ELPIS ISRAEL.
Boston, Lincolnshire, England,
March 15th, 1851.
Dear Brother Thomas:
Being this day an invalid I embrace the opportunity which a little leisure affords to write a few lines to you. I have before me “Elpis Israel,” which has just been returned to me from Mr. Matthews, general Baptist minister of this town, into whose hands I had conveyed it through an acquaintance. He said the author was possessed of wonder information and research, &c., and did not speak against you at all. I have reason to think that the perusal of it has done him good * * *.
I occasionally hear from our friends at Quorndon and Derby. They are progressing, and no doubt will be a blessing to that dark neighbourhood. This also is a dark place where I now dwell. For myself, I hope to attain to the resurrection of life, and my calculations are to this end. If I look upon myself abstractly, this is impossible on account of inherent sinfulness; but when I look to Jesus the mediator of the New Covenant, and consider the blood of sprinkling, and the water, and the written word, and the sure promise, Oh, the consolation comes into my soul like the pouring into a small vessel of the stream of a mighty river. And many such images I might speak of * * *.
I began today with a reperusal of “Elpis Israel,” and am glad that I ever was favored with a little acquaintance with its author. I regret that my sheet is full, as I like to linger about the recollections associated with your name. May our heavenly father preserve and bless you an yours, even to his heavenly kingdom; and may we meet in that glorious state, though we may never be privileged to meet again in this with those we love in the flesh. Pray for me, and believe me—
Yours faithfully, —
C. W.
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Whoever is afraid of submitting any question, civil or religious, to the test of free discussion, seems to me to be more in love with his own opinion than with truth.
—Bishop Watson.
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