These things I have found, felt, and known, and hope, through abounding goodness, yet to proclaim to others, perhaps not more faithfully than I have, but I hope more simply and clearly. I want the divine spirit to lead me deeply into all truths, for the knowledge and purity of God’s people’s minds and consciences, and to follow after righteousness in every sense—peace and joy as the happy consequence. I have no doubt but this trial is for my present salvation, in many senses, but I am afraid of every thing—Satan has desired to have me, but you can guess the cause why not, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Ever your’s, in Christ, _Ruhamah_. LETTER XV. _Valley of Achor_, _Jan._ 11, 1818. Mr. JONES. MY MUCH BELOVED BROTHER, I thank you for your kind letter, it was more than a mite cast into the gospel treasury, as every kind word and kind action is doubly sweet when a person is in deep trouble; I have often thought of poor Job, when he cried out in the real bitterness of his heart, “Have pity upon me, O my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me.” But above all, I have at times thought of him who said, “Lover and friend hast thou put away from me.”—(88th Psalm). Ah! he was forsaken that we might never be forsaken—he was bound for our liberty—chastised for our peace—suffered for our comfort—died for our life—and lives that sin might die, and our souls might be with him—_he toiled for our ease_, _and for our safety bled_. Need I tell you who I mean? _Him_, being delivered for our offences, him hath God exalted. “Sir, if ye have borne him hence, tell me where ye have laid him.” “We hid our faces from him, yet we did esteem him—the bond of our peace was upon Him, the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, he hath put him to grief—therefore will I divide him a portion with the great.” “Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?” “I sought him, but I found him not—I will seek him, I found him, I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my brother’s house.” Need I mention his name? It would not be half so sweet, as if you were on a journey, or accidentally fell in company with one that loved him, and over-heard his dear name mentioned by a stranger, in a very sweet and savory way: how it would open your ears, lead out your love, and quicken your soul. “His name is Jesus! for he shall save his people from their sins.” But this could not be, without his acting as a substitute for them, and this he has done. He first indemnified his people, and then gave himself up to the justice of God. Ah, little did his enemies think what was in the heart of Jesus when he gave himself up to them, and said, “If ye seek me, let these go their way.” This was acting over what he had engaged to do in eternity,