In offering the following volume to the public, it is, perhaps, necessary that I should prefix a few words to state what the reader is to expect, and what be is not to expect, in these Letters and Papers. He is not to expect any thing in the character of religious gossip; any anecdotes of, or remarks concerning, living persons, with whom the writer had intercourse. Those who had the privilege of receiving Letters from the late Lady Powerscourt knew well that she delighted to dwell on much higher subjects than the actions or opinions of her fellow-men. If every thing she ever wrote was submitted to the public eye, it would be, perhaps, a subject of surprise to some, how very little was said about other persons in her extended correspondence. But, in the following selections, I have studiously omitted everything in the least degree personal. Those, therefore, who shall take up this volume with the hope of reading Lady Powerscourt's opinions of this person or that person -- of this or the other movement, in or out of the Church, will be disappointed. I trust that these pages will furnish no food that would gratify such appetites. Had the correspondence, from which it has been my part to make selections, afforded such materials, I should never have been the instrument of making them public. But that eminent disciple of our blessed Lord, whose letters are now printed, with a hope and prayer that they may tend to the edification of the Church, lived in a higher atmosphere; inhaled herself, and breathed forth, a purer air. She, of all the Christians I have been privileged to know, came nearest to that which she has, in such strong, uncommon terms, stated to be her idea of a Christian; "Not one who looks up from earth to heaven, but one who looks down from heaven on earth". She appears to have ascended a high and holy eminence, and from thence to have looked down upon those earthly scenes, with which too many are entirely engrossed; living up to that high and spiritual requirement of the apostle, "Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God". Those who take up this volume may expect to find the language of a heart thus lifted up above the world, the free and unrestrained breathings of a soul whose "conversation was in heaven;" who was "raised up, and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus".
The only thing which induces me to publish the following Letters and Papers, is the conviction that they express the sentiments, and experience, and heaven-taught spirituality, of one who had made more rapid advances in the divine life, than is ordinarily found in the church below. I thought that this candle, which the Lord had lighted, should not be hid under a bushel, but put on a candlestick, that it might give light to all that are in the house. There will be found original and strong thoughts, clothed in original and strong language; indeed, the strength of the language may sometimes startle some of those who read these Letters, and may be such, that had the writer revised them for publication, she might have, perhaps, somewhat softened her expressions; but, as Editor, I did not think myself authorized, even if I had felt disposed, to do so. In truth, (whether erroneously or not,) I like those strong expressions: I would not wish to alter one of them: they bring back to my recollection, the image of the strongest mind that I ever met in any woman; they help to remind me of that which was her peculiar characteristic, -- uncommon masculine strength, combined with the extremest feminine gentleness; they help me to apprehend the power with which she realized those important subjects about which she wrote; and I am not without hope that, through the blessing of God, they may be made instrumental to convey the same reality to others.
Whilst I believe that all intelligent readers may derive benefit and edification from these pages, I conceive they may be especially profitable and comfortable to mourners; to those "who are afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate". Lady Powerscourt was one acquainted with grief. She had had severe and heavy trials; and she was thus, in a peculiar way, fitted to sympathise with all tried Christians. She was enabled "to comfort those who were in any trouble, with the comfort wherewith she herself had been comforted of God" When she knew of any of her friends being in trial, she seems to have felt herself especially drawn to write to them a "word in season". Therefore many of the Letters in the collection are addressed to mourners, and will, I trust, be found comforting and strengthening to those who are in similar circumstances.
There is one subject which occupied much of Lady Powerscourt's attention, which does not appear in the following pages so prominently as many of her religious friends might have expected; and that is, the subject of Prophecy. She was known to have very deeply considered it, to have conversed with those per sons who were most remarkable for their study of it, and to have consulted the books which have been written on it; and, above all, to have read the Scriptures with much deep attention to the subject; and yet, very little on prophecy appears in her correspondence. Lest any person should think that, in making the selection, I have thrown aside Letters on this subject, I think it right to state, that I have been myself surprised to find how little, upon this interesting subject, has been left among her papers. I had expected to have found much clear statement of the result of her deep consideration of prophecy; and though she should have stated that which did not agree with my own views, I should have published hers, and allowed those interested in the subject to exercise their judgment thereon. I should certainly not do what some persons, whom I esteem, have done -- publish the sentiments of another, though at the same time considering them erroneous on the fundamental principles of the Gospel; but I would publish the sentiments of another oil the future prospects of the Church, though in those sentiments I thought the writer was mistaken; because I consider the first subject to be vital, and that error on it is essentially dangerous; while I do not think so of the other subject. I consider the whole Church of Christ to be much in the dark with regard to prophecy, and more or less in error concerning it; and that the best way to correct the error, and attain more light, is to encourage free discussion upon it. In order to reach the end, it is essential not to mistake as to the way. It is not equally essential to form correct anticipations as to what shall be found at the end. Those who are on the way shall reach the end, and then all their mistakes concerning it shall be corrected.
I feel myself called upon to return my thanks to the correspondents of Lady Powerscourt, for the kindness and confidence with which they have entrusted me with her valuable Letters. They will see, I trust, that I have not violated their confidence. I have selected according to my best judgment; I have altered nothing, and corrected little, except when necessary to make the sense clear, which will often be indispensable in publishing from an uncorrected manuscript. I have been obliged to omit some very beautiful Letters, on account of the recurrence of the same sentiments and expressions in other Letters. It appears to have been frequently the case, that some scriptural subject, with a suitable train of thought, was very deeply impressed upon Lady Powerscourt's mind; and she recurred to that subject and train of thought, in writing to her different friends, at the same time, in different places. I have generally omitted the Letters in which the sameness of thought was observable; but I have sometimes admitted a repetition, where I must otherwise have rejected a letter in other respects valuable, or have made omissions which might have rendered the sense less clear. I hope her correspondents will excuse me for the omissions, and the readers for the repetitions they may observe.
As my object is simply to present to the Church the sentiments of the writer, which appear to me to be likely to promote edification, I have omitted even the names of the persons to whom the Letters were addressed; and I have abstained from prefixing to this volume any thing in the way of a memorial of the departed writer. It would be impossible to write any biographical sketch of her that is gone, without stating particulars as to those that remain, which might give them a publicity which would be distressing to their feelings. I send, then, these Letters before the public, without any recommendation except their own intrinsic worth. I publish them, not because they were written by my dear departed friend, but because, in my judgment, (not unprejudiced, I admit,) they appear to be in themselves such as ought to see the light.
I have added at the end a few Papers, which seem to have been her private exercises on scriptural subjects. They will show how deeply she considered, and how powerfully she reasoned upon, the word of God. It may, indeed, be said of her, that her "delight was in the law of the Lord, and in his law did she meditate day and night".
It only remains that I should commend this volume to the blessing of Him, "without whom nothing is strong -- nothing is holy". He was pleased to make the writer of these Letters a very signal monument of his grace. She bore witness to his grace in her life, and by her life; and I pray, that He may vouchsafe to allow her, "though dead, yet to speak", to the edification of his people, and to the glory of his holy Name.
Powerscourt Glebe, April, 1838.
I am glad to hear you have a good opinion of ... I almost envy any one a strong feeling of sin, but I am sure our wise and tender Father knows best how to measure that out to us, in proportion as He sees us able to bear it: though it seems sad not to grieve at offending such a Lord. It gives me much pleasure to hope that there are ...... in this house, seeking Him, whom I trust, I at least desire to be dearer to me than all the world. It is cheering to see even a Christian's face. I do not expect to go to either Wednesday or Thursday; but perhaps the less of these enjoyments we have, the more shall we long for an eternity of them, when all foolish worldly gossip, which weighs us down now, will be over for ever.
Yours most sincerely,
T. A. HOWARD.
Dear Mr. ..... I return the sermon with many thanks; I am greatly obliged to you for it, and particularly for your kindness in saying I am heartily welcome to it. I trust the Lord may bring me, and all dear to me, to the blessed state which the sermon describes that of a Christian to be. I must also thank you for your little prayer at the end of your note; you have not one in your parish who needs it more. You say, you hope I sometimes offer one for you; it would be strange if it were only sometimes, but if you knew what my prayers are, you would beg to be left out. Indeed, I am not satisfied on that head; for some weeks I have not been able to pray at all, and seldom to read, (I mean in private,) and it is more wretched than I can say. Perhaps, if you are not engaged, you will be kind enough to send me a few lines to say, if you ever knew this to be the case with any of whom you had hopes, and what you think is the cause of it; for I suppose it must be my own fault. I sometimes fear the Lord's Spirit will not strive with me any longer. I hope you will excuse my troubling you about myself; but there is no peace while the Lord hides from us the light of his countenance. It will be a happy time when we shall have done with this body of sin.
Yours most sincerely,
I have just been reading two such sweet verses, 12th and 13th of Colossians 1, and almost fearing such great things cannot be intended for such a log; however, the thought of being a partaker of that inheritance is sometimes very sweet, and I believe I may as well enjoy the thoughts of it here, even if I never do arrive at it. .........
My dear ... I hope you will not think my long silence a mark of ingratitude for your goodness to me in writing so long and kind a letter, but between ..... illness and ..... I have had but little time to myself, and that little I know you would rather I should give to the Bible than to you. Besides, I wished to be able to tell you that .... was quite well, which I think I can say, thank God, now. His illness has been a very trying one, and more tedious, from its having been so much on his nerves. But the Lord has only brought us in view of great misery, that we may feel more dependent on Him, and the more watchful to be ready for every thing. I wish I could say this was the effect it has had on me, or that anything ever moved this cold stony heart. Indeed, I have long been in despair about that, and often wished to speak to you on the subject; so much so, that I had resolved to visit you the morning
before we left Powerscourt; but thinking that perhaps you would consider me troublesome and very full of self ...... and as you proposed writing, I determined I would postpone asking your advice, till I had the pleasure of hearing from you; and I think you deserve a scolding from me, for you must have remarked how much I had fallen away from the Lord, for I did not try to hide it, and you know you should have spoken to me about it. But it is only wonderful that I am not more unhappy; for I do not think I have any feeling of any sort on the subject remaining, or hardly any care whether I have part or lot in the matter. I have not felt particular harm from moving about, for I could not be worse than I was before leaving Ireland. I had nothing to lose. I often fear my name has been blotted out from the book of life, and that the Lord is weary of entreating me to accept all the blessings of the Gospel. I know you will set about comforting me, but it is not that I want; what I feel is an apathy and indifference, whether one of the promises belongs to me or not. Oh, if you knew the difference of my feelings from this time last year, you would think the same as I do! . ...... I was so happy with Him then, that I thought I could never be moved -- the Lord, of his goodness, had made my hill so strong. I remember telling ..... that, let events turn out as they might, my happiness was ensured; even if shut up for life in a dungeon, I could be nothing but happy, with the prospect of being one with my Saviour. But He hid his face from me, and I have been troubled. I find I can do without anything but Him; but having once tasted his
love, everything else has lost its sweetness. I feel now that I care for nothing: not for the things of another world, and I am sure, not for the things of this. Instead of running to my Bible, as a hungry man to his food, I read it as a task. Prayer is no more my sweetest pleasure, but a duty which I feel glad to have over; and when I go to it, I have nothing to say to my Lord. The contemplation of heaven used to be so sweet, it made everything earthly appear as nothing. Now I do not feel as if it would give me the least pleasure to hear that I was to be there tomorrow. Oh, if you knew how unmoved my heart is at the wonderful means of grace I enjoy, -- one beautiful sermon after another! I feel none of the delight I once used at seeing a Christian walk into the room. Instead of loving to hear them talk of the Saviour, I am at a loss for something to say; indifferent, totally so, about the souls of others. ...... I am in an awful state. I could tell you a great deal more, but it would be only tormenting you. I tell you thus much, not expecting you to understand my case, for I do not suppose there ever was such another, but that you may not think me interested in all those things for which I feel so little. I know you can do nothing for me; but this I hope you will do -- strive hard for me, strive hard for me in your prayers. I owe you more than I can say, humanly speaking, and I would not write to you this way, did I not feel that you are the only person who feels for my soul as I feel for it myself, for we have both to give an account of it. This, I can say, you are pure from my blood. Oh! may I still be your joy and crown
of rejoicing in the last day; and may all your instructions not cast me deeper into hell. At other times, I think I used to look at religion too much as a pleasure, and that having lost her with whom I used to enjoy the pleasure, it has lost much of its delight ........ How very full of self you will think me, but I want your advice, and your constant, earnest prayers. I was sorry to hear you had such a bad cold. I hope you have recovered your voice for this week, and that you have not given up your trip to London. We have been so much shut up by Lord P.'s illness, that I have not been able to hear many good preachers on week-days, but hear Mr.
....... regularly on Sunday. Last Sunday I went to Mr. Howels' chapel, whom I liked very much, though his style is rather odd. He says very strong things, lowering the creature, and exalting the Saviour ...... Forgive this long letter, and,
Believe me,
Very affectionately and gratefully,
Dear Mr. ...... I should have answered your kind letter before this, had I any thing to tell you that could have given you any gratification. But, alas! I have been as desolate within, as without. My earthly husband hid from me, my heavenly one
1 cannot find; and Satan hard at work tempting me to say, What is this black thing I have done, which makes my Father so angry with me? But oh, my dear Lord, let him not rule within: quench his fiery darts; show me that I deserve far worse, even all the wrath of an offended God. But Jesus has "borne our griefs and carried our sorrows". These trials are only blessings, to fill up that which is behind of his afflictions. I am also tempted to think, that I cannot be his, for I feel none of that comfort his children always feel, and I used to find in the hour of trial.
"Jonah, doest thou well to be angry?" "I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned grievously against Him". Oh, dear Mr. ... you do not know what it is to lose one so dear, so very dear; I can only compare it to the tearing asunder of all the strings of the heart. Then such a gloomy prospect here the rest of one's life. After watching him day and night with so much anxiety, anticipating the joy of being allowed again to be with him; all at once so unexpectedly to have my hopes dashed from me, was what I did not think for some days I could have borne ..... In any other loss I have had, I never could pray for the bodily life of my friend, but in this, to which no other loss can be compared, night and day I could not help entreating the Lord to spare me that heavy blow. I really did think He meant to answer me, and hoped against hope, till the last breath left that dear body. .. "But I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that in very faithfulness thou hast afflicted me". I must wait to know and see why it is, till I know as
I am known. That it is unspeakable love, I have no doubt, because He who has sent it is no new friend, but a tried and precious one; and when it is good for me, He will allow me to see, that this God is Love. But, oh! I tremble when I look at my rebellion and ingratitude, throughout it all. I have had much to show me myself this last year -- to dig up the mud hid under the smooth surface. How it will astonish you -- astonish angels, when the book of my sins is opened, except they are so blotted out with blood as to make them illegible.
I do not suppose there could be a stronger lesson of the vanity of every thing earthly, than to look at me last year, and this. The prospects of happiness I seemed to set out with! And now, where are they? A living monument that man in his best estate is altogether vanity; and see how my heart, without my knowing it, was on earth. I could not have thought, that one who professes to believe in the joys of heaven, and had tasted the realization of them by faith, could so mourn, as one without hope -- could so willingly call him back again. But I shall say no more, for these complaints only grieve my God, and annoy you. But, indeed, I am at times greatly oppressed, and feel this evening, as if there were a parcel of devils within, tearing me different ways, and refusing me any rest. I beseech you, pray for me and write to me.
Your unalterably affectionate and grateful friend, T. A. POWERSCOURT.
........ How I shall long to join you all above. I fear I need patience, and find it hard to reconcile my mind to the possibility of my living three times as long as I have lived yet. When I look back upon a few months, and remember the happiness I used to feel when I expected my dearest love, and .... to spend the evening at ...... and to have a little reading, I can hardly persuade myself that I am the same person. Two now in possession of what they then, blessed be God, enjoyed by faith, and I left alone. But I forget; I determined never to murmur again. It needs a great stretch of faith sometimes, when the enemy comes in like a flood, to believe that God is as much at peace with me through Christ, as with those already above; that Abraham now in glory is not safer than I am. Is that presumption, do you think? What a precious name, a strong tower, into which, if we run, we shall be safe! Were I left to myself, I should run from it. I should not trust myself to his word, but seek to save myself from clanger. But almighty love arrests me, pulls me in; and then rewards me for coming. How much is there in those words, "are safe", -- to think we are safe from every thing! No evil shall ever touch us, evil at the end, or evil on the way. All paved with love; "all things shall work together for good.." I have got the promise of
all others I want; "let thy widows trust in me". I once wished there was a richer, a sweeter promise to widows; but I believe it requires to be brought into different circumstances, in order to feel the force of different promises. For the Lord knew that none so suited widows as these few words. In looking round the wide world, so filled with wickedness, and seeing one has to pass through it alone, one would fear, every step one took, so unprotected and forlorn, only for this promise. With this, "when I am weak, then am I strong". It is not like Him to invite us to trust in Him, and then let any evil come nigh us. If his everlasting arms are underneath, I "shall dwell in safety alone". Let there be rebellions, revolutions, persecutions, earthquakes, any thing, every thing, "let thy widows trust in me", should be enough. I know my tabernacle shall be in peace. Sweet to think that the eye of the Lord is upon us, to deliver our soul from death. It seems to me, as a nurse keeps her eye upon her child, lest it should destroy itself, or as a keeper keeps his eye upon his poor lunatic, "the Lord is thy keeper". Then unbelief jumps up and says, How do you know all this is for you? Then I do not know what to say, but "my Master told me so". His Spirit witnesses with my spirit. He has given me the earnest of the Spirit. To those who believe, He is precious, and I think He is precious to me: "a bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me". Oh that I could keep close to Him! I want to be fixed on the rock. My grief is, that the waves of sin and the world give me so many shoves off it. Will you not pray for me, for I greatly need it; and will you not
write to me, and exhort me with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord; and tell me if you think me presumptuous, or growing wrong in any way. That old serpent is so cunning. Will you forgive me for speaking so much of myself, but speaking of what He can do for me magnifies the power of his grace, more than if I were to speak of it with regard to any one else upon earth.
Yours, with Christian affection,
All creation seems to be travailing to bring forth some mighty event, and poor Ireland is coming up in remembrance before God. Oh! what are we, to be able to look any thing, every thing, in the face, and know assuredly, without a peradventure, that all is, shall, and must, work together for our everlasting good; that had we sense, it is just what we should order for ourselves, to have fresh comfort in every fresh putting forth of his omnipotence, for this God is our God. Though even the earth should be shook to its very centre, though we might feel outwardly the curse of sin, yet no evil henceforth for ever can befall us; we shall only behold, and see from out of the cleft of the immoveable rock. From thence we may boldly challenge distress, persecution, etc. etc. Our dwelling is the Most High. We may be thrown like a shuttlecock; from self to Satan, and back from
Satan to self, till weary of both; but neither sin, self, nor Satan shall or can ever reach our lives, for they are hid with Christ. Because He lives, we shall live also. What a happy confidence in such a world, to be able to look up, and say, "my Lord, and my God", and to know also the Captain of our salvation as our bosom friend! Whilst engaged in calling in his people from north, south, east, and west, He does not forget those already within the fold, but comes and whispers to them in the still small voice of his word; tells me, I shall never be forgotten, let his works be ever so stupendous; tells me, He cannot live in glory, and leave me behind; that the angel can no more swear, that time shall be no more, till the last of his elect shall be sealed on their foreheads, than his truth can fail. I think there is a danger, in these times, of the feelings being so kept alive by excitement, as to lead us to forget, that as we have received Christ, so we ought to walk in him, built up as well as rooted; established in the faith ... ; so eager for the battle, as to forget our armour. I trust you remember us; that you are often present with its in spirit, and pray without ceasing, that we may stand complete in all the works of God, that He may set us as lights on a hill, by the splendour of our walk, illuminating many from the kingdom of darkness unto the kingdom of God's dear Son; that we may walk worthy of our high calling in all lowliness; that we may see in a degree with the eye of God; that we may live but for one end; that we may occupy till He come, reaching forward towards the prize, running the race set before us, looking unto Jesus; that we
may have nothing to do with any pursuit or happiness ending in time; neither entangled with the cares, nor intoxicated by the fascinations of the world; and that every action of our lives may declare plainly, that our kingdom is not of this world. Pray that for us, and I will pray that the answer may rebound into our soul.
