Mailbox: Phil Gasston
September 1999 – present

Phil Gasston

To: Phil Gasston
rgasstonATihug.co.nz
Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Tue, 14 Sep 1999

Dear Phil,
Thanks for dropping in to MB. We certainly don't have many guests from New Zealand.

Your background or exercises would be of interest, if you feel free to share with other MB guests. Hope to hear from you – and drop in again to check monthly additions.

Yours in the Lord, Gordon.

From: Phil Gasston
Thu, 16 Sep 1999

Dear Gordon,
It was a cheer to find your site and to read of persons with similar exercises to ourselves.

• My wife and I have eight children and we break bread in our home.

• Since we have so many children the suggestion by Dan Soukoreff of something on household baptism would be appropriate. (We firmly hold to the practical reality of it).

Our great concern is that the rich heritage of truth passed down to us be passed on not only to our children but to believers generally.

• We have tended to think that it is for "brethren" folk only.

• The great test today I feel is in the practice of what has been taught us.

My wife Ruth, is a Forrest from Auckland, and my father was an Englishman, saved at a brethren gathering in Grimsby and local at Park St. in London for many years.

Where the ministry is concerned, we have always considered F.E.R's vol. 17 & 18 to be not only appropriate for us today

• but prophetic for the years following the time it was ministered.

• FER laboured at exercising the brethren to be here for Christ alone and refused any distinction between groups of believers.

New Zealand has a sad history, brethrenwise.

Their is much to shame us, yet Christ remains, just as wonderful a Saviour today as ever he was.

May the Lord richly bless your service to Him.

Love in Christ, Phil and Ruth Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Thu, 16 Sep 1999

Dear Phil,
Thank you for sharing with us. It helps so much to know the background and exercises of our brethren.

Regarding your interest in baptism, see the Doctrine: What Baptism Is, and Who Should Be Baptized by S. M. Anglin.

• This is one of the best and most comprehensive articles I have seen. There is also some Ministry: S. M. Anglin.

• When I was 16, I was baptized as a believer in an "open" (but formerly Grant exclusive) meeting.

• A brother there who was a great help to me introduced me to "household baptism". I will always be grateful for it opened my eyes to the proper place of many other truths.

• May the Lord help you and Ruth in the practical application of baptism in your household and the retaining of your children for the Lord. and for His testimony.

I share your concern "that the rich heritage of truth passed down to us be passed on not only to our children but to believers generally".

• This is one of the objectives of MB.

• When I first came among the brethren in 1950, several brothers made it very clear that the truth recovered and held was for all Christians.

• Sadly, not many years later that open hearted outlook, reflecting God's attitude, was given up.
  • See Studies: Our Responsibility in the Present State of the Church.

You are surely right that "the great test today … is in the practice of what has been taught us".

• JBS and FER both pressed that we should be exponents of the truth.

• We have been too much like "the scribes and Pharisees" who "say and do not", Matt. 23:1-3.

Certainly, if attention had been paid to FER's ministry we would have been saved from the pretension that characterized the disastrous years from 1959 on.

• Ministry: E. L. Bevir: Moral Blindness is very appropriate.

You say that "My wife Ruth, is a Forrest from Auckland". I have had some correspondence with Esli Forrest – see the Mailbox. Is Ruth related?

• I have been compiling a list of brethren, and have the name P. B. (Peter?) Gaston (only one "s" ?) of London. Would that be your father?

It has been a real cheer to hear from you. I hope you will drop in on MB from time to time and share your thoughts on our common concerns.

With love in the Lord Jesus to you and Ruth
and your family, Gordon.

Page Top

From: Phil Gasston
Sat, 18 Sep 1999

Dear Gordon,
Thank you for your kind and helpful reply. I have been perusing your site for a few days now and have found some of the articles of great interest.

My wife is, as you wondered, the daughter of Esli Forrest of Auckland.

• Esli asked me to convey his love to you and to thank you for your letter.

My father was not Peter Gaston, not nearly in the same league!

• Peter Gaston was a ministering brother if I remember rightly, who came to NZ once or twice pre 1970.

I enjoyed the article on baptism which you referred me to. I found it was marked by clarity and simplicity.

• I was also interested in your remarks elsewhere regarding the "open" teaching of requiring baptism as an entrance to fellowship. I agree that this is sectarian in principle.

We in NZ mostly left brethren in the early 70's, I was a boy of 12.

• I returned to the system as a teenager (unsaved) and well remember standing up in the ministry meeting and giving a word and even "preaching" on a Lord's Day evening.

• I remember exhorting persons to come to Christ in the street preaching and I didn't know Him myself.

