To his Sister Ann, greeting, with perfect peace arid at such a name.
MY dear Sister in the best sense, in the best of families, and in the best of bonds; the offspring of the best of Fathers, the young branches of the plant of renown, the elder brother, the righteous branch, the first-born who makes us heirs of his own Father, and joint-heirs with himself; "My Father and your Father, my God and your God."
Reflecting this morning early of what I have been, and what God ever has been; what I have done against him, and what he has done for me; the many servants of sin and Satan that I have been a servant to, and where they are all gone to now, and what the servant of servants is now come to; what I have in hand, and what in hope – I could sleep no longer, and therefore concluded to rise betimes and write to my poor Ann, to trouble her as well as those of my own house. Looking back upon past experiences in providence and grace, is reading that part of the scriptures which is fulfilled and sealed up; and looking forward in faith and hope is reading the other part yet to be accomplished in us for to the heir of promise all must be fulfilled.
"Lord what is man that thou art mindful of him?" Oh, Ann, whatever thou dost, observe, watch, ponder over, and consider the Holy Spirit's teachings. The pleasing motions, citations, excitations, sensations, attractions, allurements, encouragements, benign influences, healing beams, quickening rays, pleasing hints, and heavenly dictations; all these, and thousands more does he give to poor souls, who without his divine aid would sit solitary, and remain in eternal widowhood.
Observe also the effects of his operations; what self-loathing, abhorrence, contrition, humiliation, filial fear, sounding bowels, goings forth of love, flowings of gratitude, springs of pious sorrow and holy grief, penitential tears and humbling joys, which are produced and felt under his prolific inspirations. Observe these and obey them, sow to the Spirit and you shall reap life everlasting. To sow to him is to pray, to bless, to bewail, confess, thank, adore, &c. as the impulse and impression leads you. When these, sweet influences are suspended, thou wilt find and feel what a poor empty, lifeless machine thou art, and by observing the contrast is the Spirit known. He lusts for us, and the flesh lusts against him, and wars against the soul. "Whoso is wise and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord."
Many, many, yea, the sweetest moments that ever I knew in this world, have I enjoyed by observing and obeying this divine Instructor, which the world knows nothing of. Many sweet promises has he applied, many comfortable frames, future views, and heavenly prospects has he bestowed on the Coalheaver, even when I was slaving in that dark drudgery, in the worst of company, and for the worst of pay. Sure I am that the more we are in reading, thinking, and closet-praying, the more observant and obedient to the Spirit's teaching, the more tender, lowly, meek, and heavenly-minded we are, and of course nearer to God; the more free from, and dead to this world, and all its vanities, which clog Conscience, quench love, and make Faith lame in both her feet. Yea, it closes the hand of God, hides his face, bolts the door of mercy, closes our own hearts, and furnishes the devil with title and salary; it makes him an accuser of us, and furnishes him with accusations against us.
And now mine elect Lady, Doctor Sack, from the barge takes his leave, and saluteth you with, All hail, and be of good cheer; and when it is well with thee remember
W. H.
P. S. Jesus loves us, and that is enough.
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