Into a Large Place October 25 Did I ever send you a tract called the “Winter of the Soul” by Madam Guyon? It seems to me it must be just what I am going through. Fenelon describes it in his 24th chapter, “Naked Faith.” He says, “When our foundation is not upon any imagination, feeling, pleasure or extraordinary illumination; when we rest upon God only in pure and naked faith.” Now it is a dreadful crucifixion to be in this state; and all the more so because it does not seem that that’s the way it ought to be. But all the spiritual writers say is a necessary stage in the growing interior life, and I expect they know. Often it seems to me I cannot have anything but what I call a “recollection.” I believe God is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and I put myself in His presence by faith and then wait. My mind is in chaos, my heart is desolate, but my will holds steadfastly to God. It seems as if this would be forever, and as if nothing different could ever come to me; but I choose to exercise a steady faith that God will deliver me out of all this into a large place sometime. But, Carrie, even if it should be forever, still the end would be worth it! To think of being made, even after an eternity of suffering, one with God! Why the very thought sets my soul on fire! And since I have seen so clearly that this, and not safety from punishment alone, is the salvation God offers us, all my views of the Bible seem to be undergoing a change. Our old way of explaining things seems so crude and on the surface somehow. The inner sense is opening to me now and it is as much grander and deeper as can be imagined. But I am well convinced that no one can see this inner sense until it is opened to them. But then it is like daylight after midnight. —To Carrie, March 12, 1881 Smith, H. W., & Dieter, M. E. (1997). The Christian’s secret of a holy life: The unpublished personal writings of Hannah Whitall Smith. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 22:08:36 +0000
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