Southampton, September 12, 1798

THIS comes rather to acknowledge than to answer your two letters; for being upon the remove, I inadvertently packed them up, not expecting leisure to write here; but as I have a spare hour, and expect to be fully taken up with indispensables for a time, when I return home, I will write something now, lest you should think me negligent or ungrateful.

We left London the 19th July, were one week at Reading, and have been here the rest of the time. I hope to see No. 6. the 19th instant. I should leave this pleasant place, and these kind friends with more reluctance, if I was not going home; and thus though we have many friends and comforts in this world, yet one bright powerful view of our heavenly home, will, when the time comes, I trust, make us willing, and ready, and glad to leave all below.

Mr. Grimshaw’s life, of which I undertook to give some account, has lain by untouched two years, and perhaps I never should have been able to finish it, if I had not brought it with me, and likewise made a resolution to write no letters while abroad (necessary business excepted) till I had done with Mr. Grimshaw. This is the reason why you have not heard from me sooner, (for I love to have you in my debt) for I have served all my friends alike. I have now finished what I intended, according to the ability the Lord has given me. If all is well, I hope it will appear in print before Christmas. I shall send a few to you, but they must be for sale, as I have devoted the profits of the first edition (at least) to the use of the Society for the Relief of the Poor Clergy. This reminds me to inquire after Colonel Blackader, the christian soldier. When will he be ready to march forth from the press into the shops?

I preached here three evenings in the week, as I believe I told you I did the last two years. My friend, Mr. T***, has made accommodations to receive about 300 people, and we are sometimes full. To-morrow evening will be my farewell sermon. Being now in my 74th year, I seem to take a final leave of my friends in every place. It may be otherwise, as my health is remarkably good, and I have but few of the symptoms of advancing age. I am in the Lord’s hand, willing to live, (no one has less reason from externals to be weary of life) and if the Lord is pleased to be with me, when the time comes, I shall not be afraid to die. He has promised strength according to our day, and I aim to rely upon his. faithp fid word.

Notwithstanding the threatening of the French, and the confusion and misery which they have spread over the greater part of Europe, and which has reached even to our sister kingdom, we, in this island, are still preserved in internal peace. Is not this wonderful? To me it appears almost miraculous. May we hot accept his repeated interpositions in our favour, as a token for good; that though he will chasten, he will not destroy us, nor give us up to the will of them that hate us? May we not accept it as an answer to the prayers of his remnant amongst us? A small remnant indeed, compared with the nation at large, but not very small in the aggregate number. If all who stand in the breach, pleading for mercy, could be brought together into one place, I trust they would appear a goodly company. And though they are dispersed and scattered up and down the land, the salt of the earth, which preserves it from total putrefaction, yet in his view they are all one connected army, who meet and unite daily, and often, at the same rallying point, the throne of grace. Is not the spirit that is engaged to spread the gospel at home, as well as abroad, another token for good, at such a time as this? Far from recalling his ambassadors, which might have an awful appearance of war, I trust he is increasing their numbers, and enlarging their powers. Many neglected barren spots, in different parts of our kingdom, are already begin.

ning to rejoice and blossom as the rose. I question if any thing you see in Scotland can give you an idea of the ignorance and wretchedness that reign in many of our parishes, where they are no less destitute of the form than of the power of godliness, where the church doors are seldom opened, even on the Lord’s day — where three-fourths of the children of ten or twelve years of age cannot tell their letters. But these evils are diminishing partly by the Sunday schools in some places, and partly by the village preaching which the evangelical dissenters are setting forward in most of our counties, and in which I, though not a dissenter, greatly rejoice, and daily pray for their success. If the official shepherds know not to feed or to care for, either themselves or their flocks, I would be thankful that others are stirred up to supply their lack of service. I care not much for order, regularity, or commission in such a case. When a house is on fire, people of any party or profession are welcome to bring water to extinguish it, whether churchmen or kirkmen, elders, or ploughmen.

The ways of God, in his providence, are untraceable by us; but we are sure they are right. They would not be his ways, if we could comprehend them: Isai. lv. 8, 9. But our padi of duty lies plain and straight before us: Ezek. ix. 4.

Remember me to all friends. I have more m Edinburgh than I have room or time to name.

The Lord bless us all, and give us one heart and mind, to promote his glory, and the good of our fellow-creatures, in our respective posts: and then we need fear nothing for ourselves. Miss joins in respects and best wishes, with

Your affectionate friend,

J.N.