Of spirit-fellowship, high calling and state of grace. That inwardly-called hearts must follow the leading of God will-lessly.

The Hundred and Tenth Letter.

Of spirit-fellowship, high calling and state of grace. That inwardly-called hearts must follow the leading of God will-lessly.

In the grace of Jesus, dearly beloved sister!

Your love-greetings and little letters received from time to time have surely never remained unanswered; even if it has not equally come into the pen. Age, weakness and business make weary, so that one can no more as before: But love never fails; it is stronger than death.

Your last greeting-letter for my birthday, and the explanation joined therewith of a renewed spirit-bond, was after my heart. Yes, may the Lord here and eternally for it be thanked, praised and loved, that we also, according to His good hand, have found one another on the pilgrim way, and are to bind ourselves in Him! We will then also still further on this blessed way, though pressured to nature, keep company, and with God offer one another the hand. At home we will rejoice with one another, like the little children before their Father.

You have every cause, dear sister, to esteem your high calling and state of grace very happily. Neither burden, sufferings nor infirmities shall so cast us down, that we may not, all that notwithstanding, from morning to evening in love's thankfulness worship and say: Who am I, my God? And with what shall I repay Thee, my Lord? &c. Grace already moves thereto in secret.

Otherwise I have nothing particular to remind in regard to your present mind's frame. Inwardly-called hearts must not make themselves their conditions, but receive the same from God. The inward will-lessness and pliancy makes us receptive; and that which God gives, or does not give, is at all times the best. Into nothing should we force ourselves. What darkens or disturbs the ground, that is not for us: What one is moved to without constraint, that is for us. Elevation of the mind, or sinking-in, is both good, when it is given, although the latter is more nourishing, more pleasing, more quieting, but the former more convenient under daily walk: Yet, as said, God must remain Master. Yes, also in general inward souls must not will to look at and judge themselves and their states too exactly. We are children, and often childish. Let us only look at our so inmost-present, great, good, sweet God, and forget ourselves and give ourselves away, just as that little mote in the sun, of which I have written a little rhyme in the Flower-garden: That you, dear sister, with me as such a little mote may live and hover before God in time and eternity — such I wish you and me earnestly

Your Mülheim, obliged old the 16th of December, 1768. brother.

German

Der hundertundzehnte Brief.

Von der Geistes-Gemeinschaft, hohen Beruf und Gnaden-Stand. Daß innig-berufene Herzen der Leitung GOttes Willenlos folgen müssen.

In der Gnade JEsu herzlich geliebte Schwester!

Deine von Zeit zu Zeit erhaltene Liebes-Grüße und Brieflein sind wohl nie unbeantwortet geblieben; obs gleich nicht in die Feder gekommen.

— Opening lines of the original German. The complete transcription of all 605 letters appears in the forthcoming Encounter Press critical edition; Brief 1 is shown in full as a sample.

German text: public domain (1773–75 first edition / 1845 Gesammelte Schriften).