A Letter To A Sister In Christ – November 22nd, 1869
My dear Friend, Miss Richmond — You enquire very kindly about my health. It is, I am thankful to say, better than it often is, though I am much confined to the house, and rarely get out except on the Lord’s-day, when, if the weather be tolerably fine, I usually manage to get to chapel, which I feel to be a privilege as well as a benefit. It is, indeed, my mercy, and I hope for many others also that though laid aside from the active work of the ministry, I am yet enabled to use my pen in the service of the Lord; and I am thankful to say that I have had many sweet testimonies of the blessing of God resting on what I have been enabled to put forth in His name. And I hope the Lord may enable me still to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and still attend it with His power and blessing.
I had not heard of the death of your dear little nephew, nor that your school was broken up in consequence. It must have been a great trial to you in every way, but I am glad to find that you were favored with resignation to the Lord’s will, and had some words to assure you that it was not in anger but from His dear covenant love. How different might it have been with you if the Lord had allowed the rebellion of your heart to rise, and how much more it would have added to the weight of the trial! It is indeed a mercy when we can fall into the hands of the Lord, and see and feel that “He is too wise to err — and too good to be unkind.”
I am glad to hear that you have peace and union in the church, and that the Lord still is adding to you such as shall be saved.
With regard to my coming to Abingdon for two Lord’s – days next summer, I fear it will not be in my power to do so. Indeed, I often think that my preaching days are over, as I have not strength for the work, and you know that this summer I was not able to fulfill my engagement, nor do I think it likely that I shall be able to go to Gower Street next year, as I have done for so many years. At any rate I could not make any promise of coming to Abingdon, though I would be very glad to see my friends there once more. It is now many years that I have known some of them, and it is a mercy that amid so many storms of sin and Satan, temptation and trial, we have been able thus far to stand. None but the Lord can hold us up, and I trust that he will do so even to the end.
I am sorry to hear of poor John Hatt’s trial. How true it is that through much tribulation we are to enter the kingdom of heaven. And I trust that your afflicted sister at Stadham may find it so, and that her afflictions may be blessedly sanctified to her soul’s good. We unite in affectionate love to you and with my love to all the friends,
I am, yours very affectionately,
J. C. P.
Jesus is LORD! 
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