Faraday to Caroline Deacon   12 August 1859

The Green S.W. | Hampton Court | 12 Aug 1859.

My dear Caroline

I am a little tired dull and unable to work or even to read; so I write to you. I have your letter before me & so that is a moving cause, and it is rather grave & that renders the cause more effectual, I never heard of the saying that separation is the brother of death, I think that it does death an injustice, at least in the mind of the Christian - Separation simply implies no reunion - death has to the Christian everything hoped for contained in the idea of reunion - I cannot think that death has to the Christian anything in it that should make it a rare or other than a constant thought; out of the view of death comes the view of the life beyond the grave as out of the view of sin that true & real view which the Holy spirit alone can give to a man comes the glorious hope; without the conviction of sin there is no ground of hope to the Christian[.] As far as he is permitted for the trial of his faith to forget the conviction of sin he forgets his hope he forgets the need of him who became sin or a sin offering for his people & overcame death by dying and though death be repugnant to the flesh yet where the Spirit is given, to die is gain¹[.] What a wonderful transition it is, for as the apostle says even whilst having the first fruits of the spirit the people of God groan within themselves waiting for the adoption to wit the redemption of the body². Elsewhere he says that whilst in the earthly house of this tabernacle we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven³[.]

It is permitted to the Christian to think of death - he is even represented as praying that God would teach him to number his days - Words are given to him, Oh grave where is thy sting? Oh death where is thy victory?⁴ and the answer is given him thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ⁵.- And though the thought of death - brings the thought of judgment which is far above all the trouble that arises from the breaking of mere earthly ties - it also brings to the Christian the thought of him who died was judged and who rose again for the justification of those who believe in him. Though the fear of death be a great thought, the hope of Eternal life is a far greater. Much more is the phrase the apostle uses in such comparisons though Sin hath reigned unto death⁶. Much more is the hope of Eternal life through Jesus Christ⁷. Though we may well fear for ourselves & our faith much more may we trust in him who is faithful - & though we have the treasure in earthen vessels⁸ & so are surrounded by the infirmities of the flesh with all the accompanying hesitation - temptations & the attacks of the adversary - yet it is that the excellency of the power of God may be with us.

What a long grave wording I have given you but I do not think you will be angry with me. It cannot make you sad, the troubles are but for a moment there is a far more exceeding & eternal weight of glory for them who through Gods power look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen⁹. For we are utterly insufficient for these things but the sufficiency is of God¹⁰ & that makes it fit for his people - his strength perfect in their weakness¹¹[.]

You see I chat now & then with you as if my thoughts were running openly before us on the paper & so it is. My worldly faculties are slipping away day by day happy is it for all of us that the true good lies not in them. As they ebb may they leave us as little children trusting in the Father of mercies and accepting his unspeakable gift[.]

I must conclude for I cannot otherwise get out of this strain but not without love to Constance & kindest remembrances to Mr. Deacon.

Ever Your Affectionate Uncle | M. Faraday