To this class
belong the Apostles, who, beaten and threatened, "departed from
the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for His Name" (Acts v. 41).
The other with doubts and fears, murmurs and complains, and to
his other miseries adds that of a rebellious heart and discontented
mind. One sees the enemy's armed host, and unmixed distress
and danger; the other sees the angel of the Lord, with abundant
succour and safety (2 Kings vi. 15-17).
An evangelist of my acquaintance told a story that illustrates
this. When a pastor he went one morning to visit two sisters who
were greatly afflicted. They were about the same age, and had
long been professing Christians and members of the Church. He
asked the first one upon whom he called, "How is it with you this
morning?" "Oh, I have not slept all night," she replied. "I have
so much pain. It is so hard to have to lie here. I cannot see why
God deals so with me." Evidently, she was not filled with the
Spirit, but was in a controversy with the Lord about her
sufferings, and would not be comforted.
Leaving her he called immediately upon the other sister, and
asked, "How are you to-day?" "Oh, I had such a night of
suffering!" she replied. "Then," said he, "there came out upon
her worn face, furrowed and pale, a beautiful radiance, and she
added, "but Jesus was so near and helped me so, that I could
suffer this way and more, if my Father thinks best"; and on she
went with like words of cheer and triumph that made the sick room
a vestibule of glory.
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