Loving Counsels
A New Years Address
By John MacDuff, 1868
"The By-gone Time."
While the coming year you greet, with many a merry chime,
I sing a solemn dirge tonight, a dirge for the by-gone time—
Yes, from the soul within me, most bitterly I mourn,
For the many wasted moments which never can return;
For the many lost occasions for working something good,
For the promptings of a better will—most willfully withstood—
For the many mercies unobserved, and thanklessly received,
For the many chastenings sent in love, at which my spirit grieved,
For the many restless longings against God's sovereign will,
For the countless Christian duties I strove not to fulfill,
For the many gentle words of truth, I might—but did not speak,
Which might have soothed the broken heart, and strengthened the weak;
For these and for a thousand sins, and failings of the past—
Upon Your mercy, oh my God! my trembling soul I cast!
And, kneeling at the 'Throne of Grace,' with earnest faith draw near,
To pray for strength to walk with You, throughout the coming year."
My dear parishioners,
At this season, so long as the state of my health permitted me to address you
from the pulpit, it was my custom to direct your thoughts to a
consideration of God's goodness in the past, and to the duty of more
humble trust and confiding reliance on Him for the future. Standing, as it
were, on the border-line of two years, I endeavored to point backward to the
path along which you had traveled; and, from the countless tokens of God's
watchful care—His gracious condescension, faithfulness, and love, I sought to
lead you—while erecting another Ebenezer—not only to inscribe on it the words,
"Hitherto the Lord has helped me!" but, with a firmer trust and deeper love,
to say, "This God is our God forever and ever! He will be our Guide even unto
death!"
It has pleased our heavenly Father, to withhold from me the
privilege of addressing you, this year, from my accustomed place, yet do I
feel most grateful, that He gives me strength of mind and body, even from the
sick-room, to discharge a duty so solemn and important, and thus, to hold
communion with those, whom, from my inmost heart, I love so truly. It may be
also, that the words I now address, will not be less welcome or impressive,
coming, as they do, from one who has been lately snatched from the very gates
of death, and who has experienced, more deeply than language can describe—the
goodness, the mercy, and the love of God. By His blessing, these pages may be
instrumental in awakening in some heart, a livelier sense of the divine
faithfulness, and a more ardent longing for union and fellowship, with our
unseen, but ever-present Savior. Assuredly, I have no wish so near to my
heart—none which so entirely occupies my thoughts and prayers—as that all of
us may be united, not only as pastor and people, but, as "heirs together of
the grace of life," "partakers of Christ," and "children of God by faith in
Him." For all of you, my heart's desire and prayer is, that "Christ Jesus may
be formed in you, the hope of glory," and that, by divine grace, you may be
enabled to "Walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility
and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love."
Both as pastor and friend, eleven years of fellowship have
united me more and more closely to you in the bonds of affection; and, looking
back on my past ministry, I can say, that in every home I met a cordial
welcome—from every parishioner I received kindness and sympathy, and that no
discord or division has ever weakened my hands or discouraged me
in my labors. It were strange, indeed, if, with such a retrospect, I could
feel otherwise than deeply interested in your present and eternal welfare—if
any desire could be stronger than that all of you should be "followers of
Christ" and "heirs of everlasting glory."
Allow me, then, dear friends—while the year is closing in
around us, and making way for the opening of another—to address to you a few
words of faithful, earnest, and loving counsel—and may the Spirit of
all grace sanctify and impress them on all our hearts!
In reviewing the
PAST,
the feeling which, at such a time as this, should be uppermost in every heart,
is that of fervent gratitude to God for His unmerited goodness
and mercy. There are none of us, who have not experienced, during the
bygone year, that "the Lord our God is gracious." We may have failed to
realize and acknowledge it, but it is not the less true—that every step of our
pilgrim-path—every hour of prolonged existence—every return of daily comforts
and blessings, have been so many tokens of God's goodness—so many evidences
that His "tender mercies are over all His works." In the house, and by the
way—He has watched over and protected us, and in the midst of a multitude of
dangers—which our eye could not see, nor our arm avert—He has guided and
upheld us, so that we may well "stir up our souls, and all that is within
us—to praise and magnify His holy name!"
