1783 April 2
My dear Madam,
Who is tardy now in writing? I must fine you threepence or fourpence to be paid to the bearer, for letting us be so long without hearing from you. I hope when you do write you will be able to inform us that you and Mr Gardiner (to whom we unite in sincere respects) and your family are well. I shall be willing to pay a little fine to the postman for this information. [1]
We are much as when I wrote last. My Dear has now and then a day’s headache. But in the main is favoured with tolerable health. For some time past she has been anxious for her sister (Mrs Cunningham) in Scotland, whom we expected to come and live with us; but when she was preparing to settle her affairs previous to the journey, she was taken ill, and we have been expecting to hear of her death. [2] The Lord removed her husband and eldest daughter (about 14) in the course of last year. Her only surviving child is now with us (she is about 12). She likewise has brought with her from Scotland a hectic [3] and cough, and other symptoms of a decline, though we are willing to hope she is something better than when she came up. She has been with us little more than three weeks, long enough however to steal a piece of our hearts, for she is an affectionate, amiable child. These things affect my Dear more than I could wish. But the whole case is in the Lord’s hands. Not only does he appoint our trials, but the degree of impression every trial makes upon our minds, is under his direction likewise. And he is wise and gracious, he knows and considers our frame, and encourages us to hope he will lay no more upon us, than he will enable us to bear.
We remember with pleasure at your visit last summer, and wish to see you here again. I sometimes catch myself wishing to see Sleaford, but it is a thought which quickly dies away, for want of a little probability to keep it alive. If I could I would.
The situation of Mr Morse has given me pain, and so have the disagreeables that have happened between him and his Rector. I profess myself a friend to Mr Morse, and wish to approve myself so, to the utmost of my power – at the same time I am willing to keep my fingers out of the fire. I am or would be cautious of meddling with what does not properly concern me. What truth and friendship demand I would perform, and so far as these will permit I study peace. I trust it will also prove to Mr Morse’s good in the end, though at present his lot is not joyous but grievous. He has some friends who will watch for opportunities of serving him, and who will probably have it in their power, sooner or later. At present I understand he is to remove to Mr Pugh’s, and I hope before it be necessary for him to leave Rauceby, something will offer. If he trusts in the Lord he may be tried, but he cannot be forsaken.
Dr Peckwell some time ago asked me if I could recommend a Curate to him. Just then Mr Brodbelt a friend of mine [4] (and whose desires towards the Ministry had perhaps been principally confirmed by my advice) was seeking a title for orders. I named him, Dr Peckwell accepted him, since which he has been ordained and will soon be in Bloxham. I had not at the time the least reason to suppose that Mr Morse (after what had passed) wished to stay a day longer than the quarter in the Curacy, as he made us intimation of that sort.
Mr Brodbelt is a young man, a West Indian educated at Harrow School, entered at Lincoln’s Inn, with the view of being a Counsellor. But grace touched his heart, and when he had received the Gospel, the practice of the Law appeared to him involved with so many difficulties and temptations, that he was afraid to go on, especially as his future department would have been in the West Indies – where indeed they have neither the means of grace nor the hope of glory. Thus his thoughts turned towards the Church, and I encouraged him – having good reason to believe, that the turn of his mind, his natural and acquired abilities, and a real spirituality and humility indicated that if the Lord called and brought him into his service, he would prove an able, faithful, useful minister of the New Testament. As he is coming into your neighbourhood I thought Mr Gardiner and you, would like to have some account of him, and therefore I have sent thus much.
We unite in affectionate respects.
I am Madam
Your faithful and obliged friend and servant
John Newton
Hoxton 2 April 83
[to]
Mrs Gardiner
Sleaford
Lincolnshire
Endnotes:
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[1] |
Until 1840 it was the recipient who paid for any letters sent to them, unless the letters had been franked (sent free through parliamentary privilege). |
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[2] |
Elizabeth Cuningham née Catlett (1730 - 1783), sister of Newton’s wife Mary née Catlett (1729-1790). Elizabeth married James Cunningnham (1723-1782). Their children were John (1765-1777), Susie (1768-1782) and Eliza (1771-1785). See www.johnnewton.org/cuningham. |
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[3] |
A ‘hectic’ was the term used to describe an habitual fever. |
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[4] |
George Campbell Brodbelt (1760-1801), while training to be a barrister became friendly with Henry Foster (1745-1814) and was converted. He studied under Thomas Clarke (1719-1795) of Chesham Bois and was ordained curate of Bloxham on 16 March 1783 at the nomination of Henry Peckwell. |
Acknowledgements:
Morgan Museum and Library MA 733.18 |
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