You speak of the "loneliness" of the position you are taking, and I
felt glad to find you so firm in the step you are taking.... It
will be a position full of self-denial many times, but on the
other hand will bring its own rich rewards, known only to the true
minister of God. To encourage you in the many hours of
discouragement, I advise Dr. Furness's sermon on the "Solitude of
Christ," in "Register" of May 8,1884, I think, which I believe has
been sent you, but if not, will hunt it up and send it to you; and
besides that, the words of Jesus: "He that hath put his hand to the
plough and looketh back, is not worthy of me;" therefore have
firmly fixed in your mind the glorious hymn by Rev. Samuel Johnson,
"The Conflict of Life."
The whole five verses of this hymn are then copied, followed by the
whole of Watts's
"Awake, our souls; away, our fears,--
Let every trembling thought be gone;"
and Doddridge's
"Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve,
And press with vigor on!"
Miss Ellis saying, at the end, "I have copied these, for they have more
weight when written by those we know."