Appendix

by Leigh Richmond
Edited by Amber Moeller

The first two letters were addressed by the dairyman's daughter to her father. I of course omit those passages which are strictly personal and private.

Letter I

To Mr. Joseph Wallbridge

Southhamptom, February 23, 1797

My dear and honored father:---

And now, my dear father, I do not know what to say to change the scene. I suppose you were a little alarmed the other day, when the fleet of colliers came in, and they were taken from French. It was reported here that they were landed at several places; and we should have soon been over in the island for shelter from them; as if by that means we could "flee from the wrath to come," or stay the hand of the almighty and justly-avenging God, who for the sins of mankind has sent his judgments abroad in the earth. And even now we are ready to say to that God who hath so long withheld the sword of vengeance from destroying us, and still extends his everlasting arms of mercy to save us--"Depart from us--for we desire not the knowledge of him. But I hope, my dear father, that the Lord will have mercy on us, and bring us out of that gross darkness into his marvelous light, and set our feet on a rock that is higher than we are. But we are informed by the word of God, that if we would have all these blessings bestowed on us, we must fix all our hopes and our faith on the blessed Lamb of God that was slain to redeem the fallen children of Adam. For "as in Adam all died, so shall all" true believers" in Christ be made alive" to God: and then, my dear father, we may say,--

Prisoners of hope, lift up your heads;
The day of liberty draws near;
Jesus, who on the serpent treads,
Shall soon in your behalf appear:
The Lord will to his temple come;
Prepare your hearts to make him room."

My dear father, I hope that God will not suffer sickness or death ever to surprise us unawares, or find us in a state unprepared...

Please to give my duty to my dear and tender mother, and accept the same yourself, and love to dear brothers and sisters; and may the blessed Spirit of God be very powerful in all your hearts to root out every evil.

Letter II

Southhampton, April 11, 1797

My dear Father: I have been silent longer than I should, had my dear sister written before; but, as I know all things are guided and governed by him whom my soul loveth, I wait patiently his appointed time. O my dear father, it is good to trust in him, to call upon him, to honor his holy name. Oh, if you have not tasted how good and gracious the Lord is, then turn and seek him while he may be found. None ever sought his glorious face in vain; and those "that come unto me (saith the dear Lamb of God) I will in no wise cast out." No; his tender love, pity, and compassion, never fail to poor sinners. No; though my dear mother and father have lived to near the time that my God hath said shall be the age of man; and ye have still been sinning and grieving, and hiding as it were your faces from that God who is still pursuing you with his love and mercy, yea, even the blessed Jesus, who is still making intercession for sinners at his Father's right hand. And

"When justice bared the sword,
To cut the fig tree down,
The pity of my Lord
Cried, let it still alone:
The Father mild inclined his ear,
And spares us yet another year."

But remember, my dear friends, his blessed words: "My Spirit shall not always strive with man;" and, "Except you are born again, ye can not inherit the kingdom of heaven;" and if you are not washed in the precious blood of that dear Lamb of God, you can have not part with him; and if his Spirit does not "bear witness with your spirit" that you are born of God, you are still in your sins, and strangers to the blood that bought you on the tree. Oh, my daily prayer to God is, that he will "turn you, and so shall you be turned." Oh, the dear Redeemer still waits to be gracious; he is ever ready to pardon your sins, and seals it with his precious blood; he is ever calling, "Come unto me, all ye that do labor and are heavy laden" with the burden of your sins, "and I will give you rest." Then I entreat you, my dear friends, in the name of the most high God, that ye turn and lay hold of the ever-blessed Jesus as your shield of faith, and he will arm you with the whole armor of God. But remember this: though God is full of love and mercy, yet he will be sought unto. Then draw nigh unto God in secret prayer, and God will draw night unto your precious souls, and that to bless them; and will say unto you, Believe on me; "My grace is sufficient for you;" I will cleanse you in my precious blood: and then shall your leprosy be healed, and you shall return without spot. And then you must watch and pray to him continually to keep you clean. Oh, he is always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and more ready to give than we to ask. Remember, my dear father, that the language of every prayerless and unconverted soul is, "Depart from me, O God;" for we desire not the knowledge of the Most High. Then put off the evil day no longer, lest you should hear him say, who is willing and able to save to the utmost those that come unto him, "I have stretched out my hand all the day long, and no man regarded;" and, "Behold, I knock at the door of every man's heart, and to him that openeth unto me I will come in, and sup with him, and he with me." My dear father, these are blessed and comfortable words; and I am his living witness, and I "set to my seal" that Jesus is true. Oh, the happy state of the children of God! Now I ask and receive: I seek and I find him whom my soul loveth; yea, I always find I have a very near access, through his blessed intercession, to supplicate the throne of grace; and now I can say,--

