Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/219

Rh thousand copies. Dr. Bickersteth was from this time one of his regular correspondents, and when he visited America, in 1870, they had much tender intercourse. Two letters of Dr. Bickersteth’s are here inserted. The first bears date November 10, 1871:—

“I was so grieved to hear from Dr. Ray Palmer this week that you have been suffering from intermittent fever. I fear from what your brother wrote, two or three months ago, that you have been far from strong this summer, but had cherished the hope that the change of air would have recruited you. But our Father’s ways are not as ours,— only, however, because they are so infinitely higher, wiser, better, and tenderer. And you, dear friend, who have proved His love for so many years of your pilgrimage will find His everlasting arms beneath you, and His Spirit’s consolations over you in your hours of weakness. ‘Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship,’ though He knew the tempestuous, weary night was before them. Yet He was praying for them on the mountain top, and at His own chosen hour, in the fourth watch towards morning. He came when they were least expecting him, saying, ‘It is I, be not afraid.’ May He thus speak to your heart, and manifest Himself to you as not to the world, and fill you with the joy of His presence and His peace, and if it be His gracious will, raise you up to testify in after years that He is indeed a watchful Friend in sorrow,—the Brother born for adversity. I must not attempt to write more, for I know sickness cannot bear many words, but must assure you that our poor prayers will be with you and with your anxious loving wife, to whom and to your brother please convey my most grateful remembrances.”

The second letter is dated from Cromer, Norfolk, August 24, 1873:—

“I do not know whether the great sorrow which has shadowed my home will have caught your eye in any English