Reference
Z699/29
Title
Susanna Corder to Priscilla May 25 June 1825
Springfield Mill 6/25-1825
My dear Priscilla
Although from being almost constantly engaged with company or visiting I have but little time that I can devote to this employ I am so much obliged by thy very welcome & interesting letter that I should feel quite uncomfortable were I to omit acknowledging the gratification which it has afforded me - I heard of thee yesterday from Eliza Clark - who lately saw thee at Henley I regretted the occasion of your meeting - as well as the situation of thy afflicted cousins I cannot doubt thy having gratefully contrasted thy situation with theirs.
Since I last saw thee I have witnessed several scenes that have been calculated to excite the tenderest sympathies of nature - one of these was the interment of my dearly beloved friend T Lewes' remains at Southwark at which were many bereaved & sorrowful - amongst them some of the young children - it was a solemn opportunity - and with respect to the departed spirit there was an evidence which I believe could not, or need not, admit of doubt that "Death is swallowed up in victory".
I came into this part of Essex last seventh day - on the following evening another affecting & deeply instructive moments of our uncertain state was presented to us - by the funeral of a friend who had been taken off by a very short illness - she had gone with some relatives to spend a little time in social enjoyment at Southend on sea bathing place in this county & scarcely were they settled there ere she became indisposed with what appeared bilious obstruction at the stomach soon terminating in inflammation and death - it is remarkable that the night Previous to the first symptom of disease she expressed a presentiment of this awful event and her doubt whether she should ever see her home again - throughout her short but agonizing sufferings she evinced much {sweetness} & Resignation - and that her dependence was as she expressed it "Entirely upon the great Physician" - when her mortal remains had just been committed to the dust our beloved Sarah Grubb in a very powerful & imperious manner, said in testimony that she believed it right for her to express, what she felt it to be a very awful thing to declare amongst us, that with respect to the dear friend whose body was laid in the grave All was well - adding "I know nothing of the dear friend, or any circumstance respecting her, but it so impressed my mind, all is well with her." The friend had come from Yorkshire to attend the Y M - and her relatives had gone from London with her to Southend -
Hast thou seen Dr Hancock's "Principles of Peace"? - if not, thou & thy companions will be much interested with it on your return to school- it contains many details of that eventful period when the flames of discord & rebellion raged in Ireland and the wonderful manner in which our testimony to the peaceable nature of a truly Christian spirit, was the means of preservation to the members of our Society, is strikingly convincing - An omniscient eye seemed continually to watch over, & an omnipotent arm to defend them.
I have also read a very affecting little narrative of a negro on America who was formerly a slave but is now free and a minister among the Methodists - probably thou mayst have seen it - some remarkable {visitations} were {extended} to his mind and a sense given him of the superintendence of Divine Power at a time when surrounded by continued danger & oppressed by the injustice & cruelty of man and the consequence of these has been an entire dedication to the service of his Heavenly Protector,
On reading these two interesting tracts my own mind has been instructed by showing how those who are faithful to manifested duty are objects of especial care & regard with Him who suffers not a sparrow to fall unnoticed to the ground - truly "The Lord's portion is His people" - in pondering the poor negro's experience & in tracing the influence of Almighty Love on his spirit we may discern much that evinces him to be really called upon to preach the Gospel - impressing the truth that God is no respecter of Persons &c.
How can we then avoid a frequent feeling of commiseration for their sufferings and an inclination to breathe forth an earnest desire that He who is the Centre & source of Love would more abundantly pour forth of the spirit into the hearts of his rational creatures & attract them to His holy mountain where nothing can hurt or destroy.
I regretted the loss of thy plants - their having been neglected was a pity - I hope thou wilt bring the survivors to Stoke Newington I can assure thee my dear that anything of thine will be welcome and hope when thou removest them back to Ampthill they will not look the worse for the change of air &c. I fear the poor Campanula deprived of thy culturing care will not fare well in our absence.
I expect thou remembered my cousin James Marriage (the young man who has an impediment in his articulation) I am now going to visit him and his lovely wife, they reside about ten miles from this place - they are under peculiar circumstances just now, and very much to be felt for. Anna has been for many months in a delicate state of health - but since returning from the Y,M. to which she went as a representative, she has been very seriously indisposed - her { } on the lungs - and this day week was seized with a haemorrhage from those tender organs which has greatly reduced her & excites much alarm - her Physician ( an eminent man in this Co.) gives no hope of ultimate recovery - he comes from Colchester a distance of 26 miles from them several times in the week - Anna is a most sweet heavenly creature - and on her account there is no cause for sorrow - but dear James is in great affliction - they are both first cousins to me & like brother & sister to me - we were from childhood nearly attached - & I can not but deeply feel this early interruption of their prospect of comfort in each other. I think I never met with any more tenderly united than they - the circumstance spreads a sadness over our large circle of relations -
Friends of this place (Chelmsford) have for about 3 weeks met in their new meeting house - it is an elegant and spacious edifice - very convenient & better constructed than any building of the kind I ever saw it is much visited & admired by persons of all denominations.- About fifteen hundred attended an evening meeting last first day two weeks - it was pretty full last first day evening -
I expect to return to Stoke Newington in about ten days - truly glad shall I be to welcome thee & my other dear pupils - so do not forget 4th day 7th mo 13th -
I regret that I have been obliged to scribble in much haste & in the midst of conversation - Marcia Thorpe is here- she requests me to send her dear love to thee - mine very largely awaits thy acceptance -
Thy very affectionately interested friend
S Corder
When thou see'st thy dear mother, present my love to her please
[Seal: S C surrounded by motto MAY PEACE BE THINE]
Charles May Postmark: CHELMSFORD G
Chemist & Druggist CHELMSFORD
Ampthill 27 JU 27
Priscilla May Bedfordshire 1825
Date free text
1825
Production date
From: 1825 To: 1825
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
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paper
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item