THIS consolatory letter was written by Captain Ross from Stettin in Germany to a worthy woman (now deceased) in Thurso, on the death of her godly husband—Mr. Robert M’Beath, merchant:—
STETTIN, September, 1869.
MY DEAR MRS. M’BEATH,
It is with regret I have heard of the death of your dear husband. I did not think when I saw him last that his time was to be so short. What a changeable and fleeting world we are in, with many anxieties, troubles, and cares! And before we can get ourselves right settled in it, we have to leave it.
How many of our fellow-creatures are flying on the wings of vanity, and cannot understand where they are, or what they are doing, till they fall headlong to perdition! What cause of thankfulness have the few whom the Lord set His mind on, for His own glory and for their salvation, to praise His name for His works of wonder done unto the sons of men! And even the same few, how full of ignorance, darkness, unbelief, and hardness of heart they are, and every sin in our nature they are prone unto. But one thing, sin is not their delight; and they have another principle—they have a desire after holiness of mind and nature, but cannot obtain their desire, as sin winds in and through and about their souls, so that it will be their cry, “How can such a sinful creature be fitted for communion with angels, besides communion with such as the Holy One? Heaven is above the level of such creatures.” It is only when they get a view of Him who left His own glory and came so low as to take our nature, that He might raise our nature as high as Himself, that they can see how He can raise them up from such a miserable state, and set such poor ones on thrones of glory.
For my part, I cannot understand the mysterious blessing that is to be enjoyed in time by those who are made one spirit with Christ, and then made one body by union here. Paul calls it a great mystery; and when there is such great mystery in the union, there is something great in the separation of such creatures that we who are so short-sighted cannot understand. But although there is something that is grievous in it, there is more that is joyous, as there is rejoicing in the grief, and comfort in the mourning, and a view of the vanity of time in the mourning, and it may be a seeking of the image of the Saviour in the mourning, and a view of the mind of the Lord in the mourning, and a message from King Jesus in the mourning. As King David used to send servants at the death of kings to comfort them who were left behind, so that would be the surest and best way for you to get comfort—that messengers would come from spiritual David, as he can speak to your case and speak to your heart with love and kindness, for it is in His mouth the law of kindness is.
Kind regards to Christina. I cannot sympathise with you as I would wish. As long as your dear husband was with you, you had a full town and a full house, but now your mind will be more after him, and I believe after all them, now away, in whom you had delight since your young days.
ROBERT ROSS.
The Awakening of Spain.—According to the Heraldo, the Government Bill regarding the religious congregations includes the following principles:—No religious order will be permitted to establish itself without the authorisation of the Cortes. The State will support any member of a congregation who may wish to renounce his vows. Minors cannot be members of congregations. The Minister will have the power to withdraw the authorisation of any congregation which may infringe public morality or order. All associations of which the members are foreigners, or the directors are resident abroad, will be dissolved. The authorities will be able to interfere to prevent the confinement of monks or nuns in monasteries when necessary, with or without the authorisation of ecclesiastical authority. The congregations will not be allowed to possess property other than what is necessary to the objects for which they exist. Severe penalties will be exacted for any infringement of the regulations.