Thursday, July 28, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Greater Satisfaction
"It has pleased God, since I wrote my last [letter] to you, sorely to afflict this family by taking away by death... my second daughter in the eighteenth year of her age, a very pleasant and useful member of this family... Herein we have a great loss; but the remembrance of the remarkable appearances of piety in her, from her childhood, in life, and also at her death, are very comfortable to us, and give us great reason to mingle thanksgiving with our mourning. I desire your prayers, dear Sir, that God would make up our great loss to us in himself."
- Jonathan Edwards writing to fellow minister John Erskine.
As a matter of background information...
Jerusha Edwards, the second daughter of Jonathan Edwards, was named after Jonathan's recently passed younger sister. She had sincere habits of piety and Edwards described her as "the flower of the family." Jerusha Edwards was probably converted when visited upon by George Whitfield. She and her siblings had the opportunity not only to enjoy the evangelist's company, but sit under several of his sermons. David Brainerd, the famous missionary to the Indians in Massachusetts, received her care throughout the months leading to his death. Jerusha took care of him (without complaint), since the beginning of his illness in May 1747 to his death in October of the same year. Brainerd described her as a model of Christian piety.
I was greatly moved by this letter by Jonathan Edwards. For during this season of my life, it has pleased the Lord to try me with various trials. And I cannot help, but feel shame for my lack of faith and trust in the Lord. Imagine, losing your daughter suddenly. A child that took to your teaching and was raised up in the ways of the Lord. A daughter whom you love, who was a blessing through her chastity while the youth of the day engage in carnal pleasures. And what would our response be?
I can think of very few things worse than a parent having to bury his child. Yet, Edward's response is a model of a Christian's priority. A daughter who was the "flower of the family" and greatly loved by Edwards. But, he prayed that God would fill the loss of his beloved daughter with a greater satisfaction in God. May we learn from his example.
- Jonathan Edwards writing to fellow minister John Erskine.
As a matter of background information...
Jerusha Edwards, the second daughter of Jonathan Edwards, was named after Jonathan's recently passed younger sister. She had sincere habits of piety and Edwards described her as "the flower of the family." Jerusha Edwards was probably converted when visited upon by George Whitfield. She and her siblings had the opportunity not only to enjoy the evangelist's company, but sit under several of his sermons. David Brainerd, the famous missionary to the Indians in Massachusetts, received her care throughout the months leading to his death. Jerusha took care of him (without complaint), since the beginning of his illness in May 1747 to his death in October of the same year. Brainerd described her as a model of Christian piety.
I was greatly moved by this letter by Jonathan Edwards. For during this season of my life, it has pleased the Lord to try me with various trials. And I cannot help, but feel shame for my lack of faith and trust in the Lord. Imagine, losing your daughter suddenly. A child that took to your teaching and was raised up in the ways of the Lord. A daughter whom you love, who was a blessing through her chastity while the youth of the day engage in carnal pleasures. And what would our response be?
I can think of very few things worse than a parent having to bury his child. Yet, Edward's response is a model of a Christian's priority. A daughter who was the "flower of the family" and greatly loved by Edwards. But, he prayed that God would fill the loss of his beloved daughter with a greater satisfaction in God. May we learn from his example.