.MTIzNA.OTc3MjM
I think are correct and also the influence and debt of duty demanded etc. etc. The world ought to be and must be the better and happier for your having ha'd in and for the privileges you have enjoy'd. You say do not tell me of the Christian Ministry that your Character is not suited to -whose natural character is suited to it? (mention one in your next) was John Newton's was St. Pauls even? Whose fault is it that you lack that ardent & heavenly piety- "Ask and ye shall receive,, besides ought you not to possess ardent & heavenly piety whatever may be your vocation. I do not say now that you ought to prepare yourself for the Ministry. But I do say and solemnly conjoin it upon you my Son to enquire earnestly, prayerfully, with a childlike docile spirit - Lord what will thou have me to do - Beware my son of shunning the Cross and shrinking from duty
However I suppose what you mean by natural character is a little different from what I have taken it - there are many things in you doubtless that need mending. Ann says you lack decision. Perhaps tis a constitutional or family fault. Charles you know is apt to be double minded and is very much troubled that way some brought to a complete stand as if at the centre between two loadstones but you are not like some never settled your decision enough when you are decided but you (& so does Charles) are apt from over cautiousness perhaps to ballance things longer than is necessary before choosing, but you can get the better of it now while you are young oblige yourself to determine what if you do mistake sometimes you can luck about and choose again & perhaps the very mistakes would help improve your judgment in small matters I mean but perhaps you cant find out what I mean I cant express my ideas so as to satisfy myself at all - perhaps you are bright enough to think it out - at any rate you can make out this much "be a good boy and read your Bible,, & however trite it may you will acknowledge it is good advice. I dont know exactly how to take your remark about envying a young Surveyor etc. I do think that you ought (not without earnest prayer for wisdom to direct) to decide upon what you will try to do - then but I believe not till then I should have no objection to your "Striving to merit and to win some young woman and let her be worth striving for