DECEMBER 7TH, 1934

DECEMBER 7TH, 1934

MY DEAR —, — I thank you for your greetings on my birthday, and for your prayers, and for all that has come into your mind in relation to my comfort and good. I wish I felt more worthy of all that I receive from you and others, but then if I did it would take off the sense of a grace and love which acts from what it is in itself, and not from anything found in its object. This is the character of divine giving, and it pervades the family of God. Some complain that there is no love! If I personally have any complaint to make, it is that there is too much! So that the recipient is apt to be damaged by the superabundance lavished upon him, and come to think something of himself. F.E.R. said at Weston, “The best service you can render me is not to make much of me”. So I hope you will pray that I may know how to get the comfort and encouragement of your interest and care without being inflated by it. And, surely, if kept in nearness to God, and in the spirit of continual thanksgiving, there will be no self-exaltation, but rather a deepening humility that knows how to gladly give glory and praise to the One to whom it is due. But, notwithstanding these warnings, which I address to my ^[p. 234] own heart, I find comfort and encouragement in every holy link of friendship, and realise how much I owe to anyone who prays for me, as I believe you do. I thankfully appreciate this service of love, and never did I feel the need for it — the urgent need — more than I do now. Indeed, may we all strengthen ourselves for the service of prayer, for I am sure it is the most productive service, both for ourselves and for those whose prosperity we delight in! ...

Yours very affectionately in Him,