Philosophers say, The sun is nearer to us in winter than in summer; this does not appear true, but it has been, and is very easily proved. So Christ, the Son of righteousness, is nearer to us in our winter graces of faith and patience, than in our summer graces of joy, hope, peace, and love. He makes his way to us, when we cannot find the way to him, he seeks us, when we cannot seek him, he can find us, and he holds us, when we cannot find him, or claim him as our’s. That precious text, 13th Zechariah, and last verse, is often precious to me in this furnace; the God of truth promises, first, I will bring you through; second, They shall call on my name; third, I will try them; fourth, I will say they are mine; fifth, and they shall say the Lord is mine. What a feast does this text afford me in those days of my calamity; some parts have been fulfilled in my experience, the other part will ere long: and as soon as the deliverance comes, we must look out for some other trials. The Christian’s seldom long at ease, One Trial gone, another doth him seize. This is the way; but as loved, redeemed, called, pardoned by precious blood, and justified by imputed righteousness, we shall get safe home, to celebrate eternal mercy, as displayed by a triune God in our salvation. I long for the time to meet you both again, at the table of the Lord. I trust Christ will be more dear to us than ever, that we shall be dying daily, and living in, and by, and with Christ. Your’s, truly, _Ruhamah_. LETTER XXVIII. _Achor’s Vale_, _January_ 26_th_, 1819. Mr. FARMER. MY MUCH ESTEEMED FRIEND,