Penington, Mr

Hannah More to Marianne Thornton, 9 October 1815

Your letter affords so little hope of the continuance of earthly existence that I think there is more true kindness in writing to you, as are without any expectation as to this world, than to labour to administer false comfort; to do this would not be doing justice to your strength of character and to the lessons of wisdom you have been so long imbibing. Who knows but your obvious submission to the Divine hand which has inflicted these heavy strokes may not help to confirm these principles of Christian piety /with/ which Mr Penington’s^* mind seems penetrated. God grant that the convictions of this estimable Man may end in a sound conversion! What joy would this give, not only to the Angels in heaven but to the two happy Spirits who may soon be united to that blessed Society. I do love this Penington. I cannot say what a gratification it would be to me to be with you. It is for my own sake I wish it, that I might learn how to die. But my own infirm health, and still more that of would make us a burthen instead of a comfort. With such comforts indeed you are far more richly provided. I cordially rejoyce that you are inclosed with such a circle of such friends, and that those amiable and excellent are about to be added. My affectionate love to the patient Sufferer. I am more disposed to ask comfort from her than to offer it to her.