Some of us can look back on
seasons of SPECIAL HELP and deliverance. We can remember how, when
the world, with its temptations and snares, had been gaining an undue
ascendancy over us—when faith was wavering, and hope was declining, and love
waxing cold, within us—when doubt and fear were taking possession of our
souls, and we were driven, in the very extremity of our peril, to cry, "Lord,
save me, or I perish!" Even then, an Almighty arm was held out to rescue and
uphold us, and a gentle voice whispered, "I am still with you!"—and receiving
fresh grace and strength, we bent humbly before the cross, and had our
faith invigorated—our love increased—our hope brightened.
Oh, surely with such a retrospect, our language may this day be, "Whom have I,
O God, in heaven but You, and in all the earth there is none whom I desire
besides You!"
Some whom I address may be looking back to
times of sad and painful BEREAVEMENT. The
desire of your eye has been removed with a stroke—death has plucked from its
stem, the loveliest and fairest flower of your heart—and you have felt
stunned, bewildered, desolate! But, even then, when your heart's sorrow was
greatest, and your anguish most intense—there came One to your side, whose
presence soothed and comforted your downcast spirit—One who encircled you in
His everlasting arms, and whispered words of sweetest consolation, "Lo, I am
with you always!" "I will never leave you nor forsake you!" "I will restore
comforts unto you!" "I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction."
Oh, when such words as these have come to you, in the sad
and dreary hour of trial—when you have been enabled to feel, that, instead of
being left forsaken, desolate and bereft—Christ was never nearer to you than
then—never more tender and sympathizing—never more intent upon advancing your
best interests, and securing your spiritual peace and comfort—than at the
moment when His dear hand laid your loved one low! You must, on looking back
this day to that momentous period in your history, feel and acknowledge, "He
has done all things well!" Yes, He robbed me of that cherished jewel—that
I might find, Himself, "the pearl of great price." He plucked that
lovely and cherished flower, that I might clasp more tenderly to my heart—Himself,
"the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley."
When I deemed myself forsaken and friendless—He came to
offer me a heart touched with my grief—throbbing with a love far deeper and
intenser than I could find on earth. He enabled me, by His grace and Spirit,
to bow in meek and humble submission to my Father's will—to say, without one
repining word, or one murmuring thought, "The Lord gave—and the Lord has taken
away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" Now I can bear my testimony to
the truth, "He has done all things well!" Now I feel, in my inmost heart, that
"in faithfulness, He has afflicted me!"
"Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
Savior, to Your cross I cling;
You have every blow directed,
You alone can healing bring.
"Try me til no dross remains;
And whatever the trial be,
While Your gentle arm sustains,
Closer will I cling to Thee.
"Cheerfully the stern rod kissing,
I will hush each murmuring cry;
Every doubt and fear dismissing,
Passive in Your arms, will lie.
"And when through deep seas of sorrow
I have gained the heavenly shore,
Bliss from every wave I'll borrow,
And for each will love You more."
—Mrs. E. C. Judson.
Some of you can look back to a
time of SICKNESS, when you experienced divine help and
consolation—when first you were summoned to retire from the busy throng—and
from the scenes in which you delighted. All seemed dark and mysterious. The
consciousness that health had departed—that disease was progressing—and pain
and weariness confining you, as a prisoner, to the bed of suffering. All this
pressed hard upon your spirit, and filled your soul with despondency and
gloom. The trying dispensation, instead of appearing what it eventually
proved—a precious blessing—seemed a dire and heavy calamity!
But He, who works His purposes of mercy and love
towards His children, in a way often contrary to their expectations and
plans—left you not to linger in darkness and despair. He came to you in the
night watches—He made all your bed in your sickness—He brought promise
upon promise to cheer your drooping spirit! He taught you that your sickness
and suffering, were needed to refine, elevate, and sanctify you! He taught you
that God designed, thereby—to draw you nearer to Himself—to wean your
affections from the world, and bring your will into sweeter and more perfect
harmony with His own!
Oh! surely, you have good reason, this day—to bless God for
that bed of suffering, that couch of weakness, and those wearisome days, and
long sleepless nights—if, thereby, you have been enabled to realize more
fully—that God is your all, your portion, your Father—if you have been brought
into closer relation, and more endeared intimacy, and fellowship with
Jesus—the sympathizing Brother—the tender loving Friend—if you have become
more deeply sensible of the Holy Spirit's work within you—of His power to
comfort, support, and sanctify you.
