Way, Lewis
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 27 April [1815]
I have been delighted to see the elegant in his character of Cicerone to the Saints. He one day came down with whom I never saw before and who is a most amiable /Man/ and another with an old favorite of mine. of course accompanied. It is pleasant to see him easy and cheerful in such sort of company, and they exhibit religion to nam[tear] a pleasing form, without any of that alloy of coa[rse]ness [tear] which by assimilating itself with religion, makes the /young/ fancy that religion itself is worse. The Saints Jubilee at Bristol produced a great harvest.* About 800 to the Missionary only.* – The Jew business promises to revive these,* that I hope will give me a peep at Mr. Way – I sent him my book,* but know not if he has read it. It is a singular thing, that I have received more encouraging and flattering reports on that book from Bishops and the higher Clergy than from almost any others. I scarcely expected it
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 04 August [1817]
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 ’s letter from Falmouth very soon after that from 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 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 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. 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 Lady Olivia Sparrow, [28? October 1819]
My health improves a little, but I still chiefly confine myself to my chamber for a pretence to avoid an influx of company. In my room I receive my particular friends. Yesterday and her excellent daughters came.* spoke with delight of her visit to Brampton – Dear Lewis Way made me a long visit. He was delightfully entertaining with his Imperial communications,* his sanguine, not hopes, but certainties, of the near approach of the last days. While he is talking in his heaven /ly/ anticipations, sanguine as he is, one cannot help adopting his views, and hoping as he hopes. He has preached twenty Sermons and Speeches within a week or two!! At Bristol my friends say he was almost superhuman.* He kindly pressed me to go and spend the Winter at Stanstead,* as has done to pass it at Blaise Castle – but for old age sickness and sorrow there is nothing like home – Every paper I open of raises my ideas of her piety.* It is plain that she had expected her great change, for in her Pocketbook for this year,* she writes, 'this is the last account book I shall ever want'! she also says, – 'May every Year’s charities increase as becomes a Christian woman'! A few hours before her death when in exqui[site] [tear] pain, she said, on some one pitying her – [tear] I love my sufferings, they come from the [tear] and I love every thing that comes from him’. In her delirium she was always giving away cloaths or Shoes to poor Men and Women; tho this was in her wanderings, it showed the habit of her mind. I never knew a more devoted self denying creature.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 25 [September 1816]
We had looked forward with the hope of your being in this quarter during the Jew Week at Bristol. The Revd Mr. Way opens his commission next tuesday by a Sermon, he will be followed by Simeon, Hawtrey, Wilson &c in the course of the week.* I know all this would have been an entertainment to your heart’s desire. But we must submit to overruling circumstances. May it please the Father mercies and God of all consolations speedily to remove this trial and to sanctify it to your spiritual good.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow. 8-11 October [1815]
Your last letter afforded considerable relief to my mind. Perhaps it may afford a little to your mind to hear that the subject has never been discussed in my present /ce/ . I have seen several of our common friends, but it has been in mixed company, when delicacy on all sides caused a complete silence to be maintained People knowing my attachment to you and the degree of intimacy with which you honour me has hitherto prevented my being asked any questions which would have involved difficulty in the answer.* Mr. Way is here now on a visit of some days. He is gone to day to preach at ’s little Church at Brockley.* I was sorry that neither the health of my self or Sisters permitted us to accompany him. He was disappointed I believe but was too humble to take it ill, or rather too reasonable to be dissatisfied with what is in fact a dispensation of Providence.
To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 1826 (incomplete)
You have probably seen our extraordinary pleasant friend Lewis Way since his Visit to Mount Lebanon where he had erected a large house for Missionaries and Travellers and furnished with every convenience but it was scarcely furnished when the Pope and the Turk pulled it down!!* I dare say he has told You /of/ his visit to , &c