(seq. 17)

[fol. 1r]

No. 8 Leicester, June 3.^d '95.

Rev. Sir,

I congratulate you on your happy settle-
ment in the Gospel ministry over a united and well-
disposed people. You are now, without doubt, revolving in
your mind the solemnities of the day, and the impor-
tance of the office, into which you are inducted. Methinks
I see you in the company of a few chosen friends; but
yet so absorbed in meditation, as to be scarcely able to ren-
der yourself sociable. Chesterfield would say, that noth-
ing can atone for absence of mind in company. But on
such an occasion who could command himself? I shudder to think
how unprepared I am, how exceedingly slow is
my progress in this sacred profession! Within a year begin
to preach! Impossible. I shall not be prepared.
A clergyman, to whom I made this complaint, the
other day, told me, if I waited to get ready, I should
never preach. Perhaps, then, within a year or so, I
may have an invitation to preach, and attempt it, to
the hazard of writing two sermons a week. My stars!
What could I do to two discourses? My barren imagina-
tion would sink under the burden. But why do I
trouble you with my complaints? I cannot expect you
to relieve me of them.

You need nothing to render you happy except
"more virtue, more knowledge, and a companion." The
two former you are constantly accumulating. The latter