One thing, I feel just as strong in the faith as ever, perhaps stronger in supporting and commending.
Beloveds, is there not a need for you and I to be alive? I know there Is for me, blessed be His name; is it a time to hunt an easier way, is it a time to make the way broader? do we need no longer to walk by faith?
Faith is the gift of God, it is a precious gift, and we know do we not, as we look back that we have known something of it?
How I have thanked God, how my heart has been filled with praise, unto Him again and again, till I had to go aside and weep tears of joy, for His unspeakable gift of a most precious wife, and it was in faith, and for forty-two years, we walked together faithfully. Now as I must walk alone in that respect, if He gives me strength and faith, and an increased amount as one, I would fill up the time in calling to my beloved brothers and sisters everywhere, to call upon our Heavenly Father to grant us faith and faithfulness, that faith which would overcome, and that faithfulness that would cause us to be clear in His divine sight.
What is it that hinders, my beloved friends, (I say beloved I believe truthfully, for as I am raised up miraculously, I feel a fresh measure of love to every one) is it that we do not know, that we have not been shown? or that we have not sought to know, sought to be born into the kingdom ?
God loves us, that is sure, for "He so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son--" [John 3:16] how can we help but respond with love for Him, and this love will beget in us a desire to please Him, a desire to do nothing to displease Him. Nothing can be wrong that is his will, it is always something else, something of man, or in the will of man that makes trouble.
The path of Truth is a straight path, it is the path that Christ walked, though it led Him to the cross and to death, but blessedness for Himself and for all who believe and follow even the poor thief on the cross.
Revival in the earth has been prophesied, read Thomas B. Gould's last hours, read Francis Howgill's remarkable sight, the heavenly sight of God's people, (we are intended to be) revival must begin at one, it is more worthless to us if it does not include us, and if it includes us then a chief object is obtained, for, "The work begins at home but it does not end there."
We remember the blind man in the Scriptures had scales over his eyes that had to be removed ere he could see plainly, and again the Jews that said they saw, the Saviour told them therefore they were blind.
Are we in anywise blind? are we willing also to go to the Saviour that we may see, and await to see clearly? It is a great attainment to await till we do see.
The world, the flesh and the devil are our enemies, the world will reward us well if we serve it. Do we forget the things of this life are to be servants to us in serving the Lord, they are to help us but not to hinder, and the devil uses anything that will hinder us in our allegiance to God, to take our attention from Him.
But beloved, God is over all if we let Him, and will make us more than conquerors as we trust Him, as we are told, "Acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will direct our paths." [Proverbs 3:5-8.]
Do not consider me, I am a poor weak creature, begging for daily bread, but if there is a spark of life kindled, then look unto the Lord, who is calling, who is inviting, for oh remember the prophecy,--"For unto us a child is born! unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end." [Isaiah 9:6]
It is a great thing for ones life to know the government is upon His shoulder, think of it, He orders it, He preserves from straying in which there is a hope of being in the pathway "which is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." [Proverbs 4:18.] It is then we come into the relationship of Friends, for, "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you." [John 15:14.]
With love and sympathy, your friend,