ted to you than I am.

SIMPLICITY AND POWER OF THE WORD.

You enquire, my friend, why I do not use obscure terms and
extraordinary expressions, in explaining the Scriptures. My Lord
teaches me, that while there are no writings so profound as the
Gospels, there are none so simple. And further, that simplicity of
soul gives simplicity of expression. When we speak of a state beyond
our experience, we do so with difficulty, and have recourse to learning
to aid us, and use forced expressions.

In the natural, simple expressions of Scripture, there are deep
sentiments, adapted to the wants of each soul--to those less and more
advanced.

The word of God enters the centre of the soul; it has a penetrating
quality; an operative efficiency. No words of man can produce the same
effect; at least, none but such as come from souls, who are pure
channels of the word of God. It is the good pleasure of our Lord, to
express and reproduce himself upon the self-abandoned soul. Who does
not admire the profound mystery of the creation of the world, where God
produced all things by his word? When God created man, he formed him
of the dust of the earth--the lowest form of matter--made of dust, that
he might not rob God of his glory! But man thus created, received _the
spirit_--the breath of the Word. This dust of the earth became the
living breath of God. When Jesus Christ is formed in the soul, he
imparts not only a clear understanding of the word, but is himself the
Word, reproduced in the soul. Those only in whom Christ dwells,
fulfill the word, or have the word accomplished in them. Such only are
able fully to interpret the word. It is not learning which best
explains the truths of God, but the reproduction of these truths in the
life---the experience of them.

FORGETFULNESS OF SELF.

I cannot compliment you, dear sir, and I am persuaded, that you will
expect from me, only the simplicity of the Christian. This simplicity
leads me to say, only what our Lord gives me. You need more of this
simplicity. The frequent self-returns you make, dwelling so much on
your unworthiness, although it may have the appearance of humility, is
only a refined self-love. True simplicity regards God alone; it has
its eye fixed upon him, and is not drawn towards self; and it is as
pleased to say humble as great things.

All our uneasy feelings and reflections, arise from self-love, whatever
appearance of piety they may assume