London, January 7, 1794

THE minute after I had sent off my letter to you, I received yours of the 1st, which I should not have acknowledged so soon, but to assure you, that the rumour of my having altered my sentiments of the revival in Wales is entirely unfounded. When Mr. C*** was in London, he told me, that what appeared sudden and extraordinary in the affair, was in great measure subsided, and that some who were affected, they knew not well why, were returning to their former level; but that he hoped the revival itself was in the main solid, extensive, and abiding. This is as much as I expected, and this is all I have known of the matter since Mr. C. wrote to you. Therefore, my sentiment, that many blossoms would fall off, and my hope that many would abide, and yield good fruit, remain still the same.

I thank you for your information respecting Letters to a Wife. You will perceive by the preface, that I was aware of the different opinions which would be formed of a book rather novel in its kind. None but married persons can be competent judges of the subject: nor all of these. The unfeeling, the careless, and the licentious, will think it rhapsody and folly. But as I said, if my leading motive was right, I ought to be in good measure indifferent to the judgment of mortals. To be sure, it was a high gratification to me to erect a monument of affection and gratitude to the memory of my excellent wife: but had this been my only view, I durst not have done it. I intended it chiefly as a memorial of the Lord’s goodness to a chief sinner; to confirm the account given in my narrative, and to record many additional instances of his wonderful providences in my favour. I thought likewise it would afford proof, that there may be a degree of conscientious regard to the Lord, of submission to his will, of dependence upon his care, and of answers to prayer, in a person whose doctrinal light is very indistinct, and before he has formed a systematic and clear view of the truth. Indeed, though my knowledge was at that time, more defective than it is even now, some of the happiest days of communion with God I ever knew, were while I was a sailor, and particularly in my third and last voyage to Africa. Indeed I wish I had a right to say, I can trust him as simply at present as I did then.

I felt a desire of publishing some extracts of my letters to her, from the da)- that she left me, and perhaps sooner. But I deliberated upon it a whole year before I undertook it. I submitted it frequently to the Lord; and from the time I m

began, I believe I may say, there was not a page of it written without prayer for his direction and guidance. I hope he inclined me to begin, I am sure he has enabled me to finish; for though it was in the main a pleasing task, it was painfully pleasing. It cost me not only prayers, but tears. I thank him that it is now abroad. I trust I shall never repent of it; I rather expect it will be a source of comfort to me to the end of life, that I was spared to complete it.

With respect to others, I hoped it might be read with some pleasure, and perhaps benefit, by some, who like me, have outlived their gourds. That I might put useful hints in the way of some who are about to enter into the marriage state. That it might undeceive some who have imbibed prejudices against marriage, and convince them that there is more satisfaction to be found in that state, when properly .conducted, than they arc aware of. I hoped likewise, that others might be cautioned by my example against that overattachment, which sometimes cost me so dear. And I hope and believe, that when the Lord shall have shewn you the proper person appointed to bear your name, and has brought you together, you will not regret the time you spent in reading Letters to a Wife.

The history of my trial in the Appendix, No. 1. is to me the most interesting part. When I refleet (which is but every day) how I lived, what I felt, and how I was supported, it seems the most remarkable part of my remarkable life. Surely had not the Lord been my helper, I had sunk like a stone in deep water. I thank him, that I could bear such a testimony to his faithfulness and all-sufficiency.

I have been already favoured with notices that my book has been useful in most or all the caseS I have mentioned; and therefore I am not afraid of the censure of severe critics.

Paper and leisure are brought to a close together. I can only add my love and best wishes with an assurance that I am

Your affectionate and obliged,
J. N.