Last Letter to James Manning in America in 1777

Maze Pond, Southwark, Aug. 30, 1777.

Reverend and dear Sir:

I embrace the opportunity of acknowledging your very acceptable favor, which came to hand in January last. Oh the wonders of Omnipotent love! Peace on earth and good-will to men, dispensed by the everlasting gospel in a rebellious world, like the antediluvian, corrupt before God, and filled with violence! It is the Lord's doings, and marvellous in our eyes. Your striking account of the heavenly visitation on the church and college over which you preside filled me with gratitude and joy, as it did my people, and indeed many others, ministers and respectable individuals, from whom I could not conceal the glad tidings. They proved as cold waters to a thirsty soul. Dear sir, if you would have such good news a secret, you must not trust a man with it who wishes to spread abroad the salvation of God, that all who love it may have continual occasion to glorify his name. Many thanksgivings redounded to the King of all grace upon a rehearsal of this glorious display of his mercy, - an evidence this of a genuine love among the saints whose lot is cast in the respective contending countries, originally united, now waging war, to the grief of all who wish well to Great Britain. What stronger proof of this divine grace than a free communication and an unfeigned great joy in each other's prosperity!

It would be pleasing to return a similar account from the mother country, but the state of religion is not so delightful and promising. Indeed, many preachers go forth, and the number of hearers increases, but it is not so strictly in the way of the Lord as I could wish. It seems to me vainglorious, and in some respects tending to confusion, of which God is not the author. Among the Episcopalians who have any idea of gospel truth (though I think for the most part they are rather superficial), their way is to open a chapel, as they style it, and, having drawn an audience, they arc fixed at a custom-rate for their seats. On this plan many, and some of them sumptuous buildings have been erected, to which, by report, great numbers resort. I would hope by this means some may be led into a saving knowledge of Christ, and so far I rejoice; yet I cannot but lament the tending and the effect of this carnal contrivance and vague kind of social religion to the accommodation of man and the neglect of all gospel order. A becoming zeal for this is now a matter of reproach with many among us, insomuch that the enlightened, who wish to be conformed to the positive institutions of the Redeemer, are under great discouragements, and few join the regular churches of any denomination; so that a godly discipline in particular communion is in a manner out-of-doors. The consequence of all this will, I fear, be a still greater declension from real and practical piety. The Baptists more especially are obnoxious to these popular gentlemen, of which a specimen has lately transpired in an abusive pamphlet, by a warm-spirited young clergyman. Irritated by some altercations on a late baptising in the parish of his vicarage, he has fallen foul on me for my little address.-. to the churches of the Congrcgational order, - the first edition of which you have in a volume of mine. This piece has nothing to do with the point in debate, and, being anonymous, was by many ascribed to a person of the Independent persuasion before the author was discovered. This man holds me up to the public as a masterpiece of bigotry, and an enemy to all Pedobaptist communion, and at the same time pretends to much candor.

This newly-adopted mode has already emboldened some froward men to set up for themselves, under the color of Protestant dissenters; and, among the rest, lately, one Mr. Dawson, a Sabbatarian Baptist, not long since in New England. Alas! these men make a trade of religion! It likewise favors party divisions in church, too frequent, and which now for the most part end in grievous and shameful separations, to the prejudice of brotherly love; it being the taste of the day to follow new societies and teachers. This is a melancholy case; for we know by the disciples at Corinth that in this carnal spirit there is little regard to the power and grace of God in the increase of his church.

As to my congregation, they are in general steady, and our church state gradually advances. Of late we have been favored with some remarkable instances of conversion; among others, last month I baptized four young persons of one family, brothers and sisters in the flesh, the children of a deacon lately deceased, who was the second person that passed under my hands. This was in the year 1741. Their grandfather and grandmother were also valuable members of the church some years after I succeeded my honored father in the pastoral charge. The Lord will not fail, but may exceed the terms of his promise. His grace is not bound. You will not wonder at the joy of the brethren on this singular occasion.

I fear the Papists take advantage of our civil and religious confusion. According to some there are alarming symptoms of their increase in our nation and cities. Indeed, unknown and disorderly societies but too much favor their design, while the political sentiments of many Protestants are a hinderance, at least, to their social prayers. But with our God nothing is impossible. May he pour out the Spirit from on high on both countries, and graciously restore our public tranquillity on an honorable and permanent foundation; and may you, dear sir, enjoy many happy hours in the closet and in the pulpit, and again be employed in a field white for harvest, as in the year 1775.

As for me, my age and infirmities promise little further capacity for usefulness. Infinite are the obligations upon me for the grace by which I have been sustained ihirty-seven years in the arduous work of the ministry. Our great Divine Master doth not cast off his old servants; yet the prayers of my brethren may subserve to a finish with joy; a request, I am persuaded, you will not deny me. Having the honor of a place in your library, it seemed decent to present a copy of another attempt since my last. Parents, you know, sir, oft show their vanity in dressing up their children. Excuse the uniform of the eleventh volume. It comes in expectation of the same kind reception with that of its preceding companions. If any hints concerning parables in general, or that in particular which is the subject in hand, prove pertinent and useful, the author flatters himself that some other pen may improve them to public advantage. For an increase of the church's prosperity and a period to the national trouble,we unite in our prayers to the Most High, with which I conclude. Dear sir.

