Page images
PDF
EPUB

in patience and resignation to bear the sufferings that may yet await me. I have all my life had an appalling dread of death by cancer, from an apprehension of its lingering and excruciating misery; but I now fervently crave that I may resign myself, without a murmur, to this dispensation. Many and sore have been the baptisms that have been allotted me, and at times the billows have passed very high over my head; but although my grain of faith has been tried to within a hair's breadth, so far it has not wholly failed me; and I have never doubted the sufficiency of that power on which my soul has reposed for safety. And now, O Lord, may I once more be permitted to supplicate for a continuance of thy mercy and goodness towards me: in the awful and trying season to which I am approaching, forsake me not, I beseech thee, O God; for I am sensible that it is thou alone that can support me. Withhold not from me, O Father, a sense of thy presence; be with me through the valley of the shadow of death; and grant that this dispensation may be sanctified, not only to my own further refinement, but that it may also be made a blessing to those around me."

Notwithstanding her bodily sufferings were extreme, her mind still continued to be clothed with sweet inward peace, which was far more precious to her than all outward enjoyments. To a friend who called to see her, and who expressed much sympathy with her in her severe affliction, she replied, "Of ourselves we can do nothing; but through the adorable mercy of infinite goodness, so far I have been sustained, and my mind is preserved in calmness and peace; and at times the language of my heart has

[ocr errors]

been, Return to thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee."

During the night of the 11th of 10th month, she slept unusually well, and on the following morning appeared to be refreshed, and was more free from pain than she had been for a long time, After giving directions respecting some tokens of gratitude which she wished to have presented to the domestics in her family, she calmly added, "There is now nothing in my way, and I have not any solicitude nor choice, as regards the time of my departure; but feel wholly resigned to the Divine will: a full assurance is given me, that there is a place prepared for me, where there will be neither pain nor sorrow, but peace and joy for evermore."

From this time she remained in a tranquil state. of mind, waiting the expected summons, and appearing to desire stillness rather than conversation. Her pain was frequently severe, and her strength continued gradually to decline until the morning of the 18th of 10th month, 1837, when her gentle spirit was released, and as one falling into an easy sleep, she quietly passed away; being in the sixtieth year of her age.

Having submitted in early life to the purifying influence of the Holy Spirit upon her mind, she was enabled with unwavering faith to pursue her path of duty; and in the various relations of her domestic, social, and religious obligations, she was a precious. example: and, having carefully occupied the talents committed to her, we doubt not that her spirit has realized the fulfilment of the promise of our Divine Master, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

289

Letter from Edward Stabler.

Alexandria, 1st mo. 27th, 1829.

My dear friend,—I suppose it probable that thou hast returned before this time, and that I may now venture to address thee at thy own pleasant home.

By a letter from thy daughter, who sometimes does me the favour to write to me, I was informed of some of the incidents which occurred in the early part of thy journey. And, were it not that a morbid state of mind is a subject of regret, I should have been amused, if not diverted, by the panic with which the poor man was affected, who had invited thee home with him after meeting, but turned his back upon thee and fled, as soon as thy name was mentioned to him. Poor fellow! He was an object of compassion,-as all are, whose liberty is taken from them by others, and they made slaves. I rejoice, however, in the persuasion that the number of these is gradually lessening, and will go on still fürther to diminish, in proportion as mankind come to understand and avail themselves of the powers which their heavenly Father freely tenders to their acceptance, for the purpose of making them free. "Then said Jesus, If ye continue in my word, ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free."

This recourse to Truth, and the understanding and knowledge thus derived, are what the human family stands very greatly in need of; and I know of no obstruction to its progress towards this attainment, so great as that which is produced by what is too generally called religion; that is, systems, creeds and opinions of man's own making. This assumes the name,-professes the same object,-and too of ten receives the veneration which is rightfully due to the true thing only; and many are induced to

[ocr errors]

christ within. But I cre

И

[ocr errors][merged small]

memorable that chust after her resumection showed the wounds of her excifixion to his disciples this is the Jesus christ we

- 290 with our

[ocr errors]

as well as

EDWARD STABLER'S LETTER
in heaven

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

confide in it, as the ancients did in their idols: al-1.10.78 though these find it as powerless to give them righteousness, to set them free, and save them from evil, as the others found their gods, to supply their necessities, and 'obviate their calamities.

But the history of man abundantly assures us of the fact (and observation confirms its testimony) that he is such a necessitous creature, and is so conscious of his own helplessness, that if he do not "know the only true God, and Jesus Christ (the birth of the Divine life generated by God in the human soul) whom he hath sent," he (man) will have "other gods." The ancients and all others who have not had the scriptures (as we are informed by the scriptures and other histories) made them "gods to go before them," or be visible to them, of "gold or silver, wood or stone." And many in the present day who profess the scriptures and religion, are as palpably idol-makers, and worshippers of them, as Aaron and the Israelites were, when he made the golden calf, "and they said, These be thy gods, O' Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." The accumulations of avarice,-the spoils and plunders of robbery,-the winnings of the gamester, the conquests of the warrior, &c., &c., are all demonstrations of the idolatry of the human heart, devoting itself (in opposition to both fact and experience) to things as incapable of delivering them from the "house of bondage" and oppression, and bringing them to a state of true liberty and enjoyment, as were the "golden calves," to lead the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan.

It does not appear to me that the human understanding can make a greater mistake, than to depend upon natural causes to produce spiritual effects.

A

Such a dependance and proceeding, violate alike all truth and experience, and must universally end in disappointment. Hence it is, that there is so much of what is called religion in the world, and so little righteousness. And on this state of things, is founded the whole nature and being of superstition and idolatry. For, if that in which the Deity is present, is for that reason to be worshipped, we ought to worship all nature, and all persons, as He "fills both earth and heaven," and "is the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world,”— and "is above all, and through all, and in us all." But the nature of things, as well as the scriptures, declare that "He only is the LORD, that is his name,—and his glory he will not give unto another, neither his praise to graven images." The heavens may declare his glory, and the firmament show his handy-work;-but they are creatures, and not the Creator; they are matter, and not spirit.

The wants and necessities of the natural man may be supplied by the creatures,-because they are of the same nature: but the soul of man, which is spirit and the "offspring of God,"--must be sustained by spiritual food and drink; the bread which cometh down from God out of heaven, must satisfy its hunger; the "well of water that springeth up unto everlasting life," can alone quench its thirst. This truth is admitted in theory, by many who do not know in what this heavenly nutriment consists. A vague idea is excited in their minds by these expressions; the indefinite image of some unknown things, is all they advert to, as their meaning. While the goodness of the heavenly Parent is as truly and continually bestowing the blessed realities upon them,—as that he gives them the outward "rain from heaven,

« PreviousContinue »