AUGUST 10TH, 1943
AUGUST 10TH, 1943
[p. 321] BELOVED BROTHER, — Your kind letter, enclosing the very gracious gift from the dear saints in —, has duly reached me. I am sensible of the Lord’s favour in permitting to me a small part in His blessed service, and also in the great encouragement which He gives me by the love and fellowship of His beloved saints. And I am especially touched when this love is expressed by brethren whom I have never seen in their own locality, for such communications establish a personal link which I greatly value. So I desire that you will give my warm love in the Lord to the dear saints, and my thanks for their free-hearted gift. I have no doubt it is accounted of God as a sacrifice of sweet odour upon His altar, and that it is thus part of His holy service as the fruit of His own grace and love.
My little service for a long time has been chiefly through what has been printed. This is not so direct or happy a service as speaking face to face, but in the Lord’s great goodness it has its place, and one is thankful and content if He is glorified and His loved ones helped.
I had heard of the trials through which you have passed in —, and I am deeply thankful that you have proved amidst such testing circumstances the care and protection of God’s mighty hand. We cannot always see at the time what has been gained in the experience; we are kept in dependence even as to this, but in the confidence that His ways with us are never dissociated from the purpose of His love. They are intended to help us to remain in the attitude of subjection. In one sense there is nothing higher than this, for it is the attitude in which the Son will be placed eternally. We have to be disciplined to it, that we may be with Him in it eternally, and this wondrous process is going on now. It is well when our hearts are able to recognise the value of it, the wisdom and the love of it, even at a time when the operation of it is not joyous but grievous. Our God and Father will eventually vindicate all His ways with us.
The dear brethren here have all been preserved from personal injury, and the privileges and services have continued by the Lord’s grace and support. And we have had a considerable time of quietness now, which we appreciate thankfully.
With much love in the Lord,
Yours affectionately in Him,