{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_71140/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_71140","id":"gutenberg_71140","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/71140","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches","Category: Religion/Spirituality","Presbyterian Church -- Clergy -- Early works to 1800","Presbyterian Church -- Sermons -- Early works to 1800","Sermons, English -- 18th century","Whitefield, George, 1714-1770 -- Early works to 1800"],"text":"THE\n WORKS\n OF THE REVEREND\n GEORGE WHITEFIELD, M.A.\n\n\n\n\n \u250c\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2510\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 Transcriber\u2019s Notes \u2502\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 Punctuation has been standardized. \u2502\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 The text may show quotations within quotations, all set \u2502\n \u2502 off by similar quote marks. The inner quotations have been \u2502\n \u2502 changed to alternate quote marks for improved readability. \u2502\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 Characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps. \u2502\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 Non-printable characteristics have been given the following \u2502\n \u2502 Italic text: --> _text_ \u2502\n \u2502 emphasized text within \u2502\n \u2502 italics --> |text| \u2502\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 This book was written in a period when many words had \u2502\n \u2502 not become standardized in their spelling. Words may have \u2502\n \u2502 multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in \u2502\n \u2502 the text. These have been left unchanged unless indicated \u2502\n \u2502 with a Transcriber\u2019s Note. \u2502\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 Footnotes are identified in the text with a superscript \u2502\n \u2502 number and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which \u2502\n \u2502 they appear. \u2502\n \u2502 \u2502\n \u2502 Transcriber\u2019s Notes are used when making corrections to the \u2502\n \u2502 text or to provide additional information for the modern \u2502\n \u2502 reader. These notes are identified by \u2666\u2660\u2665\u2663 symbols in the \u2502\n \u2502 text and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which \u2502\n \u2502 they appear. \u2502\n \u2514\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2518\n\n\n\n\n THE\n WORKS\n OF THE REVEREND\n GEORGE WHITEFIELD, M.A.\n\n Late of PEMBROKE-COLLEGE, OXFORD,\n And Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of HUNTINGDON.\n\n CONTAINING\n\n All his SERMONS and TRACTS\n Which have been already published:\n\n WITH\n\n A SELECT COLLECTION of LETTERS,\n\n Written to his most intimate Friends, and Persons of Distinction,\n in _England_, _Scotland_, _Ireland_, and _America_, from the\n Year 1734, to 1770, including the whole Period of his Ministry.\n\n ALSO\n\n Some other PIECES on IMPORTANT SUBJECTS,\n never before printed; prepared by Himself for the Press.\n\n To which is prefixed,\n\n An ACCOUNT of his LIFE,\n Compiled from his Original PAPERS and LETTERS.\n\n\n VOL. II.\n\n\n LONDON:\n\n Printed for EDWARD and CHARLES DILLY, in the Poultry;\n and Messrs. KINCAID and BELL, at Edinburgh.\n\n MDCCLXXI.\n\n\n\n\n LETTERS\n\n\n\n\n LETTER CCCCXCVIII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 23, 1742._\n\n_My dear brother H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Thank you for your kind and very agreeable letter. It was refreshing\nto my soul, and stirred me to give thanks on your behalf. I am\nsurprized that you are not turned off, since you now so clearly preach\nthe everlasting gospel. But our Saviour has the hearts of all men in\nhis hands, and he turneth them when and wheresoever he pleaseth. O my\ndear brother, I hope nothing will deter you from preaching the glad\ntidings of salvation to a world lying in the wicked one. I would not\nbut be a poor despised minister of JESUS CHRIST for ten thousand worlds.\nThis I am persuaded is the language of my dear friend\u2019s heart:\n\n I.\n\n _For this let men revile my name,_\n _No cross I shun, I fear no shame:_\n _All hail reproach, and welcome pain;_\n _Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain._\n\n II.\n\n _The love of CHRIST doth him constrain_\n _To seek the wand\u2019ring souls of men;_\n _With cries, entreaties, tears to save,_\n _And snatch them from the gaping grave._\n\nGo on, thou man of GOD; and may the LORD cause thy bow to abide in\nstrength! Glad should I be to come and shoot some gospel arrows in\n_Devonshire_; but the cloud seems now to point toward _America_. My\ndear family calls loudly for me. Our LORD has wonderfully of late\ninterposed on their behalf. GOD willing, I intend shortly to send you\nan account of the Orphan-house, and my last volume of sermons, with\nsome other things. Blessed be GOD for making any of my poor writings\nof use to your dear soul. Surely I had need proclaim free grace on the\nhouse-top; if I did not, the stones would cry out against me. O my dear\nbrother, what a mystery of love is the mystery of godliness? Whilst\nI am writing the fire kindles. This fire has also of late kindled in\nmany hearts. Our large society goes on well. We have many that walk in\nthe comforts of the Holy Ghost. I hear of glorious things from various\nparts. I hope ere long we shall hear of persons going from post to post,\nand crying, \u201cBabylon is fallen, Babylon is fallen.\u201d I trust you, my\ndear Sir, will be made a happy instrument in the Mediator\u2019s kingdom,\nof pulling down satan\u2019s strongholds. Pray write me word, how the war is\ngoing on between _Michael_ and the dragon. For the present, adieu. My\ntender love to all the lovers of JESUS CHRIST. Accept the same from, my\ndear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER CCCCXCIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, in Edinburgh._\n\n _London, Dec. 24, 1742._\n\n_Dear Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nIT has given me some concern that I could not answer your kind and\nacceptable letter before. As our Saviour will give me freedom, I shall\nsend you a few lines now. I think I may say to you, as _Luther_ said\nto _Melanchton_, _Nimis es nullus_. You are kept in bondage by a false\nhumility. It is good to see ourselves poor, and exceeding vile; but\nif that sight and feeling prevent our looking up to, and exerting\nourselves for our dear Saviour, it becomes criminal, and robs the soul\nof much comfort. I can speak this by dear-bought experience. How often\nhave I been kept from speaking and acting for GOD, by a sight of my\nown unworthiness; but now I see that the more unworthy I am, the more\nfit to work for JESUS, because he will get much glory in working by\nsuch mean instruments; and the more he has for given me, the more I\nought to love and serve him. Fired with a sense of his unspeakable\nloving-kindness, I dare to go out and tell poor sinners that a lamb was\nslain for them; and that he will have mercy on sinners as such, of whom\nindeed I am chief. I wish my dear friend was in this respect not almost,\nbut altogether such as I am. Well would it be with him, and happy would\nhe then be. Upon the receipt of yours, I prayed the LORD to open your\nmouth. The language of my heart for you, myself, and all the Redeemer\u2019s\nwitnesses, is this;\n\n _Ah! LORD, enlarge their scanty thought,_\n _To see the wonders thou hast wrought;_\n _Unloose the stammering tongue, to tell_\n _Thy love immense, unsearchable._\n\nI bless our LORD for giving you such freedom with himself, though\nyou cannot speak so freely to others. Prayers wrought by his own\nspirit, he will hear and answer. It is most god-like to be frequent in\nintercession. It is the constant employment of the Son of GOD in heaven.\nI rejoice to hear the work of GOD goes on among you in _Scotland_.\nBlessed be GOD, it prospers in our hands here, in _Wales_, and in\nvarious places. That it may prosper more and more, and be daily carried\non in your precious soul, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER D.\n\n\n _To Miss S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, in Edinburgh._\n\n _London, Dec. 24, 1742._\n\n_Dear Miss S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nCONTINUAL avocations about my master\u2019s business, has prevented my\nanswering your kind letter. It gladdened my heart, because it brought\nme the glad tidings of your being accepted in the beloved; and knowing\nthat you are so, what does the LORD require of you now, but to walk\nhumbly with him? Beg him to shew you more and more of your evil\nheart, that you may ever remain a poor sinner at the feet of the once\ncrucified, but now exalted Lamb of GOD. There you will be happy. There\nyou will find shelter from all your enemies. My prayer therefore for\nyou, dear Miss, is this:\n\n _Continue still thy love, dear Lamb,_\n _Safe hide her in thy wounds;_\n _There may she dwell in all that love_\n _The ransom\u2019d soul surrounds._\n\nThe comforts you have already experienced, as well as your trials, are\nbut earnests of what you will hereafter meet with in the spiritual life.\nBut fear nothing, neither be over thoughtful for the morrow; you have\nan all-gracious and almighty Saviour to guide and protect you. He will\nnot leave you, until he hath lodged you safe in glory. There the wicked\nshall cease from troubling, and your weary soul will enjoy an eternal\nrest. Perhaps I may not see you again, till I meet you in the world of\nspirits. That grace and peace may be multiplied upon your dear soul, is\nthe hearty prayer of, dear Miss _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your most affectionate friend and servant in JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DI.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _January 9, 1743._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nI Remember, when in _Scotland_ last year, how heartily your good people\njoined in praise and thanksgiving, for the deliverance GOD had wrought\nout for the inhabitants of _Georgia_; and I hope I shall never forget\nhow liberally they contributed to the necessities of the orphans,\nthough they knew not but at that time both orphans and Orphan-house\nwere in the enemies hand. As this was an uncommon event, I send you\nherewith part of the proclamation for a day of thanksgiving to almighty\nGOD, for putting an end to this _Spanish Invasion_. It runs thus:\n\nALMIGHTY GOD has in all ages shewn his power and mercy, in the\nmarvellous and gracious deliverance of his church, and in the\nprotection of righteous and religious kings and states, professing his\nholy and eternal truth, from the open invasion, wicked conspiracies,\nand malicious practices of all the enemies thereof. He hath by the\nmanifestation of his providence delivered us from the hands of the\n_Spaniards_: they, with forty sail of small gallies and other craft,\ncame into _Cumberland_ Sound; but such a terror came upon them that\nthey fled. With another fleet of thirty-six ships and vessels they came\ninto _Jekyl_ Sound, and after a sharp fight became masters thereof; we\nhaving only four vessels to oppose their force. We engaged them for the\nspace of four hours, and not one of us was killed, though many of the\nenemy perished, and five were killed by one shot only. They landed four\nthousand five hundred men, according to the account of the prisoners,\nand even of _Englishmen_, who escaped from them. The first party\nmarched up through the woods to this town, and was within sight thereof,\nwhen GOD delivered them into our hands, though we were but few in\nnumber. They fought and were soon dispersed and fled. Another party\nwhich supported them, also fought; but were soon put to flight. We may\ntruly say, the hand of the LORD fought for us; for in two attacks more\nthan five hundred fled before fifty. At first they seemed to fight with\ncourage; and the grenadiers particularly charged with great resolution;\nbut their shot did not take place, insomuch that none of ours were\nkilled; but they were broken and pursued with great slaughter, and\nby the report of the prisoners since taken, upwards of two hundred\nmen never returned to their camp. They also came up with their half\ngalleys towards the town, and returned without so much as firing one\nshot, leaving behind them some cannon, and many things they had taken.\nTwenty-eight sail attacked _Fort-William_, in which were only fifty men.\nAfter three hours fight, they went away and left the province, and were\npursued as far as Saint _John\u2019s_. So that by this whole expedition, no\nmore than two of ours were taken and two killed. We may therefore truly\nsay, the LORD hath done great things for us, who has delivered us out\nof the hands of the enemy.\n\nHaving taken the premises into consideration, I do hereby order,\nthat _Sunday_ the twenty-fifth instant be observed as a day of public\nthanksgiving to almighty GOD for his great deliverance, in having put\nan end to the _Spanish_ Invasion: and that all persons do solemnize the\nsame in a christian and religious manner, and abstain from drunkenness,\nand any other wicked and dissolute testimonies of joy.\n\nGiven under my hand and seal, this twenty-fourth day of _July_, at\n_Frederica_ in _Georgia_, _Anno Domini_ one thousand seven hundred and\nforty-two.\n\n Signed by,\n _James Oglethorp_.\n\nBy his excellency\u2019s command,\n _Francis Moore_.\n\nBusiness prevents my enlarging further at this time, and indeed I chuse\nrather to leave you to make your own remarks on the inclosed. I only\nobserve in general that as a tincture of piety runs through the whole,\nand all the glory given to him to whom all glory is due, it will be as\nacceptable to you as it was to,\n\n Yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, at Gloucester._\n\n _London, Feb. 4, 1743._\n\n_My very dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Bless GOD on your behalf. I thank him for visiting your dear soul,\nand making you useful to others.\u2015\u2015Assuredly the LORD has called you to\nyour present work.\u2015\u2015Abide in it. Go on and prosper. The LORD will be\nwith you. If we have an association in _Wiltshire_ soon, will you chuse\nto be with us? I expect shortly now to move hence; but my way is quite\nblocked up from going abroad. I will send you word, when I shall be at\n_Bristol_. I will salute you and your friend with, \u201cCome in, ye blessed\nof the LORD.\u201d I have just published a fresh account of the Orphan-house,\nand prefixed the plan. I shall be glad to hear from you often. Be as\nparticular in respect to the society as you can. The LORD is still with\nus. Blessed be his holy name! My tender love to all. That the glorious\n_Emmanuel_ may be with your soul more and more, is the hearty prayer of,\nmy dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Gloucester, March 24, 1743._\n\n_My dear Sir_,\n\nAN effectual door is opened in these parts. On _Saturday_ night I\npreached here. The LORD was with me. On _Sunday_ morning I preached\nagain in a barn. It was a good time to me and the people. Dear Mr.\n_P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was here, and tears of love and joy were running down his aged\ncheeks almost all the while. He was, like good old _Simeon_, ready to\ncry out, \u201cLORD, now lettest thy servant depart in peace.\u201d At noon I\npreached at Mr. _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015r_\u2019s on the hill, to a glorious auditory indeed.\nHere JESUS CHRIST displayed his power, and caused much of his glory\nto pass before us. At four I preached again in a field near _Stroud_,\nwhere was a great congregation consisting of many, many thousands.\nThe LORD helped and blessed me much here also. Afterwards I went to\nthe new house at _Hampton_, and the glory of the LORD filled it. It is\nexceeding commodious for our purpose. I preached in the court-yard on\n_Monday_ noon, to a large auditory. _Monday_ evening the LORD gave me\na good time at _Pitchcomb_. Both brother _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and brother _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s\nsociety met at _Hampton_, and the LORD met with us. Brother _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nis certainly called of GOD. All call him a second _Bunyan_. I believe\nhe must give himself wholly to the work. Such a hardy worker with his\nhands, and hearty preacher at the same time, I have scarce known.\nOn _Tuesday_ a man was hung in chains at _Hampton Common_.\u2015\u2015A more\nmiserable spectacle I have not seen. I preached in the morning to a\ngreat auditory about a mile off the place of execution. I intended\ndoing the same after the criminal was turned off; but the weather was\nvery violent.\u2015\u2015Thousands and thousands came and staid to hear; but,\nthrough misinformation, kept on the top of the hill, while I preached\nin the bottom. After this I came to _Gloucester_, and preached in the\nevening in a barn: a night much to be remembered! This morning I\npreached again, and dined with Mr. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015d I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015s_ and some more at\nMr. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s. I am just going to my evening lecture, and to-morrow I\nshall leave _Gloucester_ for a few days. The association is put off for\na week, so I shall have more time in _Gloucestershire_. Never did I see\npeople more hungry and simple. Many come telling me what the LORD did\nfor their souls when I was here last. To him be all the glory! Brother\n_A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is now with me. He must be in the country \u2019till the house is\nmore settled. I am sure GOD called me here.\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Gloucester, March 29, 1743._\n\n_My dear Sir_,\n\nI Now sit down to fulfil my promise made to you last night.\u2015\u2015I think\nin a former letter I gave you an account of what the LORD had done for\nand by me since I left _London_, though indeed I cannot tell you the\nhundredth part. On _Tuesday_ evening I preached at _Gloucester_ with as\nconvincing, soul-edifying power, as ever I felt in my life. The barn,\nthough made more commodious, was and is generally quite crouded. On\n_Friday_ morning I preached again; and afterwards went to _Hampton_;\nthe snow falling and freezing on us all the way. In the evening I\npreached at _Chalford_, upon \u201cwalking with GOD:\u201d he was with me and\nthe auditory. On _Saturday_ I preached at _Ruscom_ in the morning,\nand at _King-stanley_ in the afternoon. In the evening, I visited\nbrother _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s gracious society; and afterwards rode to _Hampton_,\nwhich made about twenty miles. The congregations on account of the\nweather were not so great, but our Saviour most richly fed us. The\nword distilled like the dew; and at _Stanley_ I think I was in the\nvery suburbs of heaven. O free grace! On _Sunday_ morning I preached\nat _Dursley_, about seven miles from _Hampton_, where our dear brother\n_A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ had been taken down the _Sunday_ before; but no one was\npermitted to touch or molest us. The congregation consisted of some\nthousands, and the word came with a most gloriously convincing power.\nI came away rejoicing, and in the afternoon preached to about ten\nthousand on _Hampton_ common, at what the people now call _Whitefield\u2019s\nTump_, because I preached there first. I cannot tell you what a solemn\noccasion that was. I perceive a great alteration in the people since\nI was in these parts last. They did indeed hang on me to hear the\nword. It ran and was glorified. In the evening, we had a most precious\nmeeting with the two united societies in the new house at _Hampton_.\nSurely many thereabouts will walk with GOD. Last night and this morning\nI preached again with great power; preaching in _Gloucestershire_ is\nnow like preaching at the tabernacle at _London_. This evening I am to\npreach again; and after that to hold our first love-feast.\u2015\u2015What our\nLORD does for us hereafter, you shall hear in my next. And now, my dear\nSir, help me to be thankful, and bless the LORD for all his mercies\nconferred on\n\n Your unworthy friend, and his worthless servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DV.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Gloucester, April 2, 1743._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nMY soul is kept exceeding chearful; and greater and more continued\nfreedom in preaching, I never experienced, than since I have been\nin _Gloucester_ and _Gloucestershire_. On _Tuesday_ evening we had a\nblessed love-feast. On _Wednesday_ morning I preached here with great\nsweetness; and at noon at _Painswick_.\u2015\u2015In the evening I preached at\nMr. _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s, in the place where the LORD met us remarkably one night\nabout a twelvemonth ago. He met us again most delightfully, not in\nterror, but in love: by which I guessed how the gospel had gained\nground in a twelvemonth\u2019s time. After this I visited dear brother\n_C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s society, and then rode to _Hampton_, with brothers _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nand _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, praising and blessing GOD. On _Wednesday_ noon I preached\nat _Quarhouse_, from the stump where old Mr. _Cole_ used to stand. It\nwas an alarming time. My soul enjoyed exceeding great liberty. In the\nevening I preached in the new house at _Hampton_ to many hundreds, and\nafterwards met the society. Yesterday morning I came hither. At noon\nand at night I preached in the barn; it was quite crouded. It would\nhave rejoiced you to have been with us. This morning I am to preach\nagain, and shall take my leave at night. My dear Sir, help me to extol\nfree grace, and expect to hear of greater things than these from,\n\n Ever yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DVI.\n\n\n _To brother S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Waterford (South Wales,) April 7, 1743._\n\n_My Dear Brother_,\n\nON _Monday_ I received your letter of _April 2_; but till now, have\nhad no opportunity of answering it. I preached and took my leave of the\n_Gloucester_ people with mutual and great concern, on _Sunday_ evening\nlast. It was past one in the morning, before I could lay my weary body\ndown.\u2015\u2015At five I rose again, sick for want of rest; but I was enabled\nto get on horseback and ride to Mr. _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s, where I preached to a\nlarge congregation, who came there at seven in the morning, hoping to\nfeel the power of a risen LORD. They were not disappointed of their\nhope. At ten I read prayers, and preached from these words,\u2015\u2015\u201cI am the\nresurrection and the life,\u201d and afterwards was helped to administer\nthe sacrament in _Stonehouse_ church. Then I rode to _Stroud_, where I\nwas enabled to preach to about twelve thousand, with uncommon freedom\nand power, in Mrs. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s field. Much of the divine presence was\nthere.\u2015\u2015About six in the evening I preached to about the like number\non _Hampton Common_; but scarce ever with a more pleasing convincing\npower. The order and solemnity wherewith the people broke up, was\nvery instructive. After this I went to _Hampton_, and held a general\nlove-feast with the united societies. My soul was kept close to JESUS;\nmy bodily strength renewed; and I went to-bed about midnight, very\nchearful and very happy. The next morning I went and preached near\n_Dursley_, to some thousands, with great convictions accompanying the\nword. About seven I reached _Bristol_, and preached with wonderful\npower to a full congregation at _Smith\u2019s Hall_; and afterwards spent\nthe evening agreeably with Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ of _Bath_, and some other dear\nfriends. On _Tuesday_ morning I preached again to a full congregation,\nand then set out for this place, where we came about eight in the\nevening, and had sweet and profitable conversation with Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nand some others of the brethren. We sung an hymn, prayed, and parted\nin great harmony. On _Wednesday_ about noon I opened the association\nwith a close and solemn discourse upon walking with GOD. Indeed much\nof GOD was with us. The brethren and the people felt much of the divine\npresence. Afterwards we betook ourselves to business: several matters\nof great importance were dispatched. We broke up about seven, and met\nagain about ten, and continued settling the affairs of the societies\ntill about two in the morning. On _Thursday_ we sat again till about\nfour in the afternoon; then, after taking a little refreshment, and\ntalking warmly of the things of GOD, I preached with great freedom\nupon the believer\u2019s rest, and then we went on with our business, and\nfinished our association about midnight: all acknowledged that GOD had\nbeen with us, and blessed him for the same. Perhaps in a month I may\ncome to _London_; but it seems to be the will of the LORD I should stay\nin _Wales_ about a fortnight, and take a tour into _Pembrokeshire_.\nGreat doors are open there. Our Saviour keeps me very happy indeed;\nand is, I believe, preparing greater blessings, for\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DVII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Lantrissant, (in Wales) April 10, 1743._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nOUR blessed master still countenances my feeble labours. Yesterday I\npreached at _Cardiff_ to a large congregation. The greatest scoffers\nsat quiet, and the children of GOD felt the divine presence. In the\nevening I went to _Ful-mon_. Mrs. _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ received us kindly. GOD was\npleased to speak for me in the society where I preached. This morning\nI preached again. It was a most remarkable time. I have been just now\npreaching with great power here. Dear brother _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is preaching in\n_Welch_. The people are very simple. I wrote to you from _Waterford_. I\nmust write a letter or two more, and then away out of town. My kind and\ntender love to all. The LORD be with you.\n\n I am yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DVIII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Swanzey, April 12, 1743._\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Hope all is well with you. Great things are doing in _Wales_.\u2015\u2015An\neffectual door is opened for preaching the everlasting gospel.\nYesterday I preached at _Neath_, (seven miles from this place) from a\nbalcony, to about three thousand souls in the street. The LORD was with\nme of a truth. This morning I preached here to about four thousand with\ngreat power. About one I preached at _Harbrook_, four miles off; and\nam now returned to preach here again.\u2015\u2015Our Saviour has prepared the\nway before him. O free grace! Dear brother _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has discoursed in\n_Welch_ yesterday and to day.\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\nPostscript. Past seven in the evening. I have just now done preaching.\nSwanzey is taken! I never preached with a more convincing power. Many\nof the rich and great were present. The congregation larger than in the\nmorning. Free grace for ever!\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DIX.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Larn, April 15, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Wrote to you from several places; and all my letters have, or will\nI trust come to hand. I can yet send you more glad tidings. But words\ncannot express what the LORD has done for your unworthy friend, and his\nown dear people\u2019s souls. On _Monday_ I preached at a place in the way,\nand afterwards at _Neath_, a sea port town, to about three thousand\npeople: all was quiet, and the power of JESUS was much there. Then I\nwent to _Swanzey_ seven miles from _Neath_.\u2015\u2015On _Tuesday_ I preached,\nand the LORD was with me. In the evening I went to _Llanelthy_, eight\nmiles from _Swanzey_. There I preached twice on _Wednesday_ with great\npower to a large congregation; and in the evening near _Aberquilley_,\nfive miles from thence. On _Thursday_ I preached at _Carmarthen_, one\nof the greatest and most polite places in _Wales_; in the morning from\nthe top of the cross: in the evening from a table near it. It was the\ngreat sessions. The justices desired I would stay till they rose, and\nthey would come. Accordingly they did, and many thousands more; and\nseveral people of quality. JESUS was much with me, and I hope much\ngood work was done. Several sent for me to their houses. Dear brother\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ exhorts in every place. I have just been preaching, and it\nwould rejoice your heart to see what is doing. I want room and time to\ntell you all. In about ten days I hope to be near _Bristol_. In the\nmean while, I am, dear friend,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DX.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Haverfordwest, April 17, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nSINCE I left _Larn_, from whence I wrote to you, the LORD has dealt\nmost bountifully with me. I went that evening to _Narbatt_, where I\npreached to some thousands with great power. On _Saturday_ I preached\nat _Newton_, and afterwards at _Jefferson_ to several thousand\nsouls, very like the _Kingswood_ colliers. This morning I preached at\n_Llassivran_, and had as it were a _Moor-fields_ congregation; and this\nafternoon I preached to about the same number near this town. I also\nread prayers. Where I have been, the people call loudly again. A most\neffectual door is opened in _South Wales_. I hope to be with you in a\nfew weeks. I am glad of such news from _Georgia_. Blessed be GOD, he\nwill take care of me and mine. Hearty love attends you and all, from\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXI.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Carmarthen, April 20, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nSINCE I wrote from _Haverfordwest_, I preached yesterday at eight in\nthe morning to about eight thousand people in this place, and in the\nafternoon to several thousands at _Narbatt_, both times with great\npower. This morning I preached at _Larn_, and coming over in the ferry\nhad the unexpected compliment paid me, of one ship firing several guns,\nand of some others hoisting their flags. This afternoon I preached\nat a little town called _Kidwilly_, to a large congregation; and came\nthis evening here. One of the ministers preached much against me last\n_Sunday_, and mentioned me by name; but, like my other opposers (and\nlike the viper biting the file) he only hurt himself. I am as it were\nin a new, but very unthought of pleasant world. O how many thousands\nwithin these few days have heard the word! I thought to see you next\nweek; but as I am here, perhaps it may be best to go round now, and so\nbe at _London_ at Pentecost. In about a fortnight, therefore, you may\nexpect to see me.\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Bhuadder, April 23, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Wrote to you from _Haverford_ and _Carmarthen_. I preached there\ntwice on _Thursday_ to about ten thousand people, and dear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\npreached after me. Yesterday we had another blessed association; and\nhave now settled all the counties in _Wales_. Our LORD was wonderfully\nwith us. You cannot tell how delighted the brethren went away. Indeed\nthey seemed filled as with new wine. Last night we came hither to a\nlittle inn. A sweet retreat from the rain. I must away to preach this\nmorning. Help me, my dear man, to be thankful. I kindly salute you and\nyours, and am,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXIII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Guenfithen, near the Hay in Radnorshire, April 25, 1743._\n\n_My dear Sir_,\n\nI Wrote to you on _Saturday_ morning; afterwards I preached at\n_Llangathan_ in the church, to a great congregation; I then went about\nten miles, and preached at _Landovery_ in the evening, and on _Sunday_\nmorning. GOD was with us each time. On _Sunday_ evening I preached to a\nlarge and polite auditory at _Brecon_, fifteen miles from _Landovery_.\n\u2015\u2015This morning I preached at _Trevecka_, and just now at this place,\nwith as great freedom, power and melting, almost as we have seen. It\nis now past seven at night, and I have seven or eight _Welsh_ miles to\ngo. I am glad you are so happy in JESUS. My body is weak, but I am at\nthe Redeemer\u2019s feet, and he reigns king in my heart, and causes me to\nrejoice and triumph over all. Help me to praise him. Brother _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nsalutes you all. The LORD be with you.\n\n Ever, ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXIV.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Gloucester, April 29, 1743._\n\n_My dear Sir_,\n\nI Am at present strengthening myself in the LORD my GOD. These words\nhave much refreshed me, \u201cAnd the LORD was with _David_, whithersoever\nhe went.\u201d After I wrote my last from a gentlewoman\u2019s near the _Hay_,\nI went towards _Builth_, and got into my lodgings about one, and into\nmy bed about two o\u2019clock in the morning. The next day I preached at\n_Builth_, with much of the Redeemer\u2019s presence. Then I rode to the\n_Gore_, the last place I preached at in _Wales_; and indeed our Saviour\nkept the good wine \u2019till last: he made our cup to overflow.\u2015\u2015Between\neight and nine at night we set out for _Leominster_, and reached there\nbetween two and three in the morning. At eleven, and three, I preached.\nIt was quite fallow ground. The LORD broke it up, and gave me a blessed\nentrance into _Herefordshire_. All glory be to his great Name! The same\nnight I lay at _Hereford_. Even there some of our LORD\u2019s disciples were\nto be found, as also at _Ross_, where we baited yesterday. In both\nplaces I might have preached, would time have permitted; but I was\nhastening to _Gloucester_, where the good Shepherd of _Israel_ brought\nus in peace and safety about eight in the evening; after having in\nabout three weeks travelled about four hundred _English_ miles, spent\nthree days in attending two associations, preached about forty times,\nvisited about thirteen towns, and passed through seven counties. Here\nthen will I set up my _Ebenezer_, thank the adorable JESUS for these\nand all other his mercies, and from the bottom of my heart give him all\nthe glory. I know my dearest friend will join with me, and say a hearty\nAmen. \u201cEven so, LORD JESUS. Amen and Amen!\u201d\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015Last night and this\nmorning I preached here. Since my departure the barn hath been turned\ninto a commodious chapel. I shall preach there again, GOD willing, this\nevening, and to-morrow morning; in the country on _Sunday_ next, and\nfor all as I know, shall come to _London_ on _Monday_ evening. One of\nthe simple _Apperly_ souls died in peace a few days ago. \u201cPraise ye the\nLORD, for his mercy endureth for ever.\u201d\n\n Yours, &c. &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, May 6, 1743._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nYOUR very kind letter I had not the pleasure of receiving \u2019till\nyesterday. It was very acceptable, and knits my heart closer to you\nthan ever. I love your honest soul, and long for that time, when the\ndisciples of CHRIST of different sects shall be joined in far closer\nfellowship one with another. Our divisions have grieved my heart.\nI heartily approve of the meeting of the chief labourers together.\nThe free grace of the ever-blessed JESUS melts me down. He has been\nexceeding kind to me of late, and shewn me that, vile as I am, he will\nnot lay me aside. I am just returned from a circuit of about 400 miles.\nI have been as far as _Haverfordwest_, and was enabled to preach with\ngreat power. Thousands and tens of thousands flocked to hear the word,\nand the souls of GOD\u2019s children were much refreshed. I have been also\nat two associations in _Wales_. The work begins now to shew itself.\nMany are taking root downward, and bearing fruit upward. Ere long I\ntrust they will fill the land. I am glad the LORD hath opened fresh\ndoors for you, my dear brother. The rams horns are sounding about\n_Jericho_; surely the towering walls will at length fall down. But we\nmust have patience. He that believeth, doth not make haste. The rams\nhorns must go round seven times. Our divisions in _England_ have the\nworst aspect, while they are now united in _Wales_: but even this shall\nwork for good, and cause the Redeemer\u2019s glory to shine more conspicuous.\nThis is my comfort; \u201cThe government is upon his shoulders,\u201d and he is\na \u201cwonderful counsellor.\u201d\n\n _And whatso\u2019er thou wilt,_\n _Thou dost, thou King of Kings!_\n _What thy unerring wisdom plans_\n _Thy power to being brings._\n\nBut where am I running? Pardon me. I am writing to my dear Mr. _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_.\nI rejoice in the expectation of seeing you in town. I hope to be in\ntown at that time, and to enjoy some of our former happy seasons. In\nthe mean while, I salute you from my inmost soul, and desire, as often\nas opportunity offers, a close correspondence may be kept up between\nyou, and, my dear brother,\n\n Your most affectionate unworthy brother and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXVI.\n\n\n _To D. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, in Yorkshire._\n\n _London, May 6, 1743._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nA Day or two ago, I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you,\nwhich I find was written some time since, but came not to hand, as I\nwas out of town. Accept my thanks, though late, and let the blessed\nJESUS be praised, again and again, for causing his children to love and\nesteem unworthy, hell-deserving me. O, my dear brother, \u201cLove is of GOD,\nand he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in GOD, and GOD in him.\u201d Glad am\nI that our Saviour is getting himself the victory in your parts, and\nthat fresh doors are opened for our dear brother _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to preach the\neverlasting gospel. I have been just writing to him; and now improve a\nfew moments to send you a line also. Blessed be our glorious _Emmanuel_,\nI can tell you of new and glorious conquests made of late. I am but\njust returned from a circuit of 400 miles in _Gloucestershire_ and\n_South Wales_. _Dagon_ hath every where fallen before the ark, and the\nfields are white ready unto harvest. The congregations were very large,\nand I was never enabled to preach with greater power. I purpose staying\nhere about a month, and once more to attack the prince of darkness in\n_Moor-fields_, when the holidays come. Many precious souls have been\ncaptivated with CHRIST\u2019s love in that wicked place. _Jerusalem_ sinners\nbring most glory to the Redeemer. Where I shall go next, I cannot yet\ntell. If my Master should point out the way, a visit to _Yorkshire_\nwould be very agreeable. Perhaps _Exeter_ and _Cornwall_ may be the\nnext places. That is dry ground. I love to range in such places. O\nmy dear brother, continue to pray for me, and help me to praise the\nblessed Lamb of GOD. Indeed I pray for you, and the redeemed sinners,\namongst whom you are. That the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls may\nfill you with all peace and joy in believing, is the hearty prayer of,\nmy dear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, May 21, 1743._\n\n_My very dear faithful Friend and Brother_,\n\nAFTER watching, and praying, and striving some days for direction and\nassistance, I now sit down to write you a letter; though I know not\nwell what to say or do. The concern I have felt for you, and my dear\nfamily, has had an effect on my body, and increased that weakness,\nwhich the season of the year, my constant labours, and continual care\nupon various accounts, have brought upon me. In the midst of all,\nmy soul I trust grows, and is kept happy in the blessed JESUS. His\nstrength is daily made perfect in my weakness, and I am made more than\nconqueror through his love. I am somewhat concerned, that scarce any of\nmy letters have reached your hands. I was glad, however, to find, that\nyou had received one dated in _May_ last. Since that, I hope you have\nreceived more. I rejoice that our loving Saviour has not permitted\nyou to want. You are his family, and he would not detain me from you,\nhad not he determined to provide for you in my absence. I fear I have\nbeen sinfully impatient to come over. I think, I could be sold a slave\nto serve at the gallies, rather than you and my dear Orphan-family\nshould want. Sometimes my wicked heart has said, \u201cif I know I should\nhave staid so long, I would not have come over to _England_ at all.\u201d\nBut GOD\u2019s thoughts are not as our thoughts. It is best to be kept at\nhis feet, waiting to know what he would have us to do. By and by we\nshall know all; \u2019till then, let us wait patiently; against hope may we\nbelieve in hope, and being strong in faith give glory to GOD. After I\nhave fought the LORD\u2019s battles in _Moor-fields_ these holidays, I think\nto take a tour into _Cornwall_ and _Wales_, and perhaps, to _Ireland_.\nI have sometimes thought I am detained on purpose to go there. I wonder\nnot at your silence. You may well expect me; but I must not mention\nit, lest my impatient heart should again say, \u201cLORD, why wilt thou not\nlet me go?\u201d My first fellow-traveller, scarce a day passes without my\nspeaking of, and often praying for you. Old love has revived long since\nin my soul. I am persuaded, our LORD will reward you even in this life,\nfor your fidelity to unworthy me. \u201cBe strong in the LORD and in the\npower of his might.\u201d While I am writing the fire kindles, and I almost\nforget my bodily weakness. The LORD be with you. I hear the _Spaniards_\nintend a second invasion; but those words still follow and comfort me,\n\u201cThe enemies which you have seen, you shall see no more for ever.\u201d You\nare the LORD\u2019s family; he will take care of you; fear them not. I have\nmany things to impart, when I see you face to face. \u2019Till then the LORD\nJESUS be with your spirit, and grant that you and yours may increase\nwith all the increase of GOD. In bonds of an eternal friendship, with\ngreater affection than words can well express, I subscribe myself,\n\n Ever, ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, May 21, 1743._\n\n_My very dear Brother B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nLITTLE did I think, when I parted from you at _Bethesda_, that I should\nbe writing to you at this time in _London_. But GOD\u2019s ways are in the\ngreat waters, and his footsteps are not known. I have essayed to come\nto you more than once, or twice; but I believe I can say, \u201cthe spirit\nsuffered me not.\u201d In thought I am with you daily; when I shall come in\nperson, our Saviour only knows: perhaps, at an hour which neither you\nnor I think of. You will see what I have wrote (though in much weakness)\nto my dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. The present weakness of my body will not suffer\nme to enlarge much to you; though, was I to follow the inclination\nof my soul, I should fill up many sheets. My dear brother, I love you\nunfeignedly in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, and heartily thank you for\nall your works of faith, and the care you have taken of my dear family.\nSurely our LORD sent you to _Bethesda_, and however cloudy the prospect\nmay have been for some time, I am persuaded a glorious sunshine will\nsucceed, and you shall yet see the salvation of our GOD. When our LORD\nhas any thing great to do, he is generally a great while bringing it\nabout, and many unaccountable dark providences generally intervene.\nThus it was with _Abraham_, _Jacob_, _Joseph_, _Moses_, and all the\neminent men of GOD in the days of old. Thus our LORD is pleased to\ndeal with me, and my affairs. Many precious promises have been given me\nin respect to myself, my dear family, and the church of JESUS CHRIST,\nwhich I am sure will be fulfilled in due time. I long to be with you,\nto open our hearts freely, and to tell one another what our good GOD\nhas done for our souls. Great things has he done for me indeed, and\ngreater things is he yet doing, and about to do. The work of GOD is\nlikely to spread far and near, and such are daily added to the church\nas shall be saved. I am employed every moment for the best of Masters,\nand only lament that I can do no more. For some days, my body has been\nmuch indisposed, but not so as to prevent my preaching. As my day is,\nso is my strength; and as afflictions abound, consolations much more\nabound. I know that this will lead you to give thanks on my behalf. I\nam glad when I hear it goes well with you and yours. I am now like St.\n_Paul_, who could have no rest, \u2019till he sent a brother to the church,\nthat he might enquire of their affairs, and know how they did. The\nperson that brings this, loves JESUS in sincerity, and I trust will be\na blessing to the house. I would have him employed among the children,\nor as you and the brethren shall think fit. Our Saviour, I hope, will\ndirect you in every thing. As strength shall permit, I intend writing\nto Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Blessed be GOD for raising up such dear friends. He\nnever can or will forsake those that put their trust in him. I hope\nit is well with you and yours. I doubt not but your souls prosper.\nMr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ writes to his mother, and tells her how you are instant in\nseason and out of season. Go on, my dear brother, thou man of GOD! and\nmay the LORD make you a spiritual father to thousands. That the LORD of\nall lords may exceedingly bless you, is the earnest prayer of\n\n Yours most affectionately in JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, May 31, 1743._\n\n_My dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, Friend and Brother_,\n\nALL last week, do what I would, I could not find freedom to write\na line, though I expected our dear brother _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, the bearer of\nthis, to fail every hour. But now I know why he was detained, and I\nrestrained. This morning, to my unspeakable satisfaction, I saw a\nletter from our dear brother _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, dated _April_ 13th, wherein\nhe acquainted me of the welfare of the dear family, and of another\nout-pouring of the spirit among you. O! my soul does magnify the LORD,\nand my spirit rejoices in GOD my Saviour. After this, I expect to hear\nof another shock: but I know you are the LORD\u2019s, and he will take care\nof your souls. As Mr. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is going on board, I have not time to\nsay half I would. I fear I am sinfully impatient to see you. The time\nwill come by and by. Hasten it, O LORD, if it be thy blessed will! Our\nSaviour does greater things for me every day. Last _Sunday_ morning, I\ncollected 23_l._ for the orphans in _Moor-fields_. It would amaze you\nto see the great congregations, and wonderful presence of the LORD.\nGrace! grace! I have paid all that is due in _England_, and have sent\nyou 25_l._ by the bearer. GOD willing, I shall remit you more soon.\nPray give my humble respects to dear Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and tell him, our\nSaviour will enable me to pay him all soon with a thousand thanks. I\nsent you 100_l._ by my brother\u2019s ship, and a packet of letters. I hope\nthey came safe to hand. But I must have done. Salute my dear family,\nand believe me to be, though now in great haste, dear man,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, of Carlisle._\n\n _London, June 9, 1743._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nI Have been prevented by many things from writing to you. I now redeem\na few minutes to send you a line. I believe your way is clear to\n_London_. The brethren, I am persuaded, will be willing to give you\nthe right-hand of fellowship, since you are determined not to meddle\nwith controversy, or to make _adult baptism_ a bone of contention;\nbut simply to preach JESUS CHRIST and him crucified. This I think is\nthe only way to propagate the gospel of the grace of GOD. Our Saviour\nblesses me in it much, and owns and strengthens me more and more.\nI have been very weak in body, but every day my strength hath been\nrenewed, and I have been enabled to mount on wings like an eagle. God\nwilling, I shall leave _London_ on _Monday_ next. If I should be out of\ntown, you will be kindly received. Glory be to GOD, the gospel spreads.\nI feel myself the chief of sinners. As such, be pleased always to\nremember to pray for, my dear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Burford, June 15, 1743._\n\n_My dear Sir_,\n\nI Cannot go any farther without writing you a line. Our Saviour\nhath dealt most graciously with your unworthy friend. On _Monday_ I\nexperienced some sweet teachings from above, and was so happy, that I\nthought our LORD was preparing me for some fresh trials. The prospect\npleased me much, knowing how all things had already worked together\nfor my good. Yesterday my body was very weary, but my soul happy, and I\npreached at _Fairford_; this morning at _Glanfield_, and just now here.\nIt is dry ground; but the LORD has promised to pour water upon such.\nHe has richly watered my soul. Where I lay, was indeed a Bethel, a gate\nof heaven. I hope GOD has been with you. My tender love to dear brother\n_A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015s_. My fellow-travellers salute you. My love to the Tabernacle\npeople. Their prayers are heard. Grace! grace!\n\n Yours affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXII.\n\n\n _To the same._\n\n _Gloucester, June 18, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Wrote to you from _Burford_ on _Wednesday_ last. My soul was then so\nexceeding happy, that I want words to express it. Afterwards, we went\nto _Bengeworth_, where we came about midnight, and were most heartily\nreceived by Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Mr. _O\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I was enabled to preach there\nwith such power, that all must confess, GOD was with us of a truth. We\ndined very comfortably, and then set out for _Gloucester_, shouting,\nGrace! grace! When I arrived, our Saviour was exceeding gracious; and\nI had so much of heaven in my soul, that I wanted to lie down any where\nto praise my GOD. I preached here early the next morning, then rode\nto _Cheltenham_, and returned hither in the afternoon, and preached in\nthe evening. This morning I preached again, and received your second\nwelcome letter. I thank you for it. I could write much of the love\nand abiding happiness I have in CHRIST: but I have many letters lying\nunanswered before me. Adieu at present. The LORD be with you and yours.\nSalute all the brethren. Forget not to pray for, my dear friend,\n\n Ever, ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXIII.\n\n\n _To the same._\n\n _Gloucester, June 21, 1743._\n\nON _Saturday_ I answered your two last letters. Our Saviour sent me\nto _Gloucester_ for wise ends. Much substantial good has been done\nto several of the society. My mouth and heart were greatly opened\nin preaching. _Saturday_ evening was a time much to be remembered.\n_Sunday_, was a great day of the Son of Man. I preached at _Gloucester_\nin the morning, and near _Stroud_ in the evening. The word was clothed\nwith much power, both for sinners and saints. I think the congregation\nat _Hampton_ was rather greater than ever. At night we had a precious\nmeeting in _Hampton-house_ garden; the house itself being too small to\nhold the people without almost stifling them. The simplicity, sweetness,\nand broken-heartedness of the poor souls would have melted your\nheart. Indeed, much grace was upon them, and many, I believe, to their\nunspeakable consolation, heard the voice of the LORD GOD in the trees\nof the garden in the cool of the day. On _Monday_ morning I preached\nagain, and came away rejoicing. Whilst I was at _Hampton_, _J. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\ntold me, how he and the people had been abused. My coming at this time,\nI believe, has much strengthened the persecuted. Indeed there is a\nglorious work in _Gloucestershire_. Brother _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is truly a great\nsoul! one of the weak things that GOD has chosen to confound the strong.\nIn my journey from _Hampton_ hither, our dear Master was graciously\nwith us. We have blessed news from _Scotland_. Brave news also from\n_Pembrokeshire_. Surely the kingdom of the LORD and his CHRIST is\ncoming on apace. I know you say, \u201cCome, LORD JESUS, come quickly.\u201d\n\n Ever, ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n_P. S._ I must acquaint you, by way of postscript, of the following\nanecdote of the old Mr. _Cole_, a most venerable dissenting minister;\nwhom I was always taught to ridicule, and (with shame I write it) used,\nwhen a boy, to run into his meeting-house, and cry, _Old Cole! old\nCole! old Cole!_ Being asked once by one of his congregation, what\nbusiness I would be of? I said, \u201ca minister, but I would take care\nnever to tell stories in the pulpit, like the old _Cole_.\u201d About twelve\nyears afterwards, the old man heard me preach in one of the churches at\n_Gloucester_; and on my telling some story to illustrate the subject I\nwas upon, having been informed what I had before said, made this remark\nto one of his elders, \u201cI find that young _Whitefield_ can now tell\nstories, as well as old _Cole_.\u201d Being affected much with my preaching,\nhe was as it were become young again, and used to say, when coming to\nand returning from _Barn_, \u201cThese are days of the Son of Man indeed!\u201d\nnay, he was so animated, and so humbled, that he used to subscribe\nhimself _my Curate_, and went about preaching after me in the country,\nfrom place to place. But one evening, whilst preaching, he was struck\nwith death, and then asked for a chair to lean on \u2019till he concluded\nhis sermon, when he was carried up stairs and died. O blessed GOD! if\nit be thy holy will, may my exit be like his!\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXIV.\n\n\n _To the same._\n\n _Gloucester, June 27, 1743._\n\nFULL of divine consolations, and at the same time, I trust, deeply\nsensible of my own vileness, I have just arose from the throne of grace,\nwhere I have been laying yours, my own, and the affairs of the whole\nchurch, before our common Father and our GOD. He was pleased to give\nme sweet access, and to assure me, that if he gave me his presence, he\nwould freely give me all things; but I must wait his time and season,\nbecause that will be better for me. I have therefore just now put\nmy soul, as a blank, into the hands of JESUS CHRIST my Redeemer, and\ndesired him to write upon it what he pleases. I know it will be his\nown image. Methinks I hear you say, Amen. I know you do from your\nheart; for I believe you love me in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, as I\ndo you, GOD knoweth. Our Saviour, by his wise providence has prevented\nour receiving each others letters so soon as we expected. I preached\n_Tuesday_ last in the evening at _Bristol_, and on _Wednesday_ twice;\nand once at _Kingswood_.\u2015\u2015On _Thursday_ in the morning I preached\nthere also, and afterwards went to _Bath_, where I was most cordially\nreceived by Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and one Dr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, a christian physician,\nand Lady _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Here our Saviour gave me fresh hints, that if I would\nstand still and wait his time and way, he would make even my enemies\nto be at peace with me. I returned in the evening to _Bristol_, and\npreached. I think it was this day the news came of his Majesty\u2019s\nfighting, and coming off conqueror. I had observed for some time past,\nwhen praying for him, whether I would or not, out came this petition,\n\u201cLORD, cover thou his head in the day of battle.\u201d Tho\u2019 even while I was\npraying, I wondered why I prayed so, not knowing that he was gone to\n_Germany_ to fight. This gave me fresh confidence towards GOD. I spent\nalmost the whole day on _Friday_ in retirement, and prayer. My house\nwas made a Bethel to me indeed, the very gate of heaven. _Saturday_ I\npreached again, and found in the day-time our Saviour had blessed my\nendeavours to some souls. About three in the afternoon we set out for\n_Wiltshire_. On _Sunday_ I preached at _Brinkworth_, on these words:\n\u201cThy Maker is thy husband.\u201d It was a day of espousals I believe to\nmany. GOD was with us of a truth. After sermon, I rode to _Longley_,\nin company with many dear children of GOD, who attended me both on\nhorseback and on foot. We sung, and looked like persons that had been\nat a spiritual wedding. The LORD helped me in preaching there also.\nAll was quiet. In the evening I preached at _Tetherton_, and a blessed\ntime it was. We rode like as the children of _Israel_ passing through\nthe enemies country. Afterwards we set out for _Hampton_, and reached\nthere about midnight. After having travelled about thirty miles, I yet\npreached thrice. This morning I arose like a giant refreshed with wine,\nand came hither about eleven. I found my mother recovered from her\nillness, and my own soul filled and blessed in CHRIST. O grace! how\nsweet is it? I am glad you are thirsting after an abiding in GOD, after\ngreater degrees of knowledge, both of yourself, and of JESUS CHRIST,\nwhom to know is life eternal. In order to this, you must expect many\ntrials, and well it is to be under the discipline of so tender a\nMaster. I know you will pray to the LORD to make and keep me humble.\nI recommend you to his care, and wish you all the blessings of the\neverlasting covenant, from\n\n Yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXV.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Bristol, July 2, 1743._\n\nI Wrote to you on _Saturday_, and on _Monday_ from _Gloucester_. I\nsuppose you have wrote to _Trevecka_. Words cannot express how good our\nblessed Saviour has been to me, since I wrote last. I preached there on\n_Monday_ night, and _Tuesday_ morning. The GOD of love filled my soul,\nand enabled me to speak of his love with great power. Many felt it\nalso. On _Tuesday_ after morning sermon I went to _Abergavenny_; JESUS\nwas with me on the road; and we reached there about ten at night. On\n_Wednesday_ I went to _Trevecka_, where I met with a whole troop of\nJESU\u2019s witnesses. I had some hours by myself, and shed many tears of\nlove before the LORD. At five in the evening, I preached to a larger\ncongregation than ever I had seen at _Trevecka_. JESUS was with us of a\ntruth, and I felt the power of that blood upon my own soul, which I was\nrecommending to others. After I had done, brother _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015l D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and\n_R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ preached and prayed. The holy spirit came down, especially\nwhen the latter preached, in a plentiful manner.\u2015\u2015About eight we opened\nthe association with great solemnity. Our Saviour was much with me,\nteaching and helping me to fill my place in a particular manner. The\nbrethren felt the same. About midnight we adjourned; but several of the\nbrethren sat up all night, and ushered in the morning with prayer and\npraise. About eight we met again, and were greatly delighted at the\ndifferent and simple accounts the superintendents brought in of their\nrespective societies. Some of their accounts were very particular,\nas to the state of the people\u2019s souls; and several had gone off most\ntriumphantly to glory. We continued doing business \u2019till two in the\nafternoon, and broke up with much solemnity and holy joy. Our Saviour\nkept the new-wine \u2019till last, and gave us a sweet parting blessing. We\nhad great union with one another. Indeed, JESUS has done great things\nfor _Wales_. The work is much upon the advance. I was surprized to find\nso much order. Brother _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has been blessed to the conversion\nof a young clergyman, Rector of St. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, _London_. About five in\nthe evening I returned to _Abergavenny_, and preached there on _Friday_\nmorning, and afterwards set out for _Bristol_, where we arrived about\neight in the evening. My house, friends, &c. were made a great blessing\nto the soul of,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mrs. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, July 9, 1743._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nHAVING no time to answer your request concerning the _Hampton_ mob, I\nherewith send you a letter, which I have just now received from my dear\nfellow-labourer, who is the principal object of their fury. This young\nconfessor, some few years ago came out of curiosity to hear me, when\nfirst I preached upon _Hampton Common_, in _Gloucestershire_. Being\nconverted himself, he found himself impelled to strengthen his brethren.\nGOD has owned him much in _Hampton_, and the adjacent country, in\ncalling by him many poor sinners to the knowledge of the LORD JESUS\nCHRIST. How satan rages upon the account, you\u2019ll see in the inclosed,\nto which you are referred by, dear Madam,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n _A Letter from Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, to the Rev. Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Hampton, July 8, 1743._\n\n_Honoured and very dear Sir_,\n\nBLESSED be the dear JESUS, he hath brought me safe hither. He was also\nwith me on the road, and I am persuaded, that whatsoever sufferings I\nam to pass through here, all shall work together for good; for JESUS is\nand will be with me. The mob has breathed out many threatenings against\nme; but JESUS is greater than all, and I am persuaded he\u2019ll let them\nfind him so. I rode all down the town without the least molestation,\nonly many cried, (but silently as it were) \u201cO, he is come home!\u201d which\nwas a surprizing thing to them; for a gentleman had affirmed, that\nhe saw me in prison. I have been walking up the town, without any\ndisturbance; but the mob, they say, continue more and more exasperated.\nWe expect them soon. They generally apprize one another, by ringing\na bell. The whole mob consist of about an hundred: but JESUS keeps me\nwithout the least fear, and at the same time gives me quietly to wait\non him for direction, how to act. A few of the dear disciples are by me.\nWe have been praying together, and the LORD is with us. I believe death\nin its ugliest shapes would not be terrible to some here, at least I\nthink so of myself; and when I look to the faithfulness of my Saviour,\nI can loudly say, \u201cAs my day is, so my strength shall be.\u201d Many of the\npeople of the town have been with me, to tell me the respect they have\nfor me, and how much they are concerned for the abuse that has been\ngiven us. I believe all will be well by and by. At the same time, I\nbelieve your coming might be much blessed to that end. I must conclude;\nbut I think to give you a farther account on _Monday_, if our Saviour\npleases. In the mean time, I heartily beg an interest in your prayers,\nand the whole society with you. Tell them, O tell them, to get ready\nfor suffering, by cleaving close to the Lamb, rooted and grounded in\nhim: withal please to give my kind love and service to them for JESU\u2019s\nsake, and be pleased to accept the same your dear self, and many thanks\nfor all the tokens of unfeigned love conferred on\n\n Your unworthy brother and servant,\n _T. A._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, July 14, 1743._\n\n_My dear Madam_,\n\nNOT doubting but you wait with impatience for dear Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s\npromised second letter, after having just read it once over, I herein\ninclose it; having only time to beg the continuance of your prayers,\nand to desire you to send this with the former, as soon as possible, to\n\n Yours, &c.,\n _G. W._\n\n\n _July 11, 1743._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nI Promised in my last to write to you again, and to let you know more\nparticularly of our persecutions, which are as follow. On _Saturday_\nafter I wrote to you, I met the society, and after we had sung an hymn,\ncame brother _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, with my dear wife from _Bristol_. They came into\nthe society and sat down, while I exhorted them to stedfastness and\npatience under the cross. They seemed much strengthened, and ready\nfor any suffering; for GOD was with us. After that, I desired brother\n_I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to pray, which he did. After that I prayed in faith, and was\nenabled to plead CHRIST\u2019s promises to his church; though we are but a\nlittle branch. I had not prayed long, but many of us were persuaded,\nhe would never leave or forsake us. In every prayer we asked direction\nhow to act. I was persuaded, the only way to still the mob, was, not\nto resist or fly from them, but to give myself up wholly to them, and\nlet them do all that the LORD should permit: for the more we had drawn\nback, the more our adversaries rejoiced, and vowed they would and\nshould put an end to preaching in _Hampton_. The mob, which consisted\nof near an hundred, were now about the house, making a terrible noise,\nand swearing prodigiously. I went down to them and opened the door, and\nasking them what they wanted. I told them, if they wanted my life, I\nwas willing to deliver it up for JESUS\u2019s sake; but withal I desired to\nknow, why they either disturbed me or sought my life? For I did not\nknow I had given them any just cause for either. Some of them said,\nI had, by bringing in false doctrine, and impoverishing the poor. I\ntold them, that they could prove neither, and that it was really false.\nThey seemed something at a stand; when about five of them begun to be\nmore exasperated, and took me, in order to throw me into a lime pit. I\ntold them, they need not force me, for I was willing to suffer, though\nunjustly, for JESUS\u2019s sake. But while they were pushing me along,\nsome neighbours took me in their arms and carried me into one of their\nhouses; so I was delivered out of their hands. On sabbath-day morning\nabout twenty of the society met again. We spent the morning in prayer.\nIn the evening I preached, and had uncommon strength and courage given\nme from the LORD, so that death in its ugliest shapes did not at all\nterrify me. About five in the afternoon we met in my house. I first\nexhorted them to keep their minds close to the LORD, and if the mob\ncame, not at all to resist, but to make way for them to come to me,\nand let them do what the LORD would permit. I then prayed and sung that\nhymn, \u201c_Our lives, our blood, &c._\u201d When we had so done, in came the\nmob, demanding me to come down. I asked, by what authority they did so?\nThey swore they would have me. Then said I, so you shall. So they took\nme to the lime pit, and threw me in. But O what a power of GOD fell on\nmy soul! I thought, with _Stephen_, the heavens opened to my sight, and\nthe LORD JESUS was ready, if I had died, to receive me. I believe my\nundaunted courage shook some. I told them, I should meet them at the\njudgment, and then their faces would gather paleness. They let me out,\nand I came home and kneeled down with the people that were there, and\nprayed to, and praised GOD. After that, I exhorted from the three first\nverses of the third chapter of the first epistle of _John_. And when\nI was just concluding, in came the mob again, and took me to a brook\nto throw me in there. One, who was a persecutor but a few days before,\nendeavoured to hinder them; but they took me away, and led me all\nup the town. I had a sweet walk, and talked and reasoned with the\npersecutors all the way. My heart was full of love. Before I had gone\nfar, all but one agreed to let me go back again, but he insisted upon\nmy going. I told them, the law was open against them, nevertheless I\nwas willing to suffer any thing for CHRIST. Then they told me, if I\nwould forbear preaching but for a month, they would let me go; I told\nthem, I would make no such promise. So forward I went. One of them\nthrew me in, and I went to the bottom, but I came up again, with my\nhands clasped together. I did not desire to come out, till they fetched\nme. Accordingly, in jumped one or two of them and took me out; but then\none maliciously and cowardly pushed me in again, and much bruised and\ncut one of my legs against a stone. Some of the others were going to\nthrow him in for so doing. I came home talking to them. Many seemed\nto repent of what they had done, and promised to molest me no more. I\nbelieve, GOD has smote some of their consciences. One who was the chief,\nand would not agree that I should go back, I hear by several, he says\nhe will in no wise touch me again. Many advise us to prosecute them;\nbut if they are quiet, I am content, and can say from my heart, \u201cFather,\nforgive them.\u201d I should be glad if you would be here next _Sunday_. In\nthe mean time pray for me, who am,\n\n Your unworthy brother and servant,\n _T. A._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, July 19, 1743._\n\n_Dear Friend_,\n\nI Have been so employed for some time past in preaching and travelling,\nthat I could not possibly correspond with you or others as usual;\nbut you see where I am; I came here to preach at the fair; because\npeople from all parts flock hither at that season. Yesterday I preached\nfour times, and twice statedly every day. O that sinners may be made\nwilling to come and buy of CHRIST\u2019s wine, and of CHRIST\u2019s milk, without\nmoney and without price! Last night was such a time as I never saw\nin _Bristol_ society before. To-morrow, GOD willing, I set out for\n_Hampton_, to see what can be done for the poor persecuted sheep of\nCHRIST there. I hear I am threatened, but JESUS will stand by me. In\nwhat manner, expect to hear again soon, from\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXIX.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Hampton, July 25, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nON _Thursday_ I came here, and expected to be attacked; because I\nhad heard, that the mob which had been so outragious towards you and\nothers for so long time, had now threatened, that if ever I came there\nagain, they would have a piece of my black gown to make aprons with. No\nsooner had I entered the town, but I saw and heard the signals, such as\nblowing of horns, and ringing of bells for gathering the mob. My soul\nwas kept quite easy. I preached in a large grass plat from these words,\n\u201cAnd seeing the grace of GOD, he exhorted them with full purpose of\nheart to cleave unto the LORD;\u201d and as it happened, I finished my\nsermon and pronounced the blessing, just as the ring-leader of the mob\nbroke in upon us, which I soon perceived disappointed and grieved them\nvery much. One of them, as I was coming down from the table, called me\n_coward_; but I told him, they should hear from me another way. I then\nwent into the house, and preached upon the stair case to a large number\nof serious souls; but these real troublers of _Israel_ soon came in\nto mock and mob us. But feeling what I never felt before, as you know\nI have very little natural courage, strength and power being given us\nfrom above, I leaped down stairs, and all ran away before me. However\nthey continued making a noise about the house till midnight, abusing\nthe poor people as they went home, and as we hear they broke one young\nlady\u2019s arm in two places. Brother _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ they threw a second time into\nthe pool, in which operation he received a deep wound in his leg. _John\nC\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s life, that second _Bunyan_, was much threatened.