The Pulpit Commentary — 2 John — Section 15

Vers. 12, 13.-0ommunications, written and oral. " Having many things to write unto you,'' etc. This is the conclusion of the letter; and it suggests several topics for meditation. I. THE EXCELLENCE OF WRITING AS A MEANS OF COMMUNIOATION. St. John speaks of writing "with paper and ink." Paper as we now have it was not invented until long after the date of this Epistle. In our text "paper" means a kind of leaf made from the Egyptian papyrus plant. The ink was made of soot and water, with gum added to thicken it and make it lasting. The pen was ma.de of a reed, and was probably split. 1. How exceUent is writing when speech is unattainable/ It was well that, when St. John could not visit the elect lady, he was able to communicate with her" with paper and ink." How refreshing it is to get letters from those who are dear to us but distant from us ! When a son has left the parental roof, and feels desolate in a large city, how he is cheered by a letter from home I And how eagerly do parents, who are deeply solicitous for the safety and prosperity of their absent child, look for the accustomed letter! How much more so if they are in different countries, separated by the wide ocean! 2. How eueUent is writing when permanence is desired I The spoken word passes away so quickly. 'l'Le written word may be preserved. Here is this little letter, nearly two thousand years old, supplying us with themes for profitable meditation to-day. The Bible is the grandest witness of the excellence and value of writing. JL '.J.'RE GREATER EXCELLENCE OF SPEECH "FACE TO FACE" AS A MEANS OF COAI- llUNICA'l"ION. 1. Speech is more quick and easy than writing. This is the idea of the apostle here. "Having many things to write unto you, I would not write lhem with pa.per and ink," etc. 'l'he number of his communications led him to prefer Lhe more expeditious method of communication. The swiftest pen travels too slowly for the •,Ltcrance of th" full heart. The most rapid writer, unlcsH he employ shorthand, falls 1-18.] THE SEUOND EPIS'rLE OF JOHN. 15 --------------------------------- far behind tho fluent speaker. 2. Speech is more ezpressive than writing. The effect of our words depends not only upon what is said, but also upon how it is said. You cannot write or print tones or ca,lences of the voice, glances of the eye, or aspects of the features. When the eloquent John Elias was entreated to allow some of his sermons to be printed, he replied," You cannot print fire." Ancl Dr. Raleigh says," There is much in a. sermon which cannot be pnblished. If it is true, it is 'a building of God' for the time' not made with hands,' and neither hands nor pens can preserve it. ' The grace of Lho fashion of it perisheth,' or survives only in the memory and the life of the hearer. The elastic obedient words seem cool and hardened on the printed page." This is o.lso true of conversation. In this respect the pen and the printing-press ea n never even approach the pulpit in power for present impression. III. THE DELl(JHT OF FRIENDLY CONVERSE AND COMMUNIO~T. "I hope to come unto you, and to speak face to face, that your joy m11.y be fulfilled." How delightful is the fellowship of kindred minds I For this at least three things are essential. 1. Mutual interests. Good conversation is impossible apart from this. How much more impos- sible is communion! 2. Mutual sympathies. Where fellow-feeling is absent, social intercourse can never be pleasant. 3. Mutual confidence, Without thorough trust in each other, conversation cannot be free, communion cannot be true and hearty. But where these things are found, how delightful is social intercourse! One of the purest and fullest joys we have in this world is that of really congenial society. It will be a source of rich enjoymeut in heaven. Heaven is a great and blessed society. IV. THE PROPRIETY OF FRIENDLY GREETINGS. .. '!'he children of thine elect sister salute thee." Although St. John had many thinj:(S to communicate which he deferred until he saw the elect lady, he did not omit the greeting8 of her sister'8 children. Concerning such salutations the spirit of Christianity authorizes two remark8.. 1. Unless kind greetings are true, they should not be tendered. We fear that there is much formality and unreality in many of the salutations of our age. 2. When kind greetings are sent by us we should be careful to communicate them. True and gentle hearts may be pained, and warm affections may be chilled, by our neglecting so to do.-W. J.