322. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to EBB
As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 171–172.
[London]
[8 October 1828] [1]
This morning has the afflicting dispensation of our Heavenly Father been made known to me & in two hours I shall be on my way to Cheltenham, where I will have this put into the Post for you– I cannot say what I feel, for I scarcely can define my sensations, the blow is too recent, not to know that I am in |the wrath| [ of God], but knowing whose done [sic, for will] has done it, I would say, Lord, not my will but thine be done, Thou knowest best– Teach us to submit patiently to all thy visitations, & this most heavy one, let us see thy mercy in the midst of thy judgements, make us to look up to thee for the sustaining power which only can support us in this our hour of affliction that we may know thee more & more and patient in tribulation experience to our present & eternal comfort the outpouring influences of thy blessed Spirit– Lord, let us bear all things as thy followers without a murmur, but cause us to contemplate & love thee more & more, knowing that one so dear to us has by thy finished work been translated from this vale of Tears into thy presence thence to be with thee for ever– and we thank thee that Thou didst permit her to be so long with us & ardently as we have supplicated thee that it might have been prolonged for our happiness & comfort & joy, yet being assured that for her it is far better that Thou hast determined otherwise, for when absent from the Body we are present with the Lord, [2] we only ask of thee aid to help us– Be unto us all we have lost & give us above all we require & let us reclining in thine arms with the confidence of knowing ourselves to be Children rest in peace & bless thee, all which we ask for the sake of him, who ever sympathises with his People & never ceases to make supplications for them–
Read the above & dare not, my beloved ones, to repine as those without hope; recollect with whom we have to do the Almighty who says thus far & no further, therefore thus far weep but within bounds– Forget not, that could you bring our dear one among us again, & could you give her all & every thing that our fondest wishes could lavish upon her, it would be but as dirt compared to the fine gold of Ophir, [3] She is, I am persuaded as of my existence at this moment, now in the presence of him to whom she belongs as a purchased one, aye a redeemed one by the pouring out of his precious blood– I can write no more but I commit you to the mercy of our loving-mercy God
Yr attached however afflicted
EMB
Address, on integral page: For dear Ba.
Docket, near address, in EBB’s hand: October 1828.–
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: British Library.
1. Dated by reference to Mary Moulton-Barrett’s death on 7 October 1828 and SD675. See also letter 1, note 1.
2. Cf. II Corinthians, 5:8.
3. The source of King Solomon’s treasure (I Kings, 10:11).
___________________
