in attempting an answer; and I shall leave it entirely to you whether to own the receipt of this, as I shall await your directions, which, dear Madam, will absolutely determine the resolution of him who is, with the truest sympathy, a sharer in your distress, and

Your most obliged, most obedient Servant,

R. CRUTTENDEN.

DEAR SIR,

FROM NATHANIEL NEAL, ESQ.

Tunbridge Wells, Sept. 1, 1751. I FEEL a struggle in my breast whilst I deliberate whether, considering the feeble state of your health, I should break or keep silence; but such is the officiousness of friendship, anxious, though impotent, to afford relief, that inquiry must be made after an afflicted friend, though at some hazard of disturbing his slumbers.

How affected we all were (in which number I include Mr. Barker and his lady, for in our love, and in our distress for you, we are all one) with those various events which befel you in your progress to, and on your arrival at Bristol, I choose not to mention; yet I trust in God, it will be seen in the issue, that it was the kind hand of his providence that conducted you thither, as to the waters of life for though to you it were a matter of choice, not to revive at all, till you obtain a part in the better resurrection, yet, in compassion to us, in compassion to the world, it is my daily prayer (Oh, forgive me this wrong!) that you may not yet increase the number, and inhance the triumphs of the blessed.·

I persuade myself, my dear friend, that you have left all your cares as well as all your business at Northampton, and that you will be inaccessible to every uninvited guest.

Ceremony is the bane of solitude; and even the draught of pious or cheerful converse should be taken in measure, where the appetite of the soul is so eager, and every kind of exercise has been found so fatal.

I presume you know before this time that the examination of your pupils on Monday last (as far as was consistent with your absence) proceeded with signal honour to Mr. Clark, and satisfaction to the trustees, of which Mr. Price has, by letter, since his return, given me a most obliging account. But whence have you your remittances to Bristol? The settling accounts is a trouble of which you should now be eased: I desire, therefore, that either you or Mrs. Doddridge will draw on me for any sum you want, without any other ceremony. than advising me of it by a line; or if you can devise any other method to prove my friendship, it will be a kind relief to one who is oppressed under a sense of his inability, in this season of difficulty, to do you service.

And now, my dear friend, though I am no advocate for the sleeping of the soul, yet methinks I could wish that you, who are all soul, having so nearly worn out the frail vehicle in its service, could for a while suspend the thinking power, that the body might have time to revive. We all submit to deny ourselves the expectation of hearing from you, that the time a letter would cost you may be devoted to rest. A line from any hand will satisfy us, if you are better; and, if otherwise, a word will be more than we can well support. Compliments are vain whilst you possess our hearts; and as for Mrs. Doddridge, while as ministering to you she shares the office, may she partake of the refreshment of angels!

Adieu. Be God ever with you; which is the most comprehensive good that can be wished you by

Your most affectionate Friend and humble Servant,

N. NEAL.

FROM THE HON. MRS. SCAWEN.

Maidwell, September 1, 1751. THE Concern I have been in for my dear friend's illness is not to be expressed. I never thought I had so great a value for you as when I had some forebodings of losing you. Many prayers and tears have I poured out for your recovery; and, to use your own expression, in a letter to my mother* when she lay on her dying bed, at Reading, "if the most importunate prayers can keep you out of heaven, you must live, you might dread to think how long." I have commenced an epistolary correspondence with your eldest daughter, and had a letter last Friday from her, which acquainted me that the waters agreed with her dear Papa, and I hope the same healing qualities will continue, and restore you to your health and usefulness. But pray do not hurry away from Bristol too soon, which I fear may be the case, before the cure is perfected.

I beg my compliments to Mrs. Doddridge, and remain, with sincerity, good Dr. Doddridge's most affectionate sympathising friend and humble servant,

T. SCAWEN.

P.S. Mr. Scawen and my daughter present their com

pliments.

FROM MR. WILLIAMS.+

Kidderminster, Sept. 2, 1751.

DEAR, AND MUCH HONOURED SIR,

WHITHER you are going perhaps I shall not follow you just now, but I trust, through the riches of adorable Grace, I shall follow you hereafter. I am grieved for myself and for many dear friends, for the church militant, and particu

*Lady Russell.

+ Of Kidderminster.

larly for your own dear charge, and most sensibly of all for dear Mrs. Doddridge and your children. But I dare to congratulate you, dear saint, that having fought a good fight, you are so near the end of your course, and will quickly receive a glorious crown. I rejoice that your evening sun has no cloud ! God is faithful ! Those who know his name will put their trust in him. Jesus, our almighty friend, is full of compassion, is afflicted in all your affliction, and will not fail to succour you in the darkest hour. Human nature, perhaps, cannot be quite fearless of approaching dissolution; but Faith will obtain the victory. God sees fit to hold his dear children in a state of dependence to the last; but the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for you, and will be ever near. You have had many a Pisgah view; and if it be best, you shall have another, a clearer than ever yet, before you pass Jordan. And doubt not, my dear Sir, but He who cut off the waters from before the ark, and caused his chosen people to pass dry shod into Canaan, can do as much for

you.

It will be the joy of my heart to hear you had a triumphant passage into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It will also be the joy of my heart if I may have opportunity and ability any way to serve and promote the interests of your dear surviving relatives. And it shall be my daily prayer that your faith may not fail. But I am a poor intercessor. It is well you have many miany others, and One that is infinitely better.

I am deeply sensible, dearest Sir, that I can add nothing to you; yet I had a mind to give you this renewed testimony of how much I am, with the tenderest respect,

Dear Sir,

Your sympathising Friend

And greatly obliged humble Servant,

Jos. WILLIAMS.

FROM THE REV. W. WARBURTON, D.D.

DEAR SIR,

Prior Park, Sept. 2, 1751.

YOUR kind letter gave me, and will give Mr. Allen great

Death, whenever it is to be envied, not

concern; but for ourselves, not you. happens, in a life spent like yours, pitied; and you will have the prayers of your friends, as conquerors have the shouts of the crowd. God preserve you; if he continues you here, to go on in his service; if he takes you to himself, to be crowned with glory.

your

Be assured the memory of our friendship will be as durable as my life. I order an inquiry to be made of health from time to time; but if you fatigue yourself any more in writing, it will prevent me that satisfaction. I am,

Dear Sir,

Your most affectionate Friend and Brother,

W. WARBURTON.

TO MISS DODDRIDGE.

Bristol Wells, Sept. 4, 1751.

I THANK my dear Polly for her affectionate letter and prudent care of my affairs; and I thank God that I have such a daughter. I can write but little, but I give you the pleasure of telling you that I am really and certainly a little better, and that I have great hopes that God will hear the many prayers offered, and conduct me home, in due time, with joy. In the mean while let us leave ourselves with God,-submit to his providence, and hope in his mercy.