THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.
By Mary E. Haskell
I had never before reading the tract entitled The Sufferings of Christ, been enabled to “realize the value of salvation,” or “understand what it cost,” as I have since done. And now it seems as if I had but a very faint idea of its magnitude. But in order that it might the more effectually be impressed upon my mind, to influence my life, I resolved after first hearing it read to commit it all to memory. I intend to get a quantity of these tracts for distribution, as soon as possible, and feel truly to thank the Lord for the facilities we have for scattering the precious light, not only upon this, but also the time in which we are living, and the preparation requisite to enable us to stand acquitted when Jesus shall come to take his people home. Oh! how unspeakably blessed will be that day to those who shall be prepared to meet him in peace. Let us strive for it, my dear brethren and sisters, with our entire beings. And in this effort we shall be led to educate our minds for the society of the heavenly host, and the good of all ages. And what study, I would beg leave to inquire, could more effectually aid us in this good work, than the character of the King of that country, and the immense price he has paid for our salvation? This little tract to which I refer, portrays these in living characters; and I would take the liberty to affectionately commend both its study and circulation to you. The blessing it has proved to me, leads me to do so with confidence. It furnishes rich food for thought, and cannot fail to ennoble the soul, expand the intellect, and purify the affections. It is truly a blessed theme for contemplation, and one which has often led me to exclaim in the language of the poet, “Oh! for a pencil dipped in living light,
To paint the agonies that Jesus bore!
Oh! for the long lost harp of Jesse’s might,
To hymn the Saviour’s praise from shore to shore;
While seraph hosts the lofty paean pour,
And Heaven enraptured lists the loud acclaim!”