• I didn't get saved until I was 21 and met my wife through the little company of brethren where both our parents met.

We had a brother in Auckland who met with a little company who were connected with Mr. Cowell.

• This local brother left in the "Bishop" trouble of 1952. You may know him, his name is David Church.

• We were able, through the mercy of God, to be reconciled to these brethren in Auckland some years ago and have had the benefit of these dear brethren's experience with God.

This whole scenario got me thinking about the history over a period of a few years and after reading the "Zurich letters" (referred to recently by Daniel Soukoreff in a letter to you),

• I have become convinced that brethren were on sectarian ground sometime before 1959.

• This is not to say that the ministry before 1954 was wrong but that maybe the attitude of the saints especially towards those that ministered was wrong.

• Looking for a universal leader, the neccessity to "pass on the mantle", taking everything that a particular minister said as being without question, was a denial of the prescence of the Holy Spirit.

• JTSnr, no doubt, sought to help the brethren to "test everything by scripture" but latterly was sadly unable to direct the brethren away from himself.

• Attaching authority to a teacher is departure from the only security that the saints have in a dark and evil day. (JND C.W.  11: 23-24)

So I am therefore interested to hear what you think regarding the leadup to not only the 1959 meetings with GRC but also the latter years of J.T's life –

• not the ministry but the conditions amongst the saints.

I agree with you that the ministries of JND, FER, JBS, CAC JT and many others of that day were of the Lord

• but must always question myself regarding whether I have the man before me (always fallible),

• or Christ (always infallible) as ministered by servants and witnessed to by the Holy Spirit in the soul.

Much love in Jesus, Phil and Ruth Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Fri, 01 Oct 1999

Dear Phil,
You pose a very interesting and important question:

• "So I am therefore interested to hear what you think regarding the leadup to not only the 1959 meetings with GRC but also the latter years of JT's life (not the ministry but the conditions amongst the saints)" …

In view of the importance of your question I plan to post this reply on My Stand 1: The Decline of the 1950's where it may attract more attention and, hopefully, response from others which may shed further light on the subject.

With love in the Lord Jesus
to you and Ruth and your family,

Gordon.

From: Phil Gasston
Sat, 23 Oct 1999

Dear brother Gordon,
Thank you for your extensive reply and the clarity with which you write.

• I would largely agree with what you write and would be concerned not to divert anyone from the obvious Christ-supported ministry being so positively and powerfully administered on your web site.

… But these things are asides brother, and my exercise has always been that we are kept from anything that displaces Christ in the affections, namely man, whom we are exhorted to cease from whose breath is in his nostrils.

• Christ living in the heart and my present relationship with Him is what alone keeps me from the wiles of the enemy.

I have been enjoying some of your "History" pages especially the material on conscientious objectors in Canada.

I am currently reading CAC's "The Paths of Life" and am especially enjoying the highly recommended article in it called "Affection for Christ", a must-read for every believer.
[See Ministry: C. A. Coates.]

We were interested to read of persons who write in sharing with you their exercises regarding finding no one to fellowship with.

• Ruth and I have been 3 years on our own. 6 months ago my 10 year old who came to a saving knowledge of Christ at age 5, asked if he could share the emblems with us.

• Then in the last few months we have been working with a couple from a "Gospel Hall" background and have recently found full and happy fellowship with them.

• And now there are others, who are not only interested in the truth but show great joy in learning of Him.

• The Lord never leaves us without both encouragment and things to do for Himself.

• So be encouraged fellow believer and take courage from the fact that the Lord will support you even in your isolated circmstances.

Thank you again Gordon for your helpful reply. May the Lord continue to bless the ministry.

Your brother in the Lord, Phil Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Thu, 06 Apr 2000

Dear Phil,
Some time ago you highly recommended CAC's "Affection for Christ". You may be interested to know that it is now on MB.

With love in the Lord Jesus to you and all, Gordon.

To: Phil Gasston
Sun, 9 Apr 2000

Brother Gordon,
Thank you for your message, I was keen to get onto your site to find the piece of C.A.C's ministry to which you referred. It was refreshing to read it yet again.

• Could I say that ministry with such a crystal clear message and with such obvious gift and fullness of both meaning and from one obviously in the gain of it, is rarely found in christendom today.

• It does us good to seek out what some would call the old ministry and to feed one's soul on a message of Christ in all its clarity.

• It is obvious that C.A.C enjoyed the song of Solomon. It comes through in much of his ministry and his book on the song is another must read!

• Thank you for making "Affection for Christ" available for all to read.

Your brother in Him, Phil Gasston.

From: Phil Gasston
Thu, 8 Jun 2000

Beloved brother Gordon,
I have had major problems with my computer system which has seen me out of action for quite some time. Please forgive the delay.

