[Image of Thomas Wilson Esq]
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Dear Brother
London June 19 1797
Never was I so affected & overcome as yesterday
when the malancholly tidings reac{^h}ed us, of your unexpressible loss –
We are continually taught of vanity & uncertainty of this mortal
Life and yet when it comes near to us, we are fill’d with surprise
& overcome with grief – surely we may weep tho’ we must not repine
I can truly say with but one exception. I never felt such an esteem
& affection {^for any person} as I did for her and it grieves me to the Heart to think
that I shall see her face no more in the flesh – But this is our Comfort
that our Loss – is her inexpressible gain – she is infinitely better off
she is with Jesus and there singing the song of Moses & the Lamb –
It is my earnest prayer that Gods Hand in this truly affecting Providence
may be deeply sanctified to all survivors, that we may indeed be
made meet to follow her – I am ashamed when I reflect how I have
been buried in the cares & concerns of this Life while she has
been laying hold of everlasting Life – O how graciously did the
blessed God deal with her in granting her so much of his presence –
drawing her affections to that state of Glory where she was so soon to be
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I trust the Lord will afford you Strength to support you under this great trial.
You have great reason for thankfulness that she was spared so long
to you & the dear Children and you have reason to rejoice that she is
now completely happy in the full enjoyment of God thro all Eternity
The Rev W Adam on the Death of his Wife says “If I look out for ease from
the present distress any way but by resignation to the Will of God, and desire
of complete union with it, for the remainder of my Life – I take myself out of his
Hands, suffer without improvement, am still at the mercy of events, and shall
be unprepared for my own Death – Recall thyself O my Soul, wake from
this stupor of a vain sorrow & do not indulge a thought to harden thyself in it,
Where is thy God! If thou hast him to go to what canst thou complain of?
Make him thy friend & counseller – He is now inviting & even forcing thee
Into his presence & familiarity – Speka as freely to him& look so well to thyself that thou needst not to be afraid to tell him all
thy secrets”
It has been an increasing trial to us that we have lost the valuable Company
of our Honord Parents – we feel much for them and long to know
that the Lord is supporting them = They heard a very suitable sermon
just before your Letter came from these words As thy day is so shall thy
strength be – and the Salut^y Eveng from Lord I believe help thou my un=
belief – Last Even^g after we parted with our dear relatives
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we went & heard M^r Ashburnes (setting in the vestry) He changed his
text on our acc^t & preached from the 6 & 7 verses of the {?11} Chap^r Zechariah
showing that every thing here was mixed as at respects families Nations Churchs
& Individuals – Rev^d W Newton was to have dined with our friends
today – we put off all but him thinking he may speak a word in seaons
I pray that impressions made upon my mind may not wear off without
answering the most valuable purposes as it respects the salvation of my Soul
O to die daily – to live above this vain world – to have Christ in the Heart as
the Hope of Glory!
My Dear Wife is as well as can be expected – M^rs Spear
is with her – she unites with me in best affection
to our dear Parents and yourself happy shall we be [damaged]
at all time to render you & the dear Children any source [damaged]
M^rs W desires me particularly to mention that she
will gladly come down now or at any time if she
can be of any use.
That the Lord Jesus Christ himself & God even our Father who hath loved us
& given us everlasting Consolation & good Hope through grace, may Comfort your
Heart & establish you in every good word & work – is the sincere Prayer
Of my dear Brother
Yours very affectionately
We hope to receive a Letter soon
Thomas Wilson
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M^r Thomas Bateman
Cramford Court
Manchester