With sincere Christian affection,
...... I have to thank you for your other kind long letter. There is a certain drawing out of heart towards those who care enough for us, as to point out in what way we may be grieving our Lord. Your accusations, I fear, are quite just; and I hope I may have your prayers, that I may be enabled to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. I think it is in the Lord we are told to rejoice, a joy which can be felt while sorrowing, a good cheer in tribulation. I sometimes sit in astonishment why my cup should run over with this blessing, and I have more when the heart is brought low to receive it, than when it is (which is often the case) intoxicated. I own I sometimes feel cast down and desolate, but not unhappy. I have had a deep, a very deep wound; the trial has been very severe; but how should I have known Him as a
brother born for adversity without it? How should I prize Him as my strength, if I am not sometimes left to feel my perfect weakness? The heart is too selfish not to drop a tear sometimes; but I hope no longer a rebellious one. The wound is closed, but very little bursts it open. The marble must be allowed to melt a little, but only enough to send to that good physician, who maketh sore, and bindeth up; He woundeth, and his hands make whole. I understand those lines,
However, if it is more to his glory, that I should take pleasure in the many blessings left in this world, dreary as it may seem through the glass of affliction, "behold I am here, Lord;" if to be kept low, even so. May I only be able to lay this soul as helpless on the great "I AM". And I can assure you, however appearances may contradict it, I have much joy and peace in believing -- find life a flux and reflux of love; Jesus is precious to me. I find his banner of love extended over Edinburgh; his promises here also are as honey dropping from the comb. There is not one on earth I desire but him; He is all my hope and all my salvation; and I can go on with confidence, knowing He can never deny himself, or say, "I never knew you;" for He testifies, not only that He knows me, but that He loves me, by enabling me to say, "thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee".
Sometimes we appear such insignificant grasshoppers, that it is hard to conceive that He can think of us and our foolish concerns; at other times, one feels of such
immense importance, that one wonders that Christians can live like other people, just as when we read of the bursts of joy from the heavenly host, and find this the sign, that their Lord whom they adore has become a despised babe, and all, because peace is brought to earth, and good-will to man. Peace seems just what we want here, purchased by his blood, left as his legacy. What simplicity there seemed to be in his words after his resurrection. He seemed to enjoy the travail of his soul, when distributing his peace. May He impart largely of it to your soul, and while recommending the inexpressible treasure of his word to others, may you be enabled yourself to feed on it by faith, with thanksgiving. May He empty of his fulness into all our bosoms, and enable us, by using, to show we value the privilege of drawing near to Him, to tell Him of fear the world cannot allay, of wants the world cannot satisfy, of blessings the world knows nothing of.
Your affectionate,
Is your happy soul still lifted up -- able in his light to walk through darkness? I know the dreary waste that lies before you How his dear, dear company is missed -- how tasteless and insipid every thing appears -- how you want that affection which entered into every trifle which concerned you -- how you want an adviser, a protector, such a companion -- one to weep when you weep -- to rejoice
when you rejoice. I know well what it is to lie down at night and say, where is he? -- to awake in the morning, and find him gone -- to hear the hour strike day after day, at which you once expected his daily return home to his too happy fireside -- and find nothing but a remembrance that embitters all the future here. O my poor, poor, ...... if I cannot feel for you, who can? -- who so often partook of your happiness? -- sweet, precious time I have been allowed to enjoy with you both, but past. However, it is well that you have another to feel for you. If I know the meaning of the word sorrow, I also know of a joy a stranger intermeddleth not with. How tenderly our compassionate Lord speaks of the widow! as a parent who feels the punishment more than the chastened child. He seems intent to fill up every gap love has been forced to make: one of his errands from heaven was to bind up the broken-hearted. He has an answer for every complaint you may ever be tempted to make. Do you say you have none now to follow, to walk with, to lean on? He will follow you, and invite you to come up from the wilderness, leaning on Him as your Beloved. Is it that you want one to be interested in all your concerns? Cast all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you. A protector? Let thy widows trust in me. An adviser l Wonderful Counsellor! Companion l I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you: I will never leave you, nor forsake you: I have not called you servants, but friends. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. One to weep with
you? In all their affliction He was afflicted: Jesus wept. When you lie down -- safe under the shadow of his wings, under the banner of his love. When you awake -- still about your path and about your bed. It is worth being afflicted to become intimately acquainted, and to learn to make use of, the chief of ten thousand -- the altogether lovely -- the brother born for adversity -- the friend that sticketh closer than a brother -- the friend of sinners. Pray write often to your poor sister; tell me everything that interests you; do not let the children forget me.
My dear Mr. .... Though he was a shining light by whom God was glorified, yet, I think, in him, more than in others, the power of God was manifested in the inner man; the mind that was in Christ was stamped on him; every disposition led captive to Jesus. But it required to live with him, and see him in every turn of life, to know how beautifully the Spirit was moulding him into the image of his Master. It appears to me, there were four graces peculiarly striking in his character, some of which you have mentioned.
First, his entire forgetfulness of self in every thing, (this was very remarkable,) accompanied with a watchful attention to the wishes of others, a tenderness to their feelings, a fitting of himself into their C
prejudices, and, as far as he could, entering into their pursuits, so as by any means to win some.
Second, a most striking trait, which I believe you have mentioned, but which those who knew him but little did not perceive, was a loathing of himself, as if he really felt sin a burden; but, at the same time, the most happy and simple confidence of his safety in Christ. It often reminded me of Isaiah 59:19. He seemed to feel the evil heart as a flood which would overwhelm him, had not the soul been continually directed to Christ crucified as to its resting-place.
Third is, what you have already expressed much better than I can, such a thirst for truth upon every subject as enabled him to lay aside prejudice, and every impediment in the way, and made it visible that to reach and receive it was his object.
Fourth, we may say, the cause of his being so unlike his natural man was, his mind being kept in a continual turning to Christ, as the element in which he delighted. He was alive to spiritual subjects, should they be brought forward at any moment. Though zealously engaged in controversy with the enemies of truth; though enjoying with gratitude his social happiness; though necessarily engaged in much and different business, he was enabled to live alone, and seemed to have learned the difficult lesson of using the world without abusing it; like the needle, which may be turned from the pole by superior force, but when let loose returns to its proper position; so with him, when the pressure of business was taken off, his mind returned to his rest in God.
I fear, were I to say all I thought of him, I should
draw a perfect character, for love covered all faults; and after all, the various graces of the Spirit were so blended, it is difficult to say which was most predominant. It might be truly said of him, that he adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things. It is difficult, when speaking of a character so beloved, to exalt the Saviour, not the creature; to leave an impression, that sin was all he could call his own -- all that was lovely, the comeliness which Christ put on him.
This is a long note, but you know it is the property of women to multiply words, and express little. Yours truly,
...... I think dear ...'s death was made a great blessing: which, I fear, has only taught me one painful lesson, that a blessing does not necessarily follow an affliction. I need not repeat, (for the Lord has already proclaimed it so loudly by sending afflictive line upon line, afflictive precept upon precept,) that no one needs trial more, no one needs so much of the Bible as I do, and on none do both tell so little. It requires all the energy of God to bend my will to his; and while it may be sometimes hard to be content with outward providences,
it is still more hard to feel resigned to be what one is; not to wish for another's spirit, another's disposition; to be resigned to lie as a bit of clay in his hands, without dictating the best way of being formed into a vessel fit for the master's use; satisfied with good as well as evil, knowing that what He has undertaken He is able to perform; hard to feel resigned to dishonour Him, whom we adore, all our lives; to love his presence above every thing else put together, and yet continually, by our own folly and neglect, lose it for trifles which we most despise; very hard to be resigned to oneself; to be ever worshipping and placing this Dagon in the temple of our Beloved, and to be haunted by it wherever we go. I do think one chief part of our happiness hereafter will consist, in our having done with wretched self, God being all in all.
Altered as that spot has been these last two years, I expect to find it still more so on our return. I did value more than I can utter that dear, dear saint's visits; the prospect of them cheered the time of his absence; and even all unpleasantness was removed from all secular affairs by the interest and part he always took in my concerns. However, there is always a but to the Christian. But now I hope to be cheered in expecting the coming of the "altogether lovely;" to be upheld by the interest and part He takes in all that concerns me. And if I know myself, my ambition is to live simply to His glory; to be a burning and a shining light, only that the splendour of my walk may bring glory to His name; to glorify
Him in spirit as well as body, which are altogether His, paid for by Him. Soon we shall see Him really ours; soon shall we join the company of the just made perfect, know, and perhaps be able to tell them, how every rough blast of human woe has hastened on our little bark to shore. In the meantime, may our Lord's blessing and presence, so interwoven with our comforts, rest upon you and ....
I am always a great egotist in my letters to you, because I fancy you feel an interest, at least in the spiritual feelings of all your flock. Pray, write soon, and do not think, while you are writing, that you are losing time. I hope your throat is better. You have not the privilege of being afflicted for yourself alone, but for our consolation and salvation. My love to all who care about me.
Yours, with true affection,
Powerscourt, 1st February, 1826.
My dearest ..... So I must write and receive no answer; that is very hard indeed; if I thought, or could think, it would possibly give one moment's comfort to an afflicted saint, I should be more than resigned How sweet it would be to be a cup of consolation in the temple of cur God. Well! if I have not that privilege, I hope to be a vessel of mercy through eternity. Yes, the poor sinner would
not, if he could, be saved any way but as he is. Our proud nature at first rebels against being objects of pity; we should prefer having salvation as those who had no need, rich and increased with goods; but when forced to throw down our arms of rebellion, and come as beggars, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, then we feel it is such a blessedness to be objects of pity to a God full of compassion, that we glory in our infirmities, because they bring us into contact with Him for every thing, food, clothing, etc. The greater our necessities, the more we have to do with Him. How well you must know Him! How often He has strengthened you upon the bed of languishing! How He has made all your bed in your sickness! How often He has enabled you to carry your weak soul in the arms of faith, and lay it down on this resting-place -- His precious word, a bed of consolation stuffed with sweet and precious promises. I think the believer even while in the furnace, at the moment of experiencing that his trials are not joyous, but grievous, feels so convinced He is doing all things well, that he would not have it otherwise, had he his choice; and such a desire has the new man to be made partaker of His holiness, to enjoy the peaceable fruits of righteousness, which these exercises produce, that he turns, and kisses the rod, saying, Amen; deal with me as with a child. The poor worldling may have a reprieve here from suffering, but the child of God "may not, would not, if be might". Happy confidence, He will not lay on us one unneedful stroke; for "as a father pitieth his children", etc. Happy confidence, tie will not keep back one needful stroke; for He
scourgeth them whom He loves, that He may receive them, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Is it not strange, that the moment He is acting most the part of a parent, is just the moment we are most apt to forget we are His children. He tells us, we forget the exhortation that speaks to us as unto sons. It is pleasant, as He takes these precious relationships on himself, to take Him at His word, and plead them before Him; sweet to look up and say, Abba, Father; to leave all temporal concerns in His hands, because "our heavenly Father knows we have need of them;" reminding Him, it is a father's part to provide for the wants of his little ones. When we come to make known our spiritual wants, to remind Him, it is a father's feeling to be willing to give all within his means: and, even, when we sin against Him, depart, backslide, return base ingratitude for love, out of this depth, to whom shall we naturally look, but to our parent q As the prodigal, when confessing he was not worthy to be called his child, begins his sentence with "father". No, nothing can change this relationship. "Though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not, thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer; Thy name is from everlasting". He will spare, as a man spares his own son that serveth him. Even though forced to speak against his dear son, his pleasant child, He earnestly remembered him still; -- His bowels were troubled for him: He could not help having mercy; and He will lead us also; cause us to walk by the rivers of waters in a strait way, wherein we shall not stumble; for He is a father to
Israel. ... He gave his greatest gift as a token of his love; ... He will cause us to be shod with the Gospel of peace; when tempted to doubt his faithfulness, He points to David's feeling, when crying out, O Absalom, my son, my son! would to God I had died in thy place; and appeals to our hearts, if David could have afflicted Absalom willingly; He points to what his servant Moses has left on record is to be expected from that parent, (Numbers 11:12,) that he should carry his sucking child in his bosom, and reminds us, by taking that relationship on himself, He has bound himself thus to act, and He will carry us in his bosom to the land of promise, and we shall not halt till He is wearied, nor fall till He stumbles; none shall pluck us out of His hands, till the arm of Omnipotence fails from weakness; no lion shall overtake, no enemy overcome while the everlasting arms are underneath, and the banner of love above. This is your portion and mine, dear fellow-pilgrim. "Lord, what is man that thou shouldest magnify him, that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him -- that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment;" and this to such as we, who require a fresh exercise of mercy every moment to keep us; yet, even here, to know, while feeling a weight of sin pointing to the very heavens, that there is a heap of mercy reaching into the heavens, "built up for ever:" that neither past sin shall condemn, for his mercy is from everlasting; neither shall future, because his mercy is to everlasting; they have all been laid on Him -- carried off into the land of forgetfulness, never to be laid on us again, until east meets with
west. Under the old dispensation, remembrance was made of sin every year, because and to show, that the blood of bulls and of goats could never take away sin; but now, the very declaration so often repeated, that sin shall be remembered no more, proves the blood of Christ sufficient to cleanse from ALL sin. May we every day dive deeper into this unfathomable love, every day increase in the knowledge of this love that passeth knowledge, till filled with the fulness of God, moulded into the mind that was in Christ Jesus; and when He shall open his casket and display his treasures; may we, and all dear Christian friends, whom I long to see again in the flesh, be found among those who spake often one to another of his dear name; who thought upon it.
when time shall be no more -- the bustle past. By the bye, what insignificant names our God uses when speaking of this life: -- grass, flower, dust, wind, shadow, a leaf going to and fro, a weaver's shuttle!
Scatter my good wishes around, particularly to ....
Very affectionately yours,
12th May, 1826, Antrim Castle.
My dear friend -- I put off writing till I should arrive at Powerscourt, expecting then to get a frank, as my letters are not worth postage, but I can refrain no longer, thanking you and your dear sisters for your very great kindness to my children, etc. It was doubly gratifying, because any kindness shown to me must be for my Master's sake. How manifestly his only aim is our happiness -- witness, "this is my commandment, that ye love one another". We may well, then, trust it in his hands, who spared not his own Son. May we not lie, like the helpless sheep on the Shepherd's shoulder, content for Him to carry us through prosperity, as well as adversity; through life as well as death? Not only is our path already marked out by infinite wisdom and love, but it has been trodden by the Man of Sorrow; be it ever so rugged, we still have the sweet comfort of tracing it in the footsteps of the Captain of our salvation; every need-be pang, then, is but an echo from the inner sanctuary -- "If ye suffer with Him, ye shall be glorified together;" and as He entered the everlasting gates, triumphantly crying, "He is near that justifieth me, who shall contend with me?" so may his poor weak followers walk, saying, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?" No one, I think, who reads the Bible, can hesitate whether or not it was
written by one, who, knowing every distress into which every believer from the beginning to the end would ever be brought, could provide a word in season for each; -- or whether or not the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in that man, who, inviting all who labour and are heavy laden to come to Him, could promise rest to their souls. And do we not need every consolation laid up, word upon word, promise upon promise? In order that our comfort may abound, He has so graciously left us dependent one upon another, and provided so many relations calculated to support us on our way to Him; and yet, as if to show they all concentrated in one, He takes to himself the name of each. I love to think of Him as a Father; for it is written, "What son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?" And our heart feels assured that his tenderness will neither spare too much, nor will our rebellion prompt him to say, "Let it alone". While the compassion manifested in the very chastisement proves, as words cannot, that He does not afflict willingly, but as a father pitieth his children, so He pities us; yet, to think, with all this, that I should ever murmur! I who may well say, His love to me is a wonder to myself; and this too, while having tasted of His trial, I can, in a degree, sympathise with Him: for I do think, He is never more wounded in the house of His friends than when they murmur. Nothing seems so to overcome His forbearance with the Israelites. Oh! then, dear ..... may we be able to gay under every circumstance, to the full extent of the words, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;" -- resigned to live, or resigned to die; -- resigned to prosperity,
or resigned to adversity; only -- "Father, glorify thy name".
Could you see the heart turned inside out as God sees, you would join in exclaiming, Unworthy, unworthy; may it be written as of Ephraim of old, "his iniquity is bound up, his sin is hid". I trust my visit to Edinburgh has given me a spur in hasting unto the coming of our Lord. I do not feel friendship the same as I once did. I used to feel my pleasures here were increased. Now I feel my tale is told, and ties of
friendship are drawing towards an hereafter, while we are only left in Satan's kingdom for the Lord to finish his work in us and by us. For this end, it seems to me, we should watch the old serpent's aim to resist, and Christ's to further; the aim of the former seems to be to drive closer and closer to self, and even when his hopes are frustrated of getting the believer to fall down and worship this idol, he strives with it to muddle his comfort. Does not the aim of our dear Lord seem to be, to give strong consolation to those who have fled for refuge to the hope set before them? Let us then further this end, not only by opening our mouths wide for ourselves, but by declaring on the house-top what is whispered in our ear in the closet, and by testifying to our poor fellow-pilgrims, that in our experience we have found that, "faithful is He that hath promised".
Some of my friends accuse me of writing very uncomfortable letters; but I say, if you want to hear of me, you will find my future life folded up in that verse, "all shall work together for good", and only let me speak of my Beloved. But this I must say, although I have quarrelled with evidences, one is now staring me in the face, in the love I feel towards you, dear ..... it is such as a stranger intermeddleth not with.
