A COLD has been the means of preventing me from spending the evening in the trifling manner which you, my dear friend, have been forced to do; though I cannot but hope that your mind, in the midst of all this noise and nonsense, has been enabled to keep itself in a state of recollection; and that you are still more fully convinced that _all_, the _world_ calls pleasure and gaiety, is mere vanity and vexation of spirit.――I thank you for your letter; it has given me great satisfaction, and fresh cause to praise God on your account: I rejoice in your joy, and may our gracious and kind Redeemer increase and establish your joy and peace in believing! You have indeed the utmost reason to be thankful, that such a work of mercy has been begun in your soul; and fear not but that blessed spirit who has convinced you of sin, and led you to look to the only means of deliverance, will perfect the work he has begun! What a happy sign, that you can already lay hold _on_, and _apply_ the promises to yourself? O continue instant in prayer, for still greater degrees of faith; and shun as you would the most deadly poison, every _action_, _word_, and _thought_, which is contrary to the Spirit of God! And always reflect with the most thankful heart on the love of Christ to your soul. Think that our merciful Saviour is more ready to hear than we to pray. Think with what joy the father received the returning prodigal, and be assured that _you_ and I, and every returning _sinner_, will be received with the same joy, cloathed with the same glorious robes, and admitted to sit down at the same _feast_, even the marriage-supper of the Lamb! _I am, with the utmost tenderness, Your ever-affectionate and faithful Friend_, **** * * * * * _Wednesday Night, March 20, 1754._ *_My dear Friend_,