Brother P. D. Burns, of Bentonville, Ark., requests our views on what is called time or common salvation. It seems to us to be unnecessary to write on this question now. It has been threshed out time and again, and nearly every issue of the paper contains something connected with the subject. However, we will say that we are not a stickler for the term "time or common salvation". The scriptures teach that there is a salvation enjoyed by the child of God as a result of his walking in obedience, and that enjoyment is here in time. Hence it is called a "time salvation." If a brother prefers to call it by some other name, we have no objection, just so he holds to the truth which is meant to be expressed by the use of the term.

In John13, 17 the Saviour said to the disciples, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." In this language there is, most assuredly, a happiness promised the persons addressed provided they do the things. He was speaking to the disciples, and they were children of God. The first thing necessary, however, is to know these things. Then, "if ye do them" a happiness follows as a result. They do not get that happiness if they "know these things" and fail to do them. The happiness is promised "if ye do them." True, this language was spoken b the Saviour at the time he washed the foot of the disciples, but the same principle is true concerning every act of obedience which the Lord requires. Hence, there is a rest, a happiness, enjoyed by the Lords children as a result of their obedience to the Master. This is not a promise of rest of happiness beyond this life, or in the world to come, but a promise of happiness now right here for "happy are ye" is the promise. The happiness is now. Hence, they are saved from sorrow, leanness of soul, a troubled mind and conscience, by doing "these things".

In I Timothy 4:36 the apostle says, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine: continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee?" This language was addressed to Timothy, who was already a child of God and a minister of the gospel. He had eternal life already. Hence, so far as eternal life is concerned, he was already in a saved state. He was brought into that saved state by the grace, mercy, power, and work of God, and not by doing something himself, nor by another man doing something. But here the apostle says that "in doing this thou shalt both thyself, and them that hear thee." He would save himself by "doing this" so the apostle affirms. He does not get eternal life, or eternal salvation, by doing; but he saves himself by "doing this." He does not save himself from an eternal hell by doing; but he certainly does save himself from something else. By taking heed unto himself and unto the doctrine, and continuing therein, he saves himself from many "gins and snares" set by Satan; he saves himself from walking in, or going into, many places where he might go, and where a child of God should not go. He saves himself from the doctrines and commandments of mean. He saves himself from false ways, from false doctrines and practices. By doing this, he not only saves himself, but he also saves those that hear him. Those who hear him are those who have already been made alive from the dead by the spirit and power of God. "Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my words. He that is of God heareth Gods words. Ye therefore hear them not; because ye are not of God, " says the Saviour. Hence, those who hear are already of God have already been born of God. They are already children of God. But they are to be saved from false doctrines and practices, just as Timothy was. And this was to be accomplished by Timothy in "doing this" taking heed unto himself, and unto the doctrine, and continuing in them. This saving is not regeneration, and no part of it. Regeneration is first; and then they need to be saved from false ways by having the gospel preached to them. But the mans preaching is not worth much, unless his walk is right. He must take heed to himself. That is the first and most important thing for the minister to do, and in doing that and taking heed to the doctrine he will save himself, and those who hear him, from wrong doctrines and practices. This is a saving which follows as a result of doing something. Eternal life is not given to men and women as a result of their doing something. Hence, this is a saving which is not eternal. It is a saving which takes place here, and the benefits of it are here in time, and not in eternity. Gods people in eternity who have never heard or known the truth here will be just as happy, and as much glorified, as those who have known the truth here. They will miss nothing in eternity on account of not having known the truth here. But those who do not know and practice the truth here miss something here. They are not saved from false doctrines and false ways.

In Hebrews 2:1 to 4 the apostle says, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" Here the apostle teaches that under the law dispensation every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. In that dispensation the Lord punished His children, or chastised them, for their disobedience. There was no escape then. Now, if that was true then, it is much more certain and sure now, under the gospel dispensation"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation." This is a stronger way of saying that we cannot escape. Condemnation is the opposite of salvation. By neglecting this salvation we receive the opposite, which is condemnation, and there is no escape. If this salvation is eternal, and we neglect it, then we cannot escape the opposite, which is eternal condemnation. But our escaping eternal condemnation does not depend upon our not neglecting. We do not escape eternal condemnation by our zeal or diligence in the service of god. Escaping eternal condemnation, and receiving eternal life, having eternal salvation, is the free and unmerited gift of God. But here is a salvation which Gods children are required not to neglect; and we are told that we cannot escape the opposite of the salvation if it is neglected. The condemnation is not eternal, and as that is the opposite of the salvation, then the salvation is not eternal. Hence, here is a salvation, a joy and pleasure and delight which follows as a result of zeal and diligence in the service of God, as he requires.

These are only a few of the many places in Gods word which might be produced along he same line. How necessary that we study the Scriptures, and search them diligently, to know the truth as it is therein revealed. May the Lord help us to search for and know the truth, and then practice the same? C. H. C.