Very dear brother,-I was delighted to receive this good news from -. We must remember that the Lord is above all the elements which are hostile to us in the path appointed by Him, and that He even makes everything contribute to the blessing of those who love Him. Then, too, it is not always in the correction of the failures which come before us that sources of unhappiness are healed; they disappear when souls are nourished upon the riches which are in Christ. We must think of this; we must, while ourselves feeding upon Christ—and He gives us to feed on Him without stint—cause others to breathe a new atmosphere, where Christ is; and, if souls are exercised before God there, they are transformed into His likeness, so that their affections flow out even as His flowed out in this world. It is a great thing to say, and undoubtedly we find ourselves far from our Model, but in proportion as we realize Christ in our hearts we reflect Him without being aware of it. The "I" disappears as a motive principle, and the life of Christ is manifested. Real exercise of soul is necessary to produce this result: "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus," says the apostle. "Death works in us." There are, however, these three things. "Ye are dead" (Col. 3); this is the judgment of God. "Reckon yourselves to be dead;" this is what faith does, in answer; it is liberty through the grace of the Holy Spirit. "Always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus;" this is the practical carrying out of it. If we had not the two first, the third would make the monk; with the two first it makes the saint, where Christ is all.
Remember, dear brother, that it is redemption which brings us into the wilderness; death with Christ (Jordan) gives us circumcision and Canaan. The wilderness forms no part of the counsels of God; it is a very important part of His ways. In chapters 3, 6, 15 of Exodus, it is not in question. Redemption and glory, this is what is in the heart of God. Deut. 8 gives us His ways. The robber went straight to paradise, fit to go there. As a general thing, we pass through the wilderness, but God has "made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." But patience must have her perfect work; then we must count upon the Lord, and commit everything to Him. He will accomplish all for His glory. It is in the wilderness and in conflict that we have "ifs"; only there is the sure faithfulness of God to keep us to the end—but, at the same time, testing and dependence. With regard to redemption and our place in Christ, there is no "if"; the one is accomplished, the other is our actual position....
I feel myself called to throw myself a little into the breach against increasing infidelity, and not, I believe, without the help and approval of God. Peace be with you.
Dublin,
December 19th.