INTRODUCTORY LETTER. Addressed to Mrs. Ring, of Reading, Berks. MY DEAR MADAM, WHILE reading to you some of the original Letters of which this Volume is composed, addressed by our revered friend, the late Rev. JOHN NEWTON, to my beloved parents, you observed, "It is selfish to retain such a treasure in the bosom of your own family;" and expressed a wish that they might be offered to the public, and particularly to the afflicted and nervously dejected, for their edification. The same wish has been expressed by some other respected friends; with which I now cheerfully comply. These Letters were written in the freedom of cordial and confidential friendship, without any view toward their publication; but I hope I may feel persuaded, that the benignant smile which I always received from the writer, during his visits to my relatives, would not now, were he living, be changed into a frown; and that could my departed parents be consulted, their cheerful acquiescence would be readily obtained for their further circulation, in the confident hope of their more extended usefulness. In sending them to the press, I have but one feeling of reluctance, which I am persuaded my beloved parents in the same case would have had : it is this, that their little acts of friendship and Christian love should be made so public; but I know you agree with me, that their statement could not be suppressed, without doing injustice to the character of our reverend and valued friend. When I consider those acts of friendship were only such as became the Christian character, I sacrifice my reluctance to their publicity, to the ardent desire, that these excellent Letters may be found as consoling to others under affliction, as they were to those to whom they were originally addressed; and as, under the weight of various heavy trials, I have found them myself. To you, my dear and kind friend, I owe my best thanks for your voluntary assistance in transcribing them for the press; and the Christian public will be also indebted to you for the addition which you have made to their number, of original Letters received by you from the same writer. May the perusal of the volume which is ushered into the world with your approbation, prove to you a source of consolation whenever your spirits may require support; and that you and your invaluable and highly esteemed partner may long enjoy the rich blessings so often implored for you by our reverend and mutual friend, is the heart-felt desire of, My dear madam, Your very affectionate and grateful friend, THE EDITOR. |