have been inoculated. William has got quite through, and the other two appear to be doing well.—I do not once ask for a letter from you, but could you depute one of your daughters to write, you know not the pleasure it would afford me to hear from you. At all times, my dear, but particularly at this anniversary of your sorrow, believe me as bearing you on my mind in the most tender sympathy, and that as ever, I am your truly affectionate. M. C. My dear LETTER XIV. Margate, May 11, 1801. I am glad my dear's journey was crowned with a pleasant interview between her and her beloved children, and that she was well in health and found them so likewise. Oh the mercies of which we are the daily recipients, because common the less observed! But I would not be so uncharitable as to think all are ungrateful because I am. Many indeed seem to be so blessed, as to have that happy talent of improving their mercies, and profiting by their crosses.— These blessings are the gifts of GOD. May we be earnest in seeking them at his hand, in casting all our care upon him, committing our way unto him; knowing that he will assuredly bring all that to pass, which shall be for his glory to give, and for our good to receive. More than this we would not, we dare not, wish. Clouds and darkness ofttimes seem to be round about him; but let us always remember, that "righteousness and "judgment are the habitation of his throne." I am persuaded the nearer we live to God, the more we are influenced and actuated by principles of love to, and dependence on, him the more silently submissive shall we be, and the less liable to be tossed to and fro by the various and unaccountable trials, with which we are often assaulted, at one time from within, and at another from without. But not one perplexity and vexation do we meet with, that does not result from the appointment and determinate counsel of our GOD. In his own time these things are brought to pass, and they never lie heavier than he enables us to bear; nor are they continued one moment longer than is absolutely necessary to teach us the lesson he designs by such discipline. Oh that we were wise to understand and profit by these things, which we are from time to time called upon to suffer! Your affectionate, &c. M. C. LETTER XV. June 9, 1801. To one so well taught as my dear ——, it is needless to observe that all our disap pointments come from the hand of the LORD. We cannot however, always realize this as we would wish to do; but I will hope that it may be your happiness on this occasion to say " Not my will, but thine be "done." All this will prepare the mind of my dear for what I have further to write, which is that the house you wished for is let; if you fix upon any other, be assured I will readily attend to all your wishes respecting it. Our's I can but repeat, is at the service of as many of your family as we can accommodate. Let me hear from you, and with kind love sorry LETTER XVI. Margate, June 18, 1801. I should be tempted much to say how which have occurred respecting the lodgings; but that this seems to have proceeded from the LORD so evidently, that it is our duty to say, "Thy wise will be done." If my dear I can do any thing when the people leave let me know. How much I am obliged by your truly kind invitation to your always hospitable roof! and were it not for the strong ties of a beloved husband and dear children, I believe I should get the better of all other difficulties, and once more visit where I have spent many much to be remembered happy days.Should an opportunity occur that Mr. Ccould accompany me, I would very gladly come indeed. I should have written to you before, but my dear William has been very poorly; but through mercy he (as also myself) is pretty well again. How How many Ebenezers have we to raise! And how often may I say, I was brought low, and he helped me! We had a most sweet sermon from Mr. |