Looking back upon that eventful period, your feeling now
is, "Thank God for my trial-time of sickness—for calling me away from the busy
throng, that I might be alone with Him! Thank God for teaching me my own
weakness—and His strength; my own emptiness—and His fullness; my own
sinfulness—and His pardoning love; my own utter helplessness—and His
upholding, comforting, and sustaining grace! Thank God that the anguish of
that season of pain, distress, and suffering—was so often solaced by His love;
that its loneliness was so often dispelled by His gracious presence; that its
gloom was so often brightened with His smile; and that its calamity was so
often sanctified by His grace! Thank God that I can now sit loosely to the
world, and feel, that I am only a stranger and a pilgrim in it, journeying
to my heavenly home! Thank God that I can rest in the assurance, of having One
ever near, to whom I can reveal every doubt, and care, and perplexity—on whose
arm I can confidingly lean in "coming up from the wilderness;" from whose
infinite fullness I can at all times obtain strength for duty,
patience for suffering, support under weakness, and comfort
in the midst of sorrow! His grace is "sufficient" to bear me up, amid
all earthly trials and sorrows, temptations and infirmities—and His
strength can guide and uphold me in duty, service, and suffering, until
that blessed hour, when—the conflict ended, and the victory won—He shall
conduct me safely to my eternal home!"
Come health or sickness—come joy or sorrow, as I travel
onwards, I can now say—
"I leave it all with Jesus,
Then, wherefore should I fear?
I leave it all with Jesus,
And He is ever near!
I leave it all with Jesus,
Trust Him for what must be.
I leave it all with Jesus,
Who ever thinks for me!
"I bring it all to Jesus,
In calm, believing prayer!
I bring it all to Jesus,
And I love to leave it there!
Each tear, each sigh, each trouble,
Each disappointment—all
I love to give to Jesus,
Who loves to take them all!
"Then, why should drooping spirits
Or sinking fears be known!
Why should I bear a burden
Which JESUS calls His own?
Ah, no! though dark and heavy,
Oft-times my way appears,
One look—one word from Jesus,
Of holy comfort—cheers!
"In love He has afflicted—
In mercy used the rod!
But it has made me humble,
And brought me nearer God!
And soon another token,
Of His kindness will be given,
And the happy prospect gladdens,
Of either health—or heaven!"
But, there is yet another class, who are, at this season,
solemnly called upon to remember with gratitude—the goodness and the
mercy of God. They are such as have been exempt from painful sickness and sad
bereavement—whose paths have been unmarked by trial—and whose homes have been
unvisited by the fell destroyer. They have rejoiced in
the bright sunshine of PROSPERITY, and the bygone year has been,
to them—unchequered, serene, and tranquil. Business has prospered,
health has continued unbroken, their family circle has been
undiminished, and everything has gone well with their earthly plans and
prospects. Oh, friends, see to it, that, with grateful hearts, you recognize,
in your prosperity—the good hand of God! It is His love which has so
brightened your pathway! It is His love that has filled your cup of blessing!
It is His love that has exempted you from trial, and sickness, and sorrow! It
is His love that has crowned the year to you with goodness, and shielded your
homes from calamity, disease, and death! Let that love flow into your
hearts—and excite love and gratitude in return!
Pray for grace to bear your prosperity with a humble,
thankful spirit—to use it for God's glory and for the good of others; and let
not the bright sunshine which now gladdens your pathway, render you forgetful
of the solemn truth—that, in a moment, the darkness may gather—the
storm and tempest beat—and the present calm and serenity—be changed
for the fierce winds of adversity! Regard every earthly blessing—as
only lent to you only for a season! And, should it please God to remove
it, oh, strive to feel and to acknowledge that He only takes from you, but
what He first gave to you! Remember that He alone, can abundantly supply all
your needs, relieve all your wants, compensate for every loss—and help you in
every emergency.
