Delf — September, 1951
by Mr A. Docter, Holland
My dear friend,
At last I’ll try and write you a few lines. I met so many friends that I am at a loss to know which of them I shall write first. I must thank you for the kind way in which you received me, but I shall not write what I felt when I saw the empty chair in your home. This was what I once read in the memoir of Mr Thomas Hog — “Submission to the sovereign will of God under desertions, afflictions and trials, is preferable to the strongest consolations, because consolation pleaseth us but submission pleaseth God.” It is only in the dust that we are taught to be silent.
Two months ago, I felt a strong desire to go to Stratherrick communion. On the Thursday morning in Dingwall I awoke at 5 o’clock with these words “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God follow Him.” I was tried and tempted very much but felt my burden gone at the prayer meeting at Errogie. There was a nice spirit, and I surely believe there were some godly people there. Rev. Sinclair had such a solemn sermon on Job. 37:7, “He sealeth up the hand of every man, that all men may know His work.” On the Friday the question was “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” I dared not go forward on the Saturday for a token so I went out. Then I went in again saying with Esther, “If I perish, I perish.” After this I felt that the Lord rebuked the storm and sea within and I enjoyed peace in my mind for some days. I shall never forget how Rev. S. had to stop in addressing the table on Sabbath when he quoted, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called WONDERFUL. There was then a silence for some minutes and he said he felt the presence of the Lord. The ladies MacGillivray were so kind to me.
Mrs Docter wants to be remembered to you.
Kindest regards, Your friend,
A. DOCTER.