The Pilot's Daughter: an account of Elizabeth Cullingham — John Shaqi
The Pilot's Daughter: an account of Elizabeth CullinghamCunningham, Francis
Religion
The Pilot's Daughter: an account of Elizabeth Cullingham
Cunningham, Francis
Christian life; Cullingham, Elizabeth, 1812-1840
Her whole creed and course of conduct, may be said to have been very
simple. It was that directed by the Church, to which she was greatly
attached, and which she followed with a holy, humble, obedient mind. Her
aim was constantly to lead a serious, practical, quiet life, she meddled
very little with the world, she aimed to live above it. Her chief desire
was to be a follower of Christ, according to the station in which she had
been placed.
But I now wish to add a word on the choice which she so deliberately made
of a life dedicated to religion, and the advantages which resulted to her
from it.
How many refuse to take the course of religious duty, thinking its
pursuits irksome, its reward in no wise tending to present, whatever they
may do to future, comfort. But I may venture to assert, from the
constant demeanour of our departed friend, that although her course was
one of conflict and of trial, it was still one of substantial peace and
comfort; and if she had not the joys which the world esteems, she had
others which never left her, till she exchanged them for higher and purer
delights. She early learned that young people, who fancy that
substantial enjoyment is only to be found in the ordinary pleasures of
life, make a great mistake. There may be much of indulgence or of
excitement in worldly gratifications, and those who seek them may reap a
present pleasure from them, but substantial happiness is alone to be
found in religion. For this is a happiness which does not depend on
external circumstances, it is the same in all states of life, and usually
it rises higher when the hour of trial and of sickness comes on, which
deadens the present enjoyments of life, and overwhelms the senses. It
makes the cup run over even in the deepest desolations which the
Christian is called to pass through.
But O how incomparably more blessed is her state now, and will be in all
eternity, than if she had followed another course in life! She now
regrets nothing she suffered, by which the work of God in her own soul
was carried on; she rejoices to have borne the cross, inasmuch as it hath
worked for her a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. All the
seed of good which for years she was permitted to sow, she now reaps, and
the fruit of it shall all be gathered into the garner of God.
If then _she_ found the way of religion to be a way of pleasantness, and
a path of peace, and if now she is reaping a good reward for the
confession of Christ, we have the same way opened by which to return to
the Father, and the Holy Spirit is at hand to teach us, to enlighten, to
strengthen, to comfort, to direct us in prayer. Let no one refuse the
offer which the Gospel makes of its blessings. Let all, without delay,
hasten to give themselves up to the service of Christ, not doubting but
‘if they are stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, their labour will not be in vain in the Lord.’
* * * * *
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