In the midst of these trials I am happy to have an instant to send you this little message of sincere affection, and above all to tell you how happy I am in Jesus. What a Companion He is! What peace His presence brings to me in the midst of the conflict and of the stormy sea. I prove His care every day. How many times do I feel I am under the shadow of His hand, and of His powerful arm. Peacefully I continue my way, rejoicing in an unspeakable peace. He has been my health. He is my strength. May all, take courage.
My thoughts often turn to you. I can send you good news of my health. Thank God. I must thank you for your good long letter, and also for the tracts which I have been happy to distribute, even in the trenches. You might send me more leaflets, but not in such quantities, as we are heavily laden. As you see at the head of this letter, it is four o’clock in the morning. I am in the trenches, and at this hour we realize what the Word of God says of the watchman awaiting the morning with great desire.
“My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning” (Psa. 130:66My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. (Psalm 130:6)). How many such circumstances are necessary to make us understand these passages. We are exhorted also to desire ardently the breaking of that grand day when Jesus will return to take us into the Father’s house, where all shall be peace and rest. It is only with such holy desires that we are able to run our course down here, looking unto Jesus in the midst of the great afflictions, realizing Romans 15:1313Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13), “Now the God of peace fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
My joy is great and constant, like many other children of Christians (who like myself were deaf to all the pressing appeals of our dear Savior through the words of His servants who have responded in accepting a part in the eternal happiness which was offered to us.
We are tried beyond measure; we have to endure much suffering, both moral and physical. What a privilege to have the Lord present With us. He fills my heart, and in spite of all my troubles I can say I am perfectly happy. I know now that if I do not again see those I love here on earth, I shall be with them during eternity, to partake of the happiness which was offered to me, and which, I so long refused.
The Lord has placed before us two roads which we may travel, and He has shown us which one we should take. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.... That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him:” (Deut. 30:19, 2019I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. (Deuteronomy 30:19‑20)).
In spite of all the horrors which this war brings in its train, I thank God for having permitted us to take part in it, for it has been the means of our conversion, which has brought us eternal happiness.
The day before yesterday I was feeling more unhappy than usual, and I asked the Lord to reveal Himself to me as my dear Guide. My eyes fell on the 8th chapter of Romans. There I found the precious words, so encouraging. I stopped an instant at the 18th verse, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to us.” It is in Jesus that I have put all my confidence, and I know that it is not misplaced.