Letters to the Rev. Dr. Smyth of Glasgow
Dumfries, 3d September 1822.
MY DEAR SIR, — I reached this in safety about eight o’clock, and have comfortable prospects of my journey. And I can assure you that it forms no small addition to my comfort when I reflect on the arrangements that I have left behind me, and by which you have kindly consented to keep stedfastly and constantly by my congregation of St. John’s till I shall return to Glasgow; and you will indeed confer upon me a great benefit by resisting all the urgency that might be employed for the purpose of drawing you to preach elsewhere. I esteem it a veiy fortunate circumstance, that by your services, which are so satisfactory to my people, I feel disburdened of the uneasiness that I might otherwise have when away from them; and that I am thus set at large for the prosecution of a journey which I deem to be most important, in a way that is satisfactory to myself.
Yet be assured that a single and undivided attention to the peculiar work of a Christian minister is the way of peace and of pleasantness. I envy those who have escaped the distraction of all other pursuits and all other speculations. And yet I cannot blame myself for my labours on the argument of Pauperism; and I sincerely hope, that instead of going forth upon it, it has intercepted and laid hold of me, so that I have only followed the call of Providence and duty when I suffered myself to be involved in it.
Tell Mrs. Chalmers that it may yet be three days ere I finish the long folio epistle which I am preparing for her. I have this night nearly completed one page of it. — Do believe me, my dear sir, yours very truly, THOMAS CHALMERS.
No. CCXXX.
St. Andrews, 20th November 1823.
MY DEAR SIR, — I enjoy jvery much the repose and quietness of my new situation, and promise to get on very comfortably; but be very sure that all the felicity of the circumstances immediately around me is not unmingled with much regret and tenderness because of those in Glasgow whom I have left behind me. I am not insensible to the force and the value of your friendship in particular; and have sometimes thought of my own apparently cold and passive exhibition under the many ardent demonstrations that you have given of it. The truth is, that my extreme occupations in Glasgow put me into a state that was quite unnatural, and now only have I beo-un rightly to estimate and to feel the manifold kindnesses that surrounded me there. — Yours most truly and affectionately, No. CCXXXI.
Burntisland, 21st September 1832.
MY VERY DEAR SIR, — We have this day received the sad intimation of Mrs. Smyth’s death, and you may well believe that both I and Mrs. Chalmers feel very deeply for you under this afflictive dispensation.
It is our earnest prayer that the Heavenly Comforter may be with you in your present trying circumstances, when all earthly comfort and sympathy are so unavailing, and may He who grieves not willingly any of His children pour a healing and a sanctifying medicine into your cup of discipline.
That uncertainty of life and awfulness of death which we often preach, we do not often practically or adequately feel. But never, I should imagine, does death make a more realizing demonstration of itself than in circumstances like yours,
2 B where it has made inroads upon your dwelling, and torn asunder the nearest and dearest of all earthly relationships.
This is a sore bereavement. May your widowed heart find its solace and relief in the promises of the Gospel. May its faith bear you up amid the agonies of wounded nature, and then shall this visitation, though not joyous but grievous, yield unto you the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
My heart bleeds both when I think of yourself and when I think of your motherless children. Cast the whole burden upon the Lord and He will sustain it. “What power and preciousness of adaptation do we often meet in short and single clauses of the Bible; and I doubt not, my dear Sir, that your now exercised and experienced spirit has by this time made fresh discoveries both of the divine wisdom and the divine tenderness which are stamped upon its pages.
Mrs. Chalmers unites with me in deep condolence both for you and your afflicted family, and with the sincerest regards of us both, ever believe me, my dear Sir, yours with utmost sym pathy and regard, THOMAS CHALMERS.