LETTER III.
Valley of Achor, Jan. 10, 1819
To the Same.
DEAR SIR,
I hope you are all well in health. I have been poorly in body and mind, but have been supported; his left hand I found was under my head, but I wanted his right hand to embrace me; the one is daily manifested, and the other is always wanted, though but seldom felt. Yet he has embraced us, and Solomon says, there is a time to embrace, and there is a time to refrain from embracing. Christ received us to the glory of God in the eternal covenant. The Father draws us to Christ, by giving us to feel our sinful state, our weakness and wants; and then by setting before us his dear Son in his ability and willingness to save. In his light we see him, desire him, move in heart after him, and long for a smile of his approbation—to feel it, and enjoy it, knowing that eternal life is in it. These workings of the mind are often attended with fears, bondage, doubts, and misgivings, and these rise as hope gets down; but as faith gathers strength, so we rise above these doubts. This has been my experience for many years, and I have now a good opportunity of watching it. Some, indeed, get to land upon the broad planks of the promises, and sensible manifestations of divine love; but myself, and many more, will arrive as safe home, only by getting hold of a few scattered truths, which we love and embrace. Receive the truth, and the truth shall make you free. And one truth is—I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy sins.—We are all much tried, but it is our appointed lot—discouraged because of the way. And are these the blessings we expect? Is this the lot of God’s elect? Yes; this lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing is of the Lord.—Let this note be read to dear Mrs. H. Grace be with you all.
So prays,
Ruhamah.
LETTER IV.
Valley of Achor, May 21, 1819.
To the Same.
DEAR SIR,
When you have read these letters, be so kind as to send one to the Post Office, and the other, if you could call on Mrs. L—, she would take it kind, as she is indisposed. She was confined many weeks, and no one in the Church knew it, or else they would have visited her. I wish I was able, but even then I should feel no desire, except the Lord gave it me. When we are in bondage of spirit, the heart is contracted, and we can feel for no one but ourselves; but when love operates, and keeps the heart open, we can then sympathize with the Lord’s afflicted ones; our hearts are enlarged to them, to their Lord, and to the truth as it is in Jesus. As these sweet sensations of love are felt, we melt and mourn. These are the sweetest moments of my life, and many such I have had these three weeks past. These cause me songs in the house of my pilgrimage, yet I cannot sing, I can only look on, and wonder, while the Angel does marvellously before me. I am but low in body, and a sweet lowness of mind, and here I am most safe: I beg for the increase of it, but I am fearful of losing it, knowing that the Son of Man is at times taken away: then do we fast in those days. But we are getting home—happy meeting by and by—
There may I meet my sincere friends,
Amidst the ransom’d throng;
Where love and friendship have no end,
And you will join the song.
Love to Mrs. H. and Children—excuse haste.
Your’s,
Ruhamah.