“O may Jesus be glorified in your precious soul, so as to be your wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption! We were reading and meditating this evening on Colossians ii. wherein Jesus is set forth as our all—the sun, the centre, and fountain of all our bliss. Whatsoever we want we find in Him, and are as the Apostle says ‘complete in him.’ In Him we are circumcised by putting away the body of sin, which is the true spiritual circumcision when we are buried, by being baptized in His Name, in Him we are raised from the dead by believing in Him and His divine resurrection, by Him we are quickened with a true sense of the paternal favour of God, having our sins pardoned. If then we have all in our Divine Redeemer, how just and comfortable is the conclusion that we are not to look out for any happiness in the new moons, etc. Why should we run to the shadow having and possessing the body? Why should we complain of want of comfort and strength, having Jesus? Let us stir up one another to a faithful adhering to the fountain of all our bliss. But let us receive Him entirely as our all—love, serve and glorify Him as such by our whole life.”
His mind has been dwelling upon the exhortation of St. Paul that we “be strong in the Lord.” He knows what it is to meet with powers of darkness and enemies which are for ever attacking him without and within. But he takes heart and admonishes his friend to be faithful.
“Let us stand, therefore, having our loins girt about with truth. The truth of the Gospel, particularly concerning the Author of our salvation, is like a girdle that will keep close and, as it were, unite our strength. But as the principal truth of the Gospel concerneth the righteousness of Jesus Christ, let us above all take and put on that perfect righteousness as a ‘breast plate’ which covers our breast and screens our conscience, so that no accusation or condemnation can reach and disturb it. And as the Gospel contains and sets forth that glorious righteousness of Christ let ‘our feet be shod with the preparation of peace.’ When our enemies deride our relying on the righteousness of Christ and ask us from whence we have it, let us say ‘So it is written.’”
In a subsequent letter he has been referring to the dismissal of some one, unworthy doubtless, from the work. He believes that God will bring good even out of this evil.
“Whatever we do let us do it with humility and submit the whole to God who can mend and rectify what is amiss. When I read the Evangelists, particularly the speeches of our Saviour to His disciples towards the latter end of His ministry, I think they consist mostly of admonitions to humility. And when we consider how long God has borne with us, I think we should not soon lose patience when we endeavour to mend others. Yesterday we treated in church of Ephesians vi. 1-6. To walk worthy of our vocation or calling, how necessary! And in order to do so, humility is placed in the front. Meekness follows as a consequence and forbearance. O may the Spirit of Christ lead and strengthen us at all times.”
After quoting from his Greek Testament those wonderful verses in St. John’s Gospel, chapter xvii. 3, 11, 14, 18, 21, he urges again the blessing of unity, writing: “Let us, therefore, according to that heavenly pattern and divine admonition, strive to be one, one in doctrine, one in adhering to Christ, one in loving Him, one in despising and renouncing the world, one in loving one another, and one in bearing the cross. As God has made us equal in the share of the most glorious benefits of the Gospel, one baptism, one hope, one glorious Redeemer, so He has thereby designed us to be the same in brotherly love. And as without joint prayer that brotherly love cannot be kept in proper vigour, let us endeavour to keep up that holy exercise.”
With Schwartz the practice of brotherly love was part of his daily life, it seemed natural to him to show charity and to make no difference in dealing with native or European. It was his custom at the meetings of the missionaries for worship and prayer to admit the natives and in not a few instances it was seen that good results followed this practice. It will be sufficient to mention one case of which Schwartz makes a note in his journal:
“Here I had a few days ago an example which pleased me very much though attended with trouble. A young man of twenty-four years, of the Shraf caste, resolved to visit us at an evening prayer—heard the word of God explained, joined in prayer, meditated what to do—came to a settled resolution to join the despised people of God. Not poverty, not quarrel, but a desire of being happy inspired him. He was engaged to marry a young woman, the daughter of a rich man at Seringapatam. The day of their wedding was appointed. He told his mother that he would fain marry the girl but not with idolatrous rites. The mother said, ‘I wish I had killed you as soon as you were born, etc.’ All this happened before his being baptized. The relations got him cunningly and kept him a close prisoner; but he found opportunity of making his escape and came hither to Tanjore. His mother and others made a great noise and came and begged I would not admit him. I replied in the presence of the Brahmins and a number of people that I never forced anybody and that I could not reject him if he desired me to instruct him. Further, I said, ‘Here he is; ask him whether he likes to go with you or stay with us.’ The young man said, ‘Mother and friends, if you can show me a better way to heaven I will follow you—but I will not live any longer in idolatry.’ I remained in my house; the young man went to the chattiram; his relations followed him and fairly carried him off to Vellam; but he again contrived to make his escape. After that I instructed him daily and baptized him. May Jesus triumph over all His enemies shortly.”
CHAPTER IX.
AS PEACEMAKER WITH HYDER ALI.