_To Mr. H――――._
_Lisbon, April 10, 1754._
_My very dear Friend_,
STILL I am here, surrounded with every thing, in an ecclesiastical way, that can offend a mind which desires to worship the LORD JESUS in outward as well as inward simplicity. To-morrow is what they call _Holy Thursday_. May I be as solicitous to have my heart illuminated by the spirit of GOD, as the people here are to illuminate their churches and altars. The pageantry is indeed incredible. Though we have been detained longer than expectation, yet I trust what I have seen and heard, will do me service in the future part of my life. Was I returning to, as I am going from _England_, and had I a proper companion, I would make a tour to _Leghorn_, _Genoa_, _Rome_, &c. and so to _Marseilles_. What instruction would such a mind as yours gather from such various scenes? O that I may be like a busy bee, and suck some honey even from superstitious flowers! I do not wonder now, whence the illuminations, dressing of altars, and those other things which I have lately mentioned in a public manner on another occasion, took their birth. It is all in imitation of what is daily practised abroad. May the LORD JESUS crush the cockatrice in its egg, and prevent its growing any bigger! I write this from a merchant’s house, who sent for me from on board. Thus our LORD provides for those that are employed for him. Help me to praise him. My fatherless charge are all well. In a day or two we expect to sail. My most cordial respects attend your mother, and all your dear relations. Continue to pray for me, and thereby add to the obligations already conferred on, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,