I have made contact with Chris [Kelly] and find that the brethren he has contact with are known to me. In fact I was quite close to one of them 20 years ago.

• I think he works along side them in the workplace and he probably has a "nice friendly christian people" assessment of them rather than an understanding of the evil system that controls them.

• I replied to your letter to me regarding contact with him immediately but have not heard back after my reply to his introduction to me.

• I am yet to find out how he has had contact with brethren regarding his knowledge of JND etc.

Esli Forrest seems to be quite well, they are building a new house, smaller than their current home.

Beloved David Church is well and is a great help in the things of the Lord.

We continue to go on in the north. Our Bible Readings continue to be blessed of the Lord.

• We are currently studying the Lord as Head over all things. You can imagine the times we are having.

We are now seven brothers and one has just recently come into the gain of the teaching and the experience of the truth of eternal security.

Do keep in touch. My lack of reply is not an indication of my level of interest, I am simply a very busy man.

Much love to you and your wife in the Lord Jesus,

Phil and Ruth Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Thu, 29 Jun 2000

Dear Phil,
Thanks for your efforts to meet Chris Kelly's inquiry. I have not heard any more from him either.

Glad to hear good news of Esli Forrest and David Church. And especially happy to hear of blessing in your own local setting.

• Seven brothers! It's hard for me to imagine such a situation any more.

• May the Lord help you in your service and in your household.

We had a visit and meetings with the Paluga's at the end of June. See the Mailbox.

With love in our Lord Jesus to you and Ruth and family, Gordon.

From: Phil Gasston
To: Karl Paluga
Mon, 10 July, 2000

The Christian Pathway

• The Lord has answered my query by you contacting me for which I am both thankful and sorry that I have not contacted you before now.

My wife, Ruth, and I have eight children: Sarah, 12, Caleb, 11, Anna-maree, 9, Rachel, 8, Cassia, 7, Julia, 5, Hope, 4, and Joshua, 2.

• We moved to a town called Kerikeri 5 years ago to follow work in a business we now own in the Bay of Islands in the north of the North Island of New Zealand.

The first thing we did was to ask the Lord to put us in touch with young Christian company, persons of our own age, who thought as we did and enjoyed the Lords things as we did.

• The Lord answered our prayer and we soon were in touch with a young couple from a strict independent brethren background who happened to be searching for a way out of the hard legal religious system the enemy had them caught in.

I remember well the first series of conversations we had with them. We told them how Christ was available to the believer as a glorious risen Man living in our hearts now.

• We went on to explain to them that the aspect of the Head in heaven involved that their was a Body here on the earth involving every blood bought saint with the Holy Spirit in a wonderful living system of things,
  • making Christianity more than an historical thing, indeed bringing it right up to date in a love relationship between the Christian and the blessed Lord Jesus.

• I remember tears filling their eyes as we spoke. They said they had never heard anything like this before.

Herein we learnt our first lesson. The Lord wants us to share the truth with all believers, not just those we know enjoy it. The truth is for all.

• Too often it has remained glued to our bookshelves and not appreciated by ourselves or shared with others.

I remember sharing with these new found friends some of CAC's ministry, which they comsumed with a real spiritual hunger.

• Soon it became obvious that we needed to be together more often and so we began to pray together early in the mornings. The Lord blessed these times together.

• This Christian family were soon set free from the hard line system they had been a part of for so long.

• It was a time of rejoicing for us. The Lord was speaking to us all. It has been wonderful to see them progress in divine things.

Lesson number two. Christian fellowship is not based on doctrinal agreement.

• There are still things we are, with the Lords help, working on, yet the brotherly bond is there. F.E.R said he had no more link with one Christian than another.

• Sure, there are those that I cannot break bread with and I can walk with some as far as the church door and no further,
  • yet I can enjoy the relationship we share by way of the work of God. How wonderful this is.

• I firmly believe that God doesn't intend us to walk the pathway alone. CAC said that we may have to towards the end, I know,
  • but we need to search the ground out, find the Cchristians in a place, make sure that if I am walking alone it is because the Christians are not walking worthily of their calling.

• How much better to take the positive side of this and search out Christians that want to share a mutual appreciation of Christ and with whom we can share the great vista of glorious truth that God has been pleased to reveal to us.

Very soon we felt the need to study the word of God together and so we began to come together around the Word.

• Soon we found that there were many believers in the town who were exercised that the word of God was not opened during the week and wanted food for their souls. So we invited them along.

• The Lord began to really bless our times together and it became obvious that He had a ministry He was preparing for us involving disillusioned believers who needed encouraging.
  • What better way to do it than by way of the study of God's word! So as persons enquired, we invited them along.

