God designs you, my friend, for himself, but he will lead you by a way,
entirely opposed to what you have marked out. He does this in order to
destroy your self-love. This is accomplished only by the overthrow of
all your purposes, preconceived views, natural reason and sagacity.
Self-love has many hiding-places. God alone can search them out. You
seek the honor that cometh from man, and love to occupy a high
position. God wishes to reduce you to littleness, and poverty of
spirit. Believe me, dear sir, you will grow in grace, not by knowledge
acquired from books; not from reasonings upon divine truths, but by an
efflux from God. This efflux will reach and fill your soul, in
proportion as you are emptied of self. You are so much occupied of
yourself in speaking, reading and writing, that you give no place to
God. Make room, and God will come in.
You speak of your many cares. If you will give yourself wholly to God,
these cares will be greatly diminished. God will think for you, and
arrange by his Providence, what you cannot effect by long years of
planning. In the name of God, I entreat you to renounce your own
wisdom, your self-leadings, and yield up yourself to God. Let Him
become your wisdom. You Will then find the place of rest, you so much
need.
May you read this letter, with dependence on the Spirit, which has
dictated it, and without regard to the instrument, and your heart will
testify to the truth of what I have written. Take courage, and be
persuaded that if God destroys the natural life, it is only to give you
himself. Endeavor to be nothing, that God may be all. When void, God
himself fills the space.