I desire
to be enabled to pass through the valley of humiliation, without much
conflict; and then comes the valley of the shadow of death:--only a
shadow! the finger of God will guide safe through, all those who put
their trust in him: 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.'
The rod to chasten, the staff to support! Oh! all that is of the world,
and all that is in it, are worthless in my sight. If the Lord has any
work for me to do on earth, I trust I am willing to do it; but if not, I
have no wish to stay."
In the afternoon, the beloved invalid broke forth with the following
expressions: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;" emphatically
adding, "What a very precious promise!" and, after a short pause,--"Come
now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool," remarking, "and this was under the old
dispensation. Oh! I hope my sins are gone beforehand to judgment; but
there seem to be so many fresh sins, I have so much time that I do not
improve as I ought; but the poor weak body and this weak mind too!" On
its being remarked, that we did not serve a hard master, he seemed
comforted, and continued, "Oh! that I could see the pearl gates; but I
fear I have not faith enough, nor love enough to love Him perfectly who
first loved me, and died for me, yes! even for _me_! Oh! I desire to
throw myself at his feet; how I wish I could love him better, and serve
him more.
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