1 Two lessons from experience at the Front 8th R. Irish Fusiliers 16/4/16 My dear Child , I am beginning this letter this morning
how or when I shall finish it (or where!). At least let
me wish you every grace & from our
Risen Lord, one being that you may more deeply
realise the meaning hidden in the words, "Ought
not Christ to have suffered these things and so
enter into His glory." You have a good deal to
learn just now, dear child, bu it is all for Him,
He wishes it and so I leave you a happy man
though the tears may flow. I have seen very clearly since I came out here
that Jesus wanted to teach me one lesson at
least ( I have written it also for you on the card),
and I think the "want of absolute submission to His Will" has
been the cause of much I have suffered. He asked me to
make the sacrifice of my life but I was unwilling. Not
indeed that in any sense I fear death (would not Heaven
be a welcome exchange?) but knowing what I do about
the state of the world, the millions to be saved, and how
little He is known or loved or thought about, I felt
it hard, very hard, to leave all that work there and go
to enjoy the happiness of His company. Then, too, my 2
mind is full of plans for His glory, and,
perhaps more than that, I know well that I have
not "done the work He gave me to do," that is I
have never fully lived the life He has so often
asked for and made clearly known to me because
I was too arrogant and cowardly. That life, to
put it in a word, was to be one in which I
should "refuse Him no sacrifice He asked." You know
Jesus, my child, and that He is not afraid to ask!
However grace has won the day and I think I can
say with truth that I have now no choice or will
except him — I have told Him he may may do just as
He pleases with me and take all, even my life
This has brought great peace and a sense of great
security in the midst of danger since I know I am
in He's hands. In return He has made me see
that without this absolute abandonment to His pleasure,
without the breaking of one's own will a life of
contemplation as His Victim is a farce. The
"perfect renunciation" may be easy but "without murmur
or complaint" is the real test of the true lover. Another lesson I have learnedquestionable readingthe powerful
weapon we have in prayer and how much His
Interests may be helped on at any moment of the
day, easily & sincerely, Oh, how much we could all do
for Him and his Interests and how many poor souls would be
saved daily if we only fill in the chinks of our
full lives with little aspirations.
No chance of writing more underlined textoff to the for 16 days.
God bless you always. From yours affectionately in Him W.D.