Dear Friends,
The written acknowledgements or advice of many of the Lord's people of the past seem to have a peculiar down-to-earth quality about them that is, perhaps, missing from much of our present-day greetings and penmanship as the following few extracts show.
Writing to a friend who had intimated his intention to pass through the village of Everton, the old Vicar, John Berridge, informs him what he might expect by way of hospitality. — "I am glad to see you write of a visit to Everton, we have always plenty of horse provender at hand, but unless you send me notice beforehand of your coming, you will have a cold and scanty meal, for we roast only twice in the week. Let me have a line, and I will give you the same treatment that I always gave Mr Whitefield, an eighteen-penny barn-door fowl; this will neither burst you nor ruin me. Half you shall have at noon with a pudding, and the rest at night. Much grace and sweet peace with yourself and partner; and the blessings of a new heart be with your children. With many thanks, I remain your affectionate servant, J.B."
Jacob Gruber was another who could express his intentions in a colourful and striking manner when offering advice. An aspiring young pulpit orator who had an unfortunate habit of prolonging his words in an effort to gain effect received the following direction regarding his preaching. — "Dear Ah! Brother Ah! – When-ah! you-ah go-ah to-ah preach-ah, take-ah care-ah you-ah don't-ah say-ah. Ah-ah yours-ah, Jacob-ah Gruber-ah."
Few, we would imagine, have been introduced to their future life partner the way one young woman was introduced to hers by good Mathew Wilks, the worthy old preacher of the Evangelical Awakening. Believing that a young Minister friend was in need of matrimonial bliss he dispatched him to an eligible young lady with this brief covering note: –
"My dear madame, – Allow me to introduce my worthy friend, the Rev. Mr. A-.
If you're a cat,
You'll smell a rat:
Yours truly Matt Wilks."
This Page Title – Colourful Correspondence The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 73 – placed on line July 2008 Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |