1779 October 24

Letter VIII. Peter Jaco, London, to Richard Rodda, 24 October 1779. Methodist Archives, PLP 60.27.2(1).

            Good Miss Hearnes informs me “That she wd have cover’d a Letter from Mr Rodda, but that he sd I was in his Debt!” I doubt the Fact being confident I have wrote twice since I was honour’d with your last! But supposing I admit the Charge could I think my Friend would stand upon niceties?

             So you see, after all your Expectations, your Old Acquaintance is sunk so low as not to be worthy a name in the minutes, & for this mighty Reason he cannot perform Impossibilities! No regard to past services! No Inquiries “How is he to live?”

             Blessed be the God of my Salvation, my mind is keeped [sic] in constant peace & resignation and I can tell you as a Friend, that tho at first I was a little hurt, I was not offended. I find love to my dear Brethren as much attachment to the common cause, & as much zeal for its success as ever! And the Assistant excepted, I labour more than any preacher in London. ’Tis happy for me that I never looked for my reward from man! 

Had the Business that Betsey [Eliza Fenwick] & her mother are in answerd according to expectation, I should perhaps have been too happy in this line [apparently they were working as hosiers in Shoreditch], as it was always my ambition to preach the Gospel without charge. But the Lords will be done. Hitherto we had not lacked; and he is still omnipotent. In Him may I always trust; & then I shall never be confounded. 

             The frequent attacks of the Stone added to the Complaint in my side, will in all probability, soon finish my mortal Race, and tho’ I have had many specious offers from various Parties, I wish to live & die a Methodist.

            I hope this will find you & Mrs Rodda in health & peace. My advice is the same as in my last “Do good, dwell in the land, & verily thou shalt be fed.” I have nothing new, but that our public prayer meetings have almost brought all parties into Contact!

             My little Family join in cordial affection to your whole Self

                                    your unalterable Friend

                                                P Jaco

Excuse hast & perhaps Blunders. I am going to Wapping to preach & have staid so long that walking will not do so must run for it

Address: Mr Richd Rodda | Pr favr of Miss Hearne