Out of the Deep | Page 5

to bear it--as long as one is not crippled for one's every-day duties--but
to give way to sorrow, utterly and freely. Perhaps sorrow is sent that we
may give way to it, and, in drinking the cup to the dregs, find some
medicine in it itself which we should not find if we began doctoring
ourselves, or letting others doctor us. If we say simply, "I am wretched,
I ought to be wretched;" then we shall perhaps hear a voice, "Who
made thee wretched but God? Then what can He mean but thy good?"
And if the heart answers impatiently, "My good? I don't want it, I want
my love!" perhaps the voice may answer, "Then thou shalt have both in
time."
Letters and Memories.
After all, the problem of life is not a difficult one, for it solves itself--so
very soon at best--by death. Do what is right, the best way you can, and
wait to the end to know. . . .
If, in spite of wars, and fevers, and accidents, and the strokes of chance,
this world be green and fair, what must the coming world be like? Let
us comfort ourselves as St. Paul did (in infinitely worse times), that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory that shall be revealed. It is not fair to quote one text about the
creation groaning and travailing without the other, that it will not groan

and travail long. Would the mother who has groaned and travailed and
brought forth children--would she give up those children for the sake of
not having had that pain? Then believe that the day will come when the
world, and every human being in it who has really groaned and
travailed, would not give up its past pangs for the sake of its then
present perfection, but will look back on this life, as the mother does on
past pain, with glory and joy.
Letters and Memories.
I write to you because every expression of human sympathy brings
some little comfort, if it be only to remind such as you that you are not
alone in the world. I know nothing can make up for such a loss as yours.
{26} But you will still have love on earth all round you; and his love is
not dead. It lives still in the next world for you, and perhaps with you.
For why should not those who are gone, if they are gone to their Lord,
be actually nearer us, not further from us, in the heavenly world,
praying for us, and it may be, influencing and guiding us in a hundred
ways, of which we in our prison-house of mortality cannot dream?
Yes, do not be afraid to believe that he whom you have loved is still
near you, and you near him, and both of you near God, who died on the
Cross for you. That is all I can say. But what comfort there is in it, if
one can give up one's heart to believe it!
Letters and Memories.
. . . All that I can say about the text, Matt. xxii. 30 [of Marriage in the
world to come], is that it has nought to do with me and my wife. I know
that if immortality is to include in my case identity of person, I shall
feel for her for ever what I feel now. That feeling may be developed in
ways which I do not expect; it may have provided for it forms of
expression very different from any which are among the holiest
sacraments of life. Of that I take no care. The union I believe to be
eternal as my own soul, and I leave all in the hands of a good God.
Is not marriage the mere approximation to a unity that shall be perfect
in heaven? And shall we not be reunited in heaven by that still deeper

tie? Surely if on earth Christ the Lord has loved--some more than
others;--why should not we do the same in heaven, and yet love all?
Do I thus seem to undervalue earthly bliss? No! I enhance it when I
make it the sacrament of a higher union! Will not this thought give
more exquisite delight; will it not tear off the thorn from every rose;
and sweeten every nectar cup to perfect security of blessedness in this
life, to feel that there is more in store for us--that all expressions of love
here, are but dim shadows of a union which will be perfect if we but
work here, so as to work out our own salvation?
Letters and Memories.
That is an awful feeling of having the roots which connect one with the
last generation seemingly torn