JANUARY 1ST, 1928

JANUARY 1ST, 1928

^[p. 162] MY BELOVED BROTHER, — We had a letter telling us of the serious illness and suffering of your dear wife, and I am writing to assure you of our affectionate sympathy, and our prayerful interest in her and in you at this time of special trial. We are remembering you daily in prayer that you may both have a deep sense of the Lord’s love, and of His gracious support and ordering. We are very sorry to know of the much suffering which dear Mrs. — has, but in this we are assured she has the sympathy of the blessed Priest on high, who has Himself been perfected through sufferings. It is suitable to God that this present time should be marked by sufferings, and I suppose they are more keenly felt by His children than by any others. Indeed His own beloved Son was the greatest Sufferer by reason of His infinite nearness to God, and the nearer we are to Him the more shall we feel the disordered conditions of a scene that is subject to vanity. It is a comfort to know that all these sufferings will enable the saints to come out sympathetically to set free the groaning creation. They will come out as having known the pressure, and as having proved the delivering power which has taken them out of all the weakness and vanity into conditions of glory. The experience of suffering is, after all, very brief, but its effect on the spirits of God’s children will abide and give peculiar character and blessedness to their experiences in glory. And I am sure that there is a peculiar knowledge of Christ derived in suffering which will give capacity for communion with Him when all the suffering is for ever past. Afflictions do really work for us an exceeding and eternal weight of glory, and the wisdom of God will shine out in this to His everlasting praise. And His grace allows us to pray one for another, and we are thankful to take up this privilege for you both at this time....

Yours very affectionately in Him,

January 1st, 1928.