_To Lady M―――― H――――._
_Ashby, Jan. 30, 1751._
_Honoured Madam_,
LAST _Monday_ evening, through the goodness of an ever-blessed Redeemer,
I got safe to _Ashby_, where I found good Lady _H――――n_ very sick,
though I trust not unto death. All advise her Ladyship to take a
journey to _Bristol_, for the benefit of the waters, which her Ladyship
seems determined to do. The death of Lady _Frances_, has not affected
her Ladyship so as to hurt her. She rejoices at the thoughts of her
sister’s being so quickly translated out of this house of bondage, into
the glorious liberty of the sons of GOD. Her death was a translation
indeed. Her Ladyship died without a groan. She seemed as it were to
smile at death; and may be said, I trust, truly “to fall asleep in
JESUS.” Ere long, she and all that sleep in JESUS, shall come with him.
I hope it hath been a purging time in this family. Almost all have been
sick in their turns. Lady _Selina_ has had a fever, but is better. Lady
_Betty_ is more affected than ever I saw her. A letter now from one of
the young ladies, I hope would do service. Lady _Ann_ bears up pretty
well, but Miss _W――――r_ is inconsolable. It is a house of mourning;
that is better than a house of feasting. The corpse is to be interred
on _Friday_ evening. May all that follow it, look and learn! I mean,
learn to live, and learn to die. This is a lesson which you and yours,
honoured Madam, I trust are learning every day. We had need be careful
to get our lesson perfect, since we know not when the Son of Man
will come, whether at evening,――cock-crowing,――or in the morning. To
be ready at that hour, is all in all. Good Lady _H――――n_ sends her
sincerest compliments. If any thing extraordinary happens before my
return, your Ladyship shall hear again from, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready
servant for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._