INCREASE OUR FAITH! by J. Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 19, 1859

INCREASE OUR FAITH!

By J. Clarke

It has been said that every heart knows its own bitterness, and the stranger intermeddleth not with its joy. Indeed, there is a sad satisfaction in patiently bearing up under trials, in commanding one's own heart, in saying to one's self, Hush, all ye contending passions; be still, ye waves of anguish and sorrow; this life is too precious, too short to be wasted in prolonged mourning; trifle not with health and life; sorrow cankers, eats at the heart of life, hinders recovery from debility and sickness, and unfits mind and body for useful labors. Endure, my soul, as seeing Him who is invisible. The blow is heavy, thine affliction is great, thy sorrows are many; but bear up, bear up trusting in God, he will sustain thee. Prepare thy mind for effort, seek to be useful in thy sphere, seek to be led by the Spirit in the paths of duty and of usefulness, trust not in thyself, yet face the storm.

The ship when in danger casts her anchor from her bows, thus she floats with her brow to the gale; for should the surges strike upon her side, she would soon be dashed in pieces: so let the storms of life fall upon a mind anchored and sure. Always face the danger; look calmly in the face of the gale, let the mind be fortified by right principle, tranquil, and at peace. Cast thine anchor of hope into that within the vail, firm and steadfast, and so shalt thou outride the storm, and so soon as the storm abates, again spread thy sails for the happy land.

True, sickness, pain and distress, and loss, often fall to the lot of mortals. Few can say they are wholly free from trouble; and yet how little real sympathy is manifested for others. There is a kind of instinctive sympathy felt by all in case of death, especially if sudden and shocking; but generally the sympathy of friends extends no farther than to see to the civilities of the funeral, and wants of the sick. These being accomplished, the dead being buried, and the mourners escorted to their homes, all is done that can be done, says public opinion, and dumb forgetfulness is supposed to do the rest.

Little sympathy is felt for the torn heart of the disconsolate mourner, who weeps for the loss of nearest companion, or of child or parent, of brother or sister. No attempt is made to heal the sundered ties, or pour the oil of consolation into the heart-wounds. One returns to his farm, or shop, or merchandise, and the sorrows of the grief-stricken mourner are ignored or forgotten amid the hurry and bustle and cares of life.

It was a happy custom of the ancient nations to do much to soften and heal the wounds of bereaved families and individuals in the case of death. No act of friendship and sympathy was left untried! We find the Egyptians mourning 77 days with the Hebrews at the death of good old Jacob, and we find our blessed Saviour weeping at the grave of Lazarus, four days after his death, and the friends of the family in instinctive friendship and sympathy, still with the bereaved sisters. But it is not so now; "without natural affection," is a characteristic of the last generation.

But thank God, we have a kind and sympathizing Father, and a High Priest who can be touched with a feeling for our infirmities. He is the resurrection and the life.

J. CLARKE.