Before the throne my Surety stands;
My name is written on his hands;"

and now I am so filled with the peace and love of God, that I can lift up my soul and say,--

"My God, I know, I feel thee mine,
And will not quit my claim
Till all I have is lost in thine,
And all renewed I am;"

Where'er I am, where'er I move,
I meet the object of my love."

The Lord doth so strengthen my faith in him, tha I find all his promises stand engaged to make me blessed. Oh, my God pardon what his poor, unworthy dust has written through ignorance, which is not agreeable to his most blessed will, which I will over seek to fulfill!...

I have so little taste for the conversation of this world, that it is very unpleasant to think on it. My sister's love and duty to all. Mr. B. will be in the island soon, please God, and then you are to write to her. Desire my brother to write to and direct her to the house of God in Bath, for she is still walking in darkness, and is ignorant of it. Oh, may he Lord be graciously pleased to bring you all into his marvelous light, that you may praise him in time and eternity: then strive to enter in at the straight gate… If the Lord shall please to spare me, I hope to see you ere long; if not in this world, in that where we shall bask in unutterable bliss. My dear friends, take not this advice amiss from your unworthy child; it is the command of my blessed Lord, "When thou are converted, remember thy brethren:" and I daily take up my cross and follow him whithersoever he goeth: and I pray God to enable you to do the same. Oh, how should I rejoice and praise my God to see you enabled, through the inspiration of the Spirit of the Most High, to answer this ill-written letter!--Farewell, in the Lord, dear friends.

Letter III

The third letter is to her sister.

Cowes, October 14, 1798

My dear sister: I have not had a convenient opportunity to write till now: I hope you have not been unhappy at my long distance. Consider that God is my keeper, therefore "I shall lack no matter of things that is good." I entreat you to command the keeping of your soul, spirit, and the body to the Lord, for he is a promise-making and a true and faithful promise-keeping God.

Thou let me command my Savior to you,
The publican's friend and advocate too."

My dear, I say that God is my keeper: you will say, he is yours—it is true, for "in him we all live, move, and have our being;" but I can say with Job, "I know that my Redeemer liveth," and

He is now pleading his merits and death,
And still interceding for sinners beneath;"

and he is waiting to be gracious to you, for he is longsuffering and kind, plenteous in goodness; his love and mercy know no end nor bounds, and his compassions fail not: now, my dear,

Ready for you the angels wait,
To triumph in your blest estate;
Tuning their harps, they long to praise
The wonders of redeeming grace."

O my dear sister, search the Scriptures diligently; pray to God earnestly; for in so doing, you will find that he is a God "nigh at hand, and not afar off." He has promised to be found of those that seek him; for none ever sought his face in vain, neither did ever any trust in him, and was deceived. O my dear sister, if you did but believe how willing God is to reveal his Son in your heart, the hope of glory! Oh, how would your soul he ravished, if Christ would appear to you the altogether lovely, and the first among ten thousand! Then could you say those blessed words,

"My soul through my Redeemer's love,
Saved from the second death I feel;
My eyes from tears of dark despair,
My feet from falling into hell.

"Wherefore to him my feet shall run,
My eyes on his perfections gaze,
My soul shall live for God alone,
And all within me shout his praise."

I entreat you to read the word of God carefully, for in it is eternal life. All the promises there stand engaged to make you blessed, if you truly repent, and forsake your sins, and turn to God with full purpose of heart, and fully believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that he will save you from your sins, with a present and everlasting salvation: for he says, Only believe, and thou shalt be saved. We should receive the word of God as if it was the awful voice of God from heaven. It will be awful to the wicked and unconverted:…Oh, may the Lord quicken your dead soul

"with life divine,
And make you in his image shine."

