Growing Deeper

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The LORD, in His great and enduring faithfulness, doth continue to prosper His own labour in our midst! We mark with deep gratitude the growth of our young assembly this very week, recalling that this work began with but a handful of children in our class. I declare with unwavering certainty that my heart shall never grow weary of emphasizing this marvelous truth: We did but humbly petition our Heavenly Father to commence a work amongst the families residing within this compound; and yet, the Father hath answered us abundantly, exceeding even the bounds of our own asking, by powerfully drawing the little children unto Himself!

It is becoming clear, by the gracious unfolding of His design, that the true and lasting change in these households will first affect the younger generation, and that the work of regeneration shall originate within the quiet sanctuary of their own domestic life, rather than being forced upon them from the external world. Let the soul be humbled, and let the heart be lifted high in praise! God is to be utterly and eternally praised for the profound wisdom of His ways!

Our hearts are further gladdened by the simple testimony of one mother, who reported with joy that she frequently discovers her dear son watching godly programs and diligently reading his Bible. Furthermore, we observe numerous sure indications that several of the young ones have taken to private, independent reading of the sacred pages. When they utter answers to the teachers’ inquiries—answers I had not anticipated them remembering or even knowing—I am repeatedly filled with awe and profound wonder as I listen from my place of study. We cannot cease to express our gratitude to God for the efficacy of these tiny, faithful voices. By His grace, they can now recite verbatim every single book of the Old Testament from Genesis even unto Hosea, and we are confident they shall complete the entire list in the coming weeks. Even those souls naturally inclined to shyness and reserve are now bravely taking their part in the instruction. We are humbly assured that while God hath entrusted us with the simple task of teaching, He Himself hath furnished us with the means, the wisdom, and the blessed, transformative power to accomplish it!

My soul was further blessed by the tender affection of my own sons and daughters, who presented me with these literary treasures as a special gift! Yet, a new challenge doth present itself: to find the necessary, quiet hour to peruse them, for the demands of the week’s labour leave me severely occupied, and I have yet to conclude the texts comprising my current reading discipline.

Ah, but I confess a joy I had not known before: I never surmised that the serious act of reading a good book could afford such pure and sanctified pleasure! This intellectual delight is clearly a grace bestowed directly from God, a sweet comfort to the mind, and yet another testament to the richness of His provision in the smallest details of our lives.

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