Taught Lessons of Faith by My Helper

Although from my greater experience, when I first came to know John Wattles, it was my privilege to teach some lessons in trustful service to that new friend and helper, he soon passed on before me in the path of such service. It was not long before I realized gratefully, as did all who knew us, that he was in advance of me in restful faith, as he was in love and zeal and practical efficiency, and, in consequence, I came to lean on and to look up to my young and admirable strong-souled friend and partner.

When he and I assumed entire and joint control of The Sunday School Times its circulation was less than twenty-five thousand. Largely through his ability and

energy that circulation rose to more than 81

s “one hundred and fifty thousand, a’

point it continued up to the time of n

death. In all my editorial work, I was

helped by his wise counsel and aided. by his hearty co-operation. I could have done little without him; and he deserved the

credit for much of the best that was secured

in every department of the paper, in all the years after he joined me in its management.

Clearness of head, quickness of perception, grasp of principles of action, unswerving integrity, firmness of purpose, coupled with remarkable winsomeness of manner, were marked characteristics in the business dealings of Mr. Wattles. All who were brought in contact with him felt that he

was a man whom they could trust utterly,

while he was not to be easily imposed upon, nor turned from his convictions or judgments.

A good illustration of his uniform method of dealing with others in important

business transactions was given, in a letter 82

Taught Lessons of Faith by my Helper

written, during the last few months of his life, to one who was acting as his representative in the negotiation of a large contract, which he would be very glad to secure. Speaking of the interviews of his representative with the other party to the contract, he said: “Don’t show any anxiety over the matter. Don’t have any anxiety. Be awfully courteous and accommodating, but quietly determined; and smile sweetly if the whole thing falls through.” —

But in all and above all it was the beautiful rest of his faith that was the source of his power, and that was felt to be so by all who were with him or who came under his personal influence. That was indeed a cause of gratification and an incitement to me.

Although having the appearance of health, Mr. Wattles was in his later years courageously resisting for a long time a tendency to acute diseases of the lungs. For eight years he was compelled to pass

a portion of every winter in Florida; and 83

= April, 1891, ne was Sieaene very iow a complication of lung troubles. — ‘Before his physician had observed any fresh cause

of illness, Mr. Wattles was impressed with * the thought that God was about to lead him into a deeper flood than he had yet

passed; and, in his quiet faith, his only i anxiety in view of it was for his dear ones,. - not for himself. As he sat alone in his room, on the evening before his outburst J of disease, he penciled these lines on a: newspaper wrapper, in expression of his = feelings of the hour. BS

THROUGH THE WATERS

Indeed I know

That thou wilt be with me;
For here below

Thy touch has won my confidence,
But may I know

That thou wilt be with them
Whom I love so?

Then with joy could I go hence. Whether the waters should be deep and wide, Or what may be upon the other side, Taugbt Lessons of Faith by my Helper

: It matters not;

For I indeed do know

That.thou wilt be with me,
Since here below

Thy touch has won my confidence.
But may I know

That thou wilt be with them
Whom I love so?

Then with joy can I go hence.

The attack of disease was a violent one, and its precise nature somewhat obscure, and he sank under it steadily, despite the skill of the ablest physicians, and the current of loving prayers that went up for him continually. Finally the physicians themselves felt that the end was very near, and they permitted me to speak freely with him of matters that called for consideration, in view of his approaching death, as I had told them I must before he should be finally unable to respond to me. So, one Sunday afternoon, I kneeled by his bedside, and spoke lovingly of our long-time relations and of the possibilities of the future, asking him how I might act for him and Pie ‘his, and for our common interests, absence. STS eaves I had for years so leaned upon him in the business management of our affairs, that I felt quite incompetent to take up the —

ie entire burden of them at that time; and I = vs! feared I should utterly break down, ifI were 4 ‘ left alone. In my weakness I burst out with x

the agonizing cry, “Dear John, I don’t see how I can live on and do my work without you!”

That cry of mine was an appeal to his unselfish soul that he could not resist. As he told me afterwards, he then saw with surprise and anxiety what my condition was, and that I really felt I could not at that time do what needed to be done without him. And although, as he said, he had not before prayed for his recovery, he at once asked God to allow him to get up and help me. “And as soon as I asked this of God,” he said, “I was assured that it would be so. I knew I should get up.” In his

trustfulness he had not prayed for pro- 86

Taught Lessons of Faith by my Helper

longed life on his own account; but if he was really needed here for the sake of others he would ask prolonged life for their sake, and if he asked it he knew it would be given.

As showing how God works through human means for the accomplishing of his divine purposes, that very afternoon, when things looked so dark for John Wattles’s recovery, his two physicians were prompted to attempt an experimental operation that offered small prospect of success, and that might, indeed, hasten the end. That operationwas successful beyond their most sanguine anticipations. And so my friend and helper was raised from that bed of death; and he set himself without delay to the arranging of our business affairs, and to the training of his successor, so as to enable me to bear the responsibility that would be on me when he should finally be taken away. He was sure that God was leading him in all his life work, and that God

would sustain him until it was completed. 87

Ullustrative Answers to Prayer

It would seem, indeed, as if God had been ready to release him earlier from all struggle and suffering, and that he himself was ready to go. But my call to him for help made him ask God that he might get up again, and live on awhile, at whatever cost to himself, in order to render me assistance in God’s service.

And for two years after that he suffered and toiled lovingly and uncomplainingly, doing for others, and teaching us all lessons of love and trust. In his last letter to me from his Florida home, where he entered into his rest, he wrote of his Saviour’s sustaining presence, “I think that nothing but constant suffering could have brought me to realize as I do that I may have some of his own strength every day, as well as be a sharer of his life forever. It is indeed a wonderful thing, but it is true, that we can live in him.”

Neither death nor life was able to separate him from the love of God, which is in

Christ Jesus our Lord.
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