Chapter IX

He preservation from a most sudden and terrible death, of which Alice speaks in the

following letter to her friend M. M. J,

was considered by all who heard of it to be very remarkable, and to her friends it was cause of deep thankfulness that, through the mercy of their Heavenly Father, she was, as it seemed, miraculously restored to them.

“TSWEDELLE, Nov. 23, l862.

“My Dear M , —

“Your letters would have been answered before this, had I not been prevented by illness. I was in bed for nearly two weeks, but you will see that all danger has long since been over, when I tell you the cause of my illness. It was an accident that came very near terminating my life. I have been troubled a great deal this fall with neuralgia, particularly in my back, so about two months ago I asked the doctoi if he could not give me something for it. He gave me two bottles of medicine, one for internal, the other for external use. By mistake, the wrong medicine was given to me, and it proved to be a deadly poison. The two bottles were exactly alike, and the medicines the same colour. It was just at dusk, and

did not look at the label, as she felt so sure

that she had left the right bottle in just that spot on the mantel, with the spoon beside it; but some one, in dusting, I suppose, had removed it and put the aconite (which was what I took) in its place.

“I had been suffering from a severe headache for two days, and was lying on the sofa at the time I took the aconite [about the 3d of November]. In about ten minutes we wTent down to tea. While at the table, I said to mother that my medicine seemed to have a very strange effect. She immediately thought that perhaps I had taken the wrong kind. She brought the bottle, and, sure enough, I had taken sixty drops of aconite. We looked in the ‘Dispensatory,’ and found it was a deadly poison; that there were on record many cases where persons had taken twenty drops and died in less than an hour. Mother ran to order the carriage, while father and I pored over the book, hoping to find an antidote; but nothing was said to direct us what to do. I did not feel sick, only a burning in my stomach, and a queer drawing up of the muscles of my face. It was a strange feeling to know that in a few short hours I might pass from time into eternity. I knew that my life was in imminent danger, and the horrible nature of the death made me for a moment shudder; but the thought of our perfect Saviour, and of going to be with Him, made me perfectly calm. I got in the

carriage, and we went to Dr H. C ’s, as we feared

to wait for him to come to us. He was fortunately at home, and gave me the most prompt and skilful

MEMOIR OF ALICE B. WHITALL. 1 7 r

medical treatment. It was, however, an hour and a half after taking the aconite before the emetics took effect, and by that time I was very ill. I did not lose my consciousness, though my whole body became rigid and cold: my sight left me, and even my tongue stiffened in my mouth; the cold perspiration stood on my forehead, and I thought ’ truly this is death, For more than an hour I thought every breath would be my last. The doctor feared so too, as the effect of aconite is to contract all the nerves and muscles, particularly around the heart and lungs, thus stopping their action and causing death. It seemed a miracle that I did not die. For five hours I lay very low, suffering the most intense agony; indeed the suffering was more fearful than anything I had ever dreamed of, but I can truly say that it was worth it all to realise what a perfect Saviour Jesus is in time of trial. I wish I could tell you of the heavenly calm He granted me during those hours of dreadful suffering. I have always, from my childhood, had an almost morbid fear of death, and even since I have put my trust in Jesus I have sometimes been tempted to fear that when that trying hour came I should feel frightened, even though I knew that through a crucified Redeemer I was going to an eternal home in bliss. But when I thought each moment was my last, and the shadows of the dark valley were about me, every fear was taken away, and a heavenly joy and peace filled my soul. Jesus was with me, and I was not afraid.

“When I felt myself coming to, it was almost with sorrow that I thought of recovering, only for mother’s sake. Poor mother! She must have suffered more than we can imagine. She sent the carriage back

immediately to Tswedelle for father and L. W,

who was with us at the time, and they stayed with me

until morning, when they took me home. Dr C ’s

family were all so kind, they were up nearly all night, four or five of them rubbing me at once to bring back vitality and allay the suffering in my limbs. I never shall forget their kindness.

“The doctor said that all danger from the poison was over by the next day, but it left me very weak, and my nervous system had received a shock which it felt for some time. I had very good nurses. They sent for Carrie a few days after, when they found how slow my recovery was likely to be. At that time I had occasional sinking turns, which seemed rather alarming; but the doctors (I only had four) said they were not at all dangerous. They all complimented me on having a remarkably strong constitution, as a weak one, they all agreed, could never have rallied.

