Sparks' wishes that what was freely received should be freely given and not sold for profit, and that his messages be reproduced word for word, we ask if you choose to share these messages with others, to please respect his wishes and offer them freely - free of any changes, free of any charge (except necessary distribution costs) and with this statement included.