A Frowning Providence, Smiling Face
Dear Friend in the dear Lord of the House,—I drop you this line from a real feeling for you. I am really sorry, that—has turned out as it has.
Well, my friend, this must be a trial for you; but I hope the Lord will support your mind, and grant you peace in him. Should it be a means of making you poor, remember the dear Lord was poor before you, and in the riches of his grace he has made you, in the best sense, rich through his poverty, and you will find in him one that will be a very present help in trouble. I know what poverty is, for I have been so poor as to feel grateful for two pence. I found the Lord a very present help then; but my friend—is not brought there yet. I hope the Lord will lift up your mind into the sweet enjoyment of the Lord of life and glory.
O, my dear friend, what a glorious treasure there is in Christ; what a fulness of all real good, and what a kind sympathizing Friend the Lord Jesus Christ is! Here you may unbosom your whole heart, and make known your requests, and you shall prove him to be a God near at hand, full of truth and grace. Bless his precious name, he delights in mercy, and takes pleasure in granting succour to those who really need it. Perhaps this trial may be one of the greatest blessings you ever had next to the salvation of your soul. I know my friend’s flesh is like mine; it does not like hard treatment; but may the Lord enable you to read Hebrews xi. and feel the power of the blessed Spirit therein; and as you read, may you, under the unction of God the Spirit, feelingly say, “These are my brethren, my best friends; with them I hope to spend an eternity in and with the Lord Jesus Christ, and each of us he glorious in his glory and blessed in his blessedness.” A few more storms and all will be over, and then, O the matchless grace of God, we shall be for ever free from all carking care and be for ever with and like the Lord. The Lord lead thee and thy spouse deeply into the deep things of God, and make your hearts warm and your faces shine with the unction of his love, and then I am sure you will feelingly say, “All is well.”—The Lord bless you indeed.—Oct. 14, 1842.
William Gadsby (1773-1844) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher, writer and philanthropist. For thirty-nine years served as pastor for the church meeting at Black Lane, Manchester.
William Gadsby Sermons (Complete)
William Gadsby Hymns
William Gadsby, Perfect Law Of Liberty (Complete)
William Gadsby's Catechism (Complete)
William Gadsby's Dialogues
William Gadsby's Fragments (Complete)
William Gadsby's Letters (Complete)
