p385 MY DEAR BROTHER, - I am sending you some lines,* by which you will see I have been more happily occupied with the sufferings of the blessed Lord than our friends in England. As to the lines, they are to go if you desire to put them in without initials or any sign of authorship. You are perfectly free to put them in or not: so many are disposed to find some heresy in what is written, at any rate by me, that you had better look closely to it. I am not the least concerned about it for myself. It is a very small matter to me to be judged of their judgment, but I should not commit other people to the inquisition; so you had better look close. I had not an idea of writing more than a verse or two as a hymn, and it spread out under my hand. Nor had I an idea of entering on what might give occasion to these amiable comments; but I found when I got on to the latter part I was on that part of the subject which might afford a handsome occasion for their investigations. So that while I enjoyed my meditations I should not expose others to their criticisms. I do not write any articles now for brethren's journals. I have written a good deal, and I bide my time. I ought not to commit them to my position or views. The editors have no distrust, but I prefer for the present taking my own ground. I am publishing some tracts here. I thought a mere hymn I might be safe in, but it has extended to such a review of Christ's sorrows, that though for me it is mere meditation and self-edification, others might find some awful doctrine in it, so that I make this long preface. It is rather long and not very poetical. But I enjoyed the meditation with my pen, and others may, too. I was very glad to get your letters.
{*"The Man of Sorrows."}

Affectionately yours in the Lord.

The second part of the lines begins at "I pause." The three last verses, if you like to leave from "I pause" out, come in after "To every soul in need."

May, 1867.

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