“You don’t know what a cozy little room mine grew to be during my sickness, or rather my convalescence. It always was cozy, but now it is pleasanter than ever. If you could have peeped in upon our social circle, you would have wanted to join us, I am sure; and equally sure am I that you would have been most heartily welcomed by us all, but especially by the invalid on the sofa, in the blue dressing-gown and slippers.”

The trial and the triumph recorded in the above letter were to Alice cause of the deepest thanksgiving to the God of. all grace, who had proved Himself to be such an all-sufficient Helper in time of need.

MEMOIR OF ALICE B. Will TALL. I 73

She often spoke of her feelings at the time, and of the perfect victory over all her natural fear of death, which was granted her. From her childhood she had always had an especial horror and dread of being buried alive, and while under the immediate effects of the poison, it seemed to her for a time that such was to be her fate; for while perfectly retaining her consciousness, she was utterly unable, by word or movement, to show any signs of life, and even seemed to herself to have ceased to breathe. She said afterwards, that at this time she realised very vividly the possibility of being supposed to be dead, and of being shut up in a coffin, and placed in the dark grave, with her consciousness remaining as vivid as ever; but she was not frightened or troubled, for she felt that the presence of Jesus would sustain her even

there.

“Tswedelle, Dec. 2, 1S62 — 3d day.

tl My own Dear Carrie, —

...” Mother told thee, I believe, that I had another ill turn on fifth day evening. I very foolishly over- exerted myself, and brought on a bad headache and chill, accompanied by some of the old symptoms, which left me weak. Yesterday I came out into the sitting-room for the first time, but did little but lie still on the sofa. To-day I am better — that is, stronger, but have a very bad headache; don’t know that I ought to write, but am quite tired of doing nothing. These neuralgic headaches make me sometimes a little cast down, because I have to sit still in a world so full of action; but it is very wrong, and in the depth of my heart I do love to have Him do with me just what He pleases.

...” I must tell thee before I go any further how much pleased they were at the B

Home (the home where she had placed Ernest) with the things we took them; the fruit of our ’ sewing bee, one week long. My zeal for making things for the children increased tenfold; indeed the more you do, the more you want to do. We took them over a royal Thanksgiving feast — cakes, apples, &c.

H. B entirely lost her heart over a dear little girl

named Mary, and a dear little Lizzie has haunted my dreams ever since. She is a new-comer, entirely friendless, only thirteen months old, and as sweet a looking child as you ever saw. They all enjoyed the good things so much.

“I have been thinking we have been very zealous getting their bodies something to wear; now it is, I am convinced, necessary to the proper development of their characters that they should have something beside their little thin fingers to play with. Children learn as much through their bright picture-books and playthings as we do from our books. I have not been able to sleep, thinking of my different plans for, in some degree, filling this want. Just think of Frank shut up in a big square room, without * Lu Lee ’ or the bag of spools, or blocks, or in fact anything for his active little fingers to busy themselves with; no chairs even, to put together for ‘chu chu cars,’ only long benches to sit on. Now Christmas is coming, and I am determined they shall have some Christmas beside eatables. I do not believe there is a doll in the whole establishment. I am going to buy and dress some, but my capacity for rag babies is, I fear, very small, and rag dolls are just the best things. Christmas is near at hand; we must be up and doing.

“I can’t make up my mind which would be the nicest way of giving the things — to take them over on Christmas day, or before, and have the rows of stockings hung up on Christmas eve, and found full next day when they get up. An apple, a little candy, cakes, and one plaything — doll, or book, or something of the kind — would fill a stocking.* Dear little things! They need home pleasures to look back upon....

“My last visit to the city was of great use to me. Our talk about the guidance of the Holy Spirit stirred me up very much, and I have enjoyed more direct communion than for a long time past. It is a very sweet thing to feel that we have, absolutely have, His guidance about even little things. Every step ought to be guided sensibly by Him; that is, we can and ought to be sure that this minute we are doing the exact thing that He wishes us to do.

