Page:Groves - Memoir of Anthony Norris Groves, 3rd edition.djvu/4

iv. devoted a man as my late revered friend, Mr. Groves; and right glad should I be to contribute the humblest mite towards it. Speaking for myself, I can simply say, that my feelings of esteem, and reverence, and love for him, were only enhanced by increased converse and more familiar fellowship with him. Apart altogether from his peculiar views, or even in spite of some of them, I could not help regarding him as one of the most loving and loveable of all Christian men; while the singular fervency of his spirit made it quite contagious, diffusing all around the savour of unearthly sanctity and self-consuming devotedness. O that a double portion of his spirit would descend upon all our drowsy and sleeping Churches throughout Christendom! The Lord grant that professing disciples, in this luxurious age of self-pleasing and self-indulgence, may, at least, learn from his example the lesson which they pre-eminently need, and which he was honoured of God pre-eminently to teach, and that is, the lesson of real scriptural self-denial, the divine lesson of taking up the cross, forsaking all, and following the Lord!

“I remain, dear Mrs. Groves, “Yours sincerely in the Lord, “.”