We must bless God for that goodness which restores things after having sifted them. I have seen many an instance of this. He humbles us, makes us feel the evil; but, if there is patience, He restores. He exercises discipline towards those who have not known how to exercise it on themselves; then He blesses. Patience plays a great part in the work of God, in the individual, and in the assemblies. "Strengthened with all might, according to the power of his glory"—there is some extraordinary fruit which is to be produced—" unto all patience." (Col. 1:1111Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (Colossians 1:11).) "The signs of an apostle were wrought... in all patience" (2 Cor. 12:1212Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12)); and, "Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (Jas. 1:44But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4).)
The work is spreading much, and in general we have reason to bless God. The door is open to us among those who are seeking the truth. This is a new phase of our spiritual life: a blessing, for many are interested in the truth as they were not formerly; a danger, for this tends to place those who do not know themselves on a pedestal, which is nothing but pride—as if they knew a great deal, and this is only folly. I we know ourselves, we understand our nothingness, and know that God does everything, and that we have nothing which we have not received. I feel myself, dear brother, nearer the eternal salvation; then one does not fail to recognize one's nothingness, to be content that Christ should be all. Besides, this is the desire of my heart. I am, more than ever, wholly His; I do not say this in the sense of true purpose of heart, but I mean that He has entire right over me, and that He is all. All else is but vanity; everything else is passing too, everything else changes. My heart is content to serve Him, as a poor redeemed one who owes himself to Him, as long as He can use me; content that He should be fully glorified, and He will be.
July 10th, 1876.