Oh, may you feel the kindlings of love divine shed abroad in your heart! Farewell in the Lord, my dear sister.

The following little narrative seems to have been intended for her own private use. It is apparently left unfinished.

November 30, 1800

Elizabeth Wallbridge, born July 29, 1770

I feel my mind more composed when writing, and more free from wandering thoughts, than at any other time; for I have little retirement, and when I have, it is seldom free from disturbances, so that I am almost continually conversant with the world. The Lord knoweth what a burden it is to my mind, and how impatient I have been. May the Lord pardon his unfaithful, unprofitable servant, and sanctify me throughout, soul, spirit, and body, and plunge me in the Godhead's deepest sea, that I may be lost in his immensity. O glorious hope of perfect love! may it ever fill and lift my ravished spirit up to things above; there shall for ever love.

I thought I would just set down, as the Lord is pleased to give me time and strength, a few of his particular mercies and favors as I can recollect. He has abounded in love and mercy to me: Oh, that I had made him all the returns that love could make by giving myself a sacrifice daily unto him! But now I have to lament my short-comings, and to apply to the "blood of sprinkling" which speaks my sins forgiven, and purifies my soul and makes I meet for heaven. Oh, what a precious Savior have I found! Oh that I could make him known to all mankind, that all may turn and taste the riches of his grace! At present I am so very weak in body and mind that I can recollect but very little: it has been decaying near four years; but in the Lord Jehovah is my everlasting strength, and whoever relies on him shall never be ashamed, and shall be freed from all slavish fears.

I seemed to have some fear of God, and love him from my childhood. His restraining grace kept me from falling into great and open sin, and gave me such a love to truth and uprightness, that I seemed to hate every false way, word, and work, in myself and others. I remember, when I went to school, one of my playmates, that I was very fond of, used to take every opportunity to get money from her mother unknown to her, and bring to school, and buy all kinds of little toys, and then freely give me and another or two an equal share with herself. But oh, how did the Spirit of the Lord strive with me at that time, and convince me of the evil, so that I had no peace of mind whilst I partook of the sin! And yet I had not strength to resist it. It was so on my mind that I ought to make her fault known, not to conceal it and partake of part. I could see it a great evil in the person that sold her the things, whose daughter took part, and, I believe, knew as well as I did how she came by it; but I never revealed it, though I always bore it on my mind with abhorrence. What a sad thing to yield to sin against such clear convictions!

I was early taught a form of prayer, which I continued to repeat in a careless manner when I was laid down in bed, but every often I fell asleep before I said them half. But, blessed be God, he still spared me, and often drew me to himself by the cords of love; for at an early age he drew me to secret prayer, where I often felt the kindlings of his love; but had none to set me forward, so that I often neglected this duty; but when alone I have often felt great sweetness in it. I believe if I had heard the gospel preached, I should have been very early devoted to that God I now love and adore. But I do not yet love him as he has promised I shall, with all my loving heart, when sin is all destroyed. O happy moment, how long for it!

The last document is

Her Will

My dear Father, and Mother, and Brothers: If it should please the Lord to spare you all till after my decease, I take this opportunity to set down what I simply desire, if it be the Lord's will and agreeable to you all. If I die under this roof, it will be best, as soon as I am dead, to have my coffin made; let Mr. ----- make I, if it is quite agreeable; and then I can be carried down stairs, not to disturb you or break your rest. And there the angels of my covenant-making and promise-keeping God will watch over me and protect my sleeping dust; so that you need not fear any evil spirit, for they will have done with me for ever, they will never assault me any more; I shall then, through Christ, who hath loved me with an everlasting love, gain the glorious victory over all the principalities and powers of darkness; for they know hat I am a redeemed captive from their power, though they cease not to tempt me to return to my former customs, that I may be again in bondage to fear: but glory be given to God, his grace is sufficient for me; hitherto he hath brought me safe through, and I know he will save to the end. May I lift up my heart to him and cry, O thou

"Fairer than the sons of men, Do not let me turn again."