• Our numbers have grown to 12 brothers, all from different backgrounds, and all keen to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus.

• We were recently, for example, discussing the great truth of eternal security. We had a brother that wasn't sure about it, but who pretty soon bowed to the word and we have been blessed with seeing the effect it has had on his life practically.

• We are currently going over Christ as Head. What a blessing we are getting from it!

We do not all break bread together yet, but I am sure the Lord has something in mind for us as we are definitely moving down that road, as we see the ruin of christendom and the shambles that all that is called Christian has got itself into.

Lesson three. Do not underestimate what God is able to do. We had no idea it would turn out the way it has.

• We have prayed for it for years! Yet who could have imagined we would find Christian company and see the Lord honoured in such a way.

Lastly, we were encouraged to do the work of the Lord. There is much to do, even if we are on our own.

• The gospel still needs to go out. Our children still need food. Our neighbours still need the Saviour. God blesses any representation that is made of Christ as the Saviour of sinners.

Well, brother, I have rattled on a bit. This is really just a brief explanation of the way we have come.

• I would be very interested to hear more from you and to even give you more details of the way we have come as it does sound similar to the way you have come.

• The trials and burdens of family life still hit us. My wife gets lonely as do the children and we struggle to keep the enemy at bay, with all his enticements, yet the Lord Jesus keeps His arms around us.

• Be encouraged, look always to Jesus, find in Him all that is necessary to go on.

Affectionately, your brother in the Lord Jesus, Phil Gasston.

From: Phil Gasston
To: Karl Paluga
Thu, 27 Jul, 2000

Dear brother and sister Karl and Peggy,
Glad to read what you write regarding our families.

• It is near to the heart of the living God that believers have families set up here on the earth in relation to the testimony.

We are being encouraged in our bible studies together, especially in the matter of prayer.

• In the last two weeks we have been concerned to come together to pray each morning
  • with a special exercise regarding repentance for the way the people of God have robbed Him in the great matter of worship due to Him.

• We have been exercised to appreciate that the things of God are real, we are not playing with trivial things but realities.

• For too long as believers we have muddled along content with second best. God wants us to come in to the reality of a relationship with Himself that nothing can take the place of.

• We are noticing what John says in his 1st epistle that God abides in us and we in Him and again, he that has the Son has life and he that has not the Son of God has not life.

• Present salvation is a wonderful thing to enjoy for the believer who is in the gain of a risen Christ.

• So often the flesh seeks another way, maybe in knowledge which puffs up or in self sacrifice or in many other right sounding things, but as we see that we are crucified with Christ we begin to understand that
  • the old nature, the Adamic seed, the flesh, has been condemned by His death and God's Holy Spirit, through the new nature, is the only power to combat this old nature.

• Oh to see and understand it more clearly!

How good it is to get on with positive things and to see what God has made us in Christ and to be taken up with Him!

Greetings to you all in the Lord Jesus,
Lots of love in Him, Phil and Ruth.

From: Phil Gasston
To: Karl Paluga
Fri, Aug 04, 2000

The Body Of Christ

I enjoyed your references to the body of Christ. The most important aspect of the body is the Head. It is good for us to see that the Head is in heaven and the body is here on the earth.

• That means that if we are in the gain of the working of the body here on the earth, we have access in a very special way to the Head in heaven.

• The wonderful thing is that it is His body. It is no different, in one sense, from when He walked here except that the Head is in heaven.

• That is to say that we have access not only to that blessed Man, but also to all of heaven.

• Now to appreciate the working of the body of Christ we must be, in our experience of it, connected, relationshipwise, to the Head. To love what He loves, to do as He would do,, to think as He thinks.

• It brings my association with Jesus to a very intimate level.

  It gives me, by the Holy Spirit, the ability to know the feelings and longings of the heart of Christ. It puts me in touch with the living Christ!

Now in working it out here we must appreciate each member and their place in the body.

• Every lover of Jesus, with the Spirit is a member, and each has a role and place to fill.

• But as I become identified with how it works here on the earth and how it is expressed I want to be a part of it in testimony here.

• Many believers never appreciate or experience the working of the body here because they never get in touch with the Head in heaven.

• The communication, by the Spirit, is from the living Head.

• The life of Christianity is what flows down from the Head to the body, and if I am in the gain of it experimentally, I have access to the mind of Christ.

• These are wonderful things, brother, to wonderful for us to understand fully.The body of Christ is what unites me with Him, it is Himself.

The church, or assembly, on the other hand is more associated with what satisfies the heart of Christ – His bride, His consort, His companion.

