John Newton. One sheet, 12-3/8" x 7-7/8", folded twice vertically, 5 1/8", 5-3/4", and 1-1/8" x 7-7/8". Watermark: Open cap and small caps - "T St (letter or letters covered with seals)ns"

(Page one)

My dear Sir,

As you give me hope of seeing you soon, I should think it quite unnecessary to write. But as you require an answer, I must obey.

I wrote to you from Southampton just when my Curate, Mr. Benamer was removed to a better World. Had your call to leave you place been then clear, & you had liked a London situation, I should have invited you to be my Associate. But I engaged a Curate some time before Christmas. I know of no situation to suit you at present, but when you are upon this Spot, & before you leave it, perhaps something may offer. At least some thing will, at the Lords time, & when the Lords place for you is open. I think the door being so effectually shut upon you, where you are, is an intimation, that he will soon open a door for you somewhere else & when perhaps you will be more extensively useful.

I am sorry you must remove from a people whom you love, & who love you. But we are short sighted Creatures -- the Lord does all things well & all shall prove to the furtherance of the Gospel, & I trust, to your own edification & comfort.

My judgment of Mrs. Ward's letter is not worth a
(Page two)

single farthing; seeing it is all ready sent.

Volat irrevocabile Verbum

I think she had a just right to expostulate as she has done, &

John Newton. (Page two, continued)

that her letter, tho faithful, does not breathe a wrong spirit.
Only if I had been at her elbow I might have advised to omit all she has said about the <ins>Stipend</ins> Salary, as the other Topics were of more importance, in my opinion sufficient, & not likely. (?) But upon the whole, I think it a proper letter.

You do not say whether Mrs Ward comes with you, if can make she does we have a span bed at No 6, if convenient should she not be preingaged, & unless somebody should unexpectedly pop in upon us. But we should know before hand.

I begun my letter yesterday, resumd it 3 or 4 times,
but could get no farther. I shall be ashamed to send such a
morsel -- but now I expect company every Moment to breakfast,
& it is Church Morning

I advise you to think that Mr B is but an Instrument
in the Lords hand for your good; to teach you the meaning of
many passages of / Page three written vertically, top to bottom
of page) Scripture, particularly Isa. 2.26. Cease (?) from Mem.
Creatures are but as Axes Saws & Hammers, & can do nothing
without a hand to wield them. If the Lord has designed you for
another service, something must happen to make it appear right
for you to remove. Trust in Him, & he will surely lead you in
the right way, & both friends & foes shall concur in helping
you forward. I am much more concerned for Mr B, than for you.
But if his proceedings should prove eventualy for your advantage,
I hope you will be more disposed to pray for him, than to be
angry.

Mis C--- joins in love to Mrs Ward, & to Mr Simpson,
I thank him for the Hare, which came safe, & proved very good.