“I yesterday met a large party from Skillington at N.’s. You know I never was among them before. I felt little edification: their manner of expression, and many passages in their hymns, were not in unison with my frame. I felt not that ‘Nature’s last agony was o’er;’ or that ‘all was torn from my bleeding heart;’ but thought that ‘would to God this were my experience!’ O that I might love Him supremely--that I might burn with love in return for His matchless goodness! But, what I most objected to was a hymn, beginning, ‘Abraham when _severely_ tried,’ and in the third line, ‘He with the _harsh_ command complied.’ I may not be correct in any except the _marked_ words; but surely nothing can be ‘severe,’ or ‘harsh,’ which proceeds from a God of love, who is engaged to make all things work together for our good. Send me word, dear B. what you think of these things: whether these remarks are not the offspring of a captious and weak head; or whether it is an artifice of Satan to prevent me from profiting by their company; for, certain it is, I feel little of that elevation I have often felt after religious conversation. I spent the evening of Sunday at Mrs. B.’s, I trust profitably. Some of their relations were there, and went away seemingly impressed. May God fix what was said on their hearts! I spoke to them from my favourite subject, 2 Cor. viii. 9. The subject of our poverty, and the way in which we were made rich in Christ, were the principal topics I dwelt on. O that He would be pleased to own the labours of the very least of his servants, who am not worthy to be called a servant! Blessed be He who has ‘laid help on one that is mighty;’ and blessed be He who knows how to pity our infirmities, and will send his Spirit to teach us what to ask for. How my praise for ever flows, to the adorable Trinity for that grand scheme of redemption! While I write, I feel the efficacy of Christ’s atoning blood to purify souls polluted as mine. O when shall redemption in its fullest import appear! When shall we begin the triumphant song of the redeemed, ‘To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood!’” “March 7, 1803.