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Grace Gems for APRIL 2006

By Grace Gems
To a vile Magdalene (Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan) Never had anyone . . . so rich a Banker, so kind a Husband, so tender a Shepherd, so forbearing a Captain— as I have in my glorious Christ! The more I venture—the more He encourages. The bolder I am—the kinder He grows. The more I expect—the more He gives. I cannot tire or wear Him out, for He is full, yes, fullness of grace, mercy, love, and compassion! The one-half of His glory has never been expressed by mortal tongue; nor the thousandth part of His ravishments and condescension conceived by those who have not felt them. This, this is my—oh yes! my Beloved—and this is my Friend! Oh, what mercy to have another love-glimpse of Him. I look at myself with wonder of amazement and overwhelming delight—because a monument of saving, sovereign mercy! Happy! unspeakably happy! Amazing miracle of superabounding love! Hasten the day when in His full-orbed glory I shall lose my sorrows and my sins forever! I adore and magnify Him for His mercy—amazing mercy—to a vile Magdalene. Hallelujah! Amen! The believer's perfection (Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan) I am most exceedingly distressed by my sins, and feel the need of Jesus' precious blood every hour! I need a supply from the Fountain! "On that day a fountain will be opened . . . a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and defilement." Zech. 13:1 Feeling fully what I am in myself, and proving afresh that "in my flesh dwells no good thing"— in this sad state I fly to Jesus as my only refuge! Oh that the depth of my sin and misery may be overcome by His rich grace, that with Mary I may weep at His dear feet, and love much, having much forgiven. While in the body we shall never be free from sin. I had been looking for something from and in my flesh which the Word of God does not warrant me to expect. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh" —and ever will be! The believer's perfection is in Christ. Oh that He may condescend to teach me, and lead me to look straight out of self—to a glorious Christ! "And you are complete in Him." Colossians 2:10 Sweet comfort (Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan) During the past night I have again been called to suffer much bodily affliction and very severe pain— but was favored with such sweet comfort from my precious Savior that it seemed light; nay, I thought I could willingly bear a life of such suffering—if I might constantly enjoy His presence! Oh, how delightful was the hope of an eternity of glory, and how sweet the thought that when life's journey was ended, the veil would be drawn aside, and no cloud ever again intervene to hide from my soul, even for one moment, the lovely countenance of my adorable Jesus! Ten thousand thanks to you, dearest Savior, for this love-glimpse! I long for more tokens of Your love, and thirst for more constant communion with You! Such is my frailty, that I am ever prone to sin. Come, precious Jesus! chase away these thick clouds, and let me behold Your lovely countenance, and be so captivated with Your charms, that I may never more give my heart to earthly objects! Oh, what a picture! (Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan —written at the age of seventeen) I seem to have some feeling about Divine things; but, alas! this afternoon am as stupid as usual. Nothing, nothing will break this hard heart! Oh, that I may be directed by the Spirit of truth to the right way of happiness! I fear that I am not affected as I ought, and have only a faint desire to become a Christian—and that merely to escape hell. Lord, have mercy upon me! Lead aright! Break this hard, hard heart! You, Lord, know what I would have—even the forgiveness of my sins. During service I was as cold as a stone! Oh, when will this vile heart be melted and subdued by divine grace? I have no faith, no humility, no sense of sin, no confidence in the promises, no fear of the threatened punishments; nor anything that I ought to have! Oh, what a picture! O Lord, break this heart into ten thousand pieces! Oh! I would sooner suffer all horrors and terrors imaginable, and be saved at last—than be in my present dreadful and stupid state. Break—break, oh, break my heart, and make me give it entirely to You, O blessed Savior! Tell your sorrows and secrets ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" 1805-1860) "This is what the Lord says—Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives. But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." Jeremiah 17:5-8 How I do like this passage! It is so descriptive of the blessedness of trusting in the Lord alone; and the sterility and disappointment of all creature confidence! I know not your present difficulties, nor need I know them, for I could not bring you out of them! But I do bless the Lord that He has brought you into the very best posture of soul— looking to Him alone. Tell your sorrows and secrets to this your Friend, watch His eye, obey His bidding—and go not to carnal and lower means for relief. Adieu in our heavenly Bridegroom, and in His undying love, Ruth Not puny, sinful worms! ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" 1805-1860) Deliverance seldom comes in the way we look for it; for "Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave Him His counsel? Who did He consult with? Who gave Him understanding and taught Him the paths of justice? Who taught Him knowledge and showed Him the way of understanding?" Isaiah 40:13-14 Ah, has not the Lord frustrated our purposes over and over again! I cannot tell you with what majesty this passage has often come to my mind—"Who gave Him His counsel?" Not puny, sinful worms! He will counsel for them—but not with them. "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure." Yet "fear not, worm Jacob, I will help you"—help you to stand still and see My salvation; or help you to walk on in the dark in a rough and unknown path—just as My wisdom sees fit. Spiritual eyesight is not given to look at the outward path— but to look at our Guide; not to look before us at the way we are going to travel—but to look only at Him who will guide us safely through all, who will Himself be our way. Oh, to be kept abiding in Him, and constantly looking unto Him! It is most safe and blessed—but very contrary to flesh and blood! "I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them, and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 Spiritual health and strength ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" 1805-1860) "My flesh is real food and My blood is real drink. The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood lives in Me, and I in him." John 6:55-56 It is a present act—"eats" and "drinks." Is the very life and death, person and work of Jesus —the daily feast of your soul? Are you eating His flesh, and drinking His blood? Let us see to it, that we are seeking spiritual health and strength in no other way than by the continual, daily feeding on Christ! There is an ever fresh, ever full, sweetness in heaven's precious Lamb! Oh, this precious truth! It is gospel wine to my poor soul! We have such a Christ that we little think how far His glories and His matchless love surpass what we have ever yet conceived. We do not make half enough of Him—heaven's brightest gem, and richest treasure! Oh, that the precious Comforter may reveal Him more and more—that we may count all other things but filth and dross. Our works are all broken and faulty ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" 1805-1860) As long as we look to 'our evidences' for comfort, we shall be full of disquiet, for we discover . . . such weakness in our faith, such wavering in our hope, such coldness in our love, yes, such shortcoming in everything, that we cannot find here any rest for the sole of our foot, as regards spiritual confidence. It must be all in Christ! "He is the rock, and His work is perfect," while our works are all broken and faulty. Oh! may the blessed Spirit set your feet upon this Rock, and establish your goings there. May He enable you to make the venture of faith, just as you are, with wants and woes, sins and fears. The bitten Israelites were not healed by looking at their wounds—but at the brazen serpent, which was a type of Christ. And so while you are poring over your sins and yourself you will only sink lower! May the blessed Spirit enable you to look forth with the eye of faith to the Lamb slain, and to come away from self and all besides—to Jesus! Oh that I could so speak of the worthy Lamb as to set your heart on fire with love to Him and longing after Him! Adieu, dear friend. The Lord bless you, and in His own time strengthen, establish, and settle you. With kind love in our adorable Emmanuel, I remain, though most unworthy, yours affectionately, Ruth Bryan Faith's view of a crucified Redeemer ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" 1805-1860) My beloved friend, We want to be something—but our Father has determined to make and keep us nothing—so that Christ may be experimentally our all. I hope you are a little more looking unto Jesus— a little more leaning upon Him amid your many weaknesses. He can bear all your weight, for He has borne all your sins, which are the worst part of your burden. Oh, that by the Spirit you may get a faith's view of a crucified Redeemer— the peerless Pearl, the matchless perfection of beauty and love! "Yes, He is altogether lovely!" Song of Songs 5:16 We are both in the furnace! ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" April 21, 1856) "He will be like a Refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the Lord in righteousness." Malachi 3:3 Well, dear friend, we are both in the furnace! Much, very much vile dross has in my case risen up—but my blessed and patient Refiner sits watching the process. Nor does all this dross, hateful as it is, make Him forsake the work of His hands. He will have me know a little of what is in my heart—that I may know more of what is in His heart—even love, most invincible, unalterable, unquenchable love! Love which endures to the end, amidst all my wickedness, and wandering, and ingratitude. It is indeed astonishing! Into the blessed depths of this love I desire to be daily sinking, in all the fresh discoveries of my utter worthlessness and vileness—that thus I may praise Him more who has redeemed me from it all! The Lord does not show us how bad we are to cause despair—but to show forth the riches of His grace in saving us, and to call forth new songs of praise to Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood! Oh, my dear friend, Jesus is worthy to be praised in the depths as well as in the heights. He is near, and dear, and precious in the hour of affliction. In the path of tribulation, He gives some of His choicest fruits and wines—to revive those who are faint and weary in the wilderness. Oh! may you be helped, yes enabled, "to trust in the Lord at all times"—not only when you feel His love and have the shine of His countenance—but also in the dark and wintry day when clouds veil your sky, and sorrow invades your soul. "When I am afraid, I will trust in You." The secret of peace and power (Gleanings from the Inner Life of Ruth Bryan) "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." Hebrews 12:2 Do not be so often considering how much you love Jesus—but how much He loves you. Your love is but the effect; His is the cause. And the more you have to do with the cause, the more fully will the effect flow from it. Just so with faith. If you would have it grow, it must be by looking at Jesus—not by looking at your faith. The more you "consider Him," and are continually coming unto Him—the more lively and healthy will be the graces of the Spirit in your soul. And you will rejoice—not in your fruitfulness—but only in Him and in what He has done and suffered. If the Holy Spirit opens this to you, you will find the secret of peace and power. It is all in Christ! He says, "Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, and come away!" Away from self, away from all besides—to be absorbed in Him! "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." Hebrews 12:2 Have you ever been caught in this snare? ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" May 8, 1852) "Give us today our daily bread." Matthew 6:11 Whatever your heavenly Father calls you to, He will support you under. But He will not give the manna for tomorrow, or strengthen you for the next trial, while you have it only in anticipation. "As your days, so shall your strength be." And herein I read my own foolishness; often wearing out present strength with fears and forebodings of future trials; thus far disregarding present mercies, and rebelling against the Lord's will, because unlawfully anticipating it. Being naturally of an anxious mind, I must say that thus foolish and ignorant have I often been, and surprised when brought to discover how much I was dragging into the present hour, what did not belong to it. Have you ever been caught in this snare? "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 Constant religious engagements ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" 1805-1860) "They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have I not kept." Canticles 1:6 We may be active in our Lord's cause—but not spiritual in our own souls. We may be earnest for the salvation of others—but not be living in the joys of salvation ourselves. We may be instrumentally distributing the bread and water of life—but not be enjoying daily refreshment in our own experience. I do sorrowfully think that this is too much the case in the present day. The reason why I thus judge, is from finding people so lively in conversing upon what they are doing for the Lord—yet so slow to speak of what He is doing for them. They seem delighted to tell of the great things which are going on all around—but immediately shrink back if any 'heart subject' is brought home to them. In fact, if one speaks of personal enjoyment of the love of Jesus, there is no response from some—but they put it down to the score of egotism. While others refer to years past, when they did feel Him to be precious—but they confess that they know little of it now. They are so occupied in what they call 'working for Him,' that they hear little from Him, say little to Him, enjoy little of Him, and may truly say, "While I was busy here and there, He had left." It is most lamentable for any living soul to be in constant religious engagements for the good of others—while following Jesus "afar off." Very many such I fear there are; as well as hundreds who only know Him in the judgment—and yet are continually reading, teaching, and conversing on His blessed name. This is a day of great profession—but yet real vital godliness is at a low ebb, and close walking with God in sweet