Letter to Nephew Stephen Davis

Baptist Magazine Vol 16, 1824

Copy of an original Letter from the late Rev. Benjamin Francis, to the Rev. S. Davis of Clonmel, when a Youth of the Age of Twelve Years.

My dear young Nephew,

I take it kind that you have written to me, and am glad you write and spell so well. Be sure to learn the English Grammar, and always endeavour to speak and to write grammatically. Early and constant practice will render speaking, writing, and spelling correctly, easy and familiar to you, which will be very ornamental and commendable. Be determined to be a good English scholar. Read much; think more. You know not as yet of what great future advantage learning may be to you. But learning without virtue will only do you harm; above all things, therefore, seek the grace of God, and the kingdom of heaven. Let your prayer be, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Set the Lord always before you, Watch over your thoughts, words, and actions. Abominate hypocrisy, and every secret sin. Cultivate a humble, meek, placid, even, contented, loving, and benevolent disposition of mind, which is both amiable and beneficial. Be always very obedient to your parents. Hate all evil, love all moral good, and Oh! rest not without Christ in you the hope of glory.

You are the descendant of eminently pious ancestors; you are the child of many prayers; Oh be much in secret prayer! I shall rejoice to see you a good, a happy, and a useful member both of civil and religious society. Oh my dear S-, be a son of consolation to your affectionate parents, an honour to your relations, and an ornament to the Christian religion. God bless you with grace and glory!

My dear Stephen,

Your affectionate Uncle,

B Francis

Horseley, March 12, 1796

(Francis had a cousin in the ministry, Abel Francis and his eldest son, Jonathan Francis, was long a faithful minister. His son, Enoch Francis, became pastor of a Baptist church at Exeter. A second son, Nathaniel Francis, a pious and promising youth, died at 18. Two of Abel Francis's daughters were eminent Christians, and in prosperous circumstances. Another daughter married Rev. Stephen Davis, pastor of one of the Baptist churches in Caermarthen, who was also a man of considerable distinction in society as to wealth and influence. His grandson was the above Rev. Stephen Davis of Clonmel, Ireland, a missionary on behalf of the Irish Baptist Society.)