A Letter To Friends – June 9th, 1863
My dear Friends,
I cannot forbear sending you a few lines written in my own hand to acknowledge your most unexpected and undeserved kindness and liberality. I am afraid, however, of saying too much or too little; but let me assure you I much feel your kindness and the Christian love and affection which I am sure prompted it. I do not often speak of the Lord’s providential dealings with me, but I have seen them in a remarkable manner. He enabled me, many years ago, to give up all my prospects in life, and has most blessedly fulfilled a promise which once He made sweet to my soul (Mark 10:29, 30). I left all I had in possession or in prospect, and have I not received “houses?”—I live in one of my own; “and brethren?”—have I not many? “and sisters?”—are not you and many others? “and mothers?”—yes, mothers in Israel; “and children?”—literally and spiritually; “and lands?”—for even that I have; “with persecutions?”—and have I not had them? and now the last and best is still to come—”eternal life.”
And you, dear friends, how you, too, have seen the Lord’s providential hand. He has given you beyond all you hoped and expected during your former days of trial, and has given with it what is far better still, a free liberal spirit to minister most unweariedly to the necessities of the saints.
I am thankful to say I am much better, and walked nearly to Tinwell without fatigue, and enjoyed the beautiful fresh air. How good the Lord is to those who desire to fear His great name, and live to His glory. I begin much to feel my absence from the courts of the Lord’s house, and hope next Lord’s-day (D.V.) to meet with the people, even if I take no part in the service.
Your very affectionate and obliged Brother and Friend,
J. C. P.
Jesus is LORD! 
Leave a comment