I WAS not a little comforted to find thee in a recovering state, and it added to my gratitude to God to hear that you was still gathering strength. I do most earnestly hope, that the Lord will give you a little of the new wine of the kingdom, and that for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities, particularly that of infidelity, for I think if Thomas and you had been both alive together, that you would have strengthened each others hands to that degree, that even putting the fingers into the prints of the nails, it would not have been sufficient to remove the bar.
I hope to see this thy epilepsy cured ere long. I was very sorry that I happened to call just upon the return of thy fit, for I think of all devils this must be that kind, that goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Nothing sure can silence the lips of truth, or quench the Spirit, more than a gainsaying devil. The Shunamite silenced Elisha with this influence, and the unbelieving lord in Samaria served him the same, but neither of them made the prophet a liar: "If we believe not he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself."
I think this fiery trial will sharpen thy appetite, and I hope if it please God to restore thee, that thou wilt find some sweet morsels at Zion's entertainments. Many promises are made to the hungry and thirsty, and to the poor and needy, and faithful is he that hath promised, but, "He that believeth shall not make haste." God will be waited on and waited for, and they shall not be ashamed that wait for him. My dear friend wants a little more submission to the will of God, to enable him to kiss the rod, and to humble himself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt him in due time, which is what I believe he will do.
Come, Thomas, be of good cheer, there is still hope in Israel, there is balm among God's heap of witnesses, and there is a physician in Zion; and sure I am that none ever died under his hands. None that ever sought under a sense of their sickness, failed of a cure, and this is some encouragement to those that feel their need and, "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord." In due time, my dear brother, we shall reap if we faint not; "He that shall come will come," at his own appointed time; his reward is with him, and his work before him. Tender my kind love and respects to Mrs. D. for I know that she is in the faith. The Lord bless, keep, and deliver you, is the earnest desire and prayer of,
Dearly beloved.
Ever your's,
W. H S. S
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