biblical references
How mercifully have I been dealt with! and how often has that
promise occurred to me –
‘When thou passest thro the fire’ &c!
I often wonder I was not more overcome with terror at seeing
myself one Sheet of flame.
Miss Roberts’s grievous wounds, for she
was entirely burnt from her wrists to her fingers ends and was
obliged to have her ring filed off, are healed sooner than my
slight ones.
–
My shoulder and Arm only were burnt, not a single thread of the
Sleeve of my Chemise remained; it is however at present only an
inconvenience, and not a suffering – I cannot yet put on a gown
– but it is nothing more.
I fear I have been doing a very foolish thing I thought I had as
compleately made up my mind
to hang my harp upon the willows* as you had to keep your three rules. But in
my case, as in Hamlet’s Mother 'the lady did protest too
much'.* I have been so struck with the
French Mania
in all classes almost of our people of the desertion of our
country in the time of its deepest distress, and of the
importation of French Manners, that I felt it a sort of duty not
to hold my tongue. On the other hand, the Mischief done by the
[unclear]ders, and its probable fatal consequences, I thought
called for notice. Then the errors of religious people I think
require a gentle hint; as well as the prevalence of high
profession and low practice &c &c &c – to all this I
have added a pretty long dissertation on prayer, and some of the
errors which hinder its efficacy.
In about four Months I have written (at an age when I ought to
have rested) as many hundred pages. I expect to give offence to
many of my friends especially by shewing the dangers of foreign
association, and neglect of religion in the education of the
great, but I have delivered my own Soul, and I must soon stand
at a higher bar than that of this world’s judges. I have kept it
so secret that I have not yet named it even to
Wilberforce, but as it is now going to
press I shall relax a little of my strictness. * Pray for me that it may be made useful, to a few at
least.
When I get a good day, which is not often that [tear] fair and
alluring vision of Brampton Park dances
before my eyes and P. and I actually ta[lk]
[tear] of plans and measures.
Should this favorite pray[er] be realized I think we should, with
submission to /the will of/ a higher power manage to be with you
the middle of May at farthest. Remember that I Visit you
on an Apostolic principle
seeking not yours but you*. So dont be anxious about company.
When you indulge me with a letter there is one subject you
always neglect to say a word about, – I mean your health. I beg
you not to overlook it next time, for tho I agree with the
Apostle that it is of more importance that 'your soul should [deletion] prosper and be in
health';* yet health of body is so valuable a possession
not only for personal comfort but is such an instrument for
doing good, & such a material for active exertion that it is
to be reckoned among our valuable possessions and tho I bless
God you are not unhealthy, yet there is a delicacy about you
which requires care, especially in the article of catching
cold.
I hope that even
they who believe not Moses and the Prophets who speak to them
by the ear*, will believe with their eyes that poor
persecuted
Saunders
does not preach extempore when they see the book.* Oh
what a hardener of the heart is prejudice! Nothing but the grace
of God can possibly subdue it root and branch; Tho some minds are
more naturally candid than others, yet natural candor extends not
itself to the concerns of religion; a higher principle must
operate to the extermination of the rooted evil.
How menacing are the times! and how portentous the prospect! The
iniquities of the Amorites* are not yet full. Our own
country wants sifting, and
France
a strong correction. – Poor
Lady Wellington!
her brother
killed, and
her other hero
sent again to oppose the Armed Banditti.* It is well
for us that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
He who stilleth the waves can still the madness of the
people; and can break
the Rod of his anger when that rod
has done its work.
I was indeed surprised at this sudden journey to
Ireland: but the motive was too good not to be approved. I take a warm
interest in your account of
Lady Gosford. If ‘this vile body’*
some times presses down the Soul, it does also some times exalt
and ennoble it, and leads its immediate companion to look down
with more indifference on whatever is perishable. My judgment of
Lady G. was always a favourable one, her strong sense, her
willingness to read awakening, and heart-searching books; her
sincerity in fearing [deletion] to be thought better than she was,
and therefore affecting to make light of things which I at the
very time believed she was seriously weighing – altogether led me
draw conclusions which her present turn of mind fully justifys
I heartily bless God for a state so decidedly pious as you give
me reason to believe is the case.
I hope it may please the Almighty to grant the restoration of
her health, for the sake of her children ; and I trust she may become a powerful instrument in a still
more extended Sphere by employing the influence which her rank
and /fine/ understanding give her, in bringing others to see the
same great truths in the same clear light. May God strengthen,
comfort, direct, sanctify her!
I agree with you in your opinion of
Owen
He is certainly not only a wonderful instrument, but a very
superior man in himself; and
‘let him, that is without fault’ cast the first stone.* His danger lies on the side of popularity and
acclamation, but I doubt not he prays and strives against these
perils formidable even to good Men.
I have delayed writing from day to day till it should please
our gracious father to determine the fate of our beloved
Mrs. Thornton .
