AUGUST 15TH, 1894

AUGUST 15TH, 1894

MY DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST, — I have just returned from a few days in the north of Lancashire, and found your letter. I am sorry — very sorry — to hear of the many trials through which you have had to pass, but I count it a privilege to be able to pray for you. The present time is a time of suffering for all Christians. Some appear to have to pass through more painful experiences than others, but all have to suffer. And is it not sweet to know that we suffer with Christ, Romans 8: 17. We are taken into partnership with Christ both in His sufferings and His glory. He suffered, and was the Man of sorrows when in this world — so full of sin and its effects. So long as we are here we must suffer too, but how sweetly does the apostle say, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us”. Then again Peter says, “Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye, for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you”, 1 Peter 4: 13, 14. The same apostle also tells us that “when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God”, 1 Peter 2: 20. So that we have a certain joy and a peculiar and blessed sense of the Lord’s love and approval when we are suffering for His Name’s sake which we do not have at other times.

As to your question about Mary anointing the Lord in Mark 14, I think she thought Him worthy of her all, and she had an instinctive sense that He was going out of the world, and she therefore took the opportunity of expressing how she counted Him worthy of everything. The ointment was costly — she had done what she could — she had given her all to Him. The disciples murmured at her, but the Lord approved and appreciated her devotion. They were thinking of the poor — she was thinking only of Him. What a pattern for us! It should teach us to think less of the opinions of others, and more of the blessed Lord Himself, that we may be also found doing the very things that will give His heart pleasure.

Take courage, dear sister, and trust in the Lord at all times! Make Him your refuge and strength and in all things you shall be more than conqueror through Him who loves you.

Yours affectionately in Christ,

August 15th, 1894.