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._
I RECEIVED my dearest ****’s long letter, and have more and more reason to be thankful to God on your account. Oh how my soul exults in your happiness, in your increase in faith, and love to _Christ_!――Your conversation with the captain delights me; no doubt but he rejoiced over you――there _you_ see the true christian spirit. The advice he gave you is excellent: Oh may we be both enabled to follow it! Those who forsake all _for_ Christ, will certainly find all _in_ Christ.――As to ****, I would advise you to try first, to raise in him a _desire_ to receive the sacrament, before you persuade him _to receive_ it; and be earnest at the throne of grace on his behalf. All probable means are to be made use of, but it is the _Spirit_ of God alone can convince of sin.――I have been lately a good deal affected with the death of a lady in this neighbourhood, who led what is called an innocent life. Mr. **** attended her, and all his endeavours to convince her were in vain: her answers were, “Though she had not made such a shew of religion as _some others_, yet she had _done_ her duty.” This is the most fatal delusion of all; this blindness is the most dreadful state in which a soul can launch into eternity! Can you and I be ever enough thankful to that God who has opened our eyes, to see the things which make for our peace? Was our whole life to be one continued act of praise, it would be nothing in comparison to the blessings we have received; nay, even the eternity, which we shall spend in continual _praise_, is not enough _fully_ to express all we owe to our _redeeming God――Redemption_, how much is comprehended in this word! And how sweet does it sound to a soul sensible of its wants! May that pathetic prayer my dear **** has made for me be heard; then shall I experience that _fulness_ of redemption for which I long! Then shall I indeed be intirely dead to the world and sin, and live only to Christ. All this unspeakable happiness, I as sincerely wish to the brother of my soul as to myself;
_And am his truly affectionate_,
****
* * * * *
_Sunday Afternoon, March 10, 1754._
_My dear ****_,