Let my coffin be very plain, neat, and strong, made to cover very close. Let it be made white inside and out, if no trouble; and for the shroud a little wool will do, if you like it: it will be less expensive; for it will all turn to dust. I care not who you ask to my funeral: I want no form of young people; I had rather have those that love God, that they may rejoice over me with angels above, and praise a God of love. [She then names several friends whom she desired to be present, and proceeds.] Let them all meet together that can or will come,…and I trust they will feel the Lord powerfully present in the midst to bless every waiting soul, and reveal the secrets of his love. Mr. Richmond or the minister of Newchurch, which you please; I love then both, because they love God: for "God is love," and his love constrains us to love one another…Do not be afraid of disturbing the peaceful dead in singing praise to God and the Lamb who hath redeemed me from sin. It may be, my happy spirit may be permitted to join in listening angels who catch the approving sound, and while all heaven's host cry, A child is born into our world above.

Let these hymns be sung: the 37th, "Hosanna to Jesus on high;" the 35th, "'Tis finished, 'tis done;" the 33 rd, "Ah lovely appearance of death;" the 50 th, "in the large book, "Hark, a voice divides the sky." If the preacher please, for the glory of God and the good of the living, let him preach a sermon from Psalm 116:15, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints;" and may the word be attended with power; a divine energy and the quickening influence of the Spirit of God rest upon the minister and the hearers, that glory may be given to God, and great good done in his precious name; that his saints that love him may be strengthened, and refreshed, and built up in their most holy faith; that they may go on their way rejoicing in the strength of the Lord, from grace to grace, till glory end what grace began; that they may be fully prepared to meet death with Christian courage. And may all my dear friends follow on to know the Lord, and experimentally to feel the saving power of divine grace in each of their hearts, that they may give glory to God, and triumphantly quit the stage of mortality shouting, Victory through the blood of the Lamb that was slain, who now is ascended on high for ever to reign. But I would have all remember, if they have never yet been convinced of their lost and miserable state by nature, that it is high time for them to awake out of sleep, and cry mightily to God to show them their danger and save them from destruction. For without faith and prayer you can not be saved. Then come, like the humble publican, with a feeling sense of your sins, and true faith in his merits to atone for your sins and cleanse your guilty souls, and you will be sure to find mercy, pardon, and peace, and grace to help you in every time of seeing a great change; but I have been painfully disappointed to the present moment, which often fills my heart with grief and sorrow, to see sinners so unconcerned upon the brink of death. But if I am never permitted to see that happy change, I hope you will experience it, and meet me in glory: there we shall part no more. [The remainder is occupied with the distribution of her little property, consisting almost entirely of wearing apparel, among her relatives.]

The following letters were addressed to the dairyman's daughter by Mr. Richmond. The first is merely a short note, but it is inserted as a characteristic illustration of the style in which he addressed her.

Letter I

It has pleased God, my Christian sister, for several weeks past to keep me in a state of sickness, from which, soon, by his goodness, I hope to be relieved. I am at present unable to say half what I wish to you; but lest you should suspect me of inattention to your friendly and welcome letter, I write these few lines to say, that you shall either hear from me at length, or see me shortly. May God support you through your trial of ill health; and the nearer you approach the other world, whenever it be God's appointed time, may you be more and more heavenly minded. Peace be multiplied to you. I pray for you, and get you to know

How faithfully I am, yours in Christ,
L. Richmond

Letter II

You may be assured upon the faith of one who loves God, and would fain serve and obey him, that you are not out of my mind, though I have been prevented from doing myself the pleasure of calling upon you. I have also delayed writing till now from an almost daily expectation of coming your way; but as I has happened otherwise, I now acknowledge the receipt of your last letter, and rejoice at the sight of words dictated by a spirit of godliness, humility, and love. In a perverse and adulterous generation, like the present one, what can be so cheering to the soul as converse with those who really know the Lord, and love him because he hath first loved them? I am well convinced of the propriety and force of your advice with respect to my conduct, and that of the ministers of the gospel in general. God grant such a weak and unprofitable servant as I am may find grace and ability to conduct myself as becomes a faithful laborer in the vineyard! For who can do it of his own strength? What are the natural powers of sinful man to work out the righteousness of God? To the spirit of Christ, which changeth and strengtheneth the inner man, we must attribute all: to him be honor, glory, and praise in all the churches now and evermore.

