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