322 Thomas Hollis to Benjamin Colman

    London Tune 7, 1725

    Mr. Benj. Colman

    Reverend Sir

    I wrote unto you lately by Capt. Blewe and referre. June 2d I received from you a letter with out date, nor know I, by what ship, with a kind condolance on ocasion of my Wifes death. I thank you for the sympathizing expressions therein, and the wise instruction you offer on Scripture testimony, for support of the thoughts of the living. By these and the like Scriptures, I am in some mesure through Grace, enabled to beare up in a tollerable manner with Patience, continually praying God for suita[b]le supports in the way, and that I may finish my Course with joye. Since my Wifes decease, I have had small touches and uneasines with the Gout for Weeks, but no great Pains. All my Servants have been sick, fevers, Rumatisms &c. but all are spared and recovered, blessed be God. My aged Mother in law, who lives now with me continues weak and indisposed, but is about house.

    Thus our gratious God deals with us, as a tender Father, and what ever good things he gives us in the way, reserves the best Wine for the last, they that persevere in well doing, Eternal Life, a State exeeding our hopes and Wishes; oh the depths of the Love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord.

    I doubt not but you did, soon after you wrote this letter, receive my Boxes of Books and letters by Osborne; I need not repeate. I write to Mr. Tresurer with invoyce of a Small box of Books by Capt. Clark; in it is some pamflets for you, &c. I have expectation of another parsel shortly, when I receive them I shall not faile to forward them.

    When Colonel Shute returns to you, we continue to hope you will be prevailed on to accept the Presidents Chaire. Doctor Cook will acquaint you what is resolved by King George and the Councill in your affaires, whose account will be better credited then good natured Mr. Hollis, poor honest man. King George went the 4 June for Hanover with a good Wind, a great profound peace at present in Europe—how long it may continue? God knows.

    Mr. George Smith of Bermudas dined with me June 4, talks and behaves like an honest man that hath Religion at heart, says he has a Son147 at your College designed for the Ministry, tells me he knows Mr. Colman and most of the Ministers in Boston, designs to see you if God will in the fall, and carry his son home, if fitt for a preacher, but if you think him not yet qualifyed, I advise him, to let him stay another Yeare.

    Capt. Sheperton, who brought you news of my Wifes death is returned to London and brings your gazet of April 29, wherin I read of the arrival of Osborn at Boston, but no letter by him to me from any body which I wonder at, as much as you did, for want of one by him from me.

    Your letter to my Nephew RS148 says your Brothers family want him at Boston, but my Nephew nor my self, know not well his reason of staying here, nor do I heare him talk of late when he is designing to return. I am lately told from the Gentleman bound with your Brother to me for the £100 that I shall be paid the same, but desires a little patience.

    My love unto you and all our good Freinds.

    Your Loving Friend

    Thomas Hollis

    Mr. Greenwood dined with me today, says he has preached with courage 7 times, which I am glad of, I feared he would have been daunted at his first setting out, once was in Mr. Bradburys pulpit at the request of Dr. Cook, a place where he supposes Dr. Cook comunicates. He hopes to return this fall to Boston and carry an aparatus to teach the Mathematicks &c. of which I hope he will prove an usefull instructor in your College, if you are President. He shewed me your letter to him of July 29, 1724, which I read and aproved of as kind and good advice, to an industrious young man, who apears to me sober, and dilligent to acquire knowlege.

    Your College is said to be by one and another, in a very bad condition at present, for want of a President. If your Government will not make you easy to accept the Chaire, some are ready to wish Dr. Mather149 were in it, then that it should remaine longer without a Head. And by what is written to London, and I have seen it looks as if he expected it.

    Your library is reckoned here to be ill managed, by the account I have of some that know it. You want seats to sett and read, and chains to your valluable books like our Bodleian library, or Sion College in London. You know their methods, which are approved, but do not imitate them. You let your books be taken at pleasure home to Mens houses, and many are lost. Your (boyish) Students take them to their chambers, and teare out pictures and Maps to adorne the Walls; such things are not good. If you want roome for modern books, it is easy to remove the less usefull into a more remote place,150 but not to sell any, they are devoted. Your goodnes will excuse me, if I hint to you what I think is faulty; if you are convinced my hints are just, your own prudence will rectify what is amiss, so far as you can.

    I understand K. George has granted a Patent for an University to be set up at Bermuda—to furnish out Church of England Preachers for America—and a Certaine Deane is to goe thither and reside as President thereof. You may talk with Capt. Smith about it, on his arrival with you.

    [Endorsed:] No. 40.

    Hollis Letters and Papers, p. 62.