NOTHING, my clear sister, has kept me so long from acknowledging the receipt of your basket, but the hard labour and fatigue of writing the book in hand, which seems to grow so fast in my mind, and to swell so big in my hands, that I know not when I shall finish it. These, my dear girl, are not tines for the poor of the flock to abound in liberality; I was pleased at the good will, but the deed must hurt you; besides, the poor oppressing the poor, is a sweeping rain that leaves no food behind, Prov. xxviii. 3.
The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich, to some he gives a fortune in gold, to others in faith; the former lives upon his stock in hand, the latter by faith on the Lord's promised bounty; the former is an independent, the latter a pauper, and of all trades that is on foot, begging is the best. Heaven is the mansion house, the cross the door-post, Christ the door, God the benefactor, the sensible sinner the beggar, the Spirit the pleader, faith the hand, conscience the mouth; and nothing can feed it but blood, righteousness, peace, love, comfort, and experimental knowledge. His flesh is meat, his blood is drink, his comforts are milk, his love wine, his peace a river; and to eat the little book is to feed upon knowledge and understanding.
This last is a dry crust put between our gums to mump upon, when weaning time comes on, which are bad days for little ones, who would much rather quiddle the breast, as long as there is a drop to be got; but it must not be so done in our country, for fear of making us pot-bellied, large bodies but little heads; much life and power, but no wisdom or knowledge to defend ourselves against thieves and robbers. Farewell, be a good girl, and mind your books; the day book, conscience; the post hook, the Bible; the ledger, the book of life: and when it is well with you remember me. My love to your husband.
Ever your's in faith and love,
W. H., S. S.
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