The Village in the Mountains; Conversion of Peter Bayssière; and History of a BibleWilder, Sampson Vryling Stoddard
Religion
The Village in the Mountains; Conversion of Peter Bayssière; and History of a Bible
Wilder, Sampson Vryling Stoddard
Bible -- Publication and distribution
Sometime after, he came with a sorrowful heart, complaining that he
did not feel the Lord's presence; that God had forsaken him. I assured
him that was impossible; for God expressly says he will _never_ leave
nor forsake his people; and that he changes not in his love to them. I
warned him to be cautious how he spoke against God, for such language
is calling God a liar. I told him likewise, that the church had once
preferred a similar complaint against her God; upon which Jehovah
protested that it was possible for a mother to forsake her infant
child, but impossible for him ever to leave or to forsake his people;
for he had pledged his _word_ to the contrary. Wherefore I warned
him to be no more faithless, but believing; and by doing so he would
glorify God greatly before men: it would tend to make men think more
favourably of God, and probably lead some to seek an interest in his
favor, who otherwise would not. Upon this he cried out with tears,
Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief. I change in my love, but thou
changest not. William left me, determined to rejoice evermore, and to
pray without ceasing.
At first his friends thought religion had made him less happy than he
was before; now they declared they had never seen him in such good
spirits, and so truly happy. They began to wish they were like him.
William longed for the coming of the Lord, while they trembled at the
very thought of it: they rather wished he might never come. This was a
great advantage he had over them by the grace and tender mercy of
the Lord. He exhorted them to come to the same Saviour, and he would
receive them also with open arms.
William was afterwards brought into great affliction. I told him God
sent it to him for good, to make him more holy, humble, dead to sin
and the world, and more fit for heaven. He believed me, and praised
God for his attention to him, to send this messenger of affliction to
do him good. A person who came in, expressed sorrow at seeing him so
pained. William replied, don't sorrow for me; rejoice rather, because
God has said that our light afflictions, which are but for a moment,
work out for us a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory. I
am willing to be sick, or to die, or to recover, just as God pleases;
whatever pleases him pleases me.
I was never from him during his sickness; he praised God daily that he
had ever seen me. He was happy only when he talked with me or about
me. He recommended me to all who came near him, declaring that my
words created a heaven in his soul. He found me to be the mouth of God
to him.
William was completely recovered from his indisposition, by which his
knowledge of God, and experience of his faithfulness and love, was
much increased. I continued his bosom companion for many years. He
talked in the fear of God, and in the comforts of his Holy Spirit,
till at length he entered, with triumph, into the eternal joy of his
Lord.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account