communion is too little sought after. Solemn, indeed, are these facts! We may well say, with David, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Ps. 139:23-24 "Thus it was with me." (Ruth Bryan's personal testimony. From "The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ—The letters of Ruth Bryan") "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!" Romans 5:20 Ah, indeed! I felt there never was such a wretch, such a living mass of putrefying sores and corruption! Others might be worse outside—but I felt the sin was not less polluting, because it worked chiefly within. And I thought if the Lord ever saved me, I would be the greatest wonder in heaven, and that there never could be such another trophy of redeeming love! Nothing less than sovereign power and irresistible grace would ever be sufficient for such a hell-deserving one as myself! Thus it was with me. It seemed too good to be true—that I, who deserved the lowest hell, and had felt so long as though I were hanging over it—should be delivered forever from it! "Deliver her from going down to the pit—I have found a Ransom!" The blood of Jesus is the only way by which a poor sinner can enter into heaven itself. Coming with that precious blood, the vilest shall not be shut out, for it "cleanses from all sin." Secret sin, open sin, old sin, long-continued sin, sins against light and knowledge, sins against judgment and mercy, known sin, unknown sin, every kind and manner of sin which a poor trembling, Spirit-convinced sinner feels— does this powerful blood take away! My sins were as scarlet, my guilt of crimson dye; but blood of a richer hue which flowed out from the veins of my precious Savior has made me white as snow! None need despair, since He has saved such a worthless, hell-deserving one as myself! "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!" What a mercy, then, to be stripped of all ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" December, 1850) I must confess that God generally deals very contrary to my expectations. Yet "He does all things well." It is "Sweet to lie passive in His hands, And know no will but His." I have proved . . . my own strength to be complete weakness, my own wisdom to be consummate folly, my own righteousness to be filthy rags. What a mercy, then, to be stripped of all, and have . . . Christ for wisdom, Christ for righteousness, Christ for strength, Christ for purity, Christ for power, Christ for beauty, Christ for holiness, Christ for acceptance above, Christ for our daily walk, Christ for our daily work, Christ for rest, Christ for food, Christ for medicine! Yes, to know nothing among men or before God—but Jesus crucified and glorified! To His loving heart and powerful arm I again commend you for all your needs. Yours affectionately, Ruth The experience of this union ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" April 30, 1857) "And you are complete in Him." Colossians 2:10 Truly, my dear friend, we should be learning more and more how completely He has saved us in Himself, and how constantly He delights in us with all His heart, so that we have no need to seek for anything in ourselves to make us more entirely accepted or more loved. "He cannot love us more, nor will He love us less; for in loving her (His Church, His Bride,) He loves Himself." Viewing us in Himself, He ever says, "You are absolutely beautiful, my darling, with no imperfection in you!" And the response of faith and love is, "He is altogether lovely!" (Song of Songs 4:7, 5:16) The experience of this union releases the soul from a host of cares and anxious thoughts. It is your Husband who hangs bleeding there! ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" October 31, 1849) "I will make you My wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you Mine, and you will finally know Me as Lord." Hosea 2:19-20 Well may it be asked, Who is this wondrous Beloved, who would go to such depths for His spouse; and on whom the weak one is leaning as she comes up out of the wilderness? Ah! He is the same who, from all eternity, was the great "I Am!" the mighty God, by whom all things were created, who is before all things, and who holds all things together! It is He who, in the fullness of time, scorned not the lowly Virgin's womb, but became a babe. It is the same glorious Person who was seen coming with crimson-stained garments, traveling in the greatness of His strength, who tread the winepress of Almighty wrath alone! It is He whose countenance is as the sun shining in his strength, yet whose "visage was marred more than any man's, and His form more than the sons of men." It is the same glorious Person who is a holy One of the holy ones; and yet "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief!" It is the same glorious Person who is "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners;" and yet "numbered with the transgressors." Under the weight of sin and its punishment, Jesus agonized in the sacred garden of Gethsemane, and