LETTER 289.

[To his daughter E.] Pulverbach, May 1844.

My dear Child,

I feel much for my family, and especially for you who are in a measure enlightened to discern the truth. How many things are needful before we attain to any establishment! You will ask, What things? Many humbling and sin-subduing afflictions to lower our vain and airy imaginations. I think, at least I have hoped, that I have discovered the fear of God in your heart; yet I have seen such a want of solidity and unbrokenness of spirit as has made me to tremble. I know that you cannot grow up to manhood in Christ Jesus all at once, but I should like to see that sweet and heaven-born grace of humility to abound more in you. A broken heart is a rare thing, and I think that though there may be something of this at times, yet it gets healed too quickly; and instead of bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit, I see other fruits of lightness and something of a confidence which does not show the deepness of earth that our Lord speaks of in the parable of the sower. You are the subject of many prayers; and as I have been in many deep waters, I would seek by cautioning you to move you to watchfulness, for I have found it easier to fall into temptation than to get out; and you also know how dreadful I have found it to fall under the displeasure of God. It is your mercy and mine that none can pluck us out of the hands of the Lord; but there will be many pluckers, and your spirit does not seem aware of that. I who have been in these places want to persuade you that you also will presently be there, if you make not the Lord your especial refuge, and dread the lightness that seems so prevalent with you. You know the Lord says, "Be sober, be vigilant;" and he means what he says. A very serious attention to these things will cause you to escape many dangers; and in hopes that you will be led seriously to lay these things to heart, I remain, with many prayers,

Your affectionate father, J. B

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