Maria Grace Andrews, Isleworth, to John Saffery, Salisbury, [Friday], 4 October 1793.

Isleworth  Oct:r 4th 1793

Rev:d Sir,

   I lament that I have no more than sufficient time to thank you for your Condescension in writing, & to entreat a continuance of this indulgent testimony of your friendship, and Compassion; I am too well acquainted with your sentiments to enter into a detail of the many favors you have confer’d on me, but you know dear Sir, if we are not both deceived, that in the Lords hand you have been the means of very important good to me & therefore your encouragement, your admonitions, & if you please, (for I always need them,) your reproofs, will be very profitable.  I hope e’er long to enjoy your instructions more freely at Sarum.  I know you will remember at a throne of Grace a poor Creature, who is often burthen’d with a prayerless heart.  My dear Sister, unites in sentiments of Gratitude, Esteem & Love with Dear Sir Your unworthy Friend,

                                                         Maria Grace Andrews

I was at the parish Church, last Sabbath; & felt a mixture of Pity, & Indignation, I cannot easily describe. I was ready to say, for want of hearing the delightful sound, “Jesus I love Thy charming Name” &c 

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 58 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, box I.A.(13.), Angus Library. Address: Mr & Mrs Saffery. No postmark. Reference above to ‘Jesus! I love thy charming Name’, a hymn by the Independent minister and hymnwriter, Philip Doddridge (1702-51).