118. - To Mr. W. Perronet.

118. - TO MR. W. PERRONET.

NYON, Sept. 20, 1780.

MY DEAR FRIEND, - What are you doing, and how do you do? I long to know; I thought we should by this time be at Ostend, or in England. I have got a bad cold and a hoarseness, but, nevertheless, I am ready to venture upon the journey. I send you a letter. I write to the grandmother of the young lady I was to see safe in England. Were it not for this engagement, I would stay till next spring. Be so good as to deliver the letter, and settle that affair with the lady. If you will set out, in case I do, we should go directly to Geneva, and settle with the people there, upon the most tolerable terms. If you cannot, you might postpone your journey till the spring, and go back with Mr. Ireland who comes over with his family to spend the winter in France, having obtained leave to go any where but to a sea port.

The misfortune I hint at in my French letter, is the mislaying of a considerable part of my manuscript. After a thousand searches, giving it up as lost, I fell to work again, waded through the double toil, and when I had done last night, I found accidentally what I had mislaid. This has put me back a great deal. The Lord’s will be done in all things I thank God, I have been kept from fretting on the occasion, though I would not for a great deal have such another trial. Mr. Ireland sent me word, the colonies would return to the king’s allegiance this autumn: I am afraid the two India fleets taken will put off that event for ever: that evil seems to be from the Lord; so it will be a good thing in the end. I envy you sometimes the pleasure of being with Miss Perronet. Remember me to her and to her friend, and believe me yours,

J. FLETCHER.

I hope you cast all your burdens upon the Lord: follow your sister’s directions. Believe and you will hope, hope and you will love, love and all will be well.

If you are short of money, let me know; and I shall borrow for you and for me. Do not be distressed while you have a friend so near. My vineyard, so fine last year, has very few grapes, and unripe ones, this year. But I have bought the crop of a little corner of one of my sisters.

119. - TO THE REV. VINCENT PERRONET.

NYON, Dec. 5, 1780.

REV. AND DEAR FATHER IN CHRIST, - You know better than I, that patience must have its perfect work, and that we are all called to bear our share of what remains of Christ’s sufferings for the purifying of his members, that they may reign with him after having suffered with him. Our wise and good God thinks fit to try my dear friend, your son, with a want of appetite and uneasiness in his bowels, which makes him often return the little food he takes. He came some time ago here from Lausanne, and we went to Geneva together, where he settled your affair with three of the Geneva co - heirs, upon the same footing he had settled with those of Chateau d’Oex. The fourth is, they say, insolvable, or affects to be so. They may possibly refund something: at least we are made to hope so. When my friend shall be a little better, he will give you a more particular account.

For the benefit of a ride, he went lately to Geneva with my sister, who took him to Dr. Manget, her physician, whom he preferred to Dr. Tissot. He prescribed. My friend being come home, took the medicine ordered, and was a good deal tried by it. The physician of our town attends him; and we hope, that, by little and little, his stomach will be settled, and his appetite return. He bears his weakness with so much patience and resignation, that my sister - in - law (who is an English woman) is quite edified. Blessed be God, he has no fever, and the tightness of his breast is not so great as it was two days ago. I had yesterday a letter from Mr. Ireland, who will be to - morrow at Lyons on his way to Montpelier, where we design (please God to give us more health and strength) to go and join him, to return all together early in the spring. Pray for us, that we may be directed into the right way, by that kind Providence which watches over us. In the meantime we sit still and wait for the moving of the cloud; determined to trust in his wisdom and mercy, though he should slay us: for we are persuaded that all works together for good to them that love him even in the feeblest manner, and wait for the fulness of his love. We join in love to Miss Perronet, Miss Briggs, Messrs. Wesley, Mr. Greenwood and his dear family, Mr. Staniford, and all friends: and patient in tribulation, or rejoicing in hope, I am, Rev. and dear father in Christ, your affectionate and dutiful son,

J. FLETCHER.