LETTER MCCLXXIX.
To Mrs. M——.
Newcastle, March 13, 1763.
Dear Mrs. M——,
IT hath given me concern, since I left town, that through bodily weakness, multiplicity of business, and pain of parting, I forgot to answer your request about your deceased son. If not too late, something like this may be inserted:
“Near this place lies interred, William Middleditch, aged twelve years, a desirable promising child; but an all-wise God thought proper to remove him ——, 1762. His surviving parents desire to subscribe to the divine will, and to say, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Ere long somebody will be writing an epitaph for our tombs. Change of place doth not change my sentiments. “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly,” is the constant language of my heart. This leaves me thus far advanced towards Scotland, where just such a ship as I want awaits me. How good is Jesus! Fain would I sing,
Lord, obediently I go,
Gladly leaving all below.