sweat great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Oh, those rich, rich drops from His precious veins! They are of more value than all the gold and gems His hands have made! This is the matchless Bridegroom of whom we speak—who, on Calvary, was stretched on the accursed tree, and there finished the love-scene of His mystic sufferings! Come, sit with me a moment beneath the shadow of His cross! Look up, and remember it is your Husband who hangs bleeding there! It is the Bridegroom, in love for the Bride, enduring those unknown pangs! See how His holy flesh is bruised with scourging, and His precious hands and feet pierced with rugged nails! How is His heavenly brow torn with piercing thorns, and His dear side with the cruel spear; each gaping wound proclaiming, "Man is guilty—God is love! But God is justice too!" Oh, see His precious blood trickling down. It flowed forth for sinners like me—like you! Look and wonder! Look and be comforted! Look and adore! "Here look until love dissolves your heart, And bids each slavish fear depart!" O glorious Lord, we worship You! "Your beauties we can never trace Until we behold You face to face!" We love to meditate on Your sufferings, but rejoice that they are over. You have suffered, and you die no more! You have gone to our Father and to Your Father; and we are expecting you to "come again" and receive us unto Yourself, to be with You, and behold Your glory; when, in nobler and sweeter strains we'll sing Your never-dying love, and tell Your power to save; while with open face and ravished heart—we forever gaze upon Your matchless beauty! "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it!" Ephesians 3:19 She is ugly! ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" October 31, 1849) Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth! that this most glorious Immanuel, the Prince of Peace, whom angels worship, and before whom the seraphim bow— should from all eternity engage to come and seek His Bride from this poor world, and claim her for His own! Yet so it is! But she is filthy and polluted! (Ezek. 16:6; Job 15:14-16; Isa. 64:6) Then His own precious veins shall pour forth the rich crimson flood to cleanse her, (Rev. 1:5) and His Spirit shall open the fountain to wash her from her sin and uncleanness. (Zech. 13:1) But she is naked and bare! (Ezek. 16:22) Then He will cast His skirt over her, (Ezek. 16:8) and will for her, weave in the loom of the Law (Rom. 5:19) fine linen—clean and white—a robe in which she shall be fit to appear at His court! Moreover the Spirit shall bring near the righteousness of Jesus, (Isa. 46:13) clothing her with "the garments of salvation," and covering her with the "robe of righteousness," "as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." But she is diseased! (Isa. 1:5, 6) She is a leper! (Ps. 51:5) Yet will He bring her health and cure, for He says, "I am the Lord who heals you;" and He is actually made to be sin for her, (2 Cor. 5:21) that she might be made "the righteousness of God in Him." But she has no personal charms—she is ugly! Then He will put His loveliness upon her, and through it her beauty shall be perfect. But she is poor! So He bestows Himself and His fullness upon her—and thus endows her with unsearchable riches! But she is unwilling, and has no heart to the match, for she obeys a hostile prince! (Eph. 2:2,3) Her delights, too, are in the world and the flesh. A new heart will He give her, and a right spirit will He put within her. The Holy Spirit shall make her willing in the day of His power. "I will cause you to forget your images of Baal; even their names will no longer be spoken." (Hosea 2:17) So that, prostrate at His feet, she shall say, "Lord, our God, other lords than You have ruled over us, but we remember Your name alone!" And now that the Spirit has touched her heart, she feels she is diseased, and discovers her filthiness and nakedness, knows she is ugly and poor, and cannot think the Bridegroom's heart is towards her, or that she can find favor in His eyes. And therefore she cries out, "I am black!" "Behold, I am vile! My loveliness has turned into corruption!" But He overwhelms her by responding, "You are all beautiful, my love, there is no spot in you!" Then she exclaims, "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death!" He replies, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" Now she ventures, with a captivated heart, to declare, "My Beloved is mine, and I am His! He is the chief among ten thousand! He is altogether lovely!" "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it!" Ephesians 3:19 For His poor Rachel ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ, The letters of Ruth Bryan" 1805-1860) Did Jacob serve seven years for his Rachel—by day in the heat, and by night in the frost—and did they seem but as a day unto him—for the love he had for her? Our spiritual Jacob has far exceeded him! He left the throne of His glory for His poor Rachel, and took