All the graces of the Christian, spring from the death of self. Let
us, then, bear patiently the afflictions, which reduce this overflowing
life. There is a suffering in connection with confusions and
uncertainties, very trying to bear. Unbounded patience is necessary,
to bear not only with ourselves, but with others, whose various tempers
and dispositions are not congenial with our own. "Offences,"--wounds
of spirit will occur while we live in the flesh. These offences must
be borne in silence, and thus subjugated and controlled by the spirit
of grace. By a law of our nature, we feel, more or less, the influence
of the spheres in which we move.
While we honor, we think, the true cross, the affliction that comes
from God, let us remember, that these instruments, so disagreeable, are
the true cross that providence daily furnishes us.
Do not sully the cross and mar its operations, by your murmurs and
reflections. Let us welcome any trials, that teach us what we are, and
lead us to renounce ourselves and find our all in God.
Jesus Christ says, "He who renounces not all that he hath, cannot be my
disciple." Of all possessions, that of ourselves is the most dangerous.
Please present my cordial regards to your brother. I sympathize deeply
in his misfortunes. I use this expression, in conformity to common
usage, but it does not express the sentiments of my heart. I am
convinced that the loss of wealth, worldly honor, persecutions, are the
best instruments to unite us to Jesus Christ. All evils, or apparent
evils, are great blessings when they unite us to our All in All. I
pray God, to sustain him. His sufferings only increase my sympathy and
love for him in our Lord. My health is still feeble, but all is well
in the depths of my heart. God is there.