1784 November 27 My dear Madam,   The cranberries came safe, they were very acceptable, and doubly so because they came from you. Mrs Newton desires me to return her thanks for them. I think I am not a letter in your debt at this time, on my own account, nor am I likely to be so, very soon, if you abide by a hint in your note to Mrs Newton – we cannot find that note just at present, but I recollect that you intimated you were unwilling to write to me, because I must now pay postage for your letters. I therefore resolved to write out of my turn for once, as soon as I could find leisure. I hope it will not be long before you favour me with an answer, lest your silence should make me unwilling to write to you any more, except I could write without putting you to the charge of postage. Be assured, Madam, I value your correspondence much more than the money it will cost, and if you are of the same mind with me, whatever may prevent our writing, a want of franks should not be the cause. I shall wish to hear from you, and be glad to write to you, just as often, as if I had the privilege of franking in my own name.   Had I a letter of yours before me, it would soon help me to a subject; for want of one I feel disabled and unfurnished. Let me see, suppose you were here sitting by me in my study (I could wish it were so indeed) what should I probably say to you, after enquiring of the welfare of Mr Gardiner and your family? I might perhaps begin something in this way, Well my dear Madam, though you seldom come to London, I trust you find that the same Lord, like the same sun shines upon you in Lincolnshire also. Though you have not perhaps the same outward advantages with us, in point of public ordinances, yet his blessing has well supplied the want of them, since I saw you last. Methinks I see you smile an affirmative to my question. Yes I think you know by experience that wherever a person who loves the Lord resides – the promise, Verily thou shalt be fed [1] – is fulfilled. There are some persons here, who refuse to hear the Gospel, though it is brought in a manner to their doors; there are others who I fear, place almost the whole of their religion in hearing and hearing it. And I doubt not but there are people in Lincolnshire and in many other places, who can hear it but seldom in the public preaching, who are nourished and strengthened by the more private ordinances, the word and throne of grace, so that they thrive in their souls, as much as they could do if they lived in London.   I believe Gospel preaching is so far necessary, that no one can expect to flourish who wilfully neglects it, where it is afforded. But I do not believe it absolutely necessary, if the providence of God fixes our habitation where it is out of our reach. The people of Israel might have starved even in Canaan, had they refused to cultivate their lands. But while they were in the wilderness, where ploughing and sowing were impracticable, the Lord who led them thither, provided them with Manna. I would observe again – that not everything which bears the name of Gospel preaching, is so well calculated to answer the desire of the soul, as to make an attendance upon it necessary in point of conscience. When the person who takes upon him to preach, is plainly incompetent to the office, mangles the Scripture instead of explaining it, or is full of a self-important spiritualising, where the people are chiefly intent upon increasing their party, though they cannot agree among themselves – where strife and censure prevail, where greater stress is laid upon notions, then upon a humble, spiritual walk, I should not covet their fellowship, nor think myself bound to attend them, merely because they talked of the Gospel. The Gospel is a dispensation of grace, love and peace, its effects are union, love, and practical obedience, and it only properly deserves the name, when preached and accompanied with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, producing gracious tempers, and a life devoted to God, and conformable to his will. Such a gospel as this, the Lord can send you, if he pleases; when he does I trust you will thankfully receive it – and until then I trust he will take good care of you, and bless you with such helps as he sees fit to afford you.   The other day I signed a testimonial for a young man, who I understand is to be the Curate of Bloxham. [2] I have of course known him personally for about three years past, and have often seen him occasionally; but I am not intimate with him. He is not from the University [ ] has been three years under the eye and tuition of Dr Conyers at Deptford. I know not where he [could] have had a better Master, or a better pattern and he seems to be modest and humble, which are, in my judgement, tokens for good.   Our family affairs are much as usual. Mrs Newton caught a severe cold last week, which has not yet left her, and therefore she is but poorly. I hope however it will wear off. Our sick child we hope is rather better than worse, but her estate is still precarious, the other [3] is favoured with good health. As to myself the changing seasons and revolving years admonish me that I grow older, which otherwise I should hardly be sensible of. I have a pleasing auditory at St Mary Woolnoth, and we go on very peaceably, and I hope many have tokens of the Lord’s gracious presence amongst us.   I began last night – and many things that interfered this morning. Particularly the news that a valuable friend of mine now in the country, has broken her leg by a fall from a horse. She is rather in years, and was ill before – so that possibly this fall may hasten her departure. The exigence of the case made me suspend the finishing of your letter till I had written to her. [4] And now my time is finished likewise. But I shall not leave much blank paper, when I have added our joint respects to you and Mr Gardiner, and assured you once more that I am very sincerely Your obliged and affectionate servant John Newton   Charles Square: 27 November 84   [Be] so kind to send us tokens of remembrance from your farm. I take [ ] to tell you frankly and without apology – that hardly any produce of the country [is more] welcome to us than eggs. Though eggs are not among the necessaries of life, they are essentially necessary to most sorts of good puddings. Your humble servant loves pudding. He could perhaps find sixpence to purchase an egg if wanted for a medicine. But can hardly justify himself in putting eggs into a pudding, when they are twopence a piece, which was the price last winter.   [to] Mrs Gardiner Westfield farm Sleaford Lincolnshire Endnotes:    [1] Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. [2] Daniel MacKinnon (1760 - 1825), born in America, was curate of Digby with Bloxham from 1784 and rector of the same from 1787. His son John MacKinnon (1791-1873) succeeded him as rector. [3] The ‘other’ child refers to Betsy (1769-1834), daughter of Mary’s brother George Catlett (1742-1774). [4] In a letter to ‘Mrs C’ dated 27 November 1784, published in Newton’s posthumous sequel to Cardiphonia, he wrote how sorry he was to hear this news. ‘If Mrs N or I could have prevented it, you should not have fallen.’ Having first reminded her of how Jesus had wept with Martha and Mary at their brother’s death, he considered it ‘in another point if view’, for ‘if your fall should prove a means of hastening your removal to the church triumphant, then, however I and your many friends may regret our own loss, we ought to rejoice in your gain.’ After quoting Charles Wesley’s hymn, O what hath Jesus bought for me!, he continued: ‘Ah, that robe, that crown, those songs! surely it is unspeakably better to depart and to be with Jesus. If he calls you, I must and will consent to let you go; but I shall miss you. If he is pleased to raise you up, I shall rejoice to see you again.’ Acknowledgements: Morgan Museum and Library MA 733.25

26/05/2026