[Nicholas Hamner Cobbs at Bedford, Virginia, to Charles Johnston at Botetourt Springs, Virginia, May 9, 1832. James Ambler Johnston Papers, Section 5, Virginia Historical Society. This is my rough, annotated transcription from a copy graciously provided by William Myers. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]
Bedford May 9th 1832
My Dear Sir
Your favour of the 29th ult[imo] has been received; an answer to which has been delayed a few days in consequence of my . . . preparations for our approaching Convention.
I do assure you that I am very gratified to find how much your mind is intent[?] on the all important subject of Baptism. I had thou[ght] for some time that you were no stranger to the awakening influences of the Holy Spirit, & it is now evident that there is a work of grace going on in your heart.
I truly sympathize unto[?] you in your religious difficulties. I can fully see their influence on your hopes & feelings. But, my Dear Sir, be not discouraged: these difficulties are not insuperable: the grace of God which has given you the knowledge of these difficulties will afford you strength to overcome them.
Let me affectionately caution you against the tendency of old age to despair: I believe that many more old persons would become pious & happy [C]hristians were it not . . . But be assured these . . . to assist you & most surely will be blessed in your efforts. Though you stumble & fall seven times a day, still rise again & press onward in your course.
Recollect for you can that you have to deal with God who knows your frame & remember you are dust, who understands the force of habit, & who estimates moral character for the intents & purposes of the heart . . . that God is a tender Father [&] pities those that fear him, & makes all proper allowances for the difficulties, infirmities & temptations of those who are endeavoring to serve him.
Every holy desire, every humble confession, every penitent prayer is acceptable in his sight: in the language of scripture he will not break the bruised seed nor quench the smoking flame. As long as you are conscious to yourself that it is your habitual desire to serve God, take comfort to yourself & let the hopes of success animate you to perseverance.
Call to mind the animating promises of the gospel: he that comes unto me I will in no wise cast out. "[W]ho soever will, let him take of the waters of life truly:" "Christ cam to see and to save it . . . which was lost." "Come unto me all you sinners."
Keep up therefore a regular habit of prayer, read the blessed word of God & set a constant watch on your peculi[ar] failings & besetting sins. In this way God will give you grace & strength;& though you may not experience the vivid comforts of young Christians, you will certainly obtain a calm restless faith that will gold with hope the . . . of death,
May God almighty abundantly bless you, my Dear Sir, may he give you much peace & joy in believing after having borne you up under the troubles & trials of this life may he give you a crown of glory and the Kingdom of Heaven. Such is the prayer of one who feels himself under obligations for the kind attentions of yourself & family.
Sincerely yours
N.H. Cobbs
P.S. I hope certainly to be at your house when I next visit Botetourt. I shall be happy yo converse with you fully on [this subject].
[Additional note, added by a grandchild:] This letter from Mr. (afterwards Bishop) Cobbs is inserted here to shew the spiritual condition of my Grandfather's mind only a few months before his death.
[Nicholas Hamner Cobbs (1796-1861), Episcopal Deacon.
Charles Johnston (1769-January 21, 1833).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
Bedford May 9th 1832
My Dear Sir
Your favour of the 29th ult[imo] has been received; an answer to which has been delayed a few days in consequence of my . . . preparations for our approaching Convention.
I do assure you that I am very gratified to find how much your mind is intent[?] on the all important subject of Baptism. I had thou[ght] for some time that you were no stranger to the awakening influences of the Holy Spirit, & it is now evident that there is a work of grace going on in your heart.
I truly sympathize unto[?] you in your religious difficulties. I can fully see their influence on your hopes & feelings. But, my Dear Sir, be not discouraged: these difficulties are not insuperable: the grace of God which has given you the knowledge of these difficulties will afford you strength to overcome them.
Let me affectionately caution you against the tendency of old age to despair: I believe that many more old persons would become pious & happy [C]hristians were it not . . . But be assured these . . . to assist you & most surely will be blessed in your efforts. Though you stumble & fall seven times a day, still rise again & press onward in your course.
Recollect for you can that you have to deal with God who knows your frame & remember you are dust, who understands the force of habit, & who estimates moral character for the intents & purposes of the heart . . . that God is a tender Father [&] pities those that fear him, & makes all proper allowances for the difficulties, infirmities & temptations of those who are endeavoring to serve him.
Every holy desire, every humble confession, every penitent prayer is acceptable in his sight: in the language of scripture he will not break the bruised seed nor quench the smoking flame. As long as you are conscious to yourself that it is your habitual desire to serve God, take comfort to yourself & let the hopes of success animate you to perseverance.
Call to mind the animating promises of the gospel: he that comes unto me I will in no wise cast out. "[W]ho soever will, let him take of the waters of life truly:" "Christ cam to see and to save it . . . which was lost." "Come unto me all you sinners."
Keep up therefore a regular habit of prayer, read the blessed word of God & set a constant watch on your peculi[ar] failings & besetting sins. In this way God will give you grace & strength;& though you may not experience the vivid comforts of young Christians, you will certainly obtain a calm restless faith that will gold with hope the . . . of death,
May God almighty abundantly bless you, my Dear Sir, may he give you much peace & joy in believing after having borne you up under the troubles & trials of this life may he give you a crown of glory and the Kingdom of Heaven. Such is the prayer of one who feels himself under obligations for the kind attentions of yourself & family.
Sincerely yours
N.H. Cobbs
P.S. I hope certainly to be at your house when I next visit Botetourt. I shall be happy yo converse with you fully on [this subject].
[Additional note, added by a grandchild:] This letter from Mr. (afterwards Bishop) Cobbs is inserted here to shew the spiritual condition of my Grandfather's mind only a few months before his death.
[Nicholas Hamner Cobbs (1796-1861), Episcopal Deacon.
Charles Johnston (1769-January 21, 1833).]
[Many thanks to Sue Davis, William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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