Yours, dear friend, with cordial affection,
My very dear sister in the Lord, -- Is it not true that we are very often a wonder to ourselves? Think of my having a friend in the world, that I believe would not think a letter from me troublesome, yet that I can be one or two months only intending to write, even though by doing so I might hope for a letter in return! I trust you open that door for many, into which if any enter they are saved. I hope you are able to go in and out yourself, finding rich pasture. Oh! that our hearts were always bubbling up, boiling with this matter, like wine that hath no vent, ready to burst its bottles, constrained to speak about our King. Oh! that He so dwelt in our hearts by faith, that out of their abundance, our speech might be as spikenard sending forth its pleasant smell, ointment pouring forth His name, that this good treasure, this mine of wealth, might be continually emptying itself in consolations into our own bosoms, and enriching all around But who is this King! that we should leave all other subjects to speak of Him? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty m our battles, the Lord of Hosts, the King of Glory. My Lord, who sits at the Lord's right hand, till every evil in my heart shall become His footstool. The King who, in spite of the heathen raging, the kings of the earth standing up, the rulers taking counsel against Him, shall be set on the holy hill of Sion. A King who has
come to his people in a chariot paved with love. A King with many crowns, the most radiant, the most becoming of which, is the one He received in the day of his espousals. (Song of Songs 3:2). A King whose greatest glory is his bride betrothed and united to himself for ever. A King who, in the day of the gladness of his heart, shall stretch forth his hand to you and me, and say in presence of men, angels, and devils, "Come, ye blessed of my Father", etc. A King who has himself prepared the kingdom, who by the love-tokens He distils on us day after day, viz. by his dispensations and his consolations, proves He has considered our frame, knows what will satisfy, even to enter into the joy of our Lord, who, having prepared a kingdom that will satisfy, -- is now preparing us for it. A King who has enriched his church by his poverty, -- nourished it by his riches. In a word, Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. Say, dear friend, have we not volumes to unfold respecting this King? Why then do we so often spend our time, while in company with our Father's children, talking on subjects we despise and consider trifles? Is it not because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks? Alas! how grievously have I to accuse myself on this point; in nothing do I feel so dependent; and when I do speak, how many double, treble motives; how often seeking self instead of Jesus, proved by silence before those who dislike it; how often ashamed of Him; how often irritated when opposed; how often playing with the subject; how little feeling what I speak; how humbling; how astonished would you be did you know me. All the
love of angels and saints put together, could not have patience with me .... He alone could "silent stand, and wait to show his love". Surely it is no hard demand that is required, only to be loving subjects, and how gracious where He demands this. He does not call on us to love an unknown friend, but with his own pencil has drawn for us the object to be loved. Two questions are natural when called to give our affections. 1st. What sort of person is He? 2nd. What is his mind towards me? Let us hear what answer God has given. What sort of person? "Chiefest among ten thousand", "fairer than the children of men", "altogether lovely", as the apple-tree among the trees of the wood;"not only"the first-born of every creature,"but the image of the invisible God, the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person;" even God himself, who made and upholds all things in heaven and earth. What does Peter say when he was the witness of his majesty? What does John, when he saw him standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks? Every knee bows to his name, every tongue shall confess him Lord; for He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, -- this is our King. But what is his mind towards us? "Full of grace and truth;" out of his fulness ever pouring grace upon grace. His words to us are powerful, to overcome by love, a sharp two-edged sword, yet as the sound of many waters, "most sweet", as lilies dropping sweet-smelling myrrh; "never man spake as He spake", gave his enemies testimony: for they "wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his month". This is your
Beloved and Friend, as well as King, who has grace poured into his lips on purpose to speak a word in season to the weary; blessed weariness which brings a word from Him! sweet to have our Beloved, our King! comfortable to be able to say, my Jesus reigns. With what confidence we may lay ourselves back in His amts, and say, "undertake for me". Blessed to be one with Him whom God has blessed for ever. Blessed to have our salvation and His glory bound up in the same bundle. Blessed to know He has gone through every class in our wilderness-school. Are you satisfied with this King? for He is your King for ever and ever. May our repose in Him answer the question. Are you contented to have Him, and leaving all others to cleave only to Him? for this Beloved is yours, and you are His. May the devotedness of our affections, lives, and words, answer, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee". And, oh! may we be kept from acting as one who is ashamed of his choice.
"Rather may this our glory be, That Saviour not ashamed of me".
My eyes are not at all better, though at times more comfortable; the last fortnight I have suffered much with them, and a lump has appeared upon the good eye, but I trust it may go away again without making me quite blind; at all events, I have a light that shines in darkness, that nothing can take from me. In His light shall I see light, even see Him who is invisible.
Believe me, my very dear friend, now and ever your warmly affectionate sister, m everlasting bonds,
My very dear friend, -- I do not know where you are, but I think you must imagine I have bade an eternal farewell to every thing below, so long have I been answering your letters; but there is One you may write to, who will be sure to answer immediately. Our life shall be, I conceive, a continual interchange of care for peace. I saw some of your friends in London; we hope to see but it seems to have been a false report that she was coming to London. Oh! reality, reality, -- how immense all before us, yet how we shrink from apprehended evil, though we know Him too well to take one single want out of his hand. His will, nothing but His will .... We have a wonderful advertisement of a physician, from the Spirit of truth, "who healeth all thy diseases". We, who know Something of the plague of a human heart, can understand in a measure how great the undertaking. He himself says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". He must have foreseen every weight his people ever should be burdened with, when He undertook to give rest to all: and truly He does, for He himself carried all our sicknesses. Can He heal hearts wounded with guilt and care? wounded with rebellious murmuring at his dispensations, and coveting what He has withheld, delighting in broken cisterns,
as though they were the fountain of living waters? Can lie heal hearts of wandering and distracted maniacs -- maniacs ever engaged in taking poison? Can He heal the bruises of our falls, the dislocations of our backslidings, wounds corrupt through foolishness? It is written, "who healeth all thy diseases?" It made little difference in the days of his flesh what the disease was that was brought to Him, whether palsied, maimed, blind, deaf, possessed, dying, dead. Then let us come in the simplicity of sickness, in the helplessness of want; to trust is to be healed -- to touch the hem of his garment is to be whole! But let us keep touching Him, for virtue is ever coming from Him; He waits to apply all the virtues of heaven's dispensary to our case, whatever it be; He is master of that disease; we have all His promise, all His skill, all His power, all His love. His skill is infinite, His compassion boundless; though ascended to heaven, He has left his heart on earth; He gives us all his attention, as if there were none else to think of on earth. He requires but one thing, to take all He has prescribed, BITTER as well as SWEET. Dear ... let us put a blank into His hand for time, and for every thing, confident that with Him He has freely given us all things. Is there one thing we would keep back? Let that be just the thing to commit with most anxiety; we need the substance of things hoped for, to be put in the scale of judgment and conscience, against the things of time; then, as surely as substance outweighs shadow, so surely must we judge of things accurately, till all our sorrows shall be left behind; and from the
Jerusalem above, we shall be able to trace His hand leading by ways we knew not, to the manifesting and magnifying of His faithfulness and grace. Then shall we see how contemptible were all our fears, when Omniscience, which foresaw, Omnipresence, that prevented, and Omnipotence, that laughed them to scorn, were on our side. Let us get well acquainted with our Physician; let us take lodgings in his neighbourhood; let us see Him every day; let us hide nothing, but open to Him our whole case, and say, like David when under his care, "Let me hear what God the Lord will say to me;" and let us venture on his testimony, who declares Him to be our peace; for "He forgiveth all our sins, and healeth all our diseases". Mr. Howels said one day, speaking of this beloved physician, Where was Jesus educated? where did He graduate? He was educated in the lazar-house of human suffering, and He took his degree in the infirmary of the human heart. Whenever He visits a patient, He says, This sickness is not unto death. He is not only the physician, but He is also the medicine of the soul. History tells us of a queen, who, when her husband was wounded by a poisoned arrow, extracted the venom with her own lips, at the risk of her life. Our physician has done more -- He has extracted the poison of sin, which the bite of the serpent infused into our constitution, at the expense of his life. He has carried all his human sympathies into heaven, and He never ceases to exercise them. We can sometimes look back upon a scene of suffering or of trial which was exquisitely painful at the time, but there was no diminution of
sympathy in the breast of our physician. The trial was appointed or permitted in love; and we shall soon see that it formed part of a merciful design, which was superintended and tempered by the physician himself. Dear ... how well you know Him, since He is just suited to our need. Have we not cause to glory in our need then? nor can I wish any thing for you, but that you should be exactly in the state in which this letter shall find you; for, "He performeth that which is appointed" for you. He who appointed life and glory to be the end, has also appointed this condition, that affliction, for the way. He has predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He may have the pre-eminence in all things; therefore "He makes all things work together for our good;" for He is of one mind, and who shall turn Him? What his soul desires, that He does; therefore we know we shall be like Him, when He shall appear. If you are in darkness, light is sown for you; you are still on the way to perfection, learning not to make idols of your feelings, treading in His steps, who was made perfect by suffering, and who never travelled with such velocity to perfection, as when He cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" I long to hear of you again; tell me what you think of dear .....
Believe me, my very dear friend, Truly affectionate yours, T. A. P.
My dear Mrs. ..... I have many apologies to make for having so long neglected answering your inquiries; but thought, if I should defer it until my arrival here, I might be able to have a comfortable few minutes' intercourse with you on paper; not but that I might at ... but those who are cumbered about much serving, or fancy they have much to serve in, are especially cumbered when leaving home for a few days. Blessed to have our thoughts and joys, not only "packed up", but gone before. Well to have all our riches in moveable goods, that like the present Jews, we may be ready to be off to Jerusalem at a moment's warning. I cannot answer your question till I talk to you a little about our dear, dear friend. Stop! are we sure He is our friend? Yes; for He is the friend of sinners. His name is the refuge of the oppressed -- the helper of the needy; no particular need specified, for be it what it may, He has a help, even himself. "In the world, tribulation, (oh how deep a word!) in Me, peace". No oppression too trifling, no need too great. He who is our refuge, knows our frame; He knows the disorder of every little nerve, can cause even a voice or a step to be an oppression -- so foolish the oppression, as hardly to allow it to ourselves, yet may we run from it, and hide ourselves in Him, a refuge even from ourselves. What can be our need when
our help is the God of Jacob, a covenant God, who keepeth truth for ever; when our hope is in Him who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them? How beautiful the 146th Psalm, where we see His greatness consists in being just fitted for the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoner, the blind, the bowed down, the stranger, the fatherless, yes, and the widow. You ask me if I have read Romaine on Canticles? No, never! but the Spirit has, I think, expounded to me some of the verses, when doing his office as Comforter; and I sometimes think none can so enter into the emphasis of feeling expressed in that book as the widow; for none so know the preciousness of any blessing, as those who have lost it -- how much more that blessing, without which even Paradise was not complete; and if when all was peace, and joy, and love, man needed one to bear his part in bliss, oh! how much more when care and sorrow fill our hearts with anguish, and our eyes with tears. Who can so value that everlasting is, and am, as one who is at every turn forced to remember, My beloved was mine, and I was his; yet happy helplessness, blessed difficulties, which bring to our assistance such a helper. There is hardly, I believe, a name implying poverty and want in the creature, and strength for this poverty in himself, that He does not take -- father, brother, friend, prophet, priest, king, physician, help, health, refiner, light, life, counsellor, guide, anchor, sanctuary, all in all, our portion for ever; but the most wonderful, endearing, and sufficient is this, the husband of his church, or rather the bridegroom, (his name in this
sacred song,) for the marriage-supper of the Lamb is not yet come, the bride not being yet ready. Speaking lately to .... of those verses you mention, this verse seemed to me particularly sweet; "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?" True, the church is in the wilderness, but it is only for an appointed time; her place has been prepared of her God; she is fed, she is not forgotten, she is on her way up, and she has a strong support. (Revelation 12:6). Her very situation makes her feel protection, support, and consolation needful, but it is in order that she may trust for all in her beloved, and in doing so, find perfect peace; for "in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:" her very helplessness forces her to prove his faithfulness, power, and tender watchfulness. The stronger she leans, the more she knows of Him in whom she has believed; and if her sense of infirmities had not obliged her to have recourse to foreign strength, never could she have learned to say, "Most gladly will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me". "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in necessities, etc.; for when I am weak, then am I strong". But while every thing around us is saying, "Arise, this is not thy rest!" how marvellous that we need afflictive line upon line, precept upon precept, to remind us we are in the wilderness, "so heavily we go to reach eternal joys!" Oh, how dull we are in learning difficult, dependent lessons! how many rebukes, chastisements, reproachful looks, we need from our patient Master, before we can be persuaded to accept of happiness in
leaning on Him! Surely, the malignity of sin is no where so visible as in the bosom of the child of God. Satan sins not in spite of light, love, and knowledge -- redeeming love. If it be truly humbling, that nothing less than God can make us understand what is plain, desire what is good, avoid what is evil; how much more so is it, that at the very moment our judgment tells us there is but one path of pleasantness and peace -- at the moment conscience is convincing us how grievous and bitter a thing it is to depart from our God; when past experience, with an enlightened understanding, unite in exclaiming, "To whom shall we go! thou hast the words of eternal life!" even at that very moment nothing less than the Almighty Spirit can make us will not to forsake the fountain of living water which we have tasted, and to hew out with labour, to our misery, cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water. Oh l let us beware of our first neglect of our Lord. Our Beloved can bear any thing better than neglect. Let us, with John, lean on the bosom of Jesus; there learn love, as he learned it. Thus shall the mind be in us that was in Christ; for love is the fulfilling of the law. I did hear something lately unbecoming a Christian, of ... and in dwelling on it, I hope to benefit myself; for it is a point, alas! I particularly fail in, as no doubt you have observed -- I mean, speaking severely of God's children; forgetting that he that toucheth them toucheth the apple of His eye; that words aimed at them pierce Him; that all is laid to the charge of that cause for which we profess to live, and to be willing to die. I think we should be very sure of an action, before we speak of
it, which we do not consider commendable, and not then unless for good. ......
.... Often, often has Satan stopped my way, not only by the idea that those I spoke to might think I practised what I said, but because I found hid in some chamber of imagery a desire that they should think so; but at last I found out that the idea came out of Satan's opiate-box. Some lessons we do not learn till after long experience, such as these: -- First, we are not to do evil that good may come. Second, when sin lies heavy on our conscience, we are to force ourselves into the presence of God -- not skulk from Him, etc. Third, we are not to flee from Satan, but resist, in order that he may flee from us. Blessed to be under the Lord's teaching to be trained up by Him in the way we should go -- to have Jesus representing God to us, representing us to God -- to have Jesus interceding for the sinner with God, to have the Spirit interceding for God, with the sinner. Blessed to be rising in his school, though every class presents a more difficult lesson. Blessed to have a waste heart -- to feel it a wilderness, a desert fitted to receive and rejoice in such promises as this, (true with regard to us, though stolen from the Jews,) "The Lord shall comfort thee; He shall comfort all thy waste places. He will make thy wilderness like Eden -- thy desert as the garden of the Lord". "Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody".
In what a ruinous heap is all God's work, once declared to be very good -- from the top to the bottom of creation -- from the lion to the spider each carrying on the history of Cain and Abel; man most like Satan of all, for instance, slaves. And shall it be always so? Shall this be Messiah's conquest -- that his saints are to take flight, and leave his handiwork to be destroyed? What a triumph to Satan to sweep away in his destruction that lovely work of six days, on which Jehovah looked with delight, over which "Wisdom" rejoiced and delighted -- the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy! No! let creation groan and wait a little longer for the redemption of the body; for then shall the purchased possession be redeemed, then shall be the restitution of all things. Then shall the sons of God, whose sonship is now questioned, be declared to be the sons of God with power, by the resurrection of the dead, even as their elder brother before them. Now, their life is hid with Christ in God; but when He shall appear, they shall appear with Him and like Him in glory -- our life shall be manifested. "Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, even our God, shall bless Israel; and all the ends of the earth shall seethe salvation of our God!" Mark three adoptions spoken of in Scripture: -- National, which, though it does not secure salvation, brings into particular
relationship, and consequently subjects to greater judgments. Personal adoption, which does secure it -- that spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father; and if children, heirs, etc. And third, manifested adoption; to wit, the redemption of the body. (Romans 8). But I had better stop, as there is neither beginning nor end to the subject. I will only add, "Time is short". Other nations may have other opportunities; but Ireland, having received national adoption now, now is the time to cry aloud, "Come out of her (Babylon) -- come out of her, come out of her, my people;" and may the testimony be borne of us which was said of a great sinner greatly pardoned, "She hath done what she could". It is said, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God". Then, since we are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, we are led by the Spirit. What a gift is this Spirit! The Comforter which shall abide with us for ever. Not only shall he teach us things freely given us of God, but he shall seal us his -- an earnest of our inheritance -- will not suffer sin to have dominion over us: shall dwell in us as a well of water springing up into everlasting life -- upwards, in love, joy, peace; overflowing, scattering round, in long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance. What better confidence can we have that we are his, than having been delivered from the spirit of bondage, and given the spirit of adoption? His Father our Father; His God our God -- doubly dear. And though He leads us in the midst of the paths of judgment, yet, while teaching us to profit, He shall prove to us He is leading to the land of uprightness in the right
way. And, after all, the sum of happiness we find, even in the new Jerusalem, to be this "I will be his God, and he shall be my son". Let us, dear friend, among those we live, every day, hour, moment, walk as children of light. Oh, what difficult preaching is this! Let us drink in largely every morning of the unction of the Spirit, which the busy bee (not the wasp) knows how to sip from the garden of the Lord; that through the day we may breathe out the atmosphere of heaven all around. We have a right to wear a sweeter smile than even angels wore; and since suffering displays the riches of our inheritance, may we not bless Him, if our lot should be among the exercised in soul?
....... There is only one enemy we cannot escape, though our whole lives should be a running from it -- the monster self. I am quite weary of this heart -- Satan's workshop -- always going on hammer, hammer, hammer, stealing every grace given, to manufacture into some adornment for the idol self. It reminds me of Newton's description of an oration. Oh! what will it be to have an innocent satisfaction in ourselves! Yet, let us not shrink from, but penetrate every nook and corner of our hearts with the eye of Jesus; while, at the same time, we view Him, let us learn the meaning of words out of God's spelling book; we so blunder over
our lessons, taking sorrow for joy, joy for sorrow, happiness for misery, misery for happiness, expecting beauty and perfection, where He has left us only for discipline -- we hardly get above ground. It is underground work here, our roots taking a firm grasp of the Rock of ages, in order to our springing up and flourishing in the courts of the house of our God. I think the most humbling description of human nature is being "haters of God;" and his word says, if haters of God -- lovers of death. We hate excellence, because it is excellence, and we hate Him in his creatures, be they ever so accommodating or prudent. They hated Him, for what cause? Because He delivered them who were his enemies; because He went about doing good; because He offered life to whoever would; and how careful his apostle Paul was, that when hated, it should be without cause! Freely He received, freely gave. How desirable, could the world have no just point on which to fix their enmity against Christ in us; if we so unfolded the mind that was in Christ, as, at least, to do the part of the law, bring them in guilty; if we were fleshly tables, living epistles. What a proof of the divinity of Christ, that He gives testimony of himself being the Son of God; for surely He was a righteous man; none but himself could have gone through life, pursued by every different class, trying each to catch Him in something; yet all forced to confess at the end, they could find no fault in Him. And have we not miracles also, to confirm the witness? You and I now speaking with delight upon our once hated Lord! -- greater miracle than "Lazarus, come
forth!" I have also been thinking what a proof of the divinity of Scripture it is, that we find an answer provided for every error, a consolation for every wound, especially in the book of Psalms, -- that Gospel in prophecy. It seems to me as if God had provided a text for every experience his church should ever want, took them, and, as it were, shook them together in a bag, and left them there to be drawn out, that each might fit himself. For instance, that verse so consoling to so many, (Psalm 27:10,) "When father and mother forsake me, then the Lord taketh me up;" coming in unconnected with any thing before or after. I have much more to say, but as I dare not wait any longer, I must conclude. I shall tell you all by and by, a joyful wondrous story, such as angels love to hear; as beautiful a similarity, yet diversity, in the spirits, as in the bodies of each; all singing the same song, yet each having a page of his own, to fill up the volume of faithfulness. My answer to your question about prayer will be found in the following texts John 14:13; Matthew 28:18; 2 Corinthians 12:8, with the 9th verse: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son". "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth". "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee". I give you two questions in return. How shall the Christian get the little good from another Christian that is in him, without imbibing much of the evil? And how far should the Christian fit himself into the prejudices of
the ungodly, without letting them lose sight of his being one of a separate and peculiar people?
