London, April 9, 1796

DEAR SIR,

WHAT you say of with respect to Mr. Whitfield and Dr. #***, is very remarkable; but such things have been known. A very poor old man in Olney had a son who behaved very ill, run away, and went to India in a man of war. Some years after, a man came to Olney to tell him that his son was dead. Are you sure of it? Yes, very sure. I was his ship-mate, and, in an engagement with the French, he was killed by a cannon ball. I stood near him, and saw him killed. The old man did not retire and pray. He only paused a little, and then said, “Well, I shall see my boy here again for all that.” So it proved. He came home safe and sound. The Lord called him by his grace, and he was one of my people for many years.

It is pleasing, as you observe, to see the partition walls of bigotry tottering. It is remarkably so in Scotland. The Seceders, who were accounted the most rigid, were the people who first introduced my name there, and reprinted three volumes by J. N. at their own risk, when the booksellers, having no knowledge of me, would not venture. There seems of late a closer coalition among the sound dissenters in England. I desire, and by his grace I resolve to love all who love him.

I could tattle on, but time fails, and I must enclose a line for Brother Black.

May the Lord’s peace and presence be with you and with Your affectionate,

J. N,

9 *