Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

him, dear and faithful man, were much revived in my own mind; and I thought much of him on the day of the burial. I bless the Giver of all good that I have sat under his ministry; and I remember that the tenor of it often was,-the shortness and vanity of earthly enjoyments and trials, the certainty and speed of death, and the goodness and grace that visits and would gather all unto God, the eternal excellency. My soul is profitably instructed whilst I write; and that may be the best use of my writing to thee, my dear, valued, and now ancient friend and brother, who hast so often helped me to think of these things; and who, I fully trust and believe, art looking for, and desiring at times the winding up of all things, that are transitory and perishable. O! that we who are young, may so tread in the footsteps of the path of the just, that we may be prepared to fill up the vacated seats in the militant church, of those who are gone before, and who have filled up their measure of enduring. As to my poor self, if any thing may be said, it should be but a middling account,-as hitherto, for a long season past; often surrounded with fears and failings, sensible of short comings, and a pensioner on that forbearance and pity, which is not enough (I fear) regarded and remembered. Watchfulness unto that which is good, seems to me the great thing in the work; I am sensible we can thus only walk worthy of our vocation, and privileges.

ΤΟ

Penzance, Ninth Month, 1822.

My beloved partner's present state is comparatively very free from suffering, or from symptoms that cause uneasiness. After eight months of vicissitude in London, she was removed to Cheltenham, where she

had some drawbacks from the climate, which was cold and changeable, also at Clifton, where we rested. But, through a merciful hand, by which she seemed directed to a religious physician, she was soon so much relieved, that we could set forward on our journey into Cornwall, being very anxious to do so; though from the severity of the attack, it seemed as if we should hardly be able to winter here.I trust we are both holding on our way, and partaking at times of the brook by the way,-blessed be the great Name, the Giver of life, and of all our many blessings! We seem remarkably resigned and prepared for whatever may be meted out; though we have our trials, and besetments, and infirmities.

On the 23rd of Sixth Month, 1823, my dearly beloved partner passed away to her blessed eternal rest in the Lord Jesus Christ, the beloved of her soul and her Redeemer. On the 29th, the poor body was committed to the earth, to return to the dust as it was. (She died at Marazion, in Cornwall, and her remains were interred in Friends' burying ground, at that place.) At the grave's mouth, I was strengthened to utter these words in public, on bended knees :-Blessing, glory, honour, thanksgiving, and praise, be given unto thee, O! Father of mercies, and God of all consolation! both for that thou hast given, and for that thou hast taken into thy resting place; Amen, O! Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight:-thy holy will be done!' The Lord did marvellously regard and strengthen me: He will be my guide and refuge, even to the end; surely he will, saith my soul. The Lord doth daily help and comfort me; he is with me a poor creature, and his strength is manifested in my abundant weakness: He is my portion, even for ever!

N

CHAPTER X.

16th of Eighth Month, 1823.

I resume this little book after a long interval, and one marked, as perhaps no other part of my life has hitherto been. O! mighty is the Lord, and able to sustain ;-able also to finish his own glorious work in us, either by allowing us a longer continuance here, or by taking us away to himself. The Lord be praised for all!—even in that dispensation which is still so bitter to nature; but through his own consolation and strength it is wonderfully made tolerable. Yea, life is pleasant; and this world or earth is his footstool,-a place He has glorified by his presence from age to age, -a place where, at all times, and in all the parts of it, we may see traces of his goodness to poor man, and tokens of what he will do in a better place for those that love and serve him. Come then, O! my soul, take thy blessed privilege on this earth, and serve him with a joyful cheerful heart; for He reigneth over all, and nothing happens but by his gracious providence.. All is limited, even the evil one; and all trials and troubles are restrained by his permission, and converted to the good of his chosen ones, his children. O! He has taken my dear companion into the rest he had prepared for her; I can bless his name, for I believe he will never leave me, until he has consummated his glorious purpose and promise, in my heavenly translation to eternal joy and peace unspeakable. Now know I, that He, the Most High, is able to perfect that which concerneth me,-is able to do all things for me,

-able to prepare me for his glory, and to support me in life and in death;-able also soon to cut short my day's work, to give me a release, and to make good a wonderful provision to those that shall come after me; turning their mourning into joy, as he has done my sorrow for my beloved earthly friend. Thus, and more also, will He do for them, and not forsake them. Though He is invisible, yet He manifests himself through his dear Son, even by the eternal Spirit; He is with his always, even to the end of the world; and his are those that choose him for their portion, falling in with his offers and visitations. Even the wicked he visits by his rebukes and judgments; and when they turn at his rebukes, he heals their backslidings, loving them freely.

I thought I received something like a summons to the eternal city two days ago; when it may be confirmed and accomplished, I know not: but a great solemnity, and much sweetness have since prevailed in my mind; insomuch that it seems as if his wonderful power had effected a willingness to go or to stay, as He wills, who is the God of my life, and who can and does make life sweet; and who will also take away the bitterness of death itself, and no doubt will make up all, to those that remain, as he has done to me. O! that all may be faithful to him! He is wonderful in his dealings to the children of men, not only by what are called his providences, but also by his grace.

To E. J.

Marazion, 15th of Eighth Month, 1823.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

As a proof that I think of thee, as of many, other beloved Friends often, when it is well with me,-I take my pen at the present season; being

reminded of our fellowship in years that are past, and wonderfully encouraged and confirmed as to the ground of it; also fully believing that our progress in the heavenly way, will not be suffered to be much impeded by any of those things which are permitted to try and discourage us. Oh! the ancient, mighty Hand of goodness is not shortened, is not withheld, in its gracious dealings and dispensations towards us; but is able to lift us up above all the obstructions which may dismay, is able to save to the uttermost,-can give the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise and of salvation for the spirit of heaviness,-can do exceeding abundantly above all that the soul is capable of asking or of thinking: and he will surely be our guide, even unto the end.

Thy kind letter, dear E., was no intrusion, but a comfort to me in my sore affliction. No one that has not witnessed such a time, can tell, how welcome are even a few lines from a dear friend: though they may excite afresh the tear of affectionate sorrow, they serve again and again, to remind one of, and to refer one afresh to, that inexhaustible source of consolation and of joy eternal, which can make up to us, all we can suffer in our passing along through life.

I need not to thee enlarge on the bitterness of this bereaving blow thou knowest a little of my long and heavy train of trials; how acute was my sense of sympathy for my beloved earthly friend, under every increase and variation of her sufferings. Well!-the great Disposer of all things has dealt very gently with us; he has cut the work short in righteousness and peace, as respects the better part; and has put a period to all sorrow, sickness, and sin as regards herself; giving her abundantly more than this world could afford, even in the utmost prosperity :-He has likewise bestowed on

« ForrigeFortsæt »