Aug. 15, 1798.
My dear Brother and Sister in Christ Jesus,FOR such I must and will call you, as long as you come to the light; for he that doth evil, and only evil, hates it, nor will he come to it, lest his deeds should be reproved, John iii. 20. He is of God, that constantly heareth God's word; not only because he with joy receives it: but he is of God that constantly heareth God's word, when it doth nothing but reprove and rebuke him, and discovers his evil deeds; and when he understands it and feels it to be against him.
If, we know that we are passed from death unto life, or have the quickening influences of his Spirit upon us, who love the brethren; and, "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him:" and if it be true, that he who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet, and he that receiveth- a righteous man in the name of one, shall receive a prophet's reward, and a righteous man's reward; and if this be true, that not a jot or tittle of Christ's word shall ever pass away unfulfilled-then what can I say of you two? Why, I must say, in the name of God, and I do believe in my conscience, that you both belong to the household of faith; and God knows that I view you as such, and love you as such. And if any thing short of Christ could satisfy you, you have a sufficiency of other provision, and could make provision enough for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. If you had any mind to the country from which you came, you have had opportunity and enticements enough to return; and, why do you not? your hearts are no better than others. The reason is, God will not have it so; they shall be willing, in the day of my power; they shall come to me: this is not your rest, therefore he will not let you rest in it.
I am saddled with one part of your burdens; and do you watch and see if no part departs from you; and whether something, like times of refreshing from the Lord's presence, do not succeed this; and forget not that, "To the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet." Put I think that some thin; will follow, that will not have the aloes in it; for he has said, "Call upon me in the time of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." This I will say, God makes my soul travail for you, if I bring forth nothing but wind; and he knows I have got a pretty many burdens of my own to bear, especially to get a supply for the pulpit, which comes upon me so often.
And since I saw you I have had no small share of inward work, on account of my present undertaking; though I believe that my dream will come to pass, if something is not done to this house, that it will fall, even as it was shewed me in the dream. It is to be sold this day. Father G. and poor E. hurry me on; but I go to the farm like an ox to the slaughter, fearing I shall not clear my way with honour, or be enabled to rub off as I go on. However, my wish is, that the blessing of Abraham may come upon you both, through Jesus Christ: this, dearly beloved, is the earnest prayer of,
One of a sorrowful spirit, and of low degree,
W. H., S. S.
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