Anne Andrews, Salisbury, to Elizabeth Saffery, Bristol, [Tuesday], 14 October 1794.

Sarum  Oct:r 14th  1794

Dear Madam

   I hope I need not assure you of the lively emotion of pleasure with which I received the much wish’d for letter; I flatter myself my dr Mrs Saffery does not entertain a doubt of the tender interest I take in every thing that concerns her, and tho’ I had been before inform’d by Mrs Marsh of your safe arrival and of the amendment of your health, which sufficed to gratify every degree of disinterested affection in my breast, yet Self would put in its claim to a share of the enjoyment, and earnestly pleaded for a particular testimony have often had experience of his covetous, insatiate disposition, I do not depend on any continuance of this peaceable frame – let me leave this trifling –

   I indeed rejoice at your recovery in part from so painful an indisposition & trust that the Lord will go on to perfect it  those who suffer much from bodily affliction have frequently much to declare of the tender mercies of God, as manifested in an especial manner in their behalf, not only as finding that Everlasting Arm which upholds all things, underneath them for their support, in those moments when fainting Nature yields to the violence of disease; but from the supplies of strength vouchsafed them from time to time, enabling them to discharge those duties and services to which they are call’d: I have seen this strikingly exemplified in one of those happy sufferers who are appointed to glorify God in the furnace of affliction; almost indeed in a miraculous degree – I think I may venture to say without fear of error that there have been those who have done more to promote God’s glory & further his cause and interest in the World, while on a Bed of languishing, than some real christians have, in the whole course of a life of health and vigour.  Surely my dr Friend the very thought of being more instrumental in advancing the honor of our divine Master in Sickness or adversity of any kind, should make even pain sweet but alas! we are often led to see in this instance, what is meant by the spirit’s being willing but the flesh weak; we naturally shrink back from the very semblance of suffering, and are ready to cry out on every occasion (in a temper of mind materially differing from that in which the Words were originally used, as it respects  submission to the Soverign Will) “let this Cup pass from me” – It is I trust the sincere desire of my Heart that those afflictions with whh you are so frequently exercised may have a powerful tendency to strengthen every race and cultivate every divine temper in your Soul, that you may continue yet more & more to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, going on (as the Psalmist sweetly expresses it) from Strength to Strength – & that you may have abundant consolation from the anticipating, refreshing views of that land where the Inhabitants shall no more say they are sick –

   With respect to the begging business I hope the Lord will not only be better to you than your fears, but exceed even your hopes; he hath magnify’d His Power by making even Enemies to contribute to the necessities of his Saints and hath at all times abundantly honor’d those by his special favor & assistance who have been engaged in building a House in whh to worship Him – but he certainly leaves his People to experience the truth of that declaration in its primary sense – Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts.  Oh ’tis good my Friend to leave our concerns with Him who worketh all things according to the unsearchable counsels of His righteous Will, & who will never disappoint those that trust in him. 

   In reply to your enquiries after our domestic affairs, things at present seem very favorable, both Mr & Mrs Harding appear well pleased with Hannah & notwithstanding the gloomy < > sentiments I felt, I am now induced to hope that she [will] prove a comfort to us  would it were the Lord’s will < > might prove a blessing also in the most enlarged [sense]  She has hitherto been permitted to go to meeting < >

   Will not my dr Mrs Saffery rejoice with me that < > authorised to expect my dr Grace very shortly? yes I know you will.  I know you will join with me in rendering thanks & praise to Him whose Mercy & goodness thus followeth us all our days – I hope you will find her here on your return –

   I must now convey to you a message I am charged with whh will but ill grace my letter; it is from Mrs Marsh who having enquired if I deign’d writing, & being answer’d in the affirmative, commends her love to you by me & declines wirting herself as they are extremely busy.  I assure you I ventured to remonstrate, intimating it was not probable I should meet with thanks for becoming a substitute in this instance but I was constrain’d to acquiesce – many friends desire love & respects Mr & Mrs Roberts in particular   Pray assure dear Mr Saffery of my unfeign’d respect and affection tell him I hope he will not forget to entreat for me at a throne of Grace that I may not be conformed to this World; but that my Conversation may be as becometh the Gospel of Christ – and now my dr Madam I have only to beg you will excuse the freedom I have used in addressing you & that you will impute it to the sincerity of my affection  it is indeed a privilege to whh you have admitted me in allowing me to call you my friend under this character then I subscribe myself

                     Yours with the truest respect

                                 Anne Andrews

Hannah begs love

I have heard from Mrs Scott she is entirely confined with her knee so as to be carried up & down stairs she unites with Mr S– in kind respects to you & Mr Saffery –  I should have been happy to have told you how they go on with the building but am not sufficiently inform’d myself – the prospect of your return constrains me to rejoice in the hasty flight of Time  may I expect to be favour’d with another letter before that period arrives:  I wd not be too importunate

Mr & Mrs Harding send respects

Text: Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.A.5.(a.), Angus Library, Regent's Park College, Oxford. Address: Mrs Saffery | Tabernacle House | Bristol. Postmark: Salisbury. For an annotated version of this letter, see Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 84-86.