I was most thankful to get your letter, though long delayed by my absence in New Zealand, On arriving here I found the second one, with that from dear apprizing me of his return to England. It was an additional motive for writing to you. It may have been quite right he should go, being trustee; but I feel a Christian engaged in the Lord's work ought not to be in such an office-hardly any other Christian, as it may involve law suits, which they are bound to institute as responsible for their wards. The Lord will guide him in this, and I trust he may return to you, unless the Lord have other work for him. When he had just passed surgeon, he wrote to me about working: I told him the first question was, was he a surgeon that preached, or a preacher that practiced by occasion. He understood it well, and has worked diligently ever since, practicing when occasion offered. I do trust this trusteeship may not divert him from the Lord's work. Trustees are easier to be had than laborers-true trustees of the Lord's word and grace in service.... I do hope and pray he may keep up to the calling he has already wrought in. Laborers that work from Christ and with Him, are not so plenty.
But you must not be discouraged, dear brother, if for a time alone. No one ever knew what it was to be alone as the blessed Lord did. It is a great comfort that some solid brethren are already with you. Besides, there is One above all; and it is a good experience. We may glory in infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon us. We fancy often that the apostles soared above human feelings: it was not so. Where the apostle [Paul] was most largely blessed, he was among them "in weakness and in fear and in much trembling." I have the habit of working alone, have always had, though cordially united with brethren. I am almost afraid sometimes there is fault in me, but I am cast on the Lord, and am more with Him—quite recognizing that the Lord Himself sent them out two and two, and seeing in a measure the wisdom of it, and how it makes the work wholly the Lord's own. Plymouth business, I believe, sealed this path on my spirit...
What a comfort to know that "grace and truth came" (not ' were told of,' not a rule of what man ought to be)—took place by the coming of Christ! We are in the truth and all the grace and relationship with the Father in which He stood, and which were revealed in Him. Be of good cheer, dear brother, and work away, looking to the Lord. This, as to doing, is all we have to do here; in due time we shall reap if we faint not. There is always a moment in our spiritual life when our faith must be individual and direct. In one sense it is always so, but where we are put upon it—a critical time for the soul -as Lot was, we may not be aware of all involved in it, but our condition and resolve under grace is tested. But His grace is sufficient for us, His strength made perfect in weakness.... When the right time is come, God will send help to you: we must lean on Him. Sorrows on our path we must expect. It is the time of conflict, and we must expect it: only still go on, keeping in that presence which hides us from the provoking of all men. For my part, I do not doubt my object, but I feel my love very poor. But I think the Lord is working and helping on brethren, provided only they do not become worldly: if they do—are conformed to the world—what are they worth?
Ever affectionately yours in the Lord.
Chicago,
June 27th, 1876.