While you perceive nothing sensible, or apparent, in your religious
state, there is, at the same time, evidence to others of a hidden
spring of life within your soul. God does not give you the sweet rain
which, falling, clothes all the surface of the soul with verdure, but
he gives you the deep well-spring, by which means you live and
flourish, and produce, not herbs and flowers, which are born and die in
the same day, but substantial fruits, ripening for eternity. David
said, the life of man upon the earth is as grass, which groweth up in
the morning, and withers in the evening. This refers to the natural
life, but it is also true of the selfish life of man. It flourishes in
the morning of the spiritual life, but no sooner does the sun of
righteousness arise in his warmth, than this life withers and is cut
down. The righteous are as a tree planted by the rivers of water,
whose leaf is always green. This is because the roots are well watered
by the deep-flowing current.
God never ceases to operate in your heart. The calm, resigned state of
your soul is proof of this.
Take good care of your health. Do not labor beyond your strength. God
will abundantly reward you for your labors of love in behalf of others.
These are labors he never fails to recompense. I pray God, my dear F.,
to preserve you for his work. I have many things to say, but I
forbear. Your time is precious.