Murmuring: Is There no Remedy for It? by Elsie A. Brown

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1907

Murmuring: Is There no Remedy for It?

By Elsie A. Brown

ELSIE A. BROWN

THE tendency to repine seems fully as strong in human nature to-day as in the days of ancient Israel; and it is by no means those upon whom the hand of affliction has rested most heavily who seem most strongly disposed to this evil, but frequently it comes to us when in the enjoyment of many blessings, with a strength which nothing but the aid of divine power can enable us to resist, while often those suffering under great pressure seem the least inclined to complain.

I recall the case of a young man whom I met while engaged in Bible work in Philadelphia, many years ago, who from an injury to the spine, was paralyzed from the waist down, and had no power to move the lower portion of the body. Although but thirty years

of age, he had lain for five years upon his cot, with no hope whatever of ever being able to rise again in this life. Though naturally proud and ambitious, he was obliged to endure the cross of being supported by his young and not very strong wife, and this left him to be alone much of the time; yet his was an exceptionally bright face and cheerful disposition.

I had also a dear friend in the South who had met with greater reverses in life than any other individual I have ever known. Born to wealth and ease, in a proud Southern family, the idolized daughter of her fond parents, she was united in marriage to one of the same rank with herself, who became an army general and arose to great distinction in the South. She, because of her beauty and culture, added to the advantages already mentioned, became a woman of wide social influence and power.

But seemingly in the midst of the greatest prosperity which the world can bestow, she was stricken and brought low. Her husband came to a sudden death by assassination. A heavy stroke of paralysis left her unable ever again to take a step. The partial paralysis of the vocal organs made it difficult for her to speak so as to make herself understood except by those very familiar with her manner of speech. The wealth, which at this time would have been so great a boon, took wings, as is often the case, and she was left finally to the care of those who were in no way related to her. The stroke, though so heavy, had seemingly left her with unimpaired mental strength, which enabled her to appreciate most keenly the change in her surroundings and circumstances.

The citizens of her home city presented her with a home, which she rented, reserving for herself a single room, and here for long years she lay, nearly as helpless as a babe, in the care of a colored attendant. I visited her often,—during the last year of my stay there, every week, and sometimes oftener,—and more than once, when her affliction and needs had been mentioned, did she say to me, “I don't complain,” and neither did she. Indeed, I do not remember of ever hearing a complaining word from her. She sometimes wept, but not a murmur escaped her lips.

She was of an unusually cheerful disposition, and almost always greeted my coming with a radiant face, and often with a little clapping of the dear hands from which the strength had not been wholly removed. How many sweet and precious lessons I gathered from her, which I would that I could more faithfully put into practise in these days.

The Lord gave her sweet release and rest finally, and for her sake I could but praise his name for it, but in my own life and experience I realized the loss of an association which to me had been most helpful.

O could we but resist the disposition to murmur, to which human nature under trial seems so prone, to what heights might we not hope to attain in blessing the world! The Lord grant us the spirit and power to do it. Does not his Word say, “My grace is sufficient for thee,” and that “sin shall not have dominion over you”? Are we not told that he will subdue our iniquities? The time spoken of by Jeremiah could never come, when the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found, were it not so. “Surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off,” and with David we shall yet be able to say, “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me.”

Watrousville, Mich.