1822, Brighton, England: The glow of candlelight shone on the silver and cut glass in the Elliott dining room. Over the clink of forks and knives and the murmur of friendly chatter, the visiting preacher addressed a question to Charlotte. “Miss Elliott, if I may be so bold to ask—are you at peace with God?” Stunned by the personal inquiry, Charlotte Elliott stared at Ceasar Malan. Abruptly, she snapped, “The state of my soul is none of your business, Mr. Malan!” A hush fell over the table as she rose and stalked from the room. But Malan’s kind, direct question haunted the young woman. At last, hesitatingly, she sought the…

“When ye are come to the other side of the water, and have set down your foot on the shore of glorious eternity, and look back again to the waters and to your wearisome journey, and shall see in that clear glass of endless glory, nearer to the bottom of God’s wisdom, ye shall then be forced to say, ‘If God had done otherwise with me than He hath done, I had never come to the enjoyment of this crown of glory.'” –Samuel Rutherford The elderly man drew a feeble breath and looked directly at his visitor. ” Well, what did the kings emissaries want?” “They’ve summoned you to appear…