John Simpson letter to Thomas Rotch, 21 of 4th month 1801

                 
   B-176-1
  Beloved Friends  
  Thomas & Charity Roach     Being now at out Yearly Meeting which
  appears large and as you have been much the
  Subject of my thoughts since you [illegible] in 
  West Hartford I may now inform you that my
  harts desire and prayer has been for your Preservation
  not doubting but your tryals will be great indeed
  for great is the Wrath of the Dragon against the return of
  the Church out of her wilderness State; and as he has fought
  as with open mouth like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may Devour in the
  morning Day of the Reformation; and as John Saw he was over come and cast out
  so that the Lamb and his followers got the Victory and made their Progress by
  Gradual steps as up that Ladder 'Jacob Saw which reached from Earth to
  Heaven' and when I consider the Great and Marvelous works of the Great Shepard
  of Israel in leading his people like a flock; for thus have the Differen Societies of
  the Reformed Churches appeared to me like the Lords flocks moveing one before 
  another Each one haveing the inscription of holiness to the Lord for when the
  Episcopalian Protested against the Dark Supertion of Popery their call was
  to a more pure and Holy life and worship for which they sufered ever unto Death
  and as the light gradually rose and those sons of the morning stood faith full
  they contined to call as the prophet presaw to come up to the mount of the Lord and
  to the house of the God of Jacob who had Promised to teach his people himself, and
  also shen the decenters saw more clear in many things relative to the Gospel
  Ministry and true Spiritual Worship the call grew louder and louder so that
  many Separate Societies were geathered all professing to move forward so that
  when our forefathers where Geathered to be a People thier call was the [illegible] 
  in substance to a more pure spirutla worship and free Gospel ministry and also to
  [illegible]and peace declaring the Lord had brought back the Captivity [illegible] and
  [illegible] her to her ancient beauty in measure liken to Primitive [illegible]
  as when I consider the Different societies in this light it Remove all    
  Prejudice[illegible]leads ot earnest desire and Prayer taht Each one may be faithfull   
  as light and knowledge may be Communicated; for as my relations were of the  
  Prysbeterians [illegible]among them they ahve informed me that their Religious Parent 
  has [illegible]their belief in the farther advancement of the Reformation and entreated 
  them never to be biggok but Stand open to Receive it when Ever the Lord Should
  Please to make known further Discoveries; And now is it not plain to see
  our Warfare is an John [illegible]saw with the Dragon tail who drew down the stars
  to the Ground Enlightened mind to earthly darkness therefore may we watch and
  Pray least we enter into temptation so as to be drawn aside by that Spirit of
  unbelief that has arose in the highly favoured land; And now Dear Friend,
  as to your Selves I feel Glad in hopeing you are in the way of your duty and may
  you be thankfull and take Courage So as faithfully to perform the work alotted
  you which is the Desire of your Friend and brother.
                                                         John Simpson
  ye 21 of ye 4th month 1801
                                        Please to Remember my love to your
                                         neighbour as way opens for I often think of that
                                         little flock. So marvelously geathered at West
                                         Hartford Since I was therre.