GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 27 February 1839
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 27 February 1839
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 27 February 1839
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Maria Lewis
Date(s)
- 1839-02-27
Place
GRIFF
Letter Content
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 27 February 1839
MS: Yale. Address: Miss Lewis | at the Revd L. Harper's | Burton Latimer | near Northampton. Postmark: COVENTRY | FE 27 | 1839. Hitherto unpublished.
Griff | February 27th 1839.
My dear Friend,
I have long meditated writing to you, and the news I have heard of you from Mrs. Buchanan 99 this morning has determined me to do so without delay. She tells me you are in trouble, and though owing to the constant working of the mines of consolation since the hour of the primeval curse "In sorrow shalt thou eat" 100 they are well-nigh exhausted, and one cannot hope to offer any with the recommendation "See, this is new," 101 yet I am inclined to believe that as a sick person will relish food better from the hand of a beloved attendant than from that of another, so even old truths when suggested by a friend may possess a fresh virtue, at all events to your affectionate and kindly judging heart they will not be unwelcome. I set so high a value on "the sweet uses of adversity" 102 that I am in danger of failing in sympathy for those who are experiencing it, and yet the word of God is not more express on any point than on the inevitable endurance of suffering to the Christian more peculiarly than to the worldling and on the special blessings derived from that endurance. Texts crowd on my recollection that I doubt not have been "sweet morsels" to you. Those referring to the process of refining metals are particularly striking. 103 I doubt not you are acquainted with an anecdote that some time ago was often seen in print, the cream of which was that a lady, after making many enquiries respecting the purifying of gold and silver with a view to the complete understanding of all scriptural allusions to it, was told that then only was the metal considered to be free from dross, when it perfectly reflected the image of the refiner. How meager do all our feelings look when put by the side of such declarations as that of the apostle "We joy, nay, we glory in tribulations"! 104 and why should they be so? We have the same bank to draw upon as he. "Let us have grace" says St. Peter. 105 All the obstacles to our possessing more lie in ourselves. That little hymn of Dr. Ryland's 106 I mentioned to you will I think be so acceptable to you just now that I will try to make my sheet contain it.
"Sovereign ruler of the skies! Ever gracious, ever wise; All my times are in thy hand All events at thy command.
His decree who form'd the earth Fix'd my first and second birth; Parents, native place, and time, All appointed were by him.
He that formed me in the womb, He shall guide me to the tomb; All my times shall ever be Order'd by his wise decree.
Times of sickness, times of health; Times of penury and wealth; Times of trial and of grief; Times of triumph and relief
Times the tempter's power to prove; Times to taste a Saviour's love; All must come and last and end, As shall please my heavenly Friend.
Plagues and death around me fly, Till he bids I cannot die: Not a single shaft can hit Till the God of love sees fit.
O thou Gracious, Wise, and Just, In thy hands my life I trust: Have I somewhat dearer still? I resign it to thy will.
May I always own thy hand, Still to the surrender stand; Know that thou art God alone, I and mine are all thy own.
Thee at all times will I bless; Having thee I all possess: How can I bereaved be, Since I cannot part with thee?"
Of course you know that sweet one of Cowper's in the Olney hymns beginning "Tis my happiness below." 107 I think there are few who know much of mental conflict that would not choose external trial in preference to it; and they are seldom united, for God generally makes up to His people for the loss of earthly comforts by an increased grant of joy and peace in believing. I have very little title to take on me the office of a comforter, for all my draughts have been from shallow waters, but I trust I have not felt an undue confidence in myself while writing if I have appeared to do so. I should at any time be glad to hear from you, but do not coerce your feelings in order to gratify mine as I shall have many ways of accounting for your silence without surprise. I have written in great haste, but I need not apologize to a friend. All that belong to me are I am thankful to tell you well. I hope your health is not worse than usual. I conjecture from all I have heard that there will be another union with which you are not wholly unconnected soon. 108 Believe me with much affection,
Your sincere Friend
Mary Ann Evans.