I was truly rejoiced to hear of the Lord's goodness to you. I can not only thank Him for displaying himself faithful, but that it has been shown in faithfulness to you. You say nothing of your little gift from the Lord. Those two texts go well together: "She remembers no more her anguish, for joy", etc., and, "Forget not all his benefits". It is written of all creation, that it is travailing in pain, and soon shall it be said of it, "She remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world". His dealings here are but displays of his riches of glory on his vessels of mercy, afore prepared for glory. Let us be on our guard against this snare of Satan's, seeking to know more than others, but may every truth, as revealed, sink deep! The grace I have been praying for of late has been patience, for I think it a grace much wanting in the church; for its want may be as much from indifference, as from too ardent a longing for the appearance of Christ: patience expressing repressed longing. It seems to me to be a grace made up of two -- hope and experience -- realizing hope, repressed by experience of wilderness love. It was worth parting with all for,
and truly, it marks how unworthy present suffering is to be compared with future glory, when it is light even, compared to the heaven it yields here; (yes, I can even say so now, though brought through a furnace in the flames of which it would be impossible to feel it, even the furnace of another's affliction; and that another -- the beloved of my heart.) It is comparatively easy to believe, that it is worth parting with all to have the soul translated from darkness into light; but faith often fails in making us feel that it is worth parting with all for the loosing of bonds, with which, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are too often, though children, yet bound. And why is this? Because of the selfishness of our religion. It consists in high ideas of our own safety, instead of God's glory: and never can we run in the ways of his commandments, until our hearts have been set at liberty. What a promise we are given with which to face the world: "All things shall work together for our good", -- a promise not to be trampled under foot. Many things in themselves would be evil, but I think, his watchfulness is seen, in so making his providences to meet, as to burst in blessings on our head; and, like his other works, one means works many ends; one providence does not bring one blessing, but a string -- tribulation, patience; patience, experience; experience, hope, etc. Yes; and so exactly does it fit the case of the believer, that one trial shall as much suit the particular need of all concerned as if sent alone for each. Oh! the Christian is a wonderful creature. It is impossible to sink him.
The deeper he is plunged, the higher he rises. Do pray for me, that I may be given the grace of patience. How often the apostle Paul makes mention of this grace! In praying for the church, it was, that they should be directed "into the love of God, and the patient waiting for Christ". In giving thanks, it was for their "patience of hope", as well as "work of faith" and "labour of love;" while he speaks of it as the fruit of their being strengthened with all might by his Spirit. If the furnace of affliction so made the first believers need exhortation to patience, how much more should the church now need it, when she is thrown into the furnace of prosperity. It strikes me, it is often before sending tribulation, that a spirit of search into prophecy is poured out, that the church may not only be found on the tip-toe of expectation, when the arm of the Lord shall be stretched out, as if no strange thing had happened to her, but, also, in the attitude of hope; it being, when we hope for that we see not, that we can most patiently wait; and in this the mercy of the Lord, I think, is often manifested to individuals, as well as to his body, the church. Before sending a trial, lie makes the need of it to be so felt, that the believer even desires what, at the time, is most grievous and dreadful -- so much is desire of conformity to the Lord and his inward presence above every other desire. Let us not, then, forget to take our helmet, the hope of salvation. We need it; though children of light, we need to be driven to the light; so heavily do we go to reach eternal joys -- so continually are we manifesting our molish natures,
preferring to grub into our own hearts, and hide ourselves in the dark, instead of running in his steps, who was also sustained in his race by patient hope, "for the joy set before Him". We learn the secret of being able to run, in the kind exhortation to lay aside every weight on Him who is at our right hand; that having our eyes lifted up from everything that can distract, our feet disentangled from all that besets, our eyes may be steadily fixed, while running through the vista of time, on the light at the end; every care giving us a shove, till our own weight is proving the immutability of our firm anchor. The poor world thinks we are imposing much on ourselves, in giving up the pleasures of sin. But, oh! how easy the Christian finds this, in comparison to walking on the good of life, counting it dross, that the affections may more tightly grasp Him, who alone can satisfy the longing soul, "and fill the hungry soul with goodness".
You may well say, she writes seldom; but when she does, she sends a volume. Well, I will leave you with this precious text, Ye are not your own; we have no right to ourselves! He is the best judge how we can best serve Him to his advantage; our highest pleasure serving Him, though, in so doing, we are wasting ourselves. .....
...... I think there is much spoken of in Scripture of God's riches, as if too much for God to contain within himself; comprised in Him it cannot be witnessed: therefore He has set us apart, has "before ordained us", from the beginning chosen us, "prepared us", "even us", as vessels of mercy, in which to show forth the riches of his grace, in the riches of his mercy now, and the riches of his glory hereafter. Sweet thought! our being now vessels of mercy (because of the great love wherewith He loved us,) evidences that He has set us apart, to display in us the riches of his glory! by nature fitted to destruction, vessels of wrath; but having emptied all this on the head of our Jesus, He has now put Jesus at the bottom of the vessel; therefore we run over with loving-kindness and tender mercies. How the thought that this is God's end should keep from doubts; the more He gives, the more grace now abounds over sin; the more shall be seen His riches in glory! Has He not abounded towards us? Predestinated -- accepted -- called -- justified -- in Him glorified -- sins all forgiven -- quickened -- strengthened -- "begotten again to a lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away", "made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" -- our portion, Christ within us -- all things working for good, our enemies defied by omnipotence,
our shield interposing himself between the redeemed soul and the destroyer. (Exodus 12:23.) The Lord will pass over the door, and Jehovah the deliverer will not suffer Jehovah the destroyer to come into your houses to destroy you. Leaping forward to deliver, "as the mother-birds hovering over their young, so shall Jehovah, God of Hosts, protect Jerusalem, protecting and delivering: leaping forward and rescuing her". (Lowth's translation of Isaiah 31:5.) Spreading over his cherubic wings, or wings of covenant love, a fourfold presence of the most excellent animals, (Ezekiel 10) the ox, first of tame beasts; man, first of creation; the lion, first of wild beasts; and the eagle, first of birds, uniting in one body, and spreading their wings on both sides. This is expressly said to be a representation of the God of Israel. They guided the wheels of providence by infinite wisdom; for their whole body, their backs, their heads, their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about; this, says the prophet, is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar. Of this vision we have a description in the 1st chapter, and he there calls it the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. The ox is considered as an emblem of the Father; the lion and man which are always united, (Exodus 1:10,) of the Son, taking our nature into personal union with the divine; and the eagle, of the Spirit, expanding his influence in all the work of God. This was the mystic figure placed in the holy of holies above the ark. There they all looked down with delight on the memorial of a dying, rising, Saviour's work, when the priest ministered there on the day of atonement.
Thus we see the design of the term, "dwell under the wings of the cherubim", was but another expression for abiding under the care of a reconciled God and Father in Christ Jesus, where is perfect safety and heavenly bliss+, -- propped up with sweet and precious promises, fulfilling all the good pleasure of his will, and the work of grace with power; that we may be vessels fitted for the Master's use; why? "That in ages to come, lie may show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us", "when He shall come to be glorified in His saints" -- He glorified in us, we glorified in Him. And what means this word glory? It quite puts me out of breath, the thought of all that is before us. Wonderful creatures! brittle earthenware, yet not broken by all the knocks of tribulation which flesh is heir to, in present things, or things to come; though not hidden, but held out in the midst, to the inspection of men, angels, and devils, to the praise of the glory of His grace, for help by His almighty power; and surely it shall not a little add to the glory of his abundant mercy, and the display of the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, that He shall thus hold His vessels of mercy without fainting or being discouraged, until He ushers them into His presence, as more than conquerors! Which vessel should you like to be? gold, silver, wood, or earth? I think the worse the material, the more the ability of the workman is seen in forming it for the king's use.
I had a new thought on the book of Job, which book I have been hobbling through in the morning
+Dr. Goode.
to the family, but did not get my thought till the last chapter. Though I have not been able to find any commentator to agree, I cannot help thinking it was intended to shadow forth the Jewish people. The adventures of one individual are not intended to occupy all ages; so loving a spouse as the church could not be satisfied in continually conversing with her beloved, concerning the adventures and sentiments of a stranger, when she has such an overflowing fulness to express in her own feelings, and in her admiration of her beloved. Nor was it like David, to call on all generations to tune their instruments, only to sing of him. It seems to me the Lord often brought his prophets into circumstances which should explain the dark sentences He caused them to utter, yet was this explanation but a dark veil, through which it was difficult to perceive the mysteries within; but we, having the Gospel lamp, may penetrate the darkest recesses of his providence and grace, and find our Immanuel behind each. And surely that wisdom must be divine, which, as in the book of Psalms, and Job, is so fruitful in language, as at one and the same time, to express the situations and feelings of the writer, the situation and feelings of the Lord, and the situations and feelings of his church, and each individual believer, to the end of time. But I think Elihu fixes the book of Job as referring to the Jews. By the way, to be a prophet was no light matter; yet did they consider it worth going through all for. And I hope your dear husband, in counting the cost, thinks it worth learning the consolations of Scripture by experience, that, others may find it good if he
should be afflicted; for in this view, it is no light matter to be a minister of the consolations of the Gospel; for I believe the Lord still explains the meaning of words by his providences; and a greater than all, thought it not too much to be tempted in all points, that He might be suited to his people in the midnight of adversity, as well as the noon-day of prosperity. But to return to Job. Do you not think the account of Job's restoration to happiness, strikingly coincides with the promises respecting the church? What have Christians ever been casting against that afflicted church, but just what Job's friends brought against him? that they are cast off for ever, because of their sins. What has been and is the Jews' warm contention? Job's to his friends; that they are not such sinners, not so rejected; man's taunts have been in vain to humble them; they manfully contend that they are not in punishment for their sins; servant upon servant was sent to them; at last God sent his only begotten Son, but still they would not be humbled; they rejected all admonitions, and so they shall, till God appear to take his cause into his own hands; then humiliation will be their first movement towards Him; "they shall look on Him whom they have pierced, and mourn". Then shall they say, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes". Then shall be manifest that God's thoughts towards them have been "thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give them an expected end!" and "they shall call on, Him: and go and pray unto Him, and He will hearken;" then shall
be seen "the end of the Lord, that He is very pitiful, and of tender mercy". My reasons for thinking that Elihu means Christ are these: -- 1st. Because the meaning of the word Elihu is, "God is he". Secondly, He says, he stands in God's place as a day's-man. Thirdly, when God commands Job, in chapter 42: 8, to pray for his friends, that they may be accepted, Elihu is not mentioned, as if he needed it not. Now, if you think it worth while, look for these references. God is against those who contend with Job, Zephaniah 2:8 - 11; Isaiah 51:22, 23. -- Verse 8, Job a blessing to his enemies, Zechariah 8:10; Ezekiel 34:26; Isaiah 66:21; he did speak right, in that he was not cast off. -- Verse 9, Job is accepted, Jeremiah 30:17, 18, 19, 20; Ezekiel 20:40 - 42; Isaiah 65:18, 19. -- Verse 11, Job is enriched by his friends, who come to him, now that he is restored to prosperity, Isaiah 60:1. -- Verses 10, 12, 13, he had double for the blessing of the Lord: that it is which maketh rich, Isaiah 40; Malachi 3:10, 12, Isaiah 60 -- Verse 14, everlasting joy shall be on their head. -- Verse 15, he gave his children an inheritance, Psalm 45:10. Is there not something remarkable in the names of Job's daughters? Jemima, the day; Kezia, pleasant cassia, or fine spices; Keren-happuch, beauty; in that clay, emphatically called, the day of the Lord, shall He come down into his garden of spices, his presence shall cause his spikenard to send forth the smell thereof, Song of Songs 1:12. Then shall He indeed say to the daughter of Jerusalem, "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee". Verse 16, when Job was restored, he lived to be a great age, Isaiah 65:20. Verse 18, we find the blessing coming upon Job, that
Eliphaz said belonged to the afflicted righteous, chapter 5 from 17th verse to end. Tell me if you agree. Perhaps you will say, you have filled your letter with what is not applicable to me. "Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the master's table". Oh how many crumbs of comfort thus prepared, and spread out for the children, may we dots pick up, and nourish ourselves with. But I must think of finishing. I hope the length of this letter will satisfy, if not weary. It would be sweet to me, to be a stream of comfort, making up the Lord's desire, that your peace should be as a river, emptying itself into the ocean of his glory! Surely were we permitted to be a rivulet of consolation to any afflicted child of God, and one drop in the ocean of his glory, we should not have lived in vain. It is very sad about your schools, very trying; but it is well to have our trial God's cause. Look at Isaiah 40:28 - 31, and the connection between the possessions of Jehovah, and those offered to the acceptance of his waiting children. How kind, He gives us away to express our affection to him! "If you love me, keep my commandments;" for love is restless till it communicates what it feels to its object. May your faith have such substance, as that you could take the promises in your finger, and handle them, (as an old woman described Mr. ....'s words to me the other day,) may he often look forth at the window, showing himself to you through the lattice, (glimpses of Him in those providences, most calculated to exclude Him,) ..... may you daily more and more see that there is enough in Jesus to meet all your wants, be they what they may; while
feeling there are hidden depths within of iniquity, may you know and remember that there are depths in Jesu's love your eye has never yet seen, your ear has never yet heard, your heart never even conceived of; but God sees it! In short, may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, and make you abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Your sincerely affectionate friend, bound up in the same bundle of life .......... T. A. P.
Please tell ... that the little book he left me to read smells of Satan's dispensary.
My dear Mr. ...... I enclose you what I promised, but I have since thought it was very conceited of me to offer to send you what I remembered. I send you a sermon remembered by another lady, who does not murder them quite so much. There are some sweet consolatory ideas in it.
When God takes up the lesson and the rod, how differently He teaches from man. Truths which we have been accustomed to repeat, and feel in some degree, with what force they come home, when taught by experience! When I look back upon this time last year, how weighty are those words, "all is vanity", not merely an expression. In drinking of the bitter cup, called "LIGHT AFFLICTION", one feels with a weight no tongue can express; what must be the miseries of hell,
when this is but a spark from it; what must be the evil of sin; the emptiness of this masquerade of a world; the sufferings of Christ; the happiness of heaven; God's hatred of sin; His love to the sinner! May He grind them more and more into my heart,: o that I may never again be entangled or intoxicated with these baubles; but may He clasp me so close to himself, that there may be no room for a cloud to pass between me and the light of his precious countenance! Pray, let us soon hear from you; for I sometimes fear lest the Lord should remove from us our candlestick, not because we do not prize it enough, but for valuing the stick too much. May He teach us, without that, the difficult lesson, that "Christ is all". I will fill up the rest of the paper with a short extract from a letter which I received from Mr. Howels, which I think you will like.
Your sincere and grateful friend,
After speaking on the Lord's prayer, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, he adds; 'One idea more before I conclude. You and I are immediately interested in the prayer of Jesus, "Father, for give them". In answer to that prayer, a gracious Providence once watched over us while singing, ignorant and thoughtless of what we were doing. In answer to this prayer, we were delivered "from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son". And did He feel so intensely, and pray so earnestly in the midst of his own bitter sufferings,
for his enemies and murderers, and will He forget his friends, now He is seated on a throne of bliss, in the zenith of his glory? Infinite, eternal impossibility!! "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous". His intercession comprises all the love of his Deity, all the worth of his atonement, all the love and sympathy of his humanity, perpetually sounding in God the Father's ears, "Father, forgive them"'.
My dear Mr. .... Many thanks for your very welcome letter; we all rejoice to hear such good accounts of your throat. I fear Irish air is the cause of all the throat complaints.... is now attacked with it, and ordered to England for his health. To him, as well as to you, it is the greatest trial that could be sent, but the Lord generally sends a trial where it will be felt. I believe our usefulness does not depend upon pursuing a line marked out by ourselves, but in giving Him just what He has need of from us, in patience, as well as in faith, followers of those who inherit the promises. I rejoice to hear so good an account of she must be a nice Christian from your description. Of course, you heard of poor .....'s end. ..... says their only comfort is, that he died in such an enlightened state; but though there was graciously a straw to lay hold on, I trust that none dear to me may ever be taken, without more undoubted
evidence. Oh! that it was to be a warning to all sportsmen.
