SD741. Hope Masterton Waddell to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 2, 372 (in part).
Cornwall
14 June 1831
My dear Sir
Since our Sad parting last Wednesday Mrs W– & myself have been very anxious indeed to learn how you are both in body & mind, but as yet have heard nothing from Retreat. We hope & daily pray that our good God is making you to feel the truth of his promise to them who trust in him “As thy day is so shall thy strength be”; & that he is enabling you more & more in believing, holy, humble submission to use the language of the afflicted but patient patriarch of old “Shall we receive good at the hand of God & shall we not also receive evil: The Lord gave & the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord.” Solid, lasting, peace & comfort can come from God only. The world’s business or pleasures may divert the mind & make it forget or harden it against its sorrow, but nothing else than faith, firm faith in the wisdom & goodness of all God’s dealings with his people, & a meek resignation of ourselves & all that concerns us to his disposal, saying “not our will but thine be done” will enable us to look our afflictions full in the face & to consider all their greatness & still to retain our peace & be satisfied with what God has done. I trust that these considerations have been present to your mind & that they have had their right effect in leading you to the God of all consolation through Jesus Christ for that supporting & comforting grace which in your present distress you so greatly need. And we look forward in faith & hope that dark & distressing as is the present severe dispensation of God’s providence which still keeps us all weeping he will yet cause light to arise on it & that you will yet be able to say with the holy pslamist “It was good for me that I was afflicted”. We are at best but strangers & pilgrims on earth & have no home here & yet even the children of God by reason of many sweet ties & the fickleness and foolishness of their own hearts have their affections too much bound to present things & are too earthly minded. therefore when God breaks these ties asunder, though we feel our hearts almost riven by the stroke, it is good for us, that our hearts may be more set on heaven, that we may seek our happiness more directly from himself, & that we may be more weaned from the world, more willing to leave it & fitter for another & a better world. When a grievous visitation then produces these happy effects & when we find heavenly blessings supply the place of earthly we will all be made willing to acknowledge to God “In very faithfulness hast thou afflicted me[.]”
Mrs Waddell & I purpose if God spare us to leave this for Cambridge on the morning of tomorrow week that is wednesday the 22 & to proceed in the evening to Retreat; unless circumstances should render an other time better. If any other time would be more agreeable to you you will oblige us very much by informing us next post as we will receive the letter time enough to prevent us going.
I have heard from Miss Stennet & she is well enough to return to her duties among the children of Cin. Hill & only waits for me to send a conveyance for her, which I really at present do not know how to do, yet I must endeavour to get her up soon some way or other. Mean time the children come up daily to Mrs Waddell from 9 till 1 o’clock—when they go for their dinner & the Cornwall children come. She joines me in Christian & cordial sympathy & regard, & in hopes to find you composed & resigned when we may be so happy as to see you. Mean time believe me
My dear Sir
Most truly yours
H. M. Waddell
Another letter which goes with this one was brought to me this morning for you. I have judged it best to forward it without delay.
Address, on integral page: S. M. Barrett Esquire / Retreat Pen / St Anns.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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