To follow Jesus in precept and example merits the greatest gain, eternal life.
Christ, our Head and King, we should follow obediently in word and deed. We should renounce our own unregenerated life and restrain it. We should take up willingly the cross of Christ and not be ashamed to follow Him. Oh, dear Jesus, support us and grant us Thy spirit and power. Oh, help us to overcome all that would bind us to this world. What does it amount to if we achieve great success through which the soul is lost? What does it amount to if we love the world with all its splendor and despise humility? This militates against the glory of Christ. It reaps its reward accordingly.
But whoever in the time of grace feels his many short-comings, that he is heavily laden with sin, will enter with the lost son, in true penitence, the throne of grace. What heretofore was to him a joy, that now is for him a heartfelt sorrow and sadness. He will now gladly renounce the world and carry the cross for Christ. He who can thus surrender himself to God, him will God help from death into life.
Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let them also that hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. (Psalm lxviii, 1, 2, 3.)
Joy and love for each task, maketh light all effort and labor.
His signature, February 7, 1798.
