When Sorrow Comes
205
then will you also appear with Him, clothed with immortality and
eternal life. Do you behold His glory in your failing strength, full of
grace, mercy, and peace? And do you turn to Him like the needle to
the magnet?
Your days may not all be clear and joyful, but let not this afflict you.
In meekness, faith, and endurance, wait, hope, and trust. Your life is
hidden with Christ in God. Your life, even now, may be a lesson to all,
showing that one can be happy in the failing of strength under affliction.
When the deep waters go over the soul, God’s presence makes holy
the chamber of His dying saints. Their patient endurance and joyful
constancy, their support by an unseen power, is a powerful testimony in
favor of the Christian’s religion and the Christian’s Saviour. These light
afflictions will be a transforming power, refining, purifying, ennobling,
and fitting for the courts above.
Oh, the Christian’s last days may be fragrant because the beams of
the Sun of righteousness shine through the life, diffusing a perpetual
fragrance. Oh, what reason have we for joy that our Redeemer poured
out His precious blood on the cross as an atonement for sin, and by His
obedience to death brought in everlasting righteousness. You know
that today He is at the Father’s right hand, a Prince of life, a Saviour.
There is no other name wherein you can trust your eternal interests,
but in Christ you may rely fully, implicitly. Christ has been loved by
you, although your faith has sometimes been feeble and your prospects
confused. But Jesus is your Saviour. He does not save you because
you are perfect, but because you need Him and in your imperfection
have trusted in Him. Jesus loves you, my precious child. You may
[219]
sing,
“Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.”—
Letter 46, 1879
.
Death of a Husband
Written to Mrs. Fannie Ashurst Capehart, “Westmoreland,” Wash-
ington Heights, Washington, D.C
.
My dear sister,