1784 August 13



My dear Madam,
 
You will not greatly wonder to hear of me so far from London, when you consider that I am by profession a stranger and pilgrim upon earth. I seem when in town so much fixed to a spot as a pilgrim can well be – my inclination does not prompt me to go abroad, my line of duty will not often admit – but lately several circumstances concurred to open and direct my path into Hampshire. Mrs Newton and our dear Eliza with me; we left London ye 3rd instant, and as I have no supply beyond the 22nd I must return in the course of that week.
 
Not many pilgrims are accommodated as I am: wherever I go I meet with kind friends. I am here pleasantly situated at the house of a Gentleman, who sought me out and invited me some months ago, because he had seen some of my books. [1] I live within the circuit of a very pretty garden – have fine country before me – and good roads and walks when I choose to range abroad either on foot or on horseback. A view of the Isle of Wight and the sea which separates it from us, superadded to what offers on this side of the water, afford in the whole a beautiful prospect. We are trying the salt water for Eliza, and it does not seem to disagree with her, which is all that can be said at present. Mrs Newton through mercy is tolerably well, and I am much the same as when you last saw me.
 
These preliminaries dispatched I proceed – I have not your last letter by me, nor do I just now recollect any particular part of it that required a distinct and particular consideration. I must therefore write from hand to mouth as they say, and pen down what occurs to my mind. Though absent from you in body, I frequently pay you an ideal visit. [2] I am with you (as the Apostle speaks) in spirit. The Lord honours you with opportunity of exemplifying the Christian character in various lights as a wife, a mother, a mistress. How important are these departments! The wisdom requisite to fill them up with propriety is more precious than rubies. Alas that so many women through the unhappy spirit of the time are ignorant of their own importance, and live as if they thought they only came into the world to dress and dance and play – we cannot wonder if the bulk of the rising generation are shuttlecocks and weathercocks, when we consider how they are managed in the nursery and so forward, till they appear in public. If the mother is unhappily poisoned with the influence of the Ton [3] as it is called, the children are neglected, and the beautiful frame of domestic order and happiness so visible in some families, is as much unknown in others, as among the savages.
 
Women indeed have in some respects the first place in society, if they know their own rank and act accordingly. For the most part, the characters and conduct of men depend upon women. They have, as it were, the forming and moulding of our infant ideas; from them we take our first impressions, which because they are the first are usually the strongest, and in our following years how much depends upon the connections we make with them. But whither am I running – I meant to say, the Lord honours you. We live in a day when the power of godliness is reproached, treated as cant and enthusiasm, but I trust they who know you are convinced that religion is a reality, a heart business, that it influences the springs as well as regulates the actions of life – that it is not a string of empty, fanciful notions, but a real participation of a divine nature – a most solid and rational engagement founded upon the justest principles of our relation and obligations to the great God as our Creator, Supreme Governor, Benefactor and Redeemer. A desire to please him gives a simplicity, a steadiness, a consistency, and elevation to our designs, while an attention to his Holy Word furnishes us with infallible rules, the most powerful motives, and animating encouragements – so that our plans are not dry speculations, or faint wishings and wouldings, but are cheerfully carried into execution, and, by the divine blessing sought and obtained by prayer, command success.
 
Surely the Poet was right in saying:
        A Christian is the highest style of man. [4]
 
But then it must be a Christian indeed, not the Almost – the formal Christian, who while he bears and mentions the name of Christ lives in the spirit of the world, and of self. Such a one is no more a Christian, then a statue or a puppet is a man. There is only the shape or at most an awkward, artificial imitation of the motions, but no real life. The Christian has views and aims, employments and enjoyments, to which others are strangers. He walks with God, and can with cheerful confidence adopt the Apostle’s language, His I am, and him I serve. [5] He is a blessing in all his connections, and by cheerful perseverance in well-doing, puts the ignorant cavils of the wicked to shame and to silence.
 
I brought down a frank to enclose my letter in, but perhaps it will be useless. Franks are to cease. [6] Blessed be God there is an open intercourse between heaven and earth, which cannot be stopped or clogged. It is swifter than the post, and can be carried on without expense. The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, enters into the ears of the Lord of Hosts, and brings down speedy answers of peace. And we are heard not only for ourselves but for our friends. In this way I hope I have the privilege of being remembered by you. I need and I prize your prayers. I am placed in a difficult though an honourable post, and have frequent reason to say, Who is sufficient for these things? [7] A Minister has a share in the trials of human life in common with others, and he has likewise trials peculiar to himself. We stand upon slippery ground, and many are watching for our halting, and seeking an opportunity through our miscarriages to cause the ways of truth to be evil spoken of.
 
We unite in sincere respects to you and to Mr Gardiner. May the Lord bless you, and keep you, and cause his face to shine upon you.
 
I am Dear Madam
Your affectionate and obliged servant
John Newton
 
Lymington Hants 13 August 1784
 
Your last kind present came very safely. Accept our thanks.
 
[to]
Mrs Gardiner
near Sleaford
Lincolnshire


Endnotes:
 
 [1] Charles Etty (1719-1797) lived at Priestlands, just outside Lymington in the New Forest. Newton spent several summers there, delighted to have a ‘hermitage’ in the garden for writing to his friends. See www.johnnewton.org/chestnuttree.
[2] The sense of Newton’s ‘ideal visit’ meant that he visited Sarah in his ‘ideas’, or thoughts, not in reality.
[3] ‘Ton’ meant ‘the prevailing fashion’.
[4] Edward Young, The Complaint: or, Night Thoughts on Life, Death & Immortality (London: 1742).
[5] Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
[6] The Regulations for franks changed on 20 August 1784.
[7] 2 Corinthians 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Acknowledgements:
Morgan Museum and Library MA 733.24
 

26/05/2026