Letter 171

doctor T., about the action of Providence

You write that you have long noticed the action of God's Providence in your life. You see it not only in significant or difficult events in your life, but also in very small and, at first glance, insignificant ones. You give an example, which I will present here, with your permission. They wanted to remove you from the position you held for many years, but you prayed with all your heart, and it all ended with the fact that you were given a higher appointment. You give another example that may be useful to all readers of this book.

You and your little son were going on a trip. A neighbor persuaded you to take a winter coat with you to give it to your son. Against your will and not wishing to argue with her, you reluctantly took upon yourself this postal duty. After a few hours of driving, the weather changed and it got colder sharply. Your boy is very cold. You remembered the coat that your neighbor gave you, unfolded it and covered your boy with it. "Merciful Lord," you exclaimed then, "how far-sighted is Thy eye and how great is Thy mercy to us, the unworthy!" – and with a feeling of gratitude to God and inner shame before that mother, you and the child safely arrived at the place of your journey.

Professor Mihajlo Pupin, our glorious countryman and scientist, when he found himself in America, told a lot about how everywhere in his life he saw the finger of the Almighty. The great poet and bishop Petar Njegoš constantly felt himself "under the influence of a secret Providence". And the Psalmist, enumerating all God's blessings to his people, exclaims: "Come, hear, and we will sing unto you, all ye that fear God, for thou hast created my soul" (Psalm 65:16).

Peace to you and your home.

Letter 172

to a craftsman, about true domination

You ask me, how can you make your son master? So that "he would not suffer as I have suffered all my life, and I have suffered and tormented much, but preserve faith and piety" – so you write.

Man of God, yes, you are the most true master, for in the Christian sense the true master is the one who has preserved the master's soul in all trials and sufferings; And in the worldly, pagan perception, the master is considered to be the one who every day exposes his soul to the danger of external domination – power, wealth and fame. The true dominion is in us, and not in us. Security in idleness is a guarantee of the death of the soul and the decay of the personality.

There were two ploughs in our house, one clean and shiny, and the other rusty and dull. My uncle used to call that clean and shiny plow "Mr. Plow." "Today Mr. Plough and I are going to plow," he said, "and leave that rust, let it rust." Through service, true domination, radiance of soul and beauty of character are achieved. I have come to be your servant, – said the Lord to the Apostles [275]. And he taught them to be servants on earth in order to preserve the master's soul and rule in heaven. And the apostles were pure and bright as plows; with their help, the Master of the universe cultivated the world and sowed the noble seed of heavenly dominion and the Heavenly Kingdom. A true master is one who has a master's soul and a master's character; who keeps in mind his lord's heavenly origin; who spend his short earthly life not in idleness, but in the glorification of God and the salvation of his soul and neighbors; who in wealth feels himself to be poor, and in poverty – rich in God; who accepts everything with gratitude, endures with hope, and who dies with faith; who, according to the words of the Apostle Paul, is pleased in weaknesses, in offenses, in needs, in persecutions, in oppression for Christ's sake (2 Corinthians 12:10).

All those who, having abandoned the illusory earthly dominion, followed Christ – the lords of God, the nobility of Christ, the aristocracy of heaven.