Lessons from Sister Henry’s Death
In many of the letters that have been received since Sister Henry’s death occur expressions like the following:— I think we have imposed burdens on Sister Henry by asking questions that we ought to have been able with God’s word to answer ourselves; so the Lord has cut off our dependence upon her, and permitted her to fall asleep. It is hard to see the hand of the Lord in the death of our dear sister, but I know it must be his doings; for she was indeed his own child. Our elder remarked that he had noticed by the letters of inquiry coming from mothers, as answered in the Woman’s page in the REVIEW, that they were depending too much upon her, almost making her to be conscience for them. This is a glorious work, and the Lord will accomplish it if we will let him into our hearts to dwell there by his blessed Spirit. I shall miss Sister Henry’s counsel, breathing as it always did the faith and courage born of long experience in entire consecration to the right; but we each have much earnest work to do, and I feel that we all ought to put our shoulders to the burden, and, pressing close together, fill as far as possible the gap made in our ranks. Another sister who was in great distress over domestic relations, and had written to Mrs. Henry about the time of her death for advice in regard to abandoning her home, but whose letter came too late to receive the answer desired, writes as follows:— After sending my letter to Sister Henry, what was my consternation on opening the REVIEW to see the notice of her death. What a sorrow it is to me! My first thought was, What will the cause do without her? It does seem as if her work could not go on just the same, but, in her own words in a late report, “The work is God’s, and there are no discouraging features.” Now about my trouble. After I read of dear Sister Henry’s death, I read over some of her writings concerning the family, studied my Bible, and prayed to be led aright; and a great burden came to me for the salvation of my husband. I took my Bible and spread it out on my bed, and, opening it, my eyes fell on the words, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” I claimed the promise. My husband came home penitent and broken down, and said that if I did not forgive him, he could not live. He got down on his knees and begged God to forgive him his sin to me, and I knew that if I did not forgive him, I could not go to God and ask forgiveness for my sins. I don’t think there has ever been a time before when I would have forgiven him; but I have been led to a deeper consecration than ever before, and I believe one family has been saved from being broken up. I shall plead for my husband every day, with God’s promise before me, till he yields all to God. This is the general trend of the letters, and surely indicates the leading of the Spirit with reference to the work. “Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You can not burden him, you can not weary him. No calamity can befall the least of his children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our Heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which he takes no immediate interest. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul for whom he gave his beloved Son.” This is the instruction from the Spirit of Prophecy. The many responses from the sisters, indicating their renewed sense of responsibility in the work, and expressing their earnest desire that it shall continue, are very gratifying; and it is well for us, as sisters, to bear one another’s burdens, and share with one another in the experiences of life; but our recognized leader must be He who has promised to give wisdom liberally to all who lack, and to grant the petitions that we ask of him. Our motto should be,— “Cut off our dependence vain
On the help of feeble man;
Every arm of flesh remove,
Stay us only on thy love.”