We are called to be children of eternity, whereunto love and suffering, yea all, must work with us.

What this letter is. A March letter of the 11th, 1758, from Mülheim to Elisabeth Schröters at Krefeld. Her agreeable of the 3rd of March he has rightly received; it was dear to him to have some news of her and of her circumstances. Praised be the Lord, who has helped hitherto after soul and body, and bears them under the body's weaknesses. We are called to be children of eternity; love and suffering, yea all, must work with us thereto. If God has laid the pure mind into the heart, love and practice the prayer of the heart, to please Him in this cross-life. Mülheim, the 11th of March, 1758.

Children of eternity. He has rightly received her agreeable of the 3rd of March. Praised be the Lord, that He has helped us according to His kindness hitherto, after soul and body; and that He also bears us under the body's weaknesses, and leads us forth to the goal. We have yielded ourselves to Him; what He appoints over us in every wise, even that is the best for us, for He knows our hurt. We are called thereto, to be children of eternity: here we travel through, and let all pass by. Love and suffering, the bitter and the sweet of this time, is not worth the trouble, that we linger thereby. If we only please and delight our God, and if we only are furthered to the goal of our calling, then our affairs go right well; it may in the rest be appointed with us as it will. To those who are so minded, must all, yea all, work with them to their best.

The prayer of the heart. If now God has laid the pure mind into the heart, that we desire nothing else than to be wholly for Him; and if He has also according to His mercy in Christ given us the boldness, that we may turn to Him, though we are sinners: so let us love and practice the prayer of the heart, that we may help our spirit to its rest, and get grace to please our God in this cross-life. He greets her, and offers her up to the faithful Saviour, as before His face. Let us, especially at this dangerous time, remember one another; such he asks her also opportunely to say to the others. Grace and peace be with us from the God of peace in Christ Jesus. Amen. Your obliged weak brother. Mülheim, the 11th of March, 1758.

A few words and echoes.

• children of eternity. Kinder der Ewigkeit — we are called thereto; here we travel through, and let all pass by.
• love and suffering. Lieb und Leid — both, with the bitter and the sweet of this time, must work with us toward eternity.
• all must work with them to their best. to those so minded, all, yea all. (Rom. 8:28)
• hitherto hath He helped us. after soul and body; He bears us under the body's weaknesses. (1 Sam. 7:12)
• the goal of our calling. Ziel unserer Berufung — if we only are furthered thereto, then our affairs go right well. (Phil. 3:14)
• the prayer of the heart. Herzens-Gebät — love and practice it, that we may help our spirit to its rest.
• boldness. Freimüthigkeit — given in Christ, that we may turn to Him, though we are sinners. (Heb. 4:16)
• this cross-life. Kreuz-Leben — to please our God therein.
• I offer you up to the faithful Saviour. as before His face; remember one another at this dangerous time.
• grace and peace. from the God of peace in Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 1:3; 14:33)
• Your / Mülheim, obliged weak brother. the 11th of March, 1758.