Chapter III: Part 3

How many refuse to take the course of religious duty, thinking its pursuits irksome, its reward in no wise tending to present, whatever they may do to future, comfort. But I may venture to assert, from the constant demeanour of our departed friend, that although her course was one of conflict and of trial, it was still one of substantial peace and comfort; and if she had not the joys which the world esteems, she had others which never left her, till she exchanged them for higher and purer delights. She early learned that young people, who fancy that substantial enjoyment is only to be found in the ordinary pleasures of life, make a great mistake. There may be much of indulgence or of excitement in worldly gratifications, and those who seek them may reap a present pleasure from them, but substantial happiness is alone to be found in religion. For this is a happiness which does not depend on external circumstances, it is the same in all states of life, and usually it rises higher when the hour of trial and of sickness comes on, which deadens the present enjoyments of life, and overwhelms the senses. It makes the cup run over even in the deepest desolations which the Christian is called to pass through.

But O how incomparably more blessed is her state now, and will be in all eternity, than if she had followed another course in life! She now regrets nothing she suffered, by which the work of God in her own soul was carried on; she rejoices to have borne the cross, inasmuch as it hath worked for her a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. All the seed of good which for years she was permitted to sow, she now reaps, and the fruit of it shall all be gathered into the garner of God.

If then _she_ found the way of religion to be a way of pleasantness, and a path of peace, and if now she is reaping a good reward for the confession of Christ, we have the same way opened by which to return to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is at hand to teach us, to enlighten, to strengthen, to comfort, to direct us in prayer. Let no one refuse the offer which the Gospel makes of its blessings. Let all, without delay, hasten to give themselves up to the service of Christ, not doubting but ‘if they are stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, their labour will not be in vain in the Lord.’

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THE END.

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PRINTED BY
L. AND G. SEELEY, THAMES DITTON, SURREY.

Footnotes

{62} I have subsequently to this event, found the same signal of faith in a dying person recorded in one of Mr. Richmond’s tracts.—_Vide Churchman’s Monthly Review_. April 1841.