Note Type
Cataloging NoteNote
Transcribed by Danya Bichsel:
Mr. Samuel T Wolcott
East Windsor,
Conn.
Mattapoisett March 5th, 1832
Mr. S. T. Wolcott.
Dear Sir.
I was very glad to receive your good letter, having heard nothing from you for a good while. I was gratified to hear of the comfortable health of your mother, which was very poor when I left you. Your father was feeble, and I felt a little anxious about his riding to Hartford with me in the evening when I came on my journey. And am very glad to hear that he has had usual health through the long cold winter. Eveline was then quite feeble, but I conclude, as I hear nothing to the contrary, that she has recovered. Mrs. Robbins, my brother Frank’s wife, is now here with her friends, and has been for some time. She could answer some of my enquiries about your family. It is really remarkable that your mother has been so frequently restored from such severe attacks of disease, and has been continued so long under such great infirmity. It is all of the rich mercy of a compassionate God; and it ought to produce in her friends faithful gratitude and obedience to him. She has done a great deal for me, such as I cannot forget while I live. It is my daily prayer that she may have health and the blessings of a Saviors infinite grace.
I am highly gratified to hear of a good work of divine grace in your society, and the hope that your family are not without a share in the work. I earnestly hope that no one may be passed by. It is encouraging to see your attention turned strongly to this subject, but I am filled with anxiety when I reflect that so many fall out by the way. With regard to your difficulties and enquiries, you are aware that it is far easier to state objections than to answer them. It is also true that many persons trust the burdens of anxious enquiries too lightly. It is a great thing to be a christian. Many that get hope in times of a revival will fail in the day of trial. Yet many do find Christ, and will be his for eternity. The first thing to be realized is that two things are essential to the Christian character. The gracious influences of the Holy Spirit; and repentance and obedience on that on the part of the sinner. 2. Thess. 2.-13. Latter part. You must be penitent for sin, and love, and obey the Lord Jesus, as much as if this were the only ground of acceptance or hope. And you must rely on the free grace and ---mercy of God as much as if that were all your hope. A deep and realizing sense of sin and guilt, without excuse, must be sought and felt. And remember that all the scripture representation of the future world are a reality. With regard to your difficulty of realizing the nature of a present God, it is one which many feel. No one can form any clear ideas of a pure spirit. And the scriptures authorize us, by the expressions “face of the Lord,” “arm of the Lord,” se. To embody the divine being in our own minds. The better way is to fix the mind on Christ. He can do all things. He will appear as Son of man, at the judgment, and through eternity. Think of him as he appeared on the mount of transfiguration and after his resurrection. He then appeared and disappeared at pleasure, like a God. We may fancy him standing before us, as he did with the disciples, while the doors were shut. John 20.-19.- Another thing to be mentioned, is, to avoid a mistake which has always perplexed your father, not to be seeking after hope. Many make it their great concern to seek after light and comfort. This looks a little selfish. You are to love and serve God, whether he will give you hope, and heaven, or not. Fix your affection, your attention, on the blessed Savior, who died for sinners; labour to please him, to promote the interests of his holy kingdom, to save souls from death, and submit your own soul to his infinite wisdom and energy. I have but one thing more. All this must be done with constancy and perseverance, until you die.
My health is good, and I am diligently employed in my professional labours. It is my expectation, with leave of Providence, to visit you in April or May. I was at Boston on the 22d [illegible] and attended the celebration. I visited Mr. Fairchild and preached for him. He has some attention among his people. I procured two children’s books for Thomas and Tudor, which I hope to send by Mrs. Robbins. My kind regards to Maria and all your family.
Your affectionate friend, Thomas Robbins
P.S. I hope Ursula will not grow weary in taking care of my library. Mr. Ely of Mansfield has a number of the volumes, and it is time they were returned. If he should do that, I shall be glad to have them kept by themselves, for I believe I took an account of them. Please to open the Book-cases occasionally.
