The Power of Faith: Exemplified In The Life And Writings Of The Late Mrs. Isabella Graham.Graham, Isabella
Religion
The Power of Faith: Exemplified In The Life And Writings Of The Late Mrs. Isabella Graham.
Graham, Isabella
Christian biography; Graham, Isabella, 1742-1814
"Has the Lord given me in some measure victory over the world? Do
its honors, riches, and gaudy splendor appear to me empty and vain,
and not worth an anxious thought? Does provision of food and raiment
by the way through this wilderness seem all that is necessary? and is
it my wish, as well as form of prayer, that the Lord may give that in
kind and degree which he sees fittest for me? And shall I covet that
for my child which I despise for myself? Alas, Lord, it is because he
feeds not on better things, and sometimes I fear he has no better
portion. Still, still foolish. Was it when I was full, or when in
want, that I returned to my heavenly Father? Do I desire, have I asked
and persisted in asking for my children, salvation from sin and self?
Do I anxiously wish them to reach and to surpass my present measure of
submission and resignation to thy will--to enjoy God in all things,
and nothing without him? And shall I, dare I complain when I see the
Lord making use of the same means which first brought me to myself,
and recovered me also from numberless backslidings since I first
tasted the blessedness of his chosen?
"Lord, I renew my blank. I afresh roll them all over upon thee. I
will try to look on, in the faith that all things shall work together
for good to their souls, and that I shall yet see the day, or if I see
it not, that it will come, when they shall bow at thy footstool, sink
into the open arms of thy mercy in Christ, melted down in holy,
humble, acquiescing, cordial submission to thy severest dealings with
them; when thou shalt put a new song into their mouths, and they shall
sing as I do now, It hath been very good for me that I have been
afflicted. I wait for thy salvation. Amen."
Again we mark her trust in God in the more common events of life,
and her gratitude in the reception of blessings from his hand.
"NEW YORK, September, 1791.
"Many have been my burdens of late; strangers laid upon me to
provide for, even when I thought I had not sufficient to give to all
their due and provide for my own family. But what is that to me? the
Lord increases business, lays more largely to hand, bears me and my
burdens, provides for me and strangers. Lord, it is all well: give
when thou wilt, and call for it again when and for what purpose thou
wilt; it is thine own. I am thine, and all that thou givest me is
thine; the world calls it mine, but I call it thine. If it be thy
will, lead me in a plain path, or if thou lead me by a way which I
know not, hold up my goings, so shall I be in peace and safety
still. Amen."
"NEW YORK, October 10, 1791.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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