I am very sorry about your accident!

I am very sorry about your accident!

(Letters of John Newton)

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My dear friend,
I am very sorry about your accident, but I am thankful that you were not hurt. Such catastrophes, as this may properly be called, have often been attended with dislocated or broken bones, a fractured skull, or instant death–so frail is man!

Often, when he thinks himself safe, and is dreaming of his own importance, as if he were a necessary part in the complicated movements of Divine Providence–he falls like grass before the scythe! And not by the hands of a giant, or the fangs of a tiger–but the smallest trifle is sufficient to destroy him!

For example–how many loose stones do we see in the road; it seems no great matter where they lie. Yet any one of them, by changing the direction of a wheel–is sufficient to confound all the plans of this mighty creature! One stone stumbles him down; he falls with his head upon another–in that very moment all his future plans perish! But the Lord gave His angels charge over you; therefore you fell unhurt, and are still alive to praise and serve Him.

I see so much of the uncertainty of life, and how little I can either foresee or prevent what the next moment may bring forth–that I would be a very great coward–afraid not only of riding in a coach, but of walking across a room–if I was not in some degree enabled to confide in the Lord’s protection!

I wish for you to think much of the Lord’s governing providence. It extends to the minutest concerns. He rules and manages all things; but in so secret a way, that most people think that He does nothing. When, in reality–He does ALL!

“Hold me up–and I shall be safe!” Psalm 119:117

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