(II.)
PULTENEYTOWN, 1896.
MY DEAR —, I received your kind and welcome letter a short time ago, and was glad especially to hear that Mrs. Mackintosh was better. All things work together for good to them that love God; and what son or daughter is there whom the Father chasteneth not? Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth; but He is as a wall of fire around them in all their troubles. In all their afflictions, He has a fellow-feeling with them. What a mystery it is that He who created all things, and upholds all things, would have compassion on such! And the mystery is that He is in them, and they are in Him, for the Church said: “We are in Him that is true, even in His Son, Jesus Christ.” And whether it be Satan or men that touch them, he or they touch the apple of His eye. No one can understand how precious they are in the sight of the Holy One, and how they will shine through the endless ages of eternity in Him, and He in them. And the wonder is that nothing can separate them from Him nor He from them. . . .
As for myself, my foolishness cleaves to me. We are darkness; God is light. May it please Him to bring us to His own light! Who can describe the peace and joy of that soul that will spend eternity in the light, and that will have no darkness at all? But it is my darkness and my ignorance that makes me not afraid to speak of the Holy One.
I hope you will write me soon, and let me know how you are getting on. May His own presence be with you all, and with all who desire after it!—I am, yours, etc.,
DONALD MACKAY.