My dear wife still remains warmly attached to her native country, and rejoices with me in the prosperity of it; but is pretty well reconciled to her present situation. She enjoys her health in a tolerable measure. She joins me in best respects to yourself and family and all friends. "I remain sincerely yours, ELHANAN WINCHESTER." "Dr. Benjamin Rush.” TO THE SAME. "London, March 13, 1793. "DEAR SIR.I take the liberty of recommending Mr. John Clegg, the bearer of this, to you and my friends in general in Philadelphia, as a deserving man, being sober, industrious, honest, and what includes all the rest, truly religious. He is a weaver, and therefore we persuaded him to go to Philadelphia, as his business here begins to be dead and precarious. Your kindness to Mr. Hickling on my recommendation, induces me to use this freedom with you in favor of the bearer; and though it does not seem to be directly in your line, yet I doubt not but you have sufficient acquaintance with some of the directors of the manufactories, to procure him immediate admission. He understands several branches, and may therefore be very useful in our rising country. It is no matter how many such persons are admitted into the United States of America. There are many worthy characters now coming over, and many thousands more would come over to you but for the expense. If some method were fallen upon to bring families as cheap from England as they are brought from Ireland, about four guineas each person, I think it would be of great advantage to America. There are many in this kingdom who look with longing eyes towards the western world, as the place where peace and plenty have made their abode; and wish to leave a country which is always in danger of being involved in war. "I have nothing more to add, but that I am your sincere friend, and servant in the Gospel of Christ. "Dr. Benjamin Rush." ELHANAN WINCHESTER." TO THE SAME. "London, July 26, 1793. "DEAR SIR. Yours of the 28th May is now before me. What a rich blessing the knowledge of letters is to mankind! By the arts of reading and writing we can converse with one another at the greatest distances, and seem almost to be present to each other. "The doctrine of the universal restoration, upon the plan that we hold it, consistent with a future state of rewards and punishments, is beginning to spread and prevail in this country. A Mr. VIDLER, of BATTLE, in SUSSEX, formerly a Calvinist Baptist minister, has lately with his church been excluded from the connexion of those churches, for the belief and open profession of the same. He was a very pop ular man amongst them, a good preacher, and a man of an excellent character. "I will give you a few extracts out of his letters to me in order that you may see a little of his zeal and spirit, and at the same time the utmost wisdom, prudence and fortitude. doctrine of the In his first letter he says, "I take this opportunity to let you know the state of my mind about the final restoration of all things, of which I am now as fully persuaded as I am that the bible is the word of God. Since I have admitted the truth of the Restoration, I have found my heart much disposed to meekness, love, and forbearance; and indeed I have great need of these tempers of mind, for the wrath, pride and contempt, which I have met with from many who highly esteemed me before, have been very great, and I expect much more of the same kind which I can perceive is preparing for me. However I hope I have counted the cost, and know in whom I have believed, and to the honor of his grace be it spoken, I have found great support under my present trials. I do not find my ministry is less attended than it was, nor that I have less liberty of heart in my work, or that my soul is colder in its love to Christ, or zeal for his glory. But on the contrary, all these are on the increase, and I expect a more powerful blessing on my ministry than I ever yet experienced. I have been used for some years to preach five times a week, but I now preach seven times, and while I have the blessing of Christ in my ministry, I can trust him with my character, and all my earthly concerns.' "I think great things are to be expected from a man of such openness, sincerity and resolution. In another letter he says, "I am persuaded that the universal love of God to all his creatures is indeed the true gospel, though I find it hard to get rid of many of my old calvinistic notions. My soul has long mourned over the little narrow party spirit which abounds in the professing world, and am quite persuaded that the glorious doctrine of the restoration of all fallen intelligences is that which will prove a perfect bond of union among all that truly embrace it, and will make them one fold under one shepherd. And I trust it will spread till it becomes as universal as that love is, which is the grand substance of it. As for myself I think I have as yet hardly tasted of that spirit of benevolence of which I see such an infinite fulness in the Deity, hope I am daily making some progress in it, as are many of my people." "I find that the minsters of my acquaintance both in London and in the country say, that my usefulness is ended. I think on the contrary it is just beginning. I feel now that zeal for a glorious Christ, that devotedness to God, and that love to men which I never felt before. The doctrine of the restoration is not with me a matter of speculation, but a strong principle of action, the power of which I feel daily increasing." "In another letter he writes, "I find God continues to own my ministry, which is a great support to me in my present trials. I have no greater ambition than to be useful in his hand. Let me die when I can no longer serve the interest of the Redeemer. It would do your heart good to see how heartily my friends enter into the doctrine of the Restoration. I have the pleasure of seeing that the practical effects of the doctrine are very happy." "This little specimen will in some measure make quainted with the spirit of this valuable man. you ac "I will endeavor to send you a copy of the sermons which you desire. They have long been out of print, but a second edition is just now coming out. "Mr. B. who will give this to you, is one of our young men who has sat under my preaching several years, and for two years past has occasionally exercised his gifts in public; I have not heard him, except just in the beginning, but am told by those who have that he is a promising young man. If it should be in your way to be of use to him, I should esteem it as a favor. "America has done well, (but just as I expected) in keeping out of this horrid war; had England done the same, what a flourishing and powerful country it would have been. But the die is cast. O England, England, what hast thou done? "I see that your rulers rule for the people's good. America I hope will never have that pride which is the destruction of this country. Better suffer a few trifling insults, than venture into a bloody and expensive war. America has gained all that she can reasonably wish, and therefore she will act wisely, not to risk what she has which is substantial, for mere shadows. The war at present costs Great Britain more than 20 guineas a minute, almost or quite 30,000 a day, all which she might not only have avoided by remaining neuter in the contest, but her commerce this very year would have nearly doubled that sum, but is now gone down almost to nothing in comparison with what it was last year. O America, be wise by other's faults and misfortunes, and avoid the rocks whereon other nations have suffered shipwreck. "I have written you a long letter, but must conclude, with sincere respects to yourself, family, and all friends, I subscribe myself your friend and servant in the Gospel of Christ. ELHANAN WINCHESTER." |