\u2015\u2015Young _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\nH\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ they wheeled in a barrow to the pool\u2019s side, lamed his brother,\nand grievously hurt several others. Hearing that two or three clergymen\nwere in the town, one of whom was a justice of the peace, I went to\nthem; but alas! I seemed unto them as one that mocked, and instead of\nredressing, they laid the cause of all the grievances at my door; but,\nby the help of my GOD, I shall still persist in preaching myself, and\nin encouraging those (as I know no law of GOD or man against it) who\nI believe are truly moved by the Holy Ghost. As I came out from the\nclergymen, two of the unhappy mobbers were particularly insolent, and\nhuzza\u2019d us out of town. \u201cLet us rejoice and be exceeding glad,\u201d for\nnow I humbly hope, I begin to be a disciple of JESUS CHRIST; since to\nsuffer for, as well as to believe and preach his precious truths, and\nown his despis\u2019d people, is now given to,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, July 27, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nON _Friday_ night I reached _Gloucester_, where I received your kind\nand animating letter. On _Saturday_ I came hither. Yesterday was an\nhigh day: I preached four times in the fields, and the congregations\nwere as large as at the beginning: blessed seasons indeed! Here are\npeople from all quarters. I am just going out to preach again, and\ntherefore can only add, that perhaps I may set out for _Exeter_ on\n_Wednesday_, from whence you may expect to hear again, from\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXI.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Exeter, July 31, 1743._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nWE came hither in safety last night. Upon the road my soul was sweetly\nhumbled before GOD, who hath given me near access to his throne. Good\nMr. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, our host, and his yoke-fellow, seem to be _Israelites_\nindeed. In all probability an effectual door will be opened for\npreaching the everlasting gospel. I am to begin this evening. Brethren,\npray for us. I sleep but little; inward comforts support and strengthen\nboth soul and body. Join me in crying, Grace! grace! In great haste and\ngreater affection, I subscribe myself,\n\n Yours affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Exon, Aug. 2, 1743._\n\n_My dear Man_,\n\nI Wrote unto you on _Saturday_, and preached the same evening to a\ngreat body of people. Several of the clergy attended, with whom this\ncity abounds. Some went off, others staid \u2019till I had done. All was\nquiet, and our LORD soon made way for himself into the people\u2019s hearts.\nYesterday evening I preached on _Southean-hay_ to upwards of ten\nthousand; \u2019twas just like a _Moor-fields_ congregation. GOD was with us\nof a truth. The people were very desirous of my longer continuance here;\nbut so many things concurred to call me to _London_, that after close\napplication to the throne of grace, and consultation with my friends, I\nam determined, GOD willing, to leave _Exeter_ to-morrow morning, and to\npreach with Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ in my way to town. I find I am in my element,\nwhen evangelizing. Our Saviour fills my heart with his presence, and\nhas in a particular manner prepared the people\u2019s hearts in the _West_\nfor receiving the gospel-message. He keeps me happy and chearful amidst\nall my various trials, for which I pray you to join in thanksgiving with\n\n Your affectionate friend, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, at Gloucester._\n\n _London, Aug. 20, 1743._\n\n_My dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nHOW wonderfully does our all-wise Redeemer order things for the trial\nof his children! Alas! alas! how apt are they to judge, censure, and be\nneedlessly prejudiced against each other. Being weak in body, and under\ngreat concern of mind upon several accounts, I desired dear Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nto acquaint you, that in our last association we agreed not to separate\nfrom the established church, but go on in our usual way. Indeed, the\nmotion to separate, was only made by a very few of more contracted\nprinciples. By far the greater part most strenuously opposed it, and\nwith good reason; for as we enjoy such great liberty under the mild\nand gentle government of his present Majesty king _George_, we think\nwe can do him, our country, and the cause of GOD, more service in\nranging up and down, preaching repentance towards GOD and faith in our\nLORD JESUS, to those multitudes who would neither come into church or\nmeeting, but who are led by curiosity to follow us into the fields.\nHowever disorderly this may seem to bigots of every denomination, yet\nit is a way to which GOD has affixed his seal for many years past,\nand therefore we have no reason to turn to the right hand or to the\nleft, but to press forwards and to do our utmost towards enlarging the\nkingdom of our LORD JESUS; not doubting, but when we come to stand at\nhis bar, we shall be received with as equal an _Euge-bone_ as those,\nwho thro\u2019 prejudice, or want of better information, censure us as going\nbeyond our line. That this may be our happy case, you will join in\npraying with\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXIV.\n\n\n _To Mrs. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Sept. 2, 1743._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nA Thousand thanks for your kind solicitude concerning me and mine. My\nwife has been in trying circumstances, partly through the unskilfulness\nof a chaise-driver, I mean myself. Being advised to take her out into\nthe air, I drove her as well as myself, through in advertence, into a\nditch. Finding that we were falling, she put her hand cross the chaise,\nand thereby preserved us both from being thrown out. The ditch might be\nabout 14 feet deep, but blessed be GOD, though all that saw us falling,\ncried out, they are killed, yet, through infinite mercy, we received\nno great hurt. The place was very narrow near the bottom, and yet the\nhorse went down, as tho\u2019 let down by a pulley. A stander-by ran down\nand catched hold of its head, to prevent its going forwards. I got\nupon its back and was drawn out by a long whip; whilst my wife hanging\nbetween the chaise and the bank, was pulled up on the other side by two\nor three kind assistants. Being both in a comfortable frame, I must own,\nto my shame, that I felt rather regret than thankfulness in escaping\nwhat I thought would be a kind of a translation, to our wished-for\nhaven. But O amazing love! we were so strengthened, that the chaise\nand horse being taken up, and our bruises being washed with vinegar\nin a neighbouring house, we went on our intended way, and came home\nrejoicing in GOD our Saviour. Not expecting my wife\u2019s delivery for\nsome time, I intend making a short excursion, and then you may expect\nfurther news from\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXV.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _London, Oct. 5, 1743._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nMY last left me just entering upon another short excursion. Blessed\nbe GOD, it was pleasant because it was profitable to my own, and I\ntrust to many other souls. The last evening of it, I preached from a\nbalcony to many thousands, who stood in the street as comfortable as at\nnoon-day. Upon retiring to my lodgings, news was brought me, that GOD\nhad given me a son. This hastened me up to _London_, where I now am,\nand from whence after I have baptized my little one, GOD willing, I\npurpose to set out again on my Master\u2019s public business. You will not\nfail to pray, that I may be taught how to order the child aright, and\nthereby add to the many obligations already laid on, dear Madam,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Avon, Wilts, October 15, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Must not be long from _London_ without writing to you. Our Saviour\nbrought me hither last night, and filled me as with new wine. I purpose\nstaying till _Monday_; if you write, direct for me at _Bristol_. I\ntrust our LORD hath much people here. This leaves me in spirit sitting\nat his feet. Praying this may find you there, I am\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXVII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Cullompton, Oct. 25, 1743._\n\nI Wrote to you on the 15th instant, at _Avon_. In the morning I walked\nto _Tetherton_, and preached there with much of the divine presence,\nand to the abundant satisfaction and comfort of GOD\u2019s people. After\nsermon, I baptized four boys, each about three months old, as near\nas I can remember. The ordinance was so solemn and awful that Mrs.\n_G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ (who you know is a quaker) had a mind immediately to partake\nof it. When I go to _Wiltshire_, I believe I shall baptize her and her\nchildren, with some adult persons that have tasted of redeeming love.\nAbout one o\u2019clock I preached at _Clack_ in the street. All was quiet.\nI then rode to _Brinkworth_, and was enabled to preach there with still\ngreater freedom, and afterwards administred the Holy Sacrament to about\ntwo hundred and fifty communicants. Our LORD made himself known to many\nin breaking of bread. Some strangers, that came from _Bath_, went home\nfilled with our Redeemer\u2019s presence. I have preached at _Chippenham_.\nI hope I managed all things right about the affair of the _Hampton_\nrioters. It seems, they have compelled us to appeal unto _C\u00e6sar_.\nEvidences shall be examined in the country, time enough to send their\nexaminations up to town. We had a wonderful time in _Wiltshire_. On\n_Saturday_ last, when I came to _Wellington_, the Reverend Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\npersuaded me to stay there, because the country people had come from\nall quarters several times to hear me, and had been disappointed. I\nconsented, and preached in his meeting-house in the evening to a large\nauditory. The Reverend Mr. _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015t_, formerly pupil to doctor _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\ncame there, and staid all night. The blessed JESUS gave us much freedom\nin conversation. I hope both will be instruments under GOD in promoting\na good work in these parts. _Sunday_ morning I preached again in the\nmeeting-house, and in the evening to seven thousand in the fields.\nOn _Monday_ about ten in the morning, and in the afternoon about two,\nI preached at _Cullompton_ with much freedom and power; was kindly\nreceived, met some reputable dissenters, and am now setting out for\n_Exeter_ with dear Mr. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who came here to meet my dear friend.\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Exeter, October 28, 1743._\n\nI Have strong conviction that our LORD intends doing something in the\nwest. Since my arrival here, letters of invitation have come from many\nparts. I thank you for your kind sympathy under the many trials, with\nwhich I have been surrounded and exercised. I find there is a needs-be\nfor all; for by our being acquainted with the enemy\u2019s work in our own\nhearts, we see how he works on others, and are enabled to speak better\nto their hearts. \u201cWhether we are afflicted (says the apostle,) or\nwhether we are comforted, it is for your sake.\u201d Besides, by temptation\nwe are kept from sinking into formality, and consequently are taught\nbetter to handle our spiritual weapons, and discover what is amiss\nboth in heart and life. For this cause, we are commanded to rejoice\nwhen we fall into divers temptations. I thank GOD for giving you some\nexperience of these things. We must now all be _Calebs_; all heart, but\nat the same time, all humility. Feeling we can do nothing of ourselves,\nyet believing we can do all things through CHRIST strengthening us.\nBlessed be his Name, the common people begin to feel. I preached\nbetween two and three this afternoon on _Southern-hay_, and expounded\nin the evening at Mr. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s. Even some of the polite were much\naffected last night; and this morning, O what a blessed season had\nwe! I believe I shall think it my duty to stay in these parts for some\ntime. Continue to pray for me, and assure yourself that you are never\nforgotten by\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXXXIX.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Exeter, Nov. 6, 1743._\n\nALL being hushed and solemn around me, and my soul filled with the\npeace of GOD that passeth all understanding, I now sit down to give\nyou a further account of my feeble labours. On _Monday_ last I went to\n_Axminster_, and preached to about two thousand without, and afterward\nexhorted within the house, where I lay. The next day I preached to a\ngreater number of people, and with more freedom. I gave an exhortation\nat night, and met the society. Our LORD vouchsafed us a gracious\nblessing. On _Wednesday_ I went to _Ottery_, but just as I named my\ntext, the bells rang. Upon this I adjourned to a field, whither the\npeople ran in droves.\u2015\u2015As I stepped into the inn, before I went into\nthe field, a clergyman came, who asked me by what authority I preached,\nsaid it was a riot, and that the meeting was illegal. I answered him as\nI thought pertinently, and afterwards went and shewed him my authority,\nby preaching on these words: \u201cGo ye to all the world, and preach\nthe gospel to every creature.\u201d Between six and seven in the evening,\nI returned to _Exeter_, where some hundreds were waiting to hear\nme expound. The LORD was with us. The LORD makes this place very\ncomfortable to me. Prejudices fall off daily, and people begin not\nonly rationally to discern, but powerfully to feel the doctrines of the\ngospel. To-morrow, GOD willing, I go with Mr. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to _Biddeford_.\nFrom thence expect to hear again from\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n_Postscript._ _Ten at night._\u2015\u2015It would have pleased you to have been\nhere this evening. I question, whether near a third part of _Exeter_\nwere not attending on the word preached. All was solemn and awful,\nand the LORD gave me much assistance from his holy spirit. Help me to\npraise him. Adieu! Good night! The LORD be with you.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXL.\n\n\n _To Mrs. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Biddeford, Nov. 11, 1743._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nI Thank you for your kind caution to spare myself; but evangelizing\nis certainly my province. Every where effectual doors are opened,\nand great freedom is given to me both in public preaching and private\nconversation. Many are blessed by both. The Rev. Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nrector of _St. Gennis, Cornwall_, is here. GOD willing, I\u2019ll go with\nhim on _Saturday_. Here is also another clergyman about eighty years of\nage, but not above one year old in the school and knowledge of CHRIST.\nHe lately preached three times and rode forty miles the same day.\nThe dissenting minister and his wife were very hearty, and perhaps\nhere is one of the most settled female christian societies in the\nkingdom. I cannot well describe with what power the word was attended.\nYesterday in the afternoon, and in the evening, it was just like as at\n_Edinburgh_. The old clergyman was much broken. A young _Oxonian_, who\ncame with him, and many others, were most deeply affected. I suppose\nthere were upwards of two thousand in the evening in the Meeting-house.\nDear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015y_, one of our first Methodists at _Oxford_, and who was\nlately a curate here, had laid the blessed foundation. So far therefore\nfrom thinking of nestling at _London_, that I am more and more\nconvinced that I should go from place to place, and therefore question\nif I shall see _London_ for some time. If not too angry with me for\nprosecuting this rambling way of life, be pleased to pray for, dear\nmadam,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n_Postscript._ _Seven at night._ To-day hath been as yesterday, and much\nmore abundant. I am here, as in _Scotland_ and _\u2666New-England_. Praise\nto free grace! Here is work enough for some months. The weather is very\nfavourable; range, therefore, I must and will.\n\n \u2666 \u201cEnglond\u201d replaced with \u201cEngland\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLI.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _St. Gennis, Nov. 25, 1743._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nGLAD I am that GOD inclined my heart to come hither. He hath been with\nus of a truth. How did his stately steps appear in the sanctuary last\nLORD\u2019s-day? Many, many prayers were put up by the worthy Rector, and\nothers, for an out-pouring of GOD\u2019s blessed spirit. They were answered.\nArrows of conviction fled so thick and so fast, and such an universal\nweeping prevailed from one end of the congregation to the other, that\ngood Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ could not help going from seat to seat to speak,\nencourage, and comfort the wounded souls. The _Oxonian_\u2019s father was\nalmost struck dumb; and the young _Oxonian_\u2019s crest was so lowered,\nthat I believe he\u2019ll never venture to preach an unknown CHRIST, or\ndeal in the false commerce of unfelt truths. I could enlarge, but I\nmust away to _Biddeford_, just to give satan another stroke, and bid\nmy christian friends farewel, and then return the way I came, namely\nthrough _Exeter_, _Wellington_ and _Bristol_, to the great metropolis:\nbut journeying, and various other matters that lie before me, I expect\nwill prevent your hearing so frequently as usual, from\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLII.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Brinkworth, December 18, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\n\u2019TIS past eleven at night, but lest I should not have time to-morrow\nat _Gloucester_, which I intend to take in my way to _Birmingham_, I\u2019ll\nrob myself of a little sleep to write to you now. On _Friday_ evening\nwe reached five miles beyond _Reading_. Last night about nine we got\nto _Clack_. It rained and snowed much for about seven miles, and the\nway was dangerous; but the blessed JESUS kept us in safety. In the\nmorning I preached and gave the sacrament at _Tetherton_. This evening\nI preached here. They were good times. I have a cold, but our LORD\nwarms my heart. To-morrow I must away to _Gloucester_. O follow, follow\nwith your prayers.\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLIII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Birmingham, Dec. 27, 1743._\n\nWANT of time, not of love, prevented my writing to you from\n_Gloucester_. Neither have I now leisure to be very particular. It is\nnear eleven at night, and nature calls for rest. I have preached five\ntimes this day, and, weak as I am, through CHRIST strengthening me,\nI could preach five times more. I think I was scarce ever so happy\nbefore. Surprizing! how the LORD JESUS hath made way for me in these\nparts. I lose nothing by being quiet and leaving all to him. O was you\nhere, what could I not tell you? The weather is just like Spring. That\nthe day-spring from on high may visit your heart, till you rise to\neternal perfect day, earnestly prays\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLIV.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Birmingham, Dec. 31, 1743._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nWHAT do you think? Since my last, I have stole a whole day to dispatch\nsome private business: however, in the evening I expounded to a great\nroom full of people, who would rush into my lodgings, whether I would\nor not. On _Sunday_ morning at eight I preached in the street to about\na thousand, with much freedom. I then went to church and received the\nsacrament, and afterwards preached to several thousands in the street.\nThe hearers seemed much pleased and delighted. It happened by the\nprovidence of GOD, that no minister would come to preach at a house at\n_Wedgbury_, where a weekly lecture used to be kept up: I was therefore\nearnestly entreated to come. I went, after my afternoon\u2019s preaching at\n_Birmingham_, and preached there at six in the evening to many hundreds\nin the street. It is about six miles from _Birmingham_. The word came\nwith power, and only one or two made a noise at a distance. Afterwards\nwe had a precious meeting in private. The power of the dear Redeemer\nwas much amongst us. The person with whom I lodged was a widow fearing\nGOD. Her husband was an eminent saint, and had been refreshed by my\nwritings, particularly my journals, as had many others that I met\nwith. On _Monday_ morning about eight I preached to a large company\nin a field. By eleven I returned to _Birmingham_, and preached to many\nthousands on a Common near the town. The soldiers were exercising;\nbut the officers hearing that I was coming to preach, dismissed them,\nand promised that no disturbance should be made. All was quiet, and\na blessed time we had. In the afternoon about three I preached again\nto about the same company, with the same success. Then I rode to\n_Wedgbury_ and preached there, and afterwards exhorted: but I cannot\nwell tell you, what a sweet melting time there was. Many were in tears.\nAbout one I went to bed exceeding happy. In the morning I broke up some\nfallow ground at a place called _Mare-Green_, about two miles from\n_Wedgbury_. Much mobbing had been there against Mr. _Wesley_\u2019s friends.\nA few poor souls began to insult me, but JESUS strengthened me much.\nSeveral clods were thrown, one of them fell on my head, and another\nstruck my fingers, while I was in prayer. A sweet gospel spirit was\ngiven to me. I preached again at _Birmingham_ to larger auditories\nthan before, about eleven the same morning and three in the afternoon.\nIn the evening I expounded twice in a large room. Once to the rich,\nand once to the poor, and went to rest happier than the night before.\nIn the morning I took my leave of the _Birmingham_ people, who wept\nmuch and were indeed deeply affected, and shewed great concern at\nmy departure. I then went to _Kidderminster_, about twelve miles\nfrom _Birmingham_, where I was kindly received by Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ms_, with\nwhom I have corresponded for near two years. Many friends were at his\nhouse. I was greatly refreshed to find what a sweet savour of good Mr.\n_Baxter_\u2019s doctrine, works and discipline remained to this day.\n\n _The sweet remembrance of the just,_\n _Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust._\n\nI preached about three in the afternoon to a large auditory near the\nchurch. Some unkind men, though they promised not to do so, rang the\nbells; but our Saviour enabled me to preach with power. In the evening\nand next morning I preached in the meeting house. I then went with Mr.\n_W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to _Bromsgrove_, about seven miles from _Kidderminster_, and\nwas kindly received by one Mr. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015y_, a good man, and several others,\namong whom were two or three Baptist and one Independent ministers.\nAbout three in the afternoon I preached in a field. Some rude people\nkicked a football and sounded a horn at some distance, but the LORD\nenabled me to preach with boldness. About six I preached in the Baptist\nMeeting-house, left _Kidderminster_ at eight, and reached _Worcester_\nabout ten at night. Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ms_ and another friend accompanied\nus. In the morning the good old Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015y_, who was supposed to be\nsanctified from the womb, came to us while we baited. In the evening\nI reached _Gloucester_, very thankful for my week\u2019s progress, and\nrejoicing greatly in CHRIST for giving me such a delightful and happy\nChristmas. This day I have preached twice here, and have been enabled\nto dispatch some private affairs. It is now near twelve. My dear friend,\nI wish you an exceeding happy new year. This time twelve-month I was\nwriting to you from _Bristol_. O what has the dear LORD JESUS done\nfor me since that, and since I was born! And O what does he intend\nto do for me before I die, and when time shall be no more? I am lost\nin wonder! I must away and cry Grace! grace! Praying that you may be\nfilled with all the fulness of GOD, I subscribe, my dearest friend,\n\n Ever, ever yours whilst\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, at Gloucester._\n\n _Mashfield, Jan. 7, 1744, (past 7 at night.)_\n\n_My very dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nIT being wet and dark, we thought it prudent to stay here this night.\nI cannot employ part of the evening better than in writing to you,\nand blessed be our GOD, I can send you good news. Our gracious LORD\nwas with me at _Pitchcomb_ and _Hampton_. We have had a wonderful\nsweet association in _Wales_, with much of the Redeemer\u2019s presence,\nespecially when I began to speak about the law affair. The brethren\nwere very generous, according to their circumstances, and one\ngentlewoman sent me five pounds. After mature deliberation, we\ndetermined to prosecute the affair to the utmost, and to set apart\nnext _Tuesday_ fortnight (the first day of the term) for a day of\nfasting and prayer, and to make collections for that purpose. The cause\nis the LORD\u2019s, and much depends on our getting the victory. I believe\nwe shall. I have had a favourable answer from Colonel _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and\nalso from Colonel _Gar\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Hitherto the LORD prospers us. I am now\ngoing to _London_ very happy, and in some measure thankful for the\nmany blessings I have received. Help me, my dear friend, to cry Grace!\ngrace! Inclosed you have some letters: be pleased to peruse and deliver\nthem. I bless GOD that affairs have taken such a turn. I have been at\n_Abergavenny_, and am settled as to my dear wife\u2019s coming down. Blessed\nbe GOD, she and the little one are pretty well. I shall be glad to hear\nfrom you when I come to _London_. I hope our LORD blesses you, both in\nbody and soul, and shews you the way wherein you should go. That you\nmay be continually guided by his counsel, and after death conducted to\nhis glory, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLVI.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _London, Jan. 18, 1744._\n\nTHIS afternoon I received your kind letter, and thank you a thousand\ntimes for your great generosity in lending me some furniture, having\nlittle of my own. I know who will repay you. Next week, GOD willing,\nmy dear wife and little one will come to _Gloucester_, for I find it\nbeyond my circumstances to maintain them here. I leave _London_, GOD\nwilling, this day sev\u2019nnight. Your affairs and concerns are mine. I\nshall lay them before our common Lord. My brother will receive a letter\nabout my wife\u2019s coming. She and the little one are brave and well. But\nwhy talk I of wife and little one? Let all be absorbed in the thoughts\nof the love, sufferings, free and full salvation of the infinitely\ngreat and glorious _Emmanuel_. Blessed, for ever blessed be his holy\nName, for such happy beginnings of another year! How would it rejoice\nyou to see the many thousands in this metropolis, like new-born\nbabes, desiring to be fed with the sincere milk of the word, that they\nmay grow thereby. This, if I know any thing of my heart, is all my\nsalvation, and all my desire. In respect to other things, at present\nI know this is, and I trust always will be the habitual language of my\nheart: O blessed GOD,\n\n _Thy gifts, if call\u2019d for, I resign,_\n _Pleas\u2019d to receive, pleas\u2019d to restore;_\n _Gifts are thy work; it shall be mine,_\n _The giver only to adore._\n\nThat both of us may be always kept thus minded, is the earnest prayer\nof\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Gloucester, Feb. 9, 1744._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nWHO knows what a day may bring forth? Last night I was called to\nsacrifice my _Isaac_; I mean to bury my only child and son about four\nmonths old. Many things occurred to make me believe he was not only\nto be continued to me, but to be a preacher of the everlasting gospel.\nPleased with the thought, and ambitious of having a son of my own,\nso divinely employed, satan was permitted to give me some wrong\nimpressions, whereby, as I now find, I misapplied several texts of\nscripture. Upon these grounds I made no scruple of declaring, \u201cthat\nI should have a son, and that his name was to be _John_.\u201d I mentioned\nthe very time of his birth, and fondly hoped, that he was to be\ngreat in the sight of the LORD. Every thing happened according to\nthe predictions, and my wife having had several narrow escapes while\npregnant, especially by her falling from a high horse, and my driving\nher into a deep ditch in a one-horse chaise a little before the time of\nher lying-in, and from which we received little or no hurt, confirmed\nme in my expectation, that GOD would grant me my heart\u2019s desire. I\nwould observe to you, that the child was even born in a room, which the\nmaster of the house had prepared as a prison for his wife for coming\nto hear me. With joy would she often look upon the bars and staples and\nchains which were fixed in order to keep her in. About a week after his\nbirth, I publickly baptized him in the Tabernacle, and in the company\nof thousands solemnly gave him up to that GOD, who gave him to me. A\nhymn, too fondly composed by an aged widow, as suitable to the occasion,\nwas sung, and all went away big with hopes of the child\u2019s being\nhereafter to be employed in the work of GOD; but how soon are all their\nfond, and as the event hath proved, their ill-grounded expectations\nblasted, as well as mine. House-keeping being expensive in _London_, I\nthought best to send both parent and child to _Abergavenny_, where my\nwife had a little house of my own, the furniture of which, as I thought\nof soon embarking for _Georgia_, I had partly sold, and partly given\naway. In their journey thither, they stopped at _Gloucester_ at the\n_Bell-Inn_, which my brother now keeps, and in which I was born. There,\nmy beloved was cut off with a stroke. Upon my coming here, without\nknowing what had happened, I enquired concerning the welfare of parent\nand child; and by the answer, found that the flower was cut down.\nI immediately called all to join in prayer, in which I blessed the\nFather of mercies for giving me a son, continuing it to me so long, and\ntaking it from me so soon. All joined in desiring that I would decline\npreaching \u2019till the child was buried; but I remembered a saying of\ngood Mr. _Henry_, \u201cthat weeping must not hinder sowing,\u201d and therefore\npreached twice the next day, and also the day following; on the evening\nof which, just as I was closing my sermon, the bell struck out for the\nfuneral. At first, I must acknowledge, it gave nature a little shake,\nbut looking up I recovered strength, and then concluded with saying,\nthat this text on which I had been preaching, namely, \u201call things\nworked together for good to them that love GOD,\u201d made me as willing to\ngo out to my son\u2019s funeral, as to hear of his birth. Our parting from\nhim was solemn. We kneeled down, prayed, and shed many tears, but I\nhope tears of resignation: And then, as he died in the house wherein\nI was born, he was taken and laid in the church where I was baptized,\nfirst communicated, and first preached. All this you may easily\nguess threw me into very solemn and deep reflection, and I hope deep\nhumiliation; but I was comforted from that passage in the book of\nKings, where is recorded the death of the _Shunamite_\u2019s child, which\nthe Prophet said, \u201cThe LORD had hid from him;\u201d and the woman\u2019s answer\nlikewise to the Prophet when he asked, \u201cIs it well with thee? Is it\nwell with thy husband? Is it well with thy child?\u201d And she answered,\n\u201c_It is well._\u201d This gave me no small satisfaction. I immediately\npreached upon the text the day following at _Gloucester_, and then\nhastened up to _London_, preached upon the same there; and though\ndisappointed of a living preacher by the death of my son; yet I hope\nwhat happened before his birth, and since at his death, hath taught\nme such lessons, as, if duly improved, may render his mistaken parent\nmore cautious, more sober-minded, more experienced in satan\u2019s devices,\nand consequently more useful in his future labours to the church of\nGOD. Thus, \u201cout of the eater comes forth meat, and out of the strong\ncomes forth sweetness.\u201d Not doubting but our future life will be one\ncontinued explanation of this blessed riddle, I commend myself and you\nto the unerring guidance of GOD\u2019s word and spirit, and am\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\nThe HYMN mentioned in the foregoing Letter.\n\n I.\n\n _POOR helpless babe! dear little child!_\n _JOHN be thy name, thy nature mild;_\n _Great may\u2019st thou be in JESU\u2019s sight,_\n _A babe in whom he takes delight_.\n\n II.\n\n _Be thou made holy from the womb,_\n _By him who sav\u2019d thee from the \u00b9tomb:_\n _In JESU\u2019s arms still may\u2019st thou rest,_\n _While sucking at thy mother\u2019s breast._\n\n III.\n\n _Blest be the parents with the son!_\n _Blest be the GOD that gave you one!_\n _We\u2019ll magnify the LORD with you!_\n _Share in your joy, we\u2019re sure we do._\n\n IV.\n\n _O may you both be taught of GOD,_\n _To teach this Child his SAVIOUR\u2019s blood:_\n _That thousands in your bliss may share,_\n _In answer to united pray\u2019r._\n\n V.\n\n _And may the |Lamb|, your |Master|, grant_\n _This grace, that you may never want_\n _A child to stand before his face,_\n _To preach his Love, his Sov\u2019reign Grace!_\n\n \u00b9 Alluding to the remarkable deliverance that his father and\n mother had some few weeks before his mother was delivered,\n when she and her husband being riding in a chaise, they were\n thrown into a deep ditch, and received no harm, as mentioned\n in Letter 534, p.\u00a039.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. G. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Feb. 24, 1744._\n\n_My dear dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nMULTIPLICITY of urgent affairs has kept me from answering your kind\nletter sooner. Blessed be GOD for giving you such a prosperous journey.\nI am not sorry that some, after their much joy, have been brought down\nand plunged into much misery. It is no more than might be expected.\nStolen sweets prepare for bitter tears. On _Monday_ morning I shall\nknow what the rioters intend doing. There has been dreadful work near\n_Birmingham_, but satan will be overthrown. We had a glorious fast\non _Monday_, and collected above sixty pounds for our poor suffering\nbrethren. We have had two solemn funerals. I hope the work prospers\nin your hands. Our lawyer hath sent me word, that the rioters stand\ntrial.\u2015\u2015I think, GOD willing, to be in _Gloucestershire_ by _Monday_\nsev\u2019nnight. The LORD be with you. I salute all, and am, my dear Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your most affectionate, though unworthy friend and\n ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n _Feb. 26._\n\n_P. S._ Since I wrote the above, I have consulted with friends, and\nfind it best to come through _Gloucester_ to _Abergavenny_.\u2015\u2015GOD\nwilling, I hope to preach with you on _Tuesday_ between seven and eight\nat night. Be pleased immediately on the receipt of this to send word to\nbrother _Adams_ to meet me without fail at _Gloucester_ on _Tuesday_,\nto confer about our assize affair. I heard yesterday from _Wales_. I\nbought a second-hand suit of curtains to-day, so you need not send any\nthing to _Abergavenny_. \u201cPoor, yet making others rich,\u201d shall be my\nmotto still.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXLIX.\n\n\n _London, March 12, 1744._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nTHIS leaves me just returned from _Gloucester_ assizes, where it has\npleased the great Judge of quick and dead to give us the victory over\nthe _Hampton_ rioters. You remember I informed you, that I thought we\nshould be obliged to appeal unto _C\u00e6sar_. A solemn day of fasting and\nhumiliation was kept on that account; and accordingly last term we\nlodged an information against them in the _King\u2019s-Bench_. Matters of\nfact being proved by a variety of evidence, and the defendants making\nno reply, the rule was made absolute, and an information filed against\nthem. To this they pleaded _Not guilty_, and therefore, according to\nthe method of the Crown-office, the cause was referred to the assizes\nheld in _Gloucester_ the third instant. Our council opened the cause\nby informing the court, that rioters were not to be reformers, and that\nhis Majesty had no where put the reins of government into the hands of\nmobbers, nor made them either judge or jury. One of them in particular,\nthe _Recorder of Oxford_, with great gravity, reminded the gentlemen on\nthe jury of the advice of _Gamaliel_, \u201cRefrain from these men and let\nthem alone, for if this council, or this work be of man, it will come\nto nought; but if it be of GOD, ye cannot overthrow it, least haply ye\nbe found even to fight against GOD.\u201d Our witnesses were then called.\nMr. _Adams_ and four more, three of which were not reputed Methodists,\nso clearly proved both the riot and the facts, that the judge was of\nopinion, there needed no other evidence. The council for the defendants\nthen rose up, and displayed a good deal of oratory, and I think said\nall that could be said to mend a bad matter. One urged, \u201cthat we were\nenthusiasts, and our principles and practices had such a tendency to\ninfect and hurt the people, that it was right, in his opinion, for\nany private person to stand up and put a stop to us; and whoever did\nso, was a friend to his country.\u201d He strove to influence the jury, by\ntelling them, \u201cThat if a verdict was given against the defendants, it\nwould cost them two hundred pounds; that the defendants rioting was not\npremeditated, but that coming to hear Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and being offended\nat his doctrine, a sudden quarrel arose, and thereby the unhappy\nmen were led into the present fray, which he could have wished had\nnot happened; but however, it did not amount to a riot, but only an\nassault.\u201d Their other council informed the jury, \u201cThat they would\nundertake to prove, that the Methodists began the tumult first.\u201d He\nwas pleased to mention me by name, and acquainted the court, \u201cThat\nMr. _Whitefield_ had been travelling from common to common, making the\npeople cry, and then picking their pockets under pretence of collecting\nmoney for the colony of _Georgia_, and knowing that _Gloucestershire_\nwas a populous county, he at last came there; that he had now several\ncurates, of which Mr. _Adams_ was one, who in his preaching had found\nfault with the proceedings of the clergy, and had said, that if the\npeople went to hear them, they would be damned.\u201d He added, that \u201cthere\nhad lately been such mobbing in _Staffordshire_, that a regiment\nof soldiers was sent down to suppress them; insinuating, that the\nMethodists were the authors; that we had now another cause of a like\nnature depending in _Wiltshire_, and that we were not of that mild\npacific spirit, as we pretended to be.\u201d This, and much more to the\nsame purpose, though foreign to the matter in hand, pleased many of the\nauditors, who expressed their satisfaction, in hearing the Methodists\nin general, and me in particular, thus lashed, by frequent laughing.\nBut our LORD not only kept me quite easy, but enabled me to rejoice\nin being thus honoured for his great Name\u2019s sake. To prove what the\ndefendants council had insinuated, they called up a young man, who was\na brother to one of the defendants, and one of the mob. He swore point\nblank, \u201cThat Mr. _Adams_ said, if people went to church, they would\nbe damned, but if they would come to him, he would carry them to JESUS\nCHRIST.\u201d He swore also, \u201cthat the brook into which Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was\nthrown, was no deeper than half up his legs.\u201d He said first, that there\nwere but about ten of them that came to the house of Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; and\nthen he swore, that there were about threescore. He said, there was\na bell, and that one of the defendants did ask Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to come\noff the stairs, but that none of them went up to him: upon which Mr.\n_A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ willingly obeyed, went with them briskly along the street,\nand as he would have represented it, put himself into the skin-pit\nand brook, and so came out again. He said also some other things; but\nthrough the whole, his evidence appeared so flagrantly false, that one\nof the council said, \u201cIt was enough to make his hair stand \u2666on end.\u201d\nThe judge himself wished, \u201cThat the man had so much religion as to fear\nan oath.\u201d So he went down in disgrace. Their second evidence was an\naged woman, mother of one of the defendants; she swore, \u201cThat her son\ndid go up stairs to Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and that Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ tore her son\u2019s\ncoat;\u201d but she talked so fast, and her evidence was so palpably false,\nthat she was sent away in as much disgrace as the other. Their third\nand last evidence, was father to one who was in the mob, tho\u2019 not one\nof the defendants. The chief he had to say was, \u201cThat when Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nwas coming from the brook, he met him and said, Brother, how do you do?\nUpon which he answer\u2019d, that he had received no damage, but had been\nin the brook and came out again.\u201d So that all their evidences, however\ncontrary one to another, yet corroborated ours, and proved the riot out\nof their own mouths. The book was then given to a justice of the peace,\nwho had formerly taken up Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ for preaching near _Stroud_,\nand had lately given many signal proofs that he was no friend to the\nMethodists. But he intending to speak only about their characters,\nand the council and judge looking upon that as quite impertinent to\nthe matter in hand, he was not admitted as an evidence. Upon this, his\nLordship with great candor and impartiality summed up the evidence, and\ntold the jury, \u201cThat he thought they should bring all the defendants\nin GUILTY; for our evidences had sufficiently proved the whole of the\ninformation, and also, that the riot was premeditated.\u201d\u2015\u2015He said, \u201cThat,\nin his opinion, the chief of the defendants evidence was incredible;\nand, that supposing the Methodists were heterodox, (as perhaps they\nmight be) it belonged to the ecclesiastical government to call them to\nan account; that they were subjects, and rioters were not to be their\nreformers.\u201d He also reminded them \u201cof the dreadful consequences of\nrioting at any time, much more at such a critical time as this; that\nrioting was the forerunner of, and might end in rebellion; that it was\nfelony without benefit of clergy, to pull down a Meeting-house; and for\nall as he knew, it was high treason to pull down even a bawdy-house.\n\u2015\u2015That this information also came from the _King\u2019s-Bench_; that his\nMajesty\u2019s justices there, thought they had sufficient reason to grant\nit; that the matters contained in it had been evidently proved before\nthem; and consequently they should bring in all the defendants guilty.\u201d\nUpon this the jury were desired to consider of their verdict, and\nfor a while there seemed to be some little demur among them. His\nLordship perceiving the cause of it, immediately informed them, \u201cthey\nhad nothing to do with the damages, (that was to be referred to the\n_King\u2019s-Bench_) they were only to consider, whether the defendants were\nguilty or not.\u201d Whereupon in a few minutes they gave a verdict for the\nprosecutors, and brought in all the defendants _guilty_ of the whole\ninformation lodged against them. I then retired to my lodgings, kneeled\ndown, and with my friends gave thanks to our all-conquering _Emmanuel_.\nAfterwards I went to the inn, prayed and returned thanks with the\nwitnesses, exhorted them to behave with meekness and humility to\ntheir adversaries; and after they had taken proper refreshment, I sent\nthem home rejoicing. In the evening I preached on these words of the\nPsalmist, \u201cBy this I know that thou favourest me, since thou hast not\nsuffered mine enemy to triumph over me.\u201d GOD was pleased to enlarge my\nheart much. I was very happy with my friends afterwards, and the next\nmorning set out for _London_, where we had a blessed thanksgiving\nseason, and from whence I take the first opportunity of sending you\nthese particulars.\n\n I remain, Sir, your very affectionate friend,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201can\u201d replaced with \u201con\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DL.\n\n\n _To Mrs. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, March 15, 1744._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nSHALL I promise and not perform? GOD forbid! This comes in answer to\nyour commands, and to inform you, that through him who has the hearts\nof all men in his hands, we came off more than conquerors, respecting\nour _Gloucester_ trial. The rioters were brought in guilty, and I\nsuppose will have an execution issued out against them next Term. I\nhear they are hugely alarmed; but they know not that we intend to let\nthem see what we could do, and then to forgive them. This troublesome\naffair being now over, I must prepare for my intended voyage. They\ntell me there is a ship going from _Portsmouth_. GOD willing, I\npurpose to take my passage in it, and though calls come to me from\nevery quarter, yet I must; once more visit my dear family in _America_.\nSome well-meaning people threaten me with I know not what, if I embark\nat this time; but my absence hath been so long and unexpected, that\ncome what will, I am determined to prosecute my intended voyage; and\ntherefore whether we meet any more in the flesh, I trust we shall meet\nin the world of spirits, where parting, weeping, and breaking of hearts\nwill no more disturb and try the affections of, dear Madam,\n\n Yours in the dear _Emmanuel_,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLI.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Plymouth, June 26, 1744._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nYOU see by this where I am. Doubtless you\u2019ll wonder at the quick\ntransition from _Portsmouth_ to _Plymouth_. To the former I intended\ngoing when I wrote last; but just before I took leave of the dear\ntabernacle people, a message was sent to me, that the captain in which\nI was to sail from thence, would not take me for fear of spoiling\nhis sailors. Some interpreted this as a call from providence not to\nembark at this time; but I enjoined them silence \u2019till I had taken my\nleave, and then, hearing of a mast-ship that was going under convoy\nfrom _Plymouth_, I hastened thither, and have taken a passage in the\n_Wilmington_, Capt. _Dalby_, bound to _Piscataway_, in _New-England_.\nMy first reception here was a little unpromising. A report being spread\nthat I was come, a great number of people assembled upon the _Hoe_,\n(a large green for walks and diversions) and somebody brought out a\nbear and a drum; but I did not come \u2019till the following evening, when,\nunder pretence of a hue-and-cry, several broke into the room where I\nlodged at the inn, and disturbed me very much. I then betook myself to\nprivate lodgings, and being gone to rest, after preaching to a large\ncongregation, and visiting the _French_ prisoners, the good woman of\nthe house came and told me, that a well-dressed gentleman desired to\nspeak with me. Imagining that it was some Nicodemite, I desired he\nmight be brought up. He came and sat down by my bedside, told me he\nwas a lieutenant of a man of war, congratulated me on the success of my\nministry, and expressed himself much concerned for being detained from\nhearing me. He then asked me, if I knew him. I answered, no. He replied,\nhis name was _Cadogan_. I rejoined, that I had seen one Mr. _Cadogan_,\nwho was formerly an officer at _Georgia_, about a fortnight ago at\n_Bristol_. Upon this, he immediately rose up, uttering the most abusive\nlanguage, calling me _dog_, _rogue_, _villain_, &c. and beat me most\nunmercifully with his gold-headed cane. As you know I have not much\nnatural courage, guess how surprized I was; being apprehensive that\nhe intended to shoot or stab me, I underwent all the fears of a sudden\nviolent death. But, as it providentially happened, my hostess and her\ndaughter hearing me cry _murder_, rushed into the room and seized him\nby the collar; however, he immediately disengaged himself from them,\nand repeated his blows upon me. The cry of _murder_ was repeated also,\nwhich putting him into some terror, he made towards the chamber-door,\nfrom whence the good woman pushed him down stairs. About the bottom\nof which, a second cry\u2019d out, \u201cTake courage, I am ready to help you;\u201d\naccordingly, whilst the other was escaping, he rushed up, and finding\none of the women coming down, took her by the heels and threw her\nupon the stairs, by which her back was almost broken. By this time the\nneighbourhood was alarmed. Unwilling to add to it, I desired the doors\nmight be shut, and so betook myself to rest, not without reflecting,\nhow indispensibly necessary it was for christians and christian\nministers to be always upon their guard, and with what great propriety\nwe are taught to pray in our excellent Litany, \u201cfrom sudden,\u201d that is,\n\u201cfrom violent and unprepared death, good LORD deliver us.\u201d That this\nmay be our happy lot, is the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Plymouth, July 4, 1744._\n\nSINCE my last, I have had some particular informations about the late\nodd adventure. It seems, that four gentlemen came to the house of\none of my particular friends, kindly enquiring after me, and desired\nto know where I lodged, that they might come and pay their respects.\nHe directed them. Soon afterwards I received a letter, informing me\nthat the writer was a nephew to Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, an eminent attorney at\n_New-York_; that he had the pleasure of supping with me at his uncle\u2019s\nhouse, and desired my company to sup with him and a few more friends at\na tavern. I sent him word, that it was not customary for me to sup out\nat taverns, but should be glad of his company, out of respect to his\nuncle, to eat a morsel with him at my lodgings. He came; we supped; and\nI observed that he frequently looked around him, and seemed very absent;\nbut having no suspicion, I continued in conversation with him and my\nother friends, \u2019till we parted. This, I now find, was to have been\nthe _assassin_; and being interrogated by his other companions on his\nreturn to the tavern about what he had done, he answered, that being\nused so civilly, he had not the heart to touch me. Upon which, as I am\ninformed, the person who assaulted me laid a wager of ten guineas that\nhe would do my business for me. Some say, that they took his sword from\nhim, which I suppose they did, for I only saw and felt the weight of\nhis cane. The next morning, I was to expound at a private house, and\nthen to set out for _Biddeford_. Some urged me to stay and prosecute;\nbut being better employed, I went on my intended journey, was greatly\nblessed in preaching the everlasting gospel, and upon my return was\nwell paid for what I had suffered: curiosity having led perhaps two\nthousand more than ordinary to see and hear a man, that had like to\nhave been murdered in his bed. Thus all things tend to the furtherance\nof the gospel, and work together for good to those that love GOD.\n\n _Thus satan thwarts, and men object,_\n _And yet the thing they thwart, effect._\n\nLeaving you to add an _Hallelujah_, I subscribe myself,\n\n Ever, ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, July 21, 1744._\n\nI Expected a line from you this morning; but I suppose you think we are\ngone. This day came in a privateer, which saw the _Brest_ Squadron that\nhas pursued two of our men of war, the _Dreadnought_ and _Frederick_;\nso that had we sailed, we should in all probability have been carried\ninto _France_. We are now to go under convoy of the grand fleet; many\nletters from our friends at _Portsmouth_ inform us, that they are to\nsail on _Sunday_; but the wind hath not been very favourable, so we may\nyet stay some days longer. I never was so easy in this respect before.\nIn one or two things I find my will reluctant; but JESUS will bring all\nthings in subjection to him. I have been greatly refreshed this evening\nin preaching his blood. The congregations grow visibly every day.\nYou will see the letter from _Kingsbridge_.\u2015\u2015Last night many from the\n_Dock_ came and guarded me home, being apprehensive there was a design\nagainst me. Without my knowledge, they insulted a man who intended to\nhurt me, for which I am sorry. We had a wonderful good time last night.\nO help me to praise my Saviour! My health is better. I hope you got to\n_London_ well. Whether we sail or not, expect to hear again from dear,\ndear _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Ever, ever yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n _Open a door, which earth and hell_\n _May strive to shut, but strive in vain;_\n _Let thy word richly with them dwell,_\n _And let their gracious fruit remain!_\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, July 26, 1744._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nACCEPT some few hasty lines from one, who, properly speaking, may at\npresent be stiled a prisoner at large. I am still here waiting for the\npromised convoy, and as I humbly hope, really waiting for the convoy of\ndeath to carry me to _Abraham_\u2019s bosom. Could you think it? I have been\npreaching a confirmation sermon. Do you ask me where? In a Quaker\u2019s\nfield. As I saw thousands flocked to the church to have the Bishop\u2019s\nhands imposed upon them, I thought it not improper to let them have\na word of exhortation suitable to the occasion. I have also made an\nelopement to _Kingsbridge_, where I preached to many thousands a few\ndays ago. It was really a most solemn occasion. A calling, inviting,\npersuasive gift was vouchsafed me. The hearts of the auditory seemed\nto be bowed as the heart of one man. Many tears were shed; but I was\nobliged to ride off as soon as my discourse was ended, and to return\nhither in the night. But blessed be God, our night was as it were\nturned into day. I was accompanied by several old and new converts, and\nwe conversed in some degree, as became persons who ought to be employed\nevery hour and every moment in trimming their lamps to be ready for\nthe midnight cry, \u201cBehold the bridegroom cometh!\u201d As I am at present in\nthis unsettled state, continually engaged in preaching, and in talking\nprivately with many, very many awakened souls, you and my other friends\nmust be content with receiving short, but I hope truly loving letters,\nfrom\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLV.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_.\n\n _Plymouth, July 27, 1744._\n\nMATTERS go on better and better here. I begin to think myself in\n_London_. We have our regular morning meetings; and our LORD is pleased\nto grace them with his presence. We are looking out for a place proper\nfor a society, and to expound in. People come daily to me, especially\nfrom the _Dock_, under convictions. Some, I believe, have really closed\nwith CHRIST; and here are several aged persons perfectly made young\nagain. We are just now entered upon our singing hours.\u2015\u2015The souls come\nforward greatly in many respects, and friends are more and more hearty.\nFresh news from _Kingsbridge_ of souls being awakened; but I am kept\nclose prisoner on account of the convoy. Yesterday morning we were\ncalled up at the _Dock_, very early, by a false alarm that our convoy\nwas come. Many poor souls much lamented it. We hastened hither, and I\nexpounded upon our LORD\u2019s bidding his disciples to watch. This waiting\nis much blessed to me. I am kept passive; notwithstanding, satan\nattempts to disturb me, but JESUS refreshes me, and overcomes him. I\nneed not bid you to pray for me. Brother _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ must come into these\nparts soon.\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLVI.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Plymouth, July 29, 1744._\n\nOUR LORD has been giving us blessings in drops, but now he is sending\nthem in showers. This morning we have had a most precious meeting.\nPerhaps more good hath been done by that one sermon, than by all I have\npreached before. When GOD will work, who shall hinder? The wind is yet\nagainst us. Our LORD detains me here for wise reasons. Some persons,\nformerly prejudiced against me, have offered to give me a piece of\nground surrounded with walls, for a society room. I believe that one\nwill be built soon. Brother _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ must stay in the _West_ some time.\nThe LORD JESUS blesses me with health, and a sweet preaching spirit. O\ngrace, grace! I will join with thee in praising it. Adieu, my friend,\nI am yours, in the bonds of eternal love, whilst\n\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLVII.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Plymouth, August 3, 1744._\n\n_My dear, dear Friend_,\n\nIT is past ten, or I would write you a long letter. Our convoy is come,\nand perhaps we may sail to-morrow. It is delightful to be here. We come\nfrom _Dock_ in the evenings, in great companies, singing and praising\nGOD. Our parting there has been more awful than words can express. I\nshall have sailed before you can answer this.\n\n I.\n\n _Eternal JESUS, bless thy word,_\n _Be mindful of thy child;_\n _Behold thy servant; be thou, LORD,_\n _His helmet, sword, and shield._\n\n II.\n\n _Close by thy side him ever keep;_\n _Still hold him in thy hand,_\n _Till he and all thy ransom\u2019d sheep,_\n _Shall rest in their own land._\n\n III.\n\n _The preachers and the people there,_\n _Shall thee in fulness see;_\n _Shall keep the long sabbatic year,_\n _The feast of jubilee._\n\nIf we never meet again in this suffering world, GOD grant that we may\nere long see each other in the heavenly paradise, where all tears shall\nbe wiped from our eyes, and death, sin, and sorrow we shall know no\nmore. Farewel.\n\n Ever, ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, August 4, 1744._\n\n_My very dear Brother E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Thank you for your last kind and loving letter, and as a token of\nmy unfeigned love to you, I send you these few lines by way of answer,\nbefore I embark. Our convoy is now come, and in all probability we\nshall sail this day or tomorrow. I need not stir up my dear brother,\nand other dear souls with you, to pray for me and mine. I am quite easy\nabout trust, having put all things into the hands of the LORD JESUS,\nupon whose shoulders the government of all is placed. He will, he does\norder all things well: I bless him for it, and for what he has, and is\ndoing among the soldiers. I desire you all to bless him for what he is\ndoing in these parts; for preaching at the _Dock_ is now like preaching\nat the _tabernacle_. It would delight your dear soul, my brother, to be\na spectator of the people\u2019s seriousness. Last night we had a most awful\nand solemn parting; many wept sorely. After sermon we walked pleasantly\nover the fields, blessing and praising GOD. Our morning lectures\nare very delightful. O the thousands that flock to the preaching of\nChrist\u2019s gospel! If brother _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is in _London_, pray salute him\nin my name, and all the dear dear brethren and sisters, wishing you\nall thousands and millions of blessings, and earnestly intreating\nan interest in your prayers for me the chief of sinners. I subscribe\nmyself, my dear brother _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in the most adorable Redeemer,\n _G. W._\n\n\n_Postscript._ I must tell you one thing more. There is a ferry over to\n_Plymouth_; and the ferrymen, which were like _Levi_ the publican at\nthe receipt of custom, are now so much my friends, that they will take\nnothing of the multitude that come to hear me preach, saying, \u201cGOD\nforbid that we should sell the word of GOD.\u201d O! the hearts of all men\nare in the hand of the LORD!\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _On board the Wilmington, Oct. 20, 1744._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nYOU know in what a poor state of health I was, when I embarked. The\nlength, and seeming tediousness of the voyage, hath occasioned no small\naddition to the violent pain in my side; however, blessed be GOD, in a\nweek or two after we sailed, we began to have a church in our ship. Two\nserious _New-England_ friends finding how I was served at _Portsmouth_,\ncame from thence to _Plymouth_ in order to bear me company. We had\nregular public prayer morning and evening, frequent communion, and days\nof humiliation and fasting. Being time of war, and sailing out with\nnear 150 ships, we had several convoys. Their taking leave of each\nother at their several appointed places, was striking: but ours was\nordered to convoy us all the way. We were soon, and have been often\nalarmed. Once with the sight of a _Dutch_ fleet, whom we took for an\nenemy; and again at the sight of Admiral _Balchen_, who rode by us\nreceiving the obeisance of the surrounding ships, as though he was Lord\nof the whole ocean. It was full six weeks ere we reached the _Western_\nIslands, off which it being calm weather, we continued floating for\nsome days; during which interval we were like to suffer much damage.\nThe wind having brisked up a little, and orders being given for tacking\nabout, one of the ships, I know not by what accident, having missed her\nstays, in turning, came directly upon us; I happened at that time to\nbe singing a hymn upon deck with my little family, and thinking it best\nto keep there to receive the shock, I had the opportunity of seeing\nwhat passed. The ship struck her mainsail into our bowsprit, but our\nship being of a large, and theirs of a smaller size, our hull received\nbut little damage, whilst theirs received such a blow, that when\ndisentangled from us, they were immediately apprehensive of sinking. As\nthey again passed by us, when we expected another touch, their cries\nand groans were awful. O how eagerly did they cry for some signal to be\ngiven! It was done. A little after that, we came up with the convoy,\nand our captain informed them of what had happened. The answer was,\n\u201cThis is your praying, and be damned to ye.\u201d With many expressions of\nthe like nature. This, I must own, shocked me more than the striking of\nthe ships. I called my friends together, and broke out into these words\nin prayer: \u201cGOD of the sea and GOD of the dry land! This is a night of\nrebuke and blasphemy: shew thyself, O GOD, and take us under thy own\nimmediate protection; be thou our convoy, and make a difference between\nthose that fear thee and those that fear thee not!\u201d The disabled ship\nwas taken into tow. Next morning they were saluted in like manner as\nthe night before, and orders were given us to follow our convoy into\n_Fial_; but on a sudden a violent euroclydon arose, which not only\nprevented our going into _Fial_, but battered and drove away our\nconvoy, so that we saw him no more all the voyage. For my own part, I\nthought it no loss; we sailed very comfortably on, \u2019till we were again\nalarmed with the sight of two ships, making up to us with all the sail\nthey could well croud, and which our captain took to be enemies. The\npreparations for an engagement, to me, who you know am naturally a\ncoward, were formidable. Guns mounting, chains put about the masts,\nevery thing taken out of the great cabin, hammocks put about the sides\nof the ship, and all, except myself, seemed ready for fire and smoke.\nMy wife, after having dressed herself to prepare for all events, set\nabout making cartridges, whilst the husband wanted to go into the holes\nof the ship, hearing that was the chaplain\u2019s usual place. I went, but\nnot liking my situation, and being desired by one of my _New-England_\nfriends to say something to animate the men, I crept up on deck, and\nfor the first time of my life beat up to arms by a warm exhortation.\nThe men seemed pleased, the apprehended enemy approached, but upon\nnearer view we found them not only to be friends, but the two masts\nships that were going with us under the same convoy. This pleased us\nall. The captain taking this opportunity to clean the cabin, said,\n\u201cAfter all, this is the best fighting:\u201d with which you may be sure I\nreadily concurred, praying, and believing at the same time, that all\nour various conflicts with spiritual enemies might, and would under\nthe conduct of the all-conquering captain of our salvation, at last\nterminate in a thorough cleansing, and an eternal purification of the\ndefiled cabin of our hearts. Committing you to his almighty guidance\nand protection, I subscribe myself,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLX.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _York (New-England,) Oct. 30, 1744._\n\n_Dear Friend_,\n\nDON\u2019T judge me for not writing more frequent. It was impracticable. I\nhave been laid on a bed of sickness, and was, in the apprehension of\nmyself and others, at the very mouth of the heavenly harbour; but as\nthat more than once hath been the case, I am putting out to sea again.\nO who would but follow the Redeemer blindfold? No convoy like him\nwho is the GOD of the sea and the GOD of the dry land. After eleven\nweeks passage he hath brought us hither, but through my impatience\nand imprudence I and my friends were like to suffer loss. A little\nsmack coming up to us just as we were near port, and being told that\nshe would be in several hours before the ship, I, with others in\ncomplaisance to me, though persuaded to the contrary, ventured in her.\nIt soon grew dark, our pilots missed their inlet and we were tossed\nabout all night. My pain was great, having had for some time a nervous\ncholic, and I was so hungry that I could have gnawed the very boards.\nThe fishermen had nothing but a few potatoes, of which I partook\nmost eagerly; but withal, thought my situation to be like the poor\ndisciples, who were rowing and toiling all night, when the wind was\ncontrary. About the fourth watch of the night, deliverance came; the\nmen discovered the proper inlet; but what passed before our arrival is\nsomewhat striking to me. One of my friends, on asking what news, was\nanswered, that the _New-England_ people were turned _new lights_; which\nwith us you know is a term for _heterodoxy_; but however, added the man,\nnot knowing that I was lying down at his elbow, they are all expecting\none Mr. _Whitefield_; and my sister, and a great company of her stamp,\nwere yesterday all praying for his safe arrival. This made me to take\ncourage. I continued undiscovered; and in a few hours in answer I trust\nto _new light prayers_, we arrived safe at _York_, a few miles off\n_Piscataway_, the place to which we were bound.\u2015\u2015But you must excuse\nenlarging; as I recover strength you shall hear again from\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _York, Nov. 6, 1744._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nHOW thankful ought I to be to him, whose mercy endureth for ever! GOD\nhas commanded a physician (once a notorious deist, but through grace\nconverted at my last visit in _New-England_) to receive me here. Worthy\nColonel _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who lives at the very mouth of the harbour, on seeing\nour ship, went with some other friends in his own boat to invite and\nconduct me to his princely habitation. But GOD appointed otherwise. In\nabout half an hour after my arrival, I was put to bed, racked with a\nnervous cholic, and convulsed from the waste down to my toes. A total\nconvulsion was immediately apprehended.\n\n _My wife and friends stood weeping by,_\n _In tears resolv\u2019d to see me die._\n\nFilled with divine consolation, I begged them not to be shocked. My\nSaviour whispered that all was well, and therefore I desired them not\nto be surprized if I should be totally convulsed, or be suffered in a\ndelirium to speak things that were wrong. Many, many of GOD\u2019s dearest\nchildren, through the infirmities which crazy constitutions more\nespecially are liable to, have been called to drink such a bitter cup\nbefore me. But an all-compassionate Redeemer disappointed our fears,\nand exceeded our strongest expectations. Apprehended convulsions were\nkept off; and though I was so weak as not to be able to bear the sound\nof a tread of the foot, or the voice of friends who came to see and\npray with me, yet my heart was kept in perfect peace. After undergoing,\nfor about four days, fomentations and exercises of different kinds,\nby having my feet put into warm water, &c. nature was relieved, and\nwhat I had taken four days before came away hardly discoloured. After\nthis, whilst carried about by my tender nurse and a servant, still\nracked with pain, and like an helpless child, I could only say, \u201cLook\nand learn what a poor creature I am.\u201d The scene affects me yet. May\nit never be forgotten! I must retire, and leave enlarging to another\nopportunity. In the mean while, assure yourself of my being, though\nless than the least of all,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, (New-England) Nov. 16, 1744._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nAS I promised, I must employ a little of my new-gained strength in\nwriting to you. Soon after I began to recover, good old Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nthe minister of _York_, who feared the LORD greatly from his youth,\ncame to and accosted me thus: \u201cSir, you are first welcome to _America_;\nsecondly, to _New-England_; thirdly, to all the faithful ministers\nin _New-England_; fourthly, to all the good people in _New-England_;\nfifthly, to all the good people of _York_; and sixthly and lastly, to\nme, dear Sir, less than the least of all.\u201d He then urged me to give\nthem a sermon. Too forward to reingage in my old delightful work,\nI complied, notwithstanding at the same time word had been sent to\n_Boston_ that I was dying; upon which, my dear _Gaius_ and a beloved\nphysician came, either to take care of me, or attend my funeral; but\nto their great surprize they found me in the pulpit. GOD was with me\nbut imprudently going over the ferry to _Portsmouth_, I caught cold,\nimmediately relapsed, and was taken, as every one thought, with death,\nin my dear friend Mr. _Sherburne_\u2019s house. My pains returned; but what\ngave me most concern was, that notice had been given of my being to\npreach the next evening. A great number of ministers and people flocked\nto hear; three physicians attended me, and Colonel _Pepperel_ with many\nothers were so kind as to pay me a visit and sympathize with me. GOD\ndealt so bountifully with me, that I was enabled to tell the Colonel in\nparticular, from heart-experience, that I felt a divine life distinct\nfrom my animal life, which made me as it were to laugh at pain; this\nmade me determine to get up and preach, though the General and all had\nleft me, and the person appointed to lecture in my stead was just going\nout of the house. My dear _York_ physician was then about to administer\na medicine. I on a sudden cried, \u201cDoctor, my pains are suspended: by\nthe help of GOD I\u2019ll go and preach, and then come home and die.\u201d With\nsome difficulty I reached the pulpit. All looked quite surprized, as\nthough they saw one rose from the dead. Indeed, I was as pale as death,\nand told them \u201cthey must look upon me as a dying man, that I came to\nbear my dying testimony to the truths I had formerly preached amongst\nthem, and to the invisible realities of another world.