Friday morning, the 15th, I suffered very much, on account of _the
individual_, whom you know. It seemed to me, that God wished that _the
all of self_ in him should be destroyed. I perceived, that although
the troths be uttered, proceeded from the inward work of the spirit
upon his heart, his reasoning faculty operated so powerfully, without
his perceiving it, that the effect of these truths was in some degree
lost. Souls are won more by the unction of grace--by the weapons of
love--than by the power of argument.
Are not the truths you utter, my friend, too much elaborated by the
intellect, and polished by the imagination? Their effect seems to be
lost, for want of simplicity and directness. They fall pleasantly on
the ear, as a lovely song, but do not reach and move the heart. There
is a lack of unction. Are you not always laboring for something new
and original, thus exhibiting your own powers of mind, rather than the
simple truth?
Receive this suggestion, and light will be given you upon it. Do I
speak too plainly? To speak the truth, and the truth only, is all I
desire. I have this morning prayed, rather to be taken out of the
world, than to disguise the truth. I have proclaimed it, in its
purity, in the great Congregation, and it will be seen that Thou, O
Lord, hast distilled it in my heart; or rather, O Sovereign Truth, that
Thou art there thyself, to manifest thyself plainly, and that Thou dost
make use of weak things to confound the strong. God is truth and love.
In Him yours.