The Letters of Ruth Bryan, 1805-1860


The happiness of those who endure

To Mrs. H., October 17, 1855.
My own dearest Amelia,
I cannot refrain from saying how very welcome and suitable were some things in your letter this morning. I was deeply writhing under a sense of my useless, worthless, unprofitable life. Think, then, what balm to hear afresh that the savor of His good ointments had been caused to flow through my heart and pen to those hearts dear to Him. And by other seasonable passages in the letters, I was afresh strengthened to endure in things which were then pressing. Oh that word "endure," what has it been to me by the Spirit's power! I have often said, it is worthy to be written in letters of gold. But it is written in better than gold, even in living characters, by the finger of God, in the fleshy table of the heart. And the blessing is richly found at the end of it, "He who endures to the end, shall be saved." This was one of my winter lessons when in the furnace. Not alluding only to eternal salvation—but also the many salvations we need in the pathway to glory; in most dispensations there is a time to endure; it may be while sowing in tears, or it may be while suffering with patience; but as we are enabled to abide in the trial with God--the reaping in joy and the crown of rejoicing does certainly follow.

My heart rejoices with you in the Lord. Oh, what wonders of His love have I been proving, though many a rough wind from the wilderness has been blowing; but in wilderness dispensations He causes rivers to flow forth, and streams in the desert.

Hoping soon to speak face to face, I remain, with tender love, your ever-affectionate,
Ruth




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