days; for it was not the money given up, that I cared for in you, but
the money given up unto the Lord, and from right motives. On this
very account I advised you to wait one fortnight longer, though you
had come to the conclusion; but now, having done so, and seeing that
you are fully purposed in the Lord to be poor in this world indeed,
that the more abundantly you may enjoy His riches, His inexhaustible
riches, I change my advice. My word now, beloved sister, is this:
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," and "If ye
know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

Delay then no longer, even as also you have no desire to delay: and
the Lord will bless you abundantly in doing so, inasmuch as you do it
unto Him. As you desire to intrust me with this money, I do not
refuse it, knowing many ways to lay it out for Him. Etc." Then only
follows the direction how the money is to be paid into my bankers'
hands.

On Dec. 18, 1842, I received a reply to my letter, which answer was
begun to be written on Dec. 8th, but finished on the 16th. I give a
few extracts of the letter: "Since I last saw you, dear brother, I
have not had the slightest doubt as to what I ought to do: the word
of God has been so clear to me on this head, that I have been kept
resting on it; and, in answer to your prayers, no temptation has been
allowed to prevail, indeed, I think I may add to arise. But I feel
that temptations may come, and that I may in seasons of trial not
always have faith to be able to rejoice in this privilege. My heart
is so deceitful and my faith so weak, that I shall greatly need your
prayers still. Will you then, if the Lord enables you, pray that I
may never offend my Father by regretting in the least measure this
act of obedience, which He has by His grace inclined me to carry out.
I shall pray the Lord still to lay me on your heart. I felt so sure,
that you were helped to pray for me, that I had thanked the Lord for
His grace. I am glad you did not write, although I much value your
advice; but I wished to be led by the Lord alone, after He had used
you as the instrument in the first instance, and in such a way too,
that I am quite sure He intended to bless you to my soul in this
matter. I have asked my heart whether I am really doing this to Him.
My heart assures me that I am, and not from any other motive than
obedience to the written word. Before I ever saw you I had asked the
Lord to make me willing t