MARCH 4TH, 1926

MARCH 4TH, 1926

MY DEAR MRS. —, — You have been constantly in my thoughts and prayers, and your dear sons also, during the last few sorrowful days. I can truly say that I share your grief, for I had great regard and affection for your beloved husband, and valued very highly the place and service which the Lord had given him amongst the saints. And one can hardly realise as yet that the Lord has called him from the service which seemed to us to be so necessary and helpful, and from that support to the testimony which he was so distinctly felt to be rendering. His quiet and sober view of things, and steadiness of mind, were often of the greatest value, while the grace of his spirit was in itself most edifying, and a pattern which many of us would covet to follow. We are all bereaved, and that in a way which we can hardly, as yet fully estimate.

It must be a great comfort to you to know how greatly your loved one was esteemed, and how the affections of the brethren are drawn out to you and yours in a sympathy which is true and deep, and of spiritual character. I cannot doubt but that through the prayers of the saints, and the active grace of the Lord Jesus, you have been, and will be, sustained, and your ^[p. 143] faith will assure itself of the perfection of God’s way with your beloved husband, and with yourself and your household. There is some peculiar feature of divine wisdom and love in this present ordering of God, and one would humbly bow under His mighty hand, looking to be exalted in due time by the acquisition of some knowledge of Christ; divinely suited to meet the experiences and exercises of such a time. Personally I feel the exercise and chastening of it to be a voice from the Lord, calling one to more intense devotion to Himself, and to have greater singleness of eye and purpose of heart in caring for His interests and service, realising afresh how short the time is.

I pray that the consolations of God may be great in your heart, and that the removal of the one to whom you have rightly looked for support and direction may become the occasion of your proving more fully than ever what a resource you have in the Father’s care, and in the ever-living Lord and Priest....

With very much love in the Lord, and with much in my heart that I am assured is in common with your own feelings at this time, and in this I think also of your dear sons and their exercises also.

Yours very affectionately in Him,

March 4th, 1926.