LETTER TO ONE WHO HAD LATELY TAKEN UP THE CROSS - Robert Murray Mcchene

Kept by God—Meeting with God.

ST PETER’S, January 31, 1843.

MR. DEAR M., —I was glad indeed to hear that you are prospering, and that you do not repent having made Moses’ choice, —Heb. 11:24, 25, —of which I used to tell you so often. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord. You remember what Ruth said when she clave to Naomi? — “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” I have not got your note by me, and it is late, but I will answer it to-morrow. I only write a line tonight to strengthen your faith, — “that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me.”—Rom. 1:12. I have been remaining quiet since I wrote you last, that I may gather strength for the north. I expect hard service, but I hope Jesus will be with me. You remember the sweet promise Jacob got at Bethel while he slept at the foot of that wondrous ladder: “Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou guest; for I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” That promise is to you and me as truly as to Jacob. Therefore, do not fear though you may be taken among those who are strangers to Jesus and his love. There is a sweet promise, Ezek. 11:16. I have felt its preciousness in foreign lands. Jesus himself will be our sanctuary not made with hands. I was preaching on Thursday last on Rev. 19:12: “On his head were many crowns;” trying to teach them the kingly office of the Lord Jesus. It was a very solemn night. On Sabbath I lectured on Heb. 9:9, 10, and preached in the evening on Isa. 49:5: “Though Israel be not gathered;” showing that however many will be lost by unbelief, still Christ would not lose one beam of his glory. If all the world were blind, and said the sun was dark, that would not take away one bright ray from it. It was a very awful subject, and my heart yearned over poor lost sinners. Four little girls have come since, asking, “What must I do to be saved?” Three of them were awakened before, and one very lately. A widow came last night whom I never saw before, to tell me that she had found the Lord Jesus. To-night we have been at a large meeting about the tracts which are distributed monthly to every house in town, —a very sweet society. It is now late, and I am talking a little while with you as we used to do before retiring. Did you read Gen. 32. to-day? What a solemn chapter! Do you ever come to a spot you can call Mahanaim, where the angels of God meet you? I trust you are one of the heirs of salvation, and that the angels are sent forth to minister to you. Unconverted souls have no such privilege. You see Jacob was going on God’s errand, at God’s command (see 31:3), when the angels of God met him. Oh, it is sweet to go on God’s errands! How long we went Satan’s, and the worlds, and our own, “serving diverse lusts and pleasures!” Do you not feel your heart lighter now as you walk on the narrow way? Is not a Christian’s darkest hour calmer than the world’s brightest? Is not Jacob’s prayer in his distress an interesting one? He puts God in remembrance of his promise. This is what we should do: “The Lord which said unto me.” And “Thou saidist, I will surely do thee good.”—Gen. 32:9, 12. God commands us to do this: “Put me in remembrance.” Isa. 43:26. It is a blessed way of praying, to pray upon a promise, and to plead, “Do as Thou hast said.” You remember Faith’s Plea; a little book Miss C. gave you. Who do you think the man was that wrestled with Jacob? Was it not Jesus, the sinner’s Friend? At the daybreak Jacob began to see his blessed features, and when his thigh was out of joint, he could do nothing but hang upon Him. This is what you and I should do. Say, “I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me.” Are there not some spots that you can call Peniel, where you have met Jehovah Jesus face to face? When you do get into his presence, oh do not weary of it; do not soon let go your hold. I am sure we lose much by our slight hold on Jesus. I was telling an interesting story to-night. Thirty thousand Spaniards lately came over the Pyrenees into France, to escape the civil wars. Some Geneva youths determined to take the opportunity of providing them with Spanish Testaments. The London Society granted them 10,000 copies. With these they set off and distributed freely. But the Spanish priests had come over and would not allow the Spaniards to receive or keep them. Many were burned or torn; they called them “The Plague.” One Spanish youth bought a Testament—kept it, read it, believed on Jesus; and when his countrymen returned to Spain, he stayed behind to hear more of these wonders of redeeming love. Was not this one precious soul worth all the expense and trouble a thousand times over? “Be not weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Be active for God; you have lost much time already. Do nothing rashly, nothing unfeminine: give no just cause for reproach, but do not fear ridicule or proud men’s sneers. If they knew what you know, they would rather inquire, “Oh that I knew where I might find Him!” Meanwhile, good night. May He who never slumbers nor sleeps watch over you all, and keep you till your dying day! May Jesus be near you and make you his own! I fear I must not visit Kelso this season. I leave for the north on Monday, and do not expect to be home till the 25th. I fear this cuts off all hope of my visiting R—the time you mention. I do hope to be in England early in the summer, but before that I do not see my way. But I shall gladly leave myself in Jehovah’s hand. Present duty is ours; neither must we consult our mere wishes. If I hear from you before I leave, I shall try and send you another line. I am glad you teach in the classes, and I think I see you telling all you know. Remember Paul; when his heart was changed, for thirty years he did nothing else than serve Jesus. He labored away in the service of Him who died for him and plucked him from the burning. It is interesting to notice also, how often Paul told them of his own conversion. He told it to the Jews—Acts 22; then to Agrippa—Acts 26; then to the Galatians—Gal. 1:13–16; then to the Philippians—Phil. 3:4. I think this is an example for us to do the same, cautiously and wisely. John Newton once preached in new gate to the prisoners. He chose 1 Tim. 1:15 for his text, and told them his own history, so that they wept, and he wept. Pray for me still, that my way may be made plain. This is one of the blessings of having spiritual children, that you will surely pray for me. Do not cease to pray for —, that her eyes may be opened to see her true condition, and that she may call upon Jesus before it be too late. I must now leave you and write a little to others. I preach at Wallace town tonight. May the Master be there! Oh, He is a sweet Master! One smile from Jesus sustains my soul amid all the storms and frowns of this passing world. Pray to know Jesus better. Have no other righteousness, no other strength, but only Jesus. Soon we shall see Him coming in the clouds of heaven. May you be kept faithful to death. —Ever your loving friend, etc.