CHAPTER III - LETTERS. 1835-1846. DEATHS OF MISS A. SYKES AND MRS. VENN. RESIGNATION OF ST. JOHN'S, HOLLOWAY

Summary

The following are extracts from letters belonging to the period now under consideration, and containing, amongst other things, passages from Mr. Venn's correspondence with his wife, records of her illness and death, and the circumstances of his resignation of St. John's, Holloway, in order to devote himself exclusively to the work of the Missionary Secretariat. He had attempted for four years to combine the two spheres, but was at last constrained to choose between them.

To Mrs. Venn.

1835

Your letters are as great a cordial to me as mine are to you, The opening and reading them is like a burst of sunshine upon a landscape. On what cause we have for gratitude to God for the large share of happiness He permits us to enjoy in each other! May we, when we meet, stir each other up more than ever to live to His glory. May our mutual affection never interfere with His service, but may we learn the blessed art of enjoying each other, as children love and enjoy each other in subordination to the love of their parents. So may our Heavenly Father have the first claim upon us, and the first place in our hearts! This will indeed augment our conjugal happiness.