\u201d Nature (by my\ncontinuing an hour in my discourse) was almost quite exhausted; but O\nwhat life! what power spread all around! All seemed to be melted, and\nwere drowned in tears. The cry after me, when I left the pulpit, was\nlike the cry of sincere mourners when attending the funeral of a dear\ndeparted friend. Upon my coming home, I was laid on a bed upon the\nground near the fire, and I heard them say, \u201cHe is gone;\u201d but still,\nyou find by this I am alive, and if spared to be made instrumental\nin making any poor dead soul alive to GOD, I shall rejoice that the\nall-wise Redeemer has kept out of heaven a little longer,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Boston, Jan. 18, 1745._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nBY this time I suppose you have heard, by your brother\u2019s letter, how\ngood old Mr. _Moody_, in his honest way, said, I was welcome to all the\nfaithful ministers in _New-England_. But the good old man judged too\nmuch by his own honest feelings. You see I am now at _Boston_, whither\nI was brought from _Piscataway_ in a coach and four. The joy with which\nI was received by the common people, cannot well be described; but\nmany of the ministers how shy?\u2015\u2015And how different from what once they\nwere? When last in _Boston_, governor _Belcher_ was in the chair:\nthen, _reges ad exemplum, totus componitur orbis_, he honoured me\nwith great honour, and the clergy paid the nod, and obeyed. In many\nI then perceived it was quite forced, and I think when at his table\nI whispered to some and said, if ever I came again, many of those who\nnow seem extremely civil, will turn out my open and avowed enemies.\nThe event has proved, that in this respect I have been no false\nprophet. You know where it is written, \u201cThere arose a king, who knew\nnot _Joseph_.\u201d Freed therefore from their former restraint, many\nhave appeared in _puris naturalibus_. Some occasions of offence had\nundoubtedly been given whilst I was here and preached up and down the\ncountry.\u2015\u2015Nothing however appeared but a pure, divine power working\nupon, converting, and transforming people\u2019s hearts, of all ranks,\nwithout any extraordinary ph\u00e6nomena attending it. Good Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nsucceeded me; numbers succeeded him. Lecture upon lecture were set\nup in various places; one minister called to another, to help drag\nthe gospel net; and by all the accounts that I can have from private\ninformation, or good Mr. _Prince_\u2019s weekly history, which I send you\nwith this, one would have imagined the millennium was coming indeed.\nBut you know, in this mixed state of things, wild-fire will necessarily\nblend itself with the pure fire that comes from GOD\u2019s altar. This the\nenemy long waited for; at last it broke out and spread itself; and it\nmust be confessed, through the instrumentality of many good souls both\namong clergy and laity, who for a while mistaking fancy for faith, and\nimagination for revelation, were guilty of great imprudence. What these\nwere, I have not time now to particularize; I can only inform you, that\nall is laid to me as being the _primum mobile_ though there was not\nso much as the appearance of any thing of this nature when I left\n_New-England_ last. But, maugre all, my poor labours are yet attended\nwith the usual blessings, and therefore I must entreat you as usual to\npray and give thanks in behalf of\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Boston, Feb. 6, 1745._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Remember you once told me, that you heard one of the good old\n_Puritans_, who went over to _New-England_, wrote back again, that\nhe went from _Old-England_ to avoid the Lord Bishops, and came to\n_New-England_ to get under the Lord Brethren. Well is it at present\nthat they are the Lord Brethren; for finding some of their pastors\nwithout cause shy of me, they have passed votes of invitation for me\nto preach in the pulpits, and some time ago prevailed upon me, as they\nheard I had done in _Scotland_, to set up a lecture at six o\u2019clock in\nthe morning. Not expecting a very great auditory, I opened a lecture\nin one of the smallest meetings, upon these words, \u201cAnd they came early\nin the morning to hear him;\u201d but how was I disappointed? Such great\nnumbers flocked to hear, that I was obliged for the future to make use\nof two of their very largest places of worship, where I believe seldom\nless than two or three thousand attentive hearers hung as it were upon\nme, to hear the word preached. I began with the first of _Genesis_,\nand have now lectured in order, till I am almost come to the story of\n_Abraham_ sending his servant to fetch a wife for his son _Isaac_. Many\nI trust have been made willing to say, \u201cI will go with the GOD-man,\neven _Isaac_\u2019s GOD.\u201d It is impossible to describe the eagerness and\npunctuality of these early visitants. To see so many hundreds of both\nsexes neatly dressed, walking or riding so early along the streets to\nget food for their souls, has feasted my own heart. The _Pharaohs_\nwho used to say, \u201cYe are idle, ye are idle,\u201d now are struck dumb: for\nlecture, and family prayer, and breakfast, are now over in many houses\nbefore the sun is suffered to come into others windows; and it is now\nbecome almost a common proverb, \u201cThat between _Tar-water_, and _early\nrising_, the physicians will have no business.\u201d One morning the croud\nwas so great, that I was obliged to go in at the window. The high\nsheriff, who was once most forward in persecuting good Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015t_,\nbeing a little convinced under the word, accompanied me, and when he\nput his head into the window after me, the people were ready to cry\nout, \u201cIs _Saul_ also among the prophets?\u201d Hoping hereafter to send\nyou and other friends a further account of many such real instances\nof all-conquering grace, I subscribe myself\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ipswich, Feb. 7, 1745._\n\nAND how does my very dear brother _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? I heard by some friend\nlately that he was well.\u2015\u2015I hope this will find him yet better, and\nmore and more happy in the ever-lovely, ever-loving JESUS.\u2015\u2015I suppose\nyou have heard of his great goodness to me and mine.\u2015\u2015We have been\ncarried through various trials; and can set up our _Ebenezer_, saying,\n\u201cHitherto hath the LORD helped us.\u201d\u2015\u2015I cannot help thinking but that\nthe LORD JESUS is about to triumph gloriously.\u2015\u2015He is pleased to bear\nme as on eagles wings, and causes both sinners and saints to hear his\nvoice.\u2015\u2015I am kept very happy, and see more and more of the mystery of\niniquity that lies in my heart. I rejoice in knowing that the blood of\nJESUS will cleanse me from all.\u2015\u2015I long to hear how it is with the dear\nlambs in _Gloucestershire_.\u2015\u2015I commit you and them to the care of the\ncompassionate bishop and shepherd of souls; and subscribe myself, my\ndear man,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\nP. S. My dear wife joins in sending cordial salutations to you, yours,\nand all.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXVI.\n\n\n _To Mrs. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Boston, Feb. 17, 1745._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nTHIS leaves me just retired from my spiritual levee. Our good friend\nMr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ tells me, while I am here he looks upon his house not as\nhis own, but mine. His parlour is large, and I sit there to receive\ngospel visitants. Good Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ told me some time ago, that I should\nshortly be favoured with the company of a very pensive and uncommon\nperson; a man of good parts, ready wit, and lively imagination, and\nwho had made it his business, in order to furnish matter for preaching\nover a bottle, to come and hear, and then carry away scraps of my\nsermons, which it seems were to serve as texts or theses for his\ntavern harangues. A few nights ago he came for this purpose to Doctor\n_S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s meeting; upon my coming in, he crouded after amongst the\npeople, and having got sufficient matter to work upon as he thought,\nattempted to go out; but being pent in on every side, he found his\nendeavours fruitless. Obliged thus to stay, and looking up to me,\nwaiting for some fresh matter for ridicule, GOD was pleased to prick\nhim to the heart. He came to Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ full of horror, confessed\nhis crimes, and longed to ask my pardon, but was afraid to see me.\nMr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ encouraged him to venture. This morning hearing somebody\nknock at the parlour door, I arose, and upon opening the door, by the\npaleness, pensiveness, and horror of his countenance, guessed I had\nmet with the person of whom Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ had apprized me. Immediately\nhe cried with a low but plaintive voice, \u201cSir, can you forgive me?\u201d I\nsmiled and said, \u201cYes, Sir, very readily.\u201d Indeed, replied he, Sir, you\ncannot when I tell you all, I then asked him to sit down; and judging\nthat he had sufficiently felt the lashes of the law, I preached to\nhim the gospel. That it may be the power of GOD through faith unto his\neternal salvation, you will join in praying, dear madam, with\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXVII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Boston, Feb. 19, 1745._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\n_TEMPORA mutantur_; a confederacy, a confederacy! The clergy, amongst\nwhom are a few mistaken, misinformed good old men, are publishing\nhalfpenny testimonials against me. Even the president, professors, and\ntutors of _Hertford_ college, where I was, as you know, some few years\nago received with so much uncommon respect, have joined the confederacy.\nGood Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that venerable, truly primitive, good old Puritan,\nas I am informed, had many of these testimonials brought him, in order\nto judge of their importance. He took them, weighed them in his hands\nand having read them before, returned them immediately, saying, \u201cThey\ndid not weigh much.\u201d However, I thank GOD, \u201cout of the eater hath come\nforth meat.\u201d They have done me real service. Some unguarded expressions,\nin the heat of less experienced youth, I certainly did drop. I was much\ntoo precipitate in hearkening to, and publishing private informations,\nand thereby _Peter_-like cut too many ears off: but this is my comfort,\nwhen we mean well, though no thanks to our own too forward though\nwell-meant zeal, JESUS, that almighty, all-compassionate physician,\nwill heal and restore the ears again. Some good friends on my side\nthe question are publishing testimonials in my favour. Thus you see\nwhat a militant state we are in at present. _Laudatur ab eis, culpatur\nab illis._ Amidst all, the word runs and is glorified, and many are\nso enraged at the treatment I meet with, that they came to me lately,\nassuring me, that if I\u2019ll consent, they will erect in a few weeks\ntime, the outside of the largest place of worship that was ever seen\nin _America_; but you know ceiled houses were never my aim. I therefore\nthanked them for, but at the same time begged leave to refuse the\naccepting of their kind offer. How or when the present storm will\nsubside, for subside I am persuaded it will, is as yet uncertain. I\ncan only, at present, earnestly beg the continuance of your prayers,\nthat whilst tossing in this floating ark I may be purged of some of\nmy corruptions, and be kept in good temper towards those who I believe\nreally think they do GOD\u2019s service in opposing, dear Madam,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXVIII.\n\n\n _Piscataqua, March 6, 1745._\n\n_My very dear, dear J._\n\nTHIS comes by Captain _Darling_. I hear from _Boston_, a bookseller has\ngot the books you sent over. I have sent a letter to Doctor _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nwith my answer to _Harvard_ college, which I would have you print, with\ntheir testimony, (which is an original:) and my answer to the second\npart of the observation and remarks upon the charge of the Bishop of\n_L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. May JESUS give them his blessing. I would have them printed\nso as to be sold cheap: you may collect or print them severally as you\nwill. I cannot yet get time to prepare my sermons, or the other part\nof my life, for the press. I am writing another _New-England_ journal,\nwhich I will send when I leave it; when that will be, I know not. I\nexpect Mr. _Habersham_ every hour. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ are got\nsafe to _Charles-Town_. I heard from friends there last week. _America_,\nI am afraid, begins to be too dear to me. The LORD smiles upon me and\nmine, and makes us very happy in himself, and happy in one another.\nHere is a very large field of action. A very fine and effectual door\nis opened; my bodily strength is recovered, and my soul more than ever\nin love with a crucified JESUS. I could write more to you and other\ndear friends, but if I do, I shall neglect things of a more public and\nimmediate concern; neither can my dear wife write, because she is fully\nemployed in copying my letters. However, we do not forget our dear\n_London_ and _English_ friends. We pray for them often, and sometimes\ncannot help wishing some more may come over into this delightful\nwilderness; it is a fruitful field. JESUS waters it with his blessings.\nWe expect sister _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Here are wars and rumours of wars, on this,\nas well as your side of the water. But JESUS\u2019s disciples may be at\npeace. O that this may find thy dear heart quite swallowed up in his\namazing love! Be pleased to remember us most tenderly to _all_, and\nlose no opportunity of sending a line in any _American_ ships. So, my\nvery dear dear man, I rest\n\n Thy very affectionate happy friend, and servant in\n JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Piscataqua, March 6, 1745._\n\n_My very dear Brother C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nIT gives me some concern, that I cannot send thee a long letter, but\nat present I have so many things of importance before me, which must be\nimmediately dispatched, that I desire others to excuse me too. I do not\nforget any of you as I know of, and, GOD willing, shall redeem every\nopportunity of sending to _England_. Our Saviour wonderfully smiles\non us here; several years work I think lies before me. The LORD helps\nme to preach with the demonstration of the spirit and with power,\nmy strength is daily renewed, and my wife and I go on like two happy\npilgrims, leaning upon our beloved. O help us to adore and praise free\ngrace. We salute all the conference and trustees, and every particular\nchoir, and the societies in every place, \u201cGrace, mercy and peace be\nmultiplied upon them, from GOD our father, and from the LORD JESUS\nCHRIST.\u201d To his tender mercy do I commit thee and them, and am, my very\ndear _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\nP. S. My dear wife cordially salutes you and all.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. J. S. in London._\n\n _Piscataqua, March 12, 1745._\n\nI Wrote to you last week, and have sent you by Capt. _Darling_ two\nletters, and a box. This comes by a young gentleman that expects to\nreturn to _South-Carolina_ by _August_ next. By him I send you one of\neach sort of the pamphlets that I have published here. I would have\nthem sent to _Scotland_ as soon as may be. My wife has sent you a few\nlines in one of my letters. We are more than happy! O grace! grace!\u2015\u2015I\ntrust it is so with you. _America_ is pleasanter and pleasanter every\nday. I expect Mr. _Habersham_ hourly. The door for preaching opens\nwider and wider. O my dear friend, I could tell thee what would rejoice\nthy heart, wast thou here. But I have little time to write. I am now\ngoing to prepare my sermons for the press: And am also writing another\njournal. You shall have them the first opportunity. Our tender love\nawaits all dear friends. As often as possible, you and others shall\nhear from, my dear friend, &c.\n\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXI.\n\n\n _On board Capt. Grant, bound from Charles-Town\n to Philadelphia, May 2, 1745._\n\n_My very dear, dear Brother H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nHOW do you find your heart these trying, sifting, purging times? I hope\nyou are enabled to joy in GOD, and are made more than conqueror through\nhis love. It has given me some concern that I could not write to you\noftner: but JESUS knows my heart has been with you; and I have not\nfailed to pray for the preservation of the tossed ark. \u2666_Antinomianism_,\nI find, begins to shew its head and stalk abroad: may the glorious\nRedeemer cause it to hide its head again, and prevent his children\u2019s\nspirits being imbittered against each other. I am glad to hear the\n_Welsh_ brethren continue steady: and that amongst our _English_\nfriends, _Antinomianism_ seems only to be speculative; this is a great\nevil, but not so great as when it affects the practice, and leads the\npeople of GOD unwarily into licentiousness. The late outward troubles,\nI hope will do good, and put a stop to the many disputes and various\nsects which, like so many hydra\u2019s, always spring up when the LORD\nsuffers false principles to abound. I expect to hear that JESUS has\nmade thee immoveable like a wall of brass, held as a lion, but meek\nas a lamb. Blessed be his name, he continues to be very kind to us: we\nhave been six months in these parts, and are now going northwards for\nthe summer season. The Orphan-house is in a promising way. My temporal\naffairs begin to be settled; and I am blessed substantially to many\nsouls. JESUS, I trust, has given me a more gospel-heart; and causes\nmany of my professed most imbittered enemies to be at peace with me. I\nknow you will help me to praise him, and beg him to continue to stand\nby a poor unworthy creature, who simply desires to spend and be spent\nfor the good of precious and immortal souls. You\u2019ll remember me to your\ndear wife, and all our _Welsh_ brethren, in the most endearing manner:\nwe frequently talk of, and pray for them; and don\u2019t despair of seeing\nthem once more in the flesh. My dear wife loves them exceedingly, and\nwarms her heart often by reflecting on past times. Wishing that grace,\nmercy, and peace may be multiplied upon you all, I subscribe myself, my\nvery dear brother,\n\n Ever, ever thine in JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cAntinominanism\u201d replaced with \u201cAntinomianism\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Boston, July 29, 1745._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nYOU will be surprized to hear that a messenger of the prince of peace,\nespecially such a weak creature as I am, should beat up to arms. No\ndoubt you have judged me, as well you may; but providence seemed to\nforce me to it. You have now heard of the _Cape-Breton_ expedition,\nwhich was carried on and finished with the greatest secrecy and\nexpedition here, before it could be scarcely known to you at home.\nWorthy Colonel _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was fixed upon to command. The day before he\naccepted of the commission, he purposed to dine with me to ask my\nadvice. I told him, \u201cthat I hoped if he did undertake it, he would\nbeg of the LORD GOD of armies to give him a single eye; that the means\nproposed to take _Louisburgh_, in the eye of human reason, were no\nmore adequate to the end, than the sounding of rams horns to blow down\n_Jericho_; that the eyes of all would be upon him; and if he should\nnot succeed in the intended enterprize, the widows and orphans of the\nslain soldiers would be like lions robbed of their whelps; but if it\npleased GOD to give him success, envy would not suffer him to take\nthe glory, and therefore he should take great care that his views were\ndisinterested, and then I doubted not, if providence really called him,\nhe would find his strength proportioned to the day, and would return\nmore than conqueror.\u201d He thanked me, and his Lady having given her free\nconsent, he commenced general. The sound now was to arms! to arms! new\nrecruits were eagerly sought after, and my worthy friend Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nwas appointed one of the commissaries. Being at his house, he told me\none evening that he was preparing the flag, and that I must give him\na motto, and that the people must know it too. I absolutely refused,\nurging that it would be acting out of character; he replied, that the\nexpedition, he believed, was of GOD, and that if I did not encourage\nit, many of the serious people would not inlist. I still refused; he\ndesired me to consider, and sleep upon it, and to give him my answer\nin the morning. I retired, I prayed, I slept; and upon his renewing\nhis request in the morning, I told him, that since he was so urgent,\nand as I did not know but divine providence might intend to give us\n_Louisburgh_, therefore he might take this motto. _Nil desperandum\nChristo duce._ Upon this, great numbers inlisted, and before their\nembarkation, their officers desired me to give them a sermon: I\npreached from these words: \u201cAs many as were distressed, as many as\nwere discontented, as many as were in debt, came to _David_, and he\nbecame a captain over them.\u201d Officers, soldiers, and others attended.\nI spiritualized the subject, and told them how distressed sinners came\nto JESUS CHRIST the Son of _David_; and in my application exhorted the\nsoldiers to behave like the soldiers of _David_, and the officers to\nact like _David_\u2019s worthies; then, I made no manner of doubt, but we\nshould receive good news from _Cape-Breton_. After this, I preached\nto the general himself, who asked me if I would not be one of his\nchaplains: I told him, \u201cI should think it an honour, but believed,\nas I generally preached three times a day in various places to large\ncongregations I could do my King, my country, and my GOD, more service,\nby stirring up the people to pray, and thereby strengthen his and his\nsoldiers hands.\u201d Through divine grace, I was enabled to persist in this\npractice for some weeks; but at last news arrived that the case was\ndesperate. Letter upon letter came from one officer and another to\nthose who planned this expedition, and did not know the strength of the\nfortress. I smiled, and told my friends, that I believed now we should\nhave _Louisburgh_;\u2015\u2015that all having confessed their helplessness, GOD\nwould now reveal his arm, and make our extremity his opportunity. I was\nnot disappointed of my hope; for one day having taken a weeping leave\nof dear _Boston_, and being about to preach a few miles out of the\ntown, news was brought that _Louisburgh_ was taken. Numbers flocked\nwith great joy from all quarters, and I immediately preached to them\na thanksgiving sermon from these words: \u201cBy this I know that thou\nfavourest me, since thou hast not permitted mine enemies to triumph\nover me.\u201d Here ends, dear Madam, my beating to arms. It is left to you,\nto judge as you please of, dear Madam,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n_Postscript._ I forgot to tell you, to the honour of worthy Madam\n_P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that during the time of the expedition, at her desire, I\npreached in the General\u2019s house, and took the liberty before sermon,\nto ask her, how she came to give up the General? She answered, \u201cThat it\nwas GOD who enabled her to do it for his glory, and her country\u2019s good,\nand that now the General was gone, she had the pleasing reflection,\nthat thro\u2019 divine mercy, home had never been made so disagreeable to\nhim by her conduct, as to make him wish to be gone.\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXIII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, August 26, 1746._\n\n_Honoured Mother_,\n\nWHETHER your affections are abated to me or not, (which one would\nimagine by your not writing in two years) yet duty, love, and gratitude\noblige me to write to her, to whom, under GOD, I owe my being brought\ninto the world. I am glad to find by a letter from Mr. _Syms_, dated\nlast _March_, that you was well, at least I hoped so, because I heard\nnothing to the contrary. May the Father of mercies, and GOD of all\nconsolation, grant that your latter end may greatly increase! Whether\nyou ever see me or not any more, you need not be anxious concerning\nme.\u2015\u2015That GOD whom I serve in the gospel of his dear Son, is exceeding\ngood and gracious to me and mine. We have all things pertaining to life\nand godliness. Many offers are daily made me; but as yet the LORD JESUS\nkeeps me from catching at the golden bait. Favour is given to me in\nthe sight of the rich and great, and the door for my usefulness opens\nwider and wider. I love to range in the _American_ woods, and sometimes\nthink I shall never return to _England_ any more. I was never better\nin health, take all together. My dear wife would send you a few lines,\nbut she is weak by reason of a miscarriage about four days ago. I send\nyou most dutiful respects for her, and praying the LORD of all Lords\ncontinually to lift up the light of his blessed countenance upon your\ndear soul, I subscribe myself, honoured mother,\n\n Your most dutiful, though unworthy son,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXIV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bohemia, (Maryland) Oct. 8, 1746._\n\n_Rev. and dear Sir_,\n\nI Took the freedom some months ago to send you a letter, wherein was\ninclosed a letter for Professor _Frank_, both which I hope came safe to\nhand, and were accepted in love. Since that, I have been travelling and\nranging the woods, in the service of the best of Masters, who makes his\nwork more pleasant to me every day. I trust that the time for favouring\nthis and the neighbouring southern provinces is come. Every where\nalmost, the door is opened for preaching; great numbers flock to hear;\nand the power of an ascended Saviour attends the word. It is surprizing,\nhow the LORD causes prejudices to subside, and makes my formerly most\nbitter enemies to be at peace with me. O Rev. Sir, help me to praise\nhim, whose mercy endureth for ever! I doubt not but he has been\nwonderfully good to you, and supports you under a feeble tottering\ntabernacle. The prayers of me and mine are always for you, because we\nhonour and love you in our common head, the blessed JESUS. Be pleased,\nwhen you write, to present my most dutiful and affectionate respects\nto the Professor, and Mr. _Ulspurgher_. I have had some sweet times\nwith several of the _Lutheran_ ministers at _Philadelphia_. I love them\ndearly. Mr. _Drisezler_ does bravely at _Frederica_. Mr. _Boltzius_ and\nhis collegue I hear are well. By and by, I trust, _Georgia_ will lift\nup its drooping head.\u2015\u2015All is well at the Orphan-house. I am, Rev. and\nvery dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother and\n servant in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Anapolis, (Maryland,) Nov. 8, 1746._\n\n_My very dear, dear Brother_,\n\nI Just now received a wished-for packet from _England_, in which are\ntwo or three letters from you. My dear fellow pilgrim will exceedingly\nrejoice at the receipt of them. She is gone forward with a _Boston_\nyoung lady towards _Georgia_.\u2015\u2015I hear they traverse the woods bravely.\n\u2015\u2015I wrote to you very lately.\u2015\u2015I can only send you a few loving lines\nnow.\u2015\u2015I am just setting out.\u2015\u2015Lately I have been in seven counties in\n_Maryland_, and preached with abundant success.\u2015\u2015Our LORD gives me\nhealth, and his work (O free grace!) prospers in my unworthy hands. I\nshall consider of the calls sent me to return to my native country.\u2015\u2015My\ntender love to all.\u2015\u2015I am, my very dear man,\n\n Ever yours whilst\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXVI.\n\n\n _To a friend at the Tabernacle, London._\n\n _Anapolis, November 8, 1746._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nJUST now I have received your kind letter with some others, but have\nnot time to read them all, being just setting out from this place.\nI shall consider of your _loud call_, and pray our LORD to direct\nme.\u2015\u2015Poor _English_ friends! May JESUS heal their divisions! Courage,\nmy dear brother\u2015\u2015Land is in sight\u2015\u2015Ere long we shall sail into the\nhaven of eternal rest.\u2015\u2015The harvest is great here. I have lately been\nin seven counties in _Maryland_, and preached to great congregations of\npeople with great power.\u2015\u2015I have now a journey of seven hundred miles\nbefore me.\u2015\u2015My tender love to all. GOD willing, you shall hear again\nshortly from,\n\n Ever yours in our triumphant JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Hanover county, (Virginia) Nov. 16, 1746._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nABOUT a week ago I had the pleasure of receiving a long letter from\nyou, which I immediately answered at _Anapolis_.\u2015\u2015That you wrote to my\ndear wife is gone to her, and I suppose will rejoice her exceedingly.\n\u2015\u2015She is well, and enjoys much of GOD.\u2015\u2015I was glad to find that the\n_Tabernacle_ was given up to your care.\u2015\u2015Whether its breaches are yet\nrepaired, or whether it be entirely fallen down, I know not.\u2015\u2015I suppose\nwhen I come to _England_, I shall have all to begin again.\u2015\u2015It is the\nLORD, let him do what seemeth him good.\u2015\u2015The account of dear brother\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s trial affected me much. I rejoice that he comes bright out\nof the furnace of affliction. I salute him and all my dear friends most\ntenderly.\u2015\u2015Sometimes affection works strong, and I almost determine\nto come over.\u2015\u2015But the cloud does not seem to move that way as yet.\n\u2015\u2015However, my eyes are to the LORD.\u2015\u2015Whenever his providence points out\nthe way, the language of my heart is, \u201cLo I come.\u201d\u2015\u2015I wrote to brother\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ lately, and since have received their kind\nletters.\u2015\u2015I have lately been in seven counties in _Maryland_, and ere\nlong think to preach in as many in this province.\u2015\u2015There is a sweet\nstirring among the dry bones.\u2015\u2015I have a thousand tender things to say,\nbut time will not permit.\u2015\u2015Well, my dear dear man, heaven is at hand;\n\u2015\u2015there we shall have talk enough.\u2015\u2015O let us take as many souls with\nus to that blessed place as we can.\u2015\u2015Blessed be GOD, my soul springs\nwith fresh desires to hunt after poor straying sheep, which JESUS has\npurchased with his dear heart\u2019s blood.\u2015\u2015O that I may begin now to do\nsomething for him, who hath done and suffered so much for me! But I can\nno more.\u2015\u2015I am lost, I am quite overcome when I think of this.\u2015\u2015LORD,\nI believe and worship!\u2015\u2015Pray remember me to _all_ most tenderly.\n\u2015\u2015Remember me before the LORD as the _chief of sinners_, but, my very\ndear brother,\n\n Ever, ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXVIII.\n\n\n _To a friend in London._\n\n _Bethesda, Dec. 24, 1746._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nI Thank you heartily for your very kind letter, which I now snatch a\nfew moments to answer. The account you gave of things, made me mourn\nthat they were in so bad a situation, and at the same time I could\nnot help rejoicing they were no worse: You and all that attended on\nmy preaching, and had opportunities to converse with me privately,\ncannot be ignorant how many hints I gave of what has happened. It might\nhave been foreseen and spoken of without a spirit of prophecy, and\nconsequently did not so much surprise me when I found it came to pass;\nbut I trust the storm is now blown over, and that the little flock will\nenjoy a sweet calm. O that your eyes may be looking towards and waiting\non the blessed JESUS: from him alone can come your salvation, he will\nbe better to you than a thousand _Whitefields_.\u2015\u2015I am afraid you are\ntoo desirous of having me with you; and indeed I long to see you and\nmy other dear christian friends, but _America_ seems to be my scene\nof action for some time. The harvest is great in many places, and the\nlabourers are very few. I am resolved in the strength of JESUS to range\nmore and more; hunting for souls is a delightful work, and I am ashamed\nthat I do no more. O my dear man, pray for me; indeed I do for you and\nyours.\u2015\u2015I am glad the LORD has appeared for you; he never fails those\nthat put their trust in him; only remember, \u201cIn the world, and yet not\n_of_ it,\u201d is the real christian\u2019s motto.\u2015\u2015That JESUS may continually\nlift up the light of his blessed countenance upon you, give you and\nyours all peace and joy in believing, is the earnest prayer of, my dear\nman,\n\n Your very affectionate friend, and servant for JESUS sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n_P. S._ My tender tender love to all enquiring friends; my dear\nyoke-fellow joins heartily: we are happy in JESUS, and happy in one\nanother.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXIX.\n\n\n _Bethesda, Dec. 24, 1746._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nI Must not let your kind letter which I received a few days ago lie\nlong unanswered. And now what shall I say? why that I would have you\ncomfort yourself with this promise, \u201cThat all things shall work (nay\n_do_ work) for good to those that love GOD.\u201d\u2015\u2015Blessed be GOD for that\nlittle, that great word ALL.\u2015\u2015Could we always act faith upon that,\nnothing could move us.\u2015\u2015It is this promise that makes me now to\nrejoice in the midst of all the tribulations that has befallen my dear\n_Tabernacle_ friends.\u2015\u2015For ere long you shall sing,\n\n _\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015O happy Rod!_\n _That brought us nearer to our GOD!_\n\nCourage, therefore, my brother, courage.\u2015\u2015The LORD will yet uphold you\nwith his right hand.\u2015\u2015Only live near to JESUS, and let the language of\nyour heart be, \u201cLORD, _let me know myself and thee!_\u201d All trials are\nsent for these two ends, that we may be better acquainted with the dear\nLORD JESUS, and with our own wicked hearts.\u2015\u2015That you may increase in\nthis knowledge more and more, is the earnest prayer of\n\n Your affectionate friend, and servant in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n_P. S._ My dear wife joins in sending hearty salutations to all.\u2015\u2015I\nmust refer you to other letters for news.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bethesda, Dec. 29, 1746._\n\n_My very dear Brother A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nSINCE I wrote to you from _Maryland_, I have received two or three kind\nletters from you, in which I have had a particular account how affairs\nstand in _England_.\u2015\u2015I bless GOD for the gracious assistance he has\nbeen pleased to afford you, and pray for a continuance and increase\nof it to your dear soul ever more and more\u2015\u2015O my very dear brother, it\nis no small favour to be kept steady and humbly bold for the glorious\n_Emmanuel_ in a cloudy dark day.\u2015\u2015This honour the LORD JESUS has\nconferred on you\u2015\u2015May his past goodness strengthen your faith, and\nencourage you to trust in him amidst all future trials!\u2015\u2015I say future\ntrials\u2015\u2015for we must never expect an entire cessation of arms, till we\nbow down our heads and give up the ghost\u2015\u2015Our trials will be changed\nin order to discover to us the remainder of corruption in the heart;\nbut they will not, they must not be entirely removed\u2015\u2015The captain\nor our salvation was made perfect through sufferings, and so must\nwe\u2015\u2015Be strong therefore, my brother, in the grace which is in CHRIST\nJESUS\u2015\u2015Endure afflictions\u2015\u2015make full proof of thy ministry\u2015\u2015Truth is\ngreat, and will prevail\u2015\u2015Fail not writing\u2015\u2015Other letters will acquaint\nyou with particulars about me.\u2015\u2015Continue in prayer, and it may be,\nsooner than your expectations, you may see\n\n Your very unworthy, but affectionate brother and servant in\n JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n_P. S._ My dear yoke-fellow joins in sending most cordial salutations\nto you, yours, and all that love the precious CHRIST.\n\n\n _Charles-Town, Jan. 21, 1747._\n\nSince I wrote the above I have had some sweet seasons at _Bethesda_: I\nintend staying here some days, and will redeem what time I can to write\nto friends\u2015\u2015May grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon them all:\nAmen and Amen.\u2015\u2015My dear wife and family are well\u2015\u2015GOD willing, we move\nnorthward in the beginning of _March_.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Charles-Town, Jan. 23, 1747._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nI Owe you much love, and though I have written to you more than once,\nyet I look upon myself as indebted to you still.\u2015\u2015I therefore now sit\ndown to answer the kind letter which you sent my dear yokefellow.\u2015\u2015She\nis now at _Georgia_, and having not as yet seen it, she cannot answer\nit herself.\u2015\u2015Blessed be GOD she is well, and prospers both in soul and\nbody\u2015\u2015We talk of you often, and hope yet to live and have our hearts\nwarmed with our _English_ and _Welch_ friends ere we go hence, and are\nno more seen. At present the cloud seems to hang over the _American_\nparts.\u2015\u2015The LORD JESUS is pleased to give me great access to multitudes\nof souls, and I hope has withal given me as strong an inclination as\never, to go out and preach to them the unsearchable riches of his dying\nlove. I lately came from _Bethesda_, and found my family well, happy\nin JESUS, and happy in one another.\u2015\u2015Our LORD bowed the heavens several\ntimes and came down among us, in the power of his eternal Spirit.\u2015\u2015In\nthe beginning of _March_, I purpose, GOD willing, to set out for the\nnorthward again, and shall not lose any opportunity of writing, that\noffers in my way. I am sorry to hear the leaven of _Antinomianism_ is\nnot yet purged out, and that animosities are not yet ceased.\u2015\u2015I can say\nnothing at this distance, but pray that the GOD of peace and love may\ndirect and rule all my dear friends hearts. You will remember me to all\nin the most tender manner.\u2015\u2015Indeed I omit no opportunity of sending.\u2015\u2015I\npray for you all continually, and begging a continued interest in all\nyour prayers, I subscribe myself, my very dear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXII.\n\n\n _To a generous Benefactor unknown._\n\n _Charles-Town, March, 15, 1747._\n\nWHOEVER you are that delight to imitate the divine beneficence in doing\ngood to your fellow-creatures when they know not of it, I think it my\nduty, in behalf of the poor orphans committed to my care, to send you\na letter of thanks for your kind, generous and opportune benefaction.\n\u2015\u2015That GOD who has opened your heart to give so bountifully, will\nas bountifully reward you.\u2015\u2015I trust you have contributed towards the\npromoting an institution, which has, and I believe will redound much\nto the Redeemer\u2019s glory.\u2015\u2015Blessed be GOD, I hope I can say, that\n_Bethesda_ was never in better order than it is now, in all probability\ntaking root downwards, and bearing fruit upwards.\u2015\u2015Since my arrival\nthere this winter, I have opened a _Latin_ school, and have several\nchildren of promising abilities that have begun to learn.\u2015\u2015One little\norphan, who this time twelvemonth could not read his letters, has made\na considerable proficiency in his _Accidence_.\u2015\u2015The blessed spirit has\nbeen striving with several of the children\u2019s infant hearts, and I hope\nere long to see some ministers sent forth from that despised place\ncalled _Georgia_. It is true, the constitution of that colony is very\nbad, and it is impossible for the inhabitants to subsist themselves\nwithout the use of slaves. But GOD has put it into the hearts of my\n_South-Carolina_ friends, to contribute liberally towards purchasing\na plantation and slaves in this province; which I purpose to devote to\nthe support of _Bethesda_.\u2015\u2015Blessed be GOD, the purchase is made.\u2015\u2015I\nlast week bought, at a very cheap rate, a plantation of six hundred and\nforty acres of excellent land, with a good house, barn, and out-houses,\nand sixty acres of ground ready cleared, fenced and fit for rice,\ncorn, and every thing that will be necessary for provisions. One negroe\nhas been given me.\u2015\u2015Some more I purpose to purchase this week.\u2015\u2015An\noverseer is put upon the plantation, and I trust a sufficient quantity\nof provision will be raised this year.\u2015\u2015The family at _Bethesda_\nconsists of twenty-six.\u2015\u2015When my arrears are discharged; I purpose to\nincrease the number.\u2015\u2015I hope that time will soon come; and that he who\nhas begun, will go on to stir up the friends of _Zion_ to help me, not\nonly to discharge the arrears, but also to bring the plantation lately\npurchased to such perfection, that if I should die shortly, _Bethesda_\nmay yet be provided for.\u2015\u2015As you have been such a benefactor, I thought\nproper to give you this particular account, that you may see it is not\ngiven in vain.\u2015\u2015I could enlarge, but have only room to subscribe myself,\ngenerous friend,\n\n Your most obliged servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXIII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. B._\n\n _Bohemia, (Maryland) Sunday night, April 26, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Mrs. B._\n\nIF you will promise not to be sorry, that you set out so soon, I will\ninform you, that through the singular goodness of a loving Redeemer,\nwe reached _Bohemia_ last night, after a pleasant journey of about\nfive weeks from _Charles-Town_. To-day, I trust we have enjoyed some\ntaste of that love, which I pray the LORD of all Lords to shed abroad\nabundantly in your dear heart by the Holy Ghost. You are entered upon\na scene that will call for more than ordinary assistance. JESUS, who\nhimself was once in a wilderness, knows how to succour, support and\ncomfort you. \u201cOut of the eater he can bring forth meat; Out of the\nstrong he can and will bring forth sweetness.\u201d My poor prayers do\nand will follow you. I trust you will return loaded with experience;\nand however your journey may turn out in respect to your body, I am\npersuaded it will be for the benefit of your soul. To tell you how\nbountifully the glorious _Emmanuel_ hath dealt with us, would fill a\nvolume. He hath indeed done wonders for us,\u2015\u2015some of which I hope to\nrelate to you, when I see you face to face. After two days abode here,\nI purpose, GOD willing, to take a three weeks circuit in hunting after\n_Maryland_ sinners. In _Virginia_, for the present, the door is shut;\nbut I believe it will be open in the fall to more advantage. I have\nno thoughts of visiting it this spring. The cloud moves another way.\nHowever, night and day I shall remember you in your little hut, praying\nthat you may meet with agreeable company to join in saying, \u201cLORD JESUS,\nall my springs are in thee.\u201d that you may be continually enabled to\nbelieve on him, and find him to be a well of water springing up to life\neternal, is the hearty prayer of, very dear Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your very affectionate, sympathizing friend, and willing\n servant for JESUS\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXIV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bohemia, April 28, 1747._\n\n_Rev. and very dear Brother_,\n\nWITH this, I send you a packet from your brother, whom I left well\nand happy at _Bethesda_ about six weeks ago. As I came along I saw\nMr. _Davis_. He is licensed, as are the four houses in _Virginia_; but\nthere is a proclamation issued out against all itinerants. Nothing can\nbe done to the purpose, but all will be in the utmost confusion, unless\nsome proper person is always resident among the awakened souls. Pray\nacquaint your brethren of this. How do you all? Has JESUS warmed your\nhearts this last cold Winter, and kept you from spiritual frost? He\nhas been very gracious to us southward; and as we came along, \u201cthe\nwilderness seemed to blossom like a rose.\u201d About five weeks ago, we\nleft _Charles-Town_, and reached _Bohemia_ last _Saturday_ evening.\nWe came from _Hanover_ county to this place in five days. I am now\ndispatching my private affairs, and after about three weeks itinerant\npreaching in these parts, I purpose, GOD willing, to go towards\n_Philadelphia_. You will remember me in a particular manner to the\nyoung students.\u2015\u2015They have a continual share in my poor prayers; and\nthe continuance of theirs and yours is earnestly desired by, my very\ndear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXV.\n\n\n _To the Honourable F. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, Esq._\n\n _New-Town, (Maryland) May 6, 1747._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nA Few days past I had the pleasure of yours, dated _November_ 28th.\nI embrace this first opportunity of returning you my hearty thanks\nfor the unmerited kindness and affection expressed therein. May the\nRedeemer give me an humble heart, and grant that all favours conferred\nupon me by instruments, may lead me nearer to him, the source and\nfountain of all! But what shall I say to dear _New-England_\u2019s sorrowful\ncircumstances? It pities me to hear that she is still lying in the\ndust. However, this has generally been the case: trying and distressing\ntimes have generally followed awakening and converting times. May JESUS\nsecond them with another alarm of his holy spirit, and then all will\nbe well. Glad would I be to come and offer myself once more to do\n_New-England_ service; but I am afraid that many ministers and the\nheads of the people would not bear it. However, was this my only reason,\nit would soon be answered.\u2015\u2015But here are thousands in these Southern\nparts (as you have observed, honoured Sir), that scarce ever heard\nof redeeming grace and love. Is it not my duty as an itinerant, since\nother places have had their calls and awakening seasons, to go where\nthe gospel has not been named? Those who think I want to make a party,\nor to disturb churches, do not know me. I am willing to hunt in the\nwoods after sinners; and, according to the present temper of my mind,\ncould be content that the name of _George Whitefield_ should die, if\nthereby the name of my dear Redeemer could be exalted. Indeed I am\namazed that he employs me at all. But what shall we say? He hateth\nputting away, therefore I am not consumed. Grace, sovereign free grace!\nshall be all my song. Last Winter\u2019s mercies have renewed my obligations\nto extol free grace. I could enlarge, but several things forbid. In\nheaven, dear Sir, we shall have no interruptions. That you may be\nsupported through all the fatigues of your journey thither, and with\nall your dear family, at length arrive at the land of eternal rest, is\nthe earnest prayer of, honoured Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n_Postscript._ Fearing I shall not have an opportunity of seeing you,\nbefore you embark for _England_, it being uncertain whether your honour\nwill be at _Philadelphia_ upon my coming there, I think it my duty,\nhonoured Sir, in this way to wish you, your honoured Lady and little\nMiss, an extraordinary good voyage. May the GOD of the seas as well\nas the GOD of the dry land, be your convoy and pilot! May you and all\nwho sail with you, be preserved from the hand of the enemy, and kept\nin perpetual peace and safety! As GOD shall enable me, my poor prayers\nshall follow you. They are your due, honoured Sir. The _Pensylvanians_\nI am sure will soon regret the loss of you, and all the friends of\nliberty and loyalty must be constrained to wish you well. O that the\ngreat Governor of the universe may so bless you with his holy spirit,\nthat you may bring forth much fruit in old age! O that you may hear\nthe great Judge of quick and dead salute you at the last day, with a\n\u201cWell done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy\nof thy LORD!\u201d This, honoured Sir, is the native language of my heart.\nAs I trust you think me sincere, be pleased to accept it, as the best\nacknowledgment I can make you and your beloved consort, for all the\nkindnesses you have been pleased to heap on, honoured Sir,\n\n Your Honour\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mrs. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-Town, (Maryland) May 6, 1747._\n\n_Dear Mrs. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Must refrain no longer from returning you thanks for two or three\nkind letters with which you have favoured me. They seemed to speak\nthe language of a heart concerned for _Zion_\u2019s glory. Well! Blessed\nare they that mourn for those who will not mourn for themselves,\nverily they shall be comforted. Blessed are they who are enabled to\nwalk with GOD in a declining day;\u2015\u2015they shall shine hereafter with a\ndistinguished lustre. Thus _Enoch_ did,\u2015\u2015and _Enoch_ was remarkably\nhonoured.\u2015\u2015\u201cHe was not, for GOD took him.\u201d\u2015\u2015But shall the harps of\n_Boston_ Christians be always hanging on the willows? No; JESUS will\nnot be always chiding. He that has brought on this pleasant Spring,\nafter so hard a Winter, can thaw men\u2019s hearts, and cause the turtle\nonce more to be heard in the land. Hasten that time, O blessed LORD!\u2015\u2015I\nhope you will keep close to your prayer-days. I have received the\nmemorials from dear Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and shall disperse them. I should\nbe glad of a line from him. How are his dear daughters, and the other\nmembers of your society? I do not forget you, indeed I do not. If\naffection guided me, you would soon see me; but the people in these\nSouthern parts are like people that have no shepherd. Surely I ought\nto go out after them. To-day I have had a sweet season. People are very\nready to hear, and the word seems to fasten in some souls. Follow me\nwith your prayers. Remember me to your husband, and to all, in the most\ncordial manner, and believe me to be\n\n Your very affectionate friend, and willing servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXVII.\n\n\n _To Madam P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Dover, (Pensylvania) May 8, 1747._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHE great though unmerited regard you have always been pleased to\nexpress for me, emboldens me now and then to drop you a line to inform\nyou, that you are not forgotten by me before that GOD whose mercy\nendureth for ever. I trust, your latter end, like that of _Job_\u2019s, will\ngreatly increase, and that you will, as it is said of the righteous,\n\u201cBring forth much fruit in old age.\u201d Your honoured husband (to whom\nbe pleased to present my dutiful respects) I suppose is now with you.\nThe LORD hath honoured you with many honours, and I hope, amidst all\noutward favours, does not withhold the comforting influences of his\nblessed spirit from your soul. I have reason to believe, you esteem\nthis above all earthly things whatsoever. O, dear Madam! how mean and\ncontemptible does every creature appear, when the soul gets a near view\nof a crucified Redeemer! How easy to bear pain, when one meditates on\nthe agony and bloody sweat of an incarnate GOD! Here then, honoured\nmadam, fix your eye. Look unto JESUS continually. He hath been the\nauthor, he will be the finisher of your faith. I find him to be a\nGOD that changeth not, a tender and compassionate High Priest. Thro\u2019\nhis help, I continue to this day preaching amongst poor sinners the\nunsearchable riches of his dying love, I am as well in health as I\ncan expect to be, and more and more determined to spend and be spent\nfor the good of precious and immortal souls. Through grace, my labours\nare rendered very acceptable in various places. Be pleased, Madam, to\nremember me before the throne. I neither forget you nor the General.\u2015\u2015I\npray that GOD\u2019s loving kindnesses and fatherly corrections may make you\ntruly great, and beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,\n\n Your affectionate, obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, Senior._\n\n _Dover, May 8, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Think it is high time for me to send you a line of thanks, for the\nfavours you have been pleased to shew me, while others were loading\nme with scorn and contempt. A weak body and continued employ in the\nservice of the best of Masters, occasion my not writing so frequently\nto my dear friends, as love and gratitude would prompt me to do. You\nwill accept this unfeigned apology, and still increase the obligations\nyou have laid upon me, by continuing to remember me before the LORD.\nI have need, great need of the united prayers of my christian friends.\n\u2015\u2015For JESUS hath of late so remarkably appeared for me, that I ought\nto lay myself out more and more in going about endeavouring to do\ngood to precious and immortal souls. At present this is my settled\nresolution. The Redeemer seems to approve of it; for the fields in the\nSouthern parts are white ready unto harvest, and many seem to have the\nhearing ear. All next _October_, GOD willing, I have devoted to poor\n_North-Carolina_. It is pleasant hunting in the woods after the lost\nsheep for whom the Redeemer hath shed his precious blood. May the LORD\nof the harvest spirit up more to go forth in his strength, to compel\npoor sinners to come in! I hope that you and my other _Boston_ friends\ndo go in and out, and find good pasture. I hear it is a Winter time\nwith many. May GOD keep the fatal languor from extending to the circle\nof my intimate friends! For alas, what is a christian without a holy\nwarmth? Will you remember me to all that you know, in the most tender\nmanner? I beseech them by the mercies of GOD, to live _near_ to JESU\u2019s\ncross, and whatever others may do, let them and theirs serve the LORD\nCHRIST. You will remember me in particular to Mr. _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and his\nfamily, Mr. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and wife, your dear son, and your whole houshold,\nas being, dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DLXXXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Dover, May 9, 1747._\n\nAS you were my kind host and peculiar friend, I take the liberty of\nwriting to you more frequently than to others. I hope you will accept\nof this as a token of my unfeigned gratitude and love. It brings you\nthe news of my being advanced thus far, of my being in health, and\nemployed in going about and preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable\nriches of JESUS CHRIST. I shall be more northward, GOD willing, in\n_June_, and possibly may stretch as far as some part of _New-England_.\n\u2015\u2015But I am not yet determined. Pray for me, dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that\nJESUS may direct my steps. I would not willingly go to the right hand\nor to the left, contrary to his blessed will, for ten thousand worlds.\n\u2015\u2015When shall I have another line from you? It may be directed to me\nat _Philadelphia_. My dear yoke-fellow is there now. We travelled very\npleasantly through the woods, and purpose returning to _South-Carolina_\nand _Georgia_ in the fall. We lead a moving life, but I trust we move\nheaven-ward. O that JESUS may quicken all his dear people\u2019s hearts, and\ncause them to mount on wings like an eagle! I hear that times are yet\ndead in _New-England_. It is dreadful to have winter all the year round.\nMay your heart, my dear Sir, and the heart of your dear wife, and the\nhearts of all my dear friends, be kept close to JESUS, and continually\nflaming with love! I know you will readily say _Amen_. For the present,\nadieu. I must go to my delightful work, PREACHING. Pray remember me to\nall. Let me have a line, and tell me whether the LORD stirs up any to\nlend an helping hand to, very dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXC.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, junior._\n\n _Dover in Pensylvania, May 9, 1747._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nEVER since I have known and heard of you, the LORD JESUS CHRIST hath\nmade you peculiarly dear to my soul. Your troubles and soul distresses\nhave in some measure been my own. I have looked and learned from\nyour case, that we are indeed but clay in the hands of the heavenly\npotter, and that a sovereign GOD may deal with us as it seemeth good\nin his sight. \u201cHis ways are in the deep waters, and his footsteps are\nnot known.\u201d What he does to us now, we know not, but we shall know\nhereafter. How will you be surprized, dear Sir, in a very short time,\nto see that JESUS, whom your soul loves, and who has many a time shed\nabroad his love in your heart; how will you be surprized to see him\nreceive you into glory, and turning your late or present _Egyptian_\ndarkness into celestial and eternal day? May the compassionate high\npriest till then support your sinking spirits, and enable you to cope\nwith and overcome all those difficulties and temptations, which either\nthe prevalency of an inveterate melancholy, or the malice of evil\nspirits, may make you the subject of! Satan hath desired to have you,\nthat he may sift you as wheat; but surely JESUS prays for you, though\nas it were behind the curtain. Excuse this freedom, reverend Sir;\nredeeming love constrains me to write thus. I hope you will receive\nit, as it is written, in much love. If you enquire after me, I would\ninform you that I am travelling about, and preaching from time to time\namong poor sinners the unsearchable riches of JESUS CHRIST. I trust,\nmy labours are not in vain in the LORD. The glorious _Emmanuel_ has\ngiven me a pleasant Winter, and I hope is about to cause these southern\nwildernesses to blossom like a rose. You will follow me with your\nprayers. My most humble and affectionate respects await your aged\nfather. My love to your nurse, and all _York_ friends. I am\n\n Yours most affectionately in JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCI.\n\n\n _To Mrs. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Wicoacommoco, (Maryland) May 16, 1747._\n\n_Dear Mrs. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nHEARING by Captain _Adams_ that the glorious _Emmanuel_ holds your soul\nin life, I cannot help letting you know, past kindnesses are not yet\nforgotten, and that I wish you much spiritual and temporal prosperity.\nHow does your soul prosper in these hard, dull and afflicting times?\nHas tribulation produced patience, patience experience, and experience\nhope; and do you find thereby the love of GOD shed abroad in your\nheart by the Holy Ghost? Happy then, unspeakably happy are you in being\nafflicted. With exultation of heart may you sing,\n\n _O happy rod!_\n _That brought me nearer to my GOD._\n\nI think I can say, it is good to bear the yoke of affliction in\nyouth. It teaches one to keep silence, and weans us from a too great\nattachment to all sublunary enjoyments. I have a few strokes of my\nfather\u2019s rod from time to time, as well as you. But I find that his rod\nas well as his staff do comfort. I am a naughty child, and want much\ncorrection; but he that wounds, heals also, and in glory we shall find,\nthat his loving correction hath made us great. O glory! It is yonder in\nview; JESUS stands at the top of the ladder to receive us into it. Look\nto him, dear Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, for surely he is your never-dying husband.\n\u2015\u2015Death itself shall not, death cannot part him and you. Had I strength\nequal to my will, I should write much of the Redeemer\u2019s everlasting\nlove; but my body is weak through continued journeyings and preaching.\nHowever, CHRIST\u2019s strength is in some degree magnified in my weakness,\nand my preaching is blessed to poor souls. Amazing love! _Maryland_ is\nyielding converts to the blessed JESUS. The gospel seems to be moving\nsouthward. Pray for me, that I may be unwearied in well doing, and\nfollow the Lamb whithersoever he shall be pleased to lead me. Pray\nremember me in the kindest manner to your aged declining pastor, the\nother minister who lives about five miles from you, to Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and\nall my kind nurses, and dear _York_ friends. I find death and sickness\nhave made great havock and alterations among them. May JESUS sanctify\nall events to the furtherance of his grace, in all their hearts, and\ngive us to meet where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary\nare at rest! I salute you and all, and once more praying that you and\nyours may be watered by the blessed JESUS every \u2666moment, I subscribe\nmyself, dear Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged servant in JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cmomoment\u201d replaced with \u201cmoment\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Wicoacommoca, May 16, 1747._\n\nCAN souls united in JESUS\u2019s love ever forget one another? It is\ndifficult, though I believe possible, and in dull seasons I fear too\ncommon. However, blessed be the Redeemer, I have not yet forgotten my\ndear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. As a proof it, I send you these few lines by Captain\n_Adams_. You see whence they are dated. Methinks I see you rejoice,\nand ready to say, \u201cAnd have the _Marylanders_ also received the grace\nof GOD?\u201d I trust some have indeed received his grace in sincerity.\nThe harvest is promising.\u2015\u2015The heat tries my wasting tabernacle, but,\nthrough CHRIST strengthening me, I intend persisting till I drop. Since\nI saw you, the glorious _Emmanuel_ has multiplied my obligations to\nspend and be spent in his service a thousand-fold. The language of my\nheart at present is,\n\n _A willing and a chearful mind,_\n _That life and all things cast behind,_\n _Springs forth obedient to thy call;_\n _A heart that no desire can move,_\n _But still to adore, believe and love,_\n _Give me, my CHRIST, my GOD, my all._\n\nO dear Sir, continue to pray for me, that I may not flag in the latter\nstages of my road. I was in hopes of seeing you this Summer, but am\nafraid my engagements to preach in _North-Carolina_ next _October_\nwill prevent me. However, you and the other dear neighbouring ministers\nare always upon my heart. I pity them in their present distressing\ncircumstances, and pray that they and you may have grace given to\nendure hardness like good soldiers of JESUS CHRIST. Your dear father\nI hear is discharged from all campaigns.\u2015\u2015Ere long, the captain of our\nsalvation will command us home also. The LORD grant that we may die\nlike soldiers, fighting against the devil, the world, and the flesh.\nHow are your dear brothers and son? Pray give my hearty love to them,\nand to your dear wife, and whole houshold. I salute you all from my\ndear fellow pilgrim now at _Philadelphia_; and praying that you may\nhave thousands to be your joy and crown of rejoicing in the great day,\nI subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Your very affectionate friend, brother and willing servant in\n JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCIII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Near New-Town, (Maryland) May 21, 1747._\n\nAND how does my dear friend and brother Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ after so long a\nsilence? What a pity is it, that the Redeemer\u2019s children cannot more\nfrequently correspond with each other? Blessed be GOD, there is a time\ncoming, when our fellowship with JESUS and one another shall never\nbe interrupted. Now is the time for stirring; then will be a time for\nsitting, in no meaner place than (O amazing love!) at the right hand\nof the everloving, everlovely Lamb of GOD.\u2015\u2015Well then my dear man,\nlet us go on in his strength, and see what we can do for precious and\nimmortal souls. Indeed they are purchased with the blood of GOD. This\nconsideration excites me to persist in going out into the highways and\nhedges.\u2015\u2015I have been now a three hundred mile circuit in _Mary-land_,\nand through one or two counties in _Pensilvania_. Every where people\nhave a hearing ear, and I trust some have an obedient heart. I hope\nthe time of singing of birds is come to _New-England_, and that your\nhands are full of work. I most heartily wish you very much success. I\ncordially salute your dear yoke-fellow, and all the followers of the\nLamb, and beg you would not forget, my dear old friend,\n\n Your affectionate\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCIV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-Town, May 21, 1747._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nIT sometimes gives me concern that I cannot hear oftener from you, and\nyour dear son, whom I love so tenderly. But I suppose your hands are\nfull of work for the best of masters. I pray him daily, that you may\nbe crowned with much success. Though I have deserved a thousand and a\nthousand times over to be cast off, yet such is the divine goodness,\nthat my labours in fresh places are made very acceptable daily. I have\nnow been upon the stretch, preaching constantly for almost three weeks.\nI hope I can say with sincerity (O that I may say it with humility!)\nthat GOD hath been with me of a truth. My body is often extremely weak,\nbut the joy of the LORD is my strength, and by the help of my GOD I\nintend going on till I drop, or this poor carcase can hold out no more.\nThese southern colonies lie in darkness, and yet, as far as I find,\nare as willing to receive the gospel as others. If some books could be\npurchased to dispose among poor people, much good might be done. Pray,\nSir, have you any Latin school-books to spare? I shall want some for\nthe Orphan-house. I hope to hear from you at _Philadelphia_, where I\nexpect to be in a week\u2019s time. In the mean while, reverend Sir, I beg\nyou would make my most cordial and humble respects acceptable to all\nyour reverend brethren, that honoured me with their acquaintance, as\nwell as to your dear family and all other friends. I wish you and them\nmillions and millions of blessings, and intreat the continuance of\ntheir and your prayers, for, reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother, and\n servant in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, May 30, 1747._\n\n_My dearest Brother_,\n\nHAD I strength equal to my will, you should now receive from me a very\nlong letter; but at present I have such a fever upon me, that I can\nscarce send you a few lines. However I will try. Your dear letters\nin _August_ last came to my hands last Lord\u2019s-day.\u2015\u2015They variously\naffected me, and put me on the search, whether I had neglected writing\nto my very dear man. Upon enquiry, I found that I wrote to you about\nthe same time as I wrote to Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and brother _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and four\nor five times since. Blessed be the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS\nCHRIST, I am not suffered to forget old love and old friends. Indeed\nyou are very dear to me,\u2015\u2015all of you very dear to me still. I thank\nyou ten thousand times for all expressions of your tender love, and for\nyour steadiness in the truths and cause of CHRIST; and hope sometimes\nthat your prayers will draw me to _England_ more speedily than I\nimagine. But what shall I say, my dear friend? Here are thousands and\nthousands in _America_ who as to spiritual things know not their right\nhand from their left; and who are ready to hear the gospel from my\nmouth. Since my coming this time from _Georgia_, I have been within\nthese five weeks a circuit of 400 miles, and every where found the\nfields white ready unto harvest. Nobody goes out scarcely but myself.\nAs you are in _England_ and _Wales_, the power of religion I trust will\nbe kept up; and though my coming should be delayed some time longer,\nyet when I am sent, it will be with the greater blessing. I am daily\nfinishing my outward affairs, and shall think my call clearer home,\nwhen I have provided for the support of the Orphan-house. The generous\nbenefactor\u2019s letter pierced my heart, made me to shed tears of love,\nand to put up many prayers for him. I sent him a letter from _Charles-\nTown_ under cover to Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. If the person be unknown, I see no\nimpropriety in printing my letter in the _Daily Advertiser_ or _Evening\nPost_. I am glad you have printed my letter to the _Litchfield_ clergy,\nand want to know what effect my sermon on the rebellion has had. Our\nLORD has blessed it much in these parts. I shall be glad when the great\nHead of the church unites dear brethren again. I trust nothing shall\nbe wanting on my part when I come over. An union before perhaps may not\nbe so well. However, I leave it to you, my dear Sir, and think that the\nbar being taken away against people\u2019s coming to the tabernacle, may be\none good step towards it. I wait upon the LORD. As his grace increases\nin the heart, I am sure his children will grow less positive and more\nchild-like, yet more steady. O my dear man, I could write all night\nlong, but am so giddy by hard riding and preaching constantly in the\nheat of the day, that I must defer being more particular till another\nopportunity. I hope my dear wife will supply all my deficiencies.\nRemember me in the tenderest manner to all. Bid them to pray me to\n_England_; and in the mean while, they may assure themselves they are\nnot forgotten by, my very dear brother,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCVI.\n\n\n _Philadelphia, June 1, 1747._\n\n_My dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Make no apology for troubling you with the inclosed. I hear you have\ntaken the Tabernacle outward affairs into your hands. I am glad of it,\nand pray the LORD of all Lords to make you a faithful steward of his\nmanifold gifts. You will remember me most tenderly to dear Mrs. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nand to all friends. Perhaps I may see you yet before I die. GOD is\ndelivering me out of my embarrassments by degrees. With the collection\nmade at _Charles-Town_, I have purchased a plantation and some slaves,\nwhich I intend to devote to the use of _Bethesda_. When a sufficient\nfund for the future support of that house is raised, so that it may not\nlie as a dead weight upon me when absent, I shall think my call clearer\nto _England_. At present I have full work here; the congregations\nyesterday were exceeding large, and for this month past I have been\npreaching to thousands in different places. I am sick and well, as I\nused to be in _England_; but the Redeemer fills me with comfort, and\ngives me to rejoice in his salvation day by day. I am determined in his\nstrength to die fighting, and to go on till I drop. He is a JESUS worth\ndying for. Once more, remember us to all. We remember you, and am, as\nmuch as as ever, dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your affectionate friend, brother and willing servant\n in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, June 4, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nYESTERDAY I received your very kind and judicious letter. In answer to\nit, must inform you, that in all probability I shall once more see my\ndear _New-England_ friends this summer. I suppose it will be some time\nin _July_. At present my whole frame of nature seems to be shocked.