[From Letters of Bishop Hildesley]

Letter XV

Bishop's Court, Dec, 15, 1762

(To Mrs Moore.) Dear Madam

This brings you our anxious enquiries after Mr Moore's health, which we are exceedingly concerned to hear mends so slowly He must be bad indeed not to hold a pen, but I think him quite right to forbear it, especially when he has so ready an amanuensis as Mr Birket at hand

Mr Wilks's case, last. year, and Mr Moore's now, appear to me to be much alike, The former had then most violent cough, and so long continued without any effect. from medicines that he seemed to be quite broke up, his whole frame being so exceedingly shaken.—"But what is Mr Wilks's case to us? he is a strong man and can bear and go through a great deal."—True; but when a strong man is brought down, I take the advantage to be generally on the weakly man's side, as [ have, by God's favour, long experienced : and I take Mr Moore's constitution and mine to be not unsimilar.

To say, I wish he had a blister, would be intruding advice where it is not wanted. I only mean. that: if the Doctor has so thought fit, who is best judge, I should be glad to hear it; having great opimion as well as self-experi- ence of the good of such application, in nervous cases. The prescription, however, that more properly becomes me, but which I dare say too, he needs not, as being always disposed to, I mean, a submission and Trust to the divine will and pleasure of the Almighty, to whose grace, benediction and protection, I earnestly commend him and you. And with my ardent prayers for support under his tryal, and a recovery from it, for the sake of our Church as well as for that of all his friends, and for your sake, madam, in particular:

I am (with additional anxious commendations and best wishes from my invalid wife and sister),

Dear Sir and Madam,
Your fellow feeling and affecte Friend and Servt,
M. Sodor & Mann.

Being not sure in what terms my last toleration to Mr Cubbon (21) runs, I was just going to send another to him, that might answer all purposes for the care of Douglas Chapel: but when I consider, the young man would hardly like to be detained from his friends all Christmas, I am afraid I must turn my thoughts to some other, and not confine Cubbon against his will.

I could wish that Mr Grave, or any other person Mr Moore should think proper, would come over to me, by whom I might give and send directions for the care of the Chapel, till it shall please God to enable Mr Moore to return to it himself, but which I would desire he would be very cautious of attempting : For I had rather come and supply it myself than he should hazard a relapse by going out too soon. I have likewise another reason for desiring to see Mr Grave, viz., on account, of a new Psalmodist, that, I hear, is coming to teach, who I would not have engage too far, but he knows a little of my mind on that head

I forbid Mr Moore troubling himself about anything but what his Doctor and Nurse order. Let him leave church and Chapel to me Only send me over somebody to talk to on that head.

(21) Thomas Cubbon, appointed Vicar of Santon in 1765 afterwards Rector of Bride and Vicar-General.