14           13 June 1797


[Mrs Ring, Mr Ring’s Surgeon, Reading, Berks] [Marked Answered June ye 15th 1797]
 
I am just come from visiting Mr Bennet. [1] The faint hope I had formed of him is increased. I read him that part of your letter which concerned him. He seemed moved. He said ‘I wrote that letter to my kind friend (I think he called her Mrs Wild [2]) before I had the opportunities of conversing with you. But I beg you will request the Lady [3] to assure my Dear friend, that since you visited me, my thoughts and views are much changed. I have done with all such pleas and excuses as I then mentioned. I have done with fortitude etc.’ He added, to this purpose, ‘I thank God for sending me here, and thereby giving me a call and opportunity for reflection, and that He did not send me off in my gay unthinking state.’
 
I believe he is sensible, that there is something necessary to be done, which he cannot do for himself, and that he reads the Scripture and prays sincerely for the Lord’s teaching.
 
I was not willing to defer the information, as I hope it will give you pleasure and the Lady at whose desire you wrote. And I hope likewise, that if I am permitted to visit you about the 4th of next Month, I shall be able to bring you a still better account. Grace reigns. [4]
 
At present I must be brief. It is Tuesday and company is coming in. [5] My great love and Miss Catlett’s to Mr Ring – love to Mr Robinson and all friends. Tell them I long to see you all.
 
May the Grace and peace of the Lord dwell among you.
 
I am your affectionate and obliged
John Newton
 
 
[6 Coleman Street Buildings]


Endnotes:
 
 [1] See letter dated 8 June 1797 for Thomas Bennett (d 1797) and context.
[2] Perhaps Catherine, the wife of founder member Mr T [Thomas?] Wild, baker, of Butter Market, Reading. Thomas Wild (1741-1809) and Catherine Wild (1746-1804) were both buried at St Laurence Reading.
[3] ‘your letter’ and ‘the Lady’ presumably refer to Sophia Ring.
[4] Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. See also Newton’s hymn ‘Reigning Grace’, Olney Hymns, Book 3, Hymn 86, possibly written for the funeral of Ann Churchman (c1684–1765), 27 November 1765: ‘In the evening attended Mrs Churchman's funeral. She had often spoken of it in her lifetime, and assigned me for a subject ‘Grace reigns’ from Romans 5:21.’
[5] On Tuesday evenings Newton welcomed ‘parsons, parsonets and parsonettas’ for discussion and prayer.

Acknowledgements:
Descendants of Sophia Ring
British Library