The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway
for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalms 32:8
To Mrs. H., November 29, 1855.
My ever dear Amelia,
How truly have we both proved that when "the Lord shuts none can open; and
when he opens none can shut." I trust the present opening in your case will
eventually prove of real benefit to your bodily health, and also that you
may have as manifestly the Lord's presence and instructions as (to His glory
I am constrained to confess) I have had, in going from my own home, quite as
unexpectedly as you. He leads us about to instruct us, as it is written, "He
led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye."
Truly, "the way of the Lord is strength to the upright;"
"his voice is full of majesty;" it overcomes the soul, and gives to its
timid questions an answer of assurance which none can gainsay or resist.
"Where the word of a king is there is power;" and when I was wondering "why
accept this and refuse the other?" He said, "My people shall be willing in
the day of my power."
I have felt the power of Satan striving against me. Whom
resist steadfast in the faith; and truly in the conflict the Spirit did
strengthen my soul with that invaluable word "ENDURE," and enduring (by His
power) to the end, there was salvation. "Yes, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Thus in my bodily weakness I
have been called out when I had thought to retire, and spend my few
remaining days in a quiet pavilion with my Beloved; but, however, to his
honor I must say, "He has done all things well," and "His paths drop
fatness; they drop upon the pastures of the wilderness," and then we, His
"little hills, rejoice on every side."
I am now very poorly, and also much bowed under a deep
relative trial, in which I am anxiously watching for the guiding cloud, and
listening for the directing voice. I seldom sail long on a smooth sea—but
often do I see the Lord's wonders in the deep, and bring up many a pearl
from thence. I am a poor weak creature, and often fear when I enter into the
cloud, and cry in the storm, "Save me, O God, for the waters are come in
unto my soul." Then He does deliver the poor and the needy when he cries. He
has delivered, He does deliver, and we trust that He will yet deliver. I am
weak and tried—but one of those feeble folk whose dwelling is in the rock. (Prov.
30:26)
Dear love, from your warmly-affectionate,
Ruth