\u2015\u2015I\nhave had several returns of my convulsions, and have almost always a\ncontinual burning fever. With great regret I have omitted preaching one\nnight (to oblige my friends,) and purpose to do so once more, that they\nmay not charge me with murdering myself; but I hope yet to die in the\npulpit, or soon after I come out of it. Dying is exceeding pleasant to\nme: for the LORD, though my body is so weak, causes my soul to rejoice\nexceedingly. Letters from _England_ refreshed me; all of them call me\nhome loudly. May JESUS direct my steps! I am poor and needy, but the\nLORD I am persuaded will be my helper. Outward affairs when I am weak\npull me down; but the LORD can and will raise and keep me up.\u2015\u2015I preach\nhere with great acceptance. Congregations are as large as ever. Next\n_Monday_ sevennight I purpose, GOD willing, to set out for _New-York_.\nI wrote lately from _New-Town_, to Messrs. _Prince_, _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n&c. but am apt to believe the packet has miscarried. I think to come by\nway of _Long-Island_, and to return by _Connecticut_. You will not be\nslack in getting all to pray for me, who am, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, June 5, 1747._\n\n_Very Dear Sir_,\n\nTHOUGH this frail nature of mine has lately received several very great\nshocks, yet I cannot, if strength admits, omit writing you a line. Glad\nwas I when I came to town, to hear by Captain _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ that you was so\nfar recovered, as to be able once more to go to the house of GOD. I\nheartily wish you, dear Sir, what the noble Colonel _Gardiner_ once\nwished me, \u201cA thriving soul in a healthy body.\u201d Or however it may be\nwith the one, I earnestly pray that the other may prosper. Sickness is\noften made use of as a means, in the hands of an all-gracious Father,\nto ripen our graces and fit us for heaven. Through grace, I can say it\nis good for me to be sick, though I am afraid I am too impatient to be\ngone. Well! He that cometh, will come, and cannot tarry long: till then\nmay I be resigned, and work the works of him that sent me whilst it is\nday, before the night cometh when no man can work. I could proceed, but\nindeed, dear Sir, strength faileth me. However, I hope to see you and\nmy other dear _Charles-Town_ friends in _November_. O that till then\nwe may every moment grow in grace and in the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST.\nI would write to many, but weakness forbids. I must refer you to Mr.\n_S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ for particulars concerning me. My dear yoke-fellow joins in\nsending cordial respects to yourself and all friends. Neither you nor\nthey are forgotten by, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DXCIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, June 6, 1747._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Love you dearly, and therefore must, though in much weakness, send\nyou a line. It informs you of my being sick, but withal of the LORD\u2019s\ncomforting me, and causing me to triumph over the king of terrors.\nMr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ I suppose, ere this reaches you, will let you know that\nthe word has run, and hath been glorified in _Mary-land_. Satan has\nattempted to stop the progress of the everlasting gospel in _Virginia_;\nbut I believe he has overshot himself. How can it be otherwise? since\neternal Truth hath said, \u201cThe seed of the woman shall bruise the\nserpent\u2019s head.\u201d I hope you find this true, by the daily conquest you\nget over the corruptions of your heart. Remember who hath promised to\nmake you more than conqueror through his love. Our kind respects attend\ndear Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, your son, and daughter, and all friends. O that\nwe may meet grown in grace, and the knowledge of our LORD and Saviour\nJESUS CHRIST. I subscribe myself, very dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DC.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, June 23, 1747._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nSINCE my last, I have been several times on the verge of eternity.\nTo-day I have got a few more spirits. I would improve them in answering\nyour kind letter, which I received yesterday. I am obliged to _Charles-\nTown_ friends: their example will certainly influence many here.\nSomething is upon the anvil. Particulars expect in my next. To-morrow,\nGOD willing, I set out for _New-York_, to see if I can gain strength.\nAt present I am so weak, that I cannot preach.\u2015\u2015\u2019Tis hard work to be\nsilent; but I must be tried every way. Friends are exceeding kind. What\nis the best of all, the friend of sinners looks in upon, and comforts\nmy heart. I have had loud calls to _England_. Matters go on bravely\nthere and in _Wales_. My _State Sermon_ has gone through two editions.\nThey have also my five last sermons, which have convinced my friends\nthat I am firm to my principles. May JESUS keep me steady till I die!\nI am glad Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ went off so well. His children I look upon as my\nown. The things which he had belong to me. I would have them taken to\n_Providence_: for that also _Deus providebit_. Your father is well, and\nalways talking of you. Why did you not mention his wife in your letter?\nShe is a discreet woman, and desired to be remembered to you. Every day\nshe expects to lie in. You will excuse my enlarging.\u2015\u2015Strength begins\nto fail me. However, whilst I have strength I would employ it in\npraying for you and yours. I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear\nSir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCI.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, June 28, 1747._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nTHANKS be to GOD, for revealing his dear Son in you. Thanks be to his\ngreat name for calling you to preach his everlasting gospel. I give him\nall the glory, and adore him for making ill and hell-deserving me, the\nhappy instrument of alarming and awakening your dead soul. Ere long I\nhope we shall meet in eternity, to sing endless praises to him who has\nredeemed us unto GOD by his blood, and has made us kings and priests\nunto GOD, and enables us to reign over death, hell, and sin, even\nwhilst here on earth. I abhor all those bad principles which you\nmention, and cannot join so as to labour in the same place, and upon\nthe same plan, with those that hold them. However, let us behave with\nmeekness, my dear brother, and we shall soon find that every plant that\nour heavenly father hath not planted, shall be plucked up. \u201cHe that\nbelieveth doth not make haste.\u201d JESUS reigneth; let our eyes wait on\nHim. All things shall work, and even now are working, together for good\nto all that love him. In due time you will see me, perhaps next year. I\nam as willing to hunt for souls as ever. I am not weary of my master or\nhis work, though he might long ago have been weary of me. But his name\nis Love. Proclaim it, my dear Sir, proclaim it till thou diest. By the\nstrength of GOD I will. My love to all. I can now write no more, being\nrecovered from a great illness. Continue to pray over\n\n Your affectionate friend, brother and servant in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCII.\n\n\n _To Dr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, June 29, 1747._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nSINCE I wrote to Doctor _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, I have preached to a very large\nauditory, and, blessed be GOD, do not find myself much worse for it\nthis morning. As I am bound to thank you for all favours, so especially\nwould I send my acknowledgments for promoting this northward excursion.\nI believe it will be a great means of restoring my health, which I\nvalue upon no other account, than as it renders me more capable of\ndoing good to mankind. A pleasing prospect of action lies before me.\nI am willing once more, in the strength of JESUS of _Nazareth_, to\nenter the field, and hope through his blessing, I shall return to\n_Philadelphia_ laden with fresh experiences of unwearied and redeeming\nlove. Whether I shall leave _New-York_ this week is uncertain. But\nwherever I am, assure yourself, dear Sir, your favours shall not be\nforgotten. That the great physician of souls may bless you and yours\nwith the choicest of his mercies, is and shall be the hearty prayer of,\ndear Sir,\n\n Your most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCIII.\n\n\n _To \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, June 29, 1747._\n\n_My very dear, dear Brother_,\n\nIT is with much pleasure I now sit down to answer your kind and\nwelcome letters, dated _April_ 11th and 13th. And to keep you no longer\nin suspence, I would inform you, that they have had such an effect\nupon me, that, GOD willing, I am determined to embark for _England_\nor _Scotland_ early next Spring.\u2015\u2015\u2019Till _Christmas_ I am already\nunder indissoluble engagements, and am making a strong effort, in\ndependance on the great Head of the church, to get free from my outward\nembarrassments.\u2015\u2015I thank my dear _English_ friends for what they have\ndone for me in this respect, and must beg you, my dear and faithful\nbrother, still to do what you can further. The LORD JESUS seems _to\nassure me_ that the time of my deliverance is at hand.\u2015\u2015I hope before\nthis year is out, to stock my new plantation in _South-Carolina_ as\na _visible fund_ for the _Orphan-house_, and upon news of something\nmore being done in _England_, (so that my poor heart may no more be\noppressed as it has been for many years by outward difficulties,) my\nanswer shall be, Lo! I come once more to see my dear, very dear friends\non the other side of the mighty waters. \u2019Till then, I shall as it\nwere count the hours, and long for them to glide away a-pace. My dear\nyoke-fellow now at _Philadelphia_ is like-minded, being exceedingly\ndesirous to see her dear friends once more. May JESUS grant it, if it\nbe agreeable to his holy will! Indeed, I have lately thought I should\nnever see you any more. For some weeks past, I have been exceedingly\nindisposed. GOD has been pleased to bring my body to the very brink of\nthe grave by convulsions, gravel, a nervous cholic, and a violent fever.\nBut as pain and afflictions abounded, consolations much more abounded,\nand my soul longed to take its flight to JESUS. For this week past I\nhave not preached; but since my leaving _Philadelphia_, about three\ndays ago, I seemed to have gathered strength, and hope once more,\nto-morrow, to proclaim amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches\nof JESUS CHRIST. From hence I purpose to go to _Boston_, and return by\nland so as to reach _Charles-Town_ by _November_.\u2015\u2015Glad shall I be to\nreceive an answer to this, about that time there.\u2015\u2015For upon that in a\ngreat measure will depend my coming to you, or staying longer in these\nparts. Blessed be the LORD of all Lords, the door is yet open here,\nand I am exceedingly rejoiced to find it is kept so sweetly open at\nhome. I can easily guess how my dear man has been tried. I find more\nand more that through much tribulation we must enter into glory, and\nby sufferings be prepared for farther usefulness here below.\u2015\u2015O that\npatience may have its perfect work in our hearts. O that underneath\nthee may be the everlasting arms, and that by happy experience thou\nmayst daily prove the strength of JESUS to be thine. I intend, GOD\nwilling, to write to brother _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, &c. I rejoice that brother\n_E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ still continues in his place.\u2015\u2015It is a token for good. You\nwill return my most humble and dutiful respects to good Lady _H\u2015\u2015g\u2015\u2015n_,\nthe Marquiss, and Mrs. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_. If possible I will write to them.\u2015\u2015I\nsent letters to the Marquiss, Lord _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, and Lord _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015a_, about\n_October_ last, but suppose they have miscarried.\u2015\u2015I leave my affairs\nto you, and depend on you, under GOD, to transact them all.\u2015\u2015The\ntrouble is great, but JESUS will support and reward thee.\u2015\u2015Near forty\npounds yearly were subscribed in _England_ to the _Orphan-house_, but\nI have not received I think above five.\u2015\u2015I have rather more confidence\nin you, if possible, my very dear Man, than ever. May JESUS reward\nthee for all thy works of faith, and labours which have proceeded of\nlove!\u2015\u2015I wish you joy of your little one, and most heartily salute your\ndear wife, and all the lovers of the blessed JESUS every where. I wrote\nto you about a month ago in extreme weakness, and shall neglect no\nopportunity of sending to you.\u2015\u2015I beseech you to continue to pray me\nover, and assure yourself none of you are forgotten by, my very dear\nBrother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCIV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, July 4, 1747._\n\n_Rev. and very dear Sir_,\n\nLAST week I left a letter for you at _Philadelphia_.\u2015\u2015Since that,\nthrough the divine blessing, I have recovered a little more strength,\nand find my appetite restored. I have been here about eight days, and\nto-morrow, GOD willing, intend posting away to _Boston_, and then I\nshall take a long, if not a final farewel of all my northward friends.\nI have preached twice with great freedom. People flock rather more\nthan ever, and the LORD vouchsafes us solemn meetings. I hope to\nbe back again in six weeks. I shall go, if JESUS gives strength, like\nan arrow out of a bow. I have therefore left my dear yoke-fellow at\n_Philadelphia_, and expect to meet her again at _New-York_. Among these\nthree northward provinces, I trust something considerable will be done\ntowards paying off the orphan-house arrears. When that is effected, I\ncare not how soon I sing my _Nunc dimittis_; but I must wait \u2019till my\nblessed change come. You will be pleased to remember me to all, and you\nmay expect, GOD willing, at the appointed time, Reverend and very dear\nSir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCV.\n\n\n _To Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, July 4, 1747._\n\n_My very dear Brother A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Have just now been reading over your kind letter, dated _November_\n23d, the second or third time.\u2015\u2015It affected me much; and with the other\nletters, have constrained me to set my face towards _England_.\u2015\u2015What is\ndue in _America_, for the _Orphan-house_, I hope to discharge this year.\n\u2015\u2015I am of your mind in respect to the work in _England_, and therefore\nam willing so to settle my affairs, that when I come over, I may stay\nwith you for a long season, if the LORD JESUS is pleased to give me\nhealth and strength.\u2015\u2015At present I am very weakly, and scarce able to\npreach above once or twice a week.\u2015\u2015But if our Saviour hath further\nwork for me to do, he can make me young and strong as an eagle.\u2015\u2015If not,\nI shall go to him whom my soul loveth, and whom I long to see.\u2015\u2015Blessed\nbe his Name that there are yet a few names left in _Sardis_, that have\nnot defiled their garments, but have kept close to his truths and cause\nin this declining day.\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015You will remember me to all most tenderly.\u2015\u2015I\npray for you continually, and whilst I am writing, it being _Friday_\u00b9,\ncomfort myself with this consideration, that many are praying for me.\n\u2015\u2015You will see my letter to dear brother _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and excuse my being\nso short, because I am so weak.\u2015\u2015Our LORD continues to deal graciously\nwith me, and was I well, I have rather a wider door than ever opened\nbefore me.\u2015\u2015But our thoughts are not as his thoughts.\u2015\u2015For the present,\nadieu.\u2015\u2015I send most cordial love to you, yours, and all, and am, more\nthan ever,\n\n Yours, &c. in the blessed JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n \u00b9 A stated weekly day of prayer, at the _Tabernacle_, _London_.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, July 5, 1747._\n\n_My dear John_,\n\nTHOUGH I am quite sick and weak in body, yet the love I owe thee for\nJESU\u2019s sake, constrains me to answer your last kind letter, dated\n_\u2666February_ 5th. The other mentioned therein, never came to hand. I am\nsorry to hear there are yet disputings amongst us about brick-walls.\nI was in hopes, after our contests of that kind about seven years ago,\nsuch a scene would never appear again; but I find fresh offences must\ncome, to search out and discover to us fresh corruptions, to try our\nfaith, teach us to cease from man, and to lean more upon him, who by\nhis infinite wisdom and power will cause, \u201cthat out of the eater shall\ncome forth meat, and from the strong sweetness.\u201d I am glad you find\nyourself happy in the holy JESUS. I wish thee an increase of such\ndear-bought happiness every day, and pray that thy mouth may not be\nstopped, as others have been before thee, from publishing the glad\ntidings of salvation, by a crucified Redeemer. It has been thy meat\nand drink to preach among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of JESUS\nCHRIST. May\u2019st thou continue and abide in this plan, and whether I see\nthee or not, whether thou dost ever think of, or write to me any more,\nI wish thee much success, and shall always pray that the work of the\nLORD may prosper in thy hands. Whether you have changed your principles\nwith your situation, I know not. I would only caution thee against\ntaking any thing for _gospel_ upon the mere authority of man. Go where\nthou wilt, though thou shouldest be in the purest society under heaven,\nthou wilt find that the best of men are but men at the best, and will\nmeet with stumbling blocks enough, to teach thee the necessity of a\ncontinual dependence on the LORD JESUS, who alone is infallible, and\nwho will not give that glory to another. Blessed be his Name, for the\ntrials I have met with from the friends of _Zion_. At present, I can\nrejoice in being deserted by one, and used unkind by another, who at\nthe great day must own me to be their spiritual father. Such trials are\nvery salutary.\u2015\u2015They lead me to the Cross, and I trust in the end will\nconform me to him, who in his bitterest agony had no one to watch with\nhim, no not for one hour. My dear man, you will excuse me, as my heart\nat present is affected with the thoughts of the divisions that subsist\nbetween the servants and churches of JESUS CHRIST. May JESUS heal them,\nand hasten that blessed time, when we shall all see eye to eye, and\nthere shall be no disputings about houses, doctrine, or discipline in\nall GOD\u2019s holy mountain! GOD willing, I purpose seeing _England_ next\nyear, and shall be glad to converse with thee once more, about the\nthings which belong to our Saviour\u2019s kingdom.\u2015\u2015If my present sickness\nends in death, we shall converse in a better world, and without the\nleast discord and contention. Remember me to _Brampton_, and to all. I\nthank them for not forgetting the chief of sinners. Tell them JESUS is\nyet with me, and causes my rod to bud and blossom. The bush burns, but\nis not consumed. Adieu.\n\n Thine in the glorious _Emmanuel_,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cFebuary\u201d replaced with \u201cFebruary\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCVII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-Port, August 20, 1747._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nI Hope that since I left you, Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s conversation has been\nblessed, and that you are steadily and deliberately resolved to know\nnothing but JESUS CHRIST, and him crucified. Indeed he is the fairest\namong ten thousand. The more you know him, the more you will love him.\nO what a happy change will you experience when you enter into the world\nof new creatures! May JESUS hasten the time, and enable you to come\nas a poor, lost, undone sinner, to be clothed with his everlasting\nrighteousness! Accept these few hasty lines. They are the language of a\nheart truly concerned for your eternal welfare. I salute Miss _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_;\nmay JESUS make her a wise virgin, and give you and dear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\ngrace to bring her up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD! I at\npresent add no more. As opportunity offers, you shall hear again from\nme. Dear Madam,\n\n Your affectionate friend and servant for CHRIST sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCVIII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-port, August 20, 1747._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nDOES not JESUS take his lambs into his arms, and dandle his little ones\non his knees? Ought not his ministers then to follow his good example,\nand strive with him, not to quench the smoaking flax or break the\nbruised reed. This consideration causes me to write you a few lines.\nMay they find you as in an agony to enter in at the straight gate!\nCourage, dear Mrs. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, courage. CHRIST, heaven, glory, are worth\nyour acceptance. They are all yours, if you will give him your heart.\nMay JESUS make you willing, and enable you to say henceforward, \u201cGOD\nforbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of JESUS CHRIST.\u201d You\nwill remember me to Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and all dear friends. As opportunity\noffers, they and you shall hear from, dear Madam,\n\n Your most affectionate friend and willing servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, August 27, 1747._\n\n_Dear Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nIS it not just, that I should pay off my old debts? consequently I\nmust write to you. I owe you many letters, and more love. Accept this\nin part of payment. It brings you news of my safe arrival, through\nthe good hand of my GOD upon me, at _New-York_. We were detained upon\nthe water three or four days. I believe it was for good; for the LORD\nblessed it to the recovery of my health, so that I eat like a sailor.\nAt present I find my nature recruited considerably, and met my dear\nyoke-fellow and friends well at this place. O that my heart glowed with\nthanks to the LORD of all Lords, whose mercy endureth for ever! Help\nme, my dear Sir, to be thankful. My obligations to my glorious JESUS\nare increased by my late excursion to _Charles-Town_, _Portsmouth_,\n_Boston_, and other places in _New-England_. If I forget her, let my\nright-hand forget her cunning. I think of, and pray for you and yours,\nand all my dear friends daily. O let us so live, that we may meet in\nheaven. You know the way; \u201cJESUS is the way, the truth and the life.\u201d\nWalk before him, look continually to him, and you shall be enabled\nto trample upon sin, death, and hell. Excuse the brevity of this.\nNext time, GOD willing, you shall have a longer letter. My tender\nlove awaits your dear spouse and family. You will remember me to all\nenquiring friends, and as GOD enables, you shall all be remembered by,\ndear Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCX.\n\n\n _To Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, Aug. 27, 1747._\n\nTO convince you that I remember your desire when at _Boston_, I send\nyou almost my first letter. It comes full of thanks for all past\nfavours. May the GOD whom I serve, reward you ten thousand fold! He\nwill, he has promised, he also will do it. Will you give me leave to\nask one favour more? You may guess what it is. I beseech you to entreat\nthe giver of every good and perfect gift to grant me an humble and a\nthankful heart; for indeed, mercies are renewed to me every moment. GOD\nhas given me a pleasant journey, and brought me this day to _New-York_\nin safety. My health is considerably restored, and I know not why my\ndear friends yet cruelly hinder me. Well, GOD\u2019s will be done! O that it\nmay be to the Redeemer\u2019s glory, and the good of precious and immortal\nsouls! I am of the same mind as when at _Boston_,\u2015\u2015resolved to preach\nand work for JESUS, \u2019till I can preach and work no more. I doubt not,\nbut in your sphere, you are like-minded. May the LORD strengthen,\nstablish, settle you in it, and give you to abound in every good word\nand work. CHRIST is a good Master: he is worthy of all our time, and\nof every thing that we possess. Is not one heart too little for him?\nAnd yet he requires no more. Amazing love! I am lost when I think of\nit. I can only say, LORD, I adore and worship! But how does dear Mrs.\n_A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? Bid her, not be faithless, but believing. JESUS shall do more\nfor her than she can ask or think. I salute you both most heartily,\nas does my dear yoke-fellow.\u2015\u2015That JESUS may plentifully reward you\nfor all favours, and give you so to live here, that you may sit at\nhis right-hand eternally hereafter, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mr.\n_A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, at Portsmouth._\n\n _New-York, Aug. 27, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nIS it right when we have committed a fault, to persist in, and not\nconfess and amend it? By no means. I must therefore write to you,\nwhom (though you have received no letter from me) I dearly love in the\nbowels of the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS. I thank you, dear Sir,\nfor all favours, and exhort you, as the best return I can make, to walk\nworthy of that GOD, who has called you to his kingdom and his glory.\nMay you be enabled to live above, and overcome the world! O that JESUS\nmay be at all times, your only All! O that you may look up continually\nto him for light, life, and every thing! Then will he direct your steps,\nand cause every change and scene of life to be a means of changing and\ntransforming your dear soul more and more into his own divine likeness.\nYou are shortly to enter into a new and untried state. Dear Sir, call\nJESUS and his Disciples to your marriage; marry in and for the LORD,\nor your life will be exceedingly uneasy and miserable. Remember, that\nnew states call for new strength. Let your eyes then be fixed on JESUS.\nFrom him every good and perfect gift cometh. He alone can teach you to\nuse the world, and every worldly enjoyment, so as not to abuse it. I\ncommend you to his tender mercy. I pray continually for you, and humbly\nintreat you to remember unworthy, ungrateful, ill and hell-deserving\nme. I can now only most heartily thank you for all favours, beg to be\nremembered to all friends, and subscribe myself, dear Sir,\n\n Yours in Him that liveth for ever,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. G. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, Aug. 29, 1747._\n\n_Rev. and very dear Sir_,\n\nNOT want of love, but of leisure, has prevented my writing to you for\nsome time past. Blessed be GOD, I can now send you good news from the\nNorthward. My reception at _Boston_, and elsewhere in _New-England_,\nwas like unto the first. Arrows of conviction fled and stuck fast. Many,\nI hear, were wounded. Congregations were rather larger than ever, and\nopposers mouths were stopped. Will you now take another trip? I believe\nit would be blest to the good of your own and many other souls. I would\nbe more particular, did I not expect to see you next week. I am better\nin health than when I left _New-York_. GOD gives me grace to spend\nit to the utmost in the Redeemer\u2019s service. I am determined in his\nstrength, to die fighting, though it be upon my stumps. I trust you\npray for me. I remember you and your flock. I salute all tenderly, and\nam, Rev. and very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate younger brother and servant in\n JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. Henry S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, Junior._\n\n _New-York, Aug. 29, 1747._\n\n_My dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nLAST _Thursday_ noon the keeper of _Israel_, who neither slumbereth\nor sleepeth, brought me hither in safety. We were detained three days\non the water. It was over-ruled for good. I recovered my appetite,\nand am now much better than when I left _New-England_. Next _Tuesday_,\nGOD willing, I shall set forward, and hope to be at _Charles-Town_ the\nbeginning of _November_. Will you write to me? GOD willing, you shall\nhear from me every opportunity. I have good news from _Providence_, my\nplantation in _South-Carolina_, and from _Bethesda_: both families are\nwell, and several negroes are under conviction. I hope those that were\nunder concern at _Portsmouth_, find their convictions to abide. I pray\nGOD, they may have no rest, \u2019till they find rest in JESUS CHRIST! I\nsalute them, and all the Redeemer\u2019s true followers. I join with my dear\nyoke-fellow, in sending you, and dear Mrs. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, ten thousand thanks\nfor all favours, and am, very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _New-York, Aug. 30, 1747._\n\nMY dear brother _Daniel_, thou man greatly beloved, why weepest thou?\nWhy art thou so cast down? All is forgiven, all is forgotten long ago;\nbe strong, and GOD shall establish thy heart. Look up, and put thy\ntrust in the LORD. He is a merciful Redeemer; otherwise what could\nworthless, ungrateful, unfruitful, ill, hell-deserving I do? O how\ngreat is his love to us-ward! How kindly hath he brought me to\n_New-York_! Pray let your mourning be turned into praise, and give\nthanks to the LORD of all lords in behalf of your unworthy friend. You\nare my old friend. I have loved thee, and do love thee with a peculiar\nlove. May the LORD increase thee more and more, even thee and thy\nchildren! I send you and yours most cordial salutations. We set out,\nGOD willing, to-morrow on our southern journey. I have good news from\nthe Orphan-house, and my new Plantation. Some negroes are brought under\nconviction. Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was well the latter end of _July_. I shall take\ncare of his father\u2019s letter. My dear yoke-fellow intends writing to you\nsoon. In the mean while accept hearty love from, yours as usual,\n\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXV.\n\n\n _To Mrs. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, at New-York._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 6, 1747._\n\nSHALL I promise and not perform? GOD forbid. I must then drop a line to\nmy afflicted friend. How is your little one? Is it yet languishing? Is\nit quite emaciated and panting for breath? Or is it gone into the world\nof spirits? Whatever be your answer, I am ready to reply, Remember your\nfather _Abraham_; how chearfully did he offer up his dear _Isaac_, his\nson, whom he loved? How kindly did the LORD take it at his hands? Go\nthou and do likewise. If JESUS hath restored it to you, nurse it for\nhim; pray to him continually for grace to order it aright, and learn\nhow soon GOD may imbitter the dearest comforts to us. Happy, happy they,\nwho can lean on and trust in JESUS, whilst they are going through this\nhowling wilderness, this world of woe. I trust you are one of these\nhappy ones. O free grace! Sovereign, electing, distinguishing love! You\nwill join with me in saying, \u201cWhy me, LORD, why me?\u201d I could enlarge.\nWhilst I am writing, the fire kindles; but my Master\u2019s business calls\nme away. He is with me here. Remember the Pilgrims. My dear yoke-fellow\nis gone forward; perhaps I may follow this week. I desire to be\nremembered in the kindest manner to dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, wife, and\nall friends. I thank them and you a thousand times for all favours, and\nam, dear Mrs. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your affectionate and willing servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXVI.\n\n\n _To Captain S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747._\n\n_My very dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nTHOUGH I wrote to you lately by my friend Mr. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, yet the receipt\nof your kind letter makes me to write again. The deadly blow I see\nis given. Well! Thanks be to GOD, you are so resigned. You doubtless\nremember, that you took one another only \u201c\u2019till death you should part.\u201d\nThat _shocking clause_, as Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ calls it, is very instructive.\nBlessed be GOD, that she gave you any comfortable evidences of her\nbeing for ever with the LORD. If so, do not wish her here again, but\nremember how soon your own great change must necessarily come. You are\nnow on the decline of life. You have seen that all below is vanity. O\nthat you may bring forth much fruit in old age! Take heed, watch and be\nsober, since you know not at what hour the blessed bridegroom may come\nto call you. I write thus freely to you; because you are pleased to\nstile me your father. Pray for me then, that I may give to JESUS all\nthe glory, and study to glorify him more and more. Next _Monday_,\nGOD willing, I intend leaving this place. Be pleased to acquaint our\ndear friend Mr. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ that I intend writing to him soon. I hope he\nreached home in safety. I salute him, Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and all friends most\nheartily. Accept of the same yourself, in the most cordial manner, from,\nvery dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nLAST night I heard of Dr. _Coleman_\u2019s sudden death. I bless GOD for\ngranting him such an easy passage. Soon after the news reached me, I\nbowed my knee before the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS in behalf\nof your bereaved (and I could almost say desolate) church. O may the\nLORD of all lords direct you in the choice of another, who may rule\nand feed you diligently with all his power. I shall be glad to hear\nwhat the great head of the church does for you. You may direct to me at\n_Charles-Town_. GOD willing, I set forward on my journey _Monday_ next.\nOur glorious _Emmanuel_ has been pleased to open my mouth, and enlarge\nmy heart in preaching the unsearchable riches of his grace,\u2015\u2015I hope my\ndear _Boston_ friends are warm and lively. I salute all most heartily.\nPray remember the poor pilgrims; and if you write to _Scotland_ or\n_South-Carolina_, let them know how affairs go. My dear yoke-fellow is\ngone to _Bohemia_, otherwise she would write. I intend writing to dear\nMr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ by next post. In the mean while, I beg leave to subscribe\nmyself, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. and Mrs. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747._\n\n_My very dear, dear Friends_,\n\nTHOUGH I hope to see you ere this reaches _Charles-town_, yet I cannot\nbut embrace every opportunity that offers to let you know how we do. I\nhave lately been eleven hundred miles journey northward, and have found\nthe Redeemer\u2019s strength magnified in my great weakness. The word ran\nand was glorified. I am now posting towards, and hope to reach you the\nbeginning of _November_ next. I am better in health than usual, and\nthrough grace am determined to die fighting the Redeemer\u2019s battles.\nOn _Long Island_ I saw Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. He still loves his _Charles-Town_\nfriend. If you are not provided, it is my opinion, that it is best\nfor you, for him, and the church of CHRIST, that he should be at\n_Charles-Town_. But this is only my opinion. With this, you will\nreceive a packet of letters from him. If it be not done before you\nreceive this, I wish you would be pleased to send my bureau, with\nmy other things that were packed up, to _Providence_. I would not\nwillingly have it to do when I come to _Charles-Town_. I hear you have\nhad a dry season, I trust it has not been so in spirituals. O that\nJESUS may water you every moment! I think you may plead this promise\nbefore a prayer-hearing GOD; \u201cHe that watereth, shall be water\u2019d again.\u201d\nSurely the bowels of the saints have been, and are daily refreshed\nthrough your means. Happy ye that are determined to make to yourselves\nfriends of the mammon of unrighteousness. When natural lives fail, you\nshall be received into everlasting habitations. O happy time, when we\nshall be, soul and body, for ever with the LORD! I have lived in hopes\nsome time, that my departure was at hand; but I seem to be gathering\nstrength again, and trust shall be made instrumental in calling some\nmore souls to the precious JESUS. O that I may be humble and thankful!\nDear friends, pray for us.\u2015\u2015My dear wife is gone to _Bohemia_,\notherwise she would write. We have written by every ship. Some of our\nletters, I believe, have been taken. Our tender love to all. I am,\n\n Ever yours, whilst\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXIX.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747._\n\n_My very dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Thank our gracious GOD for all the good news contained in your kind\nletter. It \u2666gladdened my heart, and gave me reason to hope, that the\n_Indian_ land would be a christian land indeed. When I received your\nletter, I was just returned from an eleven hundred miles journey\nnorthward, in which the rock of ages was pleased to let much of his\nglory pass before his dear people. I was enabled to preach about 30\ntimes in _New-England_, and am now coming forward towards you, and hope\nto see you in _November_. My dear yoke-fellow would answer Mrs. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nbut she is gone to _Bohemia_. Accept thanks and love in her name. I\nhave been frequently at the gates of death within these few months,\nand thought to have reached my desired port; but it seems I must put\nout to sea again. My heavenly Father\u2019s will be done. I have good news\nfrom _England_. I have some thoughts of seeing it next year. JESUS will\ndirect me. Captain _Grant_ is sailed from _Jamaica_. Ere long I hope\nto owe no man any thing but love. Something considerable hath been done\nsince I left _Charles-Town_. The LORD will never fail those that put\ntheir trust in him. I have remembered the book with the hymn tunes. I\nhope we shall not differ about an earthly matter. We are brethren; let\nus dwell in unity, and the GOD of love and peace will dwell amongst us.\nO that his divine love may be shed abroad abundantly in our hearts by\nthe Holy Ghost! How shall we then bear with, and forbear one another?\nI hope all around you are well, and watered with spiritual as well as\nnatural rain. I salute all most tenderly; and hoping to see you shortly,\nI subscribe myself, very dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cgladened\u201d replaced with \u201cgladdened\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXX.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1747._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nI Suppose, ere this comes to hand, you will have heard how near I have\nbeen to my wished-for harbour, and how I have been obliged to put out\nto sea again. Blessed be GOD, since I must live, he does not permit\nme altogether to live in vain. The word ran and was glorified much in\n_New-England_. The gathering of the people, and the power that attended\nthe word seemed to be near the same as when the work begun seven years\nago. I parted from my friends with great reluctance. Since my coming\nsouthward, I have seen and dined with Governor _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. He \u2666still\nretains his former affection, and I hope will be a great blessing to\nthese parts. I have lately heard of the death of Doctor _Coleman_. I\npity his poor congregation, fearing it will much dwindle. There are now\nmany destitute flocks in _New-England_. Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s death hath taught\nme a good lesson. May the LORD JESUS keep me from trimming! something\nconsiderable hath been done since I saw you, towards easing me of my\nOrphan-house embarrassments. The particulars expect in _November_:\nthen I hope to see you once more. I still intend, GOD willing, to\nsee _Bermudas_. Blessed be GOD, I have good news from _Bethesda_ and\n_Providence_. I am helped here, as I was at _New-York_, in preaching;\nbut find little conviction-work going on. As you observe, \u201cthat is\nGOD\u2019s work.\u201d I hope you have been carried comfortably through the\nSummer\u2019s heat, and that we shall have a warm Winter when we meet at\n_Charles-Town_. Your father\u2019s child is dead. I have a letter for you\nfrom him. I salute you and all for my dear yoke-fellow, who is gone\nforward to _Bohemia_. I follow on _Monday_ next. You will remember\nme in the kindest manner to all. I have written to many friends, but\nbelieve the vessels have been taken in which the letters were sent.\nI have now just time to beg the continuance of your prayers, and\nsubscribe myself, Rev. and very dear Sir,\n\n Yours as usual,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201ctill\u201d replaced with \u201cstill\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nI Wrote to you within these few months from this place, _Boston_ and\n_New-York_. My last letters were to inform you, that, GOD willing, some\ntime next year I purpose to see _England_, if my outward affairs can\nbe settled. Surely the LORD will deliver me from money matters by and\nby.\u2015\u2015He will, he will.\u2015\u2015LORD, I believe, help my unbelief! I have good\nnews from _Georgia_, and from my new plantation in _South-Carolina_.\nMany negroes are brought under conviction. We saw great things in\n_New-England_. The flocking and power that attended the word, was like\nunto that seven years ago. Weak as I was, and have been, I was enabled\nto travel eleven hundred miles and preach daily. I am now once more\ngoing to _Georgia_ to settle all my affairs, and shall get ready to\nembark as soon as I receive letters from you. My dear yoke-fellow is\ngone forwards. She exceedingly longs to see her old friends. But death\nmay intervene. I have been daily waiting for it. Few have expected my\nlife, but at present I seem to be getting strength. By the grace of\nGOD, it shall all be employed in the dear Redeemer\u2019s service. I find\nno inclination to settle. My Heart (O free grace!) is yet springing\nfor GOD, and I am determined to die fighting. I hope matters go on\nwell with you. Indeed I remember you daily, and pray that you all may\nbe filled with all the fulness of GOD. I am here travelling through\na wilderness; but I trust leaning on my beloved. JESUS is my rock,\nmy stay, my GOD, and my all. Various are the scenes I pass through;\nvarious are the comforts and supports I meet with. Sometimes the LORD\nfeeds me as it were by the ravens, and teaches me daily that man\u2019s\nextremity is his opportunity to help and succour. O, my dear brother,\nif ever we meet in this world, how much have we to say to one another,\nconcerning the loving-kindnesses of the LORD? But when we meet in\nheaven.\u2015\u2015I am lost at the thought\u2015\u2015What!\n\n _Make slaves the partners of thy throne,_\n _Decked with a never-fading crown?_\n\nO JESUS! thy love is indeed immense, unsearchable.\u2015\u2015Shed it abroad in\nthe dear man\u2019s heart to whom I am writing, and the hearts of all with\nwhom he is concerned, and the hearts of all thy dear children. Even\nso, LORD JESUS. Amen! I can no more. My heart is almost too full to\nsubscribe myself\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. J. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747._\n\n_Dear and Rev. Sir_,\n\nNOT long ago I received your kind letter, dated in _February_ last.\nYour others I believe came to hand, and I hope ere now you have\nreceived my answer. My heart is really for an outward, as well as an\ninward union. Nothing shall be wanting on my part to bring it about;\nbut I cannot see how it can possibly be effected, \u2019till we all think\nand speak the same things. I rejoice to hear, that you and your brother\nare more moderate with respect to _sinless perfection_. Time and\nexperience I believe will convince you, that attaining such a state\nin this life, is not a doctrine of the everlasting gospel. As for\n_universal redemption_, if we omit on each side the talking for or\nagainst reprobation, which we may do fairly, and agree as we already\ndo in giving an universal offer to all poor sinners that will come and\ntaste of the water of life, I think we may manage very well. But it is\ndifficult to determine such matters at a distance. Some time next year,\n(if the Redeemer spares my life) I hope to see you face to face. In the\nmean while, the language of my heart is,\n\n _O let us find the ancient way,_\n _Our wond\u2019ring foes to move;_\n _And force the heathen world to say,_\n _See how these brethren love._\n\nI rejoice to find that the rebellion has been over-ruled for the\nawakening of many souls. Our LORD generally builds his temple in\ntroublesome times. I cannot, upon the maturest deliberation, charge\nmyself with a design to flatter in my sermon on that occasion. You know\nmy attachment to the present establishment. Out of the fulness of my\nheart my pen wrote. But it may be I know not myself. LORD, keep me\nfrom trimming! At present, my heart seems as free for JESUS as ever. I\nhave been once more in _New-England_. My entrance was as at the first,\nabout seven years ago. Perhaps I may embark from thence for my native\ncountry. Our LORD will direct. I am now going to _Georgia_ to winter.\nAt _New-York_ and here, JESUS has enlarged my heart, and opened my\nmouth to shew forth his praise. I have news of the awakening of several\nnegroes at my new plantation, lately purchased at _South-Carolina_. I\nhope ere long to be delivered from my outward embarrassments. I long\nto owe no man any thing but love. This is a debt, Reverend Sir, I shall\nnever be able to discharge to you, or your brother. JESUS will pay\nyou all. For his sake, I love and honour you very much, and rejoice\nas much, in your success as in my own. I cannot agree with you in some\nprinciples, but that need not hinder love; since I trust we hold the\nfoundation, even \u201cJESUS, the same yesterday, to-day and for ever.\u201d\nWill you salute, in the kindest manner, all the followers of the Lamb\nwithin your sphere of action? Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied\nupon all their dear souls! I thank them for remembering a poor pilgrim,\nwho though faint is still pursuing, and determined, in the strength of\nJESUS, to spend and be spent more and more for the good of poor sinners.\nPerhaps before I see you, I may visit _Bermudas_ and _Cape-Breton_.\nYou will pray that the LORD may order my steps aright. What have you\ndone with the _Moravian Brethren_? their affairs are in confusion here.\nI think their foundation is too narrow for their superstructure. I\nbelieve in their plan there are many plants that our heavenly Father\nhath not planted. The LORD bless what is right, and rectify what is\nwrong in them, in us, and in all. Even so, LORD JESUS, Amen!\u2015\u2015O for\nheaven! where we shall mistake, judge, and grieve one another no more.\nLately I thought myself sailing several times into the blessed harbour;\nbut it seems I must put out to sea again. My Redeemer\u2019s will be done!\nForgive, Reverend Sir, the prolixity of this. Love indites. I salute\nyou for my dear fellow pilgrim; who is gone forwards.\u2015\u2015Continue to\npray for us, and assure yourself, that you are always remembered by,\nReverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother and\n willing servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXIII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nBOTH your letters and your prayers I trust have reached me. May mine\nreach you also, and then it will not be long ere we shall indeed be one\nfold under one Shepherd. However, if this should not be on earth, it\nwill certainly be effected in heaven. Thither I trust we are hastening\napace. Blessed be GOD that you are kept alive, and that your spiritual\nchildren are increasing. May they increase more and more! JESUS can\nmaintain them all. He wills that his house should be full. Some have\nwrote me things to your disadvantage. I do not believe them. Love\nthinks no evil of a friend. Such are you to me. I love you most\ndearly. I could write to you much more, but time and business will\nnot permit. You will see my letter to your dear brother. That you may\nbe guided into all truth, turn thousands and ten thousands more unto\nrighteousness, and shine as the stars in the future world, for ever and\never, is the hearty prayer of, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXIV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bohemia, (Maryland) Sept. 17, 1747._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nWILL you permit a young soldier of JESUS CHRIST to write to an\nexperienced veteran, before he goes hence, and is no more seen? Sorry\nam I that my visit to _York_ was short, yet glad that our LORD gave me\nto see you once more ready to sing your _Nunc dimittis_ with steadiness\nand composure, if not with joy unspeakable, even a joy that is full\nof glory.\u2015\u2015Happy, thrice happy, Reverend Sir! You have gone through\nthat wilderness, which if hoary hairs should be my lot, awaits me your\nyounger son and servant. Well! this is my comfort: I have the same\nBeloved to lean on, as you have had. The way, though narrow, is not\nlong; the gate, though strait, opens into life eternal. O that I might\npass through it when young; but, Father, not my will, but thine be\ndone! Honoured Sir, be pleased to pray for me. I remember you and\nyour dear flock, whom I love in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. May he\nwho kissed away the soul of his beloved _Moses_, appoint a _Joshua_\nto succeed you, when he bids you come up to the mount and die! I hope\nmy cordial respects will find acceptance with your dear yoke-fellow.\nI remember what she said to me, and once more beg a continued interest\nin your prayers. I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate tho\u2019 unworthy younger son and willing\n servant in him that liveth for ever,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 Jun._\n\n _Bohemia, Sept. 17, 1747._\n\nI Have been writing to the father,\u2015\u2015Love, love unfeigned constrains\nme to write to the son also. I hope it will influence you to send me,\nhowever unworthy, a line or two in return. Reverend and dear Sir, how\ndo you? Are you yet GOD\u2019s mouth to the people? Surely if the prayers\nof faith keep me alive, the prayers of faith must open your mouth,\nand constrain you in preaching to shew forth your glorious Redeemer\u2019s\npraise. All things are possible with GOD.\n\n _Blest is faith, that trusts his power;_\n _Blest are saints, that wait his hour;_\n _Haste, great Conqueror, bring it near,_\n _Let the wish\u2019d-for thing appear._\n\nBut you do not like that I should write about yourself? Will you then\npermit me to tell you, that in spite of all my corruptions, JESUS still\ncontinues to bless unworthy me. He gave me a prosperous journey to\n_New-York_, and there, as well as at _Philadelphia_, he opened my mouth\nto shew forth his praise. My outward circumstances are made easier, and\nI trust, in a short time I shall owe no man any thing but love. I am\nnow posting southward, willing to follow the cloud wheresoever it shall\npoint in the spring. O pray, pray that JESUS may be my comforter and my\nguide. Great are my trials, but greater my consolations. O free, rich,\nand sovereign grace! Help me, dear Sir, to extol and praise it. You\nwill remember me to all. Your \u00b9_fidus achates_, and your dear faithful\nnurse, I shall never forget. When you go to _Kittery_, pray make my\nmost dutiful respects acceptable to Sir _William_ and his consort.\nWishing you, what Colonel _Gardiner_ once wished me, \u201cA thriving soul\nin a healthful body,\u201d I subscribe myself, Reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Yours in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n \u00b9 Bosom friend.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bath-Town, North Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nI Wrote you a few lines just as I was leaving _Bohemia_. They informed\nyou of the receipt of my bills, and by them I also desired you to pay\nthe remainder of what you have of mine into the hands of Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\nV\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ of _New-York_. Since that, I have posted forward here, and hope\nto see some souls in this province all in love with JESUS, and made\npartakers of the power of his Resurrection. I have preached three times,\nand purpose, GOD willing, to preach many times more. The LORD seems to\nhave given me the affections of the people, and I am determined in his\nstrength to see what can be done amongst them. The box of books sent\nhither from Mr. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ never came to hand. Be pleased to\nmake some enquiry about it. I preached once in _Virginia_, and would\nhave preached oftner; but the small-pox was spreading, the assembly did\nnot sit, and I wanted to let _North-Carolina_ have as much time as I\ncould. I hope to write to you again from _Charles-Town_. There, I shall\nbe glad to hear that the all-wise head of the church hath directed you\nto a suitable pastor in the room of Dr. _Coleman_. I sometimes think\nall will go to heaven before me. I am weak and faint, I long to be\ndissolved and to be with JESUS, but cannot die. My heavenly Father\u2019s\nwill be done! I would have you still pray for me, as a dying man; but\nO pray that I may not go off as a snuff. I would fain die blazing, not\nwith human glory, but the love of JESUS. I wish you, and yours, and all\ndear friends, as much of this as your hearts can hold. I remember you\ndaily and hourly. I will thank you in heaven for what you have done for\nme on earth, and till then shall subscribe myself, dear Sir,\n\n Yours in the best bonds,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747_.\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nBE pleased to accept this, as a token that you are not forgotten by\nme;\u2015\u2015no, I loved your deceased husband, I honour and pray for his dear\nand sorrowful relict. I would give you that advice, dear Madam, which\nI believe he would do, was he to rise from his grave, \u201cMake sure of\na CHRIST, and give the LORD no rest, till you can say, my maker is my\nhusband, the LORD of Hosts is his name.\u201d What have you now to do, Madam,\nbut to make sure of a CHRIST? You are desolate, why should you not\nput your trust in the LORD? Widows, godly ministers widows, are GOD\u2019s\npeculiar care. O that you may have reason to say, \u201cIt is good for me\nthat I have been afflicted.\u201d Now is your time to learn GOD\u2019s law. Come\nto JESUS, Madam, close with him, and give him your whole heart. I need\nnot tell you, that he will make you happy. He has made me so, even me\nthe chief of sinners. As such be pleased to pray for, dear Madam,\n\n Your real, affectionate friend and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nBE where I will, the LORD JESUS puts you upon my heart. I often think\nyou happy, because you are so circumstanced that you must necessarily\ndrink of the waters of life at the fountain head. It drinks sweetest\nfrom thence. Communion with GOD\u2019s children is sweet; but communion\nwith GOD himself is infinitely sweeter. The woman of _Samaria_ found\nit so. When the disciples came and interrupted her fellowship with\ntheir master, she left her water pot and went her way. Blessed be GOD,\nthat happy time is coming when we shall enjoy both him and his without\ninterruption. Till then, dear Madam, be content to have little or much\nof the company of CHRIST\u2019s people, as your heavenly father shall judge\nmost convenient. Heaven is before you, time is flying on eagles wings.\nEternity, an happy eternity awaits you when time shall be no more. O\nthat it would approach faster to me! But why so hasty, O my soul! In\nheaven thou canst not deny thyself for JESUS CHRIST! Dear Madam, pray\nfor me, that my will may be swallowed up in the will of GOD. That it\nmay be so with you, is the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,\n\n Your most affectionate friend and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747._\n\n_Dear Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nOUR affectionate parting is not yet out of my remembrance. Since that,\nI hope you have been diligent, and ere now have got an evidence that we\nshall not be parted hereafter. O for assurance! It is indeed the anchor\nof the soul. It keeps it steady in the midst of storms. Dear Sir,\npress after it, as you value your present as well as eternal welfare.\nTell the LORD JESUS, you cannot do without it. I once thought dear Mr.\n_P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ would be one of the first-rate christians in _New-England_.\nWhat hath hindered you? Whatever it be, whether a right hand or a right\neye, may the LORD JESUS take it away! Will you say _Amen_ heartily?\nYou will excuse this freedom. I always write so to those I love. Pray\nremember me to your mother, wife, and all friends. Tell them I am\nhere, hunting after sinners in _North-Carolina_ woods. It is pleasant\nwork, though my body is weak and crazy. After a short fermentation in\nthe grave, it will be fashioned like unto CHRIST\u2019s glorious body. The\nthought of this rejoices my soul, and makes me long to leap my seventy\nyears. O pray for me, that I may have patience to tarry the LORD\u2019s\nleisure. I commit you to his care. I charge you in his great name, not\nto let me miss you in heaven, and with much love subscribe myself, dear\nMr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your very affectionate friend, and willing servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Oct. 6, 1747._\n\n_My dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nLET who will be omitted when I am writing to _New-England_, I think, I\nam under many obligations not to forget you. Blessed be GOD for making\nyou a christian merchant, and teaching you the holy art of trafficking\nfor the LORD. You trade upon a safe bottom. Your all is insured, and\nyou shall receive your own with good usury at the great day. Go on,\nmy dear man, spend and be spent for CHRIST\u2019s people; it is a glorious\nemploy. I would not but be thus engaged for millions of worlds. It is\ntrue, I am decaying daily; but resolved in the strength of JESUS to\ndie fighting. At present I am engaged in _North-Carolina_, and hope ere\nlong to send you good news from this ungospelized wilderness. In about\na month I expect to see _Charles-Town_. The LORD direct me where to go\nin the Spring. Several ways present. I am willing to see more of the\nnorth before I return to my native country. But alas! why write I thus?\nHow many important hours will intervene? O that every minute may be\nemployed for GOD, even a GOD in CHRIST. Indeed he is a good master.\nHe wounds, but he heals also. He brings down, but raises up again.\nHe humbles, but it is only in order to exalt his dear children. This\nyou and I shall find, as we have found already, times without number,\nperfectly true, by happy experience. But I cannot enlarge. You will\ndeliver the enclosed. I hope my last to the dear Messrs. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2019s_ came\nsafe. I will write to more as business, opportunity, and health permit.\nIn the mean while, accept our joint most cordial love to all dear, very\ndear friends. Accept the same to you and yours. I am, dear Sir,\n\n Yours eternally in the everlasting I AM,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 7, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nBY this time (such is your love to unworthy me,) I suppose you\nare willing to know where I am, and what I am doing. Blessed be\nGOD, I am still employed in my old delightful work, \u201ccalling poor\nsinners to repentance.\u201d\u2015\u2015I trust a day of power will shortly come to\n_North-Carolina_. I have preached three times already, and am now going\na small circuit round about. I expect to reach _Charles-Town_ in a\nmonth\u2019s time. But give me leave in my turn to enquire, how it is with\nyou and yours? Are your resolutions more and more invigorated, and hath\nJESUS at length taken possession of your whole heart? I must not let\nyou alone, till you can fairly and truly say, \u201c\u2019Tis done, \u2019tis done.\u201d O\nwhat a revenue of glory might a person in your station bring to CHRIST,\nand what a radiant crown of grace might you secure to your own soul,\nwas you but once in earnest to lay up treasure in heaven, where neither\nmoth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal! Rise,\nrise, dear Sir, awake and sleep no more. JESUS waits to give you light.\nMay he so fill you with his light and love, that you may rejoice in\nhis great salvation all the day long! Pray let me hear from you in the\nWinter. I am more concerned for you than ever. Your late favours have\nincreased my obligations to be so. I shall be glad to hear that the\nLORD hath given you a son. I remember dear Madam _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and hope to\ndrop her a few lines. May the glorious _Emmanuel_ make little Miss a\nwise virgin. My love awaits Mrs. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and your whole houshold. You\nwill remember me in the kindest manner to Mrs. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, &c.\nand the whole circle of my female friends. Praying that grace, mercy\nand peace may be multiplied upon all, subscribe myself, dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 11, 1747._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nIT has given me much concern, that I could not comply with your kind\ninvitation to _Plymouth_, but providence plainly pointed my course\nanother way. GOD only knows what a cross it was to me, to leave dear\n_New-England_ so soon. I hope death will not be so bitter to me, as was\nparting from my friends. Glad shall I be to be prayed thither again,\nbefore I see my native land. But future things belong to GOD. I would\nbe just where he would have me, though it be in the uttermost parts of\nthe earth. At present I am hunting after poor lost sinners in these\nungospelized wilds. People are willing to hear, and blessed be the LORD\nof all lords, I am willing to preach. My body is yet weak. A little\nriding fatigues me; but he that has been, is, and I trust will be my\nstrength, my support, and my guide even unto death. Dear Sir, continue\nto pray for me. I wish you much of the divine presence, and hope the\nLORD will yet make you a spiritual father to thousands. Be pleased to\nremember me in the kindest manner to dear Mr. _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and the whole\ncircle of those reverend brethren, who dare confess CHRIST\u2019s work, and\nCHRIST\u2019s truths. I salute your whole large fire side, and am, reverend\nand dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bath-Town, Oct. 11, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Am ashamed to think that your short though exceeding sweet and kind\nletter, lies as yet unanswered. Want of health and of time, (assure\nyourself) not want of love, has been the cause of it. The searcher\nof hearts alone knows, what a cordial reverential respect I bear your\nhonoured father and mother, yourself, and dear sister. I must not write\nmuch on this head, lest my eyes should gush out with water. Sorry am\nI, very sorry, dear Sir, that the church is not to have the benefit of\nyour labours. But what shall we say? GOD is a sovereign GOD. He must\ndo what he will with his own. This comforts me, that I trust you have\nlearned to be in the world, and yet not of it. Well then, since it\nmust be so, go, dear Sir, and trade for GOD. Let merchants see by your\nexample, that JESUS CHRIST can make many saints in a store. O may you\ndaily taste, and feel the efficacy of his all-atoning, heart-cleansing,\nworld-conquering, precious blood! I trust this is dearer and weightier\nto me than ever. I am now proclaiming it in these uncultivated\nungospelized desarts. People hear with great attention, and I trust ere\nlong news will be heard in heaven, that some _North-Carolina_ sinners\nare born of GOD. I stayed but a small time in _Virginia_ and _Maryland_,\nthat I might give this province the more time. I hope to be in\n_Charles-Town_ in about a month, and soon after my arrival, expect\nto determine what course to take in the spring. Several ways present\nthemselves. May JESUS direct me which to take! Weak as I am, I am\nwilling to spend and be spent for that ever-lovely, ever-loving JESUS,\nwho has done so much for, and borne so long with me. I am afraid some\nof you have prayed me back into the world again. Well, it cannot be\nlong ere I get my dismission. O for a triumphant exit. LORD JESUS keep\nme from going off like a snuff! But it is time to bid you good night.\nI have been on a forty mile excursion, and this tabernacle of mine is\nweak. You will remember me to all your dear family, and all friends.\nI will name none, that if possible I may offend none. However, this I\nmust say, _New-England_ friends are dearer to me than ever, and glad\nshall I be, if another sight of them before I die, be permitted to,\nvery dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Everards-Ferry, Oct. 16, 1747._\n\n_Dear Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nTHE love I owe you for JESUS CHRIST\u2019s sake, induces me to send you a\nfew lines. I hope they will find you yet more and more convinced of\nself-righteousness, and the absolute necessity of being cloathed with\nthe all-sufficient, compleat and everlasting righteousness of JESUS\nCHRIST. This, and this only is the ground of our acceptance with a holy,\njust, and sin-avenging GOD. Here the sinner may find a sure asylum, an\neverlasting, never-failing refuge. Happy they! who begin to see, feel,\nand taste this, in a realizing spiritual manner. It is the budding\nof grace, the beginning of the kingdom of GOD in the soul. May I\nhope that dear Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is one of these happy men. I trust so. You\nseemed beginning to awake out of nature\u2019s dream when I left you. O that\nnothing may prevail on you to lie down to sleep again! It is dangerous\nto trifle with the spirit of GOD. When he puts into our hearts good\ndesires, he expects that we shall be workers together with him. Strive\ntherefore, on, as the word imports, _agonize_ with GOD, yourself,\nand the world, in order that you may enter into the strait gate of a\nthorough sound conversion. You know who has told you \u201cthat the kingdom\nof GOD suffereth violence, and the violent only take it by force.\u201d And\nsurely heaven is worth striving for; especially since we are sure of\na conquest; and JESUS CHRIST, the captain of our salvation, stands\nready to assist, support, and strengthen at every rencounter. Learn\ntherefore to endure hardness, like a good soldier of JESUS CHRIST:\nadopt _Joshua_\u2019s resolution, stand the laugh, quit yourself like a man,\nput your hand to the plough, and do not look back; fight the good fight\nof faith, lay hold on eternal life. I could write more, but I want\ntime and paper. Blessed be GOD, I am as well as a pilgrim in my way\ncan expect to be. I am happy in CHRIST, and that is all in all. I wish\nyou and yours this happiness. I pray you may be partakers of it. This\nis the best return I can make for all kindnesses shewn to, dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate, obliged friend and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXV.\n\n\n _To Mrs. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Everards-Ferry, Oct. 16, 1747._\n\n_Dear Mrs. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nAS it is uncertain whether I shall ever see you again in this vale of\ntears, I cannot help expressing my gratitude for kindnesses received,\nby sending you a few lines.\u2015\u2015And what shall I say? Why, that I trust\nyou at length see, that what the world calls an innocent, harmless,\ndecent, sober life, will not be sufficient to carry us to heaven. Such\na life I suppose you have led, and assure yourself, you will find it\nan hard work to give up such a life in point of dependence, and to come\nas a poor, ill and hell deserving wretch, to be washed in the blood and\ncloathed with the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST. Nature will struggle,\nand a reasoning infidelity will stand at the door of your heart, lest\nJESUS CHRIST\u2019s spirit should enter in and make you happy. But all\nthings are possible with GOD. Apply to him therefore, dear Madam,\nand beg him to let you see that your heart is desperately wicked, and\ndeceitful above all things. Strengthen your husband\u2019s hands; be as a\ngoad in his side, if you see him inclined (though I trust you will not)\nto forget what he hath lately felt and been convinced of. And O that\nyou may be an happy instrument of converting your two daughters! It\nis sweet when all of one house are agreed to worship the LORD JESUS in\nspirit and in truth. That you and yours may be all such worshippers,\nis the earnest prayer of, dear Madam,\n\n Your real friend, and willing servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Wilmington, Cape-Fear, Oct. 18, 1747._\n\n_My very dear brother A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Have lately written to you and many other dear _English_ friends.\nI am now in my way to _Georgia_, and hope to see my native country\nsome time next year. My sphere of action still increases, and though I\nhoped this last Summer to have taken my flight to the blessed JESUS,\nyet it seems I am to live longer. O that it may be for the Redeemer\u2019s\nglory, and the good of many precious and immortal souls! I know you\nwill say _Amen_! I could write much, but am fatigued, having preached\nseveral times, and rode on horse-back through the woods an hundred\nand sixty miles. JESUS makes the barren wilderness to smile. I want\nto know how affairs go on among you. I expect letters from some of\nyou at _Charles-Town_, and I hope to see you, I repeat it again, some\ntime next year. But future things belong to GOD. My schemes are so\nfrequently disconcerted, that I would willingly put a blank into his\nhands, to be filled up just as he pleases. But this stubborn will\nwould fain avoid swallowing some wholesome bitter-sweets, which the\nall-gracious physician reaches out unto me. Nevertheless, through\ngrace, the prevailing language of my heart is, \u201cNot my will, but\nthine be done.\u201d The being so long absent from my friends, sometimes\na little affects me; but I have been used to so many partings, and\nheart-breakings from various quarters, that I wonder any thing affects,\nso as to surprize me. But the mystery of the cross is unsearchable.\nWe shall never fully learn it till we die. We must be beginners in\nthis school every day, hour, and moment. But where am I going? I write\nas though I was conversing with you. Perhaps such a time may come. In\nheaven I am sure such a time will have existence. The language of my\nheart is, LORD JESUS, let thy kingdom come! You will remember me to all.\nI must now say no more. Whilst I am writing, affection works and almost\nmakes me to say, O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly\naway, and see my _English_ and _Scotch_ friends! I salute all most\nheartily, as does my dear fellow pilgrim.\u2015\u2015That grace, mercy and peace\nmay be multiplied upon all your dear souls, is the hearty prayer of, my\ndear Man,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Charles-Town, (South-Carolina,) Oct. 25, 1747._\n\n_Very dear Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Hear a ship sails to-morrow for _Philadelphia_. I cannot help letting\nyou know, that we arrived here last night in health and safety. The\nbarren wilderness was made to smile all the way. I trust good was\ndone in _North-Carolina_. The poor people were very willing to hear.\nI expected, on my arrival at this place, to have received letters and\nsundry things from you, or dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. If they are taken, may the\nLORD JESUS give me a thankful heart! I would write you a long letter,\nand I would also write to many friends, but you know travellers are\nweary, and I must away to-morrow to _Georgia_. All is well there,\nand at my new plantation. You will send the inclosed.