Above all, see that temporal prosperity is not rendering
you less diligent in "working out your salvation with fear and
trembling,"—less anxious to make progress in the divine life—less careful in
the discharge of pious duties—and less watchful against the onsets of
temptation! There is danger in prosperity—there is peril when
the world is smiling upon you—peril from its customs, its business, its
pleasures, its friendships; and you can only be safe, so long as you continue
watchful and prayerful—so long as you are "walking with Jesus" amid daily
duties, enjoyments, and pleasures! By His side, the world cannot harm you! In
His presence, its temptations and bribes cannot deceive you! Relying on His
grace, prosperity will not ensnare you, nor will worldly success unduly elate
you!
Oh! pray then, that you may be enabled to "live unto the
Lord,"—to live truly, usefully, and acceptably to Him whose you are, and whom
you are bound by every tie of love and gratitude to serve! Pray that you may
have grace to travel onward through life—with Christ acknowledged in every
step—entwined with every affection—as the source of each joy, and the sharer
of each sorrow, of your personal history. Let your walk be one of firm,
unshaken faith in your Savior-God! Go to His inexhaustible fullness
with every need! Go to to His tender sympathy with every sorrow! Go to
to His prevailing grace with every infirmity! Go to to His precious
blood with every sin! Draw all your strength and grace from Christ—and
seek earnestly the aid and anointing of the Holy Spirit, and—whether in
prosperity or in adversity—you will be able to accomplish that which
will bring glory to God, happiness to those around you, and peace and comfort
and serenity to your own soul!
Let the language of your heart ever be—
"Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve You is my share,
And this Your grace must give!
"If life be long, I will be glad
That I may long obey;
If short, yet why should I be sad—
To soar to endless day!
"Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than He went through before;
He who into Christ's kingdom comes,
Must enter by that door!
"Come, Lord, when grace has made me meet.
Your blessed face to see;
For if Your work on earth be sweet,
What will Your glory be!
"Then shall I end my sad complaints,
And weary, sinful days,
And join with the triumphant saints
Who sing Jehovah's praise!
"My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim;
But 'tis enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with Him!"
—Baxter.
In reviewing the past, the goodness of God will be all the
more conspicuous, if we reflect on our individual
demerits and sinfulness. Instead of loading us with benefits, and
watching over us with parental care, sustaining and comforting us amid our
daily trials and vicissitudes—He might justly have withdrawn His favor from
us, and left us to reap the fruit of our doings! How often have we shared in
the bounties of His providence, without acknowledging the hand which
bestowed them! How little have we done to show our gratitude, either by the
praises of our lips, or the devotion of our lives to His
service! Where has been the exercise of a living faith? Where has been
the exercise of an ardent love? Where has been the exercise of a holy
zeal? What progress have we made in our homeward path? What advancement
have we made in holiness and purity? Have we loved God's Word more?
Have we been more fervent and persevering in prayer? Have we been more
faithful as the soldiers of the Cross? Have we been more animated
by the humble spirit of Him whom we profess to serve and obey? Has Christ
been more precious to us, and have we been living in close and daily communion
with Him—betaking ourselves to Him with every care, and doubt, and
perplexity—ever traveling to the fountain of His precious, atoning blood—for
the pardon of our many sins, and pleading earnestly for more of His
sanctifying, sustaining, enlightening, and comforting grace?
Alas! who among us is not filled with sorrow and
self-reproach, as we turn the eye backwards, and think of our ingratitude—our
unbelief—our waywardness and rebellion—our weak faith—our cold love—our
flagging and inconstant zeal? Truly we may say, "He has not dealt with us
after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities!"
Such has been the marvelous love of God toward us, that
though we have questioned and wounded it again and again—it has borne with us,
and continued unchilled and unchanged! It has tracked our wandering,
devious way! It has hovered around us—and shielded us from danger! It
has guided us in perplexity! It has comforted us in sorrow! It
has sustained us amid hourly trials, temptations, and afflictions!
Ah! What love has been manifested by our blessed Savior!
Love to the sinful, and guilty, and undeserving! Not only did He shed for us
His precious blood, and pour out His soul unto death upon the Cross—but,
having risen as the conqueror of sin and death and hell, He entered for us
within the veil—appeared as our Mediator and Advocate with God the Father, and
ever lives to plead our cause, and to pour out upon us the riches of His
grace! Freely has He offered, to the very chief of sinners, His precious,
guilt-atoning blood—His soul-satisfying righteousness—and His sin-subduing
grace. He has done all, suffered all, paid all—and left us nothing to do, but
"believe and be saved."