I suppose you will see and hear dear Mr. Howels and ... You will find them full of the times, and horror of emancipation. Such great things are spoken on one hand of the evil, and on the other hand of the good, of these conversions of opinion, that either one side must misunderstand Scripture, or the other be wonderfully blind. May we not, by taking the beast unto our bosom, thrust out God; and blasphemy being found on our forehead, have to take our lot with Babylon? It is lamentable that there seems to be no Christian voice raised up in the midst of so much infidelity. Every principle of error seems to have its representative in a professed Christian senate, while Christianity is the only mute and apparently indifferent spectator. The way that Mr. Irving's and Mr. Howels' petitions are ridiculed, shows that the word is still foolishness to the Greek. Nevertheless, it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent" "For God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; yea, things that are despised hath God chosen". But I am forgetting that it is one of the signs of the times, that ignorant people, such as I am, set themselves up to judge upon such matters. It is the privilege of women to have nothing to do with politics, but to stand and admire man's ignorance, and God's wisdom in bringing about his purposes. The question with us seems to be, How shall we, in serving our generation before we fall asleep, testify against the crying evils of the church,
as well as of the world? Since He must at all times have some to bear Him faithful witness, how shall we be among this privileged set? Since He has shown his love in trusting his cause to ours, and lent us, as volumes of his library, for the perusal of the world, surely it is au interesting question, How shall we be faithful to our trust? I hope you have been considering this point, that we may have a little pillar of truth raised up in this valley, with "love" inscribed upon it. This reiterated command, "love", so trampled under foot, seems to express every thing demanded of the church; to exhibit it in the greater union of the body -- in more diffusing around the heavenly atmosphere; in more demonstrating it in action. With good intentions, many arc ignorant. We forget the assembling of ourselves together, and need to be exhorted to love and good works; and so much the more as we see the day approaching. Faithful parochial ministers content themselves with the work of an evangelist, neglecting their most difficult duties. To preach the Gospel is necessary for all; but surely there is strong meat, and there are precepts, which suit not the world. The strong meat of experience, being exposed to ridicule, prevents its benefit, by stirring up jealousy. The precepts either must open to the world the wounds of the church, or the probe not be deep enough to benefit the believer. You must watch, warn, exhort, prove from Scripture, errors in spirit, errors in life; and, though last not least, we must make each other's wants and sorrows, as well as the church's, our own: so that the answer to each should multiply the thanksgivings of all, and redound to the
glory of God. Surely, we should not find so many Christians of the world, if one half of the Bible were not necessarily left out of the pulpits. I believe the fault lies more with the church than with professors, that Christianity is so much more profession than confession. We strive to live our doctrines, instead of confounding the world by the contradiction of our walk and our belief. It seems to me, this is the fault of the Walkerites. As the world cannot explain the seeming contradiction of doctrine and precept in the word, neither should it be able to do so in the believer. While trampling works under foot, should we not live as though to be saved by works -- boasting in our liberty, yet under law to Christ? We wear Christ too like a loose garment, to be put on and taken off as convenience offers -- denying Him, by not confessing Him; not as lights, which hypocrites fear to approach, lest their deeds should be reproved. I hope you are lifting up your voice against these things in ..... for religion and the world are comfortably walking arm in arm there. Perilous times! when Christians have time to play with idols; have time to feast the world; to nestle themselves as the world; to go rounds of formalities; have time to pick faults in their neighbours their brethren; have time to amuse themselves in religious dissipation; have time to talk to be admired; to listen to contradictory opinions, each proved from Scripture; while the misgiving of our own opinions, through a perceptible mixture of error and prejudice, keeps us picking our steps through slippery paths, instead of running in the way of God's commandments. Certainly, times of persecution are
times of prosperity to the church; -- Satan is not asleep -- and is more to be dreaded when undermining by expediency than when openly destroying; deceiving, if it were possible, the very elect. Times of persecution will only admit of drawing up every faculty of the soul to one point. How splendid the grace of patient waiting in persecuting Christians! If times of trouble are about to come, how friendly to make us feel our need, that when they shall come, we may not be staggered. Love almost calls for it, in the painful suspicion of disfiguring his cause whom we do love. Faith cannot live settled; she must hold her life in her hand -- must point to Jesus, and lead the way -- be in the attitude of patient waiting -- must be a bird of passage, refusing to build her nest in so cold a clime. In these days of deception, may the Lord sift, thresh every principle, ransack our hearts, and lead in the way everlasting. May our souls be enabled, in looking to his second appearing, to bound forward; and may we be given, in deed and truth, a "Love", which shall engulph pride and haughtiness in ourselves, and all disagreeableness in others -- this God-like grace.
Dear Mr. .... has been all but taken from us. I did not in the least expect his recovery. May we bear the rod, and be enabled to read this providence! It is, I think, one of the beauties of God's works, that while we labour to effect one end by many means, He with the utmost facility effects many ends by one means. This is striking in his providences. When He sends an affliction, it is so exactly suited to the case of all concerned, as to seem purposely sent F
for each; and when He shakes his rod over his children, surely it means a gracious call. We tremble when we enter into the cloud often; but there comes a voice from the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son; hear Him. And what can Jesus' word declare but, See how I love? Do pray that this visitation may be attended with good to those near him. Nothing can withstand his power. No heart is too hard for Him. This is our comfort for ourselves, "He is greater than our hearts;" and "His love is as great as his power, And knows neither measure nor end".
The District Society goes on flourishingly. All satisfied in hearing you are to be the treasurer, for they know you. A great lesson for us; let us be satisfied in depositing body, soul, and spirit in the hands of Him who has undertaken to lose nothing the Father has given Him to keep, but to raise it up at the last day. Surely, He will return all, with a rich premium. Let us not dishonour Him, by questioning what He is doing with our deposits, for we know the man ...........
Yours, with true affection,
My dear Mr. ..... Though I hope to see you in a few days, I must write a line, just to assure you, it has been neither want of gratitude, affection, nor value for your letters, which prevented my not
placing you in my debt long since; for there are few things would give me greater pleasure than seeing a letter brought in directed by you. We are now some miles nearer home than when we parted. It cannot have been for nothing that our Father has been separated from us for these months. He has been proving and trying us in some way, to do us good at our latter end; and surely, we have been proving and trying Him. I have met with much Christian love, for Christ's sake. I have seen in different Christians different beautiful features, to make me desire to see every feature united in the great Original. I have heard deep, high, sweet, experimental truths from dear Mr. Howels. I have heard some future prospects from ..... and have had humiliating lessons in others, how even the most spiritual need the everlasting, quickening, and almighty energy of the Eternal Spirit, to preserve perpetually from earthly idolatry; while in myself dependent weakness has now feelingly convinced me, that in preservation, a miracle is momentarily witnessing I am a child of God. And shall not Jesus himself very soon show me how this and that, and that and this, like a Mosaic, have been needed to form us into the image of our God? I now hope to return, to occupy till my Lord shall come, or send for me. I feel very pleasant that I have done with life -- have learned to read through the glow spread all over it -- that "all is vanity", -- to feel the buzz about, as the buzzing of flies about a dead corpse. My tale being told already, I would not be, as my poor sister here ...... beginning life under the delusion, that happiness is to be found in
it; yet, it is vain to say, till God teaches that every dream of happiness below the sun is but a picture, painted and varnished by Satan, involving in it his original lie"God's word is not truth". In giving us himself, I believe, He has given us all God can give; and surely it is the triumph of faith, while feeling we have not what we think we need, still to rest confident, that with Him, He has given us all good things.
..... Oh! what a thing it is, dear Mr. even for this life, to have a hope full of immortality. How sweet for you to have been the communication of this bud of happiness to one destined to tribulation -- the unfolding of which has been so unspeakably sweet and sustaining! Though still bound with the bondage of corruption, what a thing to be prisoners of hope! -- of a hope that will never make ashamed; for happy is the man whose hope the Lord is! for his eye is upon them that hope in his mercy; and even in DEATH he shall have hope. How Scripture always pushes us forward for happiness! In defence, our helmet is to be hope; our attitude, waiting for his appearing; our happiness, rejoicing in hope. All seems expressed in one verse, "We know not what we shall be -- we shall see Him -- we shall be like Him". May we be enabled to keep our eyes steadily on things invisible; may every care give us a shove, till our whole weight is cast upon our immutably fixed anchor! I desire to be as a meteor passing through time, not left a moment longer than the Lord has need of me. The world thinks the Christian is imposing much upon himself, in giving up the pleasures of Sin: but how easy the Christian
finds this in comparison to walking on the good of life, counting it dross, that his affections may more tightly grasp Him, who alone can satisfy the longing soul, and fill the hungry soul with gladness. Whatever the name, the character, the relationship He vouchsafes to take, He excels in that point all others "Fairer than the children of men". Is he a father who cannot refuse his child's petition? -- "How much more will your heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him". Is his tenderness compared to a mother? -- "She may forget, yet will not I forget thee". A brother? -- "One that sticketh closer". A friend? -- One whose friendship passes the power of expression; for the utmost bound was passed while yet enemies. A husband? -- One that can say, even after we have "gone after many lovers", yet, Return again to me. A prophet? -- One that "spake as never man spake", "was in the council of the Father from eternity". A priest? -- One that has sat down on the right hand of Omnipotence -- "continueth for ever" -- "hath an unchangeable priesthood" -- "able to save to the uttermost" -- "ever liveth to make intercession;" one, and the only one that becomes us; for He excels all priests, in that He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, higher than the heavens". Is he a king? -- "King of kings, and Lord of lords!" A shepherd? -- "The good shepherd". A light? -- "The light of the world" -- "The Sun of Righteousness!" Food? -- "The bread from heaven that gives eternal life". Water? -- "The fountain of living waters, of which, if a man drink, he shall never thirst again". A tree? -- "As the apple tree among the woods". If
in heaven? -- "Who in heaven can be compared to the Lord?" If on earth? -- "Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?" Then, what is He to the church? -- As the bridegroom in comparison of all others, and not only does He excel, but, in her estimation, He must increase, while all others decrease; for "He that cometh from heaven is above all". "This God is our God forever and ever". May He, dear Mr. ..... fill you more and more with joy and peace in believing, and may you abound in lively hope, through life, and in death! This is, believe me, a sincere prayer, and one often put up for you,
By yours, very affectionately,
And, no doubt, you will, find by and by, that the means used for communicating to you some of the graces of the Spirit you possess, has been these prayers.
My beloved friend, -- I have long been wishing and intending to write to you, since I heard of your overturn, but as Mr. G.... told me you were almost well, still I wanted to be able to sit down and write a long letter. I wish you to tell me the particulars, that I may join in praise. I have so much
felt, and do feel, the great privilege you allow me in remembering me in your dear little meetings; it is the sweetest blessing you could give me. Oh! do not pray for my body, but that I may not misrepresent his truth in my life. Well, that little fall was yours, among the inventory of his laid-up gifts. What we want is, to be taught to make use of the promises. Too apt to be satisfied with enjoying his word, in reading and meditating on it, than to go on our way and forget it till the next stated time returns. It is, then, well to get scratches from little briers and brambles on the way, to be sent for healing to "It is written",to be made feed on the promises all the way; thus to have our appetite whetted, that He may feed the hungry soul with goodness. It is not his will that we should merely draw upon our bank of consolation for large sums which we think it worth drawing for, but to return again and again, for every shilling, for every sixpence of comfort; for, sweet thought, we cannot trouble Him. How much is implied in that short sentence, "I shall not want". Why? because He wanted all. I shall fear no evil in walking through the dark valley, on account of his presence, because He cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" We shall triumph in confidence in the midst of our enemies, because He was reproached and despised of the people, "a worm and no man;" and I know (not hope) I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever, because He has said, Thou hast heard me. Sweet to know the whole flock are under the same guidance, that in experience of his watchful tenderness, we may be able to say of others under every circumstance,
they shall not want -- the 22nd Psalm, the ground of the confidence expressed in the 23rd. How safely we may leave ourselves in such loving hands. He is our treasure. Let us deposit with Him, body, soul, and spirit, for we know Him. He has promised to lose nothing which the Father has given into his hands, but to raise it up at the last day. Let us not seem to suspect, by questioning what He is doing with our deposit, but rest satisfied that it shall be restored, abundantly enriched, on the morning of the resurrection. Then shall we not refuse to be found among the oppressed and despised, who have followed Him through evil report, as well as good, since "the path of sorrow, and that path alone, leads to the land where sorrow is unknown". I have been thinking lately of angels. What a subject of humiliation they should be to the believer; alike in one thing -- both hearken to the voice of his word; unlike in state, unlike in service. The believer nearer, dearer, his "bride;" where sin aboundeth, grace having much more abounded. Yet, how much more ready they are in their service; their beauty seems reflected on earth in their deep humility; witness their joy at the raising of sinners to a superiority to themselves. How different the Jew at the reception of the Gentile! How different the Gentile at the promised glory of the Jew! How different from the elder brother at the return of the prodigal! Hear their thunder-clap of hallelujahs; "Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace, good will towards men". In what haste would the twelve legions have descended to the aid of the Lord, had He, in his agonies, demanded their service; but, preferring
the sympathy of his children, He looked for pity from them, but there was no man: for comforters, but there were none -- they were heavy with sleep. Were angels now told, "Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it to me", would they move so heavily to feed Him when hungry, to give Him drink when thirsty, to take Him in when a stranger, to visit Him when sick and in prison? Above all, were they sent with glad tidings of great joy? No; they would fly as Gabriel to Daniel, as the angel to take a cake to Elijah. At the beginning of thy supplication the commandment came forth, and "I ain come;" -- the commandment given at the beginning; He came before the end! But there is one office they cannot render the church; they are unfit for comforters; having known no sorrow, they cannot sympathise. This is our privilege; the most honourable service in the temple below; we are cups of consolation in his hands, who emphatically came to bind up the broken hearted. No vessels, but vessels of mercy, can contain this cordial; and as every blade of grass shines with the splendour of a little diamond globe, when the sun arises after a night of dew, far surpassing the grass at noon-day; so shall the tears of this night of time throw a lustre over the believer, when the Sun of Righteousness shall appear in the morning of the resurrection, far surpassing those "who excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word". They know the bliss of power -- we the happiness of weakness; -- what it is to lay the hands of weakness on "I am;" to glory in infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on us;
to carry the helpless soul in the arms of faith, to rest on sweet and precious promises. I have heard it told through one who was present at the shipwreck of the Kent, as a remarkable circumstance, that every mother, in their imminent peril, as if by instinct, turned to her youngest child, and clasped it in her arms. So does the Lord to the helpless believer. Will any say, that those children who, exulting in strength, were left to themselves, were more safe than the helpless infant whose life depended on that of its parent?
Blessed be God! He loves not according to our desert, but according to our necessity. Blessed be God! it is not written, his blood can cleanse from all the evil that we see, but what He sees.
Many chambers within are unopened yet to us; we see but through the crevice; yet his blood gets entrance, and drowns all. May we be given grace, dear sister in the Lord, to leave Him the steering of our little bark; to trust Him with every wind that seems against us; to go straight as an arrow on our way, believing He will not leave us to ourselves. May He keep us from weakening the hands of others by our example. Though deserving He should plead against us with His great power, may He put strength into us, and enable us to crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts. Crucifixion cannot but be painful; but whether crucifixion
or amputation, under any circumstances, be appointed to us, may He make most legible in our lives, -- "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee". Let not us alone be silent in praise, when our theme is so great -- that when John was given to hear the hallelujahs of such as were living continually in his presence, witnessing unceasingly the unbounded wonders of his perfections whose name is Love, all was swallowed up in this one song -- redeeming love. And shall redeemed sinners be silent? All his works praise in obeying -- go, and they go, come, and they come. To the sea He says, Go so far, there let thy proud waves be stayed: foaming mountains high, there it stops. The firmament showeth his handiwork. We can best glorify Him in trusting Him. Let us venture, then, to be confident. Goodness and mercy shall follow us, like the river from the rock followed the Israelites all through the wilderness. Whatever is sent, it is goodness and mercy; and this goodness and mercy but the earnest of future joy, the embryo of our future inheritance -- an enjoyment by faith of promises there to be fulfilled. We are children of promise -- heirs of all the promises. Children of light, waiting for the morning! My dear ... may your light shine more and more to the perfect day. Affectionate love to your dear sisters, and all who love me in the Lord. Pray write very soon, and believe in the sincerity of
Your very affectionate sister in hope, THEODOSIA A. POWERSCOURT.
Indeed, my dear friend, had I for a moment an idea you could have been so ill, I should not have waited for an answer to my letter, could I also have conceived mine of any possible comfort. I can only say, I can sink into the very dust, that my Lord should make use in any way of so vile, so wretched an hypocrite. He has, indeed, shown you great and sore trouble; yet in the midst of the trouble, how loving to allow you to testify that his comforts have refreshed my soul. Surely we are left without excuse in our unbelief; yet whenever He leads us to the brink of the waters of tribulation, we tremble and shrink as much from entering, as though the waters had not before parted, and become a wall of support and consolation on either side. How blessed to be under a dispensation of mercy, which God has, as it were, set apart for mercy. We find out our hankering after self-righteousness, from our fresh astonishment every day, in being treated so differently from what we expect and feel that we deserve. How often are we dictating by our fears to the Lord; but He is better to us than all our fears, in the midst of judgment remembering mercy. "Hear ye the rod, and Him that appointed it". Often He seems to shake the rod over his children, but is unable, if we may so speak, to inflict the blow. May we go softly all our days, seeing our comforts are held by so slender a thread; may it teach us to rejoice with trembling.
David was greatly distressed, but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God; so are we often distressed with outward things, and ever have cause from inward things. Such sunk hearts, so weighed down to earth, after all they have learned of earth, all they have learned of Jesus; often it seems as if we had all to learn over again. "So foolish and ignorant are we, even as beasts before Him;" -- yet let us encourage ourselves in the Lord our God; encourage ourselves in his character; encourage ourselves in his compassion; He will not shut up his tender mercies in anger, but will shut up anger in his tender mercies; for his compassions fail not. Let us say of them, This is my hiding place; here will I nestle from sins, temptations, falls, and ingratitudes. Feeling his tenderness to be that of a jealous God, we are too apt to go to Him, as to a tender, jealous friend, keeping back what is likely to grieve Him. But no! Our Jesus is not like an earthly friend, even in this; there is no loosening his love by suspicion. He knows all our baseness, yet loves unto the end! therefore let us go and tell Him all; even those feelings which we would hide from ourselves, let us drag out before Him, and pour out our complaints of ourselves, into the bosom of our Master. Often we find ourselves shrinking and crying out at the very thought, that in very faithfulness He will afflict, at the very moment we are saying, soberly and steadily,
We may trust his compassions. We may throw ourselves into his lap, saying, "Undertake for me". "Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercies are great", -- the same God now, as had an eye to the sparing of even the cattle, in withholding judgment from Nineveh. Sweet to have our will lost in his, who is so slow to anger, so ready to forgive, that when his prophets lost all patience with the people, so as to make intercession against them; yet, even then, could He not be got to cast off this people whom He foreknew, for his great name sake, because He had made them his people; neither will He now. He has engaged for that. May He grant that our joy in restored blessings may be abundant in Christ Jesus. May our love be as greedy of love as his is; may He be our end in joy, our end in sorrow; may we be able to say, "to live is Christ;" may He not suffer us to abase his wonderful mercies; but may sin and weakness have the effect of driving us to Him, without which the expenditure of every twig in his rod would be of no avail. O let us not be as his people of old! after every mercy, stiffening our necks, hardening our hearts, casting his law behind our backs, and provoking Him more and more; but let our conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ Jesus, standing fast in one spirit, striving together with his people for the faith of the Gospel. I can say of myself in utmost weakness, the spirit is willing that He should answer this prayer, and not spare the rod because of our crying; but may He pity, for the flesh is very, very weak. Behold here I am; let Him do what seems to Him good.
I desire to say this in spirit, as well as with the mouth; in feeling, as well as judgment: Lord, make me desire to be able to say it. Let us thus, dear friend, encourage ourselves in the Lord our God, not terrified by our adversaries, but praising Him. He gives us, not only to believe, but to suffer for Him, and with Him; and for his rich answers to prayer, for making known such a Lord to encourage ourselves in, may we so loudly shout hallelujah from the hiding-place of his compassions, as shall make the vaults of Satan's kingdom ring with the name of Jesus. Farewell, my beloved sister in the Lord.
Very affectionately yours, Dear ......
"And there came a cloud and overshadowed them and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: HEAR Him".
