The Lord’s Chastening Hand
By M. E. WILLIAMS
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: The Lord has been good to me, and shall I not praise him, yea, magnify his name? Many straight places has he brought me through, and has found it necessary many times to lay his chastening hand upon me. Sometimes I have felt that I was completely crushed; but these things have been for my good. Though these chastenings are grievous to bear, yet they will work the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those who are exercised thereby. In love are all these things sent to us; for “like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” Oh! how comforting it is to know this when bowed down with cares, perplexities, and sorrow; also to know that we are to cast our care upon him, because he careth for us. “He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” He knows we cannot bear these heavy burdens alone; therefore, when we cry to him for help, his aid is ready. Never has the Lord seemed so near to me as he has the past year. I feel that I have learned what that spirit of adoption is, by which we cry, Abba Father! I often feel to say, My Father, my dear Heavenly Father! while such a spring of joy fills my heart as I cannot express. Then again I feel that I have grieved him by impatience or other wrongs, and I am grieved and troubled that I have been overcome. Oh! for strength to bear patiently the petty trials of every day life, which are often like the sting of nettles. It seems to me that we need more grace to bear these little trials that often come upon us without any warning, than we do to bear great trials; for we generally have some premonition of the approach of great ones, and therefore get our minds and hearts prepared to endure them. The less ones seem to us many times unnecessary and uncalled for; but, perhaps, God does not see them so, else he would not allow them to come upon us. If our patience were never tried, we should not know whether we have any or not. I have long been striving for patience and forbearance, and I feel that I have gained some. Still I know I must have more, if I am found among the overcomers when Jesus comes. But I hope God will so strengthen and help me with grace from on high, that patience may have her perfect work in me, that I may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I feel more and more every day my utter weakness and dependence upon God, that in me is no good thing, and that I can do nothing of myself. Low at the feet of Jesus is the place where I wish to be kept, that I may be so truly humble before God that he can work through even me. I think I am willing to do what God requires of me, if I may only know what it is. I will count no cross too heavy, no sacrifice too great, if I may but obtain eternal life. I am weary of this world's strife, and see nothing worth living for only to do God's will, and strive to do good. Earth has lost all charms for me. I long for the better country, where there will be no sin to resist, no enemy to tempt, no more bitter anguish to endure. I must have a place there, let the cost be what it will. Pray for me, that I may endure to the end, and be ready to meet our dear Lord at his coming. Your sister,
M. E. WILLIAMS.
Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.