LETTERS. 215 



severed — yet we know not what God may intend with 

 respect to us, nor have we any business to inquire — we 

 should rely on the mercy of our Father who is in heaven 

 — and if we are to anticipate, we should hope the best. 

 I stand self accused therefore for my prurient, and, I 

 may say, irreligious fears, A prudent foresight, as it 

 may guard us from many impending dangers, is laudable : 

 but a morbid propensity to seize and brood over future 

 ills, is agonizing, while it is utterly useless, and there- 

 fore, ought to be repressed. 



I have received intelligence, since writing the above, 

 which nearly settles my future destination. A in- 

 forms me that Mr Martyn, a fellow of St. John's, has 

 about £20 a-year to dispose of, towards keeping a reli- 

 gious man at college, and he seems convinced that, if my 

 mother allows me £20 a- year more, I may live at St 

 John's, provided I could gain admittance, which, at that 

 college is difficult, unless you have previously stood in the 

 list for a year. Mr Martyn thinks, if 1 propose myself 

 immediately, I shall get upon the foundation, and by this 

 day's post I have transmitted testimonials of my classical 

 acquirements. In a few days, therefore, I hope to hear 

 that I am on the boards of St John's. 



Mr Dashwood has informed me, that he also has re- 

 ceived a letter from a gentleman, a magistrate near Cam- 

 bridge, offering me all the assistance in his power towards 

 getting through college, so as there be no obligation. 

 My way, therefore, is now pretty clear. 



I have just risen from my knees, returning thanks to 



our heavenly Father for this providential opening — my 



heart is quite full. Help me to be grateful to him, and 



pray that I may be a faithful minister of his Word. 

 * * * * 



TO HIS BROTHER NEVILLE. 



Kottingham. 

 Mv DEAR Neville, 



I sit down with unfeigned pleasure to write, in com- 

 pliance with your request, that I would expl^^n to } ou 



