24 April 1777



My dear Madam
 
If I had wings I should have flown to Leasingham from Olney long ago; and for want of wings I must content myself with longing to wait upon you, though I am so much nearer you now than when at home. I fear you have thought me negligent or what is worse ungrateful, in suffering your last acceptable favour to lie by me so long unanswered. But I have been under an almost continual series of exercises since I received it, and for some time before. When I have thought of writing, sometimes leisure, and sometimes disposition have been wanting. The Lord was pleased to visit Mrs Newton in the winter with an afflicted nervous disorder in her head, which for many weeks almost engrossed my attention, except so far as indispensable duty demanded it. But though he caused grief he had compassion; she is greatly relieved, but something of the complaint still remains. It is one point we have in view by this journey to try if the Lord may be pleased to bless air and exercise for her farther recovery. But as I belong to him, and must not move merely upon a personal concern, other reasons concur to point out our route, which will be from home to Leicester – Warwick, Birmingham and through Lutterworth and Northampton home. I believe I shall stay here till the 5th May. If you should have a spare half hour to favour me with a line before I go from hence it would give me pleasure, if not, I hope to be at Olney on Whitsun Eve. [1]
 
When Mrs Newton grew better – a proposal of removing to Hull, kept us in a state of suspense 6 or 7 weeks. It was a time of trial to me and to Olney. The Lord who brought us together, has been pleased to form a close heart connection between me and his poor people there, so that we could not have been separated without very painful feelings. It was a season likewise of much and earnest prayer, and prayer was remarkably heard. When it seemed fixed and certain that I must go, he wonderfully overruled for my continuance in my beloved situation. For indeed I have no reason to wish for a change on my own account – though being not my own, I am bound, and I hope should not be unwilling to give up all private considerations, and if satisfied that he called me, to go, without reserve or exception to any place he should see fit to appoint. But why do I take up so much of your time about my own concerns? Only that my pen runs freely in writing to you, and I feel a friendship and regard, which will not be fettered by ceremony.
 
I was exceeding glad to find that the Lord had turned your mourning into joy. Your past temptations were grievous, but you will find benefit from them. It is said, He broke the heads of the Leviathan in pieces and gave him to be meat to the people in the wilderness. [2] This in the letter is not easily verified. The Lord fed them with Manna but not with Leviathans. I suppose this animal which the learned tell us is a crocodile, and which is frequent in the Nile, to be an emblem of Egypt. The Lord broke the heads, the power of Egypt, and the display of his wisdom, goodness, strength and faithfulness in Israel’s deliverance, was as food to their faith afterwards, to encourage them to trust him in all future exigencies. Thus the expression may be applied to Satan, that worse than Egyptians tyrant – he has many heads of power and policy with which he pursues believers, but the Lord breaks, crosses and confounds his attempts, and what his people suffer by him is sanctified and overruled to the strengthening of their faith, and the increase of their experience. He is a mighty enemy, but he is conquered, Jesus holds him in chains, and all his assaults shall issue in the Redeemer’s glory and our good.
 
I am sorry you found so much disappointment in the professors you met with. You express my sentiments of such proceedings. If the Gospel does not teach those who receive it, [lac.] humility and love, I think it does but little for them. And I would as willingly (only for example [spend?]) a day in an ale house, as with such Christians as you describe.
 
While I was writing, Dr [Ford asked] me to mention his respects, and a minute after – both Dr and Mrs Ford [3] said (I know not which said it first), How glad should we be were it practicable to see Mrs Gardiner here – who knows but she might be willing to come and Mr Pugh [4] could conduct her – Do invite her – Nay, says I, I never saw Mrs Gardiner in my life – it is as far from Leasingham to Melton, as far from Melton to Leasingham and if I cannot wait upon her, I dare not intimate a wish that she should travel to me. Dr Ford then proposed to take horse and set off to Rauceby to get Mr Pugh to mediate the affair – but on second thoughts he could not be well absent from home. I cannot well leave Mrs Newton – nor could I travel backwards and forwards within the time I could spare. I agreed at last to tell you simply what has passed while I am writing – And to say on the Doctor and Mrs Ford’s part, and in behalf of myself and my Dear – that if such a thing could be, we should greatly rejoice. We all join in respects – and to Mr Pugh whom we should be glad to see.
 
I am Madam,
Your affectionate and obedient servant
John Newton
 
Melton Mowbray
24 April 77
 
[PS]
My letter all but the last paragraph was written to go by the post – but Dr Ford intends sending his servant with it to Mr Pugh. If it be too much to hope to see you here, we hope the time will come when we may receive you at Olney. You will be a very welcome guest. Can you give me any intelligence of Mr Collins? [5]
 
[Addressed to]
Mrs Gardiner
Leasingham
near Sleaford
Leicestershire


Endnotes:
 
 [1] The Newtons left Olney on Wednesday 23 April, visiting Melton Mowbray until 5 May, Leicester until 8 May, Hinckley and Warwick the following day, where Newton left his wife Polly (Mary) (1729-1790) while he proceeded to Birmingham until returning on Monday 12 May, leaving again on 15 May for Lutterworth (he was denied a pulpit there) and Bitteswal, arriving in Northampton on 16 May, preaching that evening at Mrs Trinder’s girls’ school where his orphaned niece Betsy, Elizabeth Catlett (1769-1834) was a pupil. They arrived home on Saturday 17 May.
[2] Psalm 74:14 Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
[3] Thomas Ford (1742-1821), rector of Melton Mowbray, and his wife Elizabeth.
[4] John Pugh (1744-1799), vicar of Rauceby, near Leasingham and about 30 miles from Melton Mowbray. Pugh had visited Newton in Olney in 1773.
[5] Brian Bury Collins (1753/4–1799), was related by marriage to William Gardiner (b. 1735). Collins first visited Newton in Olney in 1773 while a student at St John’s College, Cambridge. His maternal uncle was Thomas Irwin Bury (d 1799) of Linwood Grange, Blankney (9 miles north of Sleaford), after whose death Collins inherited his estate and assumed the surname Bury.

Acknowledgements:
The Morgan Library and Museum MA 733.1
 

30/05/2026