2018-097 (back)
Letter from James Bell Ashley (1842-1894) to Horace Yeomans (1820-1910), regarding his Wesleyan Methodist faith. Written in Belleville, Ontario on 19 February 1869.
[continued from front.]
"...thought all my praying had availed me nothing.- that if what I experienced were answers from heaven, then the Being whom I worshipped was incomprehensible - and my religion was a delusion. Still I could not forget those direct manifestations of his divine presence which I had so often enjoyed, and a "small, still voice" seemed whispering *faith*. When almost discouraged I would go to my Father and ask for grace, earnestly pleading for that recognition which would enable me to say 'Abba Father, my Lord and my God", and, *glory be to his holy name*, I never was turned away unblessed. With hundreds, yes thousands of those experiences before me, I cannot forget my duty, and will avail myself of every chance to be strengthened.
Mr McKeown and myself have mutually agreed to strive after a greater degree of faith, and a more consistent Christian life. When conversing the other evening about our expectations in the future, and how often we had suffered disappointment, he remarked "it was only when he was conscious of not being a Christian that he was unhappy".
Our only desire is to do our duty faithfully in the sight of God and man - to discharge every responsibility with an eye single to the glory of God, and leave everything else in his hands - believing that "he doeth all this well".
We shall endeavor to attend Class more regularly in the future - While I remain in this country, which will be until I can arrange my engagements with Dr. Canniff, I shall make Belleville my home, and every Thursday night when here, and D.V. shall be with you.
Thanking you for expressed interest,
I remain yours etc.
J. Bell Ashley"
2018-097 (back)
Letter from James Bell Ashley (1842-1894) to Horace Yeomans (1820-1910), regarding his Wesleyan Methodist faith. Written in Belleville, Ontario on 19 February 1869.
[continued from front.]
"...thought all my praying had availed me nothing.- that if what I experienced were answers from heaven, then the Being whom I worshipped was incomprehensible - and my religion was a delusion. Still I could not forget those direct manifestations of his divine presence which I had so often enjoyed, and a "small, still voice" seemed whispering *faith*. When almost discouraged I would go to my Father and ask for grace, earnestly pleading for that recognition which would enable me to say 'Abba Father, my Lord and my God", and, *glory be to his holy name*, I never was turned away unblessed. With hundreds, yes thousands of those experiences before me, I cannot forget my duty, and will avail myself of every chance to be strengthened.
Mr McKeown and myself have mutually agreed to strive after a greater degree of faith, and a more consistent Christian life. When conversing the other evening about our expectations in the future, and how often we had suffered disappointment, he remarked "it was only when he was conscious of not being a Christian that he was unhappy".
Our only desire is to do our duty faithfully in the sight of God and man - to discharge every responsibility with an eye single to the glory of God, and leave everything else in his hands - believing that "he doeth all this well".
We shall endeavor to attend Class more regularly in the future - While I remain in this country, which will be until I can arrange my engagements with Dr. Canniff, I shall make Belleville my home, and every Thursday night when here, and D.V. shall be with you.
Thanking you for expressed interest,
I remain yours etc.
J. Bell Ashley"