Encouragement to praise and love God under outward and inward sufferings.

What this letter is. A May letter of the 31st, 1767, from Mülheim to Anna Christina Spieker at Wittenhaus. He finds a moment of time and strength to greet her heartily by this opportunity, and to assure her of his continuing love, spirit-fellowship and brotherly concern. From time to time he receives some news of her ailing circumstances, now one way, now another. He has all brotherly compassion, and would gladly bring relief to her and to all who suffer, were it in his power; yet their infinitely compassionate, wise, gracious God and heavenly Father knows best what is useful to each of His children for soul and body. They will then only let God do; for they belong to Him; they will take all from Him and see all in Him, for without their heavenly Father's will no hair falls from their head. And when they find little fair and delightful in themselves, they will cast themselves away, leave and forget themselves, so as to enter into the joy of their Lord — to rejoice even amid their miseries that God is unchangeably great, good, present, blessed and blessing, and that this God is praised and loved by millions of fair spirits, and is their God in Christ Jesus. As for himself, weaker than usual of late, with some partly weighty attacks on his weak old tabernacle; yet he works on, and does what he can. Only a little courage. Let them give the Lord the honor, venture themselves therewith, and learn to trust even without feeling. Eternity is long enough for rejoicing. He greets her with a brotherly heart; greets her attendant also. Mülheim, the 31st of May, 1767.

We will then only let God do. From time to time he receives some news of her ailing circumstances. He has all brotherly compassion, and would gladly bring relief, were it in his power; yet their infinitely compassionate, wise, gracious God and heavenly Father knows best what is useful to each of His children for soul and body. They will then only let God do, for they belong to Him; they will take everything from Him and see it in Him, for without their heavenly Father's will no hair falls from their head. And when they find little fair and delightful in themselves, they will cast themselves away, leave and forget themselves, so as to enter into the joy of their Lord — to rejoice even amid their miseries that God is unchangeably great, good, present, blessed and blessing, and that this God (even in the moment of suffering) is prayed to, praised and loved by millions of fair spirits, and is their God in Christ Jesus. What else is there in us, in our weal or woe? We cry only our Hosanna: Amen, Amen!

Only a little courage. As concerns himself: weaker than usual of late, with some partly weighty attacks upon his weak old tabernacle; yet he works on, and does what he can. My God! if You only may have joy, peace and pleasure in us; everything else is nothing. Soon they go with God into a better world: the time to work, to suffer, to wait will not be long any more. Ascension Day tells them where it goes. Only a little courage. Let them give the Lord the honor, venture themselves therewith, and learn to trust even without feeling. Eternity is long enough for rejoicing. He greets her with a brotherly heart, offering her up to the Lord; greets her attendant also. Mülheim, the 31st of May, 1767.

A few words and echoes.

• In Jesus, dearly beloved sister!
• I find a moment of time and strength. to greet you heartily by this opportunity.
• continuing love, spirit-fellowship and brotherly concern.
• your ailing circumstances, now otherwise, now so.
• all brotherly compassion. would gladly bring relief and help.
• our infinitely compassionate, wise, gracious God. knows best what is useful. (Matt. 6:8, 32)
• We will then only let God do, for we belong to Him.
• without our heavenly Father's will no hair falls from our head. (Matt. 10:30)
• cast ourselves away, leave and forget ourselves. so as to enter into the joy of our Lord. (Matt. 25:21)
• God is unchangeably great, good, present, blessed and blessing.
• prayed to, praised and loved by millions of fair spirits.
• We cry only our Hosanna: Amen, Amen!
• weaker than usual. some partly weighty attacks upon my weak old tabernacle. (2 Cor. 5:1)
• I work on, and do what I can.
• Only a little courage, etc.
• learn to trust even without feeling. Eternity is long enough for rejoicing.
• I greet you with a brotherly heart. offering you up earnestly to the Lord.
• Your obliged weak brother.
• Mülheim, the 31st of May, 1767.