OH, joy, joy The glorious work is done. I am passed from death unto life, from the power of Satan unto God. 'Tis like a miracle, so sudden; I know it now. I am saved, and safe forever. I have peace, perfect peace; I have a peace, and 'tis calm as a river.' Twas like a door in my soul suddenly opened; I instantly saw, I knew; I believed. I was blind, now I see.
“I praise God for His great mercy in let-Ling me see; me as I am, and He as He is, and Christ, the Saviour of sinners, such as I; and for bringing me out of darkness into light, out of such agony of soul, which felt as if it would really kill me. I did not know that I should ever be out of it, and I am brought out suddenly of this into such glorious light and peace. A peace that passeth all understanding, so safe in Christ. A peace and rest forever. What you have said to me, what you have written to me, has done it all. If had been told the way and suddenness of it, as of any other person, I don't know how I could have believed it, “I must tell you how it was.
“In the morning, after reading your last letter again, I had walked out into the flower-garden; but I saw nothing there. I looked up to the sky, and that awful solemnity came over me, stronger than ever. I stood still why I know not. My mind was turned inward to thoughts of God. I must have looked down again, from what followed. The next instant will ever he stamped upon my heart.
All I know is, I looked up; that is, I lifted up my eyelids, so I must have been looking down. The instant I lifted up my eyelids, just as quick, like a door in my soul was suddenly opened, an instantaneous light came over me; I saw, I knew I was saved! I was at peace! Oh, such a peace! such a peace I never knew before! And, most strange, at the next instant words seemed put in my mouth. I know not where they are from. I said, How-safe; how calm, how satisfied the soul that clings to Thee!
“Those words expressed it. I immediately walked into the house, wondering what had been done to me. I kept repeating those words, So safe, so calm, so satisfied, the soul that clings to Thee.' And now I can say,
“‘Accepted I am,
In the once offered Lamb;
It is God who Himself had devised the plan.'
“Am I saved? I could not have thought anyone could now be saved so suddenly. Are you not surprised at what I say, after all the agonies of my soul I have been troubling you with? Was there ever such a sudden change from darkness to light, taking Jesus instantly to my soul, knowing that He died on the cross for my sins?
“Your words and your letters have been blessed to me. I read them again now. You have done it; God has done it. I have now, as you told me, let go every twig.' Your Prayer ' has been answered. I have read it so often; many, many times a day. It was a feeling also when I lifted up my eyes; I felt I was saved, as well as knew it. Your last papers with your note, so beautifully clear it is to me, so suited to my need; this note, both your notes have done it.
“What you wrote about faith has done me good. Was that wrong when I felt I was saved, as well as knew it? But I trust to no feeling now; I know it; I have the receipt.'
That tract, Faith or Feeling— which? Can't it be both? I care for nothing now, hut the knowledge of Christ. I never can thank you sufficiently, or give you but a faint idea of my gratitude for all your teaching and advice. It is all your doing, through God, from first to last. You have been the means of saving my soul and bringing me to perfect peace, so safe, so calm, so satisfied.' I am, I am a changed being indeed. What you have said to me in your addresses, and what you have written to me, have done it all; and the books have been a great help also. I do nothing all day but read them; many thanks for them. Am I saved? is one. You said prayer would be answered, it is answered for me! "Your eternally obliged and grateful Friend,
“M. F .H.”
The writer of the above letter is absent from the body, and at home with the Lord. I therefore feel perfectly free in publishing it, and my object in doing so is, first, to encourage those who, like the writer of the remarkable letter that they have read, may have known what it is to be long troubled about their condition as lost sinners in the presence of a holy God. “Sorrow may endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning." You may and must have your night of sorrow; that is, repentance towards God; but joy shall be yours on the morning of your faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost" (Rom. 15:1313Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)). ROM 15:1313Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)
My second object in giving publicity to this letter is, that the reader may see that salvation is sudden. How long was the Lord in saving the penitent thief? the three thousand at Pentecost? or Saul of Tarsus? In the Acts of the Apostles thousands of conversions are recorded, and all instantaneous. Salvation is God's work. It is immediate, and it is eternal: "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him " (Eccles. 3:1414I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)). ECC 3:1414I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
My third and last reason for printing my late friend's letter is, that the reader may see that God wishes His children to know that they are saved, to thank Him for it, and to tell others about it. God says, " These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life " (1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)); 1JO 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13) and those who have received and believed this letter can humbly but confidently say, " We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren”
I pray God greatly to bless this letter to anxious souls, and give them by His grace to say with the writer of it, “Oh, joy! joy! the glorious work is done! I am passed from death unto life, from the power of Satan unto God."
H. M. H
Whatever educational or religious advantages you may have, until you have a new life, a new nature, by being born of God through faith in Christ Jesus, YOU CANNOT PLEASE GOD.