And oh! what gracious, reviving promises has He
given to His people! Promises of peace and comfort and hope! Promises of
guidance through life, support in death, and bliss
throughout eternity! He has assured us of the Spirit's help in carrying on the
work of faith and holiness within us—in renewing our natures—purifying our
affections—and forming within us, His own mind and likeness. He has pledged
His word—that He will never leave nor forsake us—that our union with Him shall
never be dissolved—that He will abide with us, and in us—that we
shall be "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation,"—that
grace begun shall assuredly terminate in glory—and that "neither
death, nor life, things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate
us" from His love! Oh, brethren, let us seek to realize more than we have ever
done—how much we are indebted to our Savior-God! Let us strive, by the help of
the Holy Spirit—to know more of that "love which passes knowledge!"
And, as we look forward to the FUTURE
—to that year on which we are
now entering—let us humbly and earnestly resolve, that, by Divine grace, we
shall "live, not unto ourselves, but to Him who died for us, and rose
again,"—that our life shall be a life of faith—a life "hidden with
Christ in God." We do not know what the future may bring of joy or sorrow—of
weal or woe—but if we have made "Christ our portion, our All in All," then we
need "fear no evil." He will make His "grace sufficient for us, and perfect
His strength in our weakness." He will support us under every trial, guide us
through every perilous path, and carry us over every difficulty and
danger—until He brings us in safety home—to our eternal rest!
Only let us cling confidingly to Him as we travel
onwards—let our communion be close and uninterrupted—let the eye of faith
follow His guiding hand, and the ear of faith listen to His loving
voice, and the hand of faith grasp Him with a clinging confidence—and
all will be well! Trials may come—He will comfort us! Dangers
may arise—He will protect us! Enemies may oppose us—He will overcome
them! No weapon formed against us shall ever prosper!
The coming year will be one of spiritual progress. Faith
will win its victories, and love secure its triumphs, and hope
increase its soarings. We will be able to "rejoice in the Lord," and
"rejoice in the God of our salvation." We commit our interests, for time and
eternity—to Him who will make "all things work together for our good." We
"cast all our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us." And in so
doing—whatever our troubles and trials may be—we will have, within us, "the
peace which passes understanding," and, a measure of that joy
"which is unspeakable, and full of glory."
Assured, that "all the ways of our God, are mercy and truth
to those who love Him," we will trust His heart—even when we cannot
trace His hand! We will receive meekly, humbly, and gratefully—whatever He
is pleased to send us—waiting patiently for the time, when He will solve His
own deep and mysterious providences, and we will be able to trace, with
grateful hearts, in the light of eternity—how much of infinite love, and
wisdom, and faithfulness, and goodness—were enfolded in all the events of our
earthly history!
Beloved brethren, be it yours to enter on the coming year,
with the resolution that, "whatever others do, as for you and your
house—you will serve the Lord." See to it, that you erect the family altar,
and, with your children, seek daily pardon—for daily sins; and
daily grace—for daily necessities. Let the Word of God be to you
a precious treasure—a storehouse, from which you daily draw food and
nourishment to your soul. Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves
together, for the worship of your God and Savior. Go to the sanctuary with
humble and teachable spirits—sit at the feet of Jesus and "learn of Him;" that
you may the better meet the trials and temptations of life, and the better
discharge those duties which devolve upon you from day to day.
Be earnest and persevering in prayer. Remember, that
the throne of grace is ever near at hand, and that the ear of the Eternal God
is ever open to your cry! For you—the gate of mercy is ever open—the Savior is
ever pleading—the Spirit is ever "ready to help your infirmities." Go to that
throne, assured that, in Christ Jesus, there is treasured up an infinite,
inexhaustible, mediatorial fullness of grace—and that, out of that fullness,
you are invited to partake! "Go to it in emptiness—and you will
return filled! Go to it in sorrow—and you will return comforted! Go to
it with guilt—and you will return pardoned! Go to it with sin,
backsliding, and infirmity—and you will return healed, restored, and
supported!"
