BROUGHT FORTH AS GOLD

The following are extracted from a recent publication “Brought forth as Gold” (obtainable from Mrs. G. M. Gurney, “Sunnyrise”, Ashwell, Baldock, Herts., 35p, or from Gospel Tidings Publications), being autobiographical notes and letters of the late Mr. B. J. Gurney.

To look around on poor sufferers who apparently have no God to go to and having no such desire, to see them putting on a brave face, whilst I myself feeling absolutely helpless, is an experience not to be desired. Oh to feel more of that sweet drawing to prayer, when out of real love to the Lord Jesus, we must try and tell Him a little out of a full heart! Few and far between are these seasons, but I bless God I know a little of them.

There is a path which is only known to the Lord’s people and I feel that when there is an opportunity afforded for them to meet together and speak to one another as in Malachi 3rd they soon know and feel they are in that same pathway. The end of that pathway is Heaven, and if we are fellow travellers in this way we shall each have to walk through it with all its attendant tribulations.

I’d sink to nothing to be found right at His feet in this posture though with a withered arm and a trembling tongue. In this spirit, brought down by the humbling sense of the condescension of a gracious God to a poor unworthy sinner there is not much room for the flesh to feast upon and the spirit then feeds, thrives, and grows. Jesus becomes precious and His name is as ointment poured forth.

“I am not afraid to die. What a Good Friday it would be to me if the Lord should take me home today: the best Good Friday of my whole life, no more sin, no more sorrow, no more pain, no more going out.

There shall we see his face,

And never, never sin;

There, from the rivers of His grace,

Drink endless pleasures in.

I have had two ministers to see me this morning, and I felt how solemn: they came to see a dying man, a man near his end, and they have both to preach to dying men and women today. It won’t be long now, but I feel to need patience to wait the Lord’s time:
O I don’t fear death! I was much troubled last Thursday night:
I have felt supported in this affliction, and it was suggested to my mind that I was like the wicked who have no bands in their death. I felt, am I deceived after all? Under all these feelings I dozed off to sleep, but after a while, as I awoke, without any pre-meditation these words filled my poor soul, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intersession for us”. It filled me with such peace and quietness, and brought me up out of my low feelings, and bless the Lord I haven’t gone back since: He has been so good to such a great sinner.”