Page images
PDF
EPUB

Letter LIX.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 8th Mo. 1, 1811.

My dear Friend,

It was very pleasant to me to receive a letter from thee, and such a letter in thy 76th year. I, who am seven years younger, feel the effects of old age both in mind and body; but let us not accuse ourselves, or listen to the accuser of the brethren, because our faculties and powers are on the decline. Meekness, humility, and patience, are a cure for all sores; our strength and powers are equal to all we have to do, or to all that is required of us. It is our departure from humble submission, and wanting to feel more of the fervour of devotion, not willing to live by faith, and possess our souls in patience, that is a fruitful source of much unprofitable anxiety. How much of this appears in the few diaries we have published; and, I am persuaded, in the experience of many pious people, who suffer greatly, because they are unskilfully taught

to believe, that if it were not owing to some omission of duty, they would more frequently, perhaps always, (particularly in meetings,) be favoured with these sensible feelings and enjoyments of heavenly goodness. Many, many, I believe, put on a much more painful pilgrimage, and experience many doubts and tossings, which would certainly be avoided by a wise attention to that holy precept, " in your patience possess ye your souls." To how many religious people might it be said by the blessed Master, as formerly to Peter, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?" though it is by no means in our power to put ourselves into possession of those Divine consolations, that sometimes, in unmerited mercy, are vouchsafed. I wish to be thankful, truly thankful, to be favoured to feel no condemnation.

There is, I think, a great deal of comfortable instruction and truth in the remark, that "the Christian's crown in this life is hid under the cross, that we cannot see it," and doubtless laid up safely there for us, wher our warfare is accomplished. What caus

have I to be thankful for this, and a thousand other mercies; but to feel suitably thankful for favours, or compunction for our infirmities, is not at our command. How earnestly do I sometimes desire a more fervent, sensible feeling of gratitude for favours I have not deserved, and repentance for all I have done amiss; but, as I have said before, perhaps we may be too solicitous for these sensible fervours of devotion. My mind hath often been stayed and comforted, in recollecting these observations of an experienced Christian: "Do not look for or expect the same degrees of sensible fervour; the matter lies not there; nature will have its share; but the ups and downs of that are to be overlooked, whilst your will-spirit is good and set right, the changes of creaturely fervour lessen not your union with God."

Farewell, my dear friend; may the Divine blessing comfort and support our declining years, and enable us to finish the little work that may remain for us to do; that finally we may be found worthy to enter into the joy of our Lord.

JOHN THORP.

Letter LX.

TO RICHARD REYNOLDS.

Manchester, 4th Mo. 30, 1812.

My dear Friend,

Yesterday, I received thy very acceptable letter. Our correspondence has now continued twenty-five years; and, as I believe it commenced under the auspicious influence of our blessed Master, so I humbly hope, it has been in some degree fruitful to His praise. I am glad to hear thy health is restored; mine, through great mercy, does not much decline, though I can feel every year that I grow older. I have been little from home all the winter, and for long it hath been very cold weather, the east wind almost continually blowing. Reading, retirement, calling sometimes to see a friend, and attending meetings, and meeting matters, with a little walk every day, is the manner in which my time is mostly spent. I expect that, whilst thou art able, thy time will be more usefully employed; but truly, at our time of life, I think we should endea

66

vour to cast off every burden, and to break every yoke, that we might, without distraction, " press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." With regard to myself, if I am poor, it is in the best things, which has been my experience in an unusual degree of late, and with which I hope I am learning to be content. Respecting the things of this life, I can thankfully say, with good old Jacob, "God hath dealt graciously with me, and I have enough." Both in the commercial and political hemisphere, accumulated clouds of darkness have long been gathering; what may be the result, is yet awfully uncertain; neither does there appear much to rejoice in, even in our little Society.

I know how to make allowance for old age, and for inaptitude at writing. I stand in need of these allowances more than thou dost; and yet I will hope thou wilt not only remember, but, at some time, write a line or two to thy sincerely affectionate friend,

U*

JOHN THORp.

« PreviousContinue »