A letter sent from Cromarty to the late Mr. Duncan Fraser, Carrbridge.
MY DEAR FRIEND,—Wonderful indeed are the ways of the Lord, and to none other should its mystery call, as deep calls unto deep, with greater admiration than to lost man, especially those who were loved in the deep thoughts that surpassed all human conception. As they were elected with Him as their surety, so of necessity would their needs claim Him as their debt-bearer. Here we behold Christ, as Pilate said—”Behold the man”—coming forth out of His eternal chamber with the blood-stained garment of His people’s enemies. Oh! what manner of love it was with which the Father loved us in giving His only begotten Son. They died with Him, and in Him. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. xiv. 13).
At Dingwall Communion I was informed that you were not able to be forward, and since you have been laid very much on my poor mind in this captivity. Now I take the opportunity of dropping you this note. Dear friend,—I know not which of us will be sooner in our Beloved’s bosom, but this day I am assured that He will be to me what He promises. A bitter cup, indeed, I have to drink, but my experience is that the more bitter the drink is, the sweeter His love is. Yesterday I received that promise, I hope: “I shall cause the enemy to deal gently with you whithersoever I shall send you.” My poor, withered soul was strengthened and comforted.
Our gentle Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will not forget to visit this garden and take away His lilies when they are fully ripe, and will place them where nothing shall intervene between Him and them for ever. “Ye have need of patience that after ye do the will of God ye shall receive the promise.”
Dear friend, all our frailty and weakness are suggested by our adversary as unquenchable fires, but when Christ will pour His oil on the wounds it will give a heavenly soothing. When our extreme misery inflames His eternal love, how can He leave us in our seventh trial? “Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will help thee, I will strengthen thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
I remember to have read when Gideon’s army took their pitchers with them the light was hid, and not until the vessels were broken, did the lights in them shine, and set the enemy to flight. God will break His own pitchers before the light that is put in them will put these enemies to flight for ever and ever. “He shall soon bruise Satan under their feet,” and He will lead them to fountains of living waters for ever and ever.
Jacob was gathered to his people at his death, so the death of God’s dear people is a gathering to Christ. It is also a rest in Christ. Christ’s own grave in the rock is a similitude of His people’s grave in Himself their Rock. “Let your heart not be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
I am still here in the hand of the providence of the Lord. Hope to hear from you. How is your son and Carry? With the love of our Beloved, your attached friend, J. MACKENZIE.