I have some little hope of getting to Guelph this year: I cannot tell. If fine weather the voyage would be a rest to me; that is not a difficulty. But I am greatly shut up in work. I am at work at the correction of the whole Old Testament in German; from the Hebrew, not a correction from Luther, which is too bad. A German, and a Dutch brother, hold the Dutch and a German translation of it, and I the Hebrew, with all other accessible helps to boot. We shall have, in another day, the Prophets done, but still, though nearly all far easier, a great deal more to do; and then I have the English New Testament to complete a new edition of, in which I have examined for myself all the readings far more accurately. In the translation, save a few passages made clearer, there is no change.
The work goes on in England pretty widely, and with blessing. I cannot doubt that the Lord is preparing a people for His coming. All things are rapidly progressing and breaking up. But we have only to be perfectly peaceful and quiet; and earnestly seek from God that we and all the saints who seek His face, may be faithful and devoted. I feel this, in the wide-spreading of the work, that we must take care that the testimony to unworldliness be maintained as to actual separation from all around us- it is in a measure, but in the spirit and temper of brethren. Here the work has spread considerably, but there is some want of learning Christ, though they are going on well. But we must remember that in prayer God is ours, power is put in motion, and that, if through grace we can bring them up before Him, it is sure to be for blessing. The Lord prepare His people for Himself. One thing we have to do; to live for Christ: for what is not seen. It will be seen, and then how glorious. But I do not like to look at this as only wilderness, and that as rest and praise. We have the love of God, and the fullness of Christ to enjoy, if we walk with Him. And how free from hindrance then, I need not say. But it ought to be well known now, though beyond all our thought.
I almost fear sometimes that scripture gets too clear for me as a plan or system of God, if the parts are not filled up with the fullness of Christ. But it is wonderfully clear, daily more so: yet so as that we know in part. In that way we are little and narrow. However, all is true; and we shall find the fullness of it as a whole, and much more when with God.
The history of the church is to me darker and darker in its character. I begin to have solemn thoughts as to what it all was; I mean, the power of Satan in it. God had His own loved people at all times, but history says little of them. But all this that is now coming up as good and primitive, though mere superstition in many, is in itself the power of evil. Our part is a quiet path in consistency; but it is no harm to be clear, as to what that is, with which we have to do. The word is ample, thank God, for our own walk; but it presses on me as a solemn thought what the working of the enemy was, in that which the Lord had set up so blessedly at first. Yet we are not to be occupied with evil, or be in any way terrified with the adversary, as if the Lord had not the upper hand. He has overcome, and is leading us to a full blessing, when the enemy will be bound. We must go on in the confidence that power belongs to Him- is in His hands. I do not mean that they are not perilous times; but in them, we have to look out of them, to Him who cannot fail us, who is full of blessing, and whose grace is sufficient for us, whose strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Canada is ever dear to me. I do not know how to account for my attachment to it, if it be not all the love I met with in it: that I ever feel. But I am now in my 70th year; I have had some five Guelph meetings since autumn began, and traveled- save some time in London, close work, constantly.... How very gracious God has been in _____; He ever is assuredly. I will write (D.V.) to dear _____, but my letters get on slowly- from 7 or 8 to 9, and then I have to search out all the hard passages in Hebrew. May every mercy and much faith be with you, Affectionately yours, J. N. D 1870