WELL, Sister M. and how do you do? What dost thou think concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man mighty in word and deed before God and all the people, who loved poor sinners with a love stronger than death, and who for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich, 2 Cor. viii. 9. Dost thou see any form or comeliness in him whereby he may be desired? Do thy thoughts go out after him, and hover like a swarm of bees over, and about him? Is there any desire in thy soul after him? Hast thou got any wounds that want healing, any appetite that wants filling, any blindness that wants removing, any hardness that wants melting, any grief that wants soothing, any, debts that want discharging, any filth that wants purging, any spots that want washing, any knots that want untying, any bonds that want loosing, any broken bones that want binding up, any faintings that require strength, any weak hands or feeble knees, or in short art thou full of wants and wanting? If so give me thine hand, and come up into the chariot, and see my zeal for God.
I am servant to the great physician; I visit my master's patients, inquire after their health, lay their various cases before him, carry out his medicines, and am an eye, ear, and living witness of an innumerable number of wonderful cures; even the leprosy, the scurvy, the plague of the heart, and plague of the head. I attend conceptions, soul-labour, and soul-travail. I have been at the birth of the new man, and the death of the old one. I have Been a wet, and a dry nurse. I have attended miscarrying wombs, and untimely fruit like a snail, that has never seen light. I have made caudle for others when I have wanted it myself. I have given suck to strangers, and at times envied every drop they have swallowed down. I have been permitted to carry leaves from the tree of life, and gather fruit from the same every mouth, week, day, and hour, and sometimes all day long. I have been permitted to carry my Master's robe from place to place, among the sick, and as many as have touched it have been made perfectly whole.
And now as I have showed you my country and my occupation, trim whence I came, what people I am of, and my present calling; Is there any thing wanting in our way? What sayest thou of thyself? Consider these things, weigh them well, and seek relief while it may be had. If thou art sensible of thy wants, then learn for the future to show more lenity, becoming thy high station; severity seldom succeeds, nor cloth it spread the fame, or add to the honour of the higher powers. Sister M. farewell, be of good comfort; seek the best treasure, the best way, and the best end. While I remain, with all due respect, distance, and submission,
Your Greatness's most obedient and most devoted servant for his sake,
W. HUNTINGTON.
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