dence and meekness.-Nothing but necessary engagements prevented my calling on other friends at Northampton: though, when I found you from home, and things so different than formerly, I had so many thoughts crowded into my mind, that I had no heart to call any where else that morning: and, as I could not see you the next morning, I returned to Ravenstone that night, as much more convenient for my next day's work.

1

"Believe me, dear sir, it was not from want of sympathy that I did not write to you under your heavy affliction: but I am conscious that I am not much master of the consolatory strain; and of all temporal afflictions your's is that I am most unmanned, as it were, in the thought of. I was sure that abler pens would be employed on the subject; and it appears to me that the Bible and the throne of grace are the only effectual supports under, and time the only effectual cure for, such a stroke. I heard of it too at a time when I was especially employed; and I had thoughts of writing, but was led to procrastinate. I did not utterly forget to pray for you.

"And now in answer to your letter with the printed case about Mr. Carey. I am sure I wish him success with all my heart. I have some little knowledge of him personally, and have heard a very favourable account of him from many; and I think the case itself is very modest and frugal: but I am afraid I cannot do any thing in it at present. Really my influence with the professors of religion in London, even those who brought

The death of Mrs. Ryland.

me hither, is very small; except as party is concerned with some, and as with others regard to the poor patients prevails. I believe no minister in London is so unpopular. Others may be more unknown, or have a less name, but none so ill a name, as to doctrine and preaching. No sort owns me, neither one nor another; and those who have seemed to favour me think me wrong; that I carry things too far: or they do not know what to make of me. A few very respectable friends I have; but I am obliged to lean so very hard on them for my own maintenance, that is, knowing my circumstances, they assist me so liberally,and I have been so troublesome in other things, that I cannot have the face to ask them at present. 1

"You have perhaps heard that the Lord is making me the instrument of establishing a sort of new charity in addition to the Lock Hospital, called the Lock Asylum, for the reception of any of the poor women who seem to be penitent under their cure. I sent abroad a pamphlet, stating their misery who had no home but a brothel, nor any mode of subsistence but prostitution; and

'See Life, p. 173, 311. (178, 319.)-While it is thus recorded that Dr. Carey, like many other great and good men, at the commencement of his course needed the pecuniary assistance of his friends, let this be connected with the statement which I heard about the year 1810 from the lips of the late Rev. Andrew Fuller, secretary to the Baptist Mission: "We now expend," he said, "between 6000l. and 7000l. annually on the mission and translations; one half of which sum is furnished by three individuals—the men who do the work. The Missionaries Carey, Marshman, and Ward, earn considerably more than 10007. a-year each by their literary labours; and they throw the whole into the common fund of the mission."

proposed founding a place for their reception. This brought together several gentlemen: through many difficulties, and steering clear of many rocks, the plan has been adopted, subscriptions are raising, we are about to hire a house, and I trust the Lord will make it very useful. But it lies heavy on my few friends: religious professors in general do not much assist me; worldly people seem more ready. Then I am raising a sum of money to purchase Welsh bibles for a multitude of people who cannot get any. These and other things of the kind render present assistance impracticable: what may be done in a few months I cannot say. However, in the midst of all I have every reason to believe I am made considerably useful.

"I have not room to say much on the subject of your letter by Mr. R. I am very far from acting on the offensive in the business; or from supposing that invitations, &c. cannot consist with a more restricted view: but it seems to me that there is design and wisdom in the generality with which the work of God speaks on that subject; 2 which we lose sight of and counteract, when we are too nice and systematic. I own I am not quite satisfied with brother Fuller's criticisms upon that subject, and feel confident I could answer them : but I leave that to such as agree least with those who come nearest to them. Upon Mr. Button's scheme men fight pinioned, and can scarcely strike at all. Mr. F. has got his string much loosened; but yet, I think, not being quite loose,

'Life, p. 261-268. (269-275.) * See the preceding letter:

it catches him sometimes, and he misses a blow now and then. But I wish you all success. May the Lord give us a right understanding in all things!

"I remain your affectionate friend and brother, "THOMAS SCOTT."

" DEAR SIR,

"Chapel Street, January 30, 1788.

"As to my situation, I am very well satisfied with it, if I can but maintain my post. I am not popular, and have very much ceased to covet popularity. You may buy even gold too dear; and I think popularity is often too dear bought: at least I could not go to the price of it if I had the talents for it. But I have many respectable friends, and a considerable field and prospect of usefulness in many lines. The hospital and the asylum united with it furnish me with much work, and, I trust, not labour in vain: and you will be surprised when I inform you that I am actually engaged in writing expository notes and practical observations, in my very plain way, upon the holy scriptures, to be published in weekly numbers...... I can truly say that I sympathize with you in your trials both personal and ministerial: but the Lord will support you under and carry you through all. He is all-sufficient. Nay we cannot do without trials: we must be thankful for our medicines. I do not always forget you at the throne of grace: pray for me also. -If you should have an opportunity of getting

any of the Hints to Patients into the hands of those in the hospital, I will give you some. "Your's affectionately,

"DEAR SIR,

"THOMAS SCOTT."

"Chapel Street,

August 29, 1791.

"WHEN I think of such men as Mr. Huntingdon, I often am ready to compare them to Sampson, whose ingenuity was employed in catching foxes, and tying firebrands to them, to burn up the crops: but Sampson used this stratagem against Philistines; they among Israelites. However, There must be heresies, that they who are approved may be made manifest.-I am much obliged to you for your sermon, &c. respecting Mr. Hall: the remembrance of former times, and a concurrence of reflections, rendered the perusal of it very affecting to me.-I trust the Lord is with you to assist and prosper your labours, and that you will see more and more of the fruit of them from year to year; for, though the truth may be run down, it cannot be kept down. I remain,

"Your most affectionate friend and brother, "THOMAS SCOTT."

"DEAR SIR,

"Chapel Street, December 24, 1793.

“I SUPPOSE you have seen that a pocket-book is published, the whole of the religious part of which was written or compiled by me; and I bestowed some pains in arranging texts of scripture