“I enclose H ’s letter; do send it back to me;

but first get all the good out of it thou can; it is lovely. Since I have received it I have been praying that prayer [’ That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith, that we, being rooted and grounded in love,

* A Christmas tree was finally decided upon for the children at the Home, and a noble one it was, reaching to the ceiling, and loaded with cakes, apples, tarlatan bags of candy, dolls, and brilliantly-coloured picture-books; while at its foot lay wheelbarrows, waggons, and other toys, enough to gladden the hearts of these little friendless ones, who were seldom, after that, forgotten by her at Christmas. Little Ernest shared largely in these gifts from “Aunt Alice.”

may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of God, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God ‘Eph. iii. 17-19], and have had such glorious views of Christ’s love, that I feel almost afraid to mention it, lest I should tread on holy ground. I had no idea that He loved me so much as I am now sure He does, and I am very sure I never enjoyed loving Him so much. I feel as though I love Him with all my heart, but I am afraid I don’t act as though I do. May the Lord help us to acknowledge Him in all our ways!”

“Tswedelle, December 1S62.

“My own Darling Sister Annie, —

... “Father and mother have gone to

G, and I have settled myself down for a cozy

day all by myself. I am lying on the sofa — a peculiar position for writing — in the sitting-room, and pussy blue, my only companion, is curled up by the

flue.

“My heart turns toward thee in loving thoughts while I lie so still. For the last week I have had to keep to the bed or sofa most of the time, and it gives me a great deal of time to think. I have been particularly blessed with a sense of the presence of Jesus, and have enjoyed His love wonderfully. How sweet it is, and how much better than anything else! And it makes us feel our sinfulness and unworthiness more than anything else, does it not? I have enjoyed a fuller understanding of what it means to be ’ brought nigh’ by the blood of Jesus than ever before.

Strange how words fall on our ears, and we do not take in their meaning until, at last, the Holy Spirit shines down their full import into our hearts. I have been wondering how it is that we feel in our hearts that we love Him so much, and yet our lives show forth so little of that love. I am sure I feel as though I love Him better than ever I did before, and with my whole heart, fervently; yet dozens of times a day do I forget, and do what does not please Him. Do pray for me, dear Annie, that my life may tell forth to Him that I love Him.”

“Tswedelle, December 28, 1862.

“My Dearest Annie, —

... “Thou asks if the neuralgia has been increasing on me. I had more of it almost immediately after my return home in September, but I do not know that it has increased much since then, only, as I have not been quite so strong since my accident, I have suffered more. But enough about my health, I am well enough to consider it an insult to be called an invalid, although I take the petting with a very good grace.

“The sweet season of Christmas has passed. I have been wondering how it passed with you. I know that to thee it brought sweet thoughts of Jesus. How did Charley and Annie spend it? I never had so much of the fun of Christmas before. We had a right merry time, and enjoyed fixing Frank a tree very much. Father said we were like so many grown-up babies. Frank thoroughly entered into the pleasure. I wish thou could have seen his dear little face

as he walked round and round the tree, pointing up with his fat little finger, first to one thing, and then to another, asking his stereotyped question, ‘What’s

ems?”’

“Millville, Jan. 18, 1863.
“DearS — , —

... “The love of Jesus is what we shall feast on in eternity. We may imagine what a glorious feast it will be, since the little glimpses we have of it here are so indescribably sweet. I long to know more of it, and who can tell what depths of His love, if we ask earnestly and constantly, He may not show us?

... “I long to love the will of God, and to have it for my treasure; and it is so sweet, is it not, to know that this is His wish also? ‘This is His will, even your sanctification.’ I believe He rates a man’s sanctification (in the sense of growth in grace) by the degree in which He sees that his will is subjected to God’s will. It is our will that He looks at, for it is the mainspring to our actions. If He sees that our will is always unreservedly to do His will, and to have His will done in us, and by us, and through us, He wull look very leniently upon our external performance of it. How much, how very much, we must grieve Him by withholding from Him this simple constant desire to do His will.”

“Tswedelle, Feb. 9, 1863.