Your very obliged and affectionate Brother, Benj. Wallin.

P. S. — The copy on The Prodigal presented to the college with my most respectful compliments to the venerable members, if it be needful to mention so trifling a matter to them, was bound in readiness soon after the publication. My notice of this opportunity was short, which it is hoped will apologize for the mourning dress of those directed to you and the other gentlemen, on whose candor in perusing them I rely. If by any means you can inform me of the arrival of these, it will be acceptable. Before the present interruption to our intercourse took place, I was in expectation of soon receiving a digested and authentic account of your college, which, I hope, will survive the civil commotions, and prove a flourishing seminary of learning under your direction. If this design is carried into execution, I hope to be presented with some copies the first opportunity.

Letter to James Manning in America 1773

London, July 30, 1773.

Reverend And Dear Sir:

Your respectful lines by Mr. [George] Keith very much obliged me; nor am I less indebted to your candor in perusing my endeavors, being sensible that they will not bear the eye of a critic. The disadvantages under which I was at length brought into a service, conscientiously declined in the very early part of my life, in consequence of which I deprived myself of an intended more liberal education, might plead some excuse; and were you to know by what solicitation and management I was prevailed on to repeat my visits to the press, you would rather pity than blame me, and cover my numerous defects with a mantle of love.

I thought it a venture to possess one of your character with such feeble and imperfect attempts, — they are at best only fit for children in Christianity, — how, then, could I think of proposing them to the most infant seminary of learning? Indeed, sir, they were intended only as an instance of respect to yourself, to be glanced at with the friendly disposition you express. It would have impeached your last, had not the ingenious discourses of my much esteemed brother, the Rev. Dr. Stennett, been universally admired among you. As to the works of that great man, the late Dr. Gill, who was truly a father, they may justly be accounted a considerable acquisition. I know not, upon the whole, an author more judicious and consistent. The compass of his writing is astonishing, from the labors, of which he now rests until the Chief Shepherd comes, when it will appear that our endeavors for his name shall not be in vain.

But seeing you intimate that it may not be unacceptable, I presume, though with some reluctance, to send all I can collect of my publications, which together make ten little volumes, and possibly five entire pieces, and five of sermons, addresses, etc. Also the ordination of Rev. A. Booth, who sends a volume of the sermons of his predecessor, the late Mr. Wilson, and his own "Reign of Grace," etc. These will not be the less welcome for being accompanied by all the works of Mr. Bunyan, agreeably to your suggestion. These I present, with my most respectful compliments, to every member of the college, including their worthy President the Rev. Mr. James Manning [1738-1791]. Have you, sir, any stated form of bequeathment 1 If not, permit me to move for a concise account of your institution, with a direction how to describe you in a will. Such a paper, neatly printed and disposed, may be useful. Be not sparing of copies to your friends. The difference in point of expense between one or two thousand is but trifling.

As to my own works, most of them have been out of print for some years. They are chiefly practical, and all very plain. The hymns, more especially, need an apology. They are no other than artless compositions, in which the substance of occasional discourses was drawn up in a suitable form. Such a one did not occur in our stated collection. At the time, they were sung with peculiar satisfaction, the people being unacquainted with the author; but at length many of them were stolen and mangled, which induced me, at the instance of some, to print them, and so obviate any apprehension of a conceit that they were deserving of public notice. It is my study, both in preaching and in writing, to lead to those inexhaustible treasures of wisdom and comfort, the Holy Scriptures; hence the tone of my naked lines. I must observe further, that in order to make up the set, I was obliged to put in a volume containing my sermon on the experience of the saints, which was bound up in another. You will therefore excuse a duplicate of them.

It is long since I have heard from my very worthy and agreeable correspondent the Rev. Mr. [Isaac] Backus [1724-1806]. He usually much entertains me. I have often rejoiced at his accounts of the success of the gospel in your world, and am sorry to hear that at present in general it seems rather low. May the Lord of Jacob revisit it! Two things are threatening with us, — the growth of Anti-Trinitarians, in a variety of forms, for they cannot agree; nor can I forbear to say that I think a dereliction of, or indifference to the divine Sonship of our glorious Redeemer, has greatly contributed to the insolence of men against that foundation of the gospel. The other is a popular ignorance of the authority of Christ, in particular church fellowship, which some are bold enough to put on the footing of prudence and convenience among the disciples of Jesus. The one strikes at the doctrine, the other at the discipline of the gospel. But Zion is insured against the gates of hell.

I am now in the eve of my ministry and life; childless, and in a manner destitute of natural relation, having lost an excellent wife, two sons, and three daughters. It is good to be weaned from an undue attachment to the present state, but afflictions alone will not do it. My heavenly Father has been very gracious in helping me, I trust, to receive not only good at his hand, but also evil. He has given me a name and a place in his house better than that of sons or of daughters, and some spiritual children who are exceeding affectionate and dutiful.

May your valuable life be long spared, and all your instructions succeed to the advantage of mankind, and especially to the spread of the truth and the prosperity of Jerusalem.

I remain, reverend and dear sir,
Your obliged and truly affectionate brother, Benjamin Wallin.