London, April 5, 1797

FEAR SIR,

I THOUGHT your last letter rather long in coming, but when it came I was made amends. I rejoiced greatly that the judgment of Mr. B*** and your other friends coincided with my own, because it helped to turn the scale. I ought to be dubious of my own judgment, and I hope I am not a dogmatist: but your case was so plain, that I am morally certain that I judged right; and I have little doubt, but that if you live, you will see more reason than perhaps you do at present, to thank the Lord for inclining you to follow our advice.

I am glad you have at last seen a Moravian brother. They are in general so much alike, that one may be taken as a specimen of many. They have a few peculiarities resulting from their church constitution; but, as a body, i consider them as the most exemplary, peaceful, and spiritual society of all that bear the christian name. Their grand object, and in which their excellence is most signally displayed, is the conversion of the heathen. In this branch, without noise or notice, they have done more in promoting the knowledge of the true gospel, in about fifty years, than has been done by all Christendom in fifteen hundred years before them. God has given them the true missionary spirit, and I think, excepting Mr. Brainerd, and two or three more in North America, they have hitherto had a monopoly of it, though Mr. C***, the Baptist missionary in Bengal, is, I hope, treading in their steps. Their patience, fortitude, self-denial, perseverance, courage, holy wisdom, and their success, would be astonishing, did we not know whose they are and whom they serve. If you have not read Crantz’s history of the Greenland mission, which has been long in print, or the history of the mission in North America, published about two or three years ago, I wish you had them.

I am glad that a spirit of prayer is excited in your parts, on a national account. I wish it was more so with us.

I hope indeed we have many (though comparatively few) whose eyes affect their hearts, and are mourning in secret for the evils which they cannot prevent. These I account as the chariots and horsemen of our Israel. 1 should have little hope from our fleets and armies, farther than the Lord may be pleased to give them success, in answer to the prayers of his people. Who knowS Vtit for their sakes he may yet avert or suspend deserved judgments, at least so far as not to give us up as a prey to the merciless teeth of our enemies. But however he may deal with others, he will favour them with his mark of protection and support. Verily it shall be well with the righteous. He will shew himself strong in behalf of them that fear him: and if he permits them to suffer outwardly like others, his promise of strength according to their day, will carry them unhurt through fire and water.

I have just touched upon the several points in yours. I have not leisure to write more largely. I enclose a letter to Mr. B***. I commend you to the guidance and blessing of the Lord. Pray for us. I am

Your very affectionate,
J. N.