“My Dear S , —

... “It is not for external or glaring sins that He most chides His children, but for a wandering of heart, a turning away from Him, a seeking of pleasure or satisfaction in the world instead of in Him. ‘Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ Jesus is the centre. We have life and peace only because we are in Him, and when our heart and mind cease to revolve around Him as the One most to be desired and altogether lovely, we lose our strength and are in a position of most imminent danger. Jesus has said, ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches, without me ye can do nothing.’ Every moment the sap must continue to flow from the parent stalk through every leaf and fibre. If it is interrupted, the leaves wither and die, unless the obstacle be removed, and the union between the branch and the vine becomes again a practical reality. Just so it is when the communion with the great Source of our life and strength is interrupted, our spiritual life begins to ebb away, our strength and all our heavenly peace is gone, and Satan, taking advantage of our position, redoubles his efforts to reign in our hearts. Satan is strong and we are helpless, but there is One mightier than he. If you will be like the little shell-fish clinging to the mighty rock, all the storms, all the powers of earth and of darkness, cannot hurt you. Your danger is when your clasp of Him is loosened.”

To M. M. J.

“Millville, March 22, 1 863.

...” I cannot tell you, dear M, how

glad, unspeakably glad, I am that you have been blessed by the realisation of the nearness of Jesus. It is just the thing we want, for if we have Jesus near us, all else goes right. I, too, have been richly i So ON THE ROCK: jet. 23.

blessed lately by a sense of His presence, and I long, darling, that we should live near to Him all the time. I am sure we can do it, and I think we want to; why, then, should we not? Surely He does not withdraw His Spirit from us, for He says, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ And again, in the 16th chapter of John, He says, ‘If a man love me he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.’ Oh, I am praying that I may not grieve that Holy Presence away from my heart. He can teach us how to live very close to Him, and give us the strength to do it; and, moreover, He has promised that if we ask, we shall receive. We want more faith and earnestness in asking.

“If this is life, to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, is it not growth to know more and more of Him? I am thoroughly stirred up to pray for it, and I think I am receiving gradually sweeter and sweeter, closer and closer knowledge of His love, and the best of it is that the deepest draught of His love is only a taste, for what infinite depths are there which no human being has ever fathomed?

I am having such an interesting visit with Carrie. There has been a great revival here. Hundreds of the most careless seem to be roused earnestly to inquire the way of salvation; and very many, I really believe, have passed from the old life into the new.... Carrie and I have had the privilege of talking to quite a number of these inquirers, and we have indeed found it a blessed field of labour, they are so glad to hear the * glad tidings.’ Several very interesting cases have come under our observation, and made our hearts thoroughly enlisted in the work. This has made me lengthen my visit considerably, for I feel that such openings ought not to go unimproved. There has also been a great interest manifested in the Sunday-school; quite a number have made a profession in the -Methodist church, and others seem desirous of becoming Christians. We have been visiting them in their homes, and, as is naturally the case, the more we do, the more opens before us to be done. Our time is thoroughly occupied, for, besides our out-of-door duties, we are very much interested in studying the Scriptures together.”

Dear Alice always seemed to find work for the Master wherever she went; but especially at Millville, a wide field of labour opened before her among the families of the workmen on the place, and those connected with the Sabbath-school.

She was very sympathetic and loving in her ways, and the poor and sick always rejoiced to see her coming to their homes, more for her kind and gentle words of sympathy and comfort than for the delicacies or necessaries of which she was so often the bearer. She never liked to go empty-handed to visit the poor, for she often used to say, “A half pound of tea or some sugar opens the heart wonderfully to receive the gospel.” Many a poor woman has received some article of clothing or a nice bonnet, made by her busy fingers, to enable her to go to church. She would speak most faithfully to them, too, of their souls’ best interests, for she never seemed to feel any fear or false delicacy in a matter which she felt to be of so much importance.

Once when visiting with her sister a sick person, they found with him another young man, a neighbour. He seemed perfectly indifferent when Alice spoke to him of the importance of having his sins forgiven and washed away in the blood of Jesus; but she, seeing his hardened state, and the uselessness of talking to him unless the Holy Spirit took her words home to his heart, kneeled down, and in the most earnest manner besought God to open his eyes to behold his own sinfulness, and his utterly lost and undone condition without a Saviour. The man seemed entirely overcome, and was melted to tears; but it remains for that last great day to reveal whether the word spoken brought forth fruit unto eternal life.

