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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in
any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of
God.” As Paul felt the comfort and warmth of God’s love breaking
into his soul, he reflected the blessing upon others. Let us so order our
conduct that the pictures hung upon the walls of our memory may not
be of such a character that we cannot endure to reflect upon them.
After those with whom we associate are dead, there will never be
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an opportunity to recall any word spoken to them, or to wipe from the
memory any painful impression. Then let us take heed to our ways,
that we do not offend God with our lips. Let all coldness and variance
be put away. Let the heart melt into tenderness before God, as we
recall His merciful dealings with us. Let the Spirit of God, like a holy
flame, burn away the rubbish that is piled up at the door of the heart,
and let Jesus in; then His love will flow out to others through us, in
tender words and thoughts and acts. Then if death parts us from our
friends, to meet no more till we stand at the bar of God, we shall not
be ashamed to have the record of our words appear.
When death closes the eyes, when the hands are folded upon the
silent breast, how quickly feelings of variance change! There is no
grudging, no bitterness; slights and wrongs are forgiven, forgotten.
How many loving words are spoken of the dead! How many good
things in their life are brought to mind! Praise and commendation are
now freely expressed; but they fall upon ears that hear not, hearts that
feel not. Had these words been spoken when the weary spirit needed
them so much, when the ear could hear and the heart could feel, what
a pleasant picture would have been left in the memory! How many,
as they stand awed and silent beside the dead, recall with shame and
sorrow the words and acts that brought sadness to the heart now forever
still! Let us now bring all the beauty, love, and kindness we can into
our life. Let us be thoughtful, grateful, patient, and forbearing in our
intercourse with one another. Let the thoughts and feelings which find
expression around the dying and the dead be brought into the daily
association with our brethren and sisters in life.
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