Friday, August 9, 2013

9 September 1859

9th. A very fine morning but a dead calm prevails. Going very slowly all day but after sunset we had a cheerful breeze. Testimonial was got up by the passengers (for the chief mate) expressing their satisfaction with his conduct but chiefly as an efficient officer of the ship. The subscription of the passengers amounted to about £50. Now that we are thwarted by apparent improvidences we look to him who holds the winds in his fist and stows them in his treasury at a word and sends them forth at his bidding and our selfish minds are ready to demand of God why this delay? Why this calm in such a place and at such a time as this, just when we are reckoning that in a few more days we will do this or that. Here we are liable to sad mistakes. Our progress may be stayed not to frustrate our plans or disappoint our hopes but until circumstances change for our advantage or until events which require this unexplained Laurentine (?) may ripen for our reception. God does his work in the best way and at the best time though our vision is dim as not to discern his doings. We are slow to learn these lessons of waiting and watching so as to step in when god opens the door. Joseph waited in prison until Pharaoh dreamed and Jacob wept and waited awhile the famine came and drove his sons down to buy corn and Israel made bricks awhile Moses was old enough to go god's errand and Joseph tarried in Egypt until the angel brought him word again. So god often delays his blessing that waiting souls may feel their dependence, may the more gratefully receive, more highly esteem and more richly enjoy the blessing when bestowed.
Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.

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