She was also a great help in the Sabbath-school. It was always opened with singing, and the reading of a portion of Scripture followed, which was generally the subject of a few remarks, or a short address. When Alice was present she used often to speak to the children. Her sister writes, “I never shall forget the day she took the cleansing of the leper as her subject. She brought out the type most beautifully, and the words of our Saviour — ‘I will, be thou clean ’ — never seemed so precious to me before.” She was very fond of the typical teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures, The burning of the leprous garment (sin in the flesh) and the law of the Nazarite (a separation within a separation) were with her, to a great extent, practical realities, and having thus received their teaching into her heart, they came from her lips with twofold power.

“TSWEDELLE, April 30, 1863.

“Dear Friend, —

...” It is hard for our natural hearts always to realise of how very little importance all earthly things are compared with spiritual; but I am sure that the more we grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, the more we shall realise that ’ the things that are seen are temporal, while the things that are not seen are eternal.’ A man on important business to a foreign land cares little for the trials and inconveniences of the way, for he thinks, ‘Ah, if I only accomplish the end for which I came, it will be worth all, and far more! ‘The thought of settling himself down in ease and comfort in the pleasantest village he can find there, never enters his mind, for he has not started out for pleasure, but is intent on some earthly object, and is in a hurry to do his work, and go home with a fortune, perhaps. If the scales of earthly-mindedness were withdrawn from our eyes, we should live in the realisation that our position is like that of such a man. This world is, in truth, a strange land to us, for our citizenship is in heaven — our mission here is not enjoyment, although true joy, like many other things, is oftenest found when we seek it not.

“Our mission here is to do the will of our Father who sent us, and to accomplish the work which he has given us the privilege or honour of doing for Him, whether it leads us into pleasure or pain. Surely our glorious mission should be a far more powerful motive to self-denying exertion than the desire for riches or any temporal good.

“I am glad that you have been thinking about our heavenly calling, for I know it will make the rough way easy to you, especially if you add to the realisa-, tion of this great truth the constant remembrance of the sufficiency of Jesus, our strength, for all things whereunto we are called.

‘Jesus, my strength, my hope,
On Thee I cast my care.’

How little we appreciate what He would be to us if we would only let Him. I often think of what Ryle says, somewhat in these words, “Why will ye remain hungry, when there is such a rich feast of the living bread spread on purpose for you? Why grow faint from thirst, and refuse to take but a few drops from the living Fountain? Are you poor? It is because you will take a few pence only from your boundless treasury in heaven, from whence you might draw the endless treasures of grace.’ I do not pretend to quote him word for word, but the thought seemed to me to be a striking one.

“What lovely promises those are you spoke of j they have often comforted me, particularly that one, Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’

“Since I last wrote you I have been to the ‘Border Land.’ I have stood on the very brink of the river of death, but it was not my Heavenly Father’s will that I should yet pass into the glories above; so I have returned to the battle of life, stronger and better, I hope, for that glorious experience of the power of Jesus to support in a dying hour. In looking back, it seems to me that one reason why the Lord spared my life may be that I may testify to

MEMOIR OF ALICE B. IVHITALL. iS others of the power of the gospel of Jesus to support one of the weakest and most unworthy worms of the dust in the face of a sudden and most frightful death. More than ever before did I realise the deep meaning of the words — Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling

Oh, there is no use in our trying to be worthy of eternal life; if we receive it, it must be as a free gift — freely given in mercy for Christ’s sake, and not because of anything in us, or which we can do.... It seems to me that to live aright in order to get to heaven is deeply dishonouring to Jesus, and spoils all acceptableness, of such service, for the motive is more than the work in God’s sight.

“Our Lord certainly gives us strong enough motives to a holy life without this, and if they are not sufficient for us, then indeed is the loss our own. I think the Scriptures plainly teach us that there is an abundant recompense of reward given unto all those who will serve Him in sincerity; and that those who will not be obedient shall suffer loss both here and hereafter. We are not told that the reward is a title to heaven, for we can only enter there by the blood of Jesus; or that the loss that the unfaithful child sustains (who, remember, is still a child, though a naughty one) is the forfeiting of heaven. In i Cor. iii. 11-15, it says, ‘Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ;’ but ’ if any man build on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, have, stubble, every man’s work shall be made manifest,’ for ‘the fire ’ (which in the Scriptures is often used to symbolise the judgments of God) ’ shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work shall abide he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.’ You will notice that the foundation was the same in all these cases, so an entrance to heaven was alike sure to all, for they all were redeemed children; but when it speaks of their works there was a vast difference, as great as between hay or stubble and precious stones, so great is the difference in the rewards.

