A chief failing which is constantly dwelt upon in her writings is that of her own sinfulness. I will not refer to any more passages of her Journal, but we may gather this from those already cited. This sense of sinfulness, distinct from a mere regret at the inconvenience and disgrace of sin, must form the foundation of a sound religious state; ‘against thee, thee only have I sinned,’ was David’s feeling. Thus it was with Elizabeth Cullingham also. Notwithstanding her meek and holy walk, and the conscientious feeling which she had of the uprightness of her motives, she felt the deceitfulness of her heart, and the sinfulness of her state in the sight of God; and that she had within her a root of bitterness, which continually brought condemnation, and which required the constant renewal of the Holy Ghost to overcome.
But in this, ‘her fervent spirit laboured. Here she fought, and here obtained fresh triumphs o’er herself.’ Still the sinfulness of her nature was a subject continually present in her mind. She mourned over it; she strove against it; and it was a constant burden, which only the cross of Christ could enable her to bear.
But a second feeling which dwelt in her mind, and which produced the most important practical consequences was, that God is reconciled to sinners through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and received in the heart by Faith. The doctrine conveyed by this view of religion was the foundation stone on which her peace, and liberty in prayer, and holiness rested. “Ye,” says the Apostle, “who were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for he is our peace,” and “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Although constantly cast down by the sense of her sinfulness, Elizabeth was enabled, as constantly to look by faith to the Atonement; and if her sense of sin, by reason of the assaults of Satan, became greater as she advanced in years, yet with it, her hope of pardon increased, so that in the end, she felt an assurance that an ‘entrance would be ministered unto her abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of her Lord and Saviour.’ On the doctrine of the Atonement moreover was founded her comfort in prayer, for it was only as she felt that God was willing to accept her as a returning child, that she was enabled to ask with confidence. But in this belief, she was enabled to go to God, with the simplicity of a child. She felt that he, who as a Father had redeemed her, was now willing freely to give her all things. Moreover, this doctrine was the foundation of her holiness, as she believed that she was not pardoned by any work of her own, so she was not tempted to measure her goodness towards God by a rule, or standard which she judged might constitute his requirements; but her aim was rather to serve Him in the measure in which she loved Him, with all her heart, and mind, and soul, and strength. If she had felt that she had been justified by works, she would have sought only to have done those works which might have secured her pardon; but now, being justified by faith, its constant attendant, constraining love, was begotten in the mind, and she felt that there was nothing she did not long to devote to the service of her God and Saviour.
One other doctrine was a source of the greatest comfort and benefit to her, it was a belief in the converting, consoling power of the Holy Ghost. Her dependence for growth in Christian graces, was alone on the power of the Holy Spirit; the love of the Spirit seemed to dwell in her heart, and she was most anxious not to lose this holy influence by sin, or by doubts, or unwillingness to receive his Holy influences.
Her whole creed and course of conduct, may be said to have been very simple. It was that directed by the Church, to which she was greatly attached, and which she followed with a holy, humble, obedient mind. Her aim was constantly to lead a serious, practical, quiet life, she meddled very little with the world, she aimed to live above it. Her chief desire was to be a follower of Christ, according to the station in which she had been placed.
But I now wish to add a word on the choice which she so deliberately made of a life dedicated to religion, and the advantages which resulted to her from it.
How many refuse to take the course of religious duty, thinking its pursuits irksome, its reward in no wise tending to present, whatever they may do to future, comfort. But I may venture to assert, from the constant demeanour of our departed friend, that although her course was one of conflict and of trial, it was still one of substantial peace and comfort; and if she had not the joys which the world esteems, she had others which never left her, till she exchanged them for higher and purer delights. She early learned that young people, who fancy that substantial enjoyment is only to be found in the ordinary pleasures of life, make a great mistake. There may be much of indulgence or of excitement in worldly gratifications, and those who seek them may reap a present pleasure from them, but substantial happiness is alone to be found in religion. For this is a happiness which does not depend on external circumstances, it is the same in all states of life, and usually it rises higher when the hour of trial and of sickness comes on, which deadens the present enjoyments of life, and overwhelms the senses. It makes the cup run over even in the deepest desolations which the Christian is called to pass through.
But O how incomparably more blessed is her state now, and will be in all eternity, than if she had followed another course in life! She now regrets nothing she suffered, by which the work of God in her own soul was carried on; she rejoices to have borne the cross, inasmuch as it hath worked for her a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. All the seed of good which for years she was permitted to sow, she now reaps, and the fruit of it shall all be gathered into the garner of God.
If then she found the way of religion to be a way of pleasantness, and a path of peace, and if now she is reaping a good reward for the confession of Christ, we have the same way opened by which to return to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is at hand to teach us, to enlighten, to strengthen, to comfort, to direct us in prayer. Let no one refuse the offer which the Gospel makes of its blessings. Let all, without delay, hasten to give themselves up to the service of Christ, not doubting but ‘if they are stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, their labour will not be in vain in the Lord.’
THE END.