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p382 [From the French.] * * * Thank you much for your letter. God knows I have never sought to have dominion over the faith of any one whatsoever, whilst seeking to help their joy, and I think I have this testimony in the conscience of all the brethren. I am heartily their servant for the love of Christ, but I do not accept that they should have dominion over mine.

I see in what is really the object of the attacks of some, an inaccuracy of expression which exposes truths but little examined, and little realised amongst brethren, and where I have exposed them without suspecting their evil will. I see expressions which one might use in a bad sense if one sought to do so: chiefly because suffering means either inflicted pain, or suffering of heart, a distinction that is not made in the statement of the sufferings of Christ. But as to the substance of the doctrine, I maintain it fully, and I utterly reject and as sorrowful error what has been opposed to me. The doctrine of my adversaries (I am sorry that I have any) sets aside the most touching truths of Christianity, and the best affections of the Christian. So much so, that whatever my affection for brethren (and it is very great - you know that this has been the labour of my life), if it were necessary to renounce what I have written in the substance of it, or brethren, I should renounce brethren; not as to seeking their good, but if they will not have me, whilst avowing what I teach there, I should remain alone and leave the decision of it to God.

Thank God, it is not thus; the attacks have only drawn closer the bonds of affection. The influence of these poor brethren, whom I love with all my heart, had already become null by the state in which they were found; it was the effect of their position and not really the cause.

Meanwhile a mass of brethren have gained much in their souls in meditating on the sufferings of the Lord. If I must go through sorrow of heart that brethren may arrive at this result, I do not complain. It has been extremely painful to me because of the persons engaged in these attacks, being very specially connected with one of these brothers. But all this is good. I have not taken it haughtily. I have carefully examined my writings, the word, and the objections of my accusers. I have allowed time for others to examine them; I do not fear the result, whilst admitting my infirmity and weakness. I believe that this will turn into great blessing. I wait. . . .

Meanwhile, by the grace of God, I pursue my work as usual. I am rather encouraged in New York though it is a day of small things. We have no meeting place, but souls begin to come together. It is a terrible country, morally and spiritually, but there are many true souls who groan and suffer from the state of things. Worldliness, heresies of all sorts, politics - this is what characterises Christians. There is a certain activity, and generosity as to giving; but the word has no authority; they seek the amusements of the world like the people of the world, and politics perhaps still more. But God has a people. Our privilege is to keep near Him.

The more one goes on the more one knows whom one has believed Then He knows how to keep what we have committed unto Him. No one, I believe, can have a more true and deep sense of his nothingness than I. But the love of Jesus, and of our God in Him, is an inexhaustible depth of happiness, happiness which is called eternal, to our hearts. We wait for His Son from heaven. The sorrows down here are but for a moment. If only we can be faithful and glorify Him - that is the desire of my heart, I believe it is of yours, although you are by circumstances more in relation with this poor world. Count on the Saviour, so good, so faithful. He is so through all the circumstances everywhere that the will of God places us in. How happy we are to have to do with Him! My heart rejoices deeply in His love and goodness, poor and worthless as I feel myself to be.

May the grace of the Lord keep you at rest and cause you to enjoy abundantly fellowship with Him.

[53279F]

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