'Oh, if you come to London, let us be determined to reap a blessed
harvest. Let our fellowship be sanctified to our souls' everlasting good.
My mind is made up to do my part towards it. I hope to be firm as a rock
on some points. The Lord help me. We must aim to improve each other's
mind and character. Let us pray for grace to do it in the best way and to
the fullest extent possible.'
'Anyway,' she says, a day or two later--and ever remember her words when
outside things try and distress you--'don't let the controversy hurt your
soul. Live near to God by prayer.... You believe He answers prayer. Then
take courage. Just fall down at His feet, and open your very soul before
Him, and throw yourself right into His arms. Tell Him that if you are
wrong you only wait to be set right, and, be the path rough or smooth,
you will walk in it.
'Oh, you must live close to God! If you are a greater distance from Him
than you were, just stop the whirl of outward things, or rather leave it,
and shut yourself up with Him till all is clear and bright upwards. Do,
there's a dear. Oh, how much we lose by not coming to the point. Now, at
once, realize your union with Christ, and trust Him to lead you through
this perplexity. Bless you. Excuse this advice. I am anxious for your
soul. Look up. If God hears my prayers, He must guide you--He will guide
you.'
In these early days our General was tempted, as some of us are tempted
to-day, to feel nervous and shy when talking before large crowds, and
where the people were better dressed and better off than usual. He wrote
his feelings to Catherine, and she sends him back her wise advice and
help. 'I am sorry for this,' she says, 'and am persuaded it is the fear
of man which shackles you. Do not give place to this feeling. Remember
you are _the_ Lord's servant, and if you are a faithful one it will
be a small matter with you to be judged of man's judgment. Let nothing be
wanting beforehand to make what you say helpful, but when you are before
the people try to think only of your own responsibility to Him who hath
sent you.'