Letter XXXVH. TO RICHARD REYNOLDS. My dear Friend, Manchester, 12th Mo. 31, 1802. We are now advanced one year further in life than when we saw each other. We have both lived longer, by many years, than mankind upon an average do. We have had, in our very different allotments, many trials under which we have been supported, and many, very many mercies, which I hope we shall never forget, in humble gratitude, to number. May that Mercy, which hath followed us all the days of our lives, be still graciously continued to us; and may it be our care to wait daily, to feel our strength and hope renewed in Him, who hath hitherto been with us; that so we may derive that holy help and virtue from Him, which will enable us to fill up the measure of our duty as the day advances, and make us fruitful in old age. JOHN THORP. R Letter XXXVI. My dear Friend, To Manchester, 3d Mo. 3, 1803. Being under some engagement to attend a marriage at Morley, I was necessarily deprived of the opportunity of attending our monthly meeting, and consequently of seeing thee and thy family, which otherwise it would have been pleasant for me to have done; for though I might not have been able to have contributed more or less to your comfort, I should at least have had the satisfaction of seeing you, and inquiring of yourselves how you were. I hope, by this time, thy mind is so far composed, (however if that time is not yet come, it will come,) that thou canst look at the late distressing event without pain, and congratulate dear Robert's safe arrival in the heavenly country, where there are neither fears nor conflicts, where all tears are wiped from all faces. It does, indeed, constitute no small part of my present comforts, to contemplate the happy lot of many, whom I have known and loved, and of thousands whom I have never known according to the flesh, who are happily gone before us into the Paradise of God; who, through faith and patience, have inherited the promises. May we not, nay, ought we not, humbly to hope, that through the same mercy which they obtained, we also, in a very little time, may be numbered amongst the children of God, and have our lot among the saints. Meanwhile, let us endeavour to fill up the measure of our duty, through Divine help; let us keep at our post, and be willing to do or suffer what may be appointed for us; and then, however little this may be, it will be accepted. Many, many thousands, who think they have done nothing, who conclude they are unprofitable servants indeed, will certainly be, to their own humbling astonishment, finally owned and accepted of God. "Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?" were the humble queries of those, whom the Judge of quick and dead pronounced "blessed of His Father." Let us then, my dear friend, be encouraged to persevere in the way that is cast up for us, doing with cheerfulness and uprightness of heart, whatsoever our hands find to do, in our humble stations; making the will of our heavenly Father the only rule of our conduct, so far as we are favoured distinctly to know it. Remember the precept of our blessed Lord," take no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Do not afflict thyself by looking forward towards future trials, nor anticipate evils that may never come; but repose thyself in the all-sufficiency and unceasing vigilance of Israel's Shepherd, who loveth and careth for thy children far more than it is possible for thee to do. Cast all thy care upon Him; put thy whole trust in Him; love and serve Him as thy father did, with cheerfulness and full purpose of heart; and then His blessing will rest upon thee and upon thy house. Amen. My wife unites in dear love to thee, to Robert, to Rachel, to Abigail, and Margaret, with thy affectionate friend, JOHN THORP, Dear Friend, Letter XXXIX. TO LINDLEY MURRAY. The letter and book thou wast so kind as to send me by R. R., I received with gratitude; for, though personally unknown, (yet not so by character,) I have no doubt of thy being a fellow-servant of those who serve the best of blessed Masters; and if I do at all desire to be numbered with these, I can say I love my fellowservants, of every department, in the heavenly house. If I covet any thing from or for my fellow-creatures, it is an increase of this disinterested love, and an increasing capacity in myself to receive and return that love. The book will, I hope, be useful to many; from a child, I have been sensible of the benefit of reading the lives of good men; it has a natural tendency to stir up the pure mind. I have no doubt it will afford a pleasing, thankful retrospect when thy day's work shall be nearly finished, that thou hast been diligent in disinterestedly serving thy generation, in things useful and of good report. May both thou and I, my dear friend, be so strengthened to occupy with the talents we have received, that when the day of reckoning shall come, we may, through Divine Mercy, be received amongst the good and faithful. JOHN THORP. Letter XL. TO RICHARD REYNOLDS. My dear Friend, Manchester, 5th Mo. 10, 1803. Near the time when it happened, I heard of the decease of thy dear wife. Since that time, I have often thought of the severe trial and affliction this would be to thee; and should have told |