I have read your two books, and find much profit in them both. It appears that the Life of Madame Guion should be attended to with such caution, which Mr. Wesley very frequently draws our observation to in his short notes at the bottom of the pages. She was some times influenced by notions which had not a sufficiently strong scriptural foundation, and therefore in these things should not be set as a pattern; but her love of God, and her anxiety to be for ever joined to him, are lovely and interesting. The true rule for discerning her motions and operations of the blessed Spirit, which the apostle describes: let every thing be referred to this as a standard, and we never shall be mistaken. May God so guide and direct you and me to all goodness, that our works may glorify--not ourselves; none but Jesus can do that, but--our father which is in heaven. May numbers have reason, through the mercy of God, to bless our memory; and may the seed which, in my ministerial capacity, I am commissioned to sow, to plant, and to water, receive its due increase from God. I assure you this lies much at my heart, and occupies much of my thoughts: seeing and "knowing the terrors of the Lord," I would "persuade men," with all truth, earnestness and sincerity, to flee from the wrath to come, and throw themselves and their sins at the foot of the cross, with true repentance and faith. Faith is the hand which we stretch forth to receive the benefits of Christ's blood; it is the soul of the spiritual life, and the grand distinguishing characteristic of the true Christian from the false; it is the touchstone of Christianity; the burning coal which sets fire to the sacrifice on the altar; the sun which enlightens the wilderness of the world; the lantern which guides our feet through the valley of the shadow of death. True faith never can be separated from hope and love; they are three lovely sisters who take up their dwelling in the heart when it becomes the temple of the Holy Ghost; their parent is God, an their offspring righteous works: how do they shine forth in the midst of a vain and wicked world, like a candle set upon a hill in a dark and gloomy night! May their operations spread wider and wider over the face of the world, and may the church of God increase in their fruits till at length the happy time shall arrive when the kingdom of the Lord and his Anointed. God hasten so blessed a period!

I was much shocked at the sudden death of my neighbor ------. Such unprepared calls ought to operate upon those that are left behind as salutary warnings: alive and healthy this morning, who knoweth that this very night our souls shall not be required of us? Let us be on the watch, and endeavor to make others so, for we "know neither the day nor the hour" of our Master's coming. I am told that his successor has given some strong calls to duty and attentiveness in religion, which, I hope in God, will prove afficacious. He appears in conversation very much in earnest, and seems steady and persevering; but I have only seen him twice. In that parish you well know how much reformation is wanted. Alas! into what place can we go where it is not wanting? Iniquity triumphs, and presumption darkens the very heavens with her widespreading wings; blasphemy, covetousness, and uncleanness abound and prosper; men are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Does not the world go just as Satan would have it? Sometimes he will even suggest to the faithful that their endeavors are in vain, and he tempts to inactivity and sloth; but, blessed be God, the Bible is in our hands, and there we find arguments, and strength, and consolation, and admonition, and precept, and commandment, and encouragement to proceed in the mighty task of beating down the strongholds of iniquity, and destroying the works of the devil. Even though "the overflowings of ungodliness may make us afraid," God worketh the good cause, and in the end it shall prosper. The church shall never fail, nor shall the gates of hell prevail against it. Your health, I hear, is weak: may God strengthen the inner man as he thinks fit to weaken the outer; may his kingdom rule in your heart, though the outward fortification crumble to dust. If it please God to shorten the span of your life, I trust you will meet your Redeemer with peace and joy, and that you will employ the rest of that time which is appointed you on earth in promoting the cause of righteousness, in combating the artifices of Satan, resisting the ways of ungodliness, conversing with God in fervent prayer and holy meditation, comtemplating his redeeming love, and hungering after higher and higher degrees of virtue. May the prospect of a heavenly inheritance keep you alive to holiness and gratitude, and in looking upon the world around, remember that the true spirit whilst we hate the sin. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon you from God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believe me to be
Yours, with Christian regard,
L. Richmond

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