• Though in one sense you cannot separate the two – the assembly which is His body …
  • – yet the church is that vessel which is nearest His heart, it is alongside Christ as that which is made suitable to answer to His longings and it is in this regard that the Holy Spirit is in the assembly.

• He came at Pentecost to the church. Yes, He came to individuals in tongues of fire but there is the objective aspect of the Spirit that sees Him preparing the bride of Christ in preparation for that great day when Christ shall come.

• By the Spirit, she shall be fully ready for the Lord Jesus. The Spirit is leading the testimony here from His place in the church. How wonderful it will be when the Spirit and the bride say come!

Well, brother and sister I do tend to go on a bit. It is such a wonderful subject and one which we can each experience and come into the gain of.

• I agree with your exercise regarding finding believers locally. You'll be amazed, as you carry exercise about it, what the Lord will bring across your path.

We have been enjoying Romans 6, 7,and 8 lately. When you get a glimpse of the Living Man in glory it throws a different light on the whole of the word of God.

• How we reach this is by the realization that the death of Jesus has condemned an order of man that could never please God.

Much love to you all in the Lord Jesus, Phil.

Dear Brother Gordon,
Greetings in the name of the Lord. We have been off the air, so to speak, for about 6 months due to major problems with the system and a lack of time to be able to deal with it.

• We have fixed the problem and now have a new email address (please note/noted above) and have had any correspondence that might have been waiting for me to receive in that time, completely wiped. I trust the whole thing is fixed properly now. I have missed corresponding with you.

I see in catching up with the general messages that there is a brother in Auckland, from Scotland that has an ex-Renton background. I would be interested in finding out who he is. Does he know Esli? He sounds very interesting.

I would be interested to catch up again with you and to hear what great things God is doing on your site.

• I have much to tell regarding Kerikeri, New Zealand. The work of the Lord keeps us busy and the Lord has freed us from our business committments so as to spend more time with Himself.

Ruth and the family are well, and would join me in love to you and your wife, in the Lord Jesus,

Your brother in Him, Phil Gasston.

Dear Phil,
How good to hear from you again. I had wondered how you were getting on and had asked Esli but didn't realize you were having major system problems.

The best way to catch up with activity on MB, as you likely recall, is to check the Guest Book, and the Site News for New Activity and Email. I hope you will find much of interest.

It's good to hear that you are all well and that you are freer for the Lord's interest.

• I look forward to hearing of how the Lord is working in Kerikeri.

The brother in Auckland from Scotland to whom you refer is Alex Walker, with whom I had some good correspondence in 1972 and later. The Mailbox gives more details.

• He was one of the principals, along with George Strang, in the refusal of the 'Renton' position in Edinburgh in 1972.

• Later when a further division arose he, and some others with him, left those he was with and refused identification with any group as such.

• I don't think Alex has had any contact with Esli, and while we have been in touch by email, it doesn't appear that he has regular web access.

Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

From: Phil Gasston
Tue, 24 Apr 2001

Dear Brother Gordon,
It has been good over the past 24 hours to catch up with things on your site.

We are now 12 breaking bread in happy fellowship together in Kerikeri.

• We often have 20 to the bible reading during the week and have commenced using a small hall in the town due to the lack of room in the homes.

• The Lord is doing a wonderful work in bringing young persons to Himself.
  • These persons are serious in their desires and refuse to take second best or to listen to doctrines we have learnt off pat.

• There is a real thirst for Christ and for the truth as it is in Him.

• I have had to be very careful that I don't become an advertisement for "Brethren" in our attempt to be of use to the Lord in any way to these dear believers.

Esli [Forrest, of Auckland] has been a great help to us going over some of the fundamentals regarding the word of God. We feel they are pioneering days all over again!

One of the most wonderful things to see is persons growing in the Lord's things – and to watch the development in their souls of the relationship with the Lord Jesus is truly remarkable!

• The supper, for example, and how it is conducted has worked out to be a blessing from the Lord.

• To see young persons come into the gain, practically, of breaking bread at the outset
  • and then to get light as to the service of God and the true meaning of worship as it flows from our remembering Himself,

  • and then coming into the appreciation of entering a scene where sin cannot enter, has been very exciting to be a part of.

• We all come from different backgrounds and the Lord has given us to see the necessity of the work that is needed amongst believers who have a real genuine desire to enter into the heavenly places alongside Christ.

We have been passing around CAC's ministry to the saints and have found it to be beneficial especially the Outlines. FER's ministry has also been popular, especially volumes 18 and 19.

• God is certainly doing great things in this place and it is humbling to us that a simple prayer 5 years ago that the Lord would put us in touch with young like-minded believers, ended up as it is today, praise His name!

