"But one thing is needful."
To Mr. J. A., January 19, 1856.
Dear sir,
I must thank you for your very kind reply to my note. When I wrote, I had
not the slightest thought you would answer it; and your letter, therefore,
was doubly welcome. The candor and honesty of its contents much delight me;
while at the same time I truly mourn over your present state of soul. Yet I
do not sorrow without hope; for I humbly trust the Lord has a purpose of
saving mercy towards you, and that before long He will make you "see" and
"feel" those things which, at present, you say you only hear of. I beg to
say that what you hear is "true report;" and it is solemn to remember that
the things of eternity are stern realities--and will be proved to be
so whether you now realize it or not. The "broad road" will "lead to
destruction," however carelessly people may walk therein. The threatenings
of God's Word against sin will be executed, however indifferently people may
hear or read of them. It will not stand as an excuse before Him to say, "I
did not feel the force of the threatenings, or did not see any evil in my
pursuits." What God has declared to be evil is so; and those who do such
things will be judged by Him as evil-doers, just as His Word declares, "He
will render to every man according to his deeds." Now the pleasures of the
world are not only empty and unsatisfactory—but they destroy the soul and
displease God, as the Scriptures declare; and all who persist in them are
His enemies, as we read, "The friendship of the world is enmity with God;
whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." They
are called "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." What a true
description!
You say that before anyone can give up the fascinations
of the world he must have a dread of the consequences, and that to this
point you are not yet come. But I would now bring before you the certainty
of those consequences, even if they are not believed or dreaded. They do not
hinge upon the perception or feeling of the creature—but upon the truth of
Him who has said, "The end of those things is death." This is a real matter
of fact; and, however unfelt, the truth of it will follow you into every
party of pleasure, yes, into every one of those streams which are truly
called, "The pleasures of sin;" for "whatever a man sows that shall he also
reap."
You will perhaps think me harsh—but "faithful are the
wounds of a friend." These things are so; I see them, and see your danger,
and cannot but say—"Stop and think--before you further go!" And would ask
with the prophet, "Lord, I pray you, open (the young man's) eyes that he may
see."
But perhaps you will say, "I have no other sources of
pleasure; would you have me quite miserable?" O beloved, there is not a
blood-redeemed sinner before the throne but was miserable once; and I well
remember a time in my early days when I was miserable too. I could not enjoy
the world as some I knew seemed to do; there was something lacking. I could
not enjoy religion and the things of God as believers did. I felt unlike
everybody else, and as if I never would find happiness either in the world
or in the church. But though I knew it not, the Lord's hand was in it; and
He drew me by a strange way, until at last He brought me to the foot of the
cross, to find true peace and happiness in the love of a bleeding Savior. I
should not, therefore, be sorry for you to lose your present poor
pleasures, and feel "an aching void;" for in my Savior's heart there is
yet room, and He can fill it all. I find His love so precious that I long
for others to enjoy it, and cannot help saying, "Oh taste and see that the
Lord is good!"
I am delighted that you do seek, if it is only
sometimes, and ever so feebly. May the Holy Spirit enable you to pray more
earnestly and seek more diligently; it will not be in vain. You little
know what are the joys of His salvation. It is well worth being miserable
half one's life to attain such substantial enjoyments which are forever!
I have been sorry to hear that you are out of health; and
yet a hope sprang up in my heart that the Lord might thereby speak to your
soul with power, saying, "Seek my face." He called Samuel many times before
he knew whose voice it was; and He will make you "willing in the day of His
power."
I fear you will think I am taking too much advantage of
your kindness by writing again; but I could not let your note remain without
a reply, because I am affectionately watching for your soul. The Lord bless
you.
With much interest, I am yours very sincerely,
Ruth Bryan