Epistles of Faith

Letter XVI

William Huntington (1745-1813)

Dearly beloved in the Lord,

I RECEIVED yours, and will comply with your request, The Letter shall be printed without any embellishments or alterations, any farther than is necessary to make it imitate common sense.

It is but seldom that places of pleasure, like Richmond, produce much of an harvest for God. The seed sown there has fallen chiefly by the way-side, on stony, or on thorny ground. That field has not, as yet, appeared white, ready to harvest; nor is there any likelihood of it, especially while the Lord's day is the only day in the week for business. I have long laboured there, and to little purpose. You know I must preach the gospel to other cities also, for therefore am I sent.

As another door is opened unto me in Southwark, it will not be in my power to visit you often at Richmond. Besides, for the time, you ought to be teachers yourselves, instead of needing one to teach you again, who have long since known the first principles of the oracles of God. You are not become such as have need of milk, you are able to digest strong meat; which is a proof of your being of full age, able to admonish one another, and to hold forth the word of life, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

My lodgings cannot be let. Any thing devoted or consecrated to the priest's use, according to the ancient laws, might be redeemed, by paying the estimation of the priest; but it could neither be let for hire, nor sold. Corban, it is a gift: therefore your spouse cannot be Profited by letting of it.

At present, my tabernacle is weak; various infirmities are creeping on: however, it is better to bow down to the sickle, than to bow down to the slaughter.

My respects to your spouse, and to all that love our Lord Jesus Christ, at Richmond; and believe me to be,

Dearly Beloved,

Yours in the hope of the gospel,

W. H.

William Huntington