That afflicting event has now taken place near a week, and yet I have not had the heart to write. * You doubtless have been informed by
the same kind hand
with myself, of the fatal progress and final termination! God’s
will be done! This we must not only say but submissively
assent to under dispensations the most trying.
And surely the removal of our dear friend is a very trying as
well as Mysterious dispensation.
To herself the charge is most blessed. To her children the loss is
most irreparable.
Poor dear Orphans! little did we think a year ago of
this double bereavement! but let us bless the God
and father of our Lord Jesus Christ that he enabled this
suffering friend to bear her dying testimony to his faithfulness
and truth . Never was a sweeter death than that so feelingly painted by
Mr.
Wilberforce How strong must have been that faith which not only
lifted her so much above all worldly considerations /but/ which
enabled /her/ to commit her beloved children, about whom her
anxiety had been so excessive, to the father of the fatherless. It
has pleased God to raise them, among many friends,
Mr.
and
Mrs. Inglis
to whose care she consigned, and who have generously accepted the
charge. They are peculiarly fitted for the purpose, sensible,
pious, amiable, strongly attached to the Thorntons and without
children of their own. Thus is the saying illustrated that
the Seed of the Righteous shall never be forsaken.*
My opinion is that Mrs. T is dead of suppressed
grief.
She reminds me of part of an Epitaph I have seen, only changing
the word day for Year
Glory and honour and praise be unto Him that sitteth on the
Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever!*
Tho our souls are sorrowful yet let them be thankful also. I
rejoyce to hear from this best of human Authorities how you my
dear young friend are supported under this heavy, very heavy blow:
that
tho your father and Mother have forsaken you yet the Lord
taketh you up.*
He will bless you all with the best of his blessings, for you
are the children of many prayers.
It is not the least of his Mercies that you are surrounded with so
many friends; and what friends! It will I trust be a
wonderful support to your mind, but you have a still higher
support; yet one blessing of the friends with which you are so
richly provided is, that they will be leading you both by their
conversation and example to look to that
sustaining hand all here deeply sympathize with you. For
my own part I am wanting the comfort I am attempting to give for
my own loss is great.
We have lately had a visit from
Mr. Wm. Parnell ,*
a most sensible and I believe pious Man ; he seems to have taken a deep interests in the improvement of
Ireland, and to be thoroughly acquainted with the existing state of
things. I am expecting him again before he returns. He speaks most
highly, that is more justly, of our friend
Daly. I hope e’re this you have made your visit to
Dublin
and the Environs. I want you much to see my very interesting
friends in that district. Pray my kindest remembrances to
Mr. Dunn
when you encounter him either by pen or person.
My poor Sister Sarah we fear is far gone
in a dropsy!
the others poor invalids.
I think I am rather the best of a bad bunch.
Love to dear
Millicent.
I commend you to God and the word of his grace
the Apostolic benediction. *
How my heart thanks you for your considerate kindness, (under such
accumulated anxieties) in remembering me and causing me so
frequently to hear of your goings on. I received
Mr. Hodson ’s letter from
Falmouth
very soon after that from
Miss Sparrow
dated
Gibraltar. But tho to hear of you was a great comfort to me, I lament that
no account of comfort to yourself has reached me.
Mr. Hodson’s report indeed of dearest Millicents
Attack was a fresh source of regret and sorrow.
Most heartily do I beseech our Merciful Father that the occasion
of this additional affliction may be totally removed, /&/
that you may not as the Apostle says, have
sorrow upon sorrow.* To
the all Wise Dispenser of our sufferings as well as our blessings,
I am however deeply thankful that ‘your Soul prospers and is in health.’*
May the Holy Spirit the Blessed, indeed the only Substantial
Comforter, continue to support, console, and strengthen you.
These troubles tho not joyous but grievous, will I trust multiply
upon you the peaceable fruits of Righteousness.
In the mean time your health is the Object of my extreme
solicitude. Be as careful of it as you can, for you have much
more to do in this world.
Did I mention in my last that our dear friend
Lewis Way, with
Mr. Marsh and two converted
Jews spent a day here lately on their road to
Petersburgh where this noble, romantic,
heroic being is going on a Jewish Mission with the above named
Companion * The Polish Jew had been ordained the day before by
our beloved
Bishop of G–
the other Jew a German, the next day sent me a very pretty English
Sonnet, correct and rather elegant.* Way proposes
shutting up these Converts for six Months to study the Russian and
other Northern languages that they may preach in those frozen
climates.
Mrs. Way
generously consents to this Crusade. Before we parted Marsh
concluded the visit with a very fine affecting prayer.
May God bless them and their enterprize!
The amiable Enthusiast has heard of some little /white/ stone
Church in
the Crimea
in which he has set his heart on preaching.
To that blessed inheritance, my very dear Lady Olivia is
the Son of your love, of your cares, of
your fervent and accepted prayers, now admitted! He has been
graciously spared the corruptions of sinful examples, the
temptations of an evil world, the multiplied snares of high
fortune, and has obtained the prize without running the hard and
laborious race. I know that it is very easy for those on whom
the trial has not fallen, to talk of the duty of resignation and
to offer all the ordinary topics of comfort to the aching heart.