her humble flesh in the form of a servant; and for her sake served thirty-three years under the Law! He bore the heat of temptation, weariness, and thirst; as well as the cold of reproach and scorn, and the malice of sinners against Himself. This He thought not too much; for when He had finished the work on her behalf, for her He cheerfully entered upon the most bitter part of His sufferings, which made even His mighty heart to shudder with agony, while His dear lips prayed—"O my Father, if it is possible, (with the rescue of my Bride) let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." Behold the depth of His unflinching love! The 'cup of curse' must be drunk, or the captive Bride must perish! And so He takes the bitter cup, and does not turn away until every dreg is consumed! And the same sacred lips which emptied it could say in triumph, "It is finished!" For the joy that was set before Him (of possessing His beloved bride) He endured the cross, despising the shame, and has now sat down at the right hand of God, until the blissful consummation before assembled worlds, when it will be joyfully proclaimed, "The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready!" Then shall the spiritual Jacob and His Rachel meet and embrace, and part no more forever! She awaking up after His likeness, shall be satisfied! And He seeing her in glory, (the very travail of His soul,) shall be satisfied likewise! "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it!" Ephes. 3:19 Cancer, go to that child! ("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ—The letters of Ruth Bryan". Ruth wrote the following when dying of cancer.) "I have much inward fever, making me restless and uneasy at night, but I have been led to see this fever as my Father's servant, obeying His will. God says, 'Fever, go to that child, and work in her frame, and disturb her rest;' and it comes, but all is in covenant love. He has said also, 'Cancer, go to that child, and wound her flesh, and sap her strength;' and it has come, and is doing His work and His will—but all is love." "The waters of affliction have risen higher this month, but, safe in my living Ark, I am unhurt. It is sharp to flesh and blood, but right to faith. I am not always light and bright in my feelings; but oh! what blessed security and solidity do I find in my precious Rock! There I am, come what may! Angels might envy my joy—joy in the flood and in the flame. Hallelujah!" "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold." Psalm 18:2 God's jewels (Alexander Moody Stuart) "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my jewels." Malachi 3:17 Here and there, amid the turmoil of a world that knows not God—humble believers may be found —pilgrims and strangers—dwelling in the world and using it, but not of it; born of another parentage from those around them; leading a life peculiar to themselves, secret in its essence, but manifest in its workings and its fruits. These are God's jewels, which He is gathering, and preparing, and polishing for Himself. Some noble lessons (James Meikle, "A Secret Survey into the State of the Soul" January 2, 1794) I am taught some noble lessons: 1. To expect no solid or lasting happiness in anything but in God. 2. To see how much we may be mistaken in our opinion of men and things. 3. To expect nothing but disappointment and pain in the world—and so to be prepared for misfortunes. 4. To build upon no present state of things; for a storm of troubles may gather from any place, and at any time. 5. In all things to rejoice in being forever with God, who will eternally wipe all tears from our eyes, and sorrow from our hearts! An amazing reverse of circumstances! (James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with the King of Terrors" January 6, 1795) "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores." Luke 16:19-21 Worldly people may make a figure in the things of time. But when I look into eternity, I find an amazing reverse of circumstances. The most afflicted saint in this world— is happy above conception in eternity! The most wealthy sinner in this world—is miserable beyond description in eternity! "The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him—Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire!" Luke 16:22-24 What then are a few moments of sorrow—compared to an eternity of communion with God and the Lamb! I daily fail (James Meikle, "A Secret Survey into the State of the Soul") My daily vain thoughts and errors who can understand, for they are innumerable? Yet my daily complaint is against them, "O who shall deliver me from this body of death?" and my continual struggle is to oppose them. These things make me humble, and a daily suppliant to free grace, and give a continued demonstration of my own abominable vileness. I daily fail, but I daily bewail myself, and daily dip myself in the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness. My pleasant infant (James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with