Never

A selection from a letter by the beloved hymn writer, Francis Ridley Havergal to a friend, written in 1871:

I feel very much inclined to send you this text: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Because that takes in all “the way.” For if true now, it must have always been true, even when most imperfectly recognised. And we cannot get beyond “never.”

Letters by the Late Frances Ridley Havergal, edited by her sister, Maria V. G. Havergal, first published in 1885, reprinted by Kessinger Publishing, p. 177.

Seasons of Peculiar Joy

A selection from a letter by Elizabeth Prentiss, author of the wonderful book, Stepping Heavenward, to Mrs. Leonard Dorset, August 3, 1869:

I believe fully with you that there is no happiness on earth, as there is none in heaven, to be compared with that of losing all things to possess Christ. I look back to two points in my life as standing out from all the rest of it as seasons of peculiar joy, and they are the points where I was crushed under the weight of sorrow. How wonderful this is, how incomprehensible to those who have not learned Christ!

More Love to Thee: The Life and Letters of Elizabeth Prentiss, George Lewis Prentiss, reprinted by Solid Ground Christian Books, p. 276.

Oh For Heaven!

A selection from a letter by Mary Winslow (1774-1854) to a friend about the vanity of the world in comparison to heaven. No date given.

The works of God, how lovely! But I do feel such a weariness of the world that nothing here gives me anything more than a momentary, passing pleasure, and it is gone at a glance. What is this fair world? And what is man without the enlightening, quickening power of the Holy Spirit? Oh for heaven! Nothing else will satisfy my longing soul but the sight of Him it loves. Jesus is all in all to me, and He will be all in all through eternity.

Heaven Opened: A Selection from the Correspondence of Mrs. Mary Winslow, edited by her son, Octavius Winslow, 1864, reprinted by Reformation Heritage Books, 2001, p. 186.

My Heart Is With The Work At Home

A letter from Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who had gone away to Mentone, France, to recover from sickness, to his congregation in London, the Metropolitan Tabernacle, written on February 7, 1886:

Dear Friends,

Revising this sermon (on Mark 8:19-21) reminds me of our happy Thursday evening gatherings. May I soon have the joy of ministering among you again, and marking your numerous attendances at the week-night services! May these ever be to us the happy evidences of the spiritual life of the church!

I have now been here for a week, and the sunshine and warmth are doing wonders for me. We are smitten down on a sudden, but we recover our lost strength slowly, and therefore I am still weak, but the pain is gone, and I can walk a little, for which I am joyfully grateful.

My heart is with the work at home. I am glad to hear that the Elders propose special services. Give them your utmost aid. Will any one member of the church hold back? Surely each one will be eager to make up for my lack of service by his own personal endeavor. I pray my Lord and God to send prosperity to this effort. By the love of Jesus, I plead with him to stir you all up, and through you to save sinners.

With all my heart, your loving minister,
C. H. Spurgeon.
Mentone, February 7th, 1886.

The Metropolitan Pulpit: Sermons Preached and Revised by C. H. Spurgeon During the Year 1885, Pilgrim Publication, volume 31, p. 84.

He Does All Things Well

A selection from a letter by John Newton to his dear, but troubled friend, William Cowper, July 30, 1767:

Let us strive and pray for a habitual resignation to his will; for He does all things well. It is never ill with us but when our evil hearts doubt or forget this plainest of truths.

Letters of John Newton: with Biographical Sketches and Notes, by Josiah Bull, reprinted by the Banner of Truth, p. 153.

FIRE Conference

It is always good to get home after being away but we really did enjoy the annual FIRE Conference at Mount Hermon, California. It was a blessing to hear reports from the churches, missionary testimonies, and of course, the preaching. Jerry Marcellino, John Crotts, Bruce Ray, James White, and James Grier were all exceptional. The theme was Defending the Hope: Kingdom Apologetics.

Next year, God willing, the annual meeting will be held in Carmel, Indiana. Also, next year, Grace Baptist Church, Madison, AL, will be hosting a regional FIRE Conference in September. One of the scheduled speakers is David Ellis, pastor of the Bethesda Baptist Church, Stowmarket, England.

FIRE Annual Meeting

I am away for the annual meeting of the Fellowship of Reformed Evangelicals (FIRE), which is being held at Mount Hermon, California, May 12-14. Speakers this year are Jerry Marcellino, James Grier, James White, John Crotts, and Bruce Ray. We are looking forward to the preaching and the good fellowship.

Linda is going with me and we will be taking a few extra days to see San Francisco and Monterrey. I’ll get the blog back on track next week (dv).