Upon a pastoral visit in 1829, Samuel and Emily Wilberforce visited the sick-bed of “a poor girl of 15” years of age. She was dying from pulmonary tuberculosis [consumption]. Emily wrote of this visit to her father, William.

“I have been with Sam to-day to the sick bed of a poor girl of 15, who is dying of a consumption. She is a most humble sincere and patient Christian wishing to be at rest with her Lord but quite willing to wait His good pleasure and her only anxiety seems how to comfort her poor heartbroken mother. It is quite a lesson to see her. … Sam asked her if she felt to love her Saviour and she answered with the greatest earnestness ‘As much as ever I can love, Sir’. What should you be without Him? ‘Most miserable.’ ‘Do you feel very sorry when you grieve this Saviour?’ ‘I always felt very sorry for my sins, but now I feel doubly sorry.’ I saw she had her Bible in bed and I asked her what text she felt most comfort in. She said ‘There is one I love more than all others, Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners and so He came to save me. No one has sinned so much.'”

This testimony reminded me of this word from Solomon. The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools (Ecc 9:17). There is enough burdensome, tiring shouting in our world today. Let us hear the voice of true faith in quietness.