IN these days of infidelity and doubt, truths expressed as in the following letter, are surely well calculated to arrest the attention and challenge the security of the skeptic. During the days of health and strength, in the bustle and activities of life, the reason of such may be satisfied, and the conscience lulled to sleep. Still, even then, there must always be a sense of want and need; and when life here is over, and ETERNITY is at hand, to what can the unbelieving doubter turn then? If this should meet the eye of one such, let him know God is herewith beseeching him to be reconciled to Him, before the dawn of a dark eternity into which no message of pardon can penetrate. Oh! poor sinner, be wise today. See from this simple statement, “the great peace” experienced in the dread hour of death, and all through “the unspeakable value of the precious blood of Christ,” through the realization He suffered “all for me.” For there must be personal acceptance of the remedy, as there is personal responsibility for its non-acceptance, you know you cannot reason away the reality of the life and peace expressed by this dying Christian, any more than you can your own great need of the same.
“Beloved Mrs. B—, I have been wishing and intending to write to you; but today I feel as if my time were so very short, I shall postpone it no longer. Dear Friend, you know how near the glory I am. You will rejoice, because I can humbly say with my precious Saviour, through His infinite grace, I go to the Father. Oh! just think what that is, we can form no idea, only adore, adore.
I never suffered more than yesterday, but He was sufficient—He was enough. That verse in the 22nd Psalm was a comfort, as showing how my beloved Lord could sympathize by experience in far more pain. ‘I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.’ Oh! the agony! and all for me. What a relief to come to His burst of praise for resurrection-deliverance in the 1St verse, ‘Thou hast heard me,’ &c.—and His reward, ‘all the ends of the earth shall turn to the Lord.’ I shall be waiting in heaven for that inconceivable glory of His coming with His saints.
“I hope your dear little Mary is well, and growing up in the Lord’s fear and love.
Kiss her for me. Don’t expect more than a child’s religion from her; not fruits before blossoms. I have known so many parents tease themselves in this way. Oh! the early training is what tells; the atmosphere of unfailing integrity and piety. What memories we all have of our beloved home and its holy heads. Scarce a day those blessed examples do not stimulate or reprove—being dead, they yet speak, those dear parents.
“Dear Mrs. B— I wish I could convey to you any idea of the great peace my God has poured into my soul. Oh! His promises are true to the utmost, there is not one bit of exaggeration in the strongest, which some people have called Bible hyperboles.
Oh! how we shall say, ‘the half has not been told us;’ no, not the half of what He can give, even in this world, of joy and peace. His name be praised forever. Our redemption draweth nigh. Oh! only for this miserable physical weakness, what a song of triumph I could sing. Oh! the unspeakable value of the Precious Blood. Oh! the love before the foundation of the world! What an anchor! How is the Christian ever cast down, how does he ever wear a spirit of heaviness. Oh! many a day I wore it, and was a miserable backslider under its chilling influence, a lukewarm, and, therefore, an unhappy Christian. Nothing is truer than it is the joy of the Lord is strength; may you have a great deal of this cordial, you and your husband; give him my love, tell him to stand up more than ever for his Lord.
“How deeply drawn I feel to all the Lord’s people. Sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty! let us bear ourselves as princes, and no more scrape together straws and dust with the muck-rake, disregarding the crown hung over us; not that we want a crown; oh! no, only to cast before His feet—His pierced feet. I wonder how soon I shall see Him; oh! what promotion for this poor miserable sinner. It is wonderful how He has stilled all earthly longings and pangs: even that of parting with my best beloved, my most dear sisters and brothers. Oh! my blessed God, how shall I praise Thee; how shall I shrink from any suffering He allots?
“Dearest Mrs. B—, farewell till the morning breaks, and the shadows flee away. Surely it is coming, surely we shall see the King in His beauty.
“Your affectionate friend eternally, because He has linked us.
“W. H. W.”
And oh! Christian reader, the same peace and joy and unhindered communion with your Lord it is your privilege to enjoy. The one who thus wrote was an ordinary Christian—may your experience be the same. Remember all things are yours, both life and death. See that you walk worthy of Him to whom, through death and resurrection, you are now united in ascended glory, and you shall prove more than a conqueror through Him who loved you. R. B.