1763 June 4

Letter II. Peter Jaco, Penzance, to George Merryweather, [Yarm], 4 June 1763.

                                                                                                Penzance 4 June 1763

            After a very troublesome journey of upwards of 400 miles I arrived at my destined stage, abt 10 days ago without any accident! Glory be to him who hath preserved my Relations, but to my no little mortification, did not find them so well disposed for Heaven as I left them; only my poor old Father who seems to be an Israelite indeed. My Brothers have been prejudiced agst, and frighted from real Religion by the weakness of some, and wickedness of other Professors; who under the mask of Sanctity have been guilty of the most scandalous Actions! This I’m affraid is too much the Case in most places, and is certianly a great obstruction to the Gospel of Christ. Let us pray earnestly that every stumbling block may be remov’d. That all who profess anbd call themselves Christians may agree together in the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace and in holiness of Life! Amen.

             It is now time to inquire after my Yarm Friends and my Friend Merryweather in particular. How does the Society prosper? Are you at Unity one wth another? Is there any Encrease? Any Conversions &c? How does the Building go forward? How much will you be in debt? Do Mr and Mrs Hicks continue friendly? Would the people of Yarm be glad to see Mr Jaco amongst them again?

             How do they go on at Hutton Rudby and Stockton? But above all Hartlepool? How does our pious and very good Friend [D—?]? On what terms are you now? What think you was the reason she did not answer my last Letter? 

             I am at present in tollerable health thanks be to God, and am daily occupied in drinking the sea water and bathing in it. I expect to stay at home abt 10 days longer and then set out for the Conference which is to be in Bristol the 19th of next month. How I shall be disposed ^of^ after the Conference God only knows. Perhaps if I’m not transferred I may travel North. Will you be glad to see me? I expect a Letter from you directed for me at the New Room in Bristol by the time I get thither.

             It is certainly a pleasing Reflection that in a better time our Journeys will all be ended & that eternally. The Lord hasten this happy time Amen. I suppose e’er now you have got off the great part of the [Satins?]. If so let me as a Friend advise you, be careful how you use that part of them relative to Woman before that sex least you are look’d on by them as an enemy to the Sex. This Calumny I have long laboured under! 

             My sincere Love & thanks for all favours to Messrs Waldy, Howard, Hicks &c &c &c. Please to accept yourself the best wishes and cordial affectn of your Invisible Friend & Servt

                                                                        P. Jaco

P.S. I suppose you know e’er now as much of Bell & his affairs as your Friend. The titles of the Books I advised you to read are the Gentleman Instructed and Button’s Rudiments of Ancient History.1

1 [William Darrell?], The Gentleman Instructed, in the Conduct of a Virtuous and Happy Life: in three parts. Written for the Instruction of a Young Nobleman. To which is added, a Word to the Ladies, by way of Supplement to the First Part (London: Printed by W. Burton, 1732); Edward Button, Rudiments of Ancient History, Sacred and Prophane (London: Printed for Caesar Ward and Richard Chandler, at the Ship, without Temple-Bar . . . , 1739.