\u2015\u2015Mr. _Dutton_ I\nbelieve is lost in his return to _England_. The ship foundered. I have\npreached this morning, and am to preach again. I snatch a few moments\nbetween sermons to write this. Our tender joint love to you all.\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bermudas, May 27, 1748._\n\n_My dear Mr. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nINCLOSED you have a letter which you may print in your weekly paper. It\nbrings good news from this little pleasant spot. If you could print it\non half a sheet of paper, to distribute among the _Bermudas_ captains,\nit might perhaps be serviceable. The inhabitants here have received me\nso well, that I think publishing their kindness is a debt justly due\nto them. I am now waiting for a fair wind, and then we shall sail for\n_England_. The Governor\u2019s lady goes with me. His Excellency is very\ncivil to me, and I believe many souls have been benefited by this visit\nto _Bermudas_. I desire to give the LORD JESUS all the glory. You will\nremember me to Mrs. _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and all my dear _Philadelphia_ friends. I\ndo not forget them, and hope they will always remember, dear Sir,\n\n Their and your most affectionate, obliged friend and\n servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXIX.\n\n\n _To Mrs. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _On board the Betsy, June 2, 1748._\n\nTILL last night, I did not know that the last letter I wrote to\nyou never came to hand. Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ tells me, that as he did not go\naccording to his design he destroyed it. Accept therefore, dear Madam,\na few more parting lines. They bring you good news indeed. The LORD\nJESUS has blessed my being at _Bermudas_ very much. A good work I trust\nis begun in many hearts. I am now on board, and the wind is fair. We\nexpect to sail this day. According to my present view, I intend to\nreturn to beloved _America_ next year; which is one of the reasons, why\nI leave my dear yoke-fellow behind. O that I knew how it was with her!\nBut I see that GOD will make those he loves, to live by faith and not\nby sense. Glorious privileges, though difficult to flesh and blood! As\nyou are so dear a friend, I know you will do your utmost to comfort her.\nI have so ordered matters, that she need not be under any concern about\nproviding for the families. GOD has caused the people in _Bermudas_ to\ndevise liberal things. Yet a little while, and I trust I shall, on the\nOrphan-house account, owe no man any thing but love. But I find I must\nfight every inch of my ground. Well! JESUS is on my side. I can do all\nthings through him strengthening me. An entrance is now made into the\n_Islands_. The LORD, that has begun, can and will carry on his own work.\nYou will all help me with your prayers. I must be content with dealing\nin general salutations, having not time to write more particulars. Pray\nremember me in the kindest manner to all your relations and all our\ndear friends. That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon all,\nis the earnest prayer of, dear Mrs. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant, in\n CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXL.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _On board the Betsy, June 24, 1748._\n\n_Rev. and very dear Sir_,\n\nTHOUGH we are about two hundred leagues from land, yet lest hurry of\nbusiness should prevent me when we get a shore, I think proper to\nwrite you a few lines whilst I am on board.\u2015\u2015Long before this reaches\nyou, I suppose you will have heard of what the LORD of all Lords was\npleased to do for me and his people at, and also when we sailed from,\n_Bermudas_. We sailed from thence just twenty-one days this morning,\nand have lived, as to the conveniencies of eating and drinking, like\npeople that came from the continent, rather than one of the islands;\nso bountiful were our friends, whom we left behind us. Hitherto we have\nmet with no storms or contrary winds, only it begins to head us now.\nBut GOD, in his own time, I trust will carry us to our desired port.\nThe first day we came out we were chased, and yesterday a large French\nvessel shot thrice at and bore down upon us. We gave up all for gone.\nI was dressing myself in order to receive our expected visitors. In\nthe mean while, our Captain cries, \u201cthe danger is over.\u201d The Frenchman\nturned about and left us. He was quite near, and we almost defenceless.\nNow we are so near the channel, we expect such alarms daily. If any\nthing happens extraordinary, I shall be particular. As for other\nthings, I cannot say much. The Captain is exceeding civil, and I have\nmy passage free; but all I have been able to do in the great \u2666cabin in\nrespect to religious duties, is to read the church prayers once every\nevening, and twice on the LORD\u2019s day. I have not preached yet; this may\nspare my lungs, but it grieves my heart. I long to be ashore, if it was\nfor no other reason. Besides, I can do but little in respect to my\nwriting. You may guess how it is, when we have four gentlewomen in the\ncabin. However, they have been, and are very civil, and I believe my\nbeing on board has been somewhat serviceable. My health I think is\nimproved, and I have finished my abridgment of Mr. _Law_\u2019s serious\ncall, which I have endeavoured to gospelize. Yesterday I likewise made\nan end of revising all my journals. Blessed be GOD, for letting me\nhave leisure to do it. I purpose to have a new edition before I see\n_America_. Alas! alas! In how many things have I judged and acted\nwrong.\u2015\u2015I have been too rash and hasty in giving characters, both of\nplaces and persons. Being fond of scripture language, I have often used\na style too apostolical, and at the same time I have been too bitter in\nmy zeal. Wild-fire has been mixed with it, and I find that I frequently\nwrote and spoke in my own spirit, when I thought I was writing and\nspeaking by the assistance of the spirit of GOD. I have likewise too\nmuch made inward impressions my rule of acting, and too soon and too\nexplicitly published what had been better kept in longer, or told after\nmy death. By these things I have given some wrong touches to GOD\u2019s\nark, and hurt the blessed cause I would defend, and also stirred up\nneedless opposition. This has humbled me much since I have been on\nboard, and made me think of a saying of Mr. _Henry_\u2019s, \u201c_Joseph_ had\nmore _honesty_ than he had _policy_, or he never would have told his\ndreams.\u201d At the same time, I cannot but bless, and praise, and magnify\nthat good and gracious GOD, who filled me with so much of his holy\nfire, and carried me, a poor weak youth, through such a torrent both\nof popularity and contempt, and set so many seals to my unworthy\nministrations. I bless him for ripening my judgment a little more, for\ngiving me to see and confess, and I hope in some degree to correct and\namend, some of my mistakes. I thank GOD for giving me grace to embark\nin such a blessed cause, and pray him to give me strength to hold\non and increase in zeal and love to the end. Thus, dear Sir, have I\nunburdened my heart to you. I look upon you to be my _fidus achates_,\nand therefore deal thus freely. If I have time and freedom before we\nland, I think to write a short account of what has happened for these\nseven years last past; and when I get on shore, GOD willing, I purpose\nto revise and correct the first part of my life. I know you will pray\nthat I may be directed and owned in every thing. I think often of, and\npray for you, and as I intend writing to you again when I send this, I\nshall content myself at present with subscribing myself, Reverend and\nvery dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate obliged though unworthy brother and\n servant,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201ccabbin\u201d replaced with \u201ccabin\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLI.\n\n\n _To Mrs. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Deal, July 5, 1748._\n\n_Very dear and Honoured Mother_,\n\nARE you yet in the land of the living, or rather among the dead? shall\nI have the pleasure of receiving one more letter from you, and asking\nyour blessing once more? Next post, I hope that the two former of\nthese will be answered in the affirmative, and in a week or two I trust\nGOD will grant me the last. About a month ago I left the island of\n_Bermudas_, where my poor labours have been greatly blessed, and your\nunworthy son has been honoured with many honours. I am now come once\nmore to see my friends in my native country, and settle some affairs,\nand then return to _America_ again. My dear yoke-fellow I have left\nbehind, to take care of two families. I have been several times\njust upon the brink of eternity since I saw you, but am now a little\nrecruited. O that my health and strength may be wholly employed for\nthat JESUS who has done such great things for me! His blood and cross,\nmy ever honoured mother, I trust are exceeding precious to your soul.\nO that I may see you laden with holiness, and bringing forth much\nfruit in your old age! I could say more, but have several other letters\nto write. As I know not how your outward affairs are situated, or\nwhere you live for a certainty, I can only send cordial and general\nsalutations to all friends and relations. I hope you will be pleased\nto let me know whether you stand in need of any thing, and not cease\nto pray for, honoured mother,\n\n Your ever dutiful though unworthy son,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLII.\n\n\n _To Mr. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Deal, July 5, 1748._\n\nAND how does my dear old friend Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? Surely he will send me\na line now! For through the goodness of an infinitely gracious and\ncondescending Saviour, I am once more arrived at my native country. My\nlast excursion was to _Bermudas_. We left those islands a month ago,\nand GOD was pleased to set his seal to my unworthy ministry in a very\nglorious manner. I know you will be thankful in my behalf, and let me\nknow next post how the brethren are in and about _Gloucestershire_. I\nrejoice to find that you still go on steadily and are not ashamed of\nthe gospel of CHRIST. Why should you? Have you not found it by happy\nexperience to be the power of GOD unto salvation? Go on then, my dear\nSir, and prove the strength of JESUS to be yours. I long to see you,\nthat we may talk of redeeming love, and feel our hearts warm with an\nholy fire from GOD\u2019s altar. Are the dear old men, the Reverend Messrs.\n_S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, yet alive? Pray send them my most dutiful and\naffectionate respects, and let them know, that an entrance I trust is\nnow made into one of the islands for the glorious gospel of the Son\nof GOD. O that I was able to fly from pole to pole upon this blessed\nerrand. But alas! my wings are clipped. My bodily health is much\nimpaired, and I hoped ere now to have taken my last flight to heaven.\nBut it seems that happy hour is not yet come. Well, welcome life,\nwelcome death, so that JESUS, my dear JESUS, may be glorified in both!\nPray that we may shortly meet in the fulness of the blessing of the\ngospel of peace. I subscribe myself, my very dear _Gaius_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLIII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 or C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Deal, July 5, 1748._\n\nWILL you not be glad to hear that the GOD of the seas and the GOD of\nthe dry land hath brought me to my native country once more? I came\nlast from the _Bermudas_, where the friend of sinners has been pleased\nto own my poor labours abundantly. I hope, I come in the spirit of love,\ndesiring to study and pursue those things which make for peace. This is\nthe language of my heart,\n\n _O let us find the ancient way,_\n _Our wond\u2019ring foes to move;_\n _And force the heathen world to say,_\n _See how these Christians love._\n\nI purpose, GOD willing, to be in _London_ in a few days. In the mean\nwhile, I salute you and all the followers of the blessed Lamb of GOD\nmost heartily.\u2015\u2015Be pleased to pray for, and give thanks in behalf of,\nReverend and dear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 7, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Have but just time to inform you, that after a pleasant passage of\na month, a good and gracious GOD brought me hither in safety, where I\nhave been received by thousands with a joy that almost overcame both\nthem and me. I have preached once, and am this evening to preach again.\nOne large church is open. I cannot now descend to particulars.\u2015\u2015I\ncan only send you a thousand thanks for all favours, beg my kindest\nsalutations may be presumed to all friends, and entreat the continuance\nof your most fervent prayers in behalf of, my dear host and hostess,\n\n Yours as usual,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July, 7, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nTHOUGH I suppose you will see my dear wife\u2019s letter, yet I must\nsend you a few lines. They bring you news of my safe arrival, and\nwonderfully kind acceptance in my native country. The blessings\nbestowed on me, have already, through the thanksgivings of thousands,\nredounded to the glory of GOD. Words cannot express the joy that has\npossessed the hearts of the people. I hear that the minds even of\nenemies are much softened. I came at a critical juncture. I hear Mr.\n\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 has stood up for me at _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and that one who preached before\nthe trustees hath spoke honourably of _Bethesda_. If GOD is pleased\nto send us a general peace, I hope _Georgia_ will lift up its drooping\nhead. You may depend on hearing from me as often as possible. You will\nremember me to all friends. I can only beg you to give thanks, and pray\nfor, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours as usual,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLVI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 8, 1748._\n\n_Rev. and dear Brother_,\n\nGLAD am I, yea very glad to hear that you are yet alive and have\ngrace given you to adhere to JESUS CHRIST and his eternal truths.\nI am very much pleased to find that you appear in print, and that\nsuch encouragement is given you to print again. I hope the glorious\n_Emmanuel_ smiles upon your ministerial labours, and gives you many\nliving witnesses, that the truths which you preach are according to\nGodliness. Go on, my dear old friend, and prove the strength of JESUS\nto be thine. Through his infinite and unmerited goodness I am once\nmore safe in my native country. _Bermudas_ was the last place where\nI have been preaching. I left many souls under concern. Many precious\nsouls (O free grace!) have received me here in great love, and I have\nbeen enabled twice to preach, to a multitude of poor sinners, the\nunsearchable riches of JESUS CHRIST. My bodily health is much impared;\nbut through divine assistance, I will go on working for JESUS of\n_Nazareth_, \u2019till I can work no more. I could say much of his love, but\nhave a deal of business before me. Accept this as a token of unfeigned\nlove and respect from, my very dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate though unworthy brother and servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 8, 1748._\n\n_Dear Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Am come over with a sincere desire to pursue the things which\nmake for peace. Consequently I must hear and see for myself, before\nI determine upon any thing. I have heard nothing of Mrs. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s\nwriting concerning you. All I can say is, that by what you have\npublished and I have perused, you have unhappily fallen into some\nprinciples, which are contrary to the revealed will of GOD.\u2015\u2015But I\nspeak not this to begin a dispute. I shall be glad to see and converse\nwith you. As for your preaching in _Moor-fields_, they are no doubt\nas free for you as another. I intend preaching there, GOD willing, on\n_Sunday_ evening. That you may have a clear head and a clean heart, is\nthe hearty prayer of, dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 12, 1748._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nAT my first arrival, you judged right that I am pretty much taken up;\nhowever, I must snatch a few minutes to answer your kind, very kind\nletter. Blessed be GOD, that the mercies bestowed on hell-deserving me,\nhave, through the thanksgivings of many, redounded to the glory of the\nblessed JESUS. O that the same prayers that have drawn me hither, may\ndraw down showers of blessings upon GOD\u2019s church. Now I am come, do\nyou and my other friends continue to pray and hold up your hands, and\nin the strength of JESUS CHRIST I will go on fighting. The fields seem\nto be as white as ever. I trust the shout of a king is among us. O for\nhumility, love and zeal! O for that mind, which was in CHRIST JESUS!\nI trust that the members of your society are copying after our great\nExemplar. As soon as possible I purpose to come down and see you. I\nthank you for what you have done in respect to the Orphan-house. I\ncould wish the cash was remitted to _London_ immediately, because I\nwant to pay it away. Surely the time will come, when I shall owe no\nman any thing but love. Then, and \u2019till the day of my death, _Poor,\nyet making many rich_, shall be my motto. You will remember me in the\nkindest manner to all the followers of the Lamb; and that you may be\nfilled with all his fulness, is the prayer of\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXLIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 12, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Friend and Brother_,\n\nTHOUGH I am pretty much engaged, yet I cannot let your kind letter lie\nby me two posts unanswered. Blessed be GOD that you yet retain your\nsimple heart, and are determined to know nothing but JESUS CHRIST and\nhim crucified. With this mind, may you climb up higher and higher in\nthe church of _England_, in order that you may move in a superiour\norb, and your light shine with greater and more diffusive ardor round\nthe church of GOD! O my dear Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, what has the Redeemer done\nfor us! What is he still doing! It would gladden your heart to see\nwhat a turn affairs take in _London_. I have preached twice in _St.\nBartholomew_\u2019s church, and helped to administer the sacrament once. I\nbelieve on _Sunday_ we had a thousand communicants. _Moor-fields_ are\nas white as ever unto harvest, and multitudes flock to hear the word.\nThe old spirit of love and power seems to be revived amongst us. What\nam I, what am I, that JESUS CHRIST should still delight to honour me? O\nfor a single eye and a simple heart unto the end! By what I can judge,\nsatan will allure some with his golden bait. \u201cIn all times of our\nwealth, good LORD deliver us.\u201d Blessed be GOD, I am not much in danger\nof having too much of this world\u2019s goods at present. My outward affairs\nare yet behind hand. I long to owe no man any thing but love. As for\nyour cautions, they shall be observed punctually. Never mind me, let my\nname die every where, let even my friends forget me, if by that means\nthe cause of the blessed JESUS may be promoted. In about a fortnight\nI hope to see you at my brother\u2019s. I hear he is better. O that he may\ncome out for CHRIST! I think I have now answered your request, and\nsent you a long letter. I hope to hear from you again before I see you.\nMy hearty respects await Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I trust he determines to know\nnothing but JESUS CHRIST, and him crucified. Commending you to his\nmercy, and myself to the continuance of your prayers, I subscribe\nmyself, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours eternally in the blessed JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCL.\n\n\n _To the Honourable \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, Esq.; of Bermuda._\n\n _London, July 12, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nGRATITUDE constrains me to embrace the first opportunity of informing\nyou of our safe arrival at our wished-for port. We struck ground, I\nthink, the 27th day after we set sail, and landed at _Deal_ the 30th.\nWe were chased the first afternoon, and prepared for going to prison\ntwice or thrice. But our fears were groundless; there was a cessation\nof arms with _France_, though we knew it not, and some ships that we\nthought were pursuing us proved to be _English_ men of war. We had\nplenty of provisions, and met with no storms or bad weather worth the\nspeaking of. Other particulars, I suppose, Captain _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who was\nvery civil, will inform you. The evening after we landed at _Deal_,\nI was at Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s, before I came to my own lodgings.\nThey were very glad to hear from _Bermudas_. Since then, words cannot\nwell express how joyful my friends were to see me once more in the\nland of the living. I find the news-papers had buried me ever since\n_April_ last; but it seems I am not to die, but live: O that it may\nbe to declare the works of the LORD! My obligations to do so, are much\nincreased by the mercies conferred on me at _Bermudas_, and during\nmy voyage. Surely the stones would cry out against me, did I not set\nforth the riches of redeeming love. Blessed be GOD, I have had several\nopportunities of doing so, since my arrival. Last Lord\u2019s-day I believe\nwe had a thousand communicants. In a few weeks, GOD willing, I purpose\nto see _Scotland_, and then shall do myself the pleasure of writing to,\nor waiting on your brother. In the mean time, I shall, as opportunity\noffers write to some more of my _Bermudas_ friends, whom I desire never\nto forget at the throne of grace. You and yours, honoured Sir, will be\npleased to accept my most cordial salutations. That you and your house\nmay serve the LORD here, and live with him eternally in the kingdom of\nheaven hereafter, is the hearty prayer of, honoured Sir,\n\n Your most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLI.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 16, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Thank you for your speedy and kind answer to my last poor letter, and\nheartily pray GOD, if it be agreeable to his will, yet to prolong your\nlife, and make your pen the pen of a ready writer. I shall take it as a\ngreat favour, if you will order me a set of your works. I shall peruse\nthem with the greatest pleasure, and send a set of them also abroad.\nBlessed be GOD, for causing you to write so to suit the taste of the\npolite world! O that they may be won over to admire Him, who is indeed\naltogether lovely! But what shall I say to your kind intended present?\nIt is like my dear old friend. Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 was so kind as to come and see\nme yesterday. I shewed him your letter. He expects to see me at his\nhouse. GOD willing, if possible I will pay him a visit. O that he may\nrecover his first love! For ever adored be free grace: many souls seem\nto be quickened. Multitudes flock to hear. My health somewhat improves,\nand our LORD makes it exceeding pleasant to me to preach to poor\nsinners his unsearchable riches. O when shall we get within the veil!\nThanks be to GOD, it cannot be long. We are both sickly. LORD give us\npatience to wait till our blessed change come! To the Redeemer\u2019s tender\nmercy do I most earnestly commit you; and entreat, while life and\nbreath lasts, you will not cease praying for one, who, though less than\nthe least of all, yet for JESUS CHRIST\u2019s sake subscribes himself, my\nvery dear friend,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLII.\n\n\n _To Mr. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 19, 1748._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nI Thank you for your kind answer to my last, as well as for all other\nfavours. Before I heard from you, I had been informed from several\nquarters that Satan hath been sifting all our poor societies. This\nis no more than I expected. But let us take courage, dear Sir; JESUS\nCHRIST prays for us. His truths are great and shall prevail. At\n_London_, affairs seem to be taking a good turn. The LORD JESUS comes\namong us as in the days of old. I trust by and by we shall see good\ndays at _Exon_ again. When I shall go there is uncertain. Next week,\nGOD willing, I must be at _Bristol_, and after that I must go to the\n_Welch_ association. Glad shall I be to hear whatever you have to\noffer. May the LORD JESUS give us a right judgment in all things! When\nthe time of my seeing _Exon_ is fixed, I will endeavour to send you\nprevious notice. In the meanwhile, let you and yours accept most hearty\nlove and cordial salutations from one, who, though less than the least\nof all saints, begs leave to subscribe himself, very dear Mr. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLIII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 20, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Friend and Brother_,\n\nNEITHER length of time, nor change of place, I trust, will ever\nestrange us from each other.\u2015\u2015Though through the goodness of GOD I\nam now in _England_, yet I cannot help daily thinking upon you and my\nother dear friends in _America_. I have been prayed over hither: do\nyou strive to pray me over again to _South-Carolina_. Much business\nnow lies upon my hands. It is too much for one man, to be received as\nI have been by thousands. The thoughts of it lay me low, but I cannot\nget low enough. I would willingly sink into nothing before the blessed\nJESUS, my All in All. Next week I hope to see _Bristol_, where I shall\nnot fail to enquire about your minister, and send you word accordingly.\nI hope you do not forget _Bethesda_ or _Providence_. O my dear\nyoke-fellow, how is she carried through the Summer\u2019s sultry heat?\nMay the LORD be her helper! You will not fail to give my most cordial\nrespects to Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Dr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, his wife, and all friends. Fail\nnot, O fail not to pray heartily for,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLIV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 23, 1748._\n\n_My very Dear Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015,_\n\nGLAD was I, yea very glad to receive one more letter from such a\nvaluable and dearly beloved friend and brother. I have often enquired\nafter you since my arrival, and only multiplicity of business prevented\nyour hearing from me. Glory be to the blessed JESUS, for supporting and\ncarrying you through so many difficulties that necessarily attend the\npastoral office. I find more and more, my dear Sir, that experience is\nonly to be learned in the school of tribulation; and as we undergo the\nsufferings mentioned in the scriptures, so far and no farther do we\nunderstand the scriptures themselves. O that patience may have its\nperfect work, and we may be enabled to the end of our days to sanctify\nthe LORD GOD in our hearts! As for poor _Scotland_, what shall I say?\nOur LORD\u2019s words must be fulfilled, \u201cThe first shall be last, and the\nlast first.\u201d Awakening times are always like the Spring. Many blossoms\nappear, and perhaps but little solid fruit is produced after all. O\nthat the Lord of the harvest, if I am to see _Scotland_ again, may send\nme to call some backsliders to return. Glory be to GOD, affairs are\ntaking a happy turn here. Old love, and old power, seem to be reviving\namong us. I preach to multitudes daily. Many are already brought\nunder new awakenings. On _Monday_ next I set out, GOD willing, for\n_Gloucester_, and intend returning in about three weeks.\u2015\u2015How glad\nshall I then be to see Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. My dear yoke-fellow would rejoice\nto do so too; but I left her abroad in the tent.\u2015\u2015Perhaps she may come\nover soon. Pray remember her, and, my dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLV.\n\n\n _To Dr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 22, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nLOVE and gratitude constrain me to send you a few lines. They come\nto inform you, that a sense of the almost innumerable favours you\nwas pleased to confer on me, when under your tuition, is yet deeply\nengraven upon the tables of my heart. That GOD, whom I endeavour to\nserve in the gospel of his dear Son, will richly reward you in that day.\nBy his assistance, I still continue to preach the everlasting gospel\nin various places; and, I trust, not without some abiding good effect.\nIndeed, last year I was in hopes I should have been translated to those\nblissful regions, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the\nweary be at rest. But it seems, I am not yet to die, but live. O that\nit may be to declare the works of the LORD! I think his glory is the\nmain principle of my acting. I want to bring souls, not to a party,\nmuch less to lead them from the established church, but to a sense of\ntheir undone condition by nature, and to true faith in JESUS CHRIST,\nwhich will be evidenced by a holy life, and an universal, chearful\nobedience to all the commands of GOD. In this, honoured Sir, however\nyou may judge of the means and method of my proceeding, I am persuaded\nyou wish me success. Your\u2019s, both in respect to this life and another,\nI have much at heart. That the great shepherd and bishop of souls may\nassist you in the oversight of all under your care, and in the future\nstate receive you with an _Euge bone_, in the presence of applauding\nangels, and spirits of just men made perfect, is the earnest prayer of,\nhonoured Sir,\n\n Your most unworthy, though dutiful pupil, and very humble\n servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLVI.\n\n\n _To Governor Thomas._\n\n _London, July 22, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nTHOUGH I am uncertain about your being in town, yet I cannot leave it,\nwithout leaving a few lines of acknowledgment, for those many favours\nyou and your worthy lady were pleased to confer upon me and mine\nabroad. Glad were we, yea exceeding glad to hear of your safe arrival\nin _England_, and gracious reception at court. May you so live in this\nworld, as to be received with expressions of joy and approbation by\nthe King of kings in the world to come! I hope, honour\u2019d Sir, that the\nchange of climate has been conducive to your health, and the health\nalso of dear little Miss, and her honoured Mamma. I beg my most dutiful\nrespects may find acceptance, honoured Sir, both with them and you. At\nmy return to _London_, which I suppose will be in about three weeks, I\npurpose doing myself the honour of waiting upon you in person. In the\nmean while, I beg leave, with the warmest affection, to subscribe\nmyself, honoured Sir,\n\n Your most obliged, obedient humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLVII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 24, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nSINCE my arrival in _England_, (now three weeks) I have sent several\npackets to _America_. This brings you the welcome tidings of the LORD\u2019s\ncontinuing to bless my poor administrations, and causing his word to\nrun and be glorified. Particulars I cannot descend to now. My hands\nare quite full of business. I am assisted also in temporals, and hope,\nere I see _America_ again, to be delivered from my outward Orphan-house\nembarrassments. I have almost fixed on persons to come over to\n_Bethesda_. With them I intend sending you some things, which I believe\nyou will be glad to see. _Antinomianism_ has made havock here, but I\ntrust the worst is over. Our scattered troops begin to unite again;\nand indeed the shout of a king is amongst us. I trust that the glorious\n_Emmanuel_ waves his banner also over you, and causes you to rejoice in\nhis great salvation. That you, and all my dear friends and benefactors\nmay fit under his shadow with unspeakable delight, is the hearty prayer\nof, reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend, brother, and servant\n in our common Lord,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLVIII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Waterford, August 3, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nI Have written to you more than once since my arrival; notwithstanding\nthat, I must write to you again. The bearer is a man of good report,\na _Dissenter_, and brings I believe a testimonial with him. He has met\nwith disappointments in the world, and goes out to be overseer to some\ngentleman\u2019s plantation.\u2015\u2015I believe he would be glad to be introduced\nto some of our religious friends. I write this from _Wales_, where I am\ncome to attend on a quarterly association. Yesterday I left _Bristol_,\nwhere great multitudes came to hear, and the arm of the LORD was\nrevealed. Next week, GOD willing, I purpose to return to _London_,\nand after a short stay there, to go into the _West_ and other parts of\n_England_. I believe that _Ireland_ and _Scotland_ must be left till\nnext Spring. I am as well in health as I have been for a long while;\nand GOD is pleased to give me the affections of his people, in a manner\nI dared not expect. But is there any thing too hard for the LORD? You\nwill continue to pray for me. I expect a loving, chiding letter from\nyou. I have several things to send you, and at present can only beg you\nand all friends to accept of my hearty love and thanks, and subscribe\nmyself, very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and servant\n in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. Wm. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Waterford, August 3, 1748._\n\n_My dear little Man_,\n\nI Do not forget the promise I made you when in town. As a proof of it,\nI snatch a few moments to send you a line. How will it find you? May I\nanswer for you? Upon the stretch for GOD, and giving diligence to make\nyour calling and election sure. O that there may be always in you such\na mind! You know how many once did run well; but the devil and the\nworld working upon their wicked hearts, have hindered them. Alas! how\nis their gold become dim, and their fine gold changed! Let him that\nthinketh he stands take heed lest he fall. Be jealous of yourself, and\nhang continually on the LORD JESUS. You are now growing up, and are\nabout to launch into a wicked world. You know how strangely satan will\ntempt you to love it. Nothing can keep you, but the mighty power of GOD.\nAsk, and you shall have it exerted in your behalf. I could enlarge, but\nhave not time. Perhaps next week I may be in _London_. The LORD JESUS\nhas blessed my being in the country. The fields are white, ready unto\nharvest. My love to your sister. May she be a _Ruth_. For the present I\nmust bid you farewel, after having subscribed myself,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLX.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Mitchel-Dean, August 6, 1748._\n\nTHOUGH I am now upon the road in my way to _Gloucester_, yet I cannot\nhelp dropping you a few lines. Excess of business, not want of respect,\nhas prevented my writing to you before. You, and yours, and all my dear\n_Scotch_ friends, have been, still are, and by the grace of GOD always\nwill be much upon my heart. I long to hear that their souls prosper.\nPerhaps next Spring I may pay them another visit. The remainder of this\nyear must be spent in visiting _England_ and _Wales_. Blessed be GOD,\nthere is a prospect of a revival where I have been already, at _London_,\n_Bristol_, and _Wales_, from whence I am just now come. Our LORD hath\nbeen pleased to lift up the light of his countenance upon his poor\npeople. I beg, reverend Sir, the continuance of your prayers, that I\nmay be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD.\nAt present, through grace, I am willing to spend and be spent for the\ngood of precious and immortal souls. My native air seems to improve my\nhealth, and I trust ere long I shall be lively and strong as an eagle.\nI suppose you have heard that the word of the LORD has been glorified\nin _Bermudas_. In a short time, I hope the adjacent islands will know\nwhat it is to feel the sun of righteousness arising with healing under\nhis wings.\n\n _Blest is faith that trusts his power,_\n _Blest are saints that wait his hour;_\n _Haste, great conqueror, bring it near;_\n _Let the glorious close appear._\n\nReverend Sir, I could write more; but must away. I beg my most cordial\nrespects may be accepted by your whole fire-side and all friends. I\nintend writing to dear Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ soon. In the mean while, I must\nhaste to subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged younger brother, and willing\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, August 10, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHIS morning, just after I had begun to put pen to paper, a friend told\nme, that since I had been in the country, a letter had been sent me\nby a lady out of _Scotland_. I opened it, and with a pleasing surprize\nfound it was from your Ladyship, to whom I was then writing. Blessed\nbe GOD, that your soul, honoured Madam, is yet held in life! I hope\nit does and will prosper; and however others may grow lukewarm and\nlose their first love, yet you will say, \u201cAs for me and my household,\nwe will serve the LORD.\u201d By four years fresh experience, I find that\nthis indeed, in every respect, is the whole of man. O how good has the\nblessed Redeemer been both to my soul and body! Out of how many and\ngreat deaths has he delivered me! And yet, honoured Madam, vile as I\nam, he is pleased still to honour me. Multitudes flock to hear the word,\nand our LORD is pleased to administer seed to the sower. Early in the\nSpring, GOD willing, do I purpose to visit dear _Scotland_ once more.\nThat the LORD of all Lords may abundantly bless your Ladyship, and all\nyour connections in this and a better world, is the earnest prayer of,\nhonoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, August 11, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR kind letter, which I received but yesterday, having been taking\na little tour in the country, both grieved and pleased me. Glad was I\nto find, that my dear old friend had not forgotten me, and yet sorry\nas it were, that I had not wrote to him first. I was just going to put\npen to paper, when yours was brought to my hands. I read it with joy,\nand now embrace the first opportunity of answering it with the greatest\npleasure. These words concerning our LORD have always been weighty\non my heart, \u201cHaving loved his own, he loved them unto the end.\u201d\nThey therefore that are most like him, will be most steady in their\nfriendship, and not very readily given to change. O my dear Sir, what\nhas the Redeemer done for us since we used to take such sweet counsel\ntogether at _Oxford_! Blessed be his name for giving you a heart still\nto preach among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of CHRIST. May\nyou go on and prosper, and, maugre all opposition, see Dagon fall every\nwhere before the ark. As for me, I am a poor worthless pilgrim, and\nthought long ere now to be with him, who has loved and given himself\nfor me.\u2015\u2015But it seems I am not yet to die, but live. O that it may\nbe to declare the work of the LORD! I think this is the thirteenth\nprovince I have been in within this twelvemonth, in each of which our\nLORD has been pleased to set his seal to my unworthy ministry. I came\nfrom _Bermudas_ last, where I left many souls seeking after JESUS of\n_Nazareth_. In _London_, _Bristol_, _Gloucester_, and _Wales_, the\nglorious _Emmanuel_, since my arrival, has appeared to his people. In\nabout a fortnight I purpose leaving town again in order to go a circuit\nof about five hundred miles. I need not desire you to pray for me; I\nneed not tell you how glad I shall be whenever opportunity offers, to\nsee you face to face. In the mean while, let us correspond by letter.\nMay JESUS bless it to us both! I return cordial respects to Lady\n_M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I pray the LORD to bless her and her little nursery. For the\npresent adieu. I am, my very dear Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, August 16, 1748._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nGLAD shall I be to have the pleasure of your dining with me on\n_Thursday_ between twelve and one. If you please, you may leave your\nchaise and horses at the other end of the town, and ride to my lodgings\nin an hackney coach. Or if you choose to come in your chaise, we have\ninns near at hand. I shall devote _Thursday_ afternoon to you; and if\nyou please to stay the evening and hear me preach, and then sup and\ntake a bed at our house afterwards, I shall be much obliged to you.\nYou need only enquire for the tabernacle new house near _Moorfields_.\nI hope matters will be so ordered, that you will be _solus cum solo_.\nI pity persons in your circumstances, and humbly hope that you will be\none of _Nicodemus_\u2019s children every way. You know, though he came by\nnight at first, yet afterwards he was as bold as a lion. Go on, dear\nSir: \u201cTo him that hath, shall be given.\u201d CHRIST will not quench the\nsmoaking flax, nor break the bruised reed. That his love may be shed\nabroad in your heart, that you may be enabled to confess him before men,\nand be confessed by him before his Father and the holy angels in heaven,\nis the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate friend, and willing servant for\n JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXIV.\n\n\n _To Lord \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London August 19, 1748._\n\n_My Lord_,\n\nTHOUGH I expect to be in _Scotland_ in about three weeks, yet I cannot\ndefer writing to your Lordship any longer. I hope this will find your\nworthy lady trampling upon the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh,\nand the pride of life, and steadily pursuing the one thing needful.\nI doubt not but you both have found, that the Redeemer\u2019s service has\nbeen perfect freedom, and that in keeping of his commandments there\nis even a present great reward. Blessed be GOD, I can say so by happy\nand repeated experience. The blessed JESUS is pleased still to own and\nbless my poor labours, and gives me encouragement to go on fighting his\nbattles. My outward man decays; but I trust I shall die in the field of\nbattle. I want to learn what it is to be a good soldier of JESUS CHRIST.\nI could enlarge, but multiplicity of business obliges me to be brief. I\nhope my most dutiful respects will find acceptance with good Lady \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015,\nLady \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, and all your Lordship\u2019s fire side.\u2015\u2015That you all may be\nfilled with the fulness of GOD, is the hearty prayer of, my Lord,\n\n Your Lordship\u2019s most obliged, obedient servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, August 20, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nI Thank you for your kind letter. It was put into my hands just as I\nwas leaving _Bristol_, and ever since, I have been so busy, that till\nnow I could not redeem a few moments to answer it. I am glad that you,\nand the dear brethren you mentioned, are so well and happy. They are my\nold hearty friends as well as you. I salute them tenderly, and long for\nthat time when we shall all surround the throne, and throw our crowns\nbefore the Lamb who sitteth thereon for ever. There we shall be all\nunisons: there we shall have clear heads, and perfectly clean and\npurified hearts. Till then we must agree, to disagree in many things,\nexcept to love and serve him, who loved us and gave himself for us, who\nhas redeemed us unto GOD by his blood, hath made us kings and priests\nunto GOD, and enables us to reign over sin, death, and hell, even\nwhilst we are here on earth. O glorious mystery! Well may the angels\ndesire to look into it. I could enlarge, but other affairs of our\nLORD\u2019s kingdom call me away. For the present, adieu. I return your\ncordial salutations in the heartiest manner. If our LORD should call\nme to _Wiltshire_, I would come and see you. At present I am bound to\n_Scotland_. I trust we can say, JESUS is with us here. That he may be\nevermore with you and all his sincere followers, is the earnest prayer\nof, my very dear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in him that was dead, but is alive\n again, and liveth for evermore,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXVI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _August 21, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Received your Ladyship\u2019s letter late last night, and write this\nto inform your Ladyship that I am quite willing to comply with your\ninvitation. As I am to preach, GOD willing, at _St. Bartholomew_\u2019s on\n_Wednesday_ evening, I will wait upon your Ladyship the next morning,\nand spend the whole day at _Chelsea_. Blessed be GOD, that the rich and\ngreat begin to have an hearing ear. I think it is a good sign that our\nLORD intends to give to some at least, an obedient heart. Surely your\nLadyship and Madam _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ are only the first fruits. May you increase\nand multiply! I believe you will. How wonderfully does our Redeemer\ndeal with souls. If they will hear the gospel only under a cieled roof,\nministers shall be sent to them there. If only in a church, or a field,\nthey shall have it there. A word in the lesson, when I was last at\nyour Ladyship\u2019s, struck me. \u201c_Paul_ preached privately to those that\nwere of reputation.\u201d This must be the way I presume of dealing with\nthe nobility, who yet know not the LORD. O that I may be enabled, when\ncalled to preach to any of them, so to preach as to win their souls to\nthe blessed JESUS! I know your Ladyship will pray that it may be so.\nAs for my poor prayers, such as they are, your Ladyship hath them every\nday. That the blessed JESUS may make your Ladyship happily instrumental\nin bringing many of the noble and mighty to the saving knowledge of his\neternal Self, and water your own soul every moment, is the continual\nrequest of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXVII.\n\n\n _To Judge B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, August 22, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nI Think it is now high time for me to send you a line of thanks, for\nthe favours you was pleased to confer on me when at the _Bermudas_.\nThey are not, and I trust never will be forgotten by me, whilst I am\non this side eternity. The same good hand that was with me abroad,\nhath safely brought, and since my arrival blessed me much at home. I\nam daily employed in that delightful work of preaching to poor sinners\nthe unsearchable riches of JESUS CHRIST. Once a week I read prayers and\npreach in one of the largest of the _London_ churches. Multitudes flock\nthere and in the fields, and I trust much good is done to many. I have\nbeen lately a three hundred mile circuit, and purpose, GOD willing,\nto set out for _Scotland_ in about eight days. At my return, I hope\nto hear by some ship or another that all is well at _Bermudas_. I beg\nmy most dutiful respects may find acceptance with his Excellency. I\nendeavoured to be as obliging as I could to his lady and little master,\nwhom I suppose the Governor will have heard from before this comes\nto hand. I have taken the freedom to send him a volume of my sermons.\nI intend writing to Colonel _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ another opportunity. I have sent\nto Colonel _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and some others already. Multiplicity of business\nprevents my writing to more at present. Be pleased however to present\nmy most cordial respects to him and his family, to your whole fire side,\nand all enquiring friends. I hope you will accept the same yourself,\nfrom, honoured Sir,\n\n Your most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXVIII.\n\n\n _To Captain J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, August 22, 1748._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nI Have already written to you and other friends since my arrival at\n_London_. With this, I send a box of books to be disposed of among my\ndear _Bermudas_ acquaintance. To some I have affixed their names, and\nlest I should have forgotten any (as undoubtedly I have, being so much\nhurried) I have sent half a dozen of my volumes of twenty three sermons,\nto be disposed of with the small tracts, as you shall think proper.\nI begin now to expect the _Diana_, or some other ship, to bring me an\naccount of the welfare of you and my other beloved friends. A sense of\nyour manifold kindnesses lies yet upon my heart, and I always endeavour\nto remember them before Him, who has promised that a cup of cold water\ngiven in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose its reward. Had\nI time equal to my will, I would write many letters, but a variety of\nbusiness prevents. Be pleased therefore to beg my friends to accept\ngeneral thanks and cordial salutations. In a few days I purpose setting\nout for _Scotland_, and hope to return to _America_ next year. But\nfuture things belong to GOD. A wide scene opens here, and I would\nwillingly be disposed of as seemeth best to my heavenly Father. To his\ntender and never-failing mercy, do I earnestly commend you and dear\nMrs. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, your little ones, all your relations, and the whole\ncircle of my friends. That you may be blessed with all the blessings of\nthe everlasting covenant, is the hearty desire and continual prayer of,\nvery dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend and humble\n servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, August 22, 1748._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nIF any thing I have said or written has been made any way serviceable\nto your better part, I thank the LORD of all Lords, whose mercy\nendureth for ever. I trust the language of my heart towards JESUS\nCHRIST, is this:\n\n _If thou excuse, then work thy will,_\n _By so unfit an instrument;_\n _It will at once thy goodness shew,_\n _And prove thy power omnipotent._\n\nI thank you, dear Sir, for your concern about my health. If it should\nplease GOD to bring me back from _Scotland_ to winter in town, I have\nthoughts of submitting to some regimen or another. At present I think\nit impracticable. On _Tuesday_, GOD willing, I purpose to set out,\nand to go by the way of _York_. I suppose it will be about a two\nmonths circuit. My journals, and last five sermons, I shall send to\nMr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, with the journal that I have corrected. Alas, dear Sir,\nso many things want altering, that what you propose for _Andrew_ to\ndo, would be for him a too laborious task. I heartily wish that you\nand doctor _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ would be pleased to revise them.\nI intend publishing a new edition soon. Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is of a different\nopinion from Dr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ concerning the seventh of the _Romans_.\n_Adhuc sub judice lis est._ I always do as you desire in respect to\nMr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s sermons. My prayer for him, for myself, and friends, is\nthis; \u201cLORD, give us clear heads and clean hearts.\u201d I would recommend\nbishop Beveridge\u2019s sermons more, but they are too voluminous for the\ncommon people, and I have not read them all. I expect you will do\nthis yourself, dear Sir, by and by, from the pulpit, and what is more,\nrecommend his and your master to the choice of poor sinners. You have\nnow by your excellent letter publickly confessed him. The eyes of all\nwill be now upon you, to see whether the truths you have delivered to\nothers, are transcribed into your own heart and copied in your life.\nNow indeed may you cry,\n\n _O for a strong, a lasting faith!_\n _To credit what the Almighty saith!_\n\nNow the language of your soul should be, \u201chow holy ought I to be in all\nmanner of conversation and godliness.\u201d Now, dear Sir, let me entreat\nyou to keep from trimming, or so much as attempting to reconcile two\nirreconcilable differences, GOD and the world, CHRIST and _Belial_. You\nknow me too well to suppose I want you to turn cynic. No, live a social\nlife. But then, dear Sir, beg of the LORD JESUS to free you from the\nlove of the world; thence, thence arises that fear of man which now so\nshackles and disturbs your soul. Dare, dear Sir, to be singularly good.\nIf CHRIST be your Saviour, make him a present of your pretty character.\nHonour him, and he will honour you. He indulges you much, and gently\nleads you on. Let the same love constrain you, dear Sir, to press\nforwards, and never rest till you can give up children, name, life, and\nall into his hands who gave his precious blood for you. I could enlarge,\nbut am called away. I make no apology for this; you say you are my\nfriend.\u2015\u2015Accept this, dear Sir, as a token of my believing you sincere\nin that profession, from\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXX.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, August 22, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nEVER since the reading your Ladyship\u2019s condescending letter, my\nsoul (as indeed through grace it was in a degree before) has been\noverpowered with his presence, who is All in All. When your Ladyship\nstiled me \u201cyour friend,\u201d I was amazed at your condescension. But when\nI thought that JESUS was my friend, it quite overcame me, and made me\nto lie prostrate before him, crying, Why me, why me? I just now rose\nfrom the ground, after praying the LORD of all Lords to water your\nsoul, honoured madam, every moment. As there seems to be a door opening\nfor the nobility to hear the gospel, I will defer my journey till\n_Thursday_, and, GOD willing, preach at your Ladyship\u2019s on _Tuesday_.\nIn the mean while I will wait upon or send to the Count the _Danish_\nembassador\u2019s brother, who favours me with his company on _Monday_ to\ndine. On _Monday_ morning from nine to near eleven I will be at your\nLadyship\u2019s, and wait to know your order concerning _Tuesday_. O that\nGOD may be with and make me humble! I am ashamed to think your Ladyship\nwill admit me under your roof, much more am I amazed that the LORD\nJESUS will make use of such a creature as I am. Under a sense of this,\nI write to your Ladyship now. It is late, and my poor body calls to\nrest. But as I am to preach four times to-morrow, I thought it my duty\nto send these few lines to your Ladyship to night. Quite astonished at\nyour Ladyship\u2019s condescension, and the unmerited superabounding grace\nand goodness of Him who has loved me and given himself for me, I\nsubscribe myself, honoured madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient, humble and\n willing servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Sept. 1, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nALTHOUGH it is time for me to be setting out, yet I dare not leave\ntown without dropping a few lines, gratefully to acknowledge the many\nfavours I have received from your Ladyship, especially the honour you\nhave done me in making me one of your Ladyship\u2019s chaplains. A sense\nof it humbles me, and makes me to pray more intensely for more grace,\nto walk more worthy of that GOD, who has called me to his kingdom and\nglory. As your Ladyship hath been pleased to confer on me the honour\nbefore mentioned, I shall think it my duty to send you weekly accounts\nof what the LORD JESUS is pleased to do for and by me. Glory be to\nhis great Name, the prospect is promising. My Lord _Bath_ received me\nyesterday morning very cordially, and would give me five guineas for\nthe orphans, though I refused taking any thing for the books. I send\nyour Ladyship (by the hands of faithful and honest _Betty W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_) a\nlittle box of my sermons, and the last account of GOD\u2019s dealing with\nme, and of the money expended for the Orphan-house, with my oath before\nthe magistrates of _Savannah_. The little book in marble paper is for\nMadam _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_: I have folded down where I would have her begin to read.\nWhat a lovely christian will she make, when grace hath once refined\nher heart? I hope GOD intends to honour your Ladyship in making you\ninstrumental of doing good to the nobility. His providence, his\npeculiar providence hath placed your Ladyship at _Chelsea_. I am\npersuaded your Ladyship will not quit that post, till he that hath\nplaced you there, plainly gives you a dismission. I have good news\nto-day from _Bristol_. Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ intends to be fettered no longer\nwith the fear of man. O that there may be always in him such a mind! Mr.\n_L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, he informs me too, is coming from under the cloud. He begs his\ndutiful respects may be presented to your Ladyship, and is much obliged\nto your Ladyship for being so much concerned for him. I hope he will\nfix by and by: But whither am I running? Pardon me, honoured madam, I\nfear I am too bold and too long. Upon the road, I propose writing your\nLadyship my thoughts of what scheme seems to be most practicable, in\norder to carry on the work of GOD, both here and in _America_. I dare\nadd no more but my hearty prayers for the temporal and eternal welfare\nof your Ladyship, and whole houshold, and subscribe myself, honoured\nmadam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Sept. 1, 1748._\n\n_Rev. and dear Sir_,\n\nMY not meeting you at _London_ has been a disappointment to me. But our\nLORD orders all things well. His time is and will be best. I suppose\nyou will hear of my preaching to some of the nobility, and I trust the\nhour is coming when some of the _Mighty_ and _Noble_ shall be called.\nWhat have you thought about an union? I am afraid an external one is\nimpracticable. I find by your sermons, that we differ in principles\nmore than I thought, and I believe we are upon two different plans.\nMy attachment to _America_ will not permit me to abide very long\nin _England_; consequently, I should but weave a _Penelope_\u2019s webb,\nif I formed societies; and if I should form them, I have not proper\nassistants to take care of them. I intend therefore to go about\npreaching the gospel to every creature. You, I suppose, are for\nsettling societies every where; but more of this when we meet. I can\nnow only say a few general things. I hope you don\u2019t forget to pray for\nme. You are always remembered by, Reverend and dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Sept. 1, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nYOUR kind letter I received with great satisfaction. I chearfully\nsit down to answer it before I set out for _Scotland_. I have been\na mile or two upon the road, but turned back because my chaise was\nnot registered. My hands have been full of work, and I have been\namong great company. A privy counsellor of the king of _Denmark_,\nand others, with one of the Prince of _Wales_\u2019s favourites, dined and\ndrank tea with me on _Monday_. On _Tuesday_ I preached twice at Lady\n_Huntingdon_\u2019s to several of the nobility. In the morning the Earl of\n_Chesterfield_ was present. In the evening Lord _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. All behaved\nquite well, and were in some degree affected. Lord _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ thanked me,\nand said, \u201cSir, I will not tell you what I shall tell others, how I\napprove of you,\u201d or words to this purpose. He conversed with me freely\nafterwards. Lord _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was much moved, and desired I would come and\nsee him the next morning. I did; and his Lordship behaved with great\ncandour and frankness. All accepted of my sermons, and seemed surprized\nbut pleased. Thus, my dear brother, the world turns round. \u201cIn all time\nof my wealth, good LORD deliver me!\u201d Glad am I, for his own sake, that\ndear Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ begins to resolve to play the man. Alas! a \u2666trimming\nconduct is uncomfortable to one\u2019s self, displeasing to CHRIST, and\nridiculous in the sight of the world. CHRIST is worth all, or he is\nworth nothing. May the LORD enable me to be simple, and honest, and\nopen in all my dealings, and to trust him with the consequences. I have\never yet found, that honesty is the best policy in the end. O that dear\nMr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ may at length show himself a man too! My dear, very dear\nbrother, may you lose no more time, but join in confessing a crucified\nSaviour. Glad am I to find that Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s conversation is blest to\nyou. I wish you had always a christian _fidus achates_ at your side.\nPardon me, dear brother, this freedom. My love is so great to you,\nand I have put up so many prayers for you, that I cannot rest till you\nimprove those excellent parts GOD has given you, for the glory of his\nchurch and the good of his people. I am glad you will send something\nto our mother. I need not tell you, that the wisest of men has bid us\n\u201cnot to despise one\u2019s mother, when she is old.\u201d I thank you for the\npictures; I have made free with some of them already. I shall not be\nsorry, if you do not go to _Gloucester_. Alas, so much money spent at\nmusic-meetings will make but a poor article at the day of judgment.\nBut where does my affection carry me? My dear brother, good night. GOD\nwilling, you shall hear from me soon again; if you do not answer me\nimmediately, I will impute it to any thing rather than want of love;\nthat, I am sure, is strong towards me, however unworthy of it. GOD has\nblessed me much in _London_. Congregations are very large. On _Sunday_\nI was enabled to preach four times: but this body\u2015\u2015Well! thanks be to\nGOD, it is soon to be put off. Once more good night. My love to all\nfriends. I am\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201ctriming\u201d replaced with \u201ctrimming\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Oulney, (Northamptonshire) Sept. 4, 1748._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nIT was a pleasing surprize to me last week, to receive a letter dated\nin _July_ from my dear, very dear friend Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ of _New-England_.\nI left town yesterday, but having an immediate opportunity of sending,\nby way of _Philadelphia_, I now sit down to write your answer. Poor\n_New-England_! I pity and pray for thee from my inmost soul. May GOD\narise, and scatter thy enemies! may those that hate thee be made to\nflee before thee! I am afraid the scene will be yet darker. But you\nknow it is always darkest before day-break. It has been so in _England_.\nMatters, as to religion, were come to almost an extremity. The enemy\nhad indeed broken in upon us like a flood. The spirit of the LORD is\nnow lifting up a standard. The prospect of the success of the gospel,\nI think, was never more promising. In the church, tabernacle, and\nfields, congregations have been great, and perhaps as great power as\never hath accompanied the word. A door is also opening for the mighty\nand noble. I have preached four times to several of the nobility at\ngood Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s. All behaved exceeding well, and I suppose in the\nwinter opportunities of preaching to them will be frequent. May the\nLORD prepare me for whatever he has prepared for me! As for returning\nto _America_, if I live, I believe there\u2019s no doubt of it. I intend\nkeeping myself free from societies, and therefore I hope to see you\nagain next year. But future things belong to GOD. I thank you and dear\nMr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ for your kind invitation. May the LORD direct to what is\nbest! I hope you will continue to write. Pray read, seal and send the\ninclosed. You will communicate so much of this letter as may be proper.\nO dear Sir, pray for me, that the glorious _Emmanuel_ may give me\nhumility, and lead me on from conquering to conquer. You must remember\nme to dear Mrs. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and all in the kindest manner, and entreat them\nto continue their prayers in behalf of, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours as usual,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Oulney, Sept. 4, 1748._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nTHOUGH I am on my journey to _Scotland_, yet I must stop a little by\nthe way to answer your kind letter dated in _July_ last. It brought\nstrange things to my ears, and it made me smile. You know, dear Sir,\nwhat has often passed between you and me, upon that point, loving\nhonour. Some persons being forced as it were to accept of government\nplaces, are like other persons saying _nolo episcopare_, when, it may\nbe, they have been making interest for a bishoprick many years. You\nknow how to make the application. However, GOD may over-rule this for\ngood, and if you could get the government of \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 (though in asking for\nit, you know not what you ask) it might be of service to _New-England_\nmany ways. But, dear Sir, what can I do in it? I have no interest at\ncourt, and supposing I had, you have directed me to no means, neither\nhath any person been with me concerning it. Be pleased therefore to\ninform me of particulars. Let Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ instruct me what steps are to\nbe taken, and if I can be of any service, you may command me. I thank\nyou, dear Sir, for your kind invitation, and if you are to be exalted,\nI pray the LORD of all Lords to fit and qualify you for, and support\nyou under it. You will not forget to give my most cordial salutations\nto all my dear _New-England_ friends. I pray for them, you, and yours,\nand am, very dear Sir, with repeated thanks for all favours,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXVI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Doncaster, Sept. 7, 1748._\n\n_Rev. and dear Sir_,\n\nOUR last short interview at _Stone-house_ pleased me. I hope it\nforeboded something good. I told you the truth when I said, \u201cI had not\nforgotten you.\u201d No, neither have I been suffered to think hardly of you\nfor your shyness to unworthy me; only I have thought you were loosing\ntime, and for fear of displeasing a few mortal men, had acted a part\ndispleasing to the invisible, immortal, and only wise GOD. Good Sir\n_John Philips_ used to call you _sincere_. I believe that is your\nright name. I cannot help thinking but you will prove it to be so\nere long. That love which JESUS shed abroad in your heart years ago,\nmust constrain you to confess him before man. The light which the LORD\nhath imparted to you, cannot, I am persuaded, be much longer hid under\na bushel. The shackles with which you have been fettered, must be\nshaken off, or I am much mistaken in the dear man to whom I am writing.\n\u2015\u2015Pardon me, my dear old friend. My heart at present overflows with\nlove towards you. Though weary and on a journey, I cannot help writing\nto you. Fear not temporal support. Though I went without scrip or shoe,\nI have lacked nothing; or if I had nothing; in JESUS I have possessed\nall things. I do not envy those who choose to sleep in a whole skin.\nLet me have scars, so that they are scars of honour, scars for JESUS\nCHRIST. I know who will approve of them, when he comes to judgment. O\nthat day! that awful day! GOD enable us so to act, that we may receive\nan _Euge bone_! Out of the fulness of my heart I write thus. I am now\non my way to _Scotland_. The LORD JESUS hath blessed me in _London_. As\nsoon as possible I intend calling upon you. If you have a mind to renew\nour old delightful christian correspondence, I am quite willing. I wish\nyou and yours the best of blessings, and am, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Morpeth, (Northumberland,) Sept. 10, 1748._\n\n_Dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nTILL now I have not had time to answer your kind letter, and now I am\ntoo weary to send you a long one. I thank you for your good wishes and\nprayers. May they enter into the ears of the LORD of Sabaoth! Hitherto,\nGOD has been pleased to bless me since my arrival. Let the LORD\u2019s\npeople continue to hold up their hands, and by his divine assistance\nI will go on fighting till I drop. I am now on my way to _Scotland_.\nI know you wish me good luck in the name of the LORD. When providence\nopens a door, I shall be glad to embrace.\u2015\u2015In the mean while, pray\nremember me to all in the kindest manner. As for your call to preach,\nI can say nothing, being a stranger to you. Only I would observe to you\nwhat the apostle says, \u201cNot a novice, &c.\u201d\u2015\u2015You know what follows. If\nyou chuse proper seasons, and keep within the bounds of humility and\nchristian prudence, I pray the LORD to be with and bless you. I can now\nadd no more, but subscribe myself\n\n Your affectionate friend and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Sept. 15, 1748._\n\n_Dear Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nERE this can reach _London_, you will find that I have forgot not my\npromise. No, I love thee too well to do so. Thanks be to GOD, that you\nbegin to awake out of your dream. It has been a dream, though a golden\npleasing one. If all was right, such darkness would never come and\nabide upon your soul. Come, play the man, and, if called to it, leave a\nworm for GOD. You are not the first that have been called to part with\nwhat was as dear as their own souls, or that have seen their beloved\nobject in the possession of another. Better see that, than enjoy\nthe object with guilt upon the mind. How did _Jacob_ smart, all his\nlife-time afterwards, for getting the blessing by a lie? The way of\nduty is the way of safety. I write this on supposition that your father\nwill be against your proceeding. You will let me know what he says: In\nthe mean while, as our LORD enables, I will pray for you. May the LORD\nJESUS give us a right judgment in all things! But enough of this. You\nsee the bishop\u2019s charge has turned out as I supposed. Who could imagine\notherwise? LORD, humble thy people for giving such wrong touches to\nthe ark! LORD, keep me from doing so any more! O for zeal according to\nknowledge! O for grace and wisdom to act aright! Yesterday GOD brought\nme safe here, and I have been received very kindly. This afternoon I am\nto preach. The effects of it you may know hereafter. For the present,\nadieu. I recommend you to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and\nto raise you when fallen; and subscribe myself,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXIX.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Sept. 16, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nON _Thursday_ noon, through the providence of a good and gracious GOD,\nI came hither, where I have met with an hearty welcome. Last night I\npreached to a _Moorfields_ congregation for numbers, and the LORD, I\nbelieve, was pleased to give it his blessing. I have had the pleasure\nof hearing, that a serjeant of a regiment, awakened when I was here\nlast, held on, and held out, and died rejoicing; and likewise of\nseveral others, who are gone before us to inherit the promises. May the\nLORD awaken fresh souls to supply their places. I trust he will. I was\nalso much delighted last night, to hear there were so many christian\nsoldiers among the king\u2019s forces that came from _Flanders_. A young\nchristian lady, under whose roof they were, told me, that some or other\nof them were continually praying to, and wrestling with GOD. If any of\nthem return to _England_, I doubt not but Col. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015y_ will find them\nout. I intend writing to him soon, and hope to send our good lady some\nglad tidings next week. In the mean while, pray present my most dutiful\nrespects to her Ladyship. I hope all is well in _London_. The bishop\u2019s\ndeath, I suppose, will prevent any further stir about _Bartholomew_.