by T. Austin-Sparks
Dear fellow-travellers,
With this issue of this little paper we have entered upon one more
year of its ministry - the forty-second.
Let us immediately express our very sincere wish that this year will
be one of great blessing to every one of our readers. May it be a
year in which our beloved Lord has a great increase in the
possession of His inheritance, and one in which His people come into
a great enlargement of theirs, in Him.
We shall count upon the continuous prayer-fellowship of each one of
you that we shall be enabled to help in both of these directions by
the medium of these pages.
Need is undoubted: Christ is all-sufficient; but our capacity is so
small. In a new way, or with a new emphasis, we have been burdened
with the need of so many scattered and hungry sheep. We do need to
know that mighty resurrection-life which can make the small handful
of 'loaves and fishes' expand to the multitude for whom the Great
Shepherd has compassion.
I personally take this opportunity of once again sharing with you,
and asking you to share with me, this very practical concern. Does
the Lord really want me to spend this year in 'journies oft'? The
calls are many; some quite pressing, and these would lead me
practically right round the world. But the physical conditions of
increased years make it necessary to be very sure of the Lord's will
and to know His enablement in a fuller way than ever.
My own inclination would be toward centres or a centre to which the
Lord's people might come and return to their location to fulfil the
ministry. I am especially concerned for the Lord's servants, that
their ministry may be enriched and the vision of the Lord and His
essential purpose may be fuller and clearer. You will, I am sure,
join me in prayer over this matter.
At the time of writing I am having to face a very urgent and
pressing 'Macedonian cry' from the Far East again, immediately.
It may be that a note will be added in this connection before this
issue is mailed.
Forgive the very personal note in this letter, but our readers
having given such a personal expression of their appreciation of
this ministry, I feel sure that no idea of personal importance will
be attached by them to this approach.
The sense of urgency and shortening time is making us press on with
more literature. Some twelve books and booklets (including reprints
of those not available for some time) are now with the printers, and
three new.books are ready to go to press. One of the books most
called for - What is Man ? - is now at the binders. We only regret
that books take so long to print in these times. Announcement will
be made as the books are on hand. This is a ministry which can go on
when we have gone to the Lord, and it can go where we are unable to
go personally.
When you think of the Editor and pray for him remember also his
three helpers; our faithful brother, CLIFFORD OGDEN, who has printed
A Witness and a Testimony single-handed for a long time, and who
printed many of the books. Also my two devoted secretaries - Miss
GUY and Miss READ. We four carry the full weight of all that is
entailed in getting this ministry out over the world.
There are many fierce battles related to it all, but 'He who hath
delivered, doth deliver, and we trust will still deliver.'
What a glorious thing it would be if this should be the year of His
appearing! Let us walk with our faces toward the light and our
hearts inspired by "that blessed hope" to pour ourselves out for
Him, "till the day breaks, and the shadows flee away."
Love, and warmest greetings,
Yours in His grace,
T. Austin-Sparks.
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.