It is Best to Be as God Would Have Us to Be

    My dear Sister,

    I thank you for your kind letter, and for your care of the enclosed. It was the last sheet of my sermons. I used to think I would never live to finish them; and yet God has lengthened my life, and this part of my work is done. 

    These are some of my last thoughts of what I now think about religion—the thoughts which support me in the near views of death and judgment. I am wholly now for magnifying the grace and love of our dear Redeemer. He deserves more of me than I shall pay Him to all eternity! And therefore I would desire with Paul, to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I desire to know Him as crucified for me, and to feel the power and efficacy of His oblation on the cross, crucifying sin in me. To know this is enough. Nothing more need be known. All besides is vanity and will be vexation of spirit. 

    Believe me, my dear sister, I have tried all that can be tried outside of Him—and it is all now grief to my heart. I not only renounce it, but also renounce it with sorrow. My precious Savior is all in all—what more can we desire? For, "It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell." May you and I dwell where all fullness is! 

    I would have written sooner, but Mr. Grimshaw promised to send you a letter as soon as possible after we parted. Blessed be God, I bore my journey well. When I arrived home, I found my family well. As to myself, I am neither well nor ill; but it is best to be as God would have us to be. May His will be done! 

    I hope my dear mother will soon be with Him whom her soul longs after. I do not doubt it. He has promised, and He cannot break His Word. "He fills the hungry with good things." 

    My love to my sisters. I will send you some sermons soon. Pray for your brother.

    In the strong bonds of Jesus,

    William Romaine