p. 229 | AFFLICTION

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 15.

AFFLICTION.

I know a young Englishman and his wife who were once both of them active Christians and consistent church-members. Their little daughter, three years old, died, and this heart-breaking grief had exactly an opposite effect upon the natures of the two parents. The father was made worse; he abandoned his faith and became an ardent follower of the infidel Bradlaugh. The mother’s heart was softened by the affliction which had visited the household, and developed a most beautiful Christian character. One can see in this case the clear working of a principle illustrated by Henry Drummond. When a plant is alive, it finds both the sun and the rain beneficial, and they both co-operate in making it grow; but if it is dead, the very sun and rain which before nourished it now rot it. If the love of God is in a soul, whatever comes, be it the sunshine of prosperity or the rain of calamity (for as Longfellow says, “Into all lives some rain must fall”), all things work together for good; but if the soul is dead, the dealings of God with it seem only harmful. Blessings bestowed awaken no gratitude, and affliction only hardens and embitters.—Selected.