\nI shall be glad to hear how you go on. Pray, dear Sir, how are your\ncircumstances? You will not be offended if I inform you, that more than\none have informed me of your being in debt to several. I thought it\nmy duty to apprize you of it, because I know what a burden it is to be\nin debt; not indeed for myself, but for others. I make no apology for\nthis; you know it must proceed from love. I wish you the very best of\nblessings, and am, reverend and dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Sept. 19, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nSHALL I promise, and not perform? GOD forbid! Glad am I, yea very glad\nto open a fresh correspondence with a dear old friend, with whom I\nhave often taken such sweet counsel. O my dear man, how patient, how\nlong-suffering has the blessed JESUS been towards us! Ought not his\nlove to constrain us to obedience? Ought we not to confess him, who\nendured such contradiction of sinners against himself for us? For my\npart, when I think that the glorious _Emmanuel_ endured the pain, and\ndespised the shame of dying upon a cursed tree for me, I cannot help\nsaying,\n\n _For this let men revile my name,_\n _No cross I\u2019d shun, I\u2019d fear no shame;_\n _All hail reproach, and welcome pain,_\n _Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain_.\n\nGlory be to GOD, I have hitherto found that the cross of JESUS has\nbeen lined with love. This has made it easy; this even now makes it\nexceeding light. I fear prosperity more than affliction; and though\nthere is but little danger perhaps of my being exalted in this world,\nyet the language of my soul is, \u201cIn all time of my wealth, good LORD\ndeliver me.\u201d May the LORD keep you, my dear friend, by his mighty power\nthrough faith! He has entrusted you with many talents; may you occupy\nthem till he come! I hope he will bless your conversation to those who\nare yet but weak in the faith, and who cannot, through love of the\nworld, or fear of man, as yet bear much contempt. My service to Messrs.\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, when you see them. My prayer for you all is, that\nyou may be good soldiers of JESUS CHRIST. I am fighting for him here.\nVast multitudes come to hear; but what good is done, cannot yet be\ndetermined. Many of my dear friends are gone to glory, I purpose being\nin town about the time appointed. I know you will pray for me. Whether\nabsent or present, assure yourself you are never forgotten by, my very\ndear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXI.\n\n\n _To the Countess of H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Sept. 20, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Suppose, ere this can reach you, your Ladyship will have heard of\nmy being arrived at _Edinburgh_, and of another particular or two\nmentioned in Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s letter. This brings your Ladyship an account\nof very great multitudes flocking to hear the word; but with what\nsuccess it is attended, I cannot yet tell. Upon my first coming, I was\nsomewhat discouraged at hearing of the death of many of my valuable\nand leading friends, and of others losing their first love. Besides,\nthe weather was boisterous, some ministers shy, and GOD was pleased to\nvisit me with a great hoarseness. But the prospect is now more pleasant;\nand I trust, ere I leave _Scotland_, your Ladyship will have some good\nnews from a far country. Inclosed your Ladyship has an extract of a\nletter sent from _London_ to a pious gentlewoman here: I wish part of\nthe contents may not prove, like the bishop of _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s charge,\u2015\u2015mere\nimaginary. May GOD hasten the time, when more of the mighty and noble\nshall be called, and made to stoop to the Redeemer\u2019s sceptre! It is now\ngrowing late. That your Ladyship and family may be filled with all the\nfulness of GOD, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obedient, willing servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Sept. 21, 1748._\n\nAND could my very dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ think, that when he was out of\nsight he was out of mind? No, my dear friend, I believe it will never\nbe so with you and me. By this time, I hope Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s letter\nfrom _Bermudas_, or the letters sent you from thence by way of\n_Philadelphia_, will inform you, that I wrote several parting letters\nto you and many other friends, and sent you bills of exchange to the\namount of _eighty pounds_ sterling; but, with my letter, books, and\nseveral other things, I find they are taken. Of this Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ writes\nme lately. As there is now peace, and a commerce opened with _Spain_,\nI hope the new settlers will be disturbed no more. Courage, my dear\nman, courage. Surely we shall yet live to see the salvation of GOD\nin _Georgia_. I am glad Mr. _Fairweather_ hath been at _Bethesda_.\nWhatever has happened, do your best for me in respect to my family.\nNext year you may see me again. But more of this hereafter. The LORD\nis exceeding good to me. Great things are doing in _England_; and the\nLORD is blessing me more and more in _Scotland_. This morning, I hear\na gentlewoman has left me an hundred pounds. If so, fifty shall be paid\nfor you on the Orphan-house account, to Mr. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and as much more\nas I can spare, as soon as possible.\u2015\u2015I have paid Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ thirty\npounds sterling. But what does my wife tell me in her letter received\nthis day, about your losing some favourite creature? Is it your wife,\nor your little daughter? Well, my dear friend, you and I must be made\nperfect through sufferings; you and I must learn to walk by faith. May\nthe Father of Mercies comfort your heart, and abundantly supply the\nwant of every creature, by communications from his own eternal Self.\nO pray write to me. Let me bear part of your sorrows, and thereby shew\nmyself your friend. If my wife is embarked ere this arrives, I beg you\nwould open all parcels that are sent to your care, and act as usual for\nmy family. My tender love to all. You will not cease praying, dear Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, for\n\n Ever yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Sept. 23, 1748._\n\n_My dear Brother S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nHOW good is GOD! Well may you say, that he never fails those that put\ntheir trust in him. How does he make my extremity his opportunity to\nhelp and relieve me. If the news about the legacy be true, I hope it\nwill increase my faith, and make me more willing to be upon the stretch\nfor Him, who was stretched upon the accursed tree for me. I thank you\nfor sending my letters. My wife proposes to embark for _England_ in\n_October_. The climate will not agree with her. The physicians advise\nher to come over, and she entreats all friends to pray for her safe\npassage to _England_. Affairs here have now a comfortable aspect. I\nthink more people than ever come to hear, and their hearts begin to\nbe warm. Continue to write. My love to all. The not sending the late\npublished account of the Orphan-house, has been of disservice to me.\nWhen will the children of light be as wise in their generation as the\nchildren of the world? I can now no more, but am, my dear Sir,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXIV.\n\n\n _To Colonel G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ly._\n\n _Edinburgh, Sept. 23, 1748._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nEVER since I have been in _Edinburgh_, I have been attempting to write\nto you, but could not effect it till now. Though I am absent from,\nyet I am present with you. I hope this will find you fighting the good\nfight of faith, and in every respect behaving like a good soldier of\nJESUS CHRIST. The news of your conversion hath reached the ears of many\nof the great ones in _Scotland_. May the LORD JESUS keep you stedfast,\nunmoveable, always abounding in his work. The way you know. A constant\nlooking up to the author and finisher of our faith, and watching unto\nprayer with all perseverance, will keep the soul steady amidst all the\ntemptations of a malicious devil, and ensnaring world. O for grace and\nzeal to endure unto the end! _Finis coronat opus._ I could say much,\nbut company waits for me. Vast multitudes come to hear, and I trust\nmuch good is done. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has an extract of a letter from\na soldier, which will please you. Here are two devout soldiers in\n_Edinburgh_. May the LORD JESUS add more to his church of such converts\nas may be saved! You will not forget to pray for me. That you may\nincrease with all the increase of GOD, is the earnest prayer of, very\ndear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate friend, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015,_\n\nYOU are every day upon my heart. I must not, I cannot refrain writing\nto you any longer. How do you? Old love revives in my heart towards you,\nbecause, I trust, love to the blessed JESUS begins to revive in your\nheart. May the glorious _Emmanuel_ fan the divine spark, till it break\nout into a holy blaze! Do not lose one moment more, my dear Sir: let\nthis be the language of your soul continually,\n\n _Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_\n _For I will be no longer thine:_\n _A nobler a diviner guest_\n _Now takes possession of my breast._\n\nIt pleases me to think, how loud you and I shall sing of infinite,\nfree, and unchangeable love in heaven; for because GOD changeth not,\ntherefore you and I have not been consumed. O pleasant, transporting\nthought! What a saviour is JESUS of _Nazareth_! How precious was his\nblood! How profusely, as it were, was it shed for sinners! That you\nand yours may every moment feel its pardoning, renovating, cleansing,\nand purifying power, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748._\n\n_My very Dear Sir_,\n\nI Have been in pain because your kind letter has lain by me so long\nunanswered.\u2015\u2015Nothing but a variety of other necessary business has been\nthe cause. My hands are full, and I trust the pleasure of the LORD will\nprosper in them. Very great multitudes have flocked to hear; and in\n_Glasgow_ the prospect of doing good is rather more promising than in\n_Edinburgh_. In a fortnight I purpose, GOD willing, to leave _Scotland_,\nand to preach at _Oundle_ in my way to _London_. Glad shall I be to\nsee two such friends as you and Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, though incog. I will\nendeavour to send you timely notice. I would have neither of you expose\nyourselves to needless contempt upon my account. I think I can say,\nthat I am willing to be forgotten even by my friends, if JESUS CHRIST\nmay thereby be exalted. But then, I would not have my friends act an\ninconsistent part towards that friend of all, that friend of sinners,\nthe glorious _Emmanuel_. You know, my dear Sir, what an inspired\napostle hath asserted: \u201cA double-minded man is unstable in all his\nways.\u201d Whilst you are afraid of men, you will expose yourself to a\nthousand inconveniences. Your polite company, (unless you converse with\nthem more as their physician, than as their companion) will prevail on\nyou to such compliances, as will make you smart when you retire into\nyour closet, and reflect on the part you have acted. Before I shook off\nthe world, often have I come out of company, shorn of all my strength,\nlike poor _Sampson_ when he had lost his locks! But this is a tender\npoint. Go on, dear Sir, and prove the strength of JESUS to be yours.\nContinue instant in prayer, and you shall see and feel infinitely\ngreater things than you have seen or felt yet. I am of your opinion,\nthat there is seed sown in _England_, which will in time grow up into\na great tree. GOD\u2019s giving some of the mighty and noble a hearing ear,\nforebodes future good. I do not despair, if I live, of seeing you a\nproclaimer of the unsearchable riches of JESUS CHRIST. GOD be praised,\nthat Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is so bold an advocate for his blessed LORD. I send\nhim my most affectionate respects, and entreat him to remember me in\nhis prayers. I wrote to Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ lately. I herewith send you an\nextract of a letter I wrote on ship-board to my dear invaluable friend\nMr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, of _South-Carolina_. If it was judged proper, I would put\nit in the preface of a new edition of my Journals. I would not have\nany of my mistakes remain uncensured, uncorrected. I thank you for your\nhint about my way of preaching. I shall take care to observe it. And\nnow, dear Sir, for the present, adieu. I am afraid I have tired you. I\nshall be fond of seeing you at _London_. Rejoicing in the prospect of\nseeing you in the kingdom of heaven, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER [\u2666DCLXXXVI.]\n\n\n _To Mr. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nWHEN I was the other day at _Edinburgh_, your aged father communicated\na letter to me, which gave an account of your being translated from\nthe kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of GOD\u2019s dear Son. As the\nnews rejoiced the hearts of angels in heaven, no wonder that it gives\nsatisfaction to those who desire to follow the blessed JESUS here on\nearth. Hoping that I am one of those, and being willing to promote his\nglorious gospel in every part of the world, I write you this letter at\na venture, to wish you joy of your happy change, and to exhort you with\nfull purpose of heart to cleave unto the LORD. The more you know of\nWisdom\u2019s ways, the more you will find them to be ways of pleasantness.\nThe more you know of the blessed JESUS, the more you will find that\nhis yoke is easy, and his burden exceeding light. Go on then, dear Sir:\nbe strong in the grace that is in CHRIST JESUS, and learn to endure\nhardness like a good soldier. Who knows what the LORD may do by you\nin the dark parts where you are? Much good has been done among the\nsoldiers in _Flanders_. What GOD has done for your soul, I trust is\nonly an earnest of what he intends to do for others in _St. Helena_. I\nsalute your companion very heartily. I wish you both much prosperity in\nthe LORD. You shall have the prayers of as many as I can engage for you.\nRemember our LORD\u2019s promise. Where there are only two or three gathered\ntogether in his name, there is he in the midst of them. Though you have\nnot public ordinances, yet if the GOD of ordinances be with you, there\nwill be no room for complaint. If I can any way be instrumental of\npromoting the blessed work begun among you, you may readily command,\ndear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate friend and willing servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 Number \u201cDCLXXXVI.\u201d was also used for the previous letter.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nALTHOUGH I fear it may be taking too much freedom, yet as I humbly hope\nthat the love of GOD is shed abroad in your heart, I trust you will\nnot be offended at my sending you these few lines. They are lines of\njoy; for who can help rejoicing that hears what the blessed JESUS hath\ndone for your soul? O Madam, how much are you indebted to that grace\nwhich hath made such difference between you and others. To see any one\nconverted is a miracle. But to see a rich person, one of the mighty,\none of the noble converted, is yet a greater. May the LORD JESUS add\nmore of your rank to his church, such as shall be saved! Never fear,\nMadam; all things are possible to the glorious _Emmanuel_. Let him but\nspeak the word, and great shall be the numbers of new creatures. I hope\nthis will find you in good health, and upon the full stretch for him\nwho was stretched and bled upon the cross for you. Great multitudes in\n_Scotland_ flock to hear. Some of my spiritual children, I hear, are\ngone to heaven, and others come to me, telling what GOD did for their\nsouls when I was here last. I desire to cast my crown before the Lamb;\nI desire always to be crying out, \u201cWhy me, LORD, why me?\u201d In about a\nfortnight I purpose setting out for _London_. I lead a moving life. In\nheaven I shall have rest enough. Blessed be GOD for giving us to enter\ninto a little of that rest even here! That you may daily increase in\nfaith, and consequently enjoy more and more of this rest, is the hearty\nprayer of, dear Madam,\n\n Your most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To some devout Soldiers._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 29, 1748._\n\n_My dear Brethren_,\n\nIT gave me no small satisfaction, when I was lately at _Edinburgh_,\nto hear that several of you were enabled to behave like good soldiers\nof JESUS CHRIST. I rejoice greatly that you are made partakers of his\ngrace, and I earnestly intreat the LORD of all Lords that you may grow\nand increase in it day by day. This is the christian\u2019s duty. He must\nforget the things that are behind; he must press forward towards the\nthings which are before; he must not stop, till he arrives at the\nmark of the prize of his high calling. I trust, my dear brethren, you\nare all thus minded; and that whatever befals you, you will, through\ndivine assistance, hold on and hold out to the end. If I can be any\nway serviceable to you, be not backward to send to me. I hear of others\nof your profession, that have lately enlisted under the banner of the\never-blessed Redeemer. Happy they! happy you! You have a good captain,\na good cause, good armour, and an exceeding great reward. That you\nmay at all times quit yourselves like men, and be strong; that you may\nfight the good fight of faith, and at length lay hold on life eternal\nis the hearty prayer of, my dear Brethren,\n\n Your affectionate friend, and willing servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCLXXXIX.\n\n\n _To the Countess of H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Sept. 29, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nAM I not too troublesome in writing to your Ladyship so frequently?\nI fear I am; and yet I am afraid to break your Ladyship\u2019s command,\n\u201cWrite weekly.\u201d Blessed be GOD, I can yet send your Ladyship word\nthat the glorious _Emmanuel_ is with me, and countenances my poor\nadministrations. I have met with some unexpected rubs, but not one more\nthen was absolutely necessary to humble my proud heart. \u201cO my blessed\nRedeemer, when shall I learn of thee to be meek and lowly! Thou alone,\nO Lamb of GOD, canst teach me. Sanctify all thy dispensations to this\nend, and give me always to lie at thy feet.\u201d There, honoured Madam, I\nam safe: There I believe this letter will find your Ladyship.\u2015\u2015May you\nevery moment hear the Redeemer\u2019s voice, and be built up continually in\nyour most holy faith. In about a fortnight I purpose leaving _Scotland_.\nSeveral things concur to make me believe that it was right for me to\ncome here. Particulars your Ladyship may expect at my return to town.\nIn the mean while, I recommend your Ladyship, and your dear offspring,\nwith your whole houshold, to the care of the Father of mercies and the\nGOD of all consolation, and am, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXC.\n\n\n _To Dr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748._\n\n_My dear Doctor_,\n\nYESTERDAY with great satisfaction I received your kind letter. Being in\n_Scotland_, I cannot as yet have the pleasure of seeing Captain _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_;\nbut, GOD willing, I shall enquire him out at my return to _London_.\nThe GOD of the seas and the GOD of the dry land has brought me safe to\nmy native country; since which I have written to you and many others,\nand left two boxes of books for my dear _Bermudas_ friends, to be\nsent the first opportunity. Although GOD is pleased to smile upon my\npoor administrations, and very great multitudes flock to hear both\nin _England_ and _Scotland_, yet I have thoughts of seeing _Bermudas_\nagain next year. But I dare not determine. Future things belong to GOD.\nGlory be to his great name for sending me to _Bermudas_ at all! Glory\nbe to his great name, that you, my dear Sir, are striving to enter\nat the streight gate of a sound conversion. I hope you will never\ncease striving, till you know that your Redeemer liveth.\u2015\u2015Neither the\ngreatness nor number of your sins can keep you from this unspeakable\nprivilege, if you believe on the LORD JESUS. He is the way, the truth\nand the life. Come to the Father in and through him, and you, even you\nshall be made more than conqueror. Ere this can reach you, I hope you\nwill have received redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness\nof your sins. When you experience this, O how will you rejoice with joy\nunspeakable, even with joy that is full of glory! You will then have\nan heaven upon earth. Sin shall not have dominion over you. It shall\nnot reign in your mortal body. My dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, whilst I am musing\non, and writing about this blessed change, this present salvation, the\nfire kindles. I love you with a peculiar love. I travail in birth till\nJESUS CHRIST be formed in your dear heart. O do not backslide. Study to\nimprove the light and grace already received. \u201cTo him that hath shall\nbe given,\u201d and he shall have abundance. But I forget myself. Busy as I\nam, I must, you see, write a long letter. Pray return my hearty love to\nyour dear wife, Mrs. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s mother in law, &c. &c. May grace, mercy\nand peace be multiplied upon you all! I hope you will omit no\nopportunity of writing to, my very dear Friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCI.\n\n\n _To Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748._\n\n_Dear Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Am not disappointed of my hope. I thought the LORD JESUS had begun\na good work in your soul before I left the _Bermudas_. Your welcome\nletter confirmed me in this opinion. I received it with joy. Though\nI wrote to you not long ago, yet I must answer yours immediately.\nAnd what shall I say? May I not welcome you into the world of new\ncreatures? May I not hope that there has been joy in heaven over you,\neven you, my dear Man, repenting and turning unto GOD, even a GOD\nin CHRIST? Surely I may. And what then does the LORD now require of\nyou, now he hath shewn you that good thing, the pardon of your sins,\nthrough a once crucified but now exalted Redeemer? Will you not, out\nof a principle of gratitude, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly\nwith your GOD? Methinks I hear you say, \u201cI will, I will through the\nLORD JESUS CHRIST strengthening me.\u201d\u2015\u2015And he will strengthen you.\u2015\u2015He\nhas promised, that as our day is so shall our strength be.\u2015\u2015Despised\nyou must be, and your name shall be cast out as evil; but the glorious\nRedeemer will enable you to go without the camp, and cause you to\nrejoice when loaded with his sacred reproach. \u201cIncrease and multiply,\u201d\nmust now be your motto. Strive as much as in you lies, by your life\nand conversation, to win others to the blessed GOD. The eyes of men\nand angels will now be upon you. May the LORD enable you to walk\ncircumspectly to those that are without. I hope your wife and all your\nrelations will join in going to heaven with you. I return them my most\nhearty love, and pray that they may be filled with all the fulness\nof GOD. You will join in praying me over to the _Bermudas_ again.\nI suppose Dr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will shew you his letter. Remember me in the\nkindest manner to all, and accept this as a token of love unfeigned,\nfrom, dear Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCII.\n\n\n _To Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nWHO is like unto GOD, who makes his creatures extremity, the\nopportunity to help them? Your kind letter hath confirmed the news of\nthe death of Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and of her leaving me a legacy of a hundred\npounds. Well! though she is gone, yet I shall meet her at the great\nday, when the LORD JESUS shall remember this and all her other works of\nfaith, and labours which have proceeded from love. I am glad she has\nleft such an executor; I doubt not of your taking care of my interest.\nYour love is founded upon the rock of ages, and so is mine; for indeed\nI love you and yours in the bowels of the dear Redeemer. I know you\nwill be glad to hear of my prosperity in this work. Indeed GOD makes\nway for his own gospel. Many come to me, telling me what the LORD did\nby me the last time I was in _Scotland_, and also the time before.\nCongregations are very large. I am pressed to stay three or four\ndays more than I intended. Some that were prejudiced, have had their\nprejudices removed, and I believe will be greater friends than ever.\nO that I was humble and thankful! I have good news from _Bermudas_. I\nreturn you and yours love and thanks. I desire to be remembered to dear\nMrs. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 and every inquiring friend. As I need them so much, I hope\nnone will cease putting up earnest prayers in behalf of, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Oct. 3, 1748._\n\n_My dear Sir_,\n\nI Thank you for your kind letter. I am so ill with a hoarseness and\ncold, and in straining to reach large congregations, that I must send\nyou but a short answer. The depending upon CHRIST\u2019s immediate teachings,\nwithout making use of books and proper means of instruction, you may\nassure yourself is a _terrible temptation_. It is the very quintessence\nof enthusiasm, and will lay you open to a thousand delusions. \u201cGive\nthyself to reading,\u201d says _Paul_ to _Timothy_. If thou cannot think of\nbeing a _Latin_, strive to be an _English_ scholar. At my return I will\nendeavour to assist you. At present I am quite ill; but I am afraid\nI shall not be able to leave _Scotland_ in less than a fortnight. You\nmust remember me to all. The LORD JESUS has appeared for me.\nParticulars expect to hear another time.\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Oct. 5, 1748._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nI Received yours this morning; though I am engaged this evening, yet\nI think it my duty to send you an immediate answer. You might well\ninform, and almost assure, _my Lord of Exeter_, that I knew nothing of\nthe printing of his Lordship\u2019s pretended charge, or of the pamphlets\noccasioned by it. When the former was sent to me in manuscript from\n_London_ to _Bristol_, as his Lordship\u2019s production, I immediately said,\nit could not be his. When I found it printed, I spoke to the officious\nprinter who did it out of his own head, and blamed him very much. When\nI saw the pamphlet, I was still more offended; repeatedly in several\ncompanies I urged the injustice as well as imprudence thereof, and said\nit would produce what it did, I mean a declaration from his Lordship,\nthat he was no Methodist. I am sorry his Lordship had such an occasion\ngiven him to declare his aversion to what is called Methodism; and\nthough I think his Lordship in his declaration hath been somewhat\nsevere concerning some of the Methodist leaders; yet I cannot blame\nhis Lordship for saying, \u201cthat he thought some of them were worse than\nignorant and misguided,\u201d supposing that his Lordship had sufficient\nproof, that they either caused to be printed, or wrote again when\nprinted, a charge which his Lordship had never owned nor published.\nIf you think proper, dear Sir, you may let his Lordship see the\ncontents of this. I will only add, that I wish a way could be found out,\nwhereby his Lordship and other of the Right Reverend the Bishops, might\nconverse with some of us. Many mistakes might thereby be rectified,\nand perhaps his Lordship\u2019s sentiments in some degree altered. If this\ncannot be effected (I speak only for myself,) I am content to wait till\nwe all appear before the great shepherd and bishop of souls. In the\nmean while, I heartily pray, that their Lordships may be blessed with\nall spiritual blessings, and wishing you the like mercies, I subscribe\nmyself, very dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate, obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Cambuslang, Oct. 9, 1748._\n\n_My dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nHAVE you not suspected, that I have forgotten you? but indeed I have\nnot. As a testimony of it, though late, accept a line of love, even\nlove unfeigned. I hope you are well, and that affairs go on at the\nTabernacle as well as can be expected. I trust the shout of a king is\namongst you. Blessed be GOD, he has caused his gospel to triumph in\n_Scotland_. I have been humbled and exalted; humbled first, in order to\nbe exalted afterwards. Thus it is.\u2015\u2015The LORD wounds and then heals. At\npresent I am in the place where the great awakening was about six years\nago. The fruits of it yet remain. To morrow, GOD willing, I take my\nleave at _Glasgow_. I believe we shall have a sorrowful parting. As I\nexpect to stop in _Yorkshire_, I suppose I cannot reach _London_ till\nthe latter end of this month, if so soon. O for a warm winter! You must\nremember me to all. I cannot now descend to particulars. I can only\npray, that you and yours may be filled with all the fulness of GOD, and\nsubscribe myself,\n\n Yours most affectionately in the glorious JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748._\n\n_My dear Sir_,\n\nLAST night, after wondering at your being silent so long, I received\nyour wished-for letter. The reading it brought tears from my eyes. I\nfelt for you, and for your father, and for all parties concerned. How\nlovingly does the LORD deal with you? Is not the way of duty the way\nof safety? Should you not both agree to let matters lie as they are,\nand not go one step farther till you know your father\u2019s mind? You have\ngiven him your word; you must not go back. My affair came to as near\na crisis, and yet I was called to sacrifice my _Rachael_. It may not\nbe so with you. But prepare for the worst. Assure yourself, that your\npresent passion, at least as to the excess of it, is sinful. If all is\nright, why such uneasiness for such a small space of time? Why such a\nlong eclipse in the soul? Alas! _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s has been almost total. I hope\nyou are now coming out of it. Thanks be to that JESUS, who has promised\n\u201cthat we shall not be tempted above what we are able to bear,\u201d but will\nwith the temptation make a way to escape. You see, my dear man, my love\nby my sympathy and plainness. Pray remember me to your aged father in\nthe kindest manner. Dear old man! he is worthy of your greatest regard.\nHis account of the legacy is true.\u2015\u2015Yes, my dear friend, the LORD\nJESUS does reign indeed, and therefore I shall be delivered out of all\nmy troubles. You will give thanks in my behalf. He has appeared for\nme here. Congregations have been very large, and several things have\nconcurred to prove that providence did indeed call me to _Scotland_.\nI would not but have come for the world. Last night I came hither\nfrom _Glasgow_, and thought to leave this place as next _Tuesday_, but\nperhaps it may be the _Tuesday_ following. I fear I cannot write to any\nmore this post. But whether I write or not, whether absent or present,\nyou must always remember me, as\n\n Your assured friend, and willing servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nTHOUGH I have not written to you, yet not one day hath passed since my\nbeing this time in _Scotland_, without my thinking of you. The love and\nrespect I owe you, as an aged minister of JESUS CHRIST, will not suffer\nme to be silent any longer. How do you, reverend Sir? I doubt not but\nyou find that promise true, \u201cThe righteous shall bring forth much fruit\nin old age.\u201d This leaves me, though faint, yet pursuing, and resolved,\nin the blessed JESUS, to spend and be spent in the blessed cause\nwherein I have embarked. Indeed, when I consider my blunders, mistakes,\nand imprudencies, I wonder the glorious _Emmanuel_ does not lay me\naside; but his grace is like himself, _infinite_ and _eternal_. I hope\nhe has given me a sight of, and humbled me for some of my mistakes;\nand I trust as I grow in years, if I am to live longer, I shall grow in\nknowledge and every christian virtue. Reverend and dear Sir, be pleased\nto pray for me. I do not forget you, though perhaps you may judge\notherwise. O for heaven! There christian ministers shall see eye to\neye.\u2015\u2015But I must not weary you. In a few days I suppose you will hear\nwhat has happened in the _West_. Dear Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ perhaps may acquaint\nyou with particulars. With this, I send you a few of my last accounts\nof the Orphan-house. You may dispose of them as you think proper.\nWhen you see Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ or _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, or any of the ministers that\nwere friendly to me, be pleased to remember me to them in the most\nrespectful manner. I hope Mrs. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and your whole houshold enjoy\nmuch of Him whose presence is better than life. I earnestly entreat\nthe LORD to fill you with all his fulness, and beg leave to subscribe\nmyself, reverend and dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother\n and servant in JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCVIII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nBY the providence of a good and gracious GOD, I came hither last night,\nafter having preached at _Falkirk_ in the morning. Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ behaved\nvery kindly. Mr. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s letter. I am to see him at\nfive this evening. On _Tuesday_ next, GOD willing, I intend preaching\nfor Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and to leave _Scotland_ the _Tuesday_ following. In\nthe mean while you may write what you please. But whither am I going?\nLet GOD direct. Let my name be forgotten, let me be trodden under the\nfeet of all men, if JESUS may thereby be glorified. I wish you or Mr.\n_M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ would write a line to Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; I would not have any good,\nthough mistaken man, uneasy upon my account. Well! In heaven all will\nbe over. When I meet you there, I will thank you for all the pains you\nhave taken with, reverend and dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXCIX.\n\n\n _To the Countess of H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Edinburgh, Oct. 15, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH it is late and nature calls for rest, yet I cannot with\nsatisfaction close my eyes unless I write once more to your Ladyship:\nand what shall I say? I am the chief of sinners, and the LORD JESUS\nmagnifies his grace in being long suffering and infinitely bountiful\nunto me. At _Glasgow_ he has magnified his strength in my weakness,\nand out of the eater hath brought forth meat. Next week I purpose, GOD\nwilling, to send your Ladyship the substance of a long debate about\npoor unworthy me, in the synod of _Glasgow_. Since that, I find the\npresbytery of _Perth_ (I mean the new-fashioned part of it) has made an\nact against employing me. Ill-nature shews itself here, but I feel the\nbenefit of it. Congregations are large, and I am enabled to preach with\ngreater power, and feel unspeakable great comfort in my own soul. My\nhoarseness is quite gone off, my bodily health much repaired, and if my\nenemies shew themselves, I am persuaded the blessed JESUS will bless me\nto his people more and more.\u2015\u2015Some give out, that I am employed by the\ngovernment to preach against the _Pretender_; and the _Seceders_ are\nvery angry with me for not preaching up the _Scotch Covenant_. Blessed\nbe GOD, I preached up the covenant of grace, and I trust many souls\nare taught to profit. The inclosed, dear Madam, will shew your Ladyship\na little how I have been dealt with. Particulars your Ladyship shall\nhave when the LORD is pleased to bring me to _London_. Next _Tuesday_\nsevennight I am to leave _Scotland_. Lady _Mary H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Lord _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nand Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ beg their compliments may be presented to your\nLadyship. Many in _Scotland_ pray most earnestly for you, and Mr.\n_R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ intends writing your Ladyship a letter. I pray for you,\nhonoured Madam, continually. I am quite happy in Him who died upon the\ncross to save me. I believe he will deliver me out of all; and if I die\nfor him, so that I am not suffered to deny him, it will exceedingly\nplease, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCC.\n\n\n _To the Same._\n\n _Topcliff, Nov. 1, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHUS far has a gracious and good GOD brought me in my way to _London_,\nwhich I hope to reach some time next week. Your Ladyship may expect to\nsee me the next day I come to town. Thanks be to the LORD of all Lords\nfor directing my way to _Scotland_. I have reason to believe some have\nbeen awakened, and many, many quickened and comforted. My old friends\nare more solidly so than ever, and a foundation I trust has been laid\nfor doing much good, if ever the LORD should call me thither again.\nTwo synods and one presbytery brought me upon the carpet; but all has\nworked for good. The more I was blackened, the more the Redeemer\ncomforted me. I desire to cry, Grace! grace!\n\n _The love of CHRIST doth me constrain,_\n _To seek the wandering souls of men;_\n _With cries, entreaties, tears, to save,_\n _And snatch them from the gaping grave._\n\n _For this let men revile my name,_\n _No cross I\u2019d shun, I\u2019d fear no shame;_\n _All hail reproach, and welcome pain,_\n _Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain_.\n\nAt present I add no more, but my most dutiful respects to your Ladyship,\nand with hearty prayers for your temporal and eternal welfare, I beg\nleave to subscribe myself,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCI.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Topcliff, Nov. 1, 1748._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nHERE, with thankfulness of heart, will I set up my _Ebenezer_; for\nhitherto assuredly hath the LORD helped me. We reached _Fetton_ on\n_Saturday_ night. There being no public worship on the Lord\u2019s-day, I\ncame on to _Morpeth_ to worship there; got to _Ferry-hill_ on _Monday_\nevening, and to-night am writing at _Topcliff_. Though I do not preach,\nyet I hope I am preparing for it. Reading, prayer, and meditation are\nthree necessary ingredients. Riding, and getting proper rest, have\nrecruited me; but I am apt to believe I have strained myself inwardly.\nI feel sensible pain in my breath.\u2015\u2015But no matter; it is for a good\nmaster, who bore inexpressible pain for me.\n\n _O LORD, enlarge my scanty thought,_\n _To see the wonders thou hast wrought;_\n _Unloose my stammering tongue to tell,_\n _Thy love immense, unsearchable_.\n\nI could write much, but my body calls for rest. My very dear Sir,\ngood night. May the LORD of all lords reward you, and my other dear\nhonoured friends, a thousand-fold. I intend writing to more very soon.\nIn the mean while, pray present my sincerest respect and thanks to all.\nInclosed you have Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s letter and my answer. Be pleased to\nshew what Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 writes, and let them tell you how\nthe affair between them was. I know you will act as a peace-maker. That\nthe GOD of peace and love may dwell and rule in your dear heart, is the\nearnest prayer of, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCII.\n\n\n _To the Honourable Lady D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Wantsworth (Northamptonshire), Nov. 5, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I am now eighty miles from _London_, yet gratitude, and the\nunfeigned respect I bear to you and yours, will not suffer me to go\nany further, without sending your Ladyship my repeated acknowledgments\nfor your very many and repeated favours. Your kindnesses, when last at\n_Edinburgh_, were indeed surprizing. They have often humbled me, and\nas often led me to the throne of grace in behalf of your Ladyship and\nhonoured family. May the promise made to those who are not ashamed of\nCHRIST, his gospel, and ministers, descend upon you all! O that you may\nhave grace given you to shine as lights in the world, and to dare to be\nsingularly good, since it is too apparent that we live in a wicked and\nadulterous generation. Honoured Madam, let us look up: as our day is,\nso shall our strength be. All things are possible to those that believe.\nMay the LORD JESUS evermore give your Ladyship and children a large\nshare of precious, purifying, operative faith! This is the earnest\ndesire of my soul. Upon this I could enlarge, but travelling wearies\nme. Thanks be to GOD, I have that place in view, where the weary are\nat rest. In a post or two I purpose writing to my Lord _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, his\nhonoured lady, &c. I never forget any of them. They have my constant\nprayers and most cordial respects. Be pleased to accept the same,\nhonoured Madam, from\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCIII.\n\n\n _To Lady \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 10, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Wrote a line to dear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, when about the middle of my journey.\nI must write a line to you, now the LORD of all lords hath brought me\nto the end of it. I trust I can say, JESUS was with me on the way. My\nhealth was sensibly improved; but, by sitting up late to preach, I am\ngrown little sick again. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is come to town, and I am\nto preach at her Ladyship\u2019s house twice a week to the Great and Noble.\nO that some of them may effectually be called, and taste of the riches\nof redeeming love! I need not inform your Ladyship, that this, and\nthis alone, can give true rest and peace to any soul. You have felt the\nbeginnings of it. May you experience an increase of it more and more.\nI desire my most tender and affectionate respects may find acceptance\nwith dear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and with all who are pleased to honour me with\ntheir acquaintance. That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon\nyou, is the continual prayer of, honoured madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCIV.\n\n\n _To Lord R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 10, 1748._\n\n_My Lord_,\n\nI Believe I am not mistaken, in thinking that your Lordship will not\nbe offended with me for sending you a short letter. It is the effect\nof that unfeigned love I bear to your honoured father, yourself, and\nthat dear and honourable family with which your Lordship is now so\nclosely allied. And what shall I say? Can I wish your Lordship any\nthing greater, than that you may be a good soldier of JESUS CHRIST. It\nis a blessed thing to be engaged in fighting his battles; and not only\nto be almost, but altogether a christian. It is this half-way religion\nthat undoes the professing world. The heart can never be at unity with\nitself, till it is wholly centered in GOD. This can only be done by\nfaith in JESUS CHRIST; and when once a soul begins to taste of this\nfaith, then that soul\u2019s heaven begins on earth. I trust I can say this\nby happy experience. I wish your Lordship a very large share of it; and\nwith hearty acknowledgments for all favours, beg leave, to subscribe\nmyself, my Lord,\n\n Your Lordship\u2019s most obedient, obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCV.\n\n\n _To Lady Mary H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 10, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH absent from, yet I am not unmindful of you. The regard your\nLadyship has been pleased to shew to a poor unworthy worm, calls for\nand claims my sincerest and most repeated acknowledgments. This letter\nbrings them, and shall be followed, honoured Madam, as the LORD enables,\nwith fervent prayers for your temporal and eternal welfare. O that\nyou may be enabled to make a stand this winter for the LORD JESUS, and\nnot in the least countenance any of those diversions that have already\nbrought religion so low in poor _Scotland_! I need not inform your\nLadyship, what a blessed thing it is to be singularly good, and to be\nconsistent in our whole walk and conversation. To be uniform, and all\nof a piece, is the very life of a christian. It is this, and not a\ncompliance with the polite world in any of their fooleries, that will\ngain proselytes to JESUS CHRIST. I could enlarge on this head, but I\nam persuaded it is needless for your Ladyship. The glorious JESUS hath\nlet you see too much of his love, for you ever to be taken up with\nany thing short of his own eternal life! That he may knit your heart\nyet closer to himself, he is pleased to visit you with crosses. They\nare the christian\u2019s portion, honoured madam: They are the believer\u2019s\nbirthright. \u201cIn the world you shall have tribulation;\u201d but what\nfollows? \u201cBe not afraid, I have overcome the world.\u201d Look, therefore,\nto Him, honoured madam, who, as he hath been the author, will also be\nthe finisher of your faith. That you may increase with all the increase\nof GOD, is the earnest prayer of, honoured madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCVI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 10, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nOUR bountiful and good GOD brought me here in safety the beginning\nof this week. I have already waited upon, and preached at good Lady\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s. About thirty have desired to come, and I suppose they will\nbring thirty more. I have heard of two or three more dear christians\namong the _Great Ones_. I know you will pray the LORD of all lords to\nincrease the number. Her Ladyship hath a great regard for all those in\n_Scotland_, who stand up for vital religion. She intends to send you\ndown the picture of poor _Aaron_ the late negroe preacher. I find the\npublic papers give strange lying accounts of my reception in _Scotland_.\nAt present, blessed be the glorious JESUS, I am content to be blackened.\nI send you my repeated thanks for all favours; and, with hearty love to\ndear Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, your family, and all friends, I subscribe myself,\nreverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged, though unworthy younger\n brother and servant in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCVII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 12, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nBY my not hearing from you with my wife\u2019s letter, I suspect you are\nnot yet reconciled to my leaving _America_, though but for a season.\nEvery thing concurs to prove that I have done the will of GOD. As I am\nstreightened in time, I will refer you to the inclosed, which I desire\nyou will read, seal, and send. Here are loud calls; but I think to\ncome over to you again next year. Pray write to me. I will endeavour\nto answer you. I wrote to you lately from _Scotland_. Not a day passes,\nbut I think of you and my other _Charles-Town_ friends. I intend to\nwrite to you very soon. In the mean time, be pleased to remember me to\nall in the most tender manner. Ere this can reach you, I expect to see\nmy wife in _England_. I purpose to persuade her to settle here. I want\nto make the Orphan-house a seminary of learning. If some such thing be\nnot done, I cannot see how the _Southern_ parts will be provided with\nministers. All are afraid to come over. May the LORD JESUS direct me.\nI believe he will. Pray remember me to Mr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr. _O\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, &c. if\nwith you. I have not time at present, or otherwise they should have a\nline from, reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCVIII.\n\n\n _To the Countess of H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 14, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHE inclosed brings good news from a far country. The person\u2019s\nmother belongs to the Tabernacle society: I lay at his house when in\n_Virginia_; but he and others went to cards, I thought on purpose to\naffront me. We retired to prayers for him. I hope they were heard. Your\nLadyship will be pleased to let me have the letter again; as likewise\nthat I sent to your Ladyship from _Scotland_, from one Capt. _K._ of\nSt. _Helena_. Your Ladyship shall have copies of them all. I am getting\nthe _New-England Christian History_, and _Bishop Hall\u2019s Works_ in folio,\nbound for your Ladyship. I find there has been a great stir in the\nsynod of _Edinburgh_ about unworthy me. Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr.\n_R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, have protested against their proceedings, and appeared\nquite hearty. Your Ladyship wrote to Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. A word or two of\nencouragement now from your Ladyship, would strengthen the hands of\nthese ministers of CHRIST. I hear the affair is to come before the\nassembly next _May_. News also was brought me last night, that the\nnegroes are allowed by the trustees for _Georgia_. If so, that province,\nunder GOD, will flourish. Blessed be GOD, I am more hearty than I have\nbeen for a long season. I hope to be enabled to preach here on _Sunday_\nevening, and to come and preach at your Ladyship\u2019s afterwards. Last\nnight the gospel was indeed preached with the Holy Ghost sent down\nfrom heaven. I was shewing the dignity of a christian, and in what\nsense christians were kings. The King of kings was amongst us. When\nI hear or receive any thing that is new and good, I naturally inform\nyour Ladyship of it, because I believe it will give your Ladyship\nsatisfaction. I hope your new house is agreeable to your Ladyship.\nThat the Redeemer\u2019s glory may fill it, and that it may prove a gate\nof heaven to many of the rich and great, is the earnest prayer of,\nhonoured madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCIX.\n\n\n _To the Honourable Lady T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 19, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nWHEN I was lately in _Scotland_, Col. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ly_ wrote me word, that\nyour Ladyship was pleased to desire my poor prayers. Before his writing,\nthey had been put up to the throne of grace in behalf of your Ladyship\nvery frequently; and I would then have written to your Ladyship, had\nI not feared it would have been making too free. Yesterday good Lady\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ informed me that your Ladyship was ill. Had I judged it proper,\nI would have waited upon your Ladyship this morning. But I was cautious\nof intruding. However, the regard I bear to your Ladyship, constrains\nme to inform your Ladyship, that my heart\u2019s desire and prayer to GOD\nis, that this sickness may not be unto death, but to his glory, and\nthe present and eternal good of your better part, your precious and\nimmortal soul. This, no doubt, is the end of afflictions: GOD\u2019s name\nand nature is Love. He cannot, therefore, chastise us for any other\npurpose, than that we may be made partakers of his holiness.\u2015\u2015Every\ncross and disappointment, every degree of pain, brings this important\ncall with it, \u201cMy son, my daughter, give me thy heart.\u201d O that your\nLadyship\u2019s soul may echo back, \u201cMy heart, LORD JESUS, will I give.\u201d\nO that from a feeling, spiritual, abiding sense of the vanity and\nemptiness of all created good, you may, in a holy resentment, cry out,\n\n _Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_\n _For I must be no longer thine:_\n _A nobler, a diviner guest,_\n _Now claims possession of my breast!_\n\nThen, and not till then, will your Ladyship\u2019s mind be at unity with\nitself. Then, and not till then, will your Ladyship, upon truly\nrational principles, with chearfulness wait for the approach of death,\nand the coming of the LORD from heaven. It is faith in JESUS, a true\nand living faith in the Son of GOD, that can alone bring present, real\npeace, and lay a solid foundation for future and eternal comfort. I\ncannot wish your Ladyship any thing greater, any thing more noble, than\na large share of this precious faith: and a large, yea a very large\nshare, is the glorious Redeemer ready to give to all that sincerely ask\nfor, and seek after it. He waits to be gracious. He giveth liberally;\nhe upbraideth not. When, like _Noah_\u2019s dove, we have been wandering\nabout in a fruitless search after happiness, and have found no rest\nfor the sole of our feet, he is ready to reach out his merciful hand,\nand receive us into his ark. This hand, honoured madam, is he reaching\nout to you. May you be constrained to give your heart entirely to him,\nand thereby enter into that rest which remains for the happy, though\ndespised people of GOD. But whither am I going? I forget that your\nLadyship is indisposed, and I almost a stranger to you. I will only\nmake this apology: \u201cThe love of JESUS constrains me.\u201d Hoping, therefore,\nyour Ladyship will excuse the freedom I have here taken, I beg leave to\nsubscribe myself, honoured madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCX.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 19, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nIT is a concern to me, that I cannot write to more of my _New-England_\nfriends than I do; for indeed a multiplicity of business renders a more\nfrequent correspondence impracticable. However, I would willingly send\nyou, dear Sir, a few lines. They are lines of love, and bring you news\nof my being better in health than I have been for many years last past.\nSeveral things have concurred to prove it was the divine will I should\nreturn this time to my native country. Matters were in great confusion\nby reason of Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s going over to the _Moravians_; but blessed\nbe GOD, we are now easy at the Tabernacle, and the word falls with\nweight and power. In _Scotland_ the LORD JESUS was pleased to appear\nfor me; I found no diminution in respect to the number of hearers; and,\nI believe, (thanks be to free grace) my preaching was more acceptable\nthan ever to GOD\u2019s people, and to those ministers who were pleased\nformerly to own and encourage me. Some of the opposite party begun a\nlike stir with that which was made in _New-England_ by Dr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, &c.\nbut I believe it will only make the people more eager to hear, and in\nthe end be productive of great good. Our LORD orders all things well. I\nnever enjoyed more settled peace and joy than now. I trust he has given\nme to see many things that were wrong, and withal a disposition to\nconfess and amend them. At present, this is the language of my heart:\n\n _Correct me when I go astray,_\n _And lead me in the perfect way._\n\nI suppose you will be acquainted with particulars by some of my dear\nfriends from _Scotland_. In all probability I shall go to _Scotland_\nagain in the Spring; and, in the latter end of the year, I propose\nembarking for _America_. But future things belong to GOD. Thanks be to\nhis great name, I am willing to go any where, so that I may but glorify\nthe dear Redeemer. Ere this reaches you, doubtless you will have heard\nof his giving me favour in the sight of Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, a Lady as good\nas she is great. Two or three among the great, I trust have been made\nthe happy subjects of redeeming love. I have heard lately also of\nthe conversion of two or three clergymen; there is likewise a great\nawakening in _Ireland_, and in _Wales_ the work goes on. Upon the\nwhole, I believe the gospel is getting ground, and next spring, when\nit is proper to range about and preach in the fields, I hope to see\nyet greater things. I repeat my old request, reverend and dear brother,\n\u201cPray for us.\u201d I continually pray for you, and the people committed to\nyour charge. I wish you and yours an increase of blessings, and beg\nleave to subscribe myself, Reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 19, 1748._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nWORDS cannot well express what I felt when your welcome letter came to\nhand. It drew me to my knees; it made me shed tears of joy, and with\ntwo or three of my dear friends I was enabled to wrestle for you at\nthe throne of grace. Blessed, for ever blessed be the GOD and Father\nof our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for opening your eyes, and giving you such\nan experimental and soul-ravishing knowledge of the doctrine of grace.\nNo wonder that people take notice of you. I hope the fame thereof, as\nit hath reached heaven, will also be spread abroad upon the earth, and\nthro\u2019 the thanksgivings of thousands redound to the glory of GOD. I\nthink it a happiness, that you are surrounded with many souls that have\nindeed tasted that the LORD is gracious, and consequently will be fed\nwith the sincere milk of the word, now communicated to them, under GOD,\nby you. Now, my dear friend will you begin to live, now will you begin\nto preach indeed. Go on in the name of JESUS, and as _Paul_ did, so\nshall you, \u201cincrease with all the increase of GOD.\u201d Glad shall I be\nto give you all the assistance that lies in my power. _Henry on the\nScriptures_ will now suit your taste, and _Jenks upon the Righteousness\nof CHRIST_ might do you immediate service. _Flavel\u2019s Sermons_ would\nbe food for you, and _Boston upon the Covenant_, and his _fourfold\nState_, I believe would delight you. _Bishop Hall\u2019s Contemplations_ are\nexcellent, _Bishop Hopkins_ and _Beveridge_ will do for you, and indeed\nalmost all the writers a century ago. The doctrines you now preach are\nno new doctrines; you are now got into the good old way. May the LORD\nkeep and succeed you in it, ever more and more. I believe he will. I\ncould say more, but I expect another letter from you before I come down.\nLady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is rejoiced to hear of you. I read part of your letter\nto her last night before I preached. Some of the great ones hear the\ngospel gladly. That you may be made a very great blessing to thousands\nand ten thousands, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 21, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nI Was glad to hear, by a letter sent by Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that you had been\nin _New-England_. I hoped you would have come further, even to Old\n_England_ and _Scotland_. I have been endeavouring in _Scotland_ to\ndo all the service I could to the _Indian_ school and the _New-Jersey_\ncollege whilst I was there; but I believe nothing will be done to\npurpose unless you or some other popular minister come over, and make\nan application in person. In all probability, a collection might then\nbe recommended by the general assembly, which sits next _May_, and\nlarge contributions be raised among private persons that wish well to\n_Zion_. If one of the Indians was brought over with the minister, and\na proposal made to educate some of the late awakened _Indians_ in the\n_New-Jersey_ college, it would certainly be of service. Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nand several other faithful ministers are hearty in the affair; but I\nbelieve will do nothing, unless you or some other such like minister\ncome over. Probably I shall be in _Scotland_ next spring again. GOD\nhas been pleased to countenance me there; and some of the clergy, in\norder to stop my progress, have followed Dr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015y_\u2019s example. But\nif GOD be for us, who can be against us? Thanks be to his holy name,\nI am kept quite chearful in soul, and healthy in my body. Blessed be\nGOD, the word falls with weight, and I hear of several brought under\nfresh convictions. A clergyman or two have been lately converted,\nand there is a great awakening in _Ireland_. I shall be glad to hear\nthat _New-York_ is full of new creatures. I beg that my most cordial\nrespects and love may find acceptance with all my dear friends, and am,\nreverend and dear Sir,\n\n Ever yours,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Gloucester, Dec. 5, 1748._\n\n_Dear Mr. E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nWHY no letter from you all this while? I have written to you several\ntimes. Lately I sent a case full of divers things for _Bethesda_. When\nI return to _London_, I purpose to send more. I hear that my wife hath\nlessened the family; but how it stands now, I cannot expect to know\nfor a certainty till I see her. I expect her daily, though I am apt to\nbelieve she will not embark till she sees _Betty W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I hope ere now\nyou have welcomed her to _Bethesda_ in the name of the LORD. I expect\nto be over with you again by this time twelvemonth. In the mean while,\nI trust we shall make some better advances towards heaven than we have\nhitherto done, and be more conformed to the blessed and glorious JESUS.\nThanks be to his great name, he continues to deal bountifully with me.\nI am pretty well in health, and hope to hear that you are so. I send\nyou all my blessing, and am\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXIV.\n\n\n _To the Honourable Trustees of Georgia._\n\n _Gloucester, Dec. 6, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Gentlemen_,\n\nNOT want of respect, but a suspicion that my letters would not be\nacceptable, has been the occasion of my not writing to you these four\nyears last past. I am sensible, that in some of my former letters,\nthrough hurry of business, want of more experience, and in all\nprobability too great an opinion of my own sufficiency, I expressed\nmyself in too strong, and sometimes unbecoming terms. For this I desire\nto be humbled before GOD and man, knowing that, _Peter_-like, by a\nmisguided zeal, I have cut off as it were those ears which otherwise\nmight have been open to what I had to offer. However I can assure\nyou, honoured gentlemen, to the best of my knowledge, I have acted\na disinterested part, and notwithstanding my manifold mistakes and\nimprudence, I have simply aimed at GOD\u2019s glory and the good of mankind.\nThis principle drew me first to _Georgia_; this, and this alone,\ninduced me to begin and carry on the scheme of the _Orphan-house_; and\nthis, honoured gentlemen, excites me to trouble you with the present\nlines. I need not inform you, honoured gentlemen, how the colony of\n_Georgia_ has been declining for these many years last past, and at\nwhat great disadvantages I have maintained a large family in that\nwilderness, through the providence of a good and gracious GOD. Upwards\nof five thousand pounds have been expended in that undertaking, and\nyet very little proficiency made in the cultivation of my tract of\nland, and that entirely owing to the necessity I lay under of making\nuse of white hands. Had a negroe been allowed, I should now have had\na sufficiency to support a great many orphans, without expending above\nhalf the sum which hath been laid out. An unwillingness to let so\ngood a design drop, and having a rational conviction that it must\nnecessarily, if some other method was not fixed upon to prevent it.\nThese two considerations, honoured gentlemen, prevailed on me about\ntwo years ago, through the bounty of my good friends, to purchase a\nplantation in _South-Carolina_, where negroes are allowed. Blessed be\nGOD, this plantation hath succeeded; and though at present I have only\neight working hands, yet in all probability there will be more raised\nin one year, and with a quarter the expence, than has been produced at\n_Bethesda_ for several years last past. This confirms me in the opinion\nI have entertained for a long time, that _Georgia_ never can or will be\na flourishing province without negroes are allowed. But notwithstanding\nmy private judgment, I am determined that not one of mine shall ever be\nallowed to work at the Orphan-House, till I can do it in a legal manner,\nand by the approbation of the honourable trustees. My chief end in\nwriting this, is to inform you, honourable gentlemen, of the matter of\nfact, and to let you know, that I am as willing as ever to do all I can\nfor _Georgia_ and the Orphan-house, if either a limited use of negroes\nis approved of, or some more indented servants sent over. If not, I\ncannot promise to keep any large family, or cultivate the plantation\nin any considerable manner. My strength must necessarily be taken to\nthe other side. I would also further recommend it to your consideration,\nhonourable gentlemen, whether or not as the Orphan-house was and is\nintended for a charitable purpose, it ought not to be exempted from\nall quit-rents and public taxes, as I believe is customary universally\nfor such institutions to be? And as most of the land on which the\nOrphan-house is built, is good for little, I would humbly enquire,\nwhether I may not have a grant for five hundred more acres that are\nnot taken up, somewhere near the Orphan-house? My intention is, if\nyou, honourable gentlemen, are pleased to put the colony upon another\nfooting, (I mean in respect to the permission of a limited use of\nnegroes) to make the Orphan-house not only a receptacle for fatherless\nchildren, but also a place of literature and academical studies. Such\na place is much wanted in the southern parts of _America_; and if\nconducted in a proper manner, must necessarily be of great service to\nany colony. I can easily procure proper persons to embark in such a\ncause, and I do not know but several families would go over, supposing\nI could give them a probable prospect of a support upon their honest\nindustry, I could say more, but I fear I have been already too prolix.\nI humbly recommend what has been urged to your consideration, and beg\nleave to subscribe myself, honourable gentlemen,\n\n Your most obedient humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXV.\n\n\n _To the Countess of H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Dec. 10, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I am afraid of taking too much freedom, yet the duty I owe to\nyour Ladyship constrains me to send you a few lines from hence. I came\nhither last night, after having preached five times in _Gloucester_,\nand once in _Gloucestershire_. The glorious _Emmanuel_ pleased to shine\nupon my administrations, and many told me they received a blessing. The\nbishop behaved respectfully when I was at sacrament at the cathedral,\nand my old tutor, Dr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, one of the prebendaries, was very\ncordial when I waited upon him. I told him that my judgment (as I\ntrust) was a little more ripened than it was some years ago, and that\nas fast as I found out my faults I would be glad to acknowledge them.\nHe said, as I grew moderate, the offence the Governors of the Church\nhad taken against me, would lessen and wear off. Blessed be GOD, I\nam pretty easy about that: so that I can but act an honest part, and\nbe kept from trimming, I will, through the divine assistance, leave\nall consequences to him who orders all things well. Thanks be to his\ngreat name, a wonderous change is wrought on Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. He came to\nsee and hear me at _Gloucester_: his worldly shackles are dropping off\napace, and his feet begin to be set in a large room. The news of his\nconversion hath reached Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who wrote him a long letter; but\nto send dissuasives to a man that hath seen and felt so much, is like\nthrowing chaff against a brass wall. He begged me to send his duty\nto your Ladyship when I wrote, as does my brother, at whose house I\nam. I trust he is coming forwards, and that he will at length fairly\nshake hands with the world, and act as one alive to GOD. I think your\nLadyship meets with great encouragement. My continual prayer to the\nblessed Redeemer in your Ladyship\u2019s behalf is, \u201cthat your bow may abide\nin strength, and the arms of your hands be strengthened by the hands of\nthe mighty GOD of _Jacob_.\u201d He is the rock of ages. He is the LORD our\nrighteousness. In him is our strength found. Thanks be to the GOD and\nFather of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for shewing your Ladyship the way to\nfetch continual strength and supplies from him! I could enlarge, but\nam streightened in paper. If Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ hath courage enough, I expect\nto see him, and then I shall have it in my power to send your Ladyship\nword how matters stand at _Bath_. In the mean while, I beg leave with\nall dutiful respects to subscribe myself, honoured madam.\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Dec. 12, 1748._\n\n_My dear Tommy_,\n\nTHE love I bear to you, will not suffer me to omit answering your\nletter the very first opportunity. I find you are in danger of being\nled into temptation. If only your preparations for business keep you\nfrom attending on the word preached, how will it be when you are\ntotally immersed in it? O my dear man, let that promise of our LORD\u2019s\nbe written on the tables of your heart, \u201cseek you first the kingdom\nof GOD and his righteousness, and all those things shall be added\nunto you.\u201d If you act inconsistent with this, assure yourself your\nendeavours will be blasted; and GOD out of love will curse your\ntemporal blessings. But enough of this. I hope a word to the wise is\nsufficient.\u2015\u2015Since I wrote thus far, I have received a letter from good\nLady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, desiring I would come up to town. I therefore propose\nto be with you, GOD willing, by _Saturday_ night, and to preach at the\nTabernacle next _Sunday_. Be pleased to apprize all friends of it. If\nyou are at the tabernacle-house on _Saturday_ evening, it would be very\nagreeable to,\n\n Yours, &c. in great haste,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 18, 1748._\n\nI Can assure you, my not being able to write to you during my last\nexcursion, has given me much concern. I love to be punctual. Journeying,\npreaching, and a train of business for the best of masters, has\nprevented my being so now. I have been at _Gloucester_, in other parts\nof _Gloucestershire_, and at _Bristol_, where I trust the sound of my\nRedeemer\u2019s feet was heard behind me. My brother I hope is coming on. I\nlike him better than I have for some years. He greatly regards you, and\nintends answering your kind letters. I proposed his meeting you here.\nWhat do you think of it? He likes it well. I wrote for him to come up\nnext week. I expect to know by _Wednesday_ or _Thursday_. If you could\nbe here on a LORD\u2019s day, or a _Thursday_, you might see our assembly\nat the other end of the town. I trust, abiding good will be done among\nsome at least of the rich and great. I thank you a thousand times for\nyour advice in respect to my health.\u2015\u2015For near these two months past,\nmy usual reachings have left me. I find that keeping from too much\nfatigue, under GOD, must be my cure. I will endeavour to keep within\nbounds every way. I have shewed the doctor\u2019s letter to Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nbut she is of opinion, the journals as now corrected ought to be\nreprinted. In the multitude of councils there is safety; the language\nof my heart is,\n\n _LORD, teach me when I go astray,_\n _And lead me in thy perfect way._\n\nO that my zeal may increase with prudence. I have had too little of\nboth. I am now thirty-four years of age, and alas! how little have I\ndone and suffered for Him, who has done and suffered so much for me!