Leslie Stephens and Difficulties to Faith
Historical Account★★★★Leslie Stephens, feeling the full force of the difficulties to faith, parted with Christianity. When his wife died, he began a sentence in a letter to Lowell: “I thank—” then recollecting that he had none to whom he could think himself indebted for the dear companion of his heart, and for his affection for her, he wrote: “I thank— something—that I loved her as heartily as I know how to _love.”
Also attributed to: Unknown, Henry Sloane Coffin, Leslie Stephens
Henry Sloane Coffin, What Men Are Asking.
The point
When Leslie Stephen, who had abandoned Christianity, lost his wife, he found he had no one to thank for her life and his love, so he wrote 'I thank something.' His poignant words highlight the human need for God as the recipient of gratitude.
Scripture
Psalm 14:1Romans 1:21James 1:171 Thessalonians 5:18Psalm 103:2
Audience
AdultsYouth
Occasions
Funeral · Thanksgiving
Tone
Sobering · Convicting
To tell aloud
under a minute · 64 words