277 RELIQION health, and who, for the sake of the pity they covet, either imagine ills which, for them, do not exist, or exaggerate those which do. But the majority of women are neither so selfish nor so foolish. Fortunately for society, such egotists and neurotics are the exception to the rule of their sex. But, even if my contention that, speaking generally, it is harder for a woman to be an invalid than a man be doubted, everyone will admit that it is hard enough for anyone to be always ill. Let the comparison between the sexes be ignored and my main argument will not be affected. For no one will deny that the greatest sufferings of an invalid woman is the consciousness of her inability to minister to others. It is not the prolonged pain nor the continuous weakness which constitute her deepest sorrow, but the abiding distress that she is not permitted to play a woman's part in the life of the home. To an active mind — and what woman's mind is not active — there is no trouble so great as enforced inactivity. To a loving heart — and what woman's heart is not loving — there is no sorrow so keen as inability to serve. The Mission of the Invalid This is the secret canker which is eating out the sweetness from the heart of many a woman invalid. It is for this reason that she is at times tempted to think her life is a burden instead of being what she would fain make it, and perhaps it already is, a blessing. This is the direct cause of those periods of depression, so hard for her and for others to bear, when she is disposed to feel that, having no mission, and serving no purpose, the sooner she is rid of this frail, suffering body the better. But believing, as I do, that pain and sorrow, albeit they are related to sin, are permitted by an all-wise and all-merciful providence, and by it are overruled to serve our highest interests, I am convinced that suffering has a purpose, that there is a " needs be " for sorrow, that pain is often a blessing in disguise, and therefore that every invalid has a mission in the world. With this faith, I am further convinced that, without abating any effort to alleviate pain, to arrest disease, and restore health, we ought to lessen in the minds of invalids the thought of invalidism and encourage them to think that, however hard their lot, they are, after all, useful members of society, and, not- withstanding their weakness, they are able to confer many benefits upon others. If we can succeed in any degree by inspiring them with ideas of service, we shall in that proportion bring rest to their troubled minds and joy to their sorrowing hearts. The Ministry of Suffering Let us, then, begin by recognising that there is a ministry in suffering, that suffering is a service. This is true if wa pause to think; for everything in this world, even pain, has a purpose, while experience itself confirms our consciousness in this respect. Suffering not only ministers directly to the sufferer, or, at least, is intended so to do, but also indirectly to others. Like the influence of the furnace on the ore, its purpose is to separate what is of permanent valie from its earthly accidents, and so to purify it for its ultimate, if unknown, destiny. That which mingles with the metal and destroys its utiUty is slowly removed by the fire. Even so, in the furnace of suffering, that which vitiates our best nature and nullifies its serviceableness is gradually eliminated. At least, this is the Divine purpose — a purpose only frustrated when we refuse to co-operate with God in the purifying process. The Refining Effects of Pain But the refining effects of pain and grief, sorrow and suffering, are not confined to the afflicted. Even as we share with them by sympathy in their affliction, so also we are intended to benefit by the blessings which they, if submissive, undoubtedly receive. In this way there is a ministry in suffering, and suffering is a service. It does some- thing for others, no less than for the sufferer. What it does may be hard to explain, harder still to define, but that there is a reciprocal ministry in every sick-chamber no one can doubt. Who has watched by the bedside of one stricken with pain, and seen the patient fortitude of a resigned will, without learning how to be patient and strong ? Who has seen the weak in body strong in spirit, or the diseased and afflicted bright and happy, without feeling himself somehow stronger and better ? Who has visited the sick-chamber and beheld the radiant glory of the victory of faith without returning inspired by the vision ? The ministry of suffering may be full of mystery, but it is none the less real and powerful. Indeed, our best lessons for life are learned in the school of sorrow and not seldom the unconscious teacher in the school has been some suffering loved one. " The world grows richer for the noble faces Stamped with the seal of sorrow bravely borne." Much more might be said under this head, but enough has been expressed, or suggested, I trust, to comfort every invalid who reads what I have written with the thought that every hfe has a mission, that the highest mission in Hfe is service, and that the minis- try of the invahd Hfe is pregnant with great possibilities for good. If only the sufferer's heart be surrendered to the wiU of Him who " is love," her sufferings are not in vain. By a brave, patient, and trustful endurance, she is helping others to be true, and strong, and kind. Her suffering is a ministry. The Ministry of Intercession If only we knew it, the greatest power we possess in Hfe is prayer. To pray is simply to ask our Heavenly Father for whateve we desire. True, our desires are sometime