\nThanks be to his great name, for countenancing my poor administrations\nso much! I know not how it is, but perhaps it may be to display the\nriches of free grace, that notwithstanding the first zeal of most,\nI might add, all men of GOD, is generally mixed with much wildfire,\nyet their first times have been generally blest most, especially\nfor awakening and converting souls. Blessed be our good GOD that\nMr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is coming out. May the LORD JESUS make him a spiritual\nfather to thousands! I smiled when you said, he would avoid the name\nof _Methodist_, if he could. Alas, my dear man, he might as soon think\nto wash a blackmoor white. The _Methodists_ are now as it were a skreen\nfor others. Formerly, if a person was serious, or preached CHRIST,\nhe was termed a _Puritan_, now he is a Methodist: But do you go on as\nyou are able to bear it. Opposition shall follow you; without it, be\nas prudent as you will, your sincerity towards GOD and love for souls\ncannot be evidenced. Self, love of praise, and love of the world, must\ncome down. Our LORD always does this, by way of sufferings inward or\noutward, or rather by both. One Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ of _Gloucestershire_, whom\nMr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ knows, though he has begun to preach CHRIST but lately, yet\nis already warned to leave his cure. Our LORD will provide for him. He\nis a new creature indeed. I do not blame you for your conduct towards\nMrs. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. She is a good woman, and I believe thirsts for the\nRedeemer\u2019s glory. I wish she would not write so much. And what shall\nI say more? I hope you have had enough from me now. My very dear Sir,\nwhen am I to hear that you are a preacher of CHRIST crucified? I long\nfor the time, and earnestly pray that you may be freed from worldly\nhopes and worldly fears: for till then, I cannot believe a man, let his\nother accomplishments be ever so great, will be much owned and blessed\nby the great head of the church. I should be glad to know what my Lord\nof _Exeter_ said. I thank the LORD of all Lords for giving you so much\nencouragement. Let this excite you to press forwards, and never fear\nwhat man or devils say of, or can do unto you. Dear, very dear Sir, my\nheart is enlarged towards you. I thank you, for remembering an unworthy\nworm before him who is the great high-priest and blessed apostle of our\nprofession. As he enables, I shall return the favour, being, for his\ngreat name\u2019s sake, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXVIII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, December 18, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nTHOUGH I am not personally acquainted with you, yet I owe you much love.\nThanks be to our great high Priest for giving you such light and heat,\nand enabling you to preach among poor sinners the unsearchable riches\nof redeeming love. Earth and hell will be up in arms against you; your\nown mother\u2019s children will soon be angry with you, and many of the\nmembers of that church of which you are a minister, whenever you preach\nher doctrine with power and purity, will think it doing GOD\u2019s service\nto cast you out. Thus it has been, thus it will be in all ages, so long\nas those two seeds of the woman and the serpent remain struggling in\nthis lower world. Welcome, welcome dear Sir, into the field of battle!\nNow the common people will hear you gladly. Now the self-righteous\nwill speak all manner of evil against you. I am told the corporation\nhave rejected you for preaching CHRIST crucified. I wish you joy. May\nyou, like blessed _Paul_, increase the more in strength, and be made\na spiritual father to thousands! Excuse this freedom from one who\nloves you in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST. I thank you for your intended\ninterview. Could no way be contrived for a private visit? however\nthat be, assure yourself your interest will be much upon my heart,\nand if you will remember a poor unworthy worm before his throne, whose\ncompassions fail not, you will much oblige, reverend and dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate brother and servant in\n JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXIX.\n\n\n _To Doctor D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 21, 1748._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nGLAD was I, yea very glad to receive your letter dated _November_\n7th, though it did not reach me till last night. I thank you for it a\nthousand times. It has led me to the throne of grace, where I have been\ncrying, \u201cLORD, counsel my counsellors, and shew them what thou wouldst\nhave me to do.\u201d\u2015\u2015Alas, alas! how can I be too severe against myself,\nwho, _Peter_ like, have cut off so many ears, and by imprudencies mixed\nwith my zeal, have dishonoured the cause of JESUS? I can only look up\nto him, who healed the high-priest\u2019s servant\u2019s ear, and say, \u201cLORD,\nheal all the wounds my misguided zeal has given.\u201d Assure yourself,\ndear Sir, everything I print shall be revised. I always have submitted\nmy poor performances to my friends corrections. Time and experience\nI find ripen men\u2019s judgments, and make them more solid, rational, and\nconsistent, both in their conduct and writings. O that this may be\nmy case! O that the blessed JESUS may enable me to hold on, and hold\nout, and keep me from flagging in the latter stages of my road. I thank\nyou, dear Sir, for your solemn charge in respect to my health. Blessed\nbe GOD, it is much repaired since my return from _Scotland_, and I\ntrust by observing the rules you prescribe (if I must live) I shall\nbe enabled to declare the works of the LORD. But what shall I say\nconcerning your present trial? shall I wish you joy? Surely I may with\ngreat propriety, since an inspired writer hath said, \u201ccount it all joy\nwhen you fall into divers temptations.\u201d But at the same time, reverend\nSir, I most earnestly sympathize with you, having had the same trial\nfrom the same quarter long ago. The _Moravians_ first divided my family,\nthen my parish at _Georgia_, and after that the societies which, under\nGOD, I was an instrument of gathering. I suppose not less than four\nhundred, through their practices, have left the tabernacle. But I have\nbeen forsaken otherways. I have not had above an hundred to hear me,\nwhere I had twenty thousand, and hundreds now assemble within a quarter\nof a mile of me, who never come to see or speak to me; though they must\nown at the great day that I was their spiritual father. All this I\nfind but little enough to teach me to cease from man, and to wean me\nfrom that too great fondness which spiritual fathers are apt to have\nfor their spiritual children. Thus blessed _Paul_ was served, thus must\nall expect to be treated who are of _Paul_\u2019s spirit, and are honoured\nwith any considerable degree of _Paul_\u2019s success. But I have generally\nobserved, that when one door of usefulness is shut, another opens.\nOur LORD blesses you, dear Sir, in your writings; nay your people\u2019s\ntreating you as they are now permitted to do, perhaps is one of the\ngreatest blessings you ever received from heaven. May patience have its\nperfect work, and may you be enabled to sanctify the LORD GOD in your\nheart! I know of no other way of dealing with the _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015s_, than to go\non preaching the truth as it is in JESUS, and rest upon that promise,\n\u201cEvery plant which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be plucked\nup.\u201d Seven years will make a great alteration. I believe their grand\ndesign is to extend their occonomy as far as possible. This I believe\nis now kept up by dint of money, and I am apt to think that the very\nthing by which they think to establish, will destroy their scheme.\n_John Lapidee_ went on in the same manner in _Maryland_. His plan was\nraised as high, and fell as remarkably. GOD is a gracious Father, and\nwill not always let his children proceed in a wrong way. Doubtless\nthere are many of his dear little ones in the _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ flock; but many\nof their principles and practices are exceeding wrong, for which I\ndoubt not our LORD will rebuke them in his own time. But I fear that\nI weary you. However, dear Sir, I must thank you for your sermon. It\ncontains the very life of preaching, I mean sweet invitations to close\nwith CHRIST. I do not wonder you are dubbed a Methodist on account of\nit. As it was designed for the poor, I wish it was cheaper. I think\npractical books cannot be too reasonable. The poor must have them cheap,\nand the rich will like them the better for it. And now methinks I hear\nyou say, \u201cBut how is it at the other end of the town?\u201d Blessed be GOD,\nthe prospect is promising. Last _Sunday_ evening I preached to a most\nbrilliant assembly indeed. They expressed great approbation, and some I\nthink begin to feel. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ is indeed a mother in _Israel_.\nShe is all in a flame for JESUS. You may guess by a word or two in this,\nthat she hath shewn me your last letter. I suppose she will write to\nyou soon. But whither am I running? I quite forget myself. Love makes\nmy pen to move too fast, and too long. Excuse it, dear Sir, and for\nJESUS\u2019s sake never cease praying for, Reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate though unworthy younger brother,\n and willing servant in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXX.\n\n\n _Dear Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 21, 1748._\n\nHAVE you not thought it unkind, that I answered not your letter before\nnow. You will be pacified when I tell you, that not want of love but\nleisure hath been the cause of so long a silence. I will now redeem a\nfew moments to pay this debt, and acknowledge a much greater debt of\nlove that I owe, and intend indeed to be always owing to you and yours.\nCHRIST alone can pay you. He will. Whatever is done to his ministers,\nhe looks upon as done to himself. What a blessed master do we serve!\nThanks be to his great name, he continues to deal lovingly with me. I\nhave been blessed in my late excursion into the country, and likewise\nsince I came to town. The prospect of doing good at least to some\nof the rich, is very encouraging. I know you will pray, that the\nfoolishness of preaching may be a means of bringing some of them to\nbelieve on him who justifies the ungodly. You find, that not gifts but\ngrace, sovereign, all powerful grace alone, can reach the heart. But\nhow is dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? Is he yet fled to the world of spirits? Since\nthe LORD has been pleased to hinder his preaching, I think it was cruel\nto desire he should stay any longer out of heaven. Doctor _Watts_ is\nnow gone. Blessed be GOD we shall ere long follow\n\n _Where sin and pain and sorrow cease,_\n _And all is love and joy and peace._\n\nI am now thirty four years of age. Little did I think of living so long.\nAnd yet when I consider how I have lived, shame and confusion cover\nmy face. O my dear Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, as you are preparing for the ministry,\nlose not one moment of time, but labour to be always on the stretch for\nHim, who was stretched on the accursed cross for you. Study books and\nmen, but above all, study your own heart and the knowledge of JESUS\nCHRIST, and him crucified. Get your heart free from worldly hopes and\nworldly fears, and you will avoid thousands of those snares, into which\nyoung ministers for want of this too often fall. O let the language of\nyour heart be, \u201cGOD forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of\nCHRIST, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world.\u201d\nYou will excuse this freedom. It proceeds from the love I bear you. Be\npleased to present my cordial respects to your honoured father, your\nbrother, and all enquiring friends, and accept of the same yourself in\nthe most tender manner, from, my dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 26, 1748._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nAS soon as I received your kind letter, I was willing, but till now\ncould not get leisure, to answer it. Accept my thanks, though late, and\nlet the glorious _Emmanuel_ have eternal thanks ascribed unto him, if\nhe has been pleased to work upon your soul by any of my poor writings.\nSince that, I doubt not but you have experienced much of his love, and\nknow more of GOD, even a GOD in CHRIST, and also of your own heart. In\nthese two things consist all our happiness in time and for eternity.\nBlessed be his name for calling you to witness the efficacy of his\ndeath, and the unsearchable riches of his grace to poor sinners. My\ndear brother, it is an angelic employ. Go on in the name and strength\nof JESUS. He will not send you a warfare on your own charges. As your\nday is so shall your strength be. Only wait upon him, and eternal truth\nhas declared, that you shall mount on wings like an eagle, you shall\nwalk and not be weary, nay run and not be faint. Should providence\nbring me your way in the Spring, I shall rejoice to see and converse\nwith you, and shall tell all that come in my way, of the present as\nwell as future great salvation that is to be had in JESUS CHRIST. In\nthe mean while, I entreat you to pray for me, and as enabled you shall\nbe remembered by, my dear Brother,\n\n Your affectionate brother and servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXII.\n\n\n _To Lord B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 30, 1748._\n\n_My Lord_,\n\nI Had the honour of your Lordship\u2019s letter. Gratitude constrains me to\nsend my heartiest acknowledgments. Though absent from, yet I am often\npresent with you. That benign, that sweet disposition of which your\nLordship is possessed, must make you appear amiable to all who know\nyou. Add but the christian to it, and then, O then, how happy will your\nLordship be! Thanks be to GOD, that your Lordship begins to feel there\nis no being happy without real christianity. O that this conviction may\nbe abiding, and that your Lordship may have no rest, till you find it\nin Him who is the Alpha and Omega, the author and finisher of our faith.\nHe longs to make you happy, he is ready to receive you with open arms.\nHe cries, \u201cMy Son, give me thy heart.\u201d To engage you to love him more,\nhe has let you have a worthy lady, who I am persuaded will be glad\nto go hand in hand to heaven. O that you may both walk in all the\nordinances and commandments of the LORD blameless. No greater thing\ncan be desired for you at the throne of grace by, my Lord,\n\n Your Lordship\u2019s most obedient, obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXIII.\n\n\n _To Lady B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 30, 1748._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nHAVE you not wondered at my not answering your Ladyship\u2019s kind letter\nbefore now? But I am persuaded you are well assured, that a variety of\navocations, and multiplicity of business for the best of masters, not\nwant of respect, hath been the cause. My Lady, your family are always\nupon my heart. My constant desire and prayer to GOD is, that you all\nmay be filled with all the fulness of GOD. As my Lord mentions nothing\nto the contrary, I hope your indisposition is removed, and that the\nlanguage of your heart is, \u201cwhat shall I render unto the LORD?\u201d I know\nthat the love of JESUS which you have felt, must necessarily constrain\nyour Ladyship to live to Him, who lived and died upon the accursed tree\nfor you. O how is the power of the Redeemer\u2019s resurrection displayed in\nLady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_. She is a mother in _Israel_ indeed. It would please you\nto see the assemblies at her Ladyship\u2019s house. They are brilliant ones\nindeed. The prospect of catching some of the rich in the gospel net is\nvery promising. I know you will wish prosperity in the name of the LORD.\nBut how does good Lady _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, dear Mrs. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and Mrs. _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_?\nAll, I hope, putting off the old man, and putting on the new with\ngreater earnestness than ever. O that I may begin to be in earnest!\nI am now thirty-four years of age. Is it not time for me to begin to\nspend, and be spent, for him who has loved me and given himself for\nme? I beg your Ladyship\u2019s prayers, and the prayers of all your dear and\nhonoured relations. I send them all my humble and hearty respects, and\nbeg you will accept the same from, my Lady,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Chelsea, Jan. 12, 1749._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nI Can now send you but a few lines. Thanks be to GOD, that weeping\ndoth not hinder sowing. I think it is cruel to wish our little ones\nback into this cold world again. Go on, JESUS will be better to you\nand yours than seven daughters. I hope Mrs. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ joins with you in\nsaying, \u201cit is well.\u201d But a word or two in answer to the other part\nof your letter. Cannot you be at _Gloucester_ the 24th of this month?\nThat would be abundantly more convenient for me than the 27th. I would\nappoint our _English_ meeting at that time, and, GOD willing, would\ngo with you to _Builth_, and after that to the west. I am now here\nwaiting for Lord _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ke_, and some others, who are coming to hear\nthe glorious gospel. Lord _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is in town. Our good Lady is going\non, and every day increasing her reward in heaven. I have much to say\nwhen we meet. When will you leave off being a spiritual rake? For the\npresent, adieu! Pray fail not being at _Gloucester_. In the mean while,\nlet us ply the throne of grace in behalf of each other, and do you pray\nthat an humble, child-like, obedient heart, may be given to, my very\ndear fellow-soldier,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Chelsea, Jan. 13, 1749._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR kind and loving answer to my last poor scrawl, humbled me much\nbefore Him who alone worketh all things in and by us. But if he will\nwork, who shall hinder? I trust the language of my heart to the\never-blessed JESUS is this,\n\n _If thou excuse then work thy will,_\n _By so unfit an instrument;_\n _It will at once thy goodness shew,_\n _And prove thy power omnipotent._\n\nYou will not be offended if I tell you, that good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ saw\nyour letter. She was much pleased with it, and has a great regard for\nyou. She goes on from strength to strength. The prospect of doing good\nto the rich that attend her Ladyship\u2019s house, is very encouraging.\nI preach twice a week, and yesterday Lord _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ke_ was one of my\nauditors. His Lordship was pleased to express very great satisfaction.\nWho knows what GOD may do? He can never work by a meaner instrument.\nO dear Sir, pray for me. I want humility, I want thankfulness, I want\na heart continually flaming with the love of GOD. Blessed be his name\nfor the share imparted to you. May you go on and increase with all the\nincrease of GOD! I thank you for your kind invitation to your house and\npulpit. I would not bring you or any of my friends into difficulties,\nfor owning poor, unworthy, ill and hell deserving me. But if providence\nshould give me a clear call, I should be glad to come your way. I\nrejoice in the prospect of having some ministers in our church pulpits\nthat dare own a crucified Redeemer. I hope the time will come that\nmany of the priests also shall be obedient to the word, and that of the\nhonourable women there will be not a few. I know you will say _Amen_.\nFor the present, my dear Sir, adieu. Remember me to the doctor, and\nMr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, when you write to or see them, and assure yourself of a\nconstant remembrance in the poor but sincere petitions of, very dear\nSir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in the best bonds,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXVI.\n\n\n _To Dr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 17, 1749._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nI Received your last kind letter, soon after I had been informing dear\nMr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ that I did not chuse to bring my friends into trouble; but\nthat if providence should give me a clear call, I might accept of his\ninvitation. This perhaps may never happen. But if it should, wherefore\nshould dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ be so much alarmed? What if his people are\nprejudiced against me? Might not a sermon, under GOD, lessen their\nprejudices, and perhaps awaken some souls to a sense of the divine\nlife? Such things have been done, such a thing, through the divine\nblessing, may be repeated again. The way of duty is the way of safety.\nOur LORD requires of us to confess him in his gospel members and\nministers. To be afraid of professing the one, or publicly to own,\nassociate with, and strengthen the hands and hearts of the other,\nespecially when they are set for the defence of the gospel, is, in my\nopinion, very offensive in the sight of our common LORD, and can only\nproceed from a want of more love to him and his dear people. I am quite\nof your mind, my dear friend, that our LORD recommends to us the wisdom\nof the serpent, but then it is always to be blended with the innocence\nof the dove. How this is done, in effect, by disowning the open and\navowed proclaimers of his eternal truths, I cannot I must confess\nat present see into. You say, \u201cwe are most of us too warm already:\u201d\nbut I hope you do not think, that being ashamed of any of your LORD\u2019s\nministers is an instance of it? Thanks be to GOD that Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ seems,\nas you express it, \u201cto court the enmity of mankind;\u201d it is an error\nof the right side. Better so than to be afraid of it. The LORD never\nthreatned to spew any church out of his mouth for being too hot; but\nfor being neither hot nor cold he has. It is too true, my dear Sir,\n\u201cwe have but few faithful ministers.\u201d But is keeping at a distance from\none another the way to strengthen their interest? By no means. I rather\nthink those that hold the same principles at least, and are embarked\nin the same cause, should jointly and publicly appear for GOD.\u2015\u2015And to\ntell you my whole mind, I do not believe GOD will bless either you or\nyour friends to any considerable degree, till you are more delivered\nfrom the fear of man. Alas, how was you bowed down with it, when I saw\nyou last! And your letter bespeaks you a slave to it yet. O my brother,\ndeal faithfully with yourself, and you will find a love of the world,\nand fear of not providing for your children, have gotten too much hold\nof your heart. Do not mistake me. I would not have you throw yourself\ninto flames. I would only have you act a consistent part, and not for\nfear of a little contempt be ashamed of owning the ministers of CHRIST.\nAfter all, think not, my dear Sir, that I am pleading my own cause. You\nare not in danger of seeing me at _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_. I only take this occasion\nof saying a word or two to your heart. You will not be offended, as it\nproceeds from love. You may shew this to dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I salute him,\nthe dear doctor, and dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, most cordially. I hope the seed\nis sown among the rich to some purpose. Last _Thursday_ Lord _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ke_\nwas one of my hearers. Brethren pray for us; you are never forgotten by,\nvery dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 18, 1749._\n\n_My very dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Have received from you two very kind letters, the last of which\nmade me to smile indeed. Alas, my dear man, what airy castles are you\nbuilding? Were your sanguine expectations to take place, might I not\njustly say to my friends, \u201c_Quid vultis, ut peream_?\u201d But blessed be\nGOD, there is yet no danger. The gospel is not got so near the court\nas you imagine. However, some of the mighty and noble come twice a week\nto hear at good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_\u2019s, and the prospect of doing good amongst\nthem is very encouraging. One or two I trust are effectually touched.\nPray on, and who knows what a great fire a little spark may kindle?\nI wish the LORD may answer your request, and give you a religious\ngovernor. I cannot see how I can serve dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I should be\nvery shy of asking any favours, supposing I had interest, lest I should\nbe thought to preach for myself and not for CHRIST JESUS my LORD. I\nwould fain convince all, that I seek not theirs but them. I am sorry\nyou have met with so many losses of late; but all our losses will be\nfound to be gain in the end. Blessed are they that love GOD! All things\nare even now working together for their good. About _August_ I purpose,\nGOD willing, to embark for _Carolina_; though my friends say not, I\nbelieve they will be mistaken. Ere this reaches you, I hope GOD will\nhave raised you up Pastors after his own heart. Pray remember me in\nthe most endearing manner to all that I was acquainted with, and tell\nthem I live in hopes of seeing them once more in the flesh. I heartily\nsalute all, and am, very dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Bristol, Jan. 28, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Think it is now high time for me to trouble your Ladyship with a\nfew lines. They come to thank your Ladyship ten thousand times for\nall favours, and to inform you that our glorious Redeemer orders all\nthings well. On _Wednesday_, through winds, rain and frost, I reached\n_Gloucester_, and preached there the same evening. The next day we held\nout association, and, thanks be to GOD, affairs turned out better than\nexpectation. I came hither this evening, where I found my brother in\nthe very temper I could wish, \u201cseemingly quite fixed to leave the world\nfor GOD.\u201d He tells me of a Colonel, who heard me once in the Summer,\nthat now wants to know if his sins are forgiven. My brother\u2019s visit to\ntown has been greatly blessed to him. Surely your Ladyship will never\nknow, till the day of judgment, the great ends GOD had in view in\ncalling your Ladyship to _London_. I rejoice in the prospect of seeing\nyour Ladyship happy amidst a crowd of your spiritual children, who\nwill come to you from time to time to be built up in their most holy\nfaith. You will suffer many pangs for them; but all shall work for your\nLadyship\u2019s present and eternal good. I suffer much in my bodily health\nfor preaching to the nobility; but, thanks be to GOD, that some seem to\nhave an hearing ear, and an understanding heart. My warmest prayers are\ncontinually ascending to the throne of grace for your Ladyship, and for\nall those who have heard the word, especially those honourable women\nthat used to join with your Ladyship in receiving the sacred symbols\nof the Redeemer\u2019s blessed body and blood. My cry to our LORD in their\nbehalf is this,\n\n _Take their poor hearts, and let them be_\n _For ever clos\u2019d to all but thee._\n\nI forgot to tell your Ladyship, that the _Welch_ justices have ordered\nthe twenty pounds, exacted of the Methodists by Sir _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, to be\nreturned. I can add up more, but my most grateful acknowledgments for\nall kindnesses, and subscribe myself, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful and willing servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXIX.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Bristol, Feb. 1, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nYESTERDAY I had the favour of your Ladyship\u2019s letter; and am glad to\nfind that Lady _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s journey will not be altogether in vain. Our\nLORD will note, in his book, your Ladyship\u2019s endeavour to serve her,\nand reward you openly before men and angels, for this and all other\nyour works of faith, and labours of love. I am glad your Ladyship\napproves of Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s conduct, and that he hath preached at your\nLadyship\u2019s. The language of my heart is, \u201cLORD, send by whom thou wilt\nsend, only convert some of the mighty and noble, for thy mercy\u2019s sake!\nThen I care not if I am heard of no more.\u201d I am much obliged to those\nhonourable ladies who are pleased to send me their good wishes. In\nreturn, they have my earnest prayers that they may be filled with all\nthe fulness of GOD. For my own part, I long to take the field. I trust\nwe shall see a glorious Spring, and hear of many souls crying out,\n\u201cWhat shall we do to be saved?\u201d Blessed be GOD, we have solid seasons\nhere. I trust I can with truth say, \u201cThe gospel has been preached with\nthe Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.\u201d Next _Monday_, GOD willing, I\nshall travel further _Westward_. In the mean while, I purpose to preach\nhere, and at _Kingswood_, and to take a step to _Bath_. Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nwas here yesterday, and brought me a benefaction from Miss _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nof fifteen guineas, most or all of which I purpose paying to Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015,\ntowards discharging what is due to him for the Orphan-house. Thus\ndoth the LORD help me, who long ago deserved to be banished from his\npresence for ever, and to be employed in his work no more. I am glad\nyour Ladyship approves of Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_: He is, I think, a worthy man.\nBy taking this method, your Ladyship will have an opportunity of\nconversing with the best of all parties, without being a bigot, and too\nstrenuously attached to any. Surely in this your Ladyship is directed\nfrom above. The blessed JESUS cares for his people of all denominations.\nHe is gathering his elect out of all. Happy they, who, with a\ndisinterested view, take in the whole church militant, and, in spite of\nnarrow-hearted bigots, breathe an undissembled catholic spirit towards\nall. That your Ladyship may increase and grow in this spirit, and\nconsequently increase in true divine happiness every day, is and shall\nbe the constant prayer of, Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXX.\n\n\n _To the Countess of D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Feb. 1, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nWILL your Ladyship pardon me, if I inform you, that love and gratitude\nconstrain me to send your Ladyship a few lines? As I am daily praying\nfor the temporal and eternal welfare of your Ladyship, and your\nhonourable sister, so I cannot help informing you, that I trust you\nhave both such a view of the present great salvation, purchased for the\nvery chief of sinners by the blood of CHRIST, that you will neither of\nyou be at rest, till made real partakers thereof. Has not your Ladyship\nalready had a taste of this inward happiness? Assuredly you have.\nShould not this encourage your Ladyship to expect, seek after, and\npray for unspeakably more? Undoubtedly it ought. The fulness which is\nin JESUS is inexhaustible. Out of that fulness your Ladyship may be\nalways receiving grace for grace. Thanks be to GOD for teaching you the\nway! Let not your honoured sister think herself too unworthy of such\na mercy. JESUS is worthy; she hath nothing to do but to bring all her\nunworthiness to the LORD our righteousness, and accept of compleat\nsalvation as a free gift. Hearing, when last in town, that your\nLadyship would not be offended if I wrote, encouraged me to take\nthe liberty of troubling your Ladyship with this. As the glorious\n_Emmanuel_ enables, it shall be followed with my most fervent prayers,\nwhich have been, are, and, through JESUS CHRIST strengthening, shall\nalways be put up in behalf of yourself, and your honourable sister, by,\nhonoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Feb. 4, 1749._\n\n_My dear Sir_,\n\nTHE contents of your letter surprized me; and yet it is time for me to\nlearn to be surprized at nothing. But what shall we say? It must needs\nbe that these trials should come, to wean us from every creature, and\nteach us to live by faith in the Son of GOD. Had you succeeded, you\ncertainly would have met with some thorn in the flesh, to keep you from\nbeing elated too much. Persons of such sanguine dispositions as you and\nI are, always need one from some quarter or another. By your letter,\nthis trial has done you good already. Be thankful for it, therefore,\nmy dear Sir, and say from your inmost soul, \u201cthe cup, which my heavenly\nFather hath given me, shall I not drink it?\u201d\u2015\u2015We are but poor choosers\nfor ourselves. GOD sees not as we see. It is a comfort when we can\nsay, we have eyed GOD in any affair; but if that affair be plainly\ndisconcerted by his providence, we may be certain it is for good. I\nfound it so in a like circumstance, when my affections were much more\nengaged than yours necessarily must have been. I wish you joy of being\ncalled to leave a worm for GOD, and in your submission to his divine\nappointment. \u201cSurely,\u201d (says the prophet that was sent to anoint one of\n_Jesse_\u2019s sons) \u201cthe LORD\u2019s anointed is before me.\u201d He guessed several\ntimes; but always guessed wrong, till little _David_ was sent for, who\nwas thought nothing of. And if a prophet was mistaken, when thus sent\nin a peculiar manner, and no doubt particularly engaged in prayer for\ndirection, is it any wonder, that we should find ourselves mistaken in\nmany things, even when we have been most earnest with GOD for guidance\nand direction? GOD often guides us by disappointments; and I doubt not\nbut you will find some better thing is prepared for you. What the LORD\nhath done to you, though you know not now, yet you shall know hereafter.\n\n I.\n\n _Leave to his sovereign sway_\n _To choose and to command;_\n _So shalt thou wond\u2019ring own his way,_\n _How wise, how strong his hand._\n\n II.\n\n _Far, far above thy thoughts,_\n _His counsel shall appear,_\n _When fully he the work hath wrought,_\n _Which caus\u2019d thy needless fear._\n\nYou see, dear Sir, my concern for you by the length of this letter. As\nyou are, I trust, my own son in the faith, so I cannot avoid naturally\ncaring for you. My letter shall be followed with my prayers. Be\nresigned. I am better in health than when I left town; and am much\nblessed in preaching. You know how to give thanks in behalf of\n\n Your sympathizing friend,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXXII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Exon, Feb. 9, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nYOUR Ladyship\u2019s laying your commands upon me to write often, makes\nme uneasy unless I can redeem time to send to your Ladyship at least\nonce a week. Blessed be GOD, I can inform your Ladyship, that there\nwas a great stirring among the dry bones at _Bristol_ and _Kingswood_.\nLast Lord\u2019s-day was a great day of the Son of Man. The power of the\nLORD attended the word, as in days of old, and several persons, that\nhad never heard me before, were brought under great awakenings. A\ncounsellor came once, and was so affected, that when he got home he\ninvited others to come and hear, which so alarmed his lady, (ready\nto die of a consumption) that she is afraid her husband will go mad.\nLast night I came hither, and had the pleasure of seeing some spiritual\nchildren that were begotten unto GOD when I was here last. This evening\nI am to begin to spread the gospel-net; and shall continue in _Exeter_\ntill _Monday_. Affairs have been so confused, that it requires some\ntime to settle them. I find a death must come upon all we do, that the\nlife of it may appear to be wholly of GOD. I hope your Ladyship finds\nthat the Redeemer\u2019s work flourishes in your hands. I long to hear,\nwhether my letters were kindly received, and whether the seed sown by\nme or any other springs up. Whoever plants, or whoever waters, I know\nit is the LORD must give the increase. Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is vastly attached\nto your Ladyship\u2019s interest, and, I believe, prays continually for\nyour success. Many do so, whom your Ladyship knows not. Your Ladyship\u2019s\nletter to Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ I find is blessed much. It is the good man\u2019s lot,\nthat whatsoever he doth shall prosper. May this be fulfilled in your\nLadyship more and more every day! I could enlarge, but must away to\nmy delightful work. People are waiting. This late journey has been\nblessed to the recovery of my health. I have not had any of my usual\ndisorders since I left town. I am sometimes faint. But, \u201cFaint, and\nyet pursuing,\u201d must be the christian\u2019s motto. I hope my most dutiful\nrespects will find acceptance with those honourable persons whose faces\nare set _Zion-wards_, and that your Ladyship will accept the same from,\nhonoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient, and willing\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXXIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 16, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHE last time I wrote to your Ladyship, I was at _Exeter_, where I\nbegun on _Sunday_ evening to preach in the open air.\u2015\u2015Abundance of\nsouls attended, and I trust real good was done. In the morning, grace\nflowed richly round the congregation; and many knew experimentally that\nCHRIST was risen, by his giving them to experience the power of his\nresurrection in their hearts. On _Monday_ I went to _Bovey-Tracey_,\nabout 12 miles from _Exeter_, where I found several poor simple souls.\nHere also the fountain of life was open, and I believe some drank at,\nand others felt the want of it. The next morning I preached at a place\ncalled _Mary-Church_, where are supposed to be near a score of awakened\nsouls, who have undergone much outward trouble for adhering to the\ncross of CHRIST. Most of their bitterest opposers were present. All\nwas calm; and the power of the LORD accompanied the word. After sermon\nI rode twenty miles to _Kingsbridge_, where, to my great surprize, I\nfound about a thousand souls waiting till eight in the evening to hear\nthe word. Though nature said, \u201cSpare thyself,\u201d I thought faith and duty\nsaid, \u201cVenture upon the LORD\u2019s strength, and speak to them.\u201d I did,\nfrom these words of our dear LORD\u2019s: \u201cI must work the works of him that\nsent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.\u201d I\npreached in the street. The moon-shone. All was quiet; and I hope some\nbegun to think of working out their salvation with fear and trembling.\nThe next morning I preached there again; four ministers attended. Our\nLORD was pleased to make it a very fine season. After sermon I had the\npleasure of hearing, that by two or three discourses preached at this\nplace about 5 years ago, many souls were awakened. One young man, then\ncalled, is since a preacher; he was in a tree partly to ridicule me. I\nspoke to him to imitate _Zaccheus_, and come down and receive the LORD\nJESUS. The word was backed with power\u2015\u2015He heard, came down, believed,\nand now adorns the gospel. From _Kingsbridge_ to _Plymouth_, is near\ntwenty post miles. Hither I came last night. About ten miles from the\ntown, I met several of my spiritual children, who came on horseback to\nsee me. When I came into the town, many hundreds were waiting to hear\nthe word, and received me with great joy. Though it was past seven at\nnight, and I had preached at _Kingsbridge_ in the morning, I thought\nit my duty to comply with the people\u2019s importunity, and accordingly I\ncalled upon them, (in a place stiled the tabernacle, built since I have\nbeen absent) to behold the Lamb of GOD. I find a strange alteration in\nthe people since I came first here, now above four years ago. Many were\nthen awakened, and truly converted to the blessed JESUS. I write in a\nhouse belonging to a married couple, who call me their spiritual father.\n_Plymouth_ seems to be quite a new place to me. I have also just now\nparted from a truly converted neighbouring clergyman, who has invited\nme to preach in his church. Ere long I hope to send your Ladyship some\nmore good news. In the mean while, I wish your Ladyship the best of\nblessings; and entreat your Ladyship to pray, that a chearful, humble,\nsimple, and guileless heart may be given to, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, though unworthy servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCXXXIV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 20, 1749._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nI Had the pleasure of receiving your letters dated _December_ 29th and\n31st. I thank you a thousand times for this, and all your other favours.\nI did not think Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s friendship would hold long. It will be\ntime enough for me to speak to and of him, when I see _Bermudas_ again,\nwhich I propose doing, GOD willing, as soon as possible. In the mean\nwhile, I would only observe, that if I am a _Roman Catholic_, the\nPope must have given \u2665me a very large dispensation. Surely Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nhas acted like one, to pretend so much friendship, and express it in\nthe strongest terms, and yet have nothing of it in his heart all the\nwhile. But thus it must be. Dear Sir, we must be tried every way. _Hic\nmurus aheneus esto_, &c. As for any secrets that I told him, he is\nvery welcome to reveal them. You know me too well to judge I have many\nsecrets. May the secret of the LORD be with me! and then I care not if\nthere was a window in my heart for all mankind to see the uprightness\nof my intentions. I long to have _Bethesda_ a foundation for the LORD\nJESUS. If I can procure a proper solid person of good literature, who\nwill be content to stay two or three years, something may be done. I am\nnow in the _West_, and have begun to take the field. Great multitudes\nflock to hear; and our LORD is pleased apparently to countenance my\npoor unworthy ministrations. I have the pleasure of seeing the seed,\nwhich was sown just before I embarked last for _America_, spring up,\nproducing an hundred-fold. May JESUS have all the glory! Perhaps (O\namazing love!) he has not done with me yet. I am better in bodily\nhealth than usual, but expect to be sick again when I return to\n_London_. Thither I must go in about a fortnight, to preach again to\nsome of the Rich and Great, as well as the Poor. I find it is a trial,\nto be thus divided between the work on this and the other side of the\nwater. I am convinced I have done right in coming over now; and I keep\nmyself quite disengaged, that I may be free to leave _England_ the\nlatter end of the Summer, if our LORD is pleased to make my way clear.\nI hope, as you say nothing to the \u2666contrary, that all friends are well.\nI beg to be remembered to them all in the kindest manner, and depend\nmuch on their not forgetting to pray for, reverend and dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n \u2665 duplicate \u201cme\u201d removed\n\n \u2666 \u201cconrrary\u201d replaced with \u201ccontrary\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXXV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 21, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Believe it will much rejoice your Ladyship\u2019s heart to hear what is\ndoing in the _West_. I could not have thought that the seed sown four\nyears ago, would have met with such a great increase. But what cannot\nGOD do? I have now proclaimed here seven times the riches of redeeming\nlove, to very large, attentive, and affected auditories. Generally\nabout two thousand attend every night; and the _Sunday_ evening, in the\nfield, I believe there were above five thousand hearers. On _Wednesday_,\nGOD willing, I move hence. My short stay affects the people. But our\nLORD orders all things well. I hope to be in town at my appointed time,\nat least within a few days of it. If Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is not returned, I\nshall be grieved to think how your Ladyship will want the ordinance;\nbut, thanks be to GOD, the fountain is open, and your Ladyship knows\nthe way to it. Last Lord\u2019s-day I administered the sacrament to some\nfew souls that had no pastor; and I could have wished your Ladyship\npresent to have seen an affecting sight,\u2015\u2015two parents, both believers,\npresenting two daughters and a son, in the most solemn manner, for the\nfirst time to be communicants. I received them with all joy; and our\nLORD graced the feast with much of his divine presence. Indeed, my good\nLady, affairs bear a very promising aspect. I hear that much good has\nbeen done at _Bristol_. Every where fresh doors are opening, and people\nflock from all quarters. Prejudices, I find, do subside, and, through\ngrace, strong impressions are made on many souls. I have not been so\nwell, for so long a season together, for many years, as I have been\nsince I left town. A proof, I think, that the LORD calls me into the\nfields. I hear how your Ladyship has been, by the B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015p. Alas! how\ndoes the enmity of the heart sometimes make persons to forget good\nmanners! Your Ladyship has been taught of GOD to forgive and pity. Well,\nif the great shepherd and bishop of souls has work to be done, he will\nraise up instruments, and find ways to send them out.\n\n I.\n\n _Thoughts are vain against the LORD,_\n _All subserve his powerful word;_\n _Wheels encircling wheels must run,_\n _Each in course to bring it on._\n\n II.\n\n _Blest is faith, that trusts his power,_\n _Blest are saints that wait his hour;_\n _Haste, great conqueror, bring it near,_\n _Let the glorious close appear._\n\nI know that your Ladyship will say heartily, _Amen_. I doubt not but\nyour Ladyship enjoys much of his presence, which is better than life.\nI hope your honourable and right honourable visitants share richly\nwith you. I beg leave to send them, and your Ladyship, my most dutiful\nrespects, and subscribe myself, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, though unworthy servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXXVI.\n\n\n _To Lady G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 22, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nYOUR Ladyship\u2019s letter I received yesterday; I trust under some sense\nof the honour your Ladyship has done me, through the King of kings\nmaking me instrumental in quickening or building up your Ladyship\u2019s\nprecious and immortal soul. Like a pure chrystal, I would transmit all\nthe glory he is pleased to pour upon me, and never claim as my own,\nwhat is his sole propriety. Thanks be to his great and glorious name,\nfor putting it into your Ladyship\u2019s heart to say sincerely, \u201cLORD,\nincrease my faith.\u201d When I had read your Ladyship\u2019s letter, I could not\nhelp observing what a connection there was between the present frame\nof your Ladyship\u2019s heart, and your present circumstances in respect\nto your servant. For how is it, honoured Madam, that our faith is\nto be increased, but by our being exercised with trials? By these the\nchristian grows; and faith, like the burning bush amidst the furnace of\naffliction, flourishes unconsumed. Blessed be GOD, that your Ladyship\nhath taken hold of a great and precious promise. Our LORD has promised,\n\u201cthat he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to\nbear.\u201d And he is faithful that hath promised. We have nothing to do,\nbut to plead his promise in prayer. Be pleased, therefore, honoured\nMadam, to solace yourself, under your present distress, with these\nlines:\n\n I.\n\n _With joy we meditate the grace_\n _Of our High-priest above;_\n _His heart is made of tenderness,_\n _His bowels melt with love._\n\n II.\n\n _Touch\u2019d with a sympathy within,_\n _He knows our feeble frame;_\n _He knows what sore temptations mean,_\n _For he has felt the same._\n\n III.\n\n _He, in the days of feeble flesh,_\n _Pour\u2019d out his cries and tears;_\n _And in his measure feels afresh,_\n _What every member bears._\n\n IV.\n\n _Then let our humble faith address_\n _His mercy and his power;_\n _We shall obtain delivering grace,_\n _In the distressing hour._\n\nThis is, and shall be, honoured Madam, my daily prayer on your behalf.\nFear not; our LORD will take care that all shall work for good. Those\nwho are sincere, will soon get over such stumbling blocks; and those\nthat are not, will stumble at any thing, nay every thing. I bless GOD,\nthat some have got their faces set _Zion-wards_. Of the honourable\nwomen, ere long, I trust, there will be not a few who will dare to be\nsingularly good, and confess the blessed JESUS before men. O with what\na holy contempt may the poor despised believer look down on those,\nwho are yet immersed in the pleasures of sense, and amidst all the\nrefinements of their unassisted, unenlightened reason, continue slaves\nto their own lusts and passions. Happy, thrice happy they! who begin\nto feel and experience what it is to be redeemed from this present\nevil world. Well may they count all things but dung and dross for the\nexcellency of the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS their Lord. Well may they\nlook upon the few righteous, as the only truly excellent ones of the\nearth; and choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of GOD,\nthan enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. You, honoured Madam, I\ntrust, are one of this happy number. May all your children add to it,\nand follow your Ladyship, as they see you follow CHRIST. I hope that\nsome have been inclined to list under his banner, since I left town.\nIndeed the glorious Redeemer has dealt bountifully with his people,\nand with unworthy me. The good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, I suppose, hath informed\nyour Ladyship of some pleasing particulars. I hope to acquaint you of\nmore at my return to town. In the mean while, I beg leave to subscribe\nmyself, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXXVII.\n\n\n _To the Countess of D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 22, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nYESTERDAY I had the favour of your Ladyship\u2019s letter, which I would\nhave answered immediately, but was engaged both in company, and in\npreaching the everlasting gospel. Your Ladyship\u2019s answering my poor\nscrawl, was an honour I did not expect; but, since your Ladyship is\npleased thus to condescend, I am encouraged to make a reply. And give\nme leave to assure your Ladyship, that your own case, and that of your\nhonoured sisters, have been, and are always upon my heart. I pray for\nboth in public and private, though none knows whom I mean. Blessed\nbe the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who, I trust, hath\nimparted a saving knowledge of his eternal Son to your Ladyship\u2019s heart.\nYour letter bespeaks the language of a soul which hath tasted that the\nLORD is gracious, and hath been initiated into the divine life. Welcome,\nthrice welcome, honoured Madam, into the world of new creatures! O what\na scene of happiness lies before you! Your frames, my Lady, like the\nmoon, will wax and wane; but the LORD JESUS, on whose righteousness you\nsolely depend, will, notwithstanding, remain your faithful friend in\nheaven. Your Ladyship seems to have the right point in view, to get a\nconstant abiding witness and indwelling of the blessed Spirit of GOD\nin your heart. This the Redeemer has purchased for you. Of this he has\ngiven your Ladyship a taste; this, I am persuaded, he will yet impart\nso plentifully to your heart, that out of it shall flow rivers of\nliving waters. This JESUS spake of the Spirit, which they that believe\non him should receive. As you have, therefore, honoured Madam, received\nthe LORD JESUS, so walk in him even by faith. Lean on your beloved, and\nyou shall go on comfortably through this howling wilderness, till you\narrive at those blissful regions,\n\n _Where pain, and sin, and sorrow cease,_\n _And all is calm, and joy, and peace._\n\nAnd O that your honoured sister may go hand in hand with your Ladyship!\nWherefore doth she doubt? Wherefore doth she fear? Why does not her\nLadyship say,\n\n _To the blest fountain of thy blood,_\n _Incarnate GOD, I fly;_\n _Here let me wash my spotted soul,_\n _From sins of crimson dye_.\n\nHonoured Madam, is it not a fountain opened? Opened for all that will\ncome, and wash at, and drink of it? Entreat her Ladyship, therefore,\nhonoured Madam, not to be faithless, but believing. Beg her to come,\nor rather be pleased to inform her Ladyship, that her Saviour entreats\nand commands her to come just as she is, and to accept of salvation\nas a free-gift. O that with Queen _Esther_ she may say, \u201cIf I perish,\nI perish.\u201d Then shall she see the King of kings holding out a golden\nsceptre, and not an iron rod. But I forget myself again. Honoured\nMadam, be pleased to pardon me, and accept what I have written as the\noverflowings of a heart that hath been wrestling with GOD, for the\nsalvation of your Ladyship, your honoured sister, and of all related\nto you. This is the best proof I can give of my being, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient, and willing\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To the Countess of H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Exeter, Feb. 24, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nAFTER I wrote to your Ladyship last post, from _Plymouth_, I received\nthe letters you was pleased to communicate to Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. They came\nquite unexpected. I think it is enough, that my letters are received,\nnot without being answered; but the LORD JESUS will humble me by\nmercies. O that they may have that blessed effect upon my soul!\nInclosed, your Ladyship hath my answers. I have sent them open, that\nyour Ladyship may (if not too long) peruse them. Whilst I was writing,\nthe fire kindled, and I did not well know how to leave off. I rejoice\nthat your Ladyship hath such a promising prospect of doing good among\nthe rich and great. Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, in his last, writes thus: \u201cMr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nwent with me to wait on her Ladyship; where he owns he spent two hours\nwith more pleasure, than he ever remembered to have done in any company\nbefore: and, I must freely own, he spoke my own sentiments.\u201d I believe\nthat your Ladyship will daily reap the fruit of a catholic spirit, and\na free conversation with the truly gracious of all denominations. It\nis a conduct truly god-like. Dear Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has much of it. I parted\nfrom him on _Thursday_ afternoon. He was once almost blinded by weeping\nunder the word. He was rejoiced to see the flocking at _Plymouth_.\nIndeed it was very encouraging. Our LORD seemed to keep the best wine\nuntil the last. At _Tavistock_, ten miles from _Plymouth_, I preached\nlast _Thursday_, but was rudely treated. For, whilst I was praying,\nsome of the baser sort brought a bull and dogs, and disturbed us much.\nBut I hope that good was done. Blessed be GOD, we know some has been\ndone. I conversed with three or four, that have been awakened by the\nreading of some of my printed sermons. Surely the Apostle spoke like\nhimself, when he said, \u201cGOD has chosen the weak things of this world,\nto confound the strong; and things that are not, to bring to nought the\nthings that are.\u201d I am now come thus far in my return to _London_. I\npurpose, GOD willing, being there in about ten days. On _Monday_ next\nI shall set out for _Bristol_; where, as I am informed, the infinitely\ncondescending Redeemer has been pleased greatly to bless my last visit.\nWhen I think of _London_, I feel a kind of fear and trembling, lest\nmy bodily sickness should return again, and I should not speak to the\nMighty and Noble, so as to win them to the ever-blessed JESUS. But I\ndesire to throw myself blindfold into his hands, believing, (LORD, help\nmy unbelief!) that as my day is, so shall my strength be. At present,\nhonoured Madam, this is the language of my heart, to Him, whose I am,\nand whom I desire to serve:\n\n _A life that all things casts behind,_\n _Springs forth obedient to thy call;_\n _A heart, that no desire can move,_\n _But still t\u2019adore, believe, and love,_\n _Give me, my LORD, my life, my all!_\n\nI hope this will find your Ladyship quite happy under the shadow of\nredeeming love. I wish your Ladyship an increase of that happiness\nevery moment, as being, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, though most unworthy\n humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXXXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exeter, Feb. 25, 1749._\n\n_My dear Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR last, with the inclosed, you may be sure gave me satisfaction, at\nthe same time as they, I trust, humbled me before him, who will send by\nwhom he will send. This post carries answers to the honourable women.\nI suppose that you will be pleased to find I am thus far in my return\nto _London_. O my friend, my friend, I come with fear and trembling. To\nspeak to the rich and great, so as to win them to the blessed JESUS, is\nindeed a task. But wherefore do we fear? We can do all things through\nCHRIST strengthening us. But why does Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ think it strange,\nthat no-body can be found to help me in the country? Is it not more\nstrange, that you should lie supine as it were, burying your talents\nin a napkin, complaining that you have nothing to do, and yet souls\nevery where are perishing about you for lack of knowledge? Why do you\nnot preach or print? At least, why do you not help me, or somebody\nor another, in a more public way? You are in the decline of life, and\nif you do not soon reassume the place, you are now, through grace,\nqualified for, you may lose the opportunity of doing so for ever. I\nwrite this in great seriousness. May the LORD give you no rest, till\nyou lift up your voice like a trumpet! Up, and be doing, and the LORD\nwill be with you. I can now no more, but inform you, that, GOD willing,\nI am to be at _Bristol_ next _Tuesday_, where letters on _Wednesday_\nmorning may find, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXL.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exeter, Feb. 27, 1749._\n\n_Very dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Am ashamed to think that your last kind letter has lain by so long\nunanswered; but journeying, preaching, and a multiplicity of other\nbusiness has prevented me. I shall not carry on the debate; only I must\nthank you for receiving my letter in so friendly a manner, and entreat\nyou, though a host of enemies are behind, and a whole sea of troubles\nbefore you, to go forwards. That was the command the great JEHOVAH gave\nto his servant _Moses_, when under very pressing circumstances, so that\nhe knew not what to do. The LORD\u2019s impressing and affecting persons\nunder your exhortation, is a token for good. It is good to be led on\nstep by step into whatever plan providence intends to call us. \u201cHe\nthat believeth doth not make haste.\u201d Our business is to follow, and\nimprove the light we have, and that is the way to get more. You know\nwho hath said, \u201cto him that hath shall be given, and he shall have more\nabundance.\u201d May this promise be fulfilled in your heart! But why does\nmy friend write so about assurance, or think he is too sinful to expect\nsuch a favour? Have you learnt CHRIST no better yet? Who more sinful\nthan _Paul_ or the jaylor, _Zaccheus_ or _Magdalene_? and who more\nassured of their salvation? My dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, do not think so hardly\nof the glorious Redeemer. Draw near to him with boldness, though the\ngreatest of sinners, and urge that as an argument, why he should give\nyou the greatest and most abiding assurance of his everlasting love.\nThis is the only argument I can use in respect to my own soul. Fear\nnot, dear Sir, though clouds return after the rain; ere long I trust\nthe glorious and ever-blessed spirit will not, as to his comforts, be\nlike a way-faring man, tarrying only for a night, but come and make\na continued abode in your heart. The language of my soul for you is,\n\u201cCome LORD JESUS, come quickly!\u201d May I expect an answer to this in\n_London_. Thither I am now going from the west, where I have been for\nabout a month, and through grace have seen that the seed sown just\nbefore my embarking last for _America_, has sprung up and produced\nfruit unto GOD. To him be all the glory. The impressions made upon some\nof the great ones do remain. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ sends me good news. Be\npleased to remember me as usual to doctor _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and\nbelieve me to be, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, March 1, 1749._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nI Am much obliged to you for your last kind letter. It was so agreeable,\nthat I sent it to good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Her Ladyship writes me word \u201cthat\nit was a letter after her own heart.\u201d She loves a Catholic spirit, and\nI trust you are not deceived in your thoughts concerning me in this\nrespect. If I know any thing of my desperately wicked and deceitful\nheart, I truly love all that love the glorious _Emmanuel_, and though I\ncannot depart from the principles which I believe are clearly revealed\nin the book of GOD, yet I can chearfully associate with those that\ndiffer from me, if I have reason to think they are united to our common\nhead. This induced me to call upon good Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, whose books many\nyears ago were blessed to my soul, when the work that is now spreading,\nwas then only in embryo. I am just come from the west, where I have\nhad the pleasure of seeing the seed sown just before I last embarked\nfor _America_, sprung up and bearing much fruit. All glory be to Him\nwho alone giveth the increase. I have also had two letters from some\nhonourable women, who I trust have received the grace of GOD in truth;\nand Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ writes me word, that \u201cthe prospect of doing good at\nmy return to _London_ is very encouraging.\u201d Thither I am now bound. I\ngo with fear and trembling, knowing how difficult it is to speak to the\ngreat, so as to win them to JESUS CHRIST. I sometimes am ready to say,\n\u201cLORD, I pray thee have me excused, and send by whom thou wilt send.\u201d\nBut divine grace is sufficient for me. I can do all things through\nCHRIST strengthening me. My dear brother, fail not to pray for me, that\nI may hold on and hold out to the end, and in prosperity and adversity\npress forward with an even, chearful, meek and lowly mind towards the\nmark, for the prize of our high calling in CHRIST JESUS. I am glad\nto hear that doctor _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ goes on so well. I guess he will not be\nsuffered long to halt. It is no matter how soon all worldly shackles\nare knocked off, and persons set at liberty (supposing they have a\nproper call) to range for GOD. I find there is no hopes of compromising\nmatters. Nobody can be ordained that is a Methodist. Well! the time may\ncome, when many of the priests also shall be obedient to the word.\nThey come last; but then many of them come together. I know you will\nsay, Amen! let me hear from you shortly again. You shall have as quick\nreturns as can be given you by, my dear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Gloucester, March 4, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nHAVING been moving this week from place to place, I could not write\nto your Ladyship as usual, and even now my body is so fatigued, that I\ncannot say much. However, I would beg leave to inform your Ladyship\nthat the glorious _Emmanuel_ continues to smile upon my poor labours,\nand that about the middle of the week, by his leave, I purpose waiting\nupon your Ladyship in _North Audley-street_. I doubt not but I shall\nfind your Ladyship riper for heaven, than when I left _London_. There\nyou will be always thronged with company, and yet free from the least\ndistraction. On earth it is otherwise. However, as we advance in the\ndivine life, we shall be more and more conformed to those ministring\nspirits, who, though waiting on us below, do always behold the face of\nour heavenly Father above. This divine lesson, honoured madam, GOD has\nbegun to teach you. May you daily make a proficiency therein, so that\nyour progress may be made known unto all men! I will follow as fast as\nI can, though alas! with too slow a pace. I must now add no more, but\nmy usual prayers for your Ladyship\u2019s temporal and eternal welfare, and\nhasten to subscribe myself, honoured madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful though unworthy humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, March 10, 1749._\n\n_Dear Billy_,\n\nI Have just now heard, that a ship will sail for _Philadelphia_ in a\nday or two. I cannot therefore miss the opportunity of acknowledging\nthe receipt of your last kind letter. I am sorry it brought me such bad\nnews concerning the state of religion in your parts. My constant prayer\nfor you, and my other _Philadelphia_ friends is this, \u201cLORD, revive\nthy work in the midst of the years.\u201d Notwithstanding so wide a door\nis opened here, and a prospect of doing much good lies before me, yet\nI have settled thoughts of embarking for _America_ in the fall. But\nfuture things belong to GOD. His I am, and I desire to be entirely at\nhis alwise disposal. My wife is not yet arrived; I hear she is yet\nupon the water. May the LORD JESUS be her convoy! I am just returned\nfrom an excursion of about six hundred miles in the west, where I had\nthe pleasure of seeing, that the seed sown before I embarked last for\n_America_, had been blessed abundantly. Glory be to Him, who alone has\ngiven the increase. The news you have had of my preaching to some great\nones, is true; I have done it for some time twice a week, and thanks\nbe to the blessed Redeemer, it has already produced good effects. Lady\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is a mirror of piety indeed. In time, I trust of the honourable\nwomen there will not be a few, who dare to confess the LORD JESUS\nbefore men. You must remember me to all. I have scarce time to write\nthis, so can only send one general salutation. The LORD JESUS be with\nall your spirits, Amen and Amen! The bearer, Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, seems to be\nwell recommended as an honest man. He is an entire stranger to every\nbody in _America_, and I believe has a mind to settle in _Philadelphia_.\nI am desired to write a line in his behalf. You will do what you can\nfor him, because he is a stranger. I could write much more, but am\ninterrupted. Adieu, my dear man, for the present. Pray keep near the\never-blessed Redeemer, and fail not to pray for and write to\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, March 11, 1749._\n\n_My very dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Wish you joy. I trust you may now say, \u201cNow I begin to be a disciple\nof JESUS CHRIST.\u201d You know who has commanded us to rejoice and be\nexceeding glad when men separate from our company, and speak all manner\nof evil against us falsely for his name\u2019s sake. Thanks be to GOD, you\nhave at length found out, that whosoever attempts to reconcile GOD and\nthe world, is attempting to reconcile two irreconcilable differences.\nThey are as opposite as light and darkness, heaven and hell. You have\nnothing to do, but to go on doing, and then sing with an holy triumph,\n\n _For this let men revile my name,_\n _I shun no cross, I fear no shame;_\n _All hail reproach, and welcome pain,_\n _Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain._\n\nYou know he is faithful, who hath promised, \u201cthat he will never leave\nnor forsake you.\u201d Wait on him therefore, dear Sir, and you shall renew\nyour strength, nay you shall mount on wings like an eagle; you shall\nwalk and not be weary, you shall run and not be faint. Various are\nthe trials inward and outward that you will meet with. It is in the\nspiritual as in the natural birth. The after-pangs are sometimes\nsharper than those that precede the new-birth itself. If you are made\nuse of by JESUS CHRIST, no wonder that satan desires to have you, that\nhe may sift you as wheat. But fear not; JESUS prays for you; your faith\ntherefore shall not fail. How was _Paul_ humbled and struck down before\nhe was sent forth to preach the everlasting gospel? Prayer, temptation,\nand meditation, says _Luther_, are necessary ingredients for a minister.\nIf GOD teaches us humility, it must be as _Gideon_ taught the men of\n_Succoth_, by thorns. This I suppose is what dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ means; he\nhas been conversant with Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and writes much therefore in his\nway. I find he is for making thorough work of it, and digging deep in\norder to build high. He is certainly right; but why we should not press\nafter and continually plead for assurance, which is every where through\nthe holy scriptures spoken of as the common portion of GOD\u2019s children,\nI cannot yet see. It is a false humility to be content without that\nwhich GOD offers and promises to give. Let him give it in his own way\nand time; but, \u201cLORD give me a full assurance of faith, that I may\njoy and rejoice in thee evermore!\u201d should be the constant cry of your\nsoul. My dear Sir, I could enlarge, but I must away to our good Lady\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_\u2019s. You must not expect to see her till _August_. I preached at\nher Ladyship\u2019s on _Thursday_, and am to do so weekly. I expect to leave\ntown in about a month. Pray let me see you if possible. A new scene\nwill open to you, now you begin to act publickly for CHRIST; but I must\nbid you farewel. Adieu. May the LORD JESUS be with your spirit! Write\noften, and you shall be answered, GOD willing, as speedy as possible by,\nmy very dear friend,\n\n Ever yours whilst\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, March 17, 1749._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nWHAT a blessed thing it is, that we can write to, when we cannot see\none another! By this means we increase our joys, and lessen our sorrows,\nand as it were exchange hearts. Thanks be to the LORD JESUS, that the\nwork flourishes with you. I am glad your children grow so fast; they\nbecome fathers soon; I wish some may not prove dwarfs at last. A word\nto the wise is sufficient. I have always found awakening times like\nspring times. Many blossoms, but not always so much fruit. But go on,\nmy dear man, and in the strength of the LORD you shall do valiantly.\nI long to be your way, but I suppose it will be two months first. My\nlove awaits Mrs. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and all that love the LORD JESUS in sincerity.\nPray tell my dear Mr. _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ that I cannot now answer the _Preston_\nletter, being engaged in answering a virulent pamphlet, entitled, \u201c_The\nEnthusiasm of the Methodists and Papists compared_,\u201d supposed to be\ndone by the Bishop of _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Thus it must be. If we will be temple\nbuilders, we must have temple builders lot; I mean, hold a sword in one\nhand and a trowel in the other. The LORD make us faithful _Nehemiahs_,\nfor we have many _Sanballats_ to deal with! but wherefore should we\nfear? If CHRIST be for us, who can be against us? _Nil desperandum,\nchristo duce_, is the christian\u2019s motto. My dear brother, good night.