Letter 17
Date: March 15, 1876
Sender:
Gerrit Jan te Selle
Addressee: D.W. te
Selle
Holland Neb March 15, 1876
Greatly beloved
friends: At present I take up the pen to perform a sad task to me
of letting you know that brother Harmen Jan on March 4 got a young
daughter and they have called her name Dina.
At the beginning all
was well, but on the third day she became sick, and since is the
mother passed away on the 11th this month at the age of 35 years.
For her being in Christ, her passing away was gain. Peaceful and
calm in this manner she passed away in Christ.
This was her highest
joy and indicates her longing to be released and to be with
Christ. Here on earth she only could serve him in a poor/slightly
way. Up there in heaven before the throne of the Son in the line
of angels she will be able to pay Him as he deserves, although
now she has left alone brother Harmen Jan with four uncared for
children. He doesn’t
know what to do.
Yet is there a joy for
her: to be allowed to know that she is in the Eternal Heavenly
home, where there is no more pain or sorrow, and where all tears
will be wiped from their eyes. O how blessed is the departure of
somebody who is devoted to Christ. Better then to see the arising
of a mortal who is already a pray of the devil at the moment of
dieing off. Satan who is already enjoying himself about the fact
that he has performed his task.
Let us always think
over that we go to the grave with rapid strides and that it could
be that then our sins are a too heavy burden . O, that we may give
our hearts over to the Lord, and that we might learn to pull out
eyes and cut off hands for the sake of our souls. May His word be
a light upon our path and a lamp to our feet. But let it not be
for us a sealed book, because it will appear as a witness for us
or against us in the day of judgment. In Gods word we find here
alrea-dy our sentence, may it be for better or for worse. For that
reason examine that Word early and late, timely (in good time) and
intimely. It will teach us what it is like to be ashamed of me and
of my Gospel, so I also will be ashamed before my Father in
Heaven.
Be greeted from all of
us
G. J. Te Selle
Added at the last page:
Further, I let you
know that we are all very well. We received your letter and noted
that Aunt Veenhuis has passed away.
We have also received a
letter from Bloemers. He writes that you did not receive a letter
from us. I had written a letter to mother at the first of June, and
then waited for an answer.
We had a soft winter. The
summer was cold and wet. Wheat was bad, we had 329 bushels, and
about 400 of corn.
Plenty of potatoes. Wheat
gave 60 cent, corn 20, oats 25, potatoes 10, pork -alive- 6. Butter
12½
, eggs 10 cts a dozen.
To our regret we have no
more preacher. Sunday, 14 days ago he performed his farewell lesson
(farewellspeech). His text was Deut. 30:15, "See I have set before
you this day life and good, death and evil.." We have again extended
a call, but I fear that we don't succeed.
Greetings to all from
me...
G.J. te Selle
(Literal translation:
“Be
All greeted from me
Who calls himself G.J. te
Selle)....
|
