London, October 3, 1792

DEAR SIR,

A WINTER’S task, which I have set myself, will oblige me to make my letters as short as I can, and to indulge myself in no correspondence bat what is necessary. It seems, however, if not quite necessary, at least proper, to thank you for yours of the 20th September, and would join you in thanking the Lord for his goodness in giving you a safe and comfortable return home. We enjoy a thousand mercies in common with many who neither pray to him nor praise him; but to know that they come from him in answer to prayer, and as earnests of future and better blessings, gives them an additional relish of which, worldlings can have no conception.

In this world we have an appointed station and calling, in which our religious profession requires us to be accurate and faithful — But how to be fervent in spirit and serving the Lord, while we are not slothful in business, is a lesson which only He can teach us. It is necessary to be diligent, but it is not necessary’ to be rich. The event must be left in his hand; our aim should be to promote his glory, which may be answered either way, whether we have what the World calls great success, or not. If you have a servant or a journeyman who is an honest man, and understands your business, he will be as active and industrious in it as yourself. But then he is not responsible, and when his work is done, he sleeps at night without care. The care of the issue is your part, and whether you gain or lose, you will not blame your servant, who has faithfully done his duty according to your direction.

Now if you consider yourself, as it were a servant or journeyman, so to speak, of the Lord, you will manage your concerns with ease and comfort. The business is not yours but his: you are to employ your talents to the best of your judgment, and then to cast all the care upon him. You need not be anxious, for he will overrule all for the best. Whether he gives you but just food and raiment, (which they who seek his kingdom in the first place, and use his appointed means are seldom without,) or whether he allots you an abundance, either shall answer your professed end: his glory will be equally answered. In the former case you will have enough, because it is what he sees sufficient for you. In the latter case, what you have more than enough is not your own, but is still to be employed for him. But too many think things do not go well, unless they can amass wealth. They stretch every nerve to be rich, and thereby pierce themselves with perplexities and sorrows. 1 Tim. vi. 6 — 10.

I have no insight into the prophecies unfulfilled, nor is my mind turned for that study. I would direct the whole of my little strength to the points mentioned, Acts xxvi. 18. What you quote from Mr. Willison* is remarkable, other writers have had the same thought. Who first started it, or whether it has been borrowed one from another, I know not. How far it is the meaning of the passage, time will shew. This I know, that the Lord reigns. I believe he is on his way to fulfil his word.

In the mean time, I wish with you that we were more sensible of our present privileges, and more thankful for them. And that the Lord’s people, instead of amusing themselves with politics, may be stirred up to serve their country by prayer. If they sigh and mourn for the abominations in the midst of us, and stand in the breach

* Mr. “Willison, in a book published more than fifty years ago, considers Rev. xi 13, as referring to some great revolution that should take place in France.

to avert deserved judgments, our peace and liberty may be yet prolonged. I think the calamities of France should remind us of Luke xiii. 1 — 5.

With my prayers and best wishes for your prosperity and welfare in the best sense, I remain, dear Sir, Your affectionate friend and servant, J. N.