1.01.00. Book 1: Figures of the True (1956)

Figures of the True by Carmichael, Amy DOHNAVUR FELLOWSHIP A DOHNAVUR BOOK

LONDON

S. P. C. K.

1956 TO THE GREAT COMPANY OF THE ILL, THE TROUBLED, THE BEWILDERED

CONTENTS

Title

Forward

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

NOTE

"I SEND these photographs in the hope that they may be a pleasure," it was so Dr. Hans aus der Funte wrote, as he sent in his kindness a packet of photographs. And the one to whom he sent them wanted to give them that very hour to everyone who is in any sort of trouble, and who has eyes to see and a heart to understand, and who knows Him who ponders the voice of our humble desires. For surely they are not only lovely pictures of frag­ments of a lovely creation, they are patterns of things we all know if we have ever really lived: they are Figures of the True.

Perhaps, for one never knows where a book may wander, this little book may discover one who does not know his Comfort. It is written, "The Lord turned and looked upon Peter." The Lord turns and looks upon you. There is no hardness in that look, there is no hardness in the words that have led myriads into peace, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

There is no other way of rest. All other ways break down. But why seek another way? Fear not, whatever your extremity be; He will not let the water-flood over­flow you, neither will He let the deep swallow you up, nor the pit shut her mouth upon you. He shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also and him that hath no helper. And if the very word "come" be perplexing, let old, old words explain it: "Believe and thou comest; love and thou art drawn. Think it not a rough and uneasy violence: it is sweet, alluring; the sweetness draws thee. Is not a hungry sheep drawn, when the grass is shewn it? It is not, I ween, driven on in body, but is bound tight by longing. So do thou too come to Christ. Do not conceive of long journeyings. When thou believest, then thou comest. For to Him who is everywhere, men come by loving, not by travelling." Is not this a good word for one who cannot "travel" far?

A. C.

Dohnavur Fellowship,

Dohnavur, Tinnevelly District,

S. India.

Great Son of Man who walked our dust, Thy love will not forget The power the temporal has to thrust, And overset.

O let Thy touch make things we see Transparent to our eyes, That secrets of Eternity We may surprise. And let the things which are not seen Shine like the stars at night, Till all the space that lies between Be filled with light.