Letter XLVIII.

TO JOHN BEVAN.

Manchester, 5th Mo. 16, 1806.

My dear Friend,

It is very pleasant to be remembered by our fellow-travellers to the heavenly country, and to salute and be saluted by such on the way. I have so long survived the spirit and disposition to controversy on religious subjects, and have observed so little benefit derived from them, that it hath afforded me some satisfaction to see that Friends have not been hasty to answer every weak apostate scribbler, who has dared, through ignorance or presumption, to deny the fundamental truths of our holy religion.

Many, also, of the unbelieving professors of Christianity, have sought to draw Friends into disputation and wrangling, on subjects which (though they are most surely believed by the sincere Christian) are beyond the stretch of the human intellect to comprehend. Such are the controversies about what is called the Trinity, and the doctrine of the

atonement. Much injury hath been done, and much loss sustained by the discussions which have been printed on these subjects, human reason affirming, and human reason denying, in equal ignorance of these stupendous and mysterious subjects. Perhaps all that is necessary for us to know, or that mankind are capable of receiving, stand in their best state of manifestation, as they are revealed in the Holy Scriptures.

May that Mercy by which we were early visited, and which hath graciously followed us hitherto, vouchsafe to be with us now in our declining years, and that we may happily experience Him, who condescended to be our morning light, and the stay of our youth, to be our evening song, and the staff of our old age; that through the continuance of His holy help, we may accomplish the work which may be given us to do, to the praise of Him who hath called us, and our own everlasting peace; that, when the time of reckoning shall come, we may be numbered amongst the "good and faithful." From thy affectionate friend,

S

JOHN THORp.

Letter LXIX.

To RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 8th Mo. 21, 1806.

My dear Friend,

Thy letter of the 6th instant I received duly. It was seasonable, and very acceptable; and so far as I am capable of being comforted by a letter, I was comforted by it. But, however kind and skilful the application, wounds must have time to heal. I hope I do not murmur; I want no arguments to convince me that the "Judge of all the earth" will certainly "do right;" I wish to be thankful for the inestimable favour I have received from Him, in giving to me a most faithful and affectionate wife for thirty-one years; one singularly fitted to be a help meet to me; for, I believe I am very safe in saying, that a life more exemplary, in filling up, with unremitting diligence, every duty belonging to her humble station, hath never yet, nor ever will be found. We have both reason to be satisfied, nay thankful, that in the loss of our faithful companions, the loss

is only our's; their's is the gain. I do not therefore sorrow at those "who have no hope;" I have no doubt but that, through the unfailing mercy of our Heavenly Father, and the atonement and intercession, of the ever-blessed Jesus, our dear departed wives, according to their measure, will be fixed in their respective stations of eternal blessed

ness.

At seasons, I can bless the name of Him, who lives for ever, for what He hath given, and for what He hath taken away; yet I feel my loss almost continually, and very often all my prospects seem clouded, and every view of the future here is gloom and shade. Much of this does not appear to others, and I am mostly favoured with an humble degree of holy quiet, a measure of that peace which the blessed Master gives to those who believe and trust in Him. Thy remembrance of me, at such a time as this, was very kind; it was, indeed, a genuine, grateful fruit of that friendship which hath long subsisted between us, and which, I hope, will last for ever. I shall be glad to hear of the re-establishment of thy health; but whether we are

permitted a longer or shorter stay in these earthly tabernacles, I do sincerely desire we may be preserved under the direction and keeping of Israel's Shepherd, and then all will be well.

Priscilla Hannah Gurney's remembrance of me was very acceptable. I wish the remembrance of my love to be presented to her. At home or abroad, I trust she is in the Master's service, doing all the good she can; yet a little while, and that encouraging declaration will be accomplished in her experience, that the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High; therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown, from the Lord's hand; for with His right hand shall He cover them, and with his arm shall He protect them.

That thou and I, my dear friend, may finally make a part, and have our lot amongst that happy number, is the frequent prayer of thy affectionate friend,

JOHN THORP.

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