Matthew Franklin letter to Charity Rotch, New York, 4 mo 11th 1805

              B-255-10
page 1

 Dear friend                        New York 4 mo 11th 1805
                           Thy valued communications of 1st Instant were ahnded me, by Jno I Wells, for which I tender my grateful acknowledgments, which from the present poverty stricken state of my feelings, I shoud scarcely attempt to answer at this moment was it not that JJW proposes returning tomorrow, and apprehending my friend would be looking for something from me, and feeling an entire dispostion to gratify her as far as in my power, she may therefore expect little also in this sheet but local information of one kind or another - in the description thou hast given me of the state of thy mind when thou wrote, thou hast pictured to precision the present situation of thy poor MF which enables me to feel very nearly with thee.  I have laboured of latter time under accumulated discouragments arising from a variety of causes, that I seem left without "Dew or Rain or fields of offerings" well my dear friend what shall we do in this dilemma? we must not take our flight in the winter Season, these dispensations are intended no doubt for the annihilation of self, that self may become of no reputation, and thou knows there are many reductions to go thro' before every selfish fibre becomes extinct  it is well for us that we are sensible of our wants and poverty, this will induce that scrutiny so necessary very often to take place, and which in times of abounding we may not sufficiently advert to "no affliction for the present is joyous but grievious, but they work the peacable fruits of Righteousness to all them that are rightly exercised thereby."  I have not had it in my pwer to pay much attention to thy friend J IW, from my varied engagements, I spent an Evening with him a Stephen Grellets which I apprehend was an instructive opportunity to him, he appears to me to answer the description thou givist of him, to be now in substance than outside shew; I sincerely desire his growth in the unchangeable Truth0- I deliver the letters thou enclosed