1781 May 29
My dear Madam,
My removal to London has greatly spoiled me for a correspondent. I have little time for writing, or even for reading. My letters therefore must be shorter and less frequent – some of my correspondence stagnates, but I must not, I cannot, give up yours, while you are willing it should continue.
I greatly prize your friendship, and make you the most cordial returns of regard. I sometimes wish I could see you, but that general idea I form of you from your letters is sufficient foundation for a connection which will subsist (and to greater advantage) in a better world. You love the Lord Jesus – that is enough – to recommend and endear you to one who desires to love him likewise.
I am glad to find the Lord has put a period to the solitary state in which you walked, by your removal to Sleaford, and by his sending the Gospel thither. I never heard of Mr Bristol before, but my heart wishes him success. [1] Now your ground is changed, it is probable your enemy will change his methods of disturbing you, but let him plot or let him rage as he may, you have a Friend who is wiser and stronger than he, who I trust will keep you under the shadow of his wings, and cover your head in the day of battle.
Before now, you have probably seen Cardiphonia which was published the beginning of the year in two volumes. [2] My friends may now read a letter from me as often as they please – whether I write or not, and indeed this consideration relieves me under my present circumstances which render it impracticable to do as formally. Could I send you a letter every post, I should perhaps seldom offer you a sentiment worthy your notice, which may not be found in Cardiphonia. This publication seems in general acceptable to the Lord’s people (for which I have reason to be thankful) and the awkward circumstance of printing my own letters, while the persons to whom they are addressed are likewise living, is not severely blamed. [3] I am preparing to volumes more, to appear (if I can keep my ground and my resolution) after my decease; [4] but I know some of my partial friends will want to have them abroad likewise while I am living.
Enough of self – Oh Madam, that I could send you a warm word concerning Jesus – like a coal of fire to set your heart in a flame of love, admiration and joy! All other objects and subjects detached from him, are like the creation without light – every beauty hidden, every comfortable perception impracticable. But he is the Sun of the soul and in his light other things appear visible and beautiful, and all that are so instituted representations to remind us of himself. Trees, flowers, hills, rivers, fountains, houses, gardens are images employed in the Scripture to help our conceptions of his goodness and suitableness, and that look which way we will, something may meet our view to recall him to our thoughts. [5] For alas we are very prone to forget him, or to sink into low, faint, cold thoughts of him. But he is the Chief Good, who is and who has enough for All – a fountain always full and always flowing. And he is the true friend, who loved his enemies so as to die for them. And he is the true light, who affords such discoveries of God, of the requirements and harmony of the divine perfections, as solve all scruples and hard questions, and convince us that his wisdom, justice, truth, holiness, love and grace are all equally glorified in the salvation of sinners. What a wide field of thought, do the revealed methods of redemption open to the contemplative mind! And how do these truths feed and perfect the understanding, attract and elevate the affections, and assimilate the will into a union and conformity with the will of God!
The Lord is pleased to make us comfortable here. I have health, freedom and acceptance in my public work. Mrs N_ though often complaining, is upon the whole pretty well. On Monday next we hope to set off for Bedford and from thence to Olney. [6] I shall be glad to see my old place and my poor people, having been from them above 16 months, the first 12 of which they were very uncomfortable. But they have now my friend and neighbour Mr Scott for their Minister, under whom I hope they will be happy. I have a wish to proceed to Leicester, but know not as yet how it will be. We hope to return to London about the 29 or 30 June.
We join in respects to Mr Gardiner. How glad should we be to see you in Charles Square Hoxton!
I am Madam
Your affectionate servant
John Newton
29 May 81
If we go to Leicester, we should like to proceed to Melton and from thence to Sleaford. We should like it – and yet we ought not, for were it the Lord’s will, and best upon the whole it would be practicable.
[to]
Mrs Gardiner
Sleaford
Lincolnshire
[on the back: Published in “L'Observateur Chrétien” Island of Jersey][28 September 1833] [Published as ‘No. 7’ in full except for the final sentence preceding the valediction]
Endnotes:
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[1] |
John Bristol wrote to Mrs Gardiner from London on 21 December 1780 ‘agreeable to your permission’ to let her know that he and his wife were on their way to Sleaford to take up his ministry, adding: ‘It is our desire and prayer that a divine blessing may attend your endeavours to promote his glory and the salvation of his people… We shall enquire as you direct us for Mrs Forsaith.' (Morgan Museum and Library, MA 733.44). This seems likely to be the John Bristol who died in 1800. If so, he was briefly at Zion Chapel, Hen Lane in Sleaford, subsequently founded a Meeting House in Garden Street Sheffield and later another in Water Lane, Stockport. |
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[2] |
The Morning Herald of 20 January 1781 carried an advertisement for Cardiphonia, printed for Buckland and Johnson, as did the Morning Chronicle for 22 January 1781 |
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[3] |
The Gospel Magazine of June 1781 gives a Review of Cardiphonia. Noting that ‘the methods of the Lord’s working, by his grace in the soul, are clearly and scripturally set forth’, the reviewer concludes: ‘This admirable collection of letters will afford, by the divine blessing, a fund of comfort, encouragement, support, and strength to a true believer.’ This remains the opinion of many today who benefit from reading these letters, agreeing with this reviewer that they ‘contain so many directions for a holy walk and warfare, that we can hardly think a Christian library could be complete without them’. |
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[4] |
A further collection of Newton’s letters to 13 people were published in his Works as ‘intended as a Sequel to Cardiphonia’. |
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[5] |
See for instance ‘Book 2’ of Olney Hymns for Newton’s hymns based on the rainbow, thunder, lightning, an eclipse of the moon, moonlight, the sea, the flood, the thaw, the spider and the bee, that tamed lion, sheep, the garden, a garden seat, etc – how all these leas to thoughts of Christ and the spiritual life. |
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[6] |
In Bedford Newton took a last glance at Dorothy Foster-Barham (1721-1781), his close Moravian friend, who died later that year. William Cowper (1731-1800) eagerly anticipated Newton’s visit:
Old Winter halting o'er the mead, Bids me and Mary mourn ;
But lovely Spring peeps o'er his head, And whispers your return. |
Acknowledgements:
Morgan Museum and Library MA 733.13 |
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