On Saturday evening I arrived safe at Bungay, staid there with Mr Childs and his family on Sunday, and yesterday afternoon came over here with him, where he left me with his son, after taking tea here – the Rev. Edward Hickman who lives and has a chapel at Denton, making one of our company. This gentleman’s meeting house was preached in upon a memorable occasion by Dr Doddridge which you may find mentioned in Orton’s Life of Doddridge prefixed to the [Expositor?].2 Mr Hickman is a worthy excellent minister, his house is within sight of the window I am writing at, and on Thursday I am to take tea with him and see his books – he is very kind to me.
It is my earnest hope that you and the young ones are well, and that you may be preserved and kept, and be enabled to look for help and support to God our Father, is my daily prayer. I cannot forget any of you, and I need your prayers my dear Sarah more than ever. The pamphlet I have come hither to write, small as it may be, is infinitely more momentous than all I have ever done, or may perhaps live to do.3 My former doings I am sure you will not for one moment compare in any way with this proposed work. It is my humble prayer that it may be God’s work, that I may be kept from doing anything in it of myself, or to any ends that are short in endeavour to promote God’s truth, and testify of his Love and mercy. It is to this end that I desire to be remembered by you in your addresses to the Almighty. I have no fear, but this, that I may be trying on my own strength to do something where I ought not, of myself, to do anything.
Enclosed is a note to Mr May which I will thank you to send to him. I spoke to Mr Westley on Friday evening to let you have £4, and I write to him to repeat my request. I hope he will, but pray be careful to expend as little as possible. In the event of Miss Salmon coming to you again tell her where I am and that it will be at least a fortnight before I am home. You will address to me at Messrs J Childs, Printers, Bungay, and they will send letters to me here. I am not unmindful of this rent affair, but, for a few days, I know not what to say about it. If, however, I can devise anything at once I shall not fail to let you know. I think it not likely that I shall be able.
Kiss the young ones for me, and tell them that I pray to God morning and night bless you and them, and that they may be enabled to pray to God to keep them, and guide them aright, and be to them an Eternal Father.