JOHN 9:7, C. H. Cayce Brother C. H. Gilliam, R. 2, Fulton, Ky., asks our views on John 9:6-7 and asks, “Was the blind man a child of God before he washed or did he become a child by the washing?” The text reads, “When He bad thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.” As to whether the washing was necessary in order that he become a child of God, it is only necessary to observe that the text says he “washed, and came seeing.” If the washing was necessary in order that he become a child of God, or in order that he have eternal life, it should have said that he “washed and received life.” A child of God may be blind to the truth, and need anointing in order that he be able to see the truth. Apply this to your own experience. It is applicable to the experience of the Lord’s children, and to many things they realize in their experience. It has no application to the unregenerate. But the blind Pharisee, or the unregenerate sinner, cannot understand how the eyes of God’s children are opened to many things along the line, typified by this circumstance. Make the application here, Brother Gilliam, and you will have no difficulty with this text; and the Arminian cannot refute your position. The Primitive Baptist, February25, 1915.