Ever since I heard of your illness, and the Lord's mercy in sustaining and restoring, I have been intending to write, to bless the Lord with my very dear sister, and ask for some words to strengthen my faith, in detail of your cup having run over in the hour of need. Is it not, indeed, the bleating of Messiah's sheep, "I shall not want?" -- "shall not want", because the Lord is our Shepherd! Our Shepherd the All-sufficient! nothing can unite itself to Him; nothing mingle with Him; nothing add to his satisfying nature; nothing diminish from his fulness. There is a peace and fulness of expression in this little sentence, known only to the sheep. The remainder of the Psalm is a drawing out of this, "I shall not want". In the unfolding we find repose, refreshment, restoring mercies, guidance, peace in death, triumph, an overflowing of blessings, -- future confidence, eternal security in life or death, spiritual or temporal, prosperity or adversity, for time or eternity. May we not boldly say, "The Lord is my Shepherd"; for we stand on the sure foundation of the 23rd Psalm. How can we want, when united to Him! we have a right to use all his riches. Our wealth is his riches and glory. With Him nothing can be withheld. Eternal life is ours, with the promise that all shall be added; all He knows we want. Our Shepherd has learned the wants of his sheep by experience, for He
was himself "led as a sheep to the slaughter". Does not this expression, dictated by the Spirit, imply a promise, and a full promise, when connected with his own words, I know my sheep: by what painful discipline He was instructed in this knowledge, subjected himself to the wants of every sheep, every lamb of his fold, that He might be able to be touched with a feeling of their infirmities. The timid sheep has nothing to fear; fear not want, fear not affliction, fear not pain; "fear not;" according to your want shall be your supply, -- "The Lord is my portion", saith my soul, therefore will I trust in Him. Does the silly sheep cry to be kept from want? it may well be answered, Ye know not what ye ask; it knows not of what it would rob itself in receiving the supply provided for that particular want. In the midst of danger, we have no cause of alarm, we have been taken hold of by omnipotent love, "shall never perish". "It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom". All to be expected of a Shepherd, shall be found in one, who so loved us, as to lay down his life for us. Dear sister, have you a want? Keep it not, carry it to Him; it shall lie on the mercy-seat to be considered; in due time shall be written on it, "to be provided for". Have you a want for any dear to you? He has promised you shall not want; if your demand is not exactly answered, you shall receive something better, it shall be satisfied. His fulness is as much at our disposal, as if in our own hands. He keeps it in himself, that very blessing may be richly doubled. Moses said to the children of Israel in the wilderness, "The Lord thy God knoweth thy walking through this
great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing". Our wants are fathomless! our help infinite! none but God can tell the uttermost a God can do. O let us, who are the sheep of his pasture, give Him thanks, and show forth his praises by venturing on this confidence! There is no want to his flock; the young lion may lack and suffer hunger, but the Good Shepherd's helpless, foolish sheep shall not want any good thing. He is our shield against every foe; He is our guide in every danger; no good thing can He withhold -- Grace now! glory hereafter! But it is you must tell me these truths, for you bring them fresh from the furnace. How blessed when He takes his bit of clay, and forms it into a vessel fit for the master's use, especially if He choose for us to be a vessel of consolation to his little ones. We like the office, but we do not wish the forming; for we can only comfort with the comfort wherewith we have been comforted. Oh! what a blessing we are not left to ourselves, that when we drag the skein of our life into the most desperate tangles, mercy will sit down patiently to unravel.
What a blessing to be allowed to fall in every possible way, that self-opinion may come tumbling down, and that we may learn to leave our righteousness behind, and come to Jesus in our sins, instead of leaving our sins behind, to come in our righteousness; and how blessed we are, not to be allowed to appear to others what we really are, full of pride, vanity, selfishness, self-seeking. Oh! what motive within motive, deceits, hypocrisies, lying in our very representations of Christ! We desire all should read, I am comely. Is it so with you?
My dear friend, -- The church's husband had not where to lay his head; the wife always takes the place of her husband. If such is the character of Christ's church, can that system be right, which expressly encourages the opposite practice? Lord, instruct me, I am a fool. As to this trade, and that trade, being supported, let the dead take care of the dead; our business in life is not to keep the world a going, but to manifest the Christian's glorious hope. Each book treats of its own subject, and is not to be blamed for not instructing in all. We are living epistles, but from God's library, to teach a particular subject; and oh! what a glorious subject! we have nothing to do with the world! we cannot live too differently. Your sister says, this is Satan's kingdom; surely then we are not needed to uphold his system. Poor ..... is in grief about her sister, left in India a widow; but how kind of Him to afflict us to try our faith; we talk of the promises, but how different to make use of them! how difficult to take Him at his word without an evidence; how merciful to be so let into the secrets of his love, that He does not suffer us to walk smoothly down the stream of time, but sends large and rough billows to dash us on the promises; sweetens our bitterness, and embitters our sweets. This should be the Christian's elevation -- to walk on the promises. The more we are forced to prove them, the more
highly favoured, because our ideas of things are not according to this world. It is a great thing really to trust Him through thick and thin; to believe our sorrow is our joy, our misery our happiness. He deprives us of provision for earthly affection, that these affections, going in search of their object, may take a grand grasp of Him, the archetype, the fountain of every excellency; all love in comparison is but the rivulet to the ocean, one limited to the nutshell of a human heart; the other immense, as the infinite mind of Jehovah. Let us then use our privilege, dear friend, and launch our souls upon the promises of Him, who means what He says. With affectionate love to your dear sister,
Believe me, very affectionately yours,
We have been here six weeks, and have had no improvement in any art but patience; worth coming all this way to learn that; thus the Lord lays his plans for us, calls us sometimes into the wilderness to speak comfortably, admits this world to be tribulation, does not make light of it, tells us not to expect any thing else in it, but gives two famous recipes for patience under it, "rejoicing in hope", "instant in prayer". I trust my faithful, heavenly friend has been pointing out to me some of my faults.
The instrument with which He probes the wound is so oiled with love, it heals in wounding. I have been thinking, my dear sister, time is so short, it would be better could we throw all our powers into straining every nerve for his glory, in the situation in which He has placed us, instead of losing time in doubting whether we are in the right situation. These doubts prevent the gratitude He expects; for there is a right side in every thing; there must be, because it is his will that "in every thing we should give thanks". There is a blessing, I am persuaded, in every snare, could we cherish and make use of the blessing, and roll the snare on Him. May He put a new song in my mouth, even thanksgiving to our God. Tell me what you have been thinking of; and what state religion is in where you are. This town is in a sad state, wholly given to idolatry, because Roman Catholic; three English churches, but no Gospel. The French Walloon minister we hear is very good; but the town is full of English who could not understand him. All I can find we are here sent for, is to pray for them, and that is not little: a day spent in prayer is a truly profitable day; its usefulness ceases not with the day. Let us then be Phebes, seek to carry cups of consolation to the church; she carried a large cup to Rome. If we ask any thing according to his will, we may believe we have the answer. It is his declared will -- He wills not the death of any, but that all should be saved. We have not, because we ask not. Do we indeed believe He is soon coming? Would it be found out by a beholder? Are we so fitted into those precepts which, put together like a mosaic,
make up the image of Christ, as to force lookers-on to say, "I would see Jesus?" He does not mistake either what is for our good or for his glory. I have discovered He has locked up my happiness in the concave of his shield, to shelter it from being subject to the influence of any creature. Why should those mourn at any thing here, who are reconciled to the Judge of all the earth; who have access to Him at all times, and friendly intercourse with Him; whose hope is founded on his love, and who look forward to seeing Him, as a long tried friend; whose very tribulations are turned into blessings; and not only so, but also have God for their God, who understands to bless them according to his name -- God? All belonging to Him is ours; as that dear letter said. I have had great delight in the remembrance of that letter. I have searched into Scripture on the subject, and have been refreshed. If you have heard from her on communion with the Father, or the Spirit, will you not send me the letter?
I shall return it quite safe. His power is ours -- none shall pluck us out of his hands. His wisdom -- for all things shall work together for our good. His holiness -- for sin shall not have dominion over us. His justice -- for He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. His faithfulness, because it secures the fulfilment of all his promises, -- his eternity -- "because He lives, we shall live also;" "so shall we be for ever with the Lord", "my Lord, and my God". Every sin should increase our trust, seeing it proves to us in the most convincing manner, that He is absolutely necessary. Weakness is ours, since it forces us to live by faith on one mighty to save. The drying up of earthly streams
makes us cleave to Him who is all in all -- prevails on us to find happiness in his fulness. Every thing around rings in the ear, Go to Jesus. It is an unspeakable blessing in such a world, to be able to see any thing coming straight from Him without any second cause between; it would keep us very patient thus to possess the soul; we know He has a design in all He does; the more grievous the dispensation, the more certainty of its need. What He does, we know not now, but shall know hereafter. His purposes are ripening fast, unfolding every hour. Even in the consequences of sin, as in David's case, it is not said, the child fell sick, but the Lord struck the child, and it was very sick, -- the child of the man after God's own heart! He prayed, He entreated, yet was refused; yet He says, "Call on me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me". "Yes, He shall deliver in his own way; and whatever be the way, in that thing we shall glorify Him!" "I wound, and I heal". The hand pierced for us, alone can wound tenderly -- alone can heal perfectly. It is almost worth having a wound, to prove how tenderly He heals. Has He not taught us much this last year? Oh! how He spares, when we deserve punishment. How gently He deals; shakes his rod over us, to bring us to our senses. Often the very dart He used to inflict a wound, in order to pour himself into it, is the very sin He desires us to hate; while his still small voice whispers, Return unto me, for I am full of compassion, slow to anger, and repent me of the evil which seems to threaten. I have learnt that I am a learner, because a fool -- must sit to receive, instead of
give, comfort; learnt utter dependence for every comfort for myself, for every thought! have no stock to use; learnt more of "any thing with thy smile, any thing but thy frown;" learnt vanity of resolutions, which cries out, beware; learnt insincerity of motives; much more, how many ends He gains by one means.
Let us, dear Mrs. ..... occupy diligently till He comes, in the situation He has placed us in. Though we give our bodies to be burned, though we give all our goods to feed the poor, though we speak on these subject as angels, having all knowledge; in these all shall we utterly be condemned, without "give me thine heart". Happy consolation! He will never be weary of our complaints! He loves us when we weep, as well as when we smile. He loved Mary's tears -- they spoke volumes to Him. Soon shall these trifles be thrown away as children's toys. God looks upon our follies as a. wise man upon his infant, with loving pity. Soon our tale shall be finished, and the history of our lives put by in the library of God, as an old volume of his faithfulness. Soon we shall see Him face to face -- know as we are known. Soon prophecy shall be all fulfilled! "Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted", shall be rooted tip; but the little grain of love, scattered by his own hand in our hearts, shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Soon, soon! why tarry thy chariot wheels? why so long transplanting from thy nursery into the paradise above? ......
My dear Mr. .... Many thanks for your very welcome letter, though it does give so sad an account of that blessed town. The Sun of Righteousness did shine on me so splendidly when there, I can never think of it but as a green pasture. Good shall come out of this seeming evil, to the church. Oh! that we loved her, as the Wise and All-powerful loves, and we should never suspect what He is at in his permission of evil. How beautiful the machinery of grace! How one part acts with another! How glorious will be the discovery at the end!
While man uses so many means for one end, God brings about so many ends by one means. One, that of having made prayer the channel of conveying his blessings, that in blessing He may bless many -- strengthen faith, awaken gratitude, and bring glory to his name as a hearer and answerer of prayer. I expect to find my soul being saved has been in answer to some prayer, in some part of the world. It can be said of bountifulness in prayer, as well as alms, "the administration of this service, not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God". Then let us thus return them liberally. It would be very sweet, could we see every thing in the light of Christ, with reference to Him; that as Joseph and Benjamin were dear above all the children of Jacob, because
children of Rachel, so the church might be dear to us above all that is called dear, because dear to Christ -- that peace should be precious to us, not so much because happiness in itself, as because it breathes "by my bruise are ye healed". This I should think would be one good in the study of prophecy, -- to see every thing with reference to Christ, instead of seeing Christ with reference to ourselves. If dwelling on a crucified Saviour is valuable to the soul, in lifting us out of self; surely dwelling on a glorified Saviour must be doubly so, in giving a far greater lift. A suffering Jesus, though full of consolation, reflects back on our wilderness of troubles, and under curse-state; a glorified Jesus darts us forward to the time when all tears shall be past for ever, in his glory and our own. The most wonderful thing to me in this town is one, I fear, too stale to you for me to indulge myself in dwelling on; namely, that I am of God, while most of those around are in the arms of the wicked one. Wonderful to receive this message, morning after morning, "thy sins, which are many, are forgiven!" -- Wonderful to have so patient a Teacher! -- Wonderful, a day is coming when I shall be satisfied with myself, without pride. But passing wonderful, that "He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself!" etc. Mr. Howels had this text last Sunday. He remarked from it, that the desire of God's children, when good for them, will surely be answered. Job said, "Oh! that my words were written, graven in the rock;" but he had above
his desire -- more than he asked or thought. Had that been granted, all the elements would have waged war against, and erased it. But the Rock of Ages descended; had it engraven in his bosom, which nothing shall ever efface, but it shall be read by all, time without end. He said, "Redeemer" and "kinsman" were the same; spoke of Him as kinsman, in avenging the death of his brother on his murderers. He pursued and overtook the enemy on Calvary; also as raising up seed to his brother, in uniting himself to humanity, which before had none. A rose is never so sweet as when bruised and squeezed. When the Rose of Sharon was bruised and trampled on, the fragrance filled every breath of heaven. When Christ came, the bosom of Deity was opened for our perusal. Either Christ is God, or the worst in hell. Reprobation is the child, not the parent, of sin. In marriage, the maiden name is annihilated -- the church's maiden name, not blotted out, but annihilated -- no longer known by it; so any believer, who has but one grain of grace, has no right to be called ungodly. Henceforth his name is "the Lord our Righteousness". He introduces schism into our corruption, and thus makes them destroy themselves and each other; and out of each fall rises a grace, as the phoenix out of its own ashes. The woman clothed in the sun -- the believer clothed in his God for ever. He, as a shield, interposes himself between us and every enemy. What can penetrate infinity and eternity? By-and-by we shall see all the evil from which we have been shielded. How often, that we do not know, have we been carried past them, as children over whose eyes you put your
hand while carrying them across a river, that they may not see the danger. The poor are shielded from riches -- the rich from poverty.
Yours most affectionately,
My dear ..... I am glad to hear you are in our neighbourhood, though grieved for the cause. But why?
Then let us enjoy our wilderness-blessings; here, ruffled peace. Future joy, and joy yet future, we shall have eternity for. Only for a few moments joy in sorrow; calm in a storm. Then I will rather wish you joy, that by the pressure of his dear hand, He thus keeps up in your mind -- "Behold, how I love you!" How needed it must be, when compassion wounds, when love chastens. The Lord "has need" now, not of your strength, but of your weakness. What a day is before us! when we shall be able to adore his faithfulness without the teaching of it by a crossed will, and disappointed prospects; when we shall be able to know the sweetness of confidence, without trust; humility, without pride to humble;
the fulness of his presence, without a waste heart; the sympathy of our comforter, without sorrow; the gentleness of our physician, without pain; the tenderness of our nurse, without sickness; yes, and even the abounding of grace, without sin.
I write to let you know that (as your mouth is shut, and perhaps you would like to indulge your ear) Mr. ... will lecture at two o'clock this day.
Yours, dear Mr. ..... very sincerely, For the truth's sake,
Powerscourt, 11th February, 1829.
My dear friend, -- I have been much arrested of late, by Acts 5:12 - 14. Just what believers should be among men. The question is not, shall we put out this or that person from our society? but shall we not so live, so speak, that no man, who was not in reality "of us" durst join himself to us? Oh! what perilous times are these for the church. We see the merciful wisdom in the necessity of persecution and tribulation, to keep the church while in the world. She is in prosperity when in persecution. Satan is not asleep -- is more to be dreaded when undermining by expediency, than when openly destroying; deceiving, if it were
possible, the very elect; leading them to do his works with plausible motives, and in spite of most sincere hearts. Wishing to correct a false idea prevalent in the world; namely, that all religion consisted in living differently from others, the church has now ended in living in close conformity to the world; so that in preventing the mistake, she has become unfaithful to her trust, by misrepresenting Christianity, and presenting a false likeness of her Lord; reconciling, indeed, the world, in a great measure, to that which, if faithfully represented, it never could be reconciled to; therefore testifying against herself in the very reconciliation. Is not this the cause why Christianity is so much more profession than confession? ... Though scattered abroad, we are not "scattered abroad preaching the Gospel;" we have sallied forth into the world, walking among his children, stood, and at length sat down amongst them, stretched out our hands to the world, and consequently, it stretched out its hand to us; and now we are walking comfortably arm-in-arm. Did we not meet them in luxuries, they could not meet us. Did our conversation and deportment testify against them, they would soon bid farewell to us. Perilous times, when Christians have time to play with idols. ..... A dear friend says, "The church is become so satisfied with her widowhood as to cease to look out for the Lord". Such are we. Times of persecution will only admit of drawing up every faculty of the soul to one point. How splendid the grace of patient waiting in Rutherford, and other persecuted believers. Love almost calls for troublous times, in the faithful suspicion of disfiguring
His cause whom WE DO LOVE. The more rejoicing there is in the Lord, the more the idea grieves. How often we feel this in individual cases, in the toleration of one's family; how less burdensome often their rejection would be, though they are still so dear. That this is the evil state of things, is evident to all. It is of little use mourning over it; but the question with us is, How shall we, in serving our generation before we fall on sleep, testify against these evils? For since He must have some in every time to bear Him faithful witness, how shall we be among this privileged set? Since He has shown his affection in trusting our love, (by lending us as volumes of his library for the perusal of the world,) surely it is a most interesting question, How shall we be faithful to our charge? Is not the answer briefly expressed in his own reiterated command, so trampled under foot -- Love; to exhibit it in a greater union of the body; in more diffusing around this spirit, this heavenly atmosphere; in more demonstrating it in action. How He entreats as to this grace; upon what a basis He grounds the entreaty -- "if ye love;" how unlimited He leaves it -- "as I have loved you". Self-denying love -- "though rich, for our sakes He became poor", etc. Devoted love -- "gave himself for us" -- "kindly affectionate" -- "courteous" -- "having compassion one of another" -- "weeping with those that weep, rejoicing with those that rejoice" -- "if one member suffer, let all suffer" -- "not minding our own things, but every man the things of another" -- "walk in love, as Christ loved you" -- the same love will be well-pleasing, a sweet incense, -- "condescending
to those of low estate;" -- "consider one another, to provoke to love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching:" showing meekness, gentleness, faithfulness, forbearance, longsuffering. It appears to me, if each body of Christians were to aim more at this, in action, word, and spirit, in each separate place, the world would be more convinced by this oneness, than by using methods of expediency to be of use to them; such as religious parties, etc. Hypocrites would be more ashamed of putting on Christ as a garment of fame; while believers would be fitted into Him more closely, as a garment bound round with the bond of perfectness -- the badge of discipleship.