We need the prayers of the saints as we seek to pursue.The enemy looks for every opportunity to wreck havoc in the lives of new believers, or where there is any witness here on the earth to the Head in heaven and a collective response down here.

More interesting details to follow as space and time does not permit right now! Pray for us, we are feeling our weakness.

• We often get put on the spot with questions out of left field! and need great wisdom in following them through with the Lord.

Ruth and family join me in love to you and your wife in Jesus,

Your brother in Him, Phil Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Wed, 25 Apr 2001

Dear Phil,
Thanks for sharing the way the Lord is working in Kerikeri. We rejoice with you. The brethren here will certainly be in prayer for you, and those with you, for wisdom and spiritual enlargement. I look forward to hearing further as you suggest.

Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

To: Phil Gasston
Sat, 28 Apr 2001

Dear Phil,
Thanks for your interesting reply to Murray Linton's inquiry. I have forwarded it to him and expect to post it as a guest contribution in Guest: My Answer 3 in the next few days.

Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

From: Phil Gasston
Wed, 11 Jul 2001

Dear Brother Gordon,
I have finally managed to sort out what the never ending problem was with my computer. I hope to be able to stay operational from now on.

• It has been wonderful to correspond with this one and that one regarding things that are discussed on your site.

• I have especially enjoyed hearing from Murray Linton and, though I have been slow, have enjoyed continued contact with Karl and Peggy Paluga. The Lord is good is He not?

• I have also enjoyed following the correspondence with Robin Garvie. That brother has really come to something through all the sorrow.

We continue to enjoy the blessing of the Lord here in Kerikeri.

• We are coming onto Romans 7 in our week night bible reading and the saints are almost excited about it due to the good times we have been having in Romans.

• We have had a brother and his wife travelling an hour each Tuesday night to get to the reading, that have bought a section in Kerikeri and hope to build a house soon.

• We will be embracing them in happy fellowship. He is a brother we need. He is about 55 and is well taught and very shepherdly.

We are attempting to get a local periodical going of short pieces from CAC's ministry. I would be interested to know of anyone who has access to such ministry in short form.

I trust the Lord continues to bless you and your wife in the work of the Lord.

Your brother in the Christ, Phil Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Wed, 11 Jul 2001

Dear Phil,
It's good to know that you have solved your computer problem and that we might hear from you more often.

• Your contacts with other MB guest are of interest. If there is anything, at any time, that would suit the Mailbox, I would be pleased to have a copy.

The news of Kerikeri and the Lord's blessing is cheering indeed. Keep me informed. You and Ruth and family, and the brethren with you, are in our prayers daily.

Sadly I don't know of any source of short pieces from CAC for your proposed periodical. Shiloh Christian Library (see "Site News: Bibles and Books") has some books of CAC on 2 CD's. The KBT CD will have all CAC eventually (see Bulletins) but this will be some time in coming.

Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

From: Phil Gasston
Thu, 30 Aug 2001

Dear brother Gordon,
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus.

I was wondering if Murray Linton got the email I sent to him as a reply to his. I see he told you he was having trouble with his email. Also if there had been any more responses to the bible reading enquiry.

You will be interested to know that we have been able to use the "sister to sister" correspondence in a profitable way locally, and that the saints here are slowly becoming interested in your site.

We are continuing to be encouraged by the way the Lord is working in Kerikeri. We are now doing ch. 8 of Romans in our bible readings.

• The spirit of enquiry is remarkable. God has not given up anything, even when we fail Him. In Him is the yea and in Him the amen!

Our extended Christian family would send their love to you and your wife. Ruth and I are well. The family are all generally well and greet you both in the Lord.

Your brother in the Lord Jesus, Phil Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Fri, 31 Aug 2001

Dear Phil,
It's good to hear from you again and to know that you are all progressing in Kerikeri. You and Ruth and family, and the brethren with you, are all in our prayers daily for continued blessing.

• It was cheering to hear from Alan Scott your local brother recently. Others will of course be very welcome.

We had a very enjoyable visit with Tom and Pat Hawkins a week or so ago when they were visiting Pat's sister nearby. Tom kindly left us copies of the new hymn book.

Murray Linton may still have email problems. He did acknowledge (see Mailbox, Tue, 8 May 2001) your comments on the Bible Reading which I sent to him. I gave him your email address at that time to reply to you.

• I haven't heard from him either as to my answer re the timing of the Breaking of Bread. Perhaps I should try contacting him again. There haven't been any other replies to the Bible Reading inquiry, as we had all hoped.

Indeed, I am happy to hear that the "the 'sister to sister' correspondence" has been useful. I had a phone call from Karl Paluga lately and am sure a note from you to him and Peggy as to that would be appreciated. Have you been in touch with them lately?

Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

From: Phil Gasston
Tue, 4 Sep 2001

Dear brother Gordon,
Good to hear of your visit from Tom and Pat Hawkins and of your receiving copies of the new hymn book. I am interested to know your thoughts on it.

• We are using it now, here in Kerikeri, and finding it very useful and a great help in the service of God.

• No doubt Tom would have told you of the ammount of work that he, Esli and Mr. David Church put into it. It is quite remarkable the extent of the task, once begun!

• Metres are always a hard one, and no doubt Tom left the Errata with you. Even after hours of proof reading there were still mistakes. Its amazing what the eye misses.

Interestingly, when I first recieved a copy I happened to open the book at no 488. To make the metre match the wording you have to do some serious juggling! If you know a tune that fits it do let me know the name of the tune.

• Still, it only emphasises the difficulty of the work, and here in Kerikeri we do appreciate the variety of gospel hymns and the revival of some of the old hymns, and the correct rendering of many of the hymns that were changed.

• Also Mr. H. J. Miles's hymns. He was a brother from Australia, well known in these parts 50 years ago. He gave Esli his book of poetry 40 years ago with beautiful never before published poems.

• Brethren knew of their existence but not that Esli had them! Great to see some of them in the book. Also that never-to-be-forgotten hymn No 628 by Miss Rowan. One of the finest!

I'm interested in your comments Gordon. We are so glad to see the wealth of exercise that has been transferred to song, retained amongst the Lord people.

Ruth joins in love and greetings to you and your wife, in the Lord Jesus,

Your brother, Phil Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Wed, 05 Sep 2001

Dear Phil,

Yes, I can appreciate the amount of work that went into the new hymn book by all concerned – David, Esli, Tom and perhaps others. Tom showed me his database files and he also reviewed the exercises and work of David and Esli.

• I was happy to have been of some help to Tom, having provided him earlier with computer files for the complete text of the 502 hymns in the 1973 book – typed some years ago by another brother here for our computer hymn concordance – and also of our own 1993 Supplement of 47 hymns – some of which now appear in the new book.

It is also understandable that you and the brethren with you would find the new book useful because of the 1951 book being out of print and because of the addition of a number of good hymns from later editions.

• It's interesting to see some more of HJM's compositions. As to a tune No. 488, I'm afraid I am mystified and can't help you. Two metres are shown – and verse 3 seems to be a third.

You express interest in my thoughts, but I hesitate to say much now the work is completed and because – as I understand – it was produced primarily for those you walk with in New Zealand and elsewhere, and not with such as ourselves particularly in mind.

• If the brethren with you are satisfied it's hardly my place to raise points now. Anything I say – no matter how objective and constructive from my point of view – might only seem both unbrotherly and unduly critical.

• That is not to say that I don't have any opinions – I do. But – from what I can learn from the revision notes, etc. – my thoughts are based on a somewhat different approach to the purpose of a hymn book, and a different estimation of the earlier editions, from that of the revisers of the new book.

The 1973 book – in the judgment of brethren here – is certainly not without flaws some of which – again in our judgment – are also evident in the new book.

• We decided to use the 1973 some years ago, judging it was the best book available in print.

• In view of our fewness and the availability of the 1973 book, we did not consider that we should attempt to produce a book of our own.

• Since then – while we could not of course remedy most perceived flaws – we have compiled a supple-ment to restore, for our own use at least, certain hymns which seem worthy of the original purpose of the book.

• If no other books were available we might, of course, be happy to use the new book but, in view of the above, the brethren here have not expressed any desire to make a change.

In view of our own good relationship, Phil, and the anticipation of future co-operation on MB, I trust you will understand me not going into specific details, which might serve no present useful purpose.

• I certainly would not want a difference of opinion on hymns books to affect brotherly contacts in the future.

Please convey our love in Christ to Ruth and the children, and the brethren all.

Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

From: Phil Gasston
Fri, 7 Sep 2001

Dear brother Gordon,
… We are thinking about having some special meetings here in Kerikeri sometime, as we have quite an interest in the town, in the truth.

• Another brother has been added to our Tuesday night Bible reading, who is a reformed alcoholic and loves the Lord Jesus. He is interested in the truth and is keen to have fellowship around the word of God.

We are enjoying more and more the breaking of bread and the service of God. It is wonderful to watch young men grow in their appreciation of the Lord Jesus.

• It makes one long for revival! – beginning in our own hearts. We have been feeling the need for more fervent prayer in this regard.

• Someone once said that prayer begins in the heart of God. How true this is! Knowing the mind of God must be the greatest exercise one can have!

