Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-09-30
Charles Town. w. Va,
April 3. 1895.


My Dear Rouss:
! must premise this letter by reminding
you that am lawyer. and am far from
reaching in ethics the altitude to which I
aspire. Ardently wish It were possible
for we TO live on that high plane. which
/ SO much covet and admire. but human
weakness is constantly causing me to fall
below the mark of my high calling. Ire
a ize that / am ''unco weak and little
to be trusted. Don't Judge me by what
am, for as ST. Paul says, the things |
would do, do not: and the things
would not do. that | do. My faith is
superior to my practice. donot vauntmy
righteousness. but humbly acknowledge
my weakness and frailties. Like the
poor publican | am ready to exclaim.
God be merciful to me sinner.
received your letter yesterday and
was much gratified with your commenda-
ton, but more with the assurance 1t bore,
that we are not very far apait--one step
more and we will be fighting under the
same banner. You admit there is Goo
and that we are immortal, and ask, what
will this being be in the next hundred or
thousand years." We are finite creatures
in our present existence. and our vision
is necessarily limited. If one from the
realms of bliss were to appear to US and
offer to portray what we shall be, our
finite minds could not grasp the situa-
ton. This know. my reason tells me,
we shall fill the position for which we
have fitted ourselves in this probationary
life. Could you expect me without any
training therefor. to enter upon your
duties and run the great Broadway store,
or that you without training therefor
could enter on my professional dutiesa
We must prepare ourselves for the life,
we are to lead in eternity. Ii we accept
Gods atonement made for man and
strive to live in accordance with his Holy
Will and commandments we shall reap
life of eternal happiness. it matters not in
what shape or form it comes, and il re-
ject that atonement and pursue sinful
course Of life. cannot reasonably expect
to be rewarded. DO men gather grapes
of thorns or figs of thistles? So every good
tree bringeth forth good fruit. and evil
tree evil fruit
Read the I4th oh. of ST. John and be-
lieve. Have faith. You have faith in your
fellow man-have faith in God, You are
deprived of sight--do you not walk amid
dangers by faith in the guidance of your
fellow-man2 The God that made you
loves you more than your earthly parents
yet you trusted them, ! see you are in
state of unrest-you are seeking fter
light. Accept Gods promises, as reveal
ed in His Holy word, and fnd that rest
your soul is longing for. Others have
floundered IN the mre in which you now
find yourself. and have found rest IN the
Scriptures. Accept the advice and as
surance of friend. | will feel prouder
of your conquest than all the actions of
my life.
Listen to the burning words of one who
longec for the truth and for rest:
oh Lord, speak that may hear.
Behold the ears Of 4 my heart,
open them and say unto my soul. am
thy salvation. / will follow after this
voice of Thine. l will lay hold on Thee.
The temple of my soul. wherein Thou
shouldst dwell is narrow, do Thou en-
large it. 1t falleth into ruins, do Thou
rebuilt it. Woe to that soul which hopeth,
if 1t do but let Thee 60. to find something
better than Thee. Thou only art rest.
Whithersover the soul of man turnetf. it
findeth sorrow, except only in Thee. Fix
there thy resting place, my soul. Lay up
in Him. whatsoever thou hast received
from him. Commend to the keeping Of
the Truth whatever the Truth has given
thee and thou shalt lose nothing. and thy
dead things shall revive ard thy weak
things shall be made whole"
Accept my faith-it brings comfort and
consolation. You have nothing to offer its
stead. The wisest and best of men live and
die in it. Will you follow the steps Of the
illustrious multitudes or will you grope
on in darkness Your acceptance will
bring joy to your many friends, and none
more so than
Your comrade.
GEO.