Part 33 (2/2)

The thought that the servants of Christ are praying for us is very cheering in the prosecution of our work.

The facts enumerated in the following letter from Pastor Chambers contain a thousand thoughts as descriptive of what every Christian ought to pray for and strive after, namely, to be, as he expresses it, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.

How expressive in this connection are the words of the apostle, ”_Take heed_ lest there be found in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living G.o.d.”

NEW YORK, November 9, 1886.

REV. D. MCNEILL YOUNG:

DEAR BROTHER--Your letter informing me of the death of Mr. and Mrs.

Knowles was forwarded to me from Harrisburg, to this city.

I had seen a notice of Mr. Knowles' death in a New York paper, but had not known of the departure of his wife, whose death, under such circ.u.mstances, had a pathos peculiar to itself. Her presence at his funeral, it would seem, was more than her affectionate testimony to their past devotion to each other. It was her unconscious prophecy of their speedy reunion in the presence of Him whom they both loved and served.

You ask me for some information in regard to them, during the time of my ministry in this city. They both ill.u.s.trated the truth of the remark, that ”to be useful, it is not necessary to be conspicuous.”

Mr. Knowles was ”an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile.” Gentle and peaceable in spirit, loving the house of G.o.d, rejoicing in the spiritual prosperity of the church, _speaking evil of no man_, a firm friend of his minister, relis.h.i.+ng all conversation upon divine things, frequenting the place of prayer where he was often heard leading the devotions of the people in simple, earnest, Scriptural pet.i.tion, and ever willing to help in Sabbath-school work, or any other form of Christian activity in which he might be of service--he was just such a man as any pastor is glad to have as a friend and helper. He was a ruling elder in the church from the time I first knew him, and in that capacity was one of the first to welcome me to New York. He was un.o.btrusive in all meetings of session, but never failed to give his suggestions on all matters that came before him, but was happiest when it was his privilege as an elder to welcome to the communion of the church those who confessed Christ.

Mrs. Knowles I knew as a warm friend of the church, while at the same time a faithful member of that band of Bible readers whose blessed work is best known by the Divine Master. She enjoyed that service for Christ; she loved to talk about it. Her fidelity and consecration are known to those under whose superintendence she labored; but the results of her devotion are a matter of divine record. May it not be that she has now discovered the real dignity and the glorious consequences of a service which she humbly, yet lovingly followed here, and that in Heaven's high fellows.h.i.+p the faithful Bible reader has a place of peculiar honor?

I can only say, in conclusion, that a church is bereaved indeed when two such Christians are taken from it. The Providence that calls them away should not only stimulate those who remain to a holier activity, but should also elevate our thoughts and affections, and make us the more glad that at the end of our journey, and the cessation of our earthly activities, we will discover the still grander meaning of Christ and Heaven.

Yours fraternally,

GEORGE S. CHAMBERS.

The next letter is from one who materially aided her in helping the necessitous.

November 21, 1886.

REV. DUNCAN MCNEILL YOUNG:

DEAR SIR--Absence from the city has prevented my answering your kind note received only last evening.

I have no statistical facts to give you, relative to our dear Mrs.

Knowles, but I can testify to her interest in her work until the last, her lovely Christian spirit shown under all circ.u.mstances, and her love for her Heavenly Father.

She seemed to me to be supremely happy and content with whatever lot was given her.

I was not able to be with her when she was ill, but was at her funeral.

She must be missed in her field of labor, and I am sure I shall miss her prayers for myself.

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