“I have been looking out some of the promises given to obedient children, and they are just perfectly sweet, and make me feel as though I would be willing to do or suffer anything to be obedient. Take, for instance, the 21st and 22nd verses of the fourteenth chapter of John. If we have ever tasted the heavenly joy of communion with Jesus; if we have ever known what it is to have the sensible realisation of His being very near to us, then indeed we will feel that to have Him come in and abide with us is the richest reward He could possibly offer.

“We all know how far we feel from God when disobedient, and sin is sure to rob us of all our enjoyment in religion here, and, doubtless, if habitually indulged in, will materially lessen our capacity for enjoying the eternal glories of heaven.

“Have you ever noticed that there are blessings promised, not only to those who obey, but to those who have his commandments? I have been much struck with this; for are there not few comparatively who take the pains to study, and have clearly before their minds each and all of the commands given to

Christians in the New Testament? I have commenced to read it through, with the idea of picking them all out and learning them, and I am astonished at findinsr so manv which I have never before looked at in the light of commands; for instance, ‘Fear ye not, therefore, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’ I always looked upon this as a very comforting assurance, but I did not realise that the ‘Fear ye not ’ was just as much a command as ‘Love your enemies.’ It is a great thing to be on the look-out for the imperative mood; we shall find it oftener than we think. ‘Comfort ye one another with these words’ (1 Thess. iv. 16-18) is another text I never thought of as a command, and so I have never tried to comfort any one with those words. I could not be said to have that command, for I never recognised it as such. So it is with manv other words of our Lord, and I am convinced that the loss we sustain in not having His commands is only second to our loss in not obeying them.

“The first thing to be done in this most important and interesting search after truth, is to make up your mind that, with all the strength God gives, you are going to obey every command you find there, no matter how hard or even unreasonable it may seem to the natural man; believing that as we think God means to do exactly what He promises, and wishes us to take Him at His word, even so when He commands, He wishes us to take Him at His word in the same simple way, and really to do what He tells us to do. When this step is taken, the next difficulty we meet is to decide which commands are spoken to His disciples, only to be acted on at that particular time, and which apply to all Christians. This at first seems hard but prayer and a little meditation will always bring us to a conclusion on each text as it comes; for surely God gives us our guide-book in order that we may know His will, not in order to hide it from us. I find great benefit in taking each command and making it a subject of prayer, that I may be taught just what it means, and be made to keep it in just the sense in which it was given. We ought also to pray that we may learn to love each one, and keep it gladly as a privilege, and not merely as a duty.

... “May He ever encircle you in His everlasting arms, and keep you from all evil, drawing you closer and closer to Himself!”

To M. M. J.

“Tswedelle, May 1S63.
” My Dear Little M, —

...” I long to see you so much; what nice talks we will have, and how delightful the thought of studying the Bible together once more! I never enjoyed studying it so much as I have lately. I am making such a nice text-book on all different points of doctrine. I find the texts and put them together, and it brings every subject out so beautifully. You must begin one when you come, for I am sure you will like it, and I have felt that a real blessing has rested on mine.

“My Heavenly Father has led me through some very interesting experiences, about which I have sometimes longed to sit down and tell you, but I know that a quire of paper would not contain half.

... “My heart re-echoes your longing. It will indeed be a glorious time when we shall lose our vile bodies, and be free from sin. My longing to be rid of sin increases every day, for I feel so constantly that it is the only thing between us and God. How sweet that we constantly have that washed away in the blood of Jesus, and so there is really nothing left to separate us from Him in spirit. But, oh, the treachery of our nature! I often think of what somebody says, that no matter how slight the sin, or how transient the foolish thought that we indulge in, it as completely shuts us out from communion with God, for the time, as a greater sin.”,..