The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-09
Aunsehnla atutas.
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
SEVEN YEARS IN THE FURNACE; Oh,
SANCTIFIED AFFLICTI0N.


"For our light afliction, which is but for mo-
ment worketh for US far more exceeding and eter-
nal weight of glory"
In confirmation of the truth contained in
the above precious Scripture, 1 wish to make
a candid statement of some facts which came
under my own observation. They have been
the means, through the influence of the
Holy Spirit, 1 trust, of greatly strengthen
ing and encouraging my own sOul-and it is
with the firm persuasion, that by Gods bless
ing, they may comfort and encourage many
others, / have been induced to make make
them public
As a sympathizing friend, would speak
gently, softly, most kindly and afectionate-
ly, to the afflicted of all ages, but especially
to the young. l would give them the expe-
rience of one of their number. May God
grant me the special guidance of his Spirit
while trace these lines.
The subject of this sketch, Miss Louisa
Jackson, was a native of Montgomery Coun-
ty, Va, the daughter of DR.. 7. T., and
Mrs. L. P. Jackson. 1t was the privilege of
the writer to become acquainted with her in
the Spring of 1868. He remembered her
then as bright, joyous, happy, amiable,
precious child. Her sweet disposition and
her light and graceful moyements-with
voice as sweet and clear as birds, remind
ed one very fOrcibly of those innocent little
creatures as they fit from bough to bough,
and from branch to branch, warbing their
matin songs on a bright morning in early
Spring. By her pure unsel6sh affection and
winning childish ways, she enshrined herself
in the most sacred place in the hearts of her
parents, and 'the loved ones at home
and also found place in the heart of each
new aequaintanee-for it was impossible to
-kaOV her and not Lore her. Thus loved by
every one, and with naturally cheerful dis
position-her earlier years-school-days,
&C., was period of apparently almost I'M
mingled pleasure. But mere worldly hap
piness and pleasure is uncertain and evanes-
eent-often times thrust from us in an in
stant-and passes away as the morning cloud
or the early dew. So it was in the case of
LOula. She was to experience far higher
and holier happiness than she had ever yet
dreamed Of. Her heavenly Father, in his
infinite wisdom, saw that it was necessary to
deprive her of many of her earthly comforts,
in order that she might more fully appreci-
ate the spiritual blessing he had in store for
her.
Shortly after the beginning of my ac-
quaintance with her, she was attacked by
disease which proved to be permanent and
incurable disease of the hipjoint. The dis
ease steadily grew worse. In the fall of
1852, commenced term of suffering, the
nature lty of which, battles all des-
cription. From this she was never wholly
relieved, perhaps for one single moment, till
October 9th, 1869, when her Saviour took
her home, to that rest that ''remaiReth to
the people of God" She was received into
the Presbyterian church at Blacksburg, after
very thorough and satisfactory examina-
ton, on the 9th day of August, 1864. She
was, in all probability, true believer in
Christ several years before making this pub
lie profession. Judge from the sequel
whether she was true child of God-and
behold the wonderful power of true religion
During these seven gears of untold suffering,
the writer being her pastor, visited her very
frequently, and knew her most Intimately
and takes great pleasure in testifying to the
remarkable display of Divine grace mani
tested in her case. l have been with her in
many of the hours of her greatest agony and
pain as well as in the times of comparative
ease, and strange as it may appear to many,
during the whole period of her Christian
life, she was never heard to mourn or to ex-
press the least shadow Of doubt of her &C
ceptance through Christ. She often lamented |
her personal unworthiRess, and felt most |
deeply the sinfulness of her own heart-but
always had the most unwaVing trust in the
merits of Christ. She had perfectly clear
views of the plan of salvation by grace,
through faith. She constantly discarded |
everything, as ground of pardon or justi-
featiOn, except the atOnemsnt made By
Christ. Having, by living faith, this clear
view of the whole plan of salvation, and the |
sole ground of her acceptance, it was not
strange that under all circumstances she |
was perfectly calm and cheerful. She seemed |
daily and pereeptibly to "groa0 az grace.
Her Saviour gave her strength according to
her day. "ThOugh, " says the Apostle, ''the
outward man perish, the inward man is re-
newed day by day" The blessed Lord did
not remove the thorn from the flesh, but his
grace was sufficient for her. 1t was not his
will that she should be removed from the
fiery furnace-but he came down and walked |
with her in the midst of the fires.
Her whole Christian life was one of beau.
tiful consistency and symmetry. 1t was life
of intense bodily suffering, but one of hides
cribable inward joy and peace. A life of
love and kindness, and patieuce-simply a
of the spirit of Christ that dwelt
within. During the period of her affection,
she was almost wholly deprived of church