Cambridge, March 2, 1811.
I HAD imagined, some months ago, that the exercise of mind I was under
when preparing for the Senate House, was the greatest I should ever
experience; I was greatly mistaken. O my sister, did you know how much I
have felt lately, you would truly sympathise with me; but I now enjoy
comparative rest; my feelings, indeed, have been strongly mixed, but the
better have generally, though not without considerable struggle,
predominated. I have enjoyed more of the power of vital religion, and
that has been my support and stay; and would it but please my God to
indulge me with more communion with himself, HE might do with me and my
poor concerns whatever might please HIM. HE alone is truly and
absolutely necessary for my comfort, and would HE but say, in my
subsequent career, “My presence shall go with thee,” I should feel that
enough. I could ask nothing more.
* * * * *
The clouds which overcast his prospect of ordination for the curacy of
Wellington, were after a time dispersed, and he was admitted to deacon’s
orders at Eccleshall, on the 26th of May, 1811, and on the following day
he went to reside at Wellington. He not long after wrote to his sister,
in reference to his new situation, as follows:—
“Through mercy I am going on pretty comfortably in parochial matters,
and have reason to believe I am in the situation which God designed
me to fill. My employment is my delight—my heart is in it—a
circumstance I could seldom boast of when toiling through the
drudgery of mathematics. Mr. E. and I go on in perfect harmony. I
feel very much attached to him; and from the marks I am daily
receiving of his kindness, I may conclude he looks with a favourable
eye on my endeavours to help him in his important work.”