p207 [To the same.] E L Bevir, I find it requires the grace of God keeping us near Christ to have the heart free to rejoice in God working. … I am writing an introduction in French to the Bible. I shrank from such a task; it seemed to me so solemn to be giving a kind of resumé and estimate of all God's mind as revealed. Still He is love, and helps in grace, and I have greatly enjoyed the work, and He has helped me. Scripture unfolds itself when you look to God and study it. I go and feed there when weary with man-work, still it is the work of faith - heaviness, if need be, "the trial of your faith," and it is all good. I have been interested last night in looking at Genesis 3: how to approach God when driven out (but clothed by God before they were put out), and that is, a burnt-offering - sin, expiation, and all the value of Christ - not sins committed, but man's state. In chapter 4 it is, "If thou doest not well" (and this confirms me in so taking it), "a sin-offering lies at the door;" that is, there is a remedy, do not distrust and get angry: this is provision for actual evil.

Do not reckon yourself lonely: it is a good thing to be alone with God; I have been always alone, but I bless God for it. Not that communion of saints is not happy and a blessing: Paul thanked God and took courage, but it is alone with Him that we get stuff, and there only; where else should we? And in these last days the true lasting work must be from Himself. There is no true work, I well know, but of Him; but the scripture makes a difference of the last days, where the keen discernment and, therewith, the earnest love and grace alone can be found, to carry us through the tangled web of men's minds - and always calm because with Him. "They looked unto him and were lightened:" we should wait on His working. …

You will find plenty to swim over, sometimes rough, without going to Epirus; but we are, and sweet is the thought, in the same boat with the Lord. All things become real as we grow old, through grace; yet He is always the same, sufficient for the young, and sufficient also for the old, and so full of tenderness and grace. May we be kept humble, so as to know Him, and all the resources that are in Him, and they are in Him for present difficulties, and even loneliness - for He has felt it: "Ye shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me." So you can say, 'I and Christ that is with me.' "That take and give," He says to Peter, "for me and thee" - to think of putting us so together!

Affectionately yours in the Lord.

December, 1881

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