Jeremiah Jeter (1802-1880) was a Baptist pastor and newspaper editor from Virginia and one of the key founders of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845, serving as the first president of the Foreign Mission Board. John Broadus (1827-1895), also from Virginia, may be more well known to our community because of his appointment as professor of New Testament and homiletics at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1859. Broadus’s influence went beyond the convention–and the South. In 1889 he delivered the Lyman Beecher lectures at Yale University. That same year he became president of Southern Seminary.

In 1857, long before Broadus was famous, his young wife, Maria, died. He kept a letter that his friend, Jeremiah Jeter had written to him. I’ve looked at this letter many times. I’m struck both by the words of comfort found here and the words of exhortation. We are called, whatever our circumstances may be, “To be still, and know that the Lord is God.” That is true wisdom. Here’s the letter:

October 22, 1857

Dear Bro. Broaddus,

Before I received your favor of the 20^th, inst, I had heard the sad intelligence that the apprehension concerning your wife which you expressed in your letter had been quickly and overwhelmingly realized. I now write to assure, my dear brother, of my sincere sympathy in your deep affliction. Experience has taught me how to sympathize with you. Twice has the bitter cup which you have been called to drink been pressed to my own lips; and those, and only those, who have tasted it know its bitterness. To lose a good wife, at any time, and under any circumstances, is a severe trial; but to lose one so young, so accomplished, so amiable and so beloved as was yours, and almost without preparation for the stroke, is one of the sorest afflictions which can overtake the poor, suffering man. It is a bereavement that falls with crushing weight on the heart. It makes home a desolation, and inverts with gloom all that is beautiful and interesting on earth. Afficious memory, too, as if to torture the soul, will bring up a thousand departed joys, never to return again. Alas, my brother, I mourn with you. If a great loss can justify great grief, you can find a plea for your tears. But has not this affliction its sweetness too? It is bitter, very bitter, but the bitterness is not unmixed. The loved one – where is she? She is not lost, but saved. Would you, could you, recall her from the realms of light and blessedness? She cannot come to you; but you may go to her. And has not chastisement an instructive voice? Is it not teaching you lessons, important lessons – hard to learn but which can be learned nowhere so well as in the school of affliction. “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Never did I truly believe this … until I stood beside the cold, pallied, lifeless body of the idolized wife of my youth; and then I know it was true. I need not point you to sources of consolation – you know them – you have directed others to them – receive instruction from your own lips – show how well you can practice the precepts you have so earnestly enforced on others. Be still; and know that the Lord is God. Kiss the rod that smites you. “It is the Lord; let me do what seemeth good.”

Your sympathizing friend and brother,

J.B. Jeter

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