To Mrs. H., January 12, 1851.
My very dear Amelia,
"Where are you?" and what are you doing? Are you a widow indeed trusting in
God, and continuing in supplication and prayers, serving Him with fastings
and prayers night and day in Christ, the true temple? 1 Tim. 5:5; Luke 2:37.
Released from the creature yoke, is Jesus the heavenly
Bridegroom now your all? As says the prophet, "Your Maker is your husband.
The Lord Almighty is his name." Say, my beloved, is His name as ointment
poured forth to your soul? Are you satisfied with Him, happy in Him,
restless without Him? Are creatures and things without Christ in them, like
the empty sepulcher to mourning Mary, who had lost her Lord, and would
accept no substitute? It was His love united us, and made communion sweet;
it is in that love I now inquire; "Is it well with you?" How are the fruits
of the valley? Does the vine flourish, and the tender grape appear, and the
pomegranate bud forth? Is it seed-time or harvest with you? Are you reaping
the precious fruits, or watching for the early and for the latter rain?
I am myself, just an empty sinner, living in and on a
full Savior, "who loved me, and gave Himself for me." I am crucified with
Him. He lives in me; "the life I live in the flesh is by the faith in the
Son of God." I find His service perfect freedom, and sweetly prove that "the
way of the Lord is strength to the upright." "Unto you who believe He is
precious." Ah, indeed no words can express how precious our glorious
Emmanuel is to the gleaner's heart. "I am poor and needy—but the Lord thinks
upon me;" and He has said in my soul for this new year 1851, "You are not
your own, you are bought with a price." It felt very, very solemn; and then
a short time after that word followed, "You are mine," which was very sweet
and melting. Oh, to glorify Him in body and spirit, which are His—"bought
and paid for," the price His own rich blood! Amazing! Was ever love like
this? Ah, never! He is the Prince of lovers, the best of all beloveds;
worthy, worthy is our lovely Lord the Lamb! Of all on earth I surely am most
indebted to Him, and owe Him an eternity of praise. "I will tell of the
Lord's unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will
rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to
his mercy and love." Isaiah 63:7
Now, my loved one, I affectionately commend you to "Him
who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before
the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."
And, in our precious Jesus, remain yours very lovingly,
Ruth