From William Seward in Bristol to 'Son Scipio' [Africanus]. Seward received both Scipio’s 'kind and dutiful letters' and he was grateful for Scipio visiting Miss Gracey, but he was sorry to hear from several of the brethren that 'your behaviour is not such as becomes the Gospel of Jesus Christ. O Scipio how will you escape if you neglect this great salvation, which has been so often sounded in your ears. You have enjoyed lights which thousands are deprived of and therefore if you fall away, your condemnation will be the greater. If the brethren cast you off, to whom will you go, will you serve the world, the flesh and the devil again? You have now seen what it is to serve God and what it is to serve the devil, so choose whom you will serve ...You do more dishonour to religion by going amongst the brethren and kicking your heel amongst them than if you had never gone at all...'
Scipio should pray that as Mrs Robinson’s health deteriates, her spiritual health may strengthen. Scipio should let Mr ?? shorthand copy all of William’s letters to Scipio and to Cousin Robinson in the 'lesser book'.
William has received another letter from his brother Benjamin who 'comes on bravely'. 'Yesterday after our brother [George] Whitefield had preached at Rose Green to many thousands, coaches, horsemen etc, we collected £10 for the Orphan House and came home singing all the way, being 2 or 3 miles even to the heart of the city [of Bristol] where we lodge and the streets were crowded all the way, so that we were almost carried off by the multitude. Some tried to disturb us but God did not permit them, they said we ought to be taken up as disturbers of the peace. No wonder Satan rages when his kingdom is thus openly attacked...'
[George] Whitefield has fallen from his horse in Wales and sprained his left wrist. The injury does not however prevent him from writing or preaching.
Scipio should show this letter to the societies and ask them to pray for Scipio, Seward and for Mr Whitefield. Scipio should not be ashamed to tell them that he is so bad – they will pray for him more and love him better.
'The best way to mend your heart is to confess how black it is, even worse [than] your skin and lay it at the feet of Jesus Christ.'
In Wales, the anti-Methodists did Seward and Whitefield the honour of getting a fox skin and hunting it while Whitefield preached [Cf George Whitefield’s Journal for 8 March 1739].
Seward is Scipio’s affectionate godfather.