“Why hesitate to join the church?  Let not a sense of unworthiness keep you back—­a deep sense of unworthiness is one grand part of due preparation; and no worthiness of yours can give you any title to that new testament in Christ’s blood, which was shed for the remission of sins.  Worthless, vile, empty, helpless is every son and daughter of Adam’s race:  but it was for the ungodly that Christ died; it was while we were without strength; his name was called Jesus, because he should save his people from their sins.  In that day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood among a mixed multitude, and cried, ’If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink—­whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’

“If conscious at the time it is the supreme desire of your soul to be washed in his blood, clothed with his righteousness, sanctified by his Spirit, go and take this water of life freely; go as a sinner to a Saviour; go at his command, put honor on his appointment, and repeat the dedication of all that you are, have, or can have, over the symbols of his body broken for you, his blood shed for you; go, trusting in his mercy, and leave all to his management, believing that he will shed abroad his love in your heart, order your footsteps in his ways, and in due time perfect his image in your soul.  Keep close to him in the use of means, but look beyond the means for life and power.  I commit you to our God and Saviour, and pray that he may be to you ’wisdom, righteousness, sanctification,’ and complete ‘redemption.’

“I am, my dear Miss M——­,

“Your ever affectionate,

“I.G.”

In March, 1801, the health of her daughter Mrs. B——­, requiring a sea-voyage and absence from care, Mr. and Mrs. B——­ sailed for Britain, and the following letters were addressed to them during their absence: 

“MARCH 23, 1801.

“MY DEAR CHILDREN—­This is mortifying to us all that you should be anchored half a mile from us, and there lie for hours; but even this, trifling as it may appear, has its end to answer in His scheme, without whom ‘not a sparrow falls.’  I have retired with my Bible, to commit you, and all my cares and concerns, afresh to that God whose goodness and mercy have followed us through life; who is my God, your God, and the God of our children; who answered my prayers in opposition to my inconsistent conduct; took you out of my idolatrous management into his own more merciful guidance.  He has done all things well, and he will perfect his own work.

“Now, may the Angel that redeemed you, be with you, keep you in the hollow of his hand, and as the apple of his eye; be with you on his own ocean, and command the billows not to touch you; carry you to the bosom of your dear native country, where a large proportion of his body live in him and by him; bless you, and make you a blessing wherever his providence shall carry you, and restore you with blessings to us, in his own time.  Amen.”