Joseph Woolley, letter, to Eleazar Wheelock, 1763 April 9
Date9 April, 1763
ms number763259
abstractWoolley confesses temptations to Wheelock, and begs Wheelock to pray for him and to write and offer guidance.
handwritingHandwriting is large and bold and clear.
paperLarge sheet folded in half to make four pages is in fair-to-good condition, with moderate creasing, staining and wear.
inkInk is black, with little fading.
Modernized Version Deletions removed; additions added in; modern spelling and capitalization added; unfamiliar abbreviations expanded.
Persistent Identifier
I seem to have an aversion in
writing to you, yet I cant refrain from telling you, how
Strong and potent, the Temptations were to me this before noon — — —
— — — — — The Carnal affections, rising in my Heart were so strong, they almost overcame me, had it not been the Divine assistance . — — — It was not me alone that overcame them but
it was by the gracious Influence of the Holy Spirit. I thought if I should
yield once, they would always get the better of me. — I seem to
know how narrow the Way to Heaven was, that I could not enter into Heaven, with the least
blemish in my Heart, for one Sin is enough to
curse me in Hell Fire to all Eternity. And how great must it be with me, who have sinned under the Light of the Gospel, if I am found Christless. — — O! had I the real sense of it, as I have a
a reason to fear I haven't, I could not Linger along as I do — — Dear Sir, I beg and plead, that you would Daily in your private Prayers make mention of me, and I wish all Christians
would, that I might fail of the Grace of Life,
and be overcome by the potent adversary, which I am engaged against. — —
I have been afraid I shall break the Covenant, which I am about to make publicly in the Church. — — I wish
sir, you would point out to me, in writing, I think I can understand you so better, how I shall prepare my Heart, in order to receive the Lord's Supper. — — — I am afraid I shall go unworthily, and
disfigure my Face as the
Pharisees do, only for an outside
show, and therby, Eat, and Drink, judgement to myself. — — — And to Conclude
wishing for your Prayers that I may be weaned from this World, and L[illegible] upon the things that are above.
I am Sir. your very unworthy servant
Joseph Wooley
From
Joseph Woolley
April 9th 1763.
To
Rev.
Eleazar Wheelock in
Lebanon
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