Faraday to Benjamin Vincent   14 July 1848

Ross | 14 July 1848

My dear friend

I received your very kind & very pleasant letter and it was a great joy to us to hear of the happiness of our friends & brethren at Old Buckingham. How wonderful are the ways of God amongst men and how astonishing the manner in which he gives testimony of his eternal purpose as declared in his word by his acts amongst the children of men. The manner in which he pulls down & again exalts whether it be in such a church as that of London or such a feeble company as that at Old Buckingham equally testifies of his truth & faithfulness & that he is ever the same. Glorious in holiness, fearful in praises doing wonders¹. Has your father² yet gone to Old Buckingham? I can hardly think he would be willingly absent at such a time as that you speak of:- it is so pleasant to think one has the privilege of being joined in these proceedings.

We have as you suppose had many kind letters from London & from other parts so that we feel as if we were pretty well informed, still none of our letters have been repetitious & all have been very acceptable - and even with them all there is nothing like being at home & with our friends. I am beginning to weary of absence & shall be glad to be among you again I mean in Paul's Alley³: for as for the R Institution I am quite easy about that. Still whether it be something which is reparable or whether it be age & hot weather which affect us I feel much as I did as to lassitude when I left London - and though my wife says she is better I know that she is not stronger on her feet - I believe indeed that we ought to remember the time is come when we may expect to feel as if walking the downhill of life together: & in thinking so we ought to remember the many happy years we have been permitted to be together & the overflowing goodness which at this moment surrounds us[.]

As to the Institution I am glad to hear all goes on well. We expect to be at home about next Thursday or Friday⁴ at the latest & trust to find you well - but I will write again to some one. Remember me to Mr Barlow if in town. Also to Anderson & Miss Savage⁵[.]

With our united love to you & your wife⁶ & all our dear friends

I am My dear Vincent | Yours Most truly | M. Faraday