• Do pray for us. There would be many interested souls available to meet together, simply, around the word.

For the rest, we go on quietly, enjoying the Lord.

Affectionately, your brother in the Lord Jesus, Phil Gasston.

From: Phil Gasston
Fri, 16 Nov 2001

Dear Gordon,
Though I havent written for some time, I have been following with interest the correspondence.

• Though the volume has decreased, each one seems to be a specific exercise, not like me who writes to say hello!

I have been enjoying JBS's letters, volume 1. The attractive thing about them is that you get a living ministry of Christ in just a page or so of lots of separate articles. They are very well edited and put together.

• I have begun putting them into a weekly pamphlet and handing them out to the believers who gather to the Lord at our Tuesday night Bible Reading.

• Wouldn't it be good if there was room on this site for a weekly or monthly article out of JBS's letters? They are short and pithy.

The saints here are well and going on fine for the Lord. We have just finished a season of ministry over three days with Esli Forrest and David Church on the Lord's Supper.

• We had an excellent time together and the Lord came in in a distinct way, I feel.

• We went over the matter of identification with Christ in death, in specific relationship to His life out of death. The Lord helped, and we had a group of ready inquirers to test Esli and David's mettle!

I dont know if I mentioned last time, we are also having special gospel meetings every second week where we invite persons to a prepared barbeque dinner at the hall with the gospel preaching following.

• It has been quite successful with about 50 present at the first one, quite a few of them unbelievers. The next one is this Lord's day with our brother Alan Scott preaching.

• One of those who came to the gospel has continued to come to the Bible Reading on Tuesdays.

• Kerikeri is a district that has not had any brethren meetings historically, so largely the ground is new and the fields white to harvest.

• We also use a supplementary hymn book only for the gospel meeting. It has one hundred purely gospel hymns, the good old variety that we sung round the piano as children, taken from Alexander's and Redemption etc.

I trust you and your wife and brethren with you are well. Ruth joins me in sending you warm greetings in the Lord Jesus,

Your brother in Him, Phil Gasston.

To: Phil Gasston
Fri, 16 Nov 2001

Dear Phil,
It's always good to hear from you and to have news of Kerikeri. The three days with Esli and David sound interesting and profitable.

The news of "special gospel meetings" is very encouraging. If you haven't noticed it you might check Memorabilia: The Ears of the Assembly for the report of special preachings in London away back in 1938!

• I'm glad to hear that Alan Scott will be preaching. Please say hello to him for me.

You may have noticed that MB has a new and energetic helper – very much needed – who has done a considerable amount of scanning, especially of GRC which we hope, in the Lord's will, to be able to continue till completion.

I like your suggestion for a place on MB "for a weekly or monthly article out of JBS's letters". Do you just reproduce JBS or do you add some comments of your own?

• Perhaps we could use your pamphlet on a new page with you as a guest contributor/editor, somewhat similar to 'My Answer' but with an appropriate title of your own.

  Betty joins in love to Ruth and your family and all the brethren with you.

  Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon.

  ---

  To: Phil Gasston
  Tue, 17 Oct 2006

  Dear Phil and Ruth, Esli and Judith,
  We have just heard from Daniel Soukoreff of the sad damage to Hope's eye and look to the Lord for her recovery and blessing – and for His comfort to all of you.

  Dan's message has been posted on MB's Site News: Bulletins for the information of other brethren.

  Affectionately in our Lord Jesus, Gordon and Betty Rainbow.

  ---

  From: Phil Gasston
  Mon, 30 Oct 2006

  Dear Gordon and Betty,
  You have no doubt heard of the wonderful healing that we have experienced at the hand of God regarding our daughter Hope. I can honestly say I have never experienced such a wonderful coming together of Gods people in prayer and with such results. We are so thankful to the Lord for your prayers and we have been truly affected by some of the stories we have heard from believers relating the events in our household to others and their reactions.

  We are feeling that God has been witnessing in a wider sense, as He has even to us in our own home. We have never seen God work in such a distinct way before, and thank and praise Him for His abundant mercy.

  Our little girl has ahead of her weeks of answering letters and cards and words of encouragement from all over the world!

  God has in it all been speaking to me. I am assured that adversity is the only real way to knowing God. Our spiritual lives have come alive suddenly(something we needed) and in our little meeting the saints have been drawn together in a wonderful way.

  Thanking for posting the prayer request on the site. I am tempted to write the events of the past 2 weeks down and send them in as they have been filled with experiences that have encouraged us and would, I am sure, encourage others.

  With renewed thanks. Yours in the Lord Jesus,
  Phil and Ruth Gasston and Family

  
  

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