Solitude Sweetened

Author : James Meikle
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781545019474
Total Pages : 434 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (194 download)

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Download or read book Solitude Sweetened written by James Meikle and published by . This book was released on 2017-03-30 with total page 434 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How good is it to trust in God, and wait for kindness at his hand! When hope is gone, and all endeavors rendered useless, his watchful providence grants me my request, opens a door for me, and does all that I desire--which is truly good for my soul. O how I admire the kindness of his love, and the wise disposal of his providence! When disappointments thronged thick on me, I knew not what to think, or what to do; but through your grace, I waited for your counsel, and have not waited in vain. Your time, your way, your method, are the best. You clearly see through dark scenes, and know my frame, and best what suits it--than the deepest penetration of my heart ever can. Now, when I have for many years, as it were, tried the dispensation of God's providence, what have I to say against it? Nothing! For, what at first appeared dark, intricate and perplexing--in a little while became clear and intelligible. Yes, sometimes that scene which seemed most gloomy on the outer wheel, when the inner wheel revolved, shone most glorious, even to my astonishment; so that, what has in the beginning extorted desponding thoughts from me, has in the end excited me to songs of praise! In the part of my life which is already past, and in the scenes of providence which are already cleared up, I cheerfully confess, and sing--He has done all things well! This is confirmed to me by the experience of many years; so that I blush when I see some of the 'mysteries of Providence' in part unriddled--that I have had such low apprehensions of the love and goodness of God, measuring his wisdom by my shallow comprehension, his power by my cramped weakness, his love by my unbelief; his goodness by my evil eye, and his ways with me--by my ways with him! Yes, I have been vile enough, in every new scene of providence, to fall anew into the same sin, and subject myself anew into the same shame and blushing. "Experience is the schoolmaster of fools," says the proverb. But what a fool must I be, who will not be instructed by all I have seen! Why should I have one hard thought of the painful circumstances with which I am at present entangled? Though in many things I have yet the dark side--and not the bright side of the cloud towards me; yet I should not have the least hard conclusion on the conduct of God's unerring Providence--but wait until it be accomplished, and cleared up to me. But how shall I blush, (were it possible) and be confounded at my base thoughts of God and his providence--when 'the wandering labyrinth that composed my life' shall be unriddled in the noon-day brightness of glory--to my unspeakable joy, and everlasting admiration! "The works which Mr. Meikle prepared, both on board ship and during his residence at Carnwath, were numerous, both in poetry and prose, and those of them which have been published have attained great celebrity in the Christian world, more especially his 'Solitude Sweetened,' which has always been highly prized by devout minds. His whole writings are characterized by ardent piety, and that serious, and occasionally melancholy cast of thought which is usually relished by reflecting readers. Mr. Meikle had been trained up in the school of affliction and adversity, and the result was, in the highest degree, favorable to his Christian progress. He was frequently in the habit of devoting a day, or a portion of a day, to solemn humiliation, self-examination, and prayer. In his observance of the Sabbath he was remarkably strict, making it his uniform practice to visit his patients, except in cases of urgent necessity, either before or after the hours of divine service." -The Scottish Christian Herald