But whoever may be the instruments, or whatever may be the particular design of Providence, they may, as I said before, always be improved to our own good, — frequently also to the benefit of some others, — while sometimes they are manifestly overruled, as well as intended, for the good of the cause. One thing is certain, viz., that the great Head of the church has no less authority and control in the kingdom of providence than He has in the kingdom of grace, and that our trials are no less the appointments of His wisdom than our salvation is the fruit of his love. In each case it is He Himself, acting in His own official character as King in Zion.
The hand that weighs and portions out to us the former is the same kind hand that dispenses so freely the blessings of the latter. And, however bitter the cup we have to drink, we are sure it contains nothing unnecessary or unkind; and we should take it from His hand with as much meekness as we accept of eternal life with thankfulness.
In fine, our disappointments and trials are not to be regarded as a chapter of accidents, but they are to be looked on, and looked for, as dispensations which are suited to our particular state, and by which God will either mend us or ruin us.
Ke assured you have the prayers and sympathy of us all; and, as I have had more of such experience, perhaps I may say, especially of your friend and brother,
W. GOODELL.
He records in his journal, under date of Oct. 1,1836, some striking coincidences: —
" It is a very remarkable circumstance that, my brother Joel, in Ohio, and myself, in Constantinople, both of us, on the 10th of May, 1835, the very day of our sister Lydia's death in New York, preached from this text, ' There remained! therefore a rest to the people of God,' — both of us thinking and preaching and praying about heaven at the very time of our sister's entrance there, as our hope and trust is.
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