spirits, sitting to study and write, when other urgent occasions will permit, at least eight or nine hours every day; interrupted by a variety of unexpected incidents; engaged in a publication which, besides other consequences, if it do not succeed, must involve him and his family in many and great difficulties-and it cannot succeed unless diligently prosecuted,-it will not fail if it be: imagine this person quitting a place where he lived many years; building a house and making gardens in a perfect desert; preparing to part with his flock, and remove his family and furniture; hurried by a thousand necessary engagements, and often unnecessary cares; distressed because unable to proceed with his regular work; having often forty letters by him unanswered, &c. I will proceed no further; but I say, imagine this, and plead my cause for not writing to you, when cordial friendship and good will dictated, but no urgent necessity impelled: and, though you will doubtless bring me in guilty of a misdemeanor, yet I think you will not lay any heavy penalty upon me.... "I would readily give my attestation to the character and principles of you and your friends, were I asked: but I do not think that is likely.... Your Sunday school teachers are the very men that the ruling party choose to plague. They are 'jacobins,' in their esteem. If indeed they teach for hire, these men can understand it: and, as they do not say the poor should not he taught, it is all very well. But, if they pretend to be disinterested, and teach for nothing, "That is all pretence: human nature is not capable of this! Reputation, power, consequence, the interest of a sect, or revolutionary principles are at the bottom! Depend upon it they are jacobins, or will soon be such!' Thus men's hearts prompt their tongues; and they cannot believe any man feels a nobler principle of action than they are conscious of. I had rather in many companies in England advocate the cause of the patients in the Lock, nay the felons in Newgate, than that of your friends, whom I sincerely and cordially respect. But the tide has turned: I have lost myself, as men say, because I will not turn with it. But it is in vain to go against tide and wind. Such a revolution has taken place, that, if your zealous brethren can have exemption from persecution, I think they must thankfully give up all thoughts of other exemptions, on account of such exertions as man despises, but God will not leave unrewarded. "As to myself I have got a little living, about my former income, not above seventy inhabitants in the parish besides my family. Yet my little church is crowded on the Lord's day; I have more on the weekday than I sometimes had at the Lock; and I have no contention. I do not regret the change, but bless God for it: and I think my sphere of usefulness enlarged. With my horse, mule, and garden, I and mine have some recreation; and the poor regard us as their friends.I was a warrior at the Lock; but I longed for peace. However I won every battle I fought. I chose my successor, in defiance of dukes and lords, and have left the charity in flourishing circumstances-the Hospital nearly 23007. and the Asylum nearly 10007. richer last Lady-day, when I quitted, than the Lady-day before, when I was chosen sole chaplain..... 1 "I shall send you soon two or three copies of the Bible to the end of Job, and some of a funeral sermon for a most excellent parish minister in this neighbourhood, 1 to be disposed of for the benefit of his destitute family. My wife, daughter, and son unite in Christian respects and love, with your sincere, though negligent, friend and servant, "THOMAS SCOTT." The "revolution" in sentiment of which the writer here speaks, was a kind of revulsion unfavourable to liberty both civil and religious, which he conceived to have taken place since the time when multitudes had been led away by a misjudging partiality for republicanism and French principles. The "exemption" desired was, I presume, from Sunday drilling. "DEAR SIR, "Aston Sandford, August 20, 1804. "WE were all much interested and affected by your letter; and, had I time and spirits, I could either congratulate you or condole with you, (these often go together,) on the events you relate. Yet, on the whole, congratulation seems far the most proper. Your seasonable return before the war commenced is a mercy that you and Mrs. will not soon forget. In any case, and especially as you were situated, a residence in France for a 'Rev. J. Newell. 2 See above, p. 153. few years, to say nothing of the treatment you might have expected, would have been a serious calamity. But your account of the Lord's goodness to you in respect of your marriage, and the comforts of it, peculiarly calls for congratulation, or rather thankfulness. I trust you will have more and more cause to bless God on that acconnt. An union of this kind, founded on religious principles, and cemented by a thousand reciprocal kindnesses year after year, grows more and more near, and is the source of the most rational satisfaction, and solace under trials, that this poor world can afford. Yet still They build too low, who build beneath the skies.' -Nor do I think even the decease of your honoured father more a cause for condolence, than for congratulation. He lived creditably and comfortably. He honoured the gospel which he professed, living and dying; and is now joining the praises, and sharing the pleasures, of the church triumphant. And, as we and our's must soon leave this poor world, with its few pleasures and many pains; and as many pious persons have to mourn in respect of the souls of departed relatives, almost without hope; so the peculiar circumstances of your trial require congratulation, as well as the trial itself condolence. "As to myself, I am far from well, though able to preach, and go on with my publications: and the nature of my complaint (which is supposed to be something of the gout flying about me, without coming to a crisis,) rather tends to depression of spirits; so that I have not that courage, vigour, and alacrity, or strength of mind, which used to be considered as a part of my character, and of which I fear I have sometimes been proud. But no courage except that of faith, no strength or joy, but from the Holy Spirit, can be depended on.-However, I keep up my spirits tolerably; and sometimes rejoice that I have been enabled thus far to hold on my way, and prosecute my works, which I hope will be of some use when I am removed to another, I trust a better, state. . . . . 66 .... My situation is very retired: but I have a considerable number of attentive hearers; and I trust am useful in that respect: at least, I am more comfortably situated than ever before. And, when I can leave home to visit any of my brethren, I am sure of good congregations to attend my occasional preaching.....Should you be able to visit us, we shall be very glad to see you. Mrs. S. and my daughter unite in kind respects and every good wish to you and Mrs. whom I pray God to bless, and make a blessing to you and many. "I remain, dear sir, "Your sincere friend and servant, "DEAR SIR, "THOMAS SCOTT." "Aston Sandford, April 2, 1805, "I HAVE Occupied more time and room on seculars then I intended; yet I hope they have a subserviency to spirituals. In respect of your constant employment, it is almost unavoidable in most situations: and in general it has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. It is a blessed thing |