the King of Terrors" March 7, 1797) Our youngest child for some weeks past has been getting teeth, and was seized with a fever. And though sometimes a little better —yet the fever returned and cut her off. Yesterday she was interred. Here divine sovereignty is clearly manifested— I am spared for many years, but my pleasant infant is mingled with the dead! In a little while—it will be eternity with us all! Our best wisdom will be—to hold a loose grip on every comfort which can perish, and to fasten our grip on eternal things. The more we have our hearts in heaven—the less will the troubles of time distress us. What would we think? (James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with the King of Terrors" December 20, 1791) What would we think of those who had lost their nearest and dearest relative, carried off by ruffians—and yet felt no alarm? What would we think of those who could feast cheerfully at their sumptuous table—while their friends were destitute of all the comforts of life? What would we think of those who could sleep pleasantly on their downy beds—while their friends were denied the least slumber, by the torturing hand of their cruel foes? What would we think of those who could quaff and carouse with sparkling wine—while their friends could not procure a drop of water for their scorched tongue? Now, to apply. Where are any ruffians—like the infernal fiends? Where is a state so utterly destitute of all comforts—as the state of damnation? Where are any tortures—like the torments of hell, and of damned devils? And where, but in the burning lake, are sufferers so completely miserable—who cannot even get a drop of water to cool their tormented tongue? And yet the death of those sinners, who lived without God, and died without hope—makes no impression on their surviving friends! "The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment . . ." Luke 16:22-23 Why am I so averse to die? (James Meikle, "A Periodic Interview with the King of Terrors") Why am I so averse to die? Why not leap for joy at an invitation to go to my Father's kingdom, and my Father's throne? The troubles which attend me, and the sins which attack me—make me weary of this life. And the joys that await me—make me long for my heavenly home. O! it is a sad proof that I know not . . . the emptiness of the creature, nor the sinfulness of sin, nor the nature of the heavenly bliss, nor the excellency of communion with God —that I do not loathe this life more, nor long for my heavenly home more. The heir of an eternal world should not care much about a world which passes away. Such oceans of bliss, such rivers of joy and spiritual delight, such wonders of glory and overflowings of love—shall be revealed to, and pour in on the soul—as shall quite blot out the remembrance of all the trifling distresses of our transitory life! Some of you will be cast into the furnace! (Archibald Alexander, "Growth in Grace" 1844) For your more rapid growth in grace, some of you will be cast into the furnace of affliction. Sickness, bereavement, bad conduct of children and relatives, loss of property or of reputation—may come upon you unexpectedly and press heavily on you. In these trying circumstances exercise patience and fortitude. Be more solicitous to have the affliction sanctified, than removed. Glorify God while in the fire of adversity. That faith which is most tried is commonly most pure and precious. Learn from Christ how you ought to suffer. Let perfect submission to the will of God be aimed at. Never indulge a murmuring or discontented spirit. Repose with confidence on the promises. Commit all your cares to God. Make known your requests to Him by fervent prayer. Let go your too eager grasp of the world. Become familiar with death and the grave. Wait patiently until your eternal change comes; but desire not to live a day longer than may be for the glory of God. Happy here, and happy to all eternity! (Octavius Winslow, "The Christian's Joint Heirship") It is in the heart of our God to give us the chief and the best. Had there been a greater, and a better, and a sweeter, and a more satisfying portion than Himself—then that portion would have been ours. But since there is not, nor can be, a greater than Himself—the love, the everlasting, changeless love that He bears to us, constrains Him to give Himself as our God, our Portion, our All. And have we not experienced Him to be God all-sufficient? Have we ever found a lack in Him? Oh no! God is all-sufficient, and no arid wilderness, and no dreary land have we experienced Him to be. There is in Him . . . an all sufficiency of love to comfort us; an all sufficiency of strength to uphold us; an all sufficiency of power to protect us; an all sufficiency of good to satisfy us; an all sufficiency of wisdom to guide us; an all sufficiency of glory to reward us; and an all sufficiency of bliss to make us happy here, and happy to all eternity!

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