Dear -,—You have done well to count upon my interest in you. There is no loss more real, more keenly felt, than that of a beloved wife, mother of your children, the help given by God, the one dear to your heart. We are in a world of suffering and death, but the Son of God came into it after death, and has conquered it, and takes part in all our sufferings in the path of His will. It is worthwhile to be cast down when there is a God "who comforteth those that are cast down." What grace, when one thinks that the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity stoops to think—and that with infinite tenderness—of all our trials and of all our infirmities; and that even His Spirit, who dwells in us in the midst of these infirmities, intercedes in us when we know not what we ought to ask! Besides, He makes all things work together for good to those who love Him If rest were down here, it would be another thing; but it is not so. We are on a pilgrimage, and God makes us feel it in our circumstances. He detaches us from what is dearest down here; He weans us, and thus, without being aware of it, we ripen for heaven. There is a wonderful difference between a soul which is weaned and whose will has been broken and made subject, and one which, while seeking to do right, does it according to its own will. Then, dear God will guide you. He takes knowledge of your difficulties; I am thinking especially of your children. Only keep close to Him, consult Him; spread out before Him your difficulties and your requests; above all, dwell with Him in your soul, feeding on the Bread of life. This sustains us, fills our hearts and affections, and we go on satisfied. The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keeps the heart.
The account which you have given me of the details of the work has much interested me. I do not know, but I doubt whether this will continue. If the brethren do not continue to keep honestly outside the camp, they will not be borne with very long. However, God is acting in the present day in such a remarkable way, that it is hard to say what the consequences will be. I only hope that these dear brethren will hold themselves, spiritually and in their individual walk, outside the world-church, the camp. I have always said—the feet in the narrow path; the heart as wide as possible. If we cannot tell out all the truth which is suitable to those to whom we speak, we cannot be faithful. When Moses pitched his tabernacle outside the camp, those who sought the Lord went thither. Joshua departed not from it; Moses' carried the testimony to those who were in the camp. In our spiritual and heavenly life—for Joshua is the heavenly Christ—we can by no means return to the camp; we are in the tabernacle pitched outside; we carry the testimony. But Moses went into it, caring for the interests of the people, while not being of them. We cannot mix ourselves up with evil and testify against those who are in it. But grace and patience are needful. "If thou take forth," God said to Jeremiah (chap. 15), "the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth." This verse acted powerfully upon my mind fifty years ago, when I began; for in a few days it will be fifty years since I left the camp.
Peace be with you, dear brother; may the Lord sustain you, and keep your dear children under the shadow of His wing.
Belleville,
September 21St.