It seems to me that faithful parochial ministers now content themselves with the work of an evangelist, neglecting the most difficult part of their office -- heart-searching work .... The minister should watch over, warn, exhort, point out from Scripture errors in spirit, and errors in life; and though last not least, the body should make each other's circumstances, as well as the Church's interests, more its own; so that the faithfulness shewn to each individual would multiply the thanksgivings of many, and redound to the glory of God. It would be sweet to have this pillar of truth, with love inscribed on it, erected in different parts of the country, in the parish of every faithful minister. I would especially enforce on myself, that outward demonstrations of love are far easier than in spirit -- our real want is more of the spirit; without this all endeavours to love, to
show humility, spirituality, would be a mimicking of Christ -- a carcass without a soul. Nothing seems so likely to place in a state of expectation and looseness to the world, as keeping the eye on his second coming. It enables the soul to bound forward; as the struggle which Satan has made to maintain erroneous views or this subject is sufficient proof. I would also enforce on myself, that to give money, is the least gift we have to give, in token of love. Love, while producing self-denial, also produces generosity in every way in which we can possibly show kindness. Love is not always counting its pence. Then, dear friend, let us behold, as in a glass, every day, more of the glory of God, till we are changed into his image. Let us get heat, by living near the furnace of love. May He mellow our hearts into his own spirit! May the fountain poured in overflow to all around! Have we not been loved? Do we not love? Are we not in the light? Are we not the subjects of his petition, -- "That they may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee?" Perhaps my poverty in this grace makes me feel the need of it so much in the church. May my want lead to more earnest prayer, to be enabled to "love unfeignedly, with a pure heart, fervently", "in deed and in truth", "as ourselves;" not love proceeding from duty, but love that shall produce duty; "as brethren", to those we live with, as well as those we occasionally meet! Is not this God-like grace endeared by being his command, his last, shall I say only command, given when his own feelings and agonies were forgotten, in anxiety to comfort his sorrowing disciples? Is it not the embryo of his
future kingdom? Alas! my leanness, my leanness! Yet, I often think, do we enough wonder at the grace already bestowed? There is so much evil within, we fear to look in even at his grace, and we often see it so mixed up in others that we cannot separate it from the creature; but yet a little, and all his handiwork in us shall be shown to his praise and his glory. Every receiver of a cup of cold water shall stand up to witness to it; we shall not recognize ourselves. (Matthew 25:37) Till that day, I put by my hallelujahs, except for this, that there shall be a day in which I shall be able to praise Him. I expect in that day to have much, oh, how much! of his faithfulness to tell you -- a joyful, wondrous story, as wonderful to myself, as it shall be wonderful to you. I have thus poured out to you my sentiments, not only to have your opinion, if all this is a fancy of my brain, but if not, for you to try and induce the ministers with whom you have influence, to set an example to others in these perilous days. Pray write soon, and exhort me in that in which you see me most wanting.
Yours, in the sincerity of Christian affection,
My dear friend, -- Tell .... with my love, that the people imagine a vain thing, and the rulers take counsel against the Lord; for He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, and shall deride them, by
setting his King upon his holy hill of Zion. Nothing shall retard his approach and glory. Each event shall as surely hasten it, as days, and months, and years bring on eternity.
I hope you sometimes think of me when you go in before the Lord. Oh! you have much to ask for me; and how blessed would be my necessities to you, could they keep you but a moment longer in communion with the Friend of sinners! Thus might our infirmities, as well as our graces, be made blessings to our friends.
Yours, my dear friend, in Him who is our all in all, T.A.P.
My dear friends must think me dead and buried; yet, you see, I am revived. I long to hear from you again. What a sad spirit seems to be exhibited in many parts of .... ! Such a spirit, so much seen in the writings of those who stand up for our glorious prospects, seems to do more against the good at which they aim, than all their writings can do for it, at least on this side the water.
Is not the old covenant completely abolished, instead of remaining to be executed? Will you tell me if you think this conclusion just, which I have come to on this subject? Covenant just means God's plans fixed in eternity, being unfolded in the promises, and confirmed by sacrifices. God's great
purpose from eternity was, that an inheritance should be possessed by Abraham and his seed, in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed. A promise to this end was given in Eden, renewed to Abraham, then to David. The whole arrangement of the Jewish ceremony, called the old covenant, or arrangement, were the same promises handed down by types, instead of words; the confirmation of these promises was Christ's sacrifice, of which the smoking furnace and burning lamp were types, like as were the sacrifices. An ordinance of confirmation, relating to the same promises, is still kept up in the Lord's Supper; which while remaining in his sacrifice of the security of God's promise, by repeating as often as we partake of it, "until my coming again", still carries us on to his appearing a second time without sin unto salvation, when shall be the execution, and full operation of his everlasting, ever new covenant! "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts", etc. "I will sprinkle clean water upon them". (Ezekiel 36:25). I do not see any difference between covenant and testament; for a will is simply the promise of a free gift, with the promise well secured many years before it is executed. Will you take the trouble of pulling this to pieces? I was going to say much more, but have not time. May He who hath mercy on you, lead you by springs of water; may He guide you wherever you go this summer; may He lead you, He who leadeth Joseph like a flock, He who leads the blind by a way they know not, He who will not overdrive his flock, but gently lead the heavy laden -- may He go with you and before you. You cannot go
from his presence; whatever labyrinth you may get entangled in, He shall so shine forth as to make it a plain path. In the multitude of strange notions that surround, He shall lead you in his truth; in the multitude of sins, He shall lead you in paths of righteousness; in the midst of mortality, He shall lead you in the way everlasting -- ever leading to the Rock that is higher than you.
I leave you in his safe keeping, and remain, though a silent, yet a very sincere and hearty friend,
My very dear friend, -- How is your sister? I had no idea she was ill. How much you must both have suffered! I put off writing every post, hoping to give you an answer about ...... but I cannot wait longer, for I really wish to hear you are both delivered from your troubles. What a comfort to remember there is a great meaning in glorifying God, and that He does use his creatures for that end! There was a great meaning in all your dear sister suffered, and all you suffered in her; to be purified in the furnace of another's sufferings is difficult, it shall be found to his glory at his coming! The world thinks us insignificant creatures; but, oh! how important all we do, all we say. Nothing is trifling. We are a spectacle to the invisible world, etc.; the subjects of competition between powers of light and powers of darkness --
pillars on which Christ's kingdom is sustained in Satan's world, temples of promise, therefore houses of prayer, habitations of the Spirit. When we pray to be spared a trial, it may well be answered, "Ye know not what ye ask". We know not of what supplies we should thus deprive ourselves. Yes, we are a people to be wondered at. How extraordinary that we should be marked ones, and that all should be forced to see that our kingdom is not from hence, and that our hope is laid up in heaven!
That is very superficial which is only learned by rote; we must come into the school of experience, in order to learn by heart. Alas! what idolatry, what mockery, what mummery around me. May He quickly come, and set all things in order; for this confusion is the earnest of hell!
Tell your dear sister, with my sincere sympathy and affectionate love, I remember her to the All-sufficient. Pray write soon to your very affectionate friend,
My very dear friend, -- Truly I feel for your fresh trial, one particularly trying to you. How graciously He has taught you to bend under it! One sermon from himself is worth a thousand from any man. Never so sweet is it to be raised up, as when He has cast down. Are we not given to drink largely of refreshment and consolation from the Comforter? even
in the desert to lie down in our field of promise? "When He giveth quietness, who then shall give trouble?" Enemies may surround, but our shepherd is near; enemies may be in ambush, but the shepherd is on the watch. But could we only recount our repose and refreshment, should we not "leave half untold the donation of bliss?" Is it not blessed to be able to sing of judgment as well as mercy? Surely it is among our chiefest blessings, that it has never yet been said of us, "Let them alone". Israel was blessed while God brought down their heart through heaviness; for they cried unto the Lord in their trouble. Israel was blessed, while they slew them; then they sought Him, and remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their Redeemer. The sorest word ever spoken to them, I think, was, "Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more". But, though silly sheep still, though still straying, counting the cost, we can say, "Seek thy servant". Cannot we testify that love has rebuked and chastened again and again, when we have turned aside? Has He not been unwearied in preserving our faith? Though Satan has been permitted to sift, his grain of wheat has not fallen to the ground; though cast into the furnace, the refiner has sat over his treasure, because to Him the trial was precious. When sin has separated between Him and us, when idols have scattered our thoughts here and there, has He not been bent on restoring? has He not yearned over his Ephraim? Sometimes He almost breaks the heart with such a look as He gave Peter; sometimes He overcomes by passing by iniquities; sometimes by
feeding with the rod and judgments. But of this we may rest assured, -- blessed thought! -- He will restore, till we can say, in the Spirit of Him who was dumb before his shearers, "any thing with thy smile, any thing but thy frown!" I think at other times, the soul feels so unconscious of ingratitude and baseness, that its own convictions suppose displeasure in the Friend of sinners, which need a strong expression to prove it otherwise. At such times it is not sufficient to know that He is a friend; we need a smile to infuse confidence. The conscious prodigal expects a rod; his father runs, "falls on his neck, and kisses him". We cannot long read the volume of his providence, it appears to me, without experiencing this dealing; for He delights to expose the soul's proneness to expect dealing according to desert, by sparing when we deserve punishment, and in the midst of judgment remembering mercy. Alas! how slow we are in learning not to turn from, but flee to Jesus in our extremities, as our hiding-place and guide. Satan's constant aim, I think, seems to be, to lead from the simplicity which is in Christ -- Christ's to restore us to it, and lead us in it. I believe we are only wise in giving ourselves up to his guidance, and in following whithersoever He leads. Followers of a crucified One, we must expect a thorny, though a trodden path; but He will not leave till He has satisfied, yea, satisfied the hungry soul with goodness. His glory is bound up in us! His name is in us! I suppose you have seen ... since his return, who has told you all about this place. Infidelity is horrible in the world, -- more boldly avowed, I should think, than formerly. Much good
here, and nice preaching; simple, joyful, marrow of the Gospel, though not much deep experience. We need to have the enemy met in the avenues within, and overcome with a text. This is where Mr. Howels excels. Tell me some things he has said of late in his sermons.
Yours, in truth and faithfulness,
My dear friend, -- I should be pained, indeed, if you were to suppose that I have not often, often thought of and deeply felt with you in your last most trying, most peculiarly afflictive visitation. I have remembered you, where alone I could be useful; and, I doubt not, you have received some sweet drops of cordial from his faithful messenger. I trust now, as of old, you can say, "It has been good". You have had an experience of his tenderness, which you would not be without, and we know little of. He allots you the most favoured place in his church on earth, to glorify Him in the fires. Behold, how He loves! What a reality in the promises when learnt in the furnace! What pains He takes in your education! How bright He means you to shine! My dear friend, I have also most gratefully to thank you for the trouble you took for me in the long, instructive, and interesting letter you last wrote. I have also considered your fresh trial, and seen the hand of the Lord in it. Oh! is it
not well for us that the cup of consolation is not in our hands? There is One who holds it, yes, holds it for you; and though He mingles the ingredient of sickness and trial, yet there are drops from the fountain of everlasting love mingled, to sweeten the draught; and it has been sweet: yes, I know it has, and wait to hear it from your own mouth in a very few days, if the Lord conduct us in safety. My God does all things well. We cannot see it, we cannot feel it, but He has said; therefore in spite of sense, faith shall see and faith shall feel, "He does all things well". "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons". Mr. Howels says, "A father's heart is not wholly seen till it descends in tears on the rod of chastisement. He knows where to chasten, where the heart feels the rod". Sometimes He sends a rod which is light to ourselves, while a whip of scorpions to others. He also knows when to strike; takes the best opportunity of correcting us the best way; often takes to the edge of a precipice, to show us the abyss down which He could dash our hearts, till they might shiver to pieces at the bottom; and this, perhaps, when we are complaining of something else, -- some providence or dispensation. He just shows what He is able to do, to humble and chasten at the moment we require. He cannot mistake as to the matter, manner, time, or place; all are selected by infinite wisdom. Oh! "He doeth all things well". Infinite love is in the arrangement. There is the love, pity, vigilance, tenderness, anxiety, sympathy, caution; the whole head, the whole eye, the whole heart of a Father at work. None but a father can tell the feelings of a
father, when, indeed, he chastens not for the indulgence of his own temper, but for the good of the child he loves. And who can tell what the refinement, exaltation, perfection of paternal feeling is in the bosom of Him, who so loved the world as to give his only-begotten Son? That Father "who spared Him not, but gave Him up for us all, -- how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" How unsearchable must be the love of God to his poor sinful worms, when the paternal feelings for Jesus, as to the infliction of sufferings, were, (if it be not presumptuous to say) sacrificed to save his people from suffering! Oh! when we so much need the rod, shall we faint under or despise it? May it be sweet to us in the apprehension of faith, however bitter in the feeling of sense. Till I have the pleasure and profit of seeing you and your dear sister, believe in the sincere affection and sympathy of a true friend in Christ,
"Now I beseech you, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me, in your prayers to God for me, that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. The God of peace be with you".
My very dear ..... After the encouragement which your letter, received last night, gives, I lose not another day in writing. The reasons which have
kept me hitherto from doing so are various; but the reason which weighed heaviest with me was a fear of making you unhappy, without being of any use. But now you give me liberty to say what I think, and as I think much on it, I fear my letter will not be very short. It was truth you spoke when you said, I should not have encouraged it, had I known all the circumstances. I was, indeed, astonished at your reasoning, and much more at .....'s, but not the least astonished at the engagement of your affections, for this, I often told you, I expected; but I am not going to laugh at you. No, dear ....., I feel most sincerely for you. It is the fashion to laugh at and ridicule love, but when disappointed, I do think it among the most painful of the Lord's dispensations to sinners: to be the means of crushing one who loves you -- for the happiness or misery of one dear to you, to hang upon your yes or no, and yet to have to pronounce no, and thus leave an impression of ingratitude and unkindness -- to know there is one in this wilderness whose every thought is yours, miserable on your account, and yet not able even to attempt to administer comfort, -- it is very painful, especially when to this is added a long never. I am a very hardhearted creature, but there are some cases in which I can in some degree understand the command, "Weep with those who weep", and your case borders too much on my own not to sympathise with you, -- I mean when I speak of your giving it up; therefore do not think what I may say unkind. I am not ignorant what it is to give up an object tenderly beloved, but I can only say, I am not ignorant of the peace which
follows, when the lacerated soul is at length able to surrender itself, with a subdued and unruffled heart, into the arms of everlasting love, saying, "Undertake for me". This I say, believing what you have declared, for few have much affection. But, however painful the struggle, it is short and light compared with what you, in the other case, will be entailing on yourself and him. Is it happiness to disappoint the high expectations he has built upon in his union with you? or do you expect to be more amiable than our Jesus, and think you will succeed in walking consistently, and yet pleasing the world? or is the carnal mind to be expected to endure it better? Do not be angry at my speaking of him as an unbeliever; for if not now a believer, it is presumption in you to build upon his seeming anxiety on the "one thing needful". If the Bible is true, there is a rooted enemy within; and though he may admire the religion of Jesus at a distance, he cannot love to come in contact with it in every turn of life; to have it the subject of conversation, the end to which every thought, word, and action, tends. I say not this only from seeing it around, but the word of God has said it; and truly I can say from what I see, dear .... love-conversions are not to be trusted. I do not say it is hypocrisy in Mr. ... or in many others I could name; but love for the individual really deceives them into love of what is dear to that individual. It was not hypocrisy, I say in ... to admire ... because she did not join in the dance, which, joined with his being so well inclined, induced her to see no harm in following the desires of her own heart. Has
he helped her on? When such uneven weights are put into the scale of the affections, one must ascend just in proportion as the other descends. It was not hypocrisy in another in my eye, to drive with his now wife's relations constantly to town, on purpose to talk of those subjects: to come to this house, and show such anxiety as to sit up nights with dear inquiring into the truth. Alas! you could hardly now distinguish if she is a Christian or not, after holding out against the reproach of it for many years. I could mention one who spoke at all the Dublin Meetings, so zealous was he for the truth; yet, when the prize was obtained, he opposed and put a stop to her visiting the poor, or having schools -- put an extinguisher over the Lord's bright light. I could mention another, whose prayers deceived even the very elect, now contending for balls, plays, reading novels. Passing over many others, I could come nearer home, and remember letters full of the one subject, by one who never meant to deceive or could bend to deceive in his life; the glory of whose character is, and was, openness to an extreme. It was not hypocrisy; he really admired and joined in it; and continued long to join in every way, religious society, church-going, reading with and arguing with his wife, even attending the catechising the poor; and though his kindness, and love, and affection are as devoted as ever; is it happiness not to be able to speak of your Beloved, who occupies, or should occupy, your every thought, without exciting the strongest expressions of disapprobation? Is it happiness to have no communication with one always with yon -- be despising your pursuits,
you not relishing his? Is it happiness, while rejoicing in the glorious promises yourself, to feel your very joy your greatest grief, in being reminded that he who is dearer to you than your own soul, has no part or lot in the matter; fearful every time he goes out, knowing he is without God, and consequently without hope in such a world? Is this a highly coloured picture? Alas! no. How far short of what most endure; how often is it persecution; how often separation from every means of grace, every exertion, a drawing and quartering of affection: duties spiritual drawing one way, duties earthly the other; till, from necessarily opposing the will of him who expects to be obeyed, the affections of the idol loosen, and all the etc. etc. miseries ensue! If this were to be from an enemy, you might bear it, but how will you from your companion, your guide, your own familiar friend, with whom you hoped to have taken sweet counsel, and to have walked to the house of God as friends? Is it fair of you, knowing this, thus to deceive, and ruin the happiness of Mr. ..... ? Is it not better to cut it in a vein that can be healed? You will say, 'Oh, you do not know Mr. ..... or you would not so speak; he could not deceive, he is so natural'. I believe it; and, remember, I said it was not hypocrisy. From what I have heard, I believe him to be thoroughly amiable, and, I dare say, well inclined. But if you have waited for an earthly father's consent, why not for an heavenly Father's? -- why not till his good inclination end in conversion, till his seeking end in belief? Because you are sure it is God's intention to bring him to himself, and that by
your means. Really, my dear ... what are become of your reasoning faculties? Have you been let into God's counsels? and even if you have, are you to disobey his will, in order to bring them to pass? Do you remember whose work conversion is? and does He require you to do evil, that He may do good? Were you to have given yourself to him before you knew the Lord, and then expect that He would hear your prayers for him, it would be expecting abounding grace; but is it less than presumption, with open eyes to unite yourself to him now, and then expect, that since you have not fitted yourself to God, He will fit himself to you? I should fear you were leaving yourself without an argument to plead with him. Would it be excusable to run away with Mr. ... and marry him at Gretna Green, because you feel so certain your father intends to give his consent? But perhaps you will say, "The Lord has not forbidden it".
