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19. APPROBATION OF TRYING PROVIDENCES.

19. APPROBATION OF TRYING PROVIDENCES.

O governor of men and angels! how necessary is it for me to be conformed to the Captain of my salvation—who was made perfect through sufferings! Who ever expected to find bright noon—in the dark night; or serene summer—in the middle of stormy winter; or pleasing arbors and flower gardens—in a barren desert? Why then am I surprised that I stumble while traveling in the night?

Or that it rains and is sometimes very tempestuous in the winter season? Or that I find barrenness in the desert, and lose sight of my fellow-travelers in the dark? I will note my afflictions—but I dare not quarrel. I will plead for compassion—but I will not complain. Death has so often visited my family, that I only am escaped alone to tell, that I have neither father nor mother, sister nor brother, nephew nor niece, nor any nearer relative.

Yet, when the Son of righteousness shall arise on me, I shall share an eternal day above the reach of night, a serene summer where winter shall return no more; and a blooming paradise, and arbors of bliss, where there is no barren desert. Also, while I leave all my infirmities, and all my afflictions in the valley of misery behind me, I shall find treasures of glory, rivers of pleasure, in your presence, fullness of joy at your right hand forever!

Moreover, I shall find my pious friends in the better country, whose death I now bewail. And truly I believe, I shall lose and overlook them, and all the heavenly crowd—while entertained and admitted to more divine communion with Jehovah and the Lamb.

20. FAITH'S TRIUMPH OVER AFFLICTION.