Chapter I: RETURN my dearest **** thanks for his last letter; the satisfaction

which it and the conversation we had together on Saturday gave me, is inexpressible. Oh may you, by the assisting grace of God, continue in the happy way you are now in, and still press forward to higher degrees of faith and love. But, my dear, you must not think too highly of me; I am one of the most unworthy objects of the free mercy of God. I stand more, perhaps, in need of your prayers than you of mine; you must _too_ pray for me, and we must both strive to strengthen each other. I should be glad to know whether you, last night, notwithstanding the disagreeable manner of the preacher, received any comfort and satisfaction from what he said: I own I did; his words (under all these disadvantages) raised and strengthened _me_ in a remarkable manner. I wish it had been the same with you all; but your expectations were so highly raised by the name of ****, that an angel would hardly have satisfied them: and thus shall we be always disappointed, if we look more at man than God. The most famous preacher, let his eloquence, his manner, his doctrine, be ever so near perfection, can never make the soul taste the words of salvation, unless the Spirit of God accompanies and inforces his preaching. And the same blessed Spirit can make the words of the meanest, the most despicable preacher of the gospel, effectual to awaken, to convince, and to comfort. But in order to our reaping these benefits, we must hear with _singleness_ of intention; not seeking to have our outward ears and eyes delighted, but desiring the _sincere_ milk of the word, to nourish and strengthen our souls. Would it not be the highest madness to throw away the _water_ of life, because it was brought to us in an earthen vessel? _Solomon_ says, “To the _hungry soul_ every bitter thing is _sweet_.” So to the soul which really _hungers_ and _thirsts_ after _Christ_, the sound of the _gospel_ of _peace_, (let the voice which proclaims it be _harsh_ or _soft_) will be _sweet indeed_. Oh may you and I, my dear ****, always find it so to _us_! May that blessed Redeemer in whom we have _peace_, be dearer to us than _light_, than _life_, than any thing we can form to our imagination either _here_ or _hereafter_! In dangers, in difficulties, in temptations, may we still look to him as our defence, our deliverer, our strength. He is _all_ in _all_ throughout the oracles of God, both in the _Old_ and _New Testament_: may he be _all_ in _all_ to our _souls_; may we walk by his light, conquer by his _strength_, and in the end be joyful partakers of that everlasting felicity which he has prepared for those that love _him_. This is the constant wish and prayer of,

_Your affectionate_

****

* * * * *

_Saturday the 17th._