A Letter To A Brother In Christ – November 24th, 1869
Dear Friend in the Truth — I have not been able for several reasons to reply to your interesting and affectionate letter, and even now fear that my answer will fall very short of any wishes, as I cannot take up the various points which it has opened up.
But first let me notice that I am truly glad you should have found the experience of Isabella Prentice so much commended to your conscience, and that the blessing which my sermon Winter before Harvest was made to her, found a response in your own. I wish you could have heard her tell out her experience yourself, for there was something so marked and original in her expressions, and such life and power stamped upon them. I have usually found that, where people like her have been brought up in total ignorance of the way of truth, that when the Lord is first pleased to shine into their soul, it leaves a mark upon them which we do not find in ordinary Christians in whom the light has been more gradual. And I have observed also that those whose lot has been cast under a legal ministry, and who have had to grope and groan under hard burdens, usually come forth into the liberty of truth with greater clearness.
But I need not dwell on these points as no doubt you have observed, and I may add, experienced in your own soul the truth of what I have thus stated. I come now therefore to the point on which you have asked my advice, that is—will it be desirable for you to attempt to study the New Testament in the original language? Now at your time of life, with your delicate health and your ministerial engagements, I greatly doubt whether you could ever attain to such a knowledge of Greek as would be of any real service to you. You might learn enough to compare passage with passage, and this might interest you, as for instance, to discover that in 1 John 2:24, where we have in our translation three distinct words, “abide”, “remain”, and “continue”, it is but one and the same word in the original; but beyond this you would not reap very much benefit, for a critical knowledge of the language requires very great study, a powerful memory, and a cultivated intellect. . . .
I do not wish to discourage you too much, though I greatly doubt whether you will derive as much benefit as you anticipate. Still you might make the trial, and if I can be of any service to you in giving you directions how to go on, if you name to me your chief difficulties I will endeavor to help you. Your mention of good Mr. Fowler called to my mind what he once said to me in conversation — “Do not give up your Greek Testament.” But though I have given you what directions I could about your study of the Greek Testament, yet I think myself that you would derive more real benefit from studying such books as Dr. Owen’s various doctrinal and experimental works, Sibbes, and Huntington, than wasting your time and strength on attaining a knowledge of Greek. But I need not tell you that the Word of God, under the teaching and application of the blessed Spirit, must be the food of your soul both privately and ministerially; and you will find that prayerful meditation upon it, and seeking to enter into its divine and spiritual meaning, will often sweetly feed your soul and will fill you at times with such holy admiration of the wisdom and grace of God in the Word of His truth, that you will say — “Your testimonies are wonderful — therefore does my soul keep them. The entrance of Your words gives light — it gives understanding unto the simple.” And as your soul is under these sweet impressions of the truth and power of God’s word, you will reproach yourself for not reading it more in the same way. But when you try again so to read it and so to feel it, you will find it all gone; darkness and confusion will cover your mind, and even a disinclination felt to reach the Word of God at all.
I hope you may be encouraged in the work to which you set your hand. If of God, as I hope it is, for I well remember our little meetings at ______, you will find encouragements as well as discouragements. Do not seek for or expect great things, which are usually very deceptive, but seek after real things, to feel the life and power of God in your own soul, and a sweet flow of His unction and grace for the souls of others. You will then have the satisfaction of a conscience made tender in God’s fear, and His approbation to rest upon your spirit.
Your wife is in a safe though not a happy place. The time will come when she will say — “You have loosed my bonds”.
Yours very affectionately in the truth,
J. C. P.
Jesus is LORD! 
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