Do not be ashamed to confess Christ in your daily life. Oh,
how many are so—afraid to be deemed pious—afraid to be thought of as
enthusiasts—afraid lest men should "take knowledge of them—that they have
been with Jesus." They will strive, and struggle, and toil, to acquire earthly
riches—give their whole heart's devotion to the world—and waste the energies
of mind and body, in the effort to outstrip others in the race for wealth.
They are not ashamed to be known as worldlings, but they are
ashamed to be deemed pious! They can be cold, unimpressed, and indifferent,
when a pious subject is brought before them; but warm, interested, and
engrossed, when the conversation is of this world—its business, schemes, and
projects. Brethren, let it not be thus with you! Carry your piety along with
you—not indeed for ostentatious display, or as the subject for mere idle,
empty talk—but as that which rules and regulates your words and actions—as
that which renders you gentle, kind, generous, and forgiving in your daily
fellowship with those around you—as that which opens your heart to the call of
the needy, and excites your sympathy to the afflicted and sorrowful—as that
which renders applicable to your name and character, the words of Scripture,
"All who heard of me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. For I helped
the poor in their need and the orphans who had no one to help them. I helped
those who had lost hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows' hearts
to sing for joy. All I did was just and honest." Job 29:11-14.
Thus, with Christ in the heart, and Christ's spirit in the
life, be it yours to meet the coming year, and, whether your influence is
great or small—your sphere of action extensive or limited—do what you can,
to glorify your God and Savior, and to "let your light so shine before
men, that they, seeing your good works, may also glorify your Father who is in
heaven!" In the family and in the world, at home and abroad, in your
disposition, in your business, in your worldly interactions—be it your desire,
your aim, and prayer—to "live unto the Lord," and to serve Him faithfully with
your time, your talents, your influence, and your wealth! Let your prayer be,
"Lord, what will You have me to do?" And seek earnestly, humbly, and
faithfully, to "do the will of your Father, who is in heaven." So occupy as a
steward, until Christ comes, and He will then say, "Well done, good and
faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things—I will make you
ruler over many things! Enter you into the joy of your Lord!"
Blessed is that servant, who is found so "doing the will of
God."
"'Tis not for man to trifle; life is brief,
And sin is here.
Our time is but the falling of a leaf,
A dropping tear.
We have no time, to sport away the hours;
All must be earnest, in a world like ours.
"Not many lives, but only one have we;
One—only one—
How sacred should that one life ever be—
That narrow span!
Day after day filled up with blessed toil,
Hour after hour still bringing in new spoil."
And now, brethren, "I commend you to God, and to the word
of His grace—which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance
among all those who are sanctified." I pray that the choicest blessing of
Almighty God may rest upon you—upon your families—your friends—your homes—your
occupations—your duties. May you receive grace according to your need! Grace
for doing—and for suffering; grace for health—and for
sickness; grace for prosperity—and for adversity;
grace for life—and for death! Grace for time—and glory in
eternity! May you enjoy, in every step of life's pilgrimage, the cheering,
sustaining, and animating presence of your God and Savior! And, may that
presence be, to you—so precious, so needful, so gladdening—that it shall prove
the pledge of heaven, the foretaste of celestial bliss, and the first-fruits
of the golden harvest of eternity!
May the language of your heart ever be—
"Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me;
And the changes that will surely come
I do not fear to see;
But I ask You for a patient mind,
Intent on pleasing Thee.
"I ask You for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles,
And to wipe the weeping eyes;
And a heart at leisure from itself
To soothe and sympathize.
"I would not have the restless way
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.
"Wherever in the world I am,
And in whatever estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate,
And a work of lowly love to do,
For the Lord, on whom I wait.
"So I ask You for the daily strength,
That none who ask are denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life
While keeping at Your side—
Content to fill a little space,
If You be glorified.
"And if some things I do not ask
In my cup of blessing be,
I would have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to You,
And careful—less to serve You much,
Than to please You perfectly.
"There are briars besetting every path,
Which call for patient care;
There is a cross in every lot,
And a need for daily prayer;
But a lowly heart that leans on You,
Is happy everywhere.
"In a service which Your love appoints
There are no bonds for me,
For my secret heart is taught 'the truth'
That makes Your children 'free;'
That a life of self-renouncing love
Is a life of liberty."
With sincere affection, I remain, your
loving pastor and brother in Christ,
John MacDuff, 1868