THE name of Richard Jeffries is well known. His writings are widely honored for their grace. He found endless stores of delight in the simple beauties of nature, and what his observant mind rejoiced in, he had the art of making a joy to others. But neither elegance of idea, nor keenness of mental eye, can open to the soul the glories of the kingdom of God. Nay too often the natural powers of a man become to him but giants holding the entrance of the way that leads to God.
For a long time the Bible was an unread book by Mr. Jeffries; he held it in no reverence, but when in much suffering, during the later months of his life, a lady induced him to read the holy Scriptures, and by them his eyes, so familiar with the beauties of nature, were opened to the revelations, and the glories of the kingdom of God.
The story of the life of the Lord Jesus had great attractions for him, and upon his dying bed he found great peace by believing on the Lord Jesus, and His work on the cross.
On one occasion, when his end was near, he begged his faithful wife to read to him in Luke’s Gospel, chap. 8:22-56; that bright cluster of accounts telling of the mighty power of Jesus in hushing the stormy wind and in stilling the tempest; in casting out the demons from the distracted and despairing man of Gadara, and in leading him by the power of His love to sit at His feet; in healing the sickness and calming the fears of the trembling woman; and in raising the daughter of Jairus to life, and giving her back to her parents.
It was towards the close of his life that he thus spoke, “I have done wrong ant thought wrong; it was my intellectual vanity!” But more solemn than his regret, was his testimony respecting the Lord, used on one occasion when listening to the Scriptures, “These are the words of Jesus; they are true, and all philosophy is hollow.”
This witness we commend to our readers. A volume of truth lies in it, and coming as it did from the heart and lips of one so well known in the literary world, and so beloved by the many who read his books, the testimony has additional weight. When this short life comes to an end, would that the wise as well as the unlearned, who have in their hands the gospel records of the words of Jesus, might say from their hearts, “These are the words of Jesus; they are true.”
True wisdom is in God, comes from God, leads to God and rests in God.
ML 10/31/1909