(_CARES TO BE CAST ON CHRIST--CHRIST A STEADY FRIEND._)
LOVING SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Hold on your
course, for, it may be, that I shall not soon see you. Venture through
the thick of all things after Christ, and lose not your Master,
Christ, in the throng of this great market. Let Christ know how heavy,
and how many a stone-weight you and your cares, burdens, crosses, and
sins are. Let Him bear all. Make the heritage sure to yourself: get
charters and writs passed and through; and put on arms for the battle,
and keep you fast by Christ. And then, let the wind blow out of what
airth it will, your soul shall not be blown into the sea.
I find Christ the most steadable friend and companion in the world to
me now. The need and usefulness of Christ are seen best in trials. Oh,
if He be not well worthy of His room! Lodge Him in house and heart;
and stir up your husband to seek the Lord. I wonder that he hath never
written to me: I do not forget him.
I taught you the whole counsel of God, and delivered it to you. It
will be inquired for at your hands; have it in readiness against the
time that the Lord ask for it. Make you ready to meet the Lord; and
rest and sleep in the love of that Fairest among the sons of men.
Desire Christ's beauty. Give out all your love to Him, and let none
fall by. Learn in prayer to speak to Him.
Help your mother's soul; and desire her, from me, to seek the Lord and
His salvation. It is not soon found: many miss it. Grace be with you.
Your loving pastor,