Another Letter from Raphel van den Velde, Written to his Son

May the same God who blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you also, my dear son, with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, so that from your youth you may learn to know, fear and obey the Lord all the days of your life. This is my most special prayer, will and desire from the depths of my heart, which I ask of God: that you may be eternally saved, and that the name of the Lord may be glorified through you; to which great and glorious name be praise and glory now and forever. Amen.

See, my dear son Raphelken, since the Lord has so ordered it that I must be taken from you, though I would most gladly have stayed with you, to help you along and to bring you up in the fear of God; but it was not the Lord's pleasure. For if it were not for the Lord's sake, it would be impossible for me to leave your mother and my dear son in this way, for I know of no person, and no treasures so great in the whole world, for which I should be willing to leave you; but for the sake of Christ Jesus all must be forsaken. For Christ says: "If anyone does not forsake all, father and mother, sister, brother, husband, wife, child, yes, and his own life also, with all that he possesses, he is not worthy of me; and if anyone loves anything more, he cannot be his disciple" ; since it is the will of God that we must part, and I cannot speak with you face to face, I want to write a little for instruction in the fear of God, as the wise man says: "My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother." Proverbs 1, verse 8. Always be ready to do what God commands you, that is, that you are to learn from your youth to know, fear and obey Him; for obedience proceeds from the fear of God, and the fear of God proceeds from the knowledge of God. So Solomon writes: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs 1, verse 7. For a child who knows his father, that he is so honest and righteous that he will not have his children run in the street with other children, fight, quarrel and speak bad words, or bring home stolen things; children who know their father in this way are afraid to do such things, thinking: "If I do this, I will be beaten." Proverbs 13, verse 24. Thus also, my dear son, the Lord is a righteous God, who will not tolerate sin, but He will punish those who commit it; therefore we must fear Him, and not commit sin. For the fear of God drives out sin, and he who fears God will do good. Proverbs 16, verse 6; Sirach 15. As Solomon says: "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of wisdom, to depart from the snares of death." Proverbs 14, verse 27. For, my dear son, the wages of sin is death. Romans 6, verse 23.

So then, since the fear of God drives out sin, by it we avoid the cause through which we incur death, that is, sin.

Therefore, my dear son, strive from your youth to walk in the fear of the Lord, so that you will at no time consent to sin, and will not forget the commandments of the Lord your God. But fear the Lord while He may be feared; for those who fear the Lord walk in the right way. Proverbs 14, verse 2. "For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28, verse 28.

So, my child, fear the Lord and depart from evil; for the prophet Jeremiah says: "How good it is for a man to take the yoke of the Lord upon himself from his youth; and for one who is forsaken to be patient when he meets with adversity." Lamentations 3, verses 27 and 28. And Ecclesiasticus says: "My son, gather instruction from your youth up; so you will find wisdom until your old age." Sirach 6, verse 18. And beware of all evil companions, who might seduce you into affiliating with the world; for the world lies in wickedness, and will perish with all its lusts. First John 5, verse 19; chapter 2, verse 17.

Therefore, my dear child, do not love the world, nor the things that are in it; for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world. Verses 15 and 16. So then, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. First Peter 2, verse 11; Galatians 5, verse 16. Paul also says: "Flee youthful lusts." Second Timothy 2, verse 22. For youthful lusts have plunged many into perdition.

My child, heed the instruction of your father, and do not forget it. Proverbs 4, verse 1. Keep your tongue from backbiting, and beware of lying. Psalm 15, verse 3. For the mouth that lies slays the soul. Wisdom of Solomon 1, verse 11. For liars have no part in the New Jerusalem, but their part is in the fiery lake that will burn with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. And the backbiter causes much contention and strife; he also raises discord and envy, and separates good friends. Moses writes: "Let there be no backbiter or slanderer among you." Leviticus 19, verse 16. So, my son, beware of backbiting; and wherever you live, or go in and out in a house, be reserved, and do not tell outside the house what happens within; and keep silent about all that ought to be kept secret, and you will make yourself beloved. And always be faithful to people, and beware of stealing, for it is a great sin; for thieves have no part in the kingdom of God; nor is a thief trusted or loved by anyone, but wherever he comes his hands are watched.

So, my dear son, always acquit yourself honestly in the fear of God, and beware of all sin and transgression; and it will be well with you at the last day, when the Lord will reward everyone according to his works, such as he has done, whether it is good or bad. My son, remember that it is written: "Honor your father and mother, that you may live long on the earth." Exodus 20, verse 12; Ephesians 6, verses 2 and 3. For this is the first commandment with promise in the law. But the greatest honor which children show their parents is that they are obedient to them in all that is not contrary to the Lord and His commandment. So, my dear son, though you lose me, do not be impudent to your mother, but obey her all the more; for the sole care will now be upon her. Therefore, my child, do not grieve her as long as you live, for in Ecclesiasticus it is written: "He who forsakes his father is like a blasphemer; and he who angers his mother is cursed of God." Sirach 3, verse 16. So love her, and remember how much pain she suffered for your sake, and how she carried you under her heart, and how much she still has to suffer, to bring you up, and to earn a livelihood. Tobit 4, verse 4; Second Maccabees 7, verse 27.

So, my dear child, apply yourself from your youth to labor and industry, and when you are grown up and can earn something, let your mother profit by it; and always work diligently and willingly, and do not think it irksome to do your best, to help your mother gain a livelihood, for she has done it for you before. And beware of being idle or slothful, for much evil comes from idleness; and slothfulness makes thieves of children, and so they finally come to a bad end. So, my son, never desire it, but labor, working with your hands what is honest, so that you may have something to give to him who is in need. Ephesians 4, verse 28.

With this I will commend you, my dear son, and your mother, to the Lord. O bitter parting! Yet for the sake of Him who is able to provide for you, and to keep you from all evil, I hope to leave you. May the Lord grant you His grace, that you may grow up in the knowledge of God, through the Holy Ghost; so that you, according to the sentence of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2, verse 5), may be found righteous for His kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, to whom be praise and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Written by me, your father. Adieu, my dear son, whom I love more than any silver or gold or precious stones; but God must be the dearest. Adieu; love conquers all things; once more adieu, my dear son; read often what your father has written you out of love; and comfort your mother, and always be kind to her in all subjection in the fear of God; may the Lord grant grace, that it may be so. Amen.

RAPHEL VAN DEN VELDE.