To E. M., January, 1858.
Very dear friend,
I have been musing with delight upon the wonders developed by the
microscope. What perfection is there in every part of the works of our God!
All creation shows His handiwork, His wisdom, and His goodness. Dr. Carson
beautifully says, "The works of God and the Word of God bear the same
testimony of Him as far as they go together; but the Word goes far beyond
His outward works. It testifies of salvation, on which subject His works of
creation say nothing."
"The things which are impossible with men are possible
with God." "All things are possible to those who believe." The Lord gives a
promise, and faith receives it in sweet assurance; but anon, all things seem
against it. The fogs of sense, flesh, and carnal reason
arise, and so veil the promise, that it appears as unreal as that almost
invisible. But when faith is again brought into lively exercise, every line
and letter is sweetly discerned, with the Divine "yes and amen" upon it. Oh,
to look more through the glass of faith, and less with the blinking,
deceiving eye of sense and reason.
I have been thinking further (the thought may well make
one blush) that even the beauties and loveliness of Jesus, which have so
ravished our souls, do at times look only like that diminutive speck, which
can scarcely he discerned. How we, then, look all ways to get the clear
views of Him, who before so enraptured us. But no—our efforts are vain until
the blessed Spirit again sets the glass of faith, and takes of the things of
Christ and shows them unto us. In other words, until our Beloved manifests
Himself afresh in endearing communion, constraining us to exclaim, "You are
fairer than the children of men; the chief among ten thousand, yes,
altogether lovely."
But if it be with us that "now we see Him not," yet
having once beheld His beauty, no lower charms can satisfy, no other object
fill the vacuum in our soul. Oh "Come quickly, my love! Move like a swift
gazelle or a young deer on the mountains of spices!" (Song of Songs 8:14) Oh
come, and "cause the mountains of Bether" (division) to fall down at
Your presence. Blessed Author and Finisher of faith, call into lively
exercise that grace, that it may truly be "the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1) Wishing you the renewings
of the Holy Spirit, (1 Cor. 2:9, 10)
I remain, with best love, your unworthy but affectionate,
Ruth