This is not my case, I know too well the abundant sources of
true consolation from which you have so long been deriving
support /&/ which have sustained you in so wonderful a
manner during your long preparation for a calamity which you saw
to be inevitable The blessed reward of this resigned Spirit, of
this prepared state of mind has not been withheld from you in
the depth of your affliction. You had the unspeakable, and to
all but a Christian Mother, the inexpressible happiness, of
seeing the beloved object of your solicitude become all you
could wish, a convinced, sincere, devoted submissive Christian!
I know you so well as to be assured that when you had a full
conviction of the change in his mind, from that moment the
bitterness of death was past. The joy must have been more
compleat from its being gradual. Such a progressive change is in
my opinion generally more deep and rooted from its being a
progressive work. What a blessedness to know that when your own
summons comes – (May that day be distant!) you will be reunited,
for ‘them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.’
I have just had a letter from
the most amiable and most calumniated of Bishops . His bitterest enemies can bring no charge against him but that
he preaches too often and works too hard. – Surely he may say with
Saint Paul 'forgive me this wrong'.
His health and Spirits are better, and he goes on to labour
with the zeal of an Apostle.
His assailan[t] [unclear] is likely to meet with great
promotion!!* His success will teach other worldly
clergy the way to preferment and no doubt it will be sedulously
followed up.
May God protect our Church! she is in no danger but from
herself. The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against, but her
own unworthy Sons may.
How shall I sufficiently thank you for your very great kindness
in sending me such a bountiful supply. I had not reckoned on so
large a Sum, and it will set me at ease as to some excesses into
which I have been almost irresistibly drawn.
I must /have/ contracted some of my concerns if I were younger;
but
never reckoning upon another year I do not think it right to
distrust Providence by abridging my little Schemes
– Little indeed compared to the ample extent of Yours. Only think
of the graciousness of God to give you the heart as well
as the means to educate, and thus rescue from ignorance,
and as far as human exertion can go, from Sin, every child in your
Parish! under your own immediate /Eye/ too!
Oh
The Magnitude of the good cannot be estimated. But oh to
anticipate those cheering words
Well done good and faithful Servant, enter Thou into the joy of
the Lord!*
If I were not on the very verge of Eternity, I should
earnestly request (what I dare not now give you the trouble)
for a copy of your plans, as I know all yours are will
digested; but
I shall never again visit my schools
(which are unfortunately at a distance) * Yet my young /Friend/ does
what she can, and visits them when the weather permits, and I
should be gratified to furnish her with any instructions of
yours.
Her heart is much in the business. She has a cultivated &
pious Mind
I see too much company, most of them indeed are among ‘the excellent of the Earth'* and such as delight in virtue. But I need more
retirement.
I feel it a sort of shame to take charity Money from a County
Member*, whose unbounded liberality I well know is
not shut up within the limits of that County.
– My Man
Charles
is out from four in the morning to endeavour to buy 100 sacks of
Potatoes. On hearing it the Farmers raised the price!! I am turned
Merchant
They ask me for bread and give me a Stone*. I am purchasing their Ore* at half price
which I trust will sell hereafter.
Be so good as speak to the King, and
desire him with my Compliments to use brass Harness, it would
become the fashion and my Miners would become Gentlemen
– all the Geology /I know/ is that Lapis Calaminaris makes brass,
so you see I am not /one/ those Scientific people who do not turn
their knowledge to account. Present me most affectionately to dear
Lady Acland
–
In great haste
I must write one line to thank for
your two letters ,
which I do with the more pleasure because they were written in so
good a hand, so neat and free from blots. By this obvious
improvement you have intitled yourself to another book.
You must go to Hatchard’s and chuse. I
think we have nearly exhausted the Epics. What think you of a
little good prose? – Johnson’s Hebrides*
or
Walton’s Lives* – unless you would like
a neat Edition of Cowper’s Poems * or of
Paradise Lost* for your own
eating* – In any case chuse something which
you do not possess.
– I want you to become a complete Frenchman that I may give you
Racine
the only Dramatic Poet I know in any modern language that is
perfectly pure and good.* On second thoughts what say
you to
Potter’s Eschylus * on attendant that you are a complete Grecian? – It
is very finely done and as heroic as any of your Epics. If you
prefer it Send for this to
Hatchard’s
neatly bound.
I think you have hit off the Ode very well, I am much obliged
to you for the Dedication . I shall reserve your translation to see how progressive your
improvement is. Next Summer if it please God I hope We shall talk
over some of these things. Remember me kindly to
Your Pappa
and
tell him I cannot say how much I am obliged to him for his
kindness to poor Shepherd *.
He has made the Widow’s heart to sing for joy* – O Tom! that is better, and will be found so in the
long /run/ to have written as good an Ode as
Horace
himself*.
