4. ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD TO THE SAINTS.
4. ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD TO THE SAINTS.
May I endure as seeing him who is invisible, and having my eye much on the world to come! Time now passes, and passing time has perplexing scenes. But, O you citizens of the New Jerusalem, your mountain stands fast, and shall never be moved, and your beloved is in your arms; and an everlasting hallelujah dwells upon your tongue!
Here I dwell in the dark, and am much in doubt, nor know what conclusion to draw from the conduct of Providence concerning my present state. I am confounded and pray, and often am at a loss to know my duty. Is there none in your great assembly who wish that some of your crosses had not taken place in time? and that the divine conduct had been otherwise?
"No, complaining mortal! No! Be it known to you, and all the mourning throng, that we adore and acquiesce in all that ever befell us below. Yes, the very providences which troubled us most, and made us almost doubt the love of God, and disbelieve his promises; now, when unfolded in the light of glory, fill our hearts with joy, and our mouths with songs, while we adore the infinite love and amazing wisdom of our God, who made all things work together for our eternal good!"
What! Is there not one in all your numerous assembly that has had dark and bewildering providences in his lot?
"What, then, presumptuous inquirer? It comforts us, that God, our own God, has sent the dark and bewildering providences. And though we should never be able to find out the cause, or be indulged with the mystery unfolded, we are all well pleased to have the strongest impressions of Jehovah's absolute sovereignty—who gives no account of any of his matters to men or angels—thus preserved on our enlarged souls, to all eternity."
Shall I not, then, from this time, O Lord, claim you as my Father, and the guide of my life? Thousands, and ten thousands, by your divine conduct, have safely arrived at bliss, and not a complaint on their tongue, not a murmur in their mind—for one step in all the rugged way.