I have again considered the chapter in Corinthians. I am still of opinion that it is exactly in point. Keep in mind, there is no middle state. Read Romans 8 and see that those who are in the flesh are not in the Spirit; those in the Spirit are not in the flesh. If the evidences given of those in the Spirit (to whom alone the promises belong) are not seen in him, he is in the flesh, and he is to be considered by the Christian in the same light as an infidel, as to "Evil communications corrupting good manners". Surely, if the Israelites are so repeatedly urged not to mingle with the heathen, lest they learn their works, and are so often chastened for this sin; are we in no danger in taking such, as guide, counsellor, companion, the repository of our
every care, joy, and sorrow, the one we vow to obey? Believe me, a man will not learn from his wife. Why are the Lord's people kept so separate -- a peculiar people -- throughout the Bible? and what was the effect of their intermarriages? See both Ezra and Nehemiah. Did Solomon, with all his wisdom, lead his ungodly wives the good way? or did they lead him the bad? Is human nature changed? Why did David so repeatedly say he would not know, or even have to dwell in his house, one that is not the Lord's; that he looks upon such as his enemy, and even that his companions shall be those who fear the Lord? Is not still the path of the just a shining light? Is the way of the ungodly less darkness? Have light and darkness more communion than they had? Why does St. Paul bid us to marry only in the Lord? Is it that you shall have more advantages than at home? The Lord has settled the one, and can glorify himself in you, who are his property, bought, paid for. He has forbid the other. I do not expect you in the least to mind what I say, and I fear all this will be seen some day by Mr. ..... ; but I have said nothing against him, except that he is not now one of God's children, which I gather from yourself. I deny not but some day he may turn out a brilliant light; but whether or not, I must think it the greatest presumption for you, in his present state, to marry him. As for his being afflicted, do you mean to say that none are afflicted except the Lord's children! I wish I could think the same, and that all I have seen under stripe upon stripe, or even those who have been at the time softened by it, consequently must be safe. Alas, alas, no.
When I found writing was useless, I prayed often; but your reasoning on this also is strange. You determine if you can to walk into the fire, yet you tell me to pray that you may not be burned. Would you think it reasonable for me, were I to yield myself to the dissipations of the world, and tell you to pray that I should not be led into temptation. As to God making it out by his providences, I have answered to ...... If I were asked what I saw in his providences, I should be inclined to answer, He is emphatically asking, "Lovest thou me more than these?" You answer in words,
But you as plainly deny it in action. He says, "If you love me, keep my commandments". It is painful to flesh and blood to cut off a right hand, to pluck out a right eye; yet it is expected, and those are not worthy of Him, who are not willing to give up all, "take up their cross and follow Him". Abraham's was a painful trial of faith, when called to offer up his Isaac. Would it have proved his love, if he had said, I cannot do that; but if the Lord takes him from me, I shall be resigned? The trial of your faith must be more precious than gold, must be tried in fire, and will prove itself by giving up the idol; not in being resigned should it be denied by your Father; not, by determining, if you can, to do evil, that good may, come. As to saying you have consented, that I consider as the world's snare. You made a promise you had no right to make, and, therefore, you have no right to keep. The Lord says, Give me thine heart.
Mr. .... says, Give me thine heart. The Lord says, If you give me all, time, talents, every thing, without the heart, they will be nothing. Mr. .... says the same. You answer, I will give it to both. But stop, and remember who it is says, How can two walk together, except they be agreed? Remember who says, He will not divide the heart with Belial. Choose, then, whom you will serve. Oh, may you be able to answer in action, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.
Oh l well He knew our frame who appointed that our heaven should consist of love. It is a dangerous feeling to be trifled with? there is something so sweet in loving and being loved. All in Christ Jesus shall drink together of the draught of everlasting love, when at length we reach that ocean of love without bottom or shore: when He shall himself show us in the map of time, the line of love which has traced out our every step through this dark howling wilderness. There we shall wonder at ourselves for ever hesitating, whether He that spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us, will not with Him give us all good things.
Hoping and praying for your eternal good, whatever may happen, -- that the evil as well as the good may work for it,
Your very sincerely affectionate,
Powerscourt, 21st August, 1830.
My dear friend, -- I was most truly grieved not to find you in London when I passed through. I Counted that I should have had four days of your society, and could not help dropping a few tears of disappointment on receiving your note. I wonder if we shall ever meet again. Mrs. .... is dying. Hers is a happy lot; but, that of her devoted husband, experience tells me, will be a long, long, black and sad one: but in his light, no doubt, we shall walk through darkness. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me. It is well to have reality brought before us, to be forced even for others to seek out the promises. We discover ourselves so secure, that ingenuity and unbelief cannot find a hole for doubt to creep in. He has provided for every case, and thus proved ours to have been foreseen. I love to take the promises out of Christ, to see them lodged in his experience for our use; to remember He earned the fulness treasured up in Him -- his unsearchable riches. I believe his sympathy to be quite beyond anything that has ever entered into our hearts. He had a power of receiving his people's feeling into his own bosom, so as to wipe, as it were, their very tears. This sensibility united with his purity, brought forth a remorse, a stinging of conscience, more piercing than that of David, when he said. "I have ruined;" more bitter than that of
Peter, when "he went out and wept bitterly". It is an argument with some, that as He could not feel remorse for sin, it is vain to seek to prove that He was in all points tempted like as we are. I believe He could with truth say, "Then knowest my foolishness; my sins are not hid from thee". I believe, in Peter's denial, He felt his ingratitude as a man, and the abhorrence of his sin as God, which wrought within Him so grievous a wound. He could well say, "My wounds stink and are corrupt through my foolishness". Likewise, in his tears over Jerusalem, there was a remorse as to his own, who should crucify Him, as well as compassion for those who should remain in impenitent belief, which enabled Him also to say, "Mine iniquities are gone over my head as a heavy burden; they are too heavy for me". How mysterious his sufferings! They appear more so every day, especially when we remember that there is a depth of truth in every word He uttered, so expressed in the Psalms.
Thank your dear sister for her letter. You cannot think how much I enjoy both your letters. They are streams from the fountain of consolation, helping to make up my river of peace, consequently drops in the ocean of his glory. How blessed! that when He says, it is his will that his people should have strong consolation, He has ordained it should be communicated through his members!
I want very much to know how far I am to take the promise, "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not". I find it quite a common idea, that when I ask
for bread, I may be given a stone; for fish, I may be given a serpent; that his "liberally" means to let me run into all sorts of errors; His "not upbraiding", to deliver me up to the guidance of Satan. At least, I think, it is the same thing to say, I am not to consider what I learn in the study of Scripture, with prayer, the teaching of God.
Believe me, dear Friend,
Faithfully and affectionately yours, T. A. P.
...... It is said when He comes, shall He find faith on the earth? But while taking shame on this ground to ourselves, in having so badly used the talent entrusted to us, let us rejoice that the church is not invisible to her Lord. If it be true of the Jews, that they are "still beloved for the fathers' sake", how much more may we say, still beloved for the Son's sake: still is He left the head and husband of his church, the Saviour of the body; still does He love her, for whom He gave himself; still does He sanctify and cleanse her; still does He look forward to presenting himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, holy and without blemish; still does He love her as himself; still nourish and cherish her as members of his body, his flesh, his bones: still does He cleave to his wife, for they two are one spirit. He that is joined to the
Lord is one Spirit. As individuals, we are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty -- as his body, the church, -- his celestial bride. (See Revelation 21:9.) "This", says the Apostle, "is a great mystery!" All said of the terrestrial bride, glorified Jerusalem, is true of her spiritually, "Jerusalem from above". Though no individual, or body of individuals, is infallible, yet does infallibility dwell in her, inasmuch as all possessed of his mind, possess an infallible teacher; though no individual, or body of individuals, is omnipotent, yet does omnipotence dwell in her, inasmuch as a God of power inhabits his people; therefore the gates of hell shall not prevail. What a mysterious subject is Jesus' knowledge as man! what an interesting subject! I dare say I before wrote to you on the subject. There is a knowledge which He possesses from everlasting to everlasting, which has been ever perfect, admitting of no increase, by which his scrutinizing eye flies through earth and hell, penetrating the bosoms of the lost; but his knowledge as man, in which lie grew as He grew in years, by which He "knows his sheep", implies love. Lode brought Him into our school, led Him through every class in that school. Love educated Him into the knowledge of death and the grave. With this love, He embraced the individual temptations of all his family, so as to be able to say to all, "Come unto me, and ye shall find rest". This knowledge includes sympathy, for He remembers every lesson learned under the rod; without this knowledge, He could not hold the reigns of government, nor present millions every moment to his Father. By this knowledge, He pursues the lost with mercies, till they cast themselves
into the pit of destruction. By this knowledge, He is familiarly acquainted with all our necessities, and has experienced how we stand in need of his covenant in all its fulness, and all its perfections, every moment all his grace, all his love, all his truth, all his justice. We experience his knowledge, in the aptness by which He applies all He can confer to our multiplied intricate cases, making us at the same time capable of receiving all He has to give. Sometimes we are reminded of his knowledge, in his noticing our sins, either by throwing into our faces the sparks of hell, as when He looked at Peter; or sometimes by tenderly kissing them away, as when three times asking, "Lovest thou me?" But He learnt in order to communicate! We may hunger and thirst, for we shall at length be capacitated to receive all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hid in Him for us! Angels have no such capacity. "I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it, that", etc. etc. We desire the knowledge of our master, yet refuse the same discipline; but we are learners -- we are not ambitious enough. He expects us to learn with the celerity of instinct. Let his disciples teach us what now to expect -- to be giants in knowledge. Jesus was once an infant; He attained his size, because He eat his food, "grew in wisdom". There is something sweet in spelling out of a book, the leaves of which were cut by Him! In his school we must learn most painful lessons of dependence -- sometimes be almost flayed alive to keep us from worshipping ourselves. In his school, (I mean the one in which He was educated) we shall learn in every difficulty to turn to the Father, as
an infant in its mother's arms, at the approach of danger hides itself in the bosom of its best friend, and is happy. In his school, we shall get knowledge to learn to live, to learn to ward off ALL the fiery darts of the wicked with the shield of faith; to learn to walk on the waters, in the trials of life; to walk on burning coals in its prosperity; to learn to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fearing no evil; for his rod and his staff comfort us. From the meekness and lowly heart of our teacher, we shall learn the docility of learners, the bleating of Messiah's sheep, "I shall not want". How the Lord labours to get us to believe that as He is, so are we! Was not the glorified body of Jesus standing at the right hand of God in the light of the highest, when the apostle declared, "Our vile bodies shall be fashioned like to his?" (See Revelation 1:16; Matthew 17:2; then Matthew 13:43.) "See Him as He is, and be like Him!" (John 14:8, 9.) "Enter into the joy of our Lord". (John 17:22; Revelation 3end.) "So shall we be ever with the Lord", never tainted with sin, never clouded with sorrow, where death shall have no name, and falsehood be unknown. We shall not long have to write or speak, our eyes will be occupied fully -- our ears in ever new delight. God alone will be able to satisfy glorified ears. Your very attached friend,
Pray write soon, and empty out the full of your heart, the evils, the good, and the affections. How I love those dear creatures you are with! I hope your time may be as agreeable as mine with them.
My very dear sister in a happy family, -- We wait with much anxiety to hear from you respecting your husband. We have heard he was very ill. May you have fresh mercies to recount of our faithful God! Oh! how dependent we are on Him! how many vulnerable points! poor triflers that we are! how soon He can bring us into reality, and make us real! I trust you may not have had cause to blame me, etc. etc. Whatever is, whatever has been, whatever shall be to you is well. May you have faith to see it, in all the wanderings you may yet have before you, in this vain, this dark, howling wilderness; and when we cannot unriddle, may we learn to trust.
Yours faithfully, and with much sincere affection, T. A. P.
You have, no doubt, heard of the death of our dear ..... after five days' illness -- typhus fever; so short a time did he enjoy what he was so happy in being spared! Vanity of vanities! His poor wife is every day expecting her confinement, but altogether satisfied with her Father's determination concerning her: love sent it, not only love for time, but for
eternity. "How true, life is but a vapour". Every thing which tends to aggravate a trial seems more loudly to speak the amazing love which sends itdeep love. When He smites, it is to wound, to cause pain, not for his pleasure, but for our profit. It is "through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom". They on whom the Lord most bestows trouble here, will shine most brightly in the kingdom -- polished stones, fit for the royal diadem; -- tribulation of every kind -- not merely persecution for the Lord's sake, but tribulation; and who partook of all so much as the King of glory! The troubles incident to humanity, Jesus made his own; all were appropriated by Him, -- found in the cup He drank of, and were the essence of the baptism which He was baptized with; to which cup and baptism we are invited. This love threatened to send her last year into the upper chambers of our Father's house, and has actually called him; and if the Lord comes not, though she will not see Him with these eyes till then, she will soon also leave these vaults, and ascend to the house-top. What an advantage he has over us! Another sheaf housed, another witness added to the cloud around. It was in ministering to the bodily wants of the poor, he took his fever. How full of wonder, all his church will be, when at the last, the manifold wisdom of God shall be exhibited in the individual and collective salvation and glory of his people.
Most decidedly yours,
Loved in the Lord and in the flesh, THEODOSIA A. POWERSCOURT.
My dear Mr. ..... How does your throat get on? I fear not better. This is just what we need -- these little changes -- to be taught to make use of the promises. Too apt to be satisfied with enjoying his word, while reading and meditating on it, then go away and forget it till the next stated time returns therefore, it is well to be scratched on the way with little briers, that we may be sent for healing to "It is written", to be made to feed on promises all the way. He creates an appetite for this divine food, then fills the hungry soul with good things; sweet to have a care that we may cast it on Him. I believe it is not his will that we should merely draw upon our bank of consolation, large sums we think worth drawing for, but He wills that we should return again and again, for every shilling and sixpence. We cannot trouble Him, and surely never does He deal more tenderly, than when expecting us to trust in things about which He has made no agreement; for no greater proof is there of affection than to confide in love.
We know the Lord! therefore can leave ourselves to Him without asking for an explanation till the day of hallelujah. This much we are sure of, every cup our Father puts into the hands of his children must be a cup of blessing, because more or less the communion of the blood of Christ; it infuses health before we drink, therefore given with Him, every curse is turned into blessing, every blessing
kept from being a curse. I cannot pity you in being shut up, for you have so large, so beautiful a field of meditation to walk in -- Christ crucified -- Christ applied -- Christ glorified! He hath done great things for us? Great things are spoken of us! Oh! may we be enabled to keep his end in view simply as our end; namely, his glory. For so admirably has He interwoven his glory and our happiness, that while our happiness constitutes his glory, his glory constitutes our happiness; and never shall we know what true satisfaction is, till we cease to fight to be gods, and take our place as nothing -- till self is lost in the "all in all" of God. .... Excuse this long letter, but I was reading, that it is our Father's will his children should have strong consolation, and I thought it would be a nice thing to be a rivulet of comfort, helping to make up your peace as a river, and thus be also a drop in the ocean of his glory.
Yours very truly,
My dear Mr. ..... I heard yesterday you were not well. I hope it is nothing more than cold, and that you have not laid in your hoarseness for the winter; not only for our sakes, but it must be a trial to the friend of the Bridegroom, to be unable to nourish and comfort his friend's bride, especially when, in entrusting him with so precious a charge
during his absence, He has manifested such a confiding affection -- "Lovest thou me? Feed my sheep". Well, you have one more difficult task than either defending or supporting her; that is, comforting her. She so often asks, "Watchman, what of the night? Why tarry the wheels of his chariot?" She so often complains, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me". She so often needs to be reminded, that He has indeed left this message with you for her, that "the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee", -- "I will never leave thee", -- and to be urged, "Though He tarry, wait for Him; for He will come, and not tarry". May you be much cheered in contemplating the day of the Bridegroom's return, when you shall restore your precious charge, when your joy shall be fulfilled in hearing his voice, and receiving, "Well done, good and faithful servant", etc. How I should like to be a minister! .............
My dear Mr. .... I have been dwelling a good deal lately on the sweetest of all subjects -- our union with Jesus. It is a holy and mysterious subject; but since our teacher is one who searcheth the
deep things of God, is it not our privilege to venture under his guidance into all revealed, even into the Most High; to walk about and consider this our habitation, and call all within our own! Whatever declares the identification of Jesus with us, also witnesses to our identification with Him. He was educated and disciplined in every thing. He was taught by the Spirit; led the path of faith, not only for our sakes, but our inheritance. We have an interest in his person, as well as in his office and character. We must live in God, inhale his breath; for, like the sun, we can only know Him by his own influence proceeding from himself. How holy would be our walk! how much of the atmosphere of heaven we should diffuse around, if we always came forth into the world, from the secret place of the Most High, as our abiding place. What a field of delight this opens to us in the anticipation of our own loveliness, full of grace and truth, like Jesus! heirs of all the wealth of Him who is God -- precious in itself, doubly precious from being his. But not only future delights, but present privileges; for united to Him, though a beggar in rags, yet in graces, is not the believer this moment our dear Brother in embryo? I speak not of Jesus our Lord, as God over all -- the "I am", or "My Fellow;" neither as "the Word", who was "in the beginning with God", "by whom all things were made;" who came out from the Father, to testify what He had seen and heard. But the union which, as Jesus of Nazareth, He possessed, when, anointed with the Holy Ghost, and with power, He went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed,
LETTER 2
T. A. HOWARD.
LETTER 3
LETTER 4
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 5
LETTER 6
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 7
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 8"Cry and groan beneath afflictions,
Yet to dread the thoughts of ease".
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
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T. A. POWERSCOURT.
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T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 12"If such the views which grace unfolds,
Weak as it is below,
What rapture must the church above
In Jesus' presence know!"
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 13 -- To live is Christ! am I resigned to live
When Christ is with me, holds me by the hand,
Follows my footsteps, watches by my bed,
Bids the warm tear of grateful exultation,
Washing the stain the tear of sorrow leaves,
And makes some evil seem so like to good,
I scarce can call it by another name.
I hope I am resigned the harder task to bear --
The plague of a rebellious heart,
To bear to wrong the Being I adore,
To love Him, and yet forget Him, to desire
His presence more than all the things of earth,
And yet neglect and use it for their sakes.
To seek for holiness, and find but sin,
To war against myself, and long to be --
Yet feel I am not -- what my Maker is.
To die is gain! am I resigned to die?
IT IS NOT SO; that cannot be the word
That speaks the Christian's feelings when she hears
The distant sound of her Redeemer's foot
Hasting to fetch her to her Father's throne;
When the first beam from heaven's unclosing gate
Falls on her path, to light her to her home,
And angels' voices vibrate on her ear,
Preparing songs to greet her welcome there.
T. A. P.
LETTER 14
T. A. P.
LETTER 15
LETTER 16
LETTER 17
LETTER 18
LETTER 19
LETTER 20
LETTER 21
LETTER 22
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 23
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 24
THEODOSIA A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 25"Maternal love alone
Preserves them first and last;
Their parents' arms, and not their own,
Were those that held them fast".
LETTER 26"Less than thyself will not suffice,
My comfort to restore;
More than thyself I cannot crave,
And thou canst give no more".
THEODOSIA POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 27
LETTER 28
T. A. P.
LETTER 29
LETTER 30
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 31"Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there". "For ease should I praise? -- but if only for this
I should leave half untold the donation of bliss;
I praise thee, I bless thee, my King and my God,
For the good and the evil thy hand hath bestowed".
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 32
T. A. P.
LETTER 33
LETTER 34
T. A. P.
LETTER 35
T. A. P.
LETTER 36
THEODOSIA A. POWERSCOURT..
LETTER 37
T. A. P.
LETTER 38 "Give what thou canst, without thee I am poor;
With thee rich, take what thou wilt away". "Above the rest this note shall swell -- My Jesus hath done all things well".
T. A. P.
LETTER 39
LETTER 40
T. A. P.
LETTER 41
LETTER 42
LETTER 43
T. A. POWERSCOURT.
LETTER 44
LETTER 45