How a soul is led out of the senses into the inward. Some general, and some particular, remembrances.

What this letter is. A December letter of the 4th, 1755, from Mülheim to Johann Engelbert Evertsen in Barmen. Both little letters, of the 2nd and the 25th, have come, and have been answered in the spirit. The soul must be led out of a life still too sensible and too human, into the inward. One exercises oneself, and remains as one is; but God looks upon it. The help comes from the Lord, when He softly leads the soul inward. It is a simple child's-work; only it makes one die to everything. A New Year's wish has come, in a year begun extremely weakened; pray that he may bear his soul duly, and finish the pilgrim-course. He thanks the Lord that they have found one another in this strange world. Then a cut. Then greetings to all the dear hearts there — names as N. — the balsam of the Spirit, a voice from heaven, Paul stretching toward the prize. Let nature die; let Jesus only live. Still without; still within. The precious pearl; the lot in the house. Mülheim, the 4th of December, 1755.

Out of the senses, into the inward. Both little letters have been heartily agreeable; they have not remained unanswered in the spirit. In the brother's weal and woe he takes a brother's part. May the Lord only reach His end through all. From the last letter the frame of mind is known more particularly. Man can give or make himself nothing real; he can well hinder it. Come further out of a life still too sensible and too human. One exercises oneself; one remains as one is; God looks upon all this. The help comes from the Lord, when He softly leads the soul inward, and lets Himself be believed or beheld as in her — not through image or vision, but through impressions and workings that carry the mark of something divine. Let the mind's-eye follow the inclination that is given, unfeignedly and quietly, and enter into the deep well-being, the simple essence, the innocent beholding, without making anything, without wanting particularities. God must become and remain Lord and Master. This is a simple child's-work; only it makes one die to everything, almost without feeling it.

A New Year's wish, in extreme weakness. He thanks for the New Year's wish, which God confirm. Never yet a year begun so extremely weakened. The brother is right: this so long-continuing grave weakness could cause concern, whether he shall still long sojourn among mortal company. Pray, and the other acquaintances for him, that he may bear his soul duly in his hands, and finish his pilgrim-course in faith. He thanks the Lord that they have found and loved one another in this strange world; he trusts it will be for an infinitely blessed eternity, to the glorifying of the Lamb, who will have bought them and prepared them for His kingdom.

The dear hearts there, and a voice from heaven. Then a cut. The printed edition does not keep the middle of the autograph. What it keeps is the greeting: all the dear hearts there, who have had him greeted, and the other acquaintances honored with the divine calling of grace — he desires to greet them again in the power of the gracious name of Jesus, and to wish them the high-priestly blessing of the anointed Savior. May the balsam of His life- and love-spirit flow down richly, that they may become true Christians, anointed ones, wholly penetrated, walking worthily of Him who purchased them and chose them out of the world. O great mercy. A voice from heaven calls to heaven; should they not come, hasten, run, and say with Paul: I forget what is behind, and stretch toward what is before, and press toward the prize. Your N. will at last walk more manfully, and not take up the mourning of self-love, which is to go into death. Let nature die; let Jesus only live. The spirit remain detached, cleaving to God. To N.: still without; still within. What is that to you? Follow me. Withdraw from yourself; where you are and work, God and His work are hindered. N. has refreshed him; may Jesus refresh her soul. The dearest God will have them so unattached, so deeply simple, so sweetly familiar. Of N. he has thought much. Ah, dear children: let heart and eye remain turned inward, that you may find the precious pearl. Look not out, where the deceitful pedlars praise their false ware. The lot in His house is a peculiar one, and worth selling everything for. He greets and embraces once more in the spirit, and remains by grace obliged. Mülheim, the 4th of December, 1755.

A few words and echoes.

• both your little letters. of the 2nd and the 25th; not unanswered in the spirit.
• out of the senses into the inward. a life still too sensible and too human; the help comes from the Lord. (Ps. 121:2)
• a simple child's-work. only it makes one die to everything, almost without feeling it.
• the New Year's wish. a year begun extremely weakened; finish the pilgrim-course in faith. (2 Tim. 4:7)
• the Lamb who will have bought us. for His kingdom; an infinitely blessed eternity. (Rev. 5:9)
• the balsam of His life- and love-spirit. that they may become true Christians, anointed ones. (Ps. 133:2)
• a voice from heaven calls us to heaven. come, hasten, run. (Rev. 3:20)
• I forget what is behind. and stretch toward what is before; the prize of the heavenly calling. (Phil. 3:13–14)
• let nature die; let Jesus only live. the spirit remain detached, cleaving to God. (Gal. 2:20)
• still without; still within. what is that to you? follow me. (John 21:22)
• the precious pearl. heart and eye turned inward; sell everything. (Matt. 13:45–46)
• the lot in His house. a peculiar one, worth selling everything for. (Ps. 16:6)