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Letter XLVI.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 10th Mo. 22, 1805.

My dear Friend,

Sometimes, when I have been thinking of writing to thee, considering that our respective birth-days were approaching, and that the youngest of us had nearly accomplished his grand climacteric year, I thought of telling thee something about the state of my own mind, now the evening draws near; but I will decline it, for I am apprehensive I should not be pleased with it, when I had written it. Perhaps the account thou givest of thyself, in a letter thou wrotest me the latter end of last year, may come as near it as any thing I should write. This much I can say, that at seasons I feel a degree of consolation and Divine peace, that cannot be expressed in words, which I would not exchange for a thousand times the treasures of both the Indies; in comparison of which I should esteem, I do esteem, crowns and sceptres as dung and dross; and at the much

more frequent seasons, when heavenly good is least sensibly felt, (I hope I write it with humble, heartfelt gratitude,) my faith, and hope, and confidence, are so firmly anchored on the Everlasting Rock, Christ Jesus, that when the rains descend, and the winds blow, and the storms beat, I am not greatly moved; I know Him in whom I have believed, and that he will in mercy keep all those who have committed themselves to Him. I have little doubt, nay I have no doubt, but in what I have said of myself, I have been writing thy experience also, with little or no difference, but such as may arise from our different vocations in the church, and from some difference of our natural complexions. Let us then, my dear friend, be prostrated in gratitude before our Holy Helper, who called us early to labour in the vineyard of our own hearts, and afterwards in His vineyard, the church. Let us go on our way rejoicing, though it be in tribulation; the Crown is at the end of the Christian race.

I have heard from several, good accounts of thy situation and health, which to me are

always grateful. As every day furnishes some opportunity of doing or getting some little good, or exercising some virtue, or. making some little sacrifice; so I hope we are making some little advances, every day, towards the heavenly country.

With every good desire that my heart is capable of forming, for thy present and everlasting happiness, I am thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

Letter XLVII.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 4th Mo. 10, 1806.

My dear Friend,

I was pleased to hear of the wise choice that was made of an elder in your meeting. I doubt not thou wilt soon admit the conviction, that it would not be right to determine to remain inactive; every member of the body natural, and every member of the mystical body of Christ, hath its proper

office and if it do not act and move agreea; bly to the Divine appointment, the whole must suffer a proportionable loss; but a word to the wise is sufficient. That thou hast survived thy seventieth year is cause of humble thankfulness. Thou canst now be at no very great distance from the end of a wellspent life, a life that hath contributed, through the Divine blessing, to the comfort of very many; and having, like good old Simeon, been graciously favoured to see the Lord's Christ, thou wilt, like him, I have no doubt, in the time appointed of God, be dismissed from thy stewardship in peace.

The time of my continuance here draws fast to a conclusion, and though I hardly know whether I have been instrumental of any good in my generation, in the stewardship to which I have been appointed; yet I do know I have many times, in great mercy, been strengthened to do the best I could; and, notwithstanding all the weaknesses or deviations from rectitude, which may at any time have marked my conduct through life, I do not wish to have my time to live over again, for fear I should not do better.

I was almost afraid, by thy answer to my last, that thou hadst conceived I meant to speak something highly of my own religious attainment. I had no view like that; I have no cause to think so, or to speak so; I know too well what I am, and from whom all good comes. I meant only to express myself with gratitude, and to magnify His mercy, who hath helped me hitherto; and in the continuance of whose holy help, I was and am strengthened to confide. And surely I have cause to magnify His mercy, and to speak well of His glorious name, who hath been my Shepherd from infant years, and whose rod and staff will, I humbly hope, continue to be the support and comfort of my declining years.

I am, in true love, in which my wife unites, thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORp.

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