\nMay the LORD JESUS be with your spirit, and make you wise to win souls,\neven wise as an angel of GOD! Remember me in the kindest manner to\nhonest hearted Mr. _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and tell him, that in a post or two I hope\nhe will hear again from\n\n His and your most affectionate though unworthy brother\n and fellow-labourer in CHRIST\u2019s vineyard,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLVI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, April 5, 1749._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nYOU cannot well tell how much satisfaction your last kind letter\ngave me. It was like yourself, like a father in CHRIST, to write to\nstrengthen the hands of one, who is not yet half your age, but I trust\nready to spend and be spent for the good of precious and immortal souls.\nI see that you have heard how kind my enemies have been to me. They\nhave told me of my faults, and by their opposition have given me an\nopportunity of confessing them. I am just now publishing a pamphlet, in\nanswer to one published against the Methodists, upon the title-page of\nwhich I intend to have these words, \u201cOut of the eater came forth meat.\u201d\nO how good, how infinitely wise is JESUS CHRIST! How careful to cause\nall things to work together for good to those who love him. I have\nreason to speak well of him, as a promise-keeping Saviour. I doubt not,\nbut he will greatly bless and own you in the latter stages of the road,\nand cause you to go off like a ripe shock of corn. It will rejoice\nyou to hear that conviction work is going on in _England_ and _Wales_.\nI believe the holy spirit is powerfully working on some of the Rich,\nand the Poor seem rather more eager than ever to hear the gospel. I am\nmuch engaged, so that I have scarce time to see or write to any; but in\nheaven there will be time enough, and but just enough too:\n\n _For O eternity\u2019s too short,_\n _To utter all CHRIST\u2019s praise_.\n\nYou will be pleased to return my most cordial salutations to your wife,\nand all that desire the welfare of such a worthless worm. As our common\nLord enables, you and they shall be remembered by, Reverend and very\ndear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLVII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, April 5, 1749._\n\n_Rev. and dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR kind letter would not have lain by me unanswered so long, had I\nnot been necessarily employed in affairs of immediate consequence. At\nLady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s request, I read part of it to some of the nobility, who\napproved of it very much. By your leave, I will put a sentence or two\nof it, without mentioning names, into a pamphlet I am now fitting for\nthe press. I suppose you have seen it advertised. I want to own and\npublicly confess my public mistakes. O how many, how great have they\nbeen! How much obliged am I to my enemies for telling me of them! I\nwish you could see my pamphlet before it comes out. I just now wrote\nto Doctor _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to see if he cannot meet me this day sevennight, or\ncontrive some way for conveyance of my little piece to him. O that it\nmay be blessed to promote GOD\u2019s glory, and the good of souls! You will\nbe glad to hear that our LORD has given us a good passover, and that\nthe prospect is still encouraging among the Rich. I intend leaving\ntown in about a week, and to begin ranging after precious souls.\u2015\u2015But\nI shall wait for the doctor\u2019s answer. You judge right when you say,\n\u201cit is your opinion that I do not want to make a sect, or set myself\nat the head of a party.\u201d No, let the name of _Whitefield_ die, so that\nthe cause of JESUS CHRIST may live. I have seen enough of popularity\nto be sick of it, and did not the interest of my blessed Master\nrequire my appearing in public, the world should hear but little of\nme henceforward. But who can desert such a cause? Who, for fear of\na little contempt and suffering, would decline the service of such a\nMaster? O that the LORD JESUS may thrust out many, many labourers into\nhis harvest? Surely the time must come, when many of the priests also\nshall be obedient to the word. I wait for thy salvation, O LORD!\u2015\u2015But\nI must bid you farewel. Praying that you may grow under the cross, and\nbe enabled to flourish unconsumed in fire, I subscribe myself, Reverend\nand dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLVIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Gloucester, April 15, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nIT has given me some concern, to think that I was so long in town after\nI took leave of your Ladyship, and could neither see nor write to you.\nThe last letter I was about to write, I found myself too ill to hold a\npen long enough in my hand to finish it. Blessed be GOD, I find myself\nnow much better. Travelling, as usual, does me service, and the joy\nof the LORD supplies the want of bodily strength. Ere long I hope to\nsend your Ladyship some good news out of the country. I came hither\nthis morning, and am to preach to night. In a post or two your Ladyship\nmay expect to hear from me again. In the mean while my prayers will\nbe continually putting up, that you may increase with all the increase\nof GOD. I hope the elect countess is perfectly recovered of her\nlate indisposition, and that Lady _Fanny_, _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, &c. are\ndetermined to go on in that narrow way which leads to everlasting\nlife. Before I left town, I desired Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to send your Ladyship\na dozen of my pamphlets, to be presented to the foresaid Ladies, and\nto whomsoever your Ladyship shall please besides. As many more may\nbe had as your Ladyship sends for. May the LORD give it his blessing,\nand cause me to grow wiser and better by all his various dispensations\ntowards me. I shall now take my leave; and after wishing your Ladyship,\nand the other honourable women that are seeking JESUS, much of that\nrest which remains for the people of GOD, I shall subscribe myself,\nhonoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXLIX.\n\n\n _To the Countess D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, April 19, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHE unfeigned regard I have for your Ladyship, will not suffer me to\nbe long out of _London_ without sending a line to enquire after your\nLadyship\u2019s welfare. I hope this will find you perfectly recovered from,\nor meekly resigned under, your late bodily indisposition. I believe\nyour Ladyship hath reason to say, \u201cIt is good for me, that I have\nbeen afflicted;\u201d\u2015\u2015and sanctified afflictions are undoubtedly signs of\nspecial love. To come purified out of the furnace, and to find that\nsome of our dross is purged away by the LORD\u2019s putting us into the fire,\nis indeed an evidence that he is praying for us, and that our faith,\nhowever tried, shall not finally fail. O Madam, what a blessing is\nit to be able to say, \u201cI know in whom I have believed!\u201d How does such\nan assurance sweeten every bitter cup, and make even death itself\nto appear with an angel\u2019s face! O that all who are destitute of this\nunspeakable gift, were convinced of their want thereof, and set upon\nhungering and thirsting after it! I hope your honoured sister will be\none of these. I have her Ladyship much upon my heart, and do earnestly\npray that she may be strengthened, established, and settled in the\nlove of GOD, and determine to know nothing but JESUS CHRIST and him\ncrucified. I send her Ladyship my most dutiful respects, and beg you\nwould accept of the same, from, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCL.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Portsmouth, May 8, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nGLAD, very glad was I to hear, in a letter sent me by Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that\nyour Ladyship was better; and glad am I, yea very glad, that I can send\nyour Ladyship good news from this part of the country. The night after\nI came here, I preached to many thousands, a great body of whom was\nattentive, but some of the baser sort made a little disturbance. A very\ngreat opposer sent for me to his house immediately, and could scarce\nrefrain weeping all the time I was with him. On the _Friday_ evening I\npreached at _Gosport_, where the mob has generally been very turbulent,\nbut all was hushed and quiet, and as far as I could find, all approved.\nEvery time the word has seemed to sink deeper and deeper into the\npeople\u2019s hearts, and their affections seem to be more and more drawn\nout. In short, I hope I can inform your Ladyship that _Portsmouth_ is\ntaken, and that we shall hear of many who will in earnest seek after\nthe one thing needful. I have a great mind to go to the isle of _Wight_,\nbut am not yet determined. Here is a knot of sincere souls, that seem\nto love the LORD JESUS in sincerity. Several date their awakenings\nfrom their hearing _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who I hear is to be ordained by the\nBishop of _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, but I doubt it. Last night I had sweet conversation\nwith two of the devout soldiers that have been abroad. They are\nsoldiers indeed. Blessed be GOD, that there are so many of his children\nscattered up and down, who I trust will give him no rest, till he makes\n_Jerusalem_ a praise through the whole earth. I do not forget Lady\n_F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, the Countess, or any of those who seemed inclined to follow\nJESUS of _Nazareth_. O that they may be steady, and be enabled with\nfull purpose of heart to cleave unto the LORD! I beg that my most\nhumble and dutiful respects may find acceptance with them and your\nLadyship, from, honoured madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient humble servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, May 11, 1749._\n\n_Rev. and very dear Sir_,\n\nIT concerns me much, that one whom I so much honour, and so dearly\nlove in the bowels of JESUS, should hear so seldom from me. Twice\nhave I endeavoured to answer your last kind letter, but have been\nprevented, by want of health, a multiplicity of business, and frequent\nremoves from place to place. About three weeks ago I was sent for up\nto _London_ to see my wife, but she is not yet arrived. However, it has\nbeen over-ruled to the bringing me here, where I have been preaching\nevery day for this week past, to very large and attentive auditories,\nwho come to hear with great eagerness. I hear of many that are brought\nunder convictions, prejudices seem to be universally removed, and a\npeople that but a week ago were speaking all manner of evil against me,\nare now very desirous of my staying longer amongst them to preach the\neverlasting gospel. What cannot GOD do? After I remove hence, I purpose,\nGOD willing, to take a tour into _Wales_, where Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ tells me\nthe work is upon the advance. We have lately renewed our connection,\nand whether I stay in _England_ or go abroad, he and some more have\nagreed, in the strength of the LORD, to continue preaching at the\nTabernacle and elsewhere as formerly. At _London_, matters have\nadvanced successfully. Real good has certainly been done among the\nRich, and the Poor receive the gospel with as much gladness as ever.\nMy outward embarrassments are much lessened, and I hope ere long to be\nable to say, \u201cI owe no man any thing but love.\u201d Many doors are open,\nand I have thoughts, if possible, of seeing _Scotland_ this year.\nBut at present I am in a strait, and continually saying, \u201cLORD, what\nwouldest thou have me to do?\u201d Sometimes I think I must either drop my\n_English_ or _American_ work; but our LORD knows best how to dispose of\nme. I would be as clay in his hands, and ready to go whithersoever he\nis pleased to call me. I should be glad to hear of a revival at _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_;\nbut, dear Sir, you have already seen such things as are seldom seen\nabove once in a century. I am afraid that some good men\u2019s calculations\nabout the latter-day glory are premature, and that it is not so near\nat hand as some imagine. This is our comfort, a thousand years in the\nLORD\u2019s sight are but as one day. He that comes, will come, and will not\ntarry. Take courage, my dear Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; look up, and go on your way\nrejoicing. You will remember me most kindly to your dear yoke-fellow,\n_Nathaniel_, little _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and the young student in your house, and\nall dear friends. Indeed I do not forget though I cannot write to you.\nGOD will not forget your works of faith, and the many favours conferred\non, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLII.\n\n\n _To the Countess D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, May 12, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Just now rose from my knees, and have been interceding for you at the\nthrone of grace. The same principle that led me to pray for, excites\nme also to write a few lines to your Ladyship. Ere now your late\nbodily indisposition, I hope is entirely removed, and you are up and\nministring to JESUS CHRIST. I doubt not but your Ladyship will be\nhelped to sing with a dear saint now with GOD,\n\n _\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015O happy rod,_\n _That brought me nearer to my GOD._\n\nThe end of all affliction, outward and inward, is to make us more and\nmore partakers of a divine nature. The father of mercies hath dealt\nbountifully with your Ladyship; he hath blessed you in the decline of\nlife. O that your latter end may greatly increase! May you be filled\nwith all the fulness of GOD! This, Madam, is the privilege of a real\nchristian, always growing, and making perpetual advances in the divine\nlife. The path of the just shines more and more unto the perfect day.\nThe way, thanks be to GOD, your Ladyship knows. We must always come by\nfaith, and be continually drawing out of the Redeemer\u2019s inexhaustible\nfulness. If we are enabled to lean on him, we shall go comfortably\non in a wilderness. That is the best name this world deserves. Cieled\nhouses, gaudy attire, and rich furniture, do not make it appear less\nso to a mind truly enlightened to see the beauties that are in JESUS of\n_Nazareth_. These are things, which a watchful, well-informed christian\nwill always look on with a jealous eye, lest they should divert him\nfrom looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of his faith. But I\nneed not write thus to your Ladyship, the native language of whose\nheart I trust is, \u201cGOD forbid that I should glory save in the cross of\nCHRIST, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.\u201d\nThe preaching of the cross hath been much blessed here. Multitudes\ndaily attend, and many are much affected. It would please your Ladyship\nto see the alteration that has been made in a week\u2019s time. But what\ncannot GOD do? All things are possible to him. I hope your Ladyship\nwill not forget a poor pilgrim in your prayers. Neither you nor your\nhonoured sister are forgotten by him. I send most dutiful respects and\ngrateful acknowledgments to her Ladyship and Lady _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and\nshall only now add, that I am, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient humble servant,\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLIII.\n\n\n _To Lady F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, May 12, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nAS I am uncertain whether good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ be in town, I make bold\nto inclose a line to your Ladyship in a letter I have just written\nto the elect Countess _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Gratitude constrains me to take the\nfreedom, and the conviction I have that your Ladyship\u2019s face is set\n_Zion_-wards, makes me think it will not be altogether unacceptable.\nWith great pleasure I often reflect on that good work, which I trust\nthe ever-blessed GOD has begun in your soul. My heart\u2019s desire and\ncontinual prayer unto him is, that your Ladyship, having put your hand\nto the plough, may be kept from looking back! Satan will not be wanting\nto exert his utmost efforts to divert you from the cross. He knows\nof what influence your Ladyship\u2019s example must necessarily be, and\ntherefore will always be striving to persuade your Ladyship at least\nto compound matters, and to attempt to reconcile two irreconcilable\ndifferences, CHRIST and the world. But your Ladyship is too well\ngrounded to hearken to his delusive insinuations, and too noble to\nrefuse to give your whole heart to Him who has bought it with no less\nprice than that of his own most precious blood.\u2015\u2015What a price is now\nput into your Ladyship\u2019s hands! What a glorious opportunity is now\nafforded you, to shew even before kings, that we are made kings indeed,\nand priests unto GOD, and that it is our privilege as christians to\nreign over sin, death, hell, the world, and ourselves, even whilst here\non earth. Methinks I see angels gazing to see how your Ladyship acts\nyour part. O that the angel of the everlasting covenant may always\naccompany you, and by the power of his eternal and all-conquering\nspirit, enable your Ladyship to fight the good fight of faith, and run\nwith patience the glorious race that is set before you! He is never\nwanting to those that put their trust in him. Ask and you shall receive,\nseek and you shall find, be always knocking, and a door of mercy shall\nbe always opened unto you. O the happiness of a life wholly devoted to,\nand spent in communion and fellowship with the ever-blessed GOD! It is\nindeed heaven begun on earth. May your Ladyship taste of it more and\nmore every day and every hour! Blessed be GOD, I trust some in these\nparts, who a few days ago had never heard of, now begin to look after\nthis kingdom of GOD. A more visible alteration I have not seen made in\na people for some time. At first some of the baser sort made a noise,\nbut ever since, thousands have attended in the greatest order, numbers\nhave been and are affected, and through their importunity I have been\nprevailed on to stay longer than I designed. O to be instrumental to\nbring only one soul to JESUS CHRIST! But whither am I running? Honoured\nMadam, your goodness will excuse this freedom. I believe your Ladyship\nwill be glad to hear such tidings. It is the best way I can think of to\nexpress my gratitude for the many unmerited favours your Ladyship hath\nbeen pleased to confer on, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged and ready servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLIV.\n\n\n _To the Countess of H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, May 13, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nWITH some degree of impatience have I been waiting to hear from your\nLadyship, being very solicitous for your Ladyship\u2019s welfare. This\nmorning your Ladyship\u2019s unexpected letter surprized me. I only expected\nto have a line from Mrs. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Your Ladyship\u2019s writing under\nsuch weakness, put me in mind of Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who, when his friends\nadvised him not to write on account of his illness, made this reply,\n\u201cWhat! would you have my master come and find me idle?\u201d Perhaps our\nLORD is fitting your Ladyship for some new work. _Luther_ observed,\nthat \u201che was never employed in any new thing, but he was beset with\nsome temptations, or visited with a fit of sickness.\u201d I only wish I\ncould bear it for your Ladyship; but then your crown would not be so\nbright, nor the inward purity of your heart so great. The more trials\nwhen sanctified, the more conformed we shall be to the ever-loving\never-lovely JESUS. O that the LORD of all Lords may water you every\nmoment, and cause you to flourish like the burning bush unconsumed in\nfire! I have more good news to send your Ladyship from _Portsmouth_.\nEver since my last, the prospect of doing good has increased. Thousands\nhave attended, and even when it rained, when one could reasonably\nexpect but very few, some thousands came to hear the word. I have\ncontracted a cold by preaching in the rain; but what is that, if any\nsoul can but get good!\n\n _My life, my blood, I here present,_\n _If in thy cause they may be spent;_\n _Fulfil thy sov\u2019reign counsel, LORD;_\n _Thy will be done, thy name ador\u2019d._\n\nOn next _Monday_ evening I intend, GOD willing, to set out for\n_Salisbury_, and from thence shall write to your Ladyship again.\nYesterday I wrote to the Countess and Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, but did not send\nthe letters to your Ladyship, not knowing but you might have set\nout for _Bristol_. My brother would be highly delighted to have your\nLadyship under his roof. That GOD may restore you to perfect health,\nand make you a blessing to thousands, is and shall be the constant\nprayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, dutiful, sympathizing,\n though unworthy humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Bristol, May 22, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nSINCE I wrote last to your Ladyship, several things have concurred to\nprove that Providence directed my way hither. I have preached three\ntimes, and each time our LORD caused the word to leave a blessing\nbehind it. Yesterday, congregations were very large in the fields. This\nevening I am to preach again, and to-morrow, GOD willing, I set out for\n_Wales_.\u2015\u2015Though my brother is sorry for the occasion, yet he rejoices\nvery much that he is to be honoured with your Ladyship\u2019s company. I\nbelieve you will find his house very commodious, and I am persuaded\nyour Ladyship\u2019s coming will prove a blessing to him. Surely our LORD\nis only purging you that you may bring forth more fruit. I am always\nthinking of, and praying for your Ladyship\u2019s perfect recovery. I am\nnow reduced to great weakness myself, but the joy of the LORD is my\nstrength, and through his help I shall leap over every wall. Gladly\nwould I help to bear all your Ladyship\u2019s burdens, and thereby evidence\nhow much I am, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s dutiful, sympathizing, obliged,\n though most unworthy servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLVI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Abergavenny, May 27, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I suppose your Ladyship will not be at _Bristol_ so soon as this\nreaches it, yet as this is the most leisure time I am likely to have\nthese three weeks, I cannot help writing a few lines to wait for your\nLadyship at my brother\u2019s house. I think (as I am persuaded he does also)\nthat he is highly honoured in having your Ladyship under his roof, and\nI earnestly pray the LORD of all Lords to bless the waters, for the\nrecovery of your health. Though I want to die myself, yet methinks I\nwould have others live, especially such as, like your Ladyship, are\nplaced upon a pinnacle, and in a particular manner set up as lights\nin the world. For two days past I have been at my wife\u2019s house for\nthe sake of a little retirement. It has been sweet, yea very sweet, so\nsweet that I should be glad never to be heard of again. But this must\nnot be. A necessity is laid upon me, and woe is me if I do not preach\nthe gospel of CHRIST. GOD willing, I therefore purpose to-morrow\nto begin a three weeks circuit, and to see what the LORD will be\npleased to do by me. The country is alarmed, and I hear very numerous\ncongregations are expected. Your Ladyship shall hear from time to time.\nMay the ever blessed GOD fill you with all his fulness, and after you\nhave done and suffered what he hath appointed for you here, translate\nyou to partake of an exceeding and eternal weight of glory in his\nkingdom hereafter. So prays, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obedient, obliged\n humble servant, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLVII.\n\n\n _Abergavenny, May 27, 1749._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nINCLOSED you have a letter for our good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, whom I suppose\nyou will have the honour of receiving in a few days under your roof.\nBoth before, and ever since I left _Bristol_, I have been frequently\nthinking of the unspeakable mercies, that the infinitely great and\nglorious GOD is pleased to pour down upon us.\u2015\u2015Surely the language of\nboth our hearts ought to be, \u201cWhat shall we render unto the LORD?\u201d For\nmy part, I am lost in wonder, and want a thousand lives to spend in the\nRedeemer\u2019s service. O let not my dear brother be angry, if I intreat\nhim at length to leave off killing, and begin to redeem time. A concern\nfor your eternal welfare so affects me, that it often brings bodily\nsickness upon me, and drives me to a throne of grace, to wrestle in\nyour behalf. Even now, whilst I am writing, my soul is agonizing in\nprayer for you, hoping I shall see that day, when you will have poured\nout on you a spirit of grace and of supplication, and look to him whom\nwe have pierced, and be made to mourn as one mourneth for a first-born.\nTill this be done, all resolutions, all schemes for amendment, will be\nonly like spiders webs. Nature is a mere Proteus, and till renewed by\nthe spirit of GOD, though it may shift its scene, will be only nature\nstill. Apply then, my dearest Brother, to the fountain of light and\nlife, from whence every good and perfect gift cometh. A worthy woman in\nall probability is going to throw herself under GOD, into your hands.\nA considerable addition will be then made to your present talents, and\nconsequently a greater share of care and circumspection necessary to\nimprove all for the glory of Him, who hath been always preventing and\nfollowing you with his blessings. Should you prove any otherwise than\na pious husband, it will be one of the greatest afflictions I ever met\nwith in my life. At present you can only hurt yourself, which is hurt\nenough; but then (forgive me, my dear Brother,) I am jealous over you\nwith a godly jealousy. My fears shall be turned into prayers, and I\nwill follow this letter with strong crying unto GOD in your behalf. My\nretirement here these two days hath been very sweet; but to-morrow I\nbegin a three weeks circuit. Next sabbath I am to be at _Carmarthen_,\nthe _Friday_ following at _Haverford-west_. For the present, adieu.\nThat you may take CHRIST to be your All in All, and that the remainder\nof your life may be one continued sacrifice of love to him, who hath\nshed his precious blood for you, is the hearty prayer of, my dear\nBrother,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Abergavenny, May 27, 1749._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nYOUR kind letter I received at _Bristol_, but have not had time to\nanswer it till now. You know what a moving life I lead. It is for one,\nwho laid down his life for me. I want my last remove to come. Blessed\nbe GOD for your recovery from your late indisposition. Many of GOD\u2019s\npeople will have reason to be thankful on your behalf. I trust I am;\nand earnestly pray the LORD of all Lords, that as your day is, so your\nstrength may be. I thank you for minding the poor widows, and the other\npoor tabernacle petitioners. What an honour is put upon you! To be\nCHRIST\u2019s almoner is no mean office. You shall be rewarded ere long\nbefore men and angels. Mrs. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ shall share with you; and as you\nhave been helpers of each others faith, so shall you be partakers of\nthe same glory. May your latter end greatly increase, and may you be\nenabled to bring forth fruit even to a good old age! I hope good has\nbeen done at _Bristol_. We had three good seasons there. To-morrow\nI set out on a three weeks circuit through _Wales_. I have been here\nthese two days for a little retirement: it has been very sweet. On\n_Thursday_ I saw Mr. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, the dissenting minister I before\nspoke of, and found him very meanly apparelled. He is a most worthy man,\nand from his zeal for GOD some time ago, he sold fifteen pounds worth\nof his books to finish a small Meeting-house in which he preaches. He\nhas but three pounds per annum from the fund, and about as much from\nhis people. He lives very low, but enjoys much of GOD, and hath as\ngreat understanding in the figurative parts of scripture as any one I\nknow of in the world. He is a _Zachary_, and his wife an _Elizabeth_.\nFour or five guineas might be bestowed on them. What a scene will open\nat the great day! How many _rich Priests_ will stand confounded, whilst\nthe poor despised _faithful Ministers_ of CHRIST shall enter, after all\ntheir tribulation, into the joy of their LORD. I tremble for the one,\nI rejoice in the foresight of the happiness of the other. May my latter\nend and future state (however I may be disposed of in the mean while)\nbe like theirs! I know you will say, _Amen_. But what am I doing? I am\nrobbing the poor of your time. Away to your work in the strength of GOD,\nand whilst you are feeding others, may the LORD JESUS feast your soul!\nMy heartiest respects attend Mrs. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. She always shares in the\npetitions put up for you by, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Carmarthen, June 5, 1749._\n\n_Dear Jemmy_,\n\nAS I have a peculiar love for you and your wife, I need not inform\nyou that your letter, which gave me an account of her great illness,\naffected me much. I have not failed to remember her at the throne of\ngrace, and I trust this will find her either relieved from her pain,\nor resigned to his will who orders all things well. Parting is hard to\nthose who, like you two, have walked in love. But we can do all things\nthrough JESUS CHRIST strengthening us. She, when dead, will live for\never, and GOD will be to you better than seven wives. Pray salute the\ndear woman for me in the tenderest manner. O that she may be strong in\nthe LORD, and in the power of his might, and be enabled to say, \u201cthe\ncup which my father hath given me, shall I not drink it?\u201d I sympathize\nwith poor Mrs. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ as well as you. GOD comfort and support you all.\nWe must all be tried. I am still in suspense about my wife: but, what\nis best, (Glory be to GOD!) the gospel runs and is glorified! I have\nbeen enabled to preach fourteen times within these eight days, and\nthe word has every where fallen with weight and power. Yesterday was a\ngreat day here indeed. This morning I am going toward _Haverford-west_,\nand am to be at _Abergavenny_ to-morrow fortnight. I know you will\ncontinually pray for me. You know under what character, even as the\nchief of sinners, but\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLX.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Haverford-west, June 8, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nSINCE my coming into _Wales_, and leaving _Carmarthen_, the infinitely\ngreat and infinitely condescending Redeemer has been pleased to ride on\nin the chariot of the everlasting gospel. Congregations grow larger and\nlarger, and all the towns here about are quite open for the word of GOD.\nYesterday I preached very near _Pembroke_, to-day and next LORD\u2019s day\nI am to preach here, and to-morrow at _St. David\u2019s_. Not a dog stirs a\ntongue. The mayor and gentlemen at _Pembroke_ were very civil, and the\njustices here are very fond of having me in _Haverford-west_. I wish I\nhad more time in these parts. The fields are indeed white, ready unto\nharvest, and the young men bred up at _Carmarthen_ Academy were much\ntaken. The congregations consist of many thousands, and their behaviour\nis very affecting. Indeed we have blessed seasons. O free grace! Here\nis a dear young man, just ripe for orders. He has good parts, and hath\nmade some proficiency in the languages, is solid, and of some influence\nin this town. He can get testimonials, and if ordained I believe would\nbe eminently useful in the church. I wish a way could be found out\nfor his admission: but I fear it is impracticable. However, I thought\nit my duty just to hint it to your Ladyship. May the great Shepherd\nand Bishop of souls find out means for sending him, and many more\nlike-minded, into his vineyard! But how is your Ladyship\u2019s health? I\nbegin to be quite uneasy, because I have received no letter from my\nbrother. I despair of hearing now till _Tuesday_ sevennight, when I\nhope to be at _Abergavenny_ again. In the mean while, my prayers are\nalways going to the throne of grace in behalf of your Ladyship, and\nevery branch of your noble family. That they may take root downwards,\nand bear fruit upwards, is the ardent desire of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, though unworthy servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXI.\n\n\n _To Dr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Landovery, June 14, 1749._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nA Few days ago, I received a letter from Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, in which yours\nto him dated _May_ 20th was inclosed. It gave me some concern, and\nwould have given me more had not the same letter informed me that good\nLady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ had written to you herself. Alas, my dear friend, what\nneedless trouble do you give yourself, and into what difficulties\ndoes your fear of man, your too great attachment to the world, and\nan over-weening fondness for your pretty character, every day bring\nyou! Is it not time to drop our correspondence, when, on so slight\nan information, you could so much as suspect that I had betrayed that\nconfidence you reposed in me, or believe that I read a letter wherein\nyou declared yourself a _Methodist_, when I had never such letter from\nyou. The only passage, as far as I can remember, that was read (and\nthat too at my Lady\u2019s request, if I mistake not) was that noble one\nwherein you said, \u201cLet the world take my character, and tear it to\npieces, &c.\u201d Are you ashamed, my dear friend, of the resolution? Or\nthink you to put that in practice, and shun being called a _Methodist_?\nYou might as well attempt to reach heaven with your hand; for, blessed\nbe GOD, such an honour has he put upon the Methodists, that whoever\nrenounces the world and takes up CHRIST\u2019s cross, and believes and lives\nthe doctrines of Grace, must be stiled a Methodist whether he will\nor not. Formerly it was \u201cYou are a Puritan,\u201d now it is, \u201cYou are a\nMethodist.\u201d And why does my dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ take such pains to declare,\nhe never will join the Methodists? Who ever asked him? Or what service\ncould you do their cause by joining, unless your heart was more\nenstranged from the world than at present it is? Would to GOD you\nwas more like-minded with Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_! He seems to have set down, and\ncounted the cost. He seems to have begun at the right end, and to be\nfully convinced that there is no reconciling CHRIST and the world,\nGOD and _Mammon_. My dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, suffer me to be free with you.\nOur LORD I trust has begun a good work in your soul: but indeed you\nhave many lessons yet to learn. The great physician must give many a\nbitter portion, in order to purge out the opinion you have of your own\nimportance, and the too great desire you have to keep in with the world.\nReproach you cannot shun, if you appear but a little for CHRIST; and\nyou will not have more, perhaps not so much, if you shew quite out.\nPerhaps you may say, I have done this already; do not then be ashamed\nof it, but go on, grow in grace, press forwards, and then I care not\nwhat declaration you make of your not intending to be a _Methodist_. Be\na consistent christian, live above the world, call not the fear of man\nchristian prudence, and then underneath you shall be GOD\u2019s everlasting\narms. Thanks be to his great name, they have upholden me for some\nweeks last past. I have now been a circuit of several hundred miles.\nAt _Portsmouth_ and _Gosport_ the word ran and was glorified. In _South\nWales_ every where the fields have been white ready unto harvest. Not\na dog stirs his tongue. Last _Sunday_ I believe I preached to near\ntwenty thousand souls. Grace! grace! In about ten days I hope to be at\n_Bristol_. Soon after I propose to go to _London_, and from thence to\n_Yorkshire_ and _Scotland_.\u2015\u2015Follow me with your prayers, and in return\nyou shall be remembered by, very dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Landovery, June 14, 1749._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nYOURS, dated _May_ 24th, gave me both pleasure and pain. I was pleased\nto read the sweet observations made up and down in it, but pained to\nfind that you have been much indisposed. But what says our LORD? \u201cThose\nthat abide in him, he will purge;\u201d but it is only in order that they\nmay bring forth more fruit. Perhaps our LORD is about to employ you\nin some fresh work. I wish you may be enabled to draw your pen on the\ntopic you mentioned; it may be of great service to the church of CHRIST.\nYour remark upon my pamphlet is just. I wrote short, because I know\nlong compositions generally weary the reader. Perhaps hereafter I may\nwrite more; but at present I find I have enough to do, to travel, and\npreach, and answer my correspondents. I published my confession of some\nmistakes and imprudencies, to satisfy my own conscience, and stop the\nmouths of adversaries, and strengthen the hands of real disinterested\nhearty friends: but where are such friends to be found? That phantom\ncalled _Contempt_ keeps them in fetters, and makes them afraid\nto appear in defence of a cause, which, (notwithstanding the many\nimprudencies that have attended it) is undoubtedly the cause of GOD.\nIf we think to be free from these, in this imperfect state of things,\nand to see either a perfect saint or a perfect church till we come to\nheaven, we shall find ourselves much mistaken. Daily experience, and\nmore mature consideration, may lessen our blunders and imperfections;\nbut death alone will put a final stop to their mixing in all we do.\nThanks be to GOD that we have a CHRIST, who amidst all does love,\nand can uphold us. If our infirmities lead us to his cross, and our\nsufferings only make us more willing to be conformed to him in his\ndeath, we are gainers by all our losses, and rise by all our falls.\nBlessed be the LORD, that you, dear Sir, have had grace given you to\nsit down and count the cost. I wish the beloved physician was more\nreconciled to the cross. I am persuaded, let him say what he pleases,\nthat a too great attachment to the world makes him reason as he does\nin many things. Well,\u2015\u2015he is in good hands. He must either come or be\ndragged to the cross. That pretty character of his must be crucified\nand slain: and as well as others, he must be content (as Mr. _Gurnall_\nexpresses it) \u201cto go to heaven in a fool\u2019s coat.\u201d O my dear Sir, what\npains is the LORD JESUS obliged to take with us, before we can be\nreconciled to suffer shame for his great name\u2019s sake!\n\n\n _Bristol, June 24._\n\nThus far I wrote, but was obliged to stop, being called out to preach.\nYesterday GOD brought me here, after having carried me a circuit of\nabout eight hundred miles, and enabled me to preach, I suppose to\nupwards of a hundred thousand souls. I have been in eight _Welch_\ncounties, and I think we have not had one dry meeting. The work in\n_Wales_ is much upon the advance, and likely to increase daily. Had\nmy dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ been there to have seen the simplicity of so many\ndear souls, I am persuaded he would have said, \u201c_Sit anima mea cum\nMethodistis!_\u201d But every one to his post. During this excursion I have\nbeen kept happy inwardly, and well in body till the latter end of last\nweek, when the LORD was pleased to lay his hand upon me, so that I was\nalmost brought to the grave. But he that wounds, heals also. Thanks be\nto his holy name for ever and ever! On _Monday_ or _Tuesday_ next, GOD\nwilling, I set out for _London_. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is here, and goes on\nin her usual way, doing good. She is recovered from her indisposition.\nI hope this will find you recovered also. That the LORD of all Lords\nmay give you a thriving soul in a healthy body, is the hearty prayer of,\nreverend and dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXIII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 10, 1749._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR kind letter came safe to hand, and it was the more welcome,\nbecause it gave me a proof of your being recovered from your late\nthreatening indisposition. Blessed be GOD, it found me as well as can\nbe expected in my body, and I trust steady in promoting the welfare of\nprecious and immortal souls. I have lately seen great things in _Wales_,\nand the seed sown among the Rich, has in some sprung up and brought\nforth fruit; but what you have heard from _Scotland_ is all a mistake.\nI heartily wish all was true. The time I hope will come, when princes\nshall adorn the Redeemer\u2019s train. Is there no prospect of your coming\nover? Your Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ might do much for _New-Jersey_ college; but I\nhave told you my mind in a former letter. May GOD direct for the best!\nI am looking up, to know what the great Head of the church would have\nme to do. I have a great mind to return to my beloved _America_ this\nfall, but am not yet determined. My wife arrived about a fortnight\nago, and joins in sending cordial salutations to all. O that we may all\nincrease with all the increase of GOD! Your sentiments concerning Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s book, are very just. It has gone through six editions. The\nauthor of it is my old friend; a most heavenly-minded creature, one of\nthe first of the Methodists, who is contented with a small cure, and\ngives all that he has to the poor. He is very weak, and daily waits\nfor his dissolution. A neighbouring clergyman near him preaches the\ngospel; and a physician, formerly a noted Deist, has lately espoused\nthe interest of JESUS of _Nazareth_. We correspond with, though we\ncannot see one another. We shall ere long meet in heaven:\n\n _There pain, and sin, and sorrow cease,_\n _And all is calm, and joy, and peace._\n\nI recommend myself most earnestly to your prayers, and am, reverend and\ndear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, July 12, 1749._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Am obliged to you for your kind letters; for the trouble you have\nbeen at about the money, and for all favours. Was I to follow my\nown inclinations, I would come and thank you in person; but I fear\nprovidence will not permit me to embark for _America_ this fall.\nHowever, I am looking up, and looking about me, and trust our LORD\nwill point out his way before me. I am not at all uneasy at what one of\nyour clergy may have said of me; I am only sorry upon his own account;\nhaving known more than once, that GOD delights to plead the cause\nof the injured. I trust I can say, that with simplicity and godly\nsincerity I desire to have my conversation in the world; and I hope\nit is my daily study to keep a conscience void of offence towards GOD\nand towards man. Whilst this is the case, we need not fear what men or\ndevils can say, or do unto us. They can only speak all manner of evil\nagainst us falsely: and that our LORD hath taught us to expect. They\ncan only kill the body; blessed be GOD, the soul is out of their reach.\nI am content to wait till the day of judgment for the clearing up\nof my character: and after I am dead, I desire no other epitaph than\nthis, \u201cHere lies _G. W._ what sort of a man he was, the great day\nwill discover.\u201d O my dear Sir, what a blessed thing is it to have the\nRedeemer to be our friend. If we can but truly say, \u201cI know that my\nRedeemer liveth,\u201d how safely may we put our souls into his hands, as\ninto the hands of a faithful creator! I hope my dear Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will\nnot rest till he can say so.\u2015\u2015The frequent indispositions of body\nthat you are under, are so many loud calls to prepare for another\nworld.\u2015\u2015Nothing but the righteousness of CHRIST imputed, and the\nholiness of CHRIST imparted to your soul, can make you happy in a dying\nhour. I could enlarge, but must away. With this, I have sent you a\ndozen of my nine sermons, to be disposed of as you think best. I would\nsend more, but have very few left. I would write to Esquire _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nand some other gentlemen, but have not the least leisure. Be pleased\nto remember me to them in the kindest manner, as they come in your\nway, and let them know they are not forgotten by me. Will your dear\nyoke-fellow, and all your family, accept of my hearty love? I owe you\nmuch. May the LORD JESUS reward you a thousand-fold! He will, he will.\nLast night Capt. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ did me the pleasure to sup with me. I took\nit extremely kind, and should be glad to wait upon _Bermudas_ friends\nevery day. My wife hath been arrived about a fortnight, and joins in\nsending cordial salutations with, my dear Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXV.\n\n\n _To Lady Fanny S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Aug. 1, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I had the pleasure of hearing of your welfare, by your last to\ngood Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, yet I cannot help taking the freedom of sending\nyour Ladyship a few lines. They come to inform you, that you never are,\nand, by divine assistance, never shall be forgotten by me at the throne\nof grace. To that, I trust, your Ladyship finds free access every day,\nand every hour, through the blood of the Lamb, who was slain to take\naway the sins of the world. Your Ladyship\u2019s present situation, I hope,\nwill be sanctified to this end. It is in the school of affliction\nthat we must learn the way to, and reap benefit from the cross.\u2015\u2015Happy\nthey who come purified out of the furnace, and, like the burning bush,\nflourish unconsumed in fire. This, Madam, is the privilege of all\nbelievers. Trials, which harden others, purify and soften them. The\nlove of GOD turns every thing into what is more valuable than gold. It\nbrings light out of darkness, and causes others blindness to increase\nour spiritual sight. O glorious privilege! happy change! How much are\nyou indebted, honoured Madam, to free grace, for making you in any\ndegree a partaker of it! Alas! alas! but few of your Ladyship\u2019s station\nin life choose to strive to enter into that strait gate which leadeth\nunto life eternal. The noise of coaches, and the continual attention\nto what they call innocent diversions, drowns the small still voice of\nGOD\u2019s blessed Spirit speaking in their hearts. Since I have been here,\nmany in high life have attended; whether to any valuable purpose, the\ngreat day will discover. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ still continues to abound\nin the work of the LORD, and is brightening her crown every day and\nhour. She is quite well, and intends staying some days longer for the\nbenefit of the waters. Your Ladyship is remembered when we are feasting\nat the Redeemer\u2019s table. In a few days I shall move hence; and it may\nbe, that I shall go to _Georgia_ this fall. May the LORD direct me, and\nbless all those who are the orphan\u2019s friends! That your Ladyship may be\nblessed with all the blessings of the everlasting gospel, is the hearty\nprayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Aug. 4, 1749._\n\n_Dear Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nPROVIDENCE, for wise reasons, prevented my seeing you both at\n_Gloucester_, and at the _Hill_. This comforts me, \u201cWhat is, is\nbest.\u201d Since I came here, I have seen your letter about the intended\ncharity-school, and wish you success in the name of the LORD. I\ncommunicated it to our elect lady, who immediately contributed five\nguineas, another two, and Colonel _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ one. These I have sent for\nyou, to Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, who, I suppose, will take care to convey them to you.\nMrs. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, I believe, intends to do something. Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ likewise\nspoke to the Bishop, who, I think, has promised to contribute: so that\nyou see no time has been lost. Only, my dear friend, take this caution,\n\u201csit down, and count the cost, before you begin to build.\u201d Do not lay\nout more than you know you can pay. Go the cheapest way to work; and if\nyou cannot build, rather keep a stock in hand to pay the schoolmaster,\nand hire a house convenient from year to year, and, if possible, find\nthe children in books. You well know what I have suffered for running\ntoo far into debt for others. I am glad you are likely to settle at\n_S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. May the LORD JESUS bless you and yours more and more! He\ncontinues to be kind to me, and will at length, I am persuaded, (though\nI pass through many tribulations) land me safe in glory. There we shall\nmeet, never to part again. In the mean while, that we may both behave\nlike good soldiers of JESUS CHRIST, is the hearty prayer of, my dear\nfriend,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXVII.\n\n\n _To the Bishop of W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Aug. 7, 1749._\n\n_My Lord_,\n\nTHE occasion of my troubling your Lordship in this manner, is as\nfollows. I have, more then once, been very credibly informed, that your\nLordship has been pleased to charge me, at the public Wells, with being\nguilty of _Perjury_. This comes, therefore, to beg the favour of your\nLordship, only to let me know, (in whatever manner your Lordship shall\njudge most proper) upon what foundation such a charge is built: and I\nhereby promise, by divine assistance, that a full, fair, and explicit\nanswer shall be given to your Lordship, by, my Lord,\n\n Your Lordship\u2019s dutiful son and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXVIII.\n\n\n _To the Bishop of W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Aug. 7, 1749._\n\n_My Lord_,\n\nI Thank your Lordship for your kind and cordial letter. I shall take\ncare to do your Lordship justice, by shewing it to such persons as I\nthink have been more immediately concerned. This, I imagine, will be as\nmuch satisfaction as your Lordship will desire. I suppose the mistake\nhas lain here: your Lordship might have insinuated, that by my present\nway of acting, I had broken the solemn engagement I had entered into at\nmy ordination: and that might have been interpreted to imply a charge\nof _Perjury_. The relation in which I stand to the Right Honourable\nthe Countess of _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, made me desirous to clear myself from such an\nimputation; and at the same time to give your Lordship an opportunity\nof vindicating yourself in the manner you have done. Was I not afraid\nof intruding too much upon your Lordship\u2019s time, and of shewing the\nleast inclination to controversy, I would endeavour, in the fear of GOD,\nto answer the other part of your Lordship\u2019s letter; and, as far as lies\nin me, give your Lordship a satisfactory account of whatever may seem\nirregular and exceptionable in my present conduct. This I would be glad\nto do, not only before your Lordship, but all the Right Reverend the\nBishops; for I highly honour them on account of the sacred character\nthey sustain, and would make it my daily endeavour to obey all their\ngodly admonitions. This, I presume, my Lord, is the utmost extent of\nthe promise I made at my ordination. If I err or deviate from this, in\nany respect, it is through ignorance and want of better information,\nand not (as far as I know my own heart) but of obstinacy or contempt of\nlawful authority. But I forget myself. I beg your Lordship\u2019s pardon for\ntaking up so much of your time; I thank your Lordship for your prayers\nin my behalf; and beg leave to offer mine in return for your Lordship\u2019s\npresent and eternal welfare, who am, my Lord,\n\n Your Lordship\u2019s dutiful son, and obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXIX.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Aug. 15, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Hope this will find your Ladyship recovered from the fatigue of\nyour journey, and sitting under the Redeemer\u2019s shadow with unspeakable\ndelight at _Ashby-Place_. My prayers have constantly followed you, ever\nsince I left your Ladyship at _Bristol_; and the LORD of all lords has\ndealt bountifully with me in my way _Westward_. At _Wellington_, as\nI was riding through the town, a good woman stopped me, and entreated\nme to give the people a sermon. I complied, and preached to a great\ncompany; and the next day to a much larger at the same place. I have\nalso preached once at _Exeter_, twice at _Kingsbridge_, and once here\nat _Plymouth_, where, by the providence of an infinitely condescending\nGOD, I came yesterday in the afternoon. Several, I find, were awakened\nwhen I was here last; and the fields are every where white, ready unto\nharvest. My late pamphlet has been greatly blest. My Lord of _Exeter_\nwas asked, Whether he had seen it? He answered, \u201cYes,\u201d and said, \u201cI\nwrote like an honest man, had recanted several things, but he goes on\nin the same way yet.\u201d Being asked, Whether he did not intend publishing\nhis second part? he replied, \u201cYou may expect a second.\u201d GOD be praised!\nI wish it may come out before I embark. I find he did not proceed to\nsentence Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; he only threatened to pull off his gown. Mr.\n_T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ immediately pulled it off himself, and said, \u201cHe could preach\nthe gospel without a gown,\u201d and went out. Upon which the Bishop sent\nafter him, and soothed him. In a few days I hope to see Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nand then your Ladyship shall have further particulars. Blessed be GOD,\nall things turn out for the furtherance of the gospel. \u201cOut of the\neater comes forth meat, and out of the strong comes forth sweetness.\u201d\nIn about a fortnight I hope to reach _London_, and in the mean time\nshall take care to send your Ladyship historical letters. I count it\nmy highest honour and privilege to wait upon your Ladyship; but I fear\nshall never have it in my power to express my gratitude as I ought, for\nthose unmerited favours your Ladyship hath been pleased to confer on,\nhonoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, though\n unworthy servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Aug. 18, 1749._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nI Thank you for your kind letter, which I have not had an opportunity\nof answering until now. I rejoice that so much gospel seed has been\nsown in _Yorkshire_, and that so much hath sprung up and brought forth\nfruit. No wonder that the enemy has been busy to sow tares of various\nkinds amongst it. This always was, and, in all probability, will always\nbe the case, till time shall be no more. Happy they! who are enabled to\ndistinguish truth from error, and who, amongst the different sentiments\nof CHRIST\u2019s disciples, maintain a catholic love for all. Your letter\nbespeaks you to be thus minded. This is what I would aim at, because\nit is the glory of a christian, and a temper of mind which sweetly\nprepares us for the communion of saints in heaven. Be pleased,\ntherefore, to give my love to all that love the LORD JESUS in sincerity.\nIf any of my poor writings have been blessed to any, let CHRIST have\nthe glory, and me your prayers. I want them much. I am the chief of\nsinners, less than the least of all saints; but, I trust, am willing\nto spend and be spent for souls. The beginning of next month, I have\nthoughts of being your way. If it is best, providence will direct my\ncourse thither. In the mean while, and at all other seasons, whether\nI come or not, I recommend myself to your prayers, as being, though\nunknown, yet, for JESUS CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n\n Your affectionate friend and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXI.\n\n\n _To Captain W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Aug. 19, 1749._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nI Do not love to be long out of _Bristol_ without writing to you. I\nwant to know how it is with you after the loss of my noble patroness,\nand whether dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ goes on. I have been preaching as usual in\nthe _West_, and for some days past have been comforted and refreshed in\na peculiar manner. Last night I heard that the Bishop had published a\nsecond pamphlet, of half-a-crown price, with a preface to me. Have you\nseen it, or do you think it worth answering? He told a clergyman some\ntime ago, that he might expect a second part. He said, \u201cMy answer was\nhonest; that I had recanted many things, but that I went on in my usual\nway still.\u201d GOD forbid I should do otherwise. I am informed, that upon\nthreatening to pull Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s gown off, he threw it off himself,\nand said, \u201cHe could preach the gospel without a gown,\u201d and so withdrew.\nUpon which the Bishop sent for him in, and soothed him. Particulars\nI expect to hear on _Tuesday_ at _Biddiford_, where I hope to see Mr.\n_T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; and to-morrow se\u2019nnight, GOD willing, I intend to preach at\n_Exeter_, in my way to _London_. I hope you find retirement blessed\nto you. Whether retired, or in public life, that you may be entirely\ndevoted to the most adorable Redeemer, is the hearty prayer of, my very\ndear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n POSTSCRIPT to Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_.\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nSINCE I wrote the above, GOD has given me a glorious season at the\ndock, where I preached to a great multitude. This morning the King of\nkings shewed himself in the gallery of his ordinances indeed; and this\nevening I preached to many thousands in _Plymouth_ fields. It was a\nsolemn meeting. Since that, a youth, laden with a sense of sin, came\ncrying, \u201cWhat shall I do to be saved?\u201d May JESUS give him rest! May the\nsame JESUS still fill your Ladyship with all his fulness! To-morrow,\nGOD willing, I set out for _Biddiford_. I have now a clergyman with\nme, who is made a rural Dean, and who, I believe, preaches CHRIST in\nsincerity.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Biddiford, Aug. 24, 1749._\n\nSINCE I had the honour of writing to your Ladyship, I have seen the\nBishop\u2019s second pamphlet, in which he hath served the Methodists, as\nthe bishop of _Constance_ served _John Huss_, when they ordered some\npainted devils to be put round his head, before they burned him. His\npreface to me is most virulent. Every thing I wrote in my answer, is\nturned into the vilest ridicule, and nothing will satisfy, but giving\nup the glorious work of the ever-blessed GOD, as entirely cheat and\nimposture. I cannot see that it calls for any further answer from\nme. Mr. _Wesley_, I think, had best attack him now, as he is largely\nconcerned in this second part. I hope to be in _London_ some time\nnext week. I think of leaving this place to-morrow, and to preach at\n_Exeter_ next Lord\u2019s-day. The glorious _Emmanuel_ has given me several\nspiritual children in this place, who do indeed adorn the gospel of\nGOD their Saviour. Here is a little flock, to whom, I believe, it will\nbe our heavenly Father\u2019s good pleasure to give an eternal kingdom.\nI have preached once publicly to a large auditory, and this evening\nam to preach again. I am ashamed I do no more for Him, who hath done\nand suffered so much for me. O what shall I render unto the LORD of\nall lords, whose mercy endureth for ever! A thought of his infinite\npatience and long-suffering strikes me dumb. His goodness, in bringing\nme into the acquaintance of your Ladyship, quite amazes me; and\nthe many peculiar providences that have attended me this last year,\nencourage me to believe that goodness and mercy shall follow me all the\ndays of my life, and that I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for\never. There, shall I see your Ladyship; and will there thank you before\nmen and angels for all you have done for unworthy me, and that blessed\ncause in which I am embarked. That your Ladyship in the mean while may\nbe watered every moment by the dew of the Redeemer\u2019s heavenly blessing,\nis and shall be the continued prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, though unworthy\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXIII.\n\n\n _To the Countess of D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Biddiford, Aug. 24, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nAS I am always praying for, so I cannot help sometimes writing to your\nLadyship. I think I can say, \u201cThe love of CHRIST constrains me.\u201d Thanks\nbe to GOD that your Ladyship knows what these words mean. I hope you\nfind it every day constraining you more and more to every good word\nand work. My greatest pain is, to find that I can do no more for Him,\nwho has done and suffered so much for me. Blessed be his name, that the\nfields are yet every where white, ready unto harvest. Since I have been\nin the _West_, I have been preaching as usual, and a divine influence\nhath every where attended the word. This, I think, is the best way\nto answer those that oppose themselves. If GOD be for us, who can be\nagainst us? I suppose your Ladyship hath seen the Bishop\u2019s second\npamphlet. Surely it is an original. May the LORD JESUS open his eyes,\nand change his heart! Well might the glorious _Emmanuel_ break out into\nthis blessed exclamation, \u201cI thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and\nearth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and\nhast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good\nin thy sight.\u201d Honoured Madam, how much are you indebted to divine\ngrace, that hath singled you out from among the Mighty and Noble,\nand placed your Ladyship to the number of those happy few to whom it\nis given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of GOD! I trust your\nhonoured sister will ere long bear you company, and travel with you\nin that narrow road which leads to eternal life. When I remember\nyou, I always think of her, and beg my most dutiful respects may find\nacceptance with her Ladyship. Some time next week I hope to be in town\nfor a few days, and then shall do myself the honour of calling upon\nyour Ladyship. In the mean while I recommend you to the tender mercies\nof the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS, and beg an interest in your\nLadyship\u2019s prayers, in behalf of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obedient, obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXIV.\n\n\n _To Lady Fanny S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exeter, Aug. 26, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I took the freedom of writing to your Ladyship before I left\n_Bristol_, and though I hope to be in town by next _Thursday_ evening,\nyet gratitude and respect even compel me to trouble your Ladyship\nwith another letter from this place. Here I came last night, after\nhaving preached the everlasting gospel to many thousands in the _West_.\nSometimes I have been weak in body; but He, whose I am, and whom I\nendeavour to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, hath carried me\nthrough, and greatly refreshed and comforted my soul. Alas! to what a\nheaven are they strangers, who deny the influence of the Blessed Spirit,\nand cry down the felt and abiding joys of the Holy Ghost, as fancy,\nenthusiasm, and delusion. Ye poor dry Rationalists! I honour your\nparts in other respects, but pity your ignorance in the things of\nGOD. By this time, I suppose your Ladyship hath seen the Bishop\u2019s\nsecond performance. I think it is an original, and so very scurrilous,\nunchristian, and profane, that I cannot think it will be worth my\nwhile to answer him again. I have satisfied my conscience in publishing\nmy last pamphlet; and I now commit our cause to him who judgeth\nrighteously. O honoured Madam, what a happy thing is it to be despised\nfor the sake of JESUS! When _John Huss_ was burnt, the Bishop of\n_Constance_ painted devils upon paper, and put them round his head;\nhow soon were they exchanged for a crown of glory! Yet a little while,\nand He that cometh will come, and will not tarry. Till then, may your\nLadyship be kept by the mighty power of GOD through faith, and stand\nimpregnable as a wall of brass! May you be kept a stranger to names and\nparties, and by a holy, humble, uniform imitation of the blessed JESUS,\nevidence to the world, that you are indeed experimentally acquainted\nwith the power of his resurrection. High is your station, great are\nyour difficulties; but he that dwelleth on high is mightier, and hath\nengaged to make you more than conqueror through his love. To his tender\nmercy do I now, and likewise every day, commend your Ladyship; and this,\nby divine assistance, shall always be the employ of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obedient, obliged, ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Sept. 4, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nBY the providence of good and gracious GOD, I came to town on\n_Thursday_ evening, after having had a pleasant circuit in the _West_.\nThe day after I wrote to your Ladyship, I preached twice at _Exeter_,\nand in the evening I believe I had near ten thousand hearers. The\nBishop and several of his clergy stood very near me, as I am informed.\nA good season it was. All was quiet, and there was a great solemnity in\nthe congregation; but a drunken man threw at me three great stones. One\nof them cut my head deeply, and was like to knock me off the table; but,\nblessed be GOD, I was not discomposed at all. One of the other stones\nstruck a poor man quite down. As I came from _Exeter_, I visited one\n_John Hayne_, the soldier that, under GOD, begun the great awakening in\n_Flanders_. He is in _Dorchester_ \u2666gaol for preaching at _Shaftsbury_,\nwhere there has been, and is now a great awakening. Every where the\nwork is upon the spread; and since I have been here, we have had some\nof the most awful, solemn, powerful meetings, as I ever saw at the\nTabernacle. Congregations have been very large, and I have had several\nmeetings with the preachers. On _Saturday_ I had the honour of being\nalmost all the day long with Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Lady _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nand the Countess of _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and the Countess received the\nblessed sacrament before the others came: and I think they both grow.\nIf I stay over _Sunday_, (as perhaps I may) I hope to have another day\nwith them. I am sorry to inform your Ladyship, Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ died last\n_Sunday_ about noon. He had been sick about a fortnight, was in doubts\nfor a while, but two or three days before his death he rejoiced in\nGOD his Saviour. This morning I had the pleasure of a visit from Mr.\n_P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and two _German_ ministers, who have been labouring among the\n_Jews_, and been made instrumental of converting many of them. They\nseemed to be dear souls. They have preached at the _German_ chapel with\ngreat power. That your Ladyship may always enjoy a thriving soul in a\nhealthy body, is the continual prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cgoal\u201d replaced with \u201cgaol\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Oundle, in Northamptonshire, Sept. 15, 1749._\n\n_My very dear Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nTHOUGH I have not written to you, yet I know of no one in _America_,\nfor whom I have a more real and abiding esteem. The account of your\ntemporal affairs, which I received from my wife, gave me great concern.\nI often wish it was in my power to assist you; but as it is not, all\nI can do is to pray for you, and exhort you to look up to Him, who\nhas engaged, that all things shall work together for good to those who\nlove him in sincerity. This, I am persuaded, may be said of you; and\ntherefore, dear Sir, be of good courage. These light afflictions are\nbut for a moment, and are intended to work out a far more exceeding\nand eternal weight of glory. Thanks be to GOD, all the hell we are to\nhave, is on this side the grave; there is none for believers beyond\nit: and even in the midst of our deepest temporal misery, we may enjoy\nan antepast of heaven. This you know by experience. Thanks be to GOD\nfor this unspeakable gift in and through CHRIST JESUS our LORD. Though\nfaint, my dear friend, yet still pursue. Yonder stands the blessed\nJESUS with a crown in his hand, ready to put on the conqueror\u2019s head.\nLet this animate you, for you shall certainly reap in due time, if you\nfaint not. I could write much, but am surrounded with business from\nmany quarters. Blessed be GOD, my hands are full of work, though I\nstand amazed that the Redeemer does not lay me aside. But his grace\nis free. I commend you and your dear yoke-fellow to his never failing\nmercy, and begging a continued interest in your prayers, subscribe\nmyself, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXVII.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Binnington, Sept. 17, 1749._\n\n_Rev. and very dear Sir_,\n\nIF you was uneasy that my last lay by you unanswered, I am sure I have\nbeen, it may be, much more so, ever since yours came to hand. Upon\nreading it, I felt all the springs of sympathy move as it were at\nonce. Glad would I have been of the wings of a dove, to have fled to,\nand condoled with my suffering friend. Perhaps I have heard from what\ncorner your cross comes. It is a very near one indeed.\u2015\u2015A saying of Mr.\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ hath often comforted me; \u201cI would often have nestled, but GOD\nalways put a thorn in my nest.\u201d Is not this suffered, my dear brother,\nthink you, to prick you out, and to compel you as it were to appear\nfor the LORD JESUS CHRIST? Preaching is my grand _Catholicon_ under all\ndomestic, as well as other trials. Methinks the voice of providence now\nis, \u201cWho is on the LORD\u2019s side?\u201d\u2015\u2015I fear Dr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has done you hurt,\nand kept you in shackles too, too long. For CHRIST\u2019s sake, my dear Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, exhort him, now he hath taken the gown, to play the man, and\nlet the world see that not worldly motives, but GOD\u2019s glory and a love\nfor souls, have sent him into the ministry. Though when I conversed\nwith him he was exceeding weak, yet as I trust there is sincerity at\nthe bottom, I hope he will turn out a flamer at last. O when shall this\nonce be! who would lose one moment? Amazing! that the followers of a\ncrucified Redeemer should be afraid of contempt. Surely it must be for\nwant of looking more to, and considering him who endured so much pain,\nand despised so much shame, but is now sitting at the right hand of the\nthrone of GOD. _O gloriam quantam et qualem!_ Rise, _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, rise, and\nsee thy JESUS reaching out a crown with this motto, _Vincenti dabo_.\nExcuse this freedom, I write out of the fulness of my heart, not to\ndraw you over to me or a party, but to excite you to appear openly for\nGOD. I am glad you intend to write. May I know the plan you intend to\ngo upon? Do you think to say any thing to the Bishop of _Exeter_? Have\nyou seen his second piece? Would you have me reply? Will you point out\nto me the faults of my first answer? A letter may be directed (if you\nwrite immediately) to be left for me at the Reverend Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s,\n_Yorkshire_. Thither I am bound now, and if the season of the year\nshould permit, I would stretch to _Scotland_. Alas, how soon is the\nyear gone round since I was there last! