Tenth Letter

I have had a good deal of difficulty to bring myself to write to Mr. ——, and I do it now purely because you and Madam —— desire me. Pray write the directions and send it to him. I am very well pleased with the trust which you have in GOD: I wish that He may increase it in you more and more. We cannot have too much in so good and faithful a Friend, who will never fail us in this world nor in the next.

I have found it very difficult to write to Mr. ——. I am doing it now only because you and Madam —— want me to. Please address the letter and send it to him. I am very pleased with your trust in God. I hope he will increase it more and more. We can never have too much trust in such a good and faithful Friend. He will never fail us, in this world or the next.

If Mr. —— makes his advantage of the loss he has had, and puts all his confidence in GOD, He will soon give him another friend, more powerful and more inclined to serve him. He disposes of hearts as He pleases. Perhaps Mr. —— was too much attached to him he has lost. We ought to love our friends, but without encroaching upon the love due to GOD, which must be the principal.

If Mr. ___ learns from his loss and puts all his trust in God, God will soon give him another friend. This friend will be more powerful and more willing to help him. God directs people’s hearts as he pleases. Perhaps Mr. ___ was too attached to the friend he lost. We should love our friends, but not at the expense of the love we owe God. Our love for God must come first.

Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often on GOD, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you: leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone who came to visit you: why then must GOD be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian. In a word, this is our profession; if we do not know it, we must learn it. I will endeavor to help you with my prayers, and am, in our LORD, Yours, &c.

Please remember what I have advised you to do. Think often of God, by day and night, while you work and even while you enjoy yourself. He is always near you and with you. Do not leave him alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone who came to visit you. Why, then, should you neglect God? Do not forget him. Think of him often, adore him continually, and live and die with him. This is the glorious work of a Christian. In short, this is our calling. If we do not know how to do it, we must learn. I will try to help you with my prayers. Yours in our Lord, etc.