34. - To Mrs. Hatton.
to follow her, as she followed Christ. Be of good cheer, be not afraid; the same God who helped her, will carry you through. Your business is to commend yourself to him, and to keep safe that which you commit to him unto that day. To his faithfulness and love I commend you; and am, my dear friend, yours in him,
J. FLETCHER.
34. - TO MRS. HATTON.
MADELEY, Jan. 30, 1767.
DEAR MADAM, - I heard last night the news of Miss Hatton’s death. As the stroke had long threatened you, and as she had, through mercy, long ago resigned herself to it, I hope it hath not found you without the shield of resignation, patience, and confidence in God. A sparrow, you know, falls not to the ground without his permission, much less can a member of his Son fall into the grave without his direction. Surely his wisdom is infallible: he hath chosen the better part both for you and your daughter; he hath chosen to take her out of her misery, to translate her to the place where the weary are at rest, and to give you, by removing her, an opportunity of caring for your soul as you cared for her body.
Now, what have you to do, madam, but to put your hand upon your mouth and say, “It is the Lord; he gave, and he hath taken away, blessed be his holy name!” If you sorrow, let it be in hope of meeting her soon, all glorious within and without, whom you lately saw such a spectacle of mortality. David observed (in the lesson for this morning) that the love of Jonathan had been better to him than the love of women. O dwell much upon the consideration of the love of Jesus, and you will find that it far surpasses that of the most dutiful children; and comfort yourself by the believing thought, that Jesus lives, lives for you, and that your daughter lives in him; where you will soon have the joy to meet her as an incarnate angel.
I am, with prayers for you and Miss Fanny, to whom I wish much consolation in her elder, never - dying Brother, dear madam, your unworthy obliged servant in Christ,
J. FLETCHER.
35. - TO JAMES IRELAND, ESQ.
MADELEY, Feb. 1767.
MY VERY DEAR FRIEND, - The Lord will spare your daughter as long as she can get good, and do you and others good by the sight of her sufferings. When that cup is drunk up, she will be willing to go, and you to let her go. Remember, she is the Lord’s, much more than yours: and that what we call dying, is only breaking the shell of a troublesome body, that Christ may fully come at the kernel of the soul, which he hath bought. Poor Miss Hatton died last Sunday fortnight, full of serenity, faith, and love. The four last hours of her life were better than all her sickness. When the pangs of death were upon her, the comforts of the Almighty bore her triumphantly through; and some of her last words were, “Grieve not at my happiness: this world is no more to me than a bit of burnt paper. Grace! grace! A sinner saved! I wish I could tell you half of what I feel and see. I am going to keep an everlasting Sabbath. ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, who giveth me the victory, through my Lord Jesus Christ!’” It is very remarkable that she had hardly any joy in her illness, but God made her ample amends in her extremity. He kept the strongest cordial for the time of need; he does all things well. Blessed, for ever blessed, be his holy name!
Worcestershire also lately lost a wise virgin of a truth, dear Miss Fragena, Mr. Biddulph’s sister. The morning before she expired, she said, “I have had a stronger conflict last night than I ever had in all my life; it was sharp and terrible; but Jesus hath overcome, and he will also overcome for you and me: be of good courage; believe, hope, love, and obey.” I wish you had often such meetings as that you mention; every one should have as many thrusts at that crooked serpent, that holy devil, bigotry, as he can. If I can leave my parish, I believe it will be to accompany Lady Huntingdon to the Goshen of our land - Yorkshire, to learn the love of Christ at the feet of my brethren and fathers there. I am obliged to you for the present you mention; I have taken again to the drink of my country, water, which agrees well with me, and I shall not want it for myself: if it is not sent, diminish or stop it according to this notice. Farewell in the Lord Jesus.
J. FLETCHER.