(seq. 30)

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[fol. 2v]

Last evening, my friend, I saw her, who, "as she becomes
"more & more an interesting Subject to" you, grows, if possible,
in my esteem. I hardly dare confess, how highly she ranks in
my affections. Heartily do I rejoice, that she is likely to be connect-
ed, in the dearest bonds of union, with one, who is, every way, wor-
thy of her, & of whom she is, in all respects, worthy. This looks
like enthusiam. It is not hyperbole. I do not envy your
happiness; tho' I should almost entertain that sentiment to-
wards one less deserving. I designedly forbore mentioning your
name, that I might witness the conflict of affection with dif-
fidence. At length so great was the effervescence of the for-
mer, that with a burning check & trembling voice, she inquired,
if I had written to Mr. A. I told her, I had not; & gave my
excuse. I asked her, if she had heard from you, & what was
your journey, &c. She read me a short passage, respecting ordi-
nation; wh contained, however, not one particular. But not
another syllable could I see or hear with the utmost persua-
tion, tho' she confessed, you said something of me. N. in-
forms me, that she has not seen the letter. I conclude,
therefore, that your "heart, like a faithful dam, accumulated
"such a flood of matter," during your journey, that it has expe-
rienced an inundation, & that, through a secret pipe, you
have been conveying the superfluity to kindred streams.

You criticise my application of "sterner stuff" to N. in
comparison with E. I am not, always happy in the choice, & pro-
fess never to be obstinate in defense, of my expressions. All, I
intended, was, that the former had not that exquisite sensibility,
wh is the peculiar property of the latter. I cannot inform you, how
I meant to apply this, as I have forgotton the connexion.

I rejoice, my friend, that the doubt & perplexities, wh gave
an unusual complexion to your last, are dissipated, never more
to return. Gloomy as they were, they struck a sympathetic chord
in my soul, wh gave me a mournful pleasure. In such seasons,
to spread our sorrows before a faithful friend affords a relief, little
short of consolation.

Last week I received an unexpected, but very agreeable
visit from Rev. Mr. B. of W. He brought pleasing intelligence from
my best friend. On his arrival, I sent immediately for a [ ], with
wh we beguilded a few hours. He talks to me of New Braintree,

[fol. 2r]

in his neighborhood, I cannot, will not set an earlier period
for beginning to preach, than Spring. If that parish be then un-
provided for, I may possibly, be invited to preach there, on probation.
But what can I do amid such a swarm of candidates, as fill
the air from every quarter. I cannot expect, that I know my
best interest, I cannot wish a speedy settlement. My ignorance
of the Scripture, but, especially, my unacquaintance with the com-
position forbids the idea. You may whisper into my ear, "It is
"good to make a virtue of necessity"; but it now appears to me,
I shall be contented to remain unsettled six years.

Thanksgiving with a few contiguous days I expect to
spend at N. If you are my friend, wish me joy. But oh! my
friend, the pleasure I receive in the company of my ----
is greatly diminished by the uncertainty, the gloominess of my
prospects. What must be my condition, if the world so frown on my
attempts to acquire a humble situation, that I shall be obliged
to abandon a connexion, wh, every day, becomes firmer. But, as
this subject, wh has never occupied your thought, I will not
trouble you with further reflections on it. Neither will I
disturb myself with the anticipation of evil; considering
that, Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof; and [ ]id
ing in that providence, wh has hitherto granted me[ ]
greatest requests. My only apology, & indeed my only jus[ ]
tion, for commencing this unseasonably a'suit of t[ ]
must be, "Amor jussit."

I intreat you , Sir, to write me the particulars of
your journey, the ordination, &c. by the next post. You
will lay me under a very great obligation. I will do
any thing to repay you. Mr. H. will not, I presume, be
able to exchange with you, very soon, as his wife is about
making an addition to his family.

I should fill my sweet with something or oth-
er, were not the bearer waiting to take it.

Receive this "multifarious jargon," as a fresh
token of that friendship, with wh I am your
sincere & affectionate

Philos.

Notes and Questions

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RCH in KZ

Line 72: By my evaluation, the author has seemingly written: "a'suit" or "a' suit", which I cannot make into an understandable word or phrase (using Google translate for Latin and French). Review by a Latin and/or French expert recommended.

Line 72: "Amor jussit" translates from Latin as "love commanded" which seems appropriate for the context of the letter, compared to "Amor jusit" which has no rational translation, or "Amor justit" which translates as "love of justice".