MS: Yale. Address: Miss Lewis | at the Revd L. Harper's | Burton Latimer | near Northampton. Postmark: COVENTRY | FE 27 | 1839. Hitherto unpublished.
Griff | February 27th 1839.
My dear Friend,
I have long meditated writing to you, and the news I have heard of you from Mrs. Buchanan 99 this morning has determined me to do so without delay. She tells me you are in trouble, and though owing to the constant working of the mines of consolation since the hour of the primeval curse "In sorrow shalt thou eat" 100 they are well-nigh exhausted, and one cannot hope to offer any with the recommendation "See, this is new," 101 yet I am inclined to believe that as a sick person will relish food better from the hand of a beloved attendant than from that of another, so even old truths when suggested by a friend may possess a fresh virtue, at all events to your affectionate and kindly judging heart they will not be unwelcome. I set so high a value on "the sweet uses of adversity" 102 that I am in danger of failing in sympathy for those who are experiencing it, and yet the word of God is not more express on any point than on the inevitable endurance of suffering to the Christian more peculiarly than to the worldling and on the special blessings derived from that endurance. Texts crowd on my recollection that I doubt not have been "sweet morsels" to you. Those referring to the process of refining metals are particularly striking. 103 I doubt not you are acquainted with an anecdote that some time ago was often seen in print, the cream of which was that a lady, after making many enquiries respecting the purifying of gold and silver with a view to the complete understanding of all scriptural allusions to it, was told that then only was the metal considered to be free from dross, when it perfectly reflected the image of the refiner. How meager do all our feelings look when put by the side of such declarations as that of the apostle "We joy, nay, we glory in tribulations"! 104 and why should they be so? We have the same bank to draw upon as he. "Let us have grace" says St. Peter. 105 All the obstacles to our possessing more lie in ourselves. That little hymn of Dr. Ryland's 106 I mentioned to you will I think be so acceptable to you just now that I will try to make my sheet contain it.
"Sovereign ruler of the skies! Ever gracious, ever wise; All my times are in thy hand All events at thy command.
His decree who form'd the earth Fix'd my first and second birth; Parents, native place, and time, All appointed were by him.
He that formed me in the womb, He shall guide me to the tomb; All my times shall ever be Order'd by his wise decree.
Times of sickness, times of health; Times of penury and wealth; Times of trial and of grief; Times of triumph and relief
Times the tempter's power to prove; Times to taste a Saviour's love; All must come and last and end, As shall please my heavenly Friend.
Plagues and death around me fly, Till he bids I cannot die: Not a single shaft can hit Till the God of love sees fit.
O thou Gracious, Wise, and Just, In thy hands my life I trust: Have I somewhat dearer still? I resign it to thy will.
May I always own thy hand, Still to the surrender stand; Know that thou art God alone, I and mine are all thy own.
Thee at all times will I bless; Having thee I all possess: How can I bereaved be, Since I cannot part with thee?"
Of course you know that sweet one of Cowper's in the Olney hymns beginning "Tis my happiness below." 107 I think there are few who know much of mental conflict that would not choose external trial in preference to it; and they are seldom united, for God generally makes up to His people for the loss of earthly comforts by an increased grant of joy and peace in believing. I have very little title to take on me the office of a comforter, for all my draughts have been from shallow waters, but I trust I have not felt an undue confidence in myself while writing if I have appeared to do so. I should at any time be glad to hear from you, but do not coerce your feelings in order to gratify mine as I shall have many ways of accounting for your silence without surprise. I have written in great haste, but I need not apologize to a friend. All that belong to me are I am thankful to tell you well. I hope your health is not worse than usual. I conjecture from all I have heard that there will be another union with which you are not wholly unconnected soon. 108 Believe me with much affection,
Your sincere Friend
Mary Ann Evans.
Signature
Mary Ann Evans.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 27 February 1839, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/92910