Maria Grace Andrews, Salisbury, to Anne Andrews, Isleworth, Saturday, [4 January 1794].

Saturday Morning

My dear Love,

   I hasten to relieve you, from the uneasiness my silence has occasion’d, tho’ I feel somewhat embarrass’d with an explanation, of the Cause. I might recount a variety of particulars, which have tended to effect this delay, but ye time forbids. – I have not indeed been free altogether, from indisposition, either as it respects Mind, or Body.  Our dear G.M:hr has been severely afflicted, several times since I wrote, poor Mr H–  is very low & of consequence very unequal in his temper, a prominent feature this in our sin deform’d Nature, impatience of affliction.  Very different is ye experience of Man in general, from what our Fathers favorite Bard, confesses, when he say’s – “sweet are ye uses of Adversity,” & tho unpleasant to our natural senses as a Toad, yet like yt, “it wears a precious Jewel in its head.” –  It will be a distinguish’d mercy, for us, if we are found among those who have felt it good, to be afflicted, while I possess a comfortable Evidence of this in my own bosom.  I wd unite with him, who addressing ye Father of Mercies, said, “for all I thank Thee; Most for ye severe.” –

   Now pray don’t be dejected, on my acc:t.  I have been rather perplex’d in my Mind, & suffer’d from a cold in my body, but the malady of ye latter, is subsiding. & tho’ the former is not dissipated; ‘tis very tolerable. I have been very anxious concerning you, my dear Creature, but hope springs up within me, when I consider the strength, & security of ye Everlasting Arms which are ye refuge of every believing Soul.  Oh! when I am penetrated with this thought, I seem to rise above ye weakness, & wickedness, of discontent.  How ignorantly then do they presume who esteem true Religion, a gloomy discomfortable thing, which unfits its Votaries, for any usefulness in life.  No, we may venture to say, the lives of true Xians, are ye most profitable, to ye World, while they live above it. Ah! but it is this living above, which moves its hatred because with Paul, inspired with sacred fortitude, they can say in ye midst of suffering, “None of these things move us; neither count we our lives dear” &c or full of holy contempt for ye persecutor, declare with ye hebrew worthies, preparing for ye Furnace: “We are not careful to answer Thee.” – but I forbear if my dear Father, looks over this, he will say perhaps, does this little Fanatic, write nothing but Sermons?  My duteous remembrances to him; & I am indebted for his kind solicitude. –

   A few words on business. My G:mhr is in real want of yr Counterpane; she was to have in return for the damask Cloth. I entreat you to consider it since ye present state of my finances, absolutely incapacitates me for such purchases here.  Indeed I < > uncomfortably straiten’d.  This indeed < > Fathers consideration.  I can add with < > grieved to trouble him in this way < >.

   Adieu   I have many kind enquiries made for you, from my friends, but none of them ask with a tenderness more sincere & solicitous than,

                     Yr affec:te Sister & unworthy Friend

                                             Maria Grace Andrews

< > it dispose of my Comp:ts as you think < > & Mrs H—g wd be rememberd

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 62-63 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.B.4.a.(9.), Angus Library. Address: Miss Andrews | Isleworth | Middx | Janry 2d.   Postmark: Salisbury [1794].