"Destined as we are for heaven, shall we grieve or murmur that the earth is not found to be a suitable resting-place for immortal beings, and that God checks every tendency to rest here, by sharp afflictions and severe disappointment? God forbid! Heaven, seen even in the distance, should allure us onwards, and its glorious light should cast a cheering ray over the darkest passages of life. Nay, not only should the hope of heaven prevent us from complaining of the afflictions of life, but the thought that these afflictions are even now preparing us for that blessed state – that they are ordained as necessary and useful means of discipline to promote our progress towards it – that they are the furnace by which the dross is to be purged away, and the pure ore fitted for the Master’s use in the upper sanctuary – should reconcile us to resigned submission, should make us grateful, that such discipline being needful, it has not been withheld, and to pray earnestly that it may be so blessed for our use, as that we shall, in due time, be presented faultless and blameless before the presence of God’s glory, with exceeding joy." – James Buchanan (Comfort in Affliction).