On Sunday, February 26th, 1871, I spoke at the table on Rom. 5:7, 87For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7‑8), and 1 John 3:1515Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15). I was struck much at what I said, and so were others; it was cutting, like a two-edged sword. She had taken up nursing, and was quite prepared to lay down her life for the brethren; and it would not have been like her to have retreated, had one known the issue beforehand, but of course that one could not have known. She-said lately, " I hope I shall not be taken away in small-pox." On my saying, "It is as good a chariot of fire as any other," she said, Oh, but for me to know you were sitting at the foot of my bed unable not to loathe the sight of me, would be painful indeed!" To me it seems as if the Lord were pleased to permit her to go on high through laying down her life in nursing those dear to Himself. Why am I to allow my loss and privation to be of more importance than His pleasure?
At six o'clock on Saturday, a.m., I judged that He meant to take her, and all that I could say was, " If so, give me grace to glorify Christ about it, and I will not repine, nor ask her back." He did not ask me to do what He asked Abraham as to Isaac, yet which He afterward told him not to do, because He alone would give up His only Son for us; but all He asks is, " Will you bow to My hand? Will you accept the correction of the chastening at My hand? Will you let Me bless your child in My own way?"