REV. HENRY MARTYN, B.D 15 



mind. He put it in this way. Is it necessary ? To tliis I could 

 answer no. Then is it expedient ? He here produced so many 

 weighty reasons against its expediency, that I was soon satisfied 

 in my mind. My turbulent will was however not so easily 

 pacified. I was again obliged to undergo the severest pain in 

 making that sacrifice which had cost me so dear before. Better 

 had it been if those wounds had never been torn open). But 

 now (again) thro' the mercy of God, I am once more at peace. 

 What cannot his power effect ? The present wish of my heart 

 is that (there may be never a necessity of marriage, so that) I 

 may henceforth have no one thing upon earth for which I would 

 wish to stay another hour, except it be to serve the Lord my 

 Saviour in the work of the ministry. (Once more, therefore, I 

 say to Lydia, and with her to all earthly schemes of happiness, 

 farewell. Let her live happy and useful in her present situation 



since is the will of Grod. How long these thoughts may 



continue I cannot say. At times of indolence, or distress, or 

 prevalent corruption, the former wishes I suppose will occur and 

 renew my pain : but) pray, my dear sister, that the Lord may 

 keep in the imaginations of the thoughts of my heart all that 

 may be for the glory of his great name. (The only objection 

 which presented itself to my advisers to marriage was the 

 difficulty of finding a proper person to be the wife of a 

 missionary. I told them that perhaps I should not have occasion 

 to search a long time for one. Simeon knows all about Lydia. 

 I think it very Kkely that he will endeavour to see her when she 

 comes to town next winter). 



The time of sailing is not yet certain — the ships are getting 

 round to Portsmouth fast. I shall leave town this week, 

 probably not before Friday [Thursday — W.~\. As my ship is 

 one of the latest we shall probably not be detained long there. 

 If we were, it would not be safe to venture to Plymouth, scarcely 

 indeed could I wish it. [Here ends Wilherforce^ s copy or extract]. 

 It is impossible, I fear, to write to Mr. H. by this post — 

 as I intended — to thank him for his kiud letter. 



[Addendum at the commencement, before the Address). 

 I never returned my acknowledgment for the little hymn book, 

 which is a memento of both. It is just the sort of thing. 

 Instead of sending the books I intended I shall enclose in the 



