AUGUST 5TH, 1934
AUGUST 5TH, 1934
MY DEAR MRS. —, — The tidings of your beloved husband’s home-call was hardly a surprise to me, for his extreme weakness made me feel that at any time the silver cord might be loosed. Thank God, we know the Hand that has now loosed it, and liberated our loved one for the undistracted enjoyment with Christ of a portion of which he had, through grace, many a sweet foretaste here. His being “at home with the Lord” awakens deep thanksgiving, not only on account of its own blessedness, but as the divinely granted release from burdensome conditions of weakness patiently endured. One reflects with pleasure on his long course of faithfulness and service and care in the Lord’s interests — all taken account of for full recognition in “that day”. It has been yours to have a peculiarly intimate share in his exercises and his service and his spiritual light and joy, as well as being his helper and companion in a very close tie of relationship and affection in the sphere of natural things. And therefore his departure leaves a great gap, and means more to you than any other. But the Lord, who has so graciously sustained you for many years, and who has particularly helped you during the long time of your dear husband’s continually increasing feebleness,
[p. 230] will not fail you now. He will consider you in His faithful love in the changed circumstances, and will hold you to Himself in a new way as one who has claims on His interest which you had not previously. He values all that you have been for Him and for His saints, and your gospel service also, and His love is minded now to make you more an asset to the assembly than ever. The sorrows of the way are really spiritual promotion, as they become the occasion of proving the tender sympathy and succour of the blessed ever-living Priest on high. We thus acquire wealth that becomes available for the comfort of others.
I pray that you may have all needed wisdom for this time of readjustment, so that in every step and in every detail you may have the Lord with you, and that all may work out for your comfort and encouragement in God.
I hope to be with you all on Wednesday, if the Lord will, and I continue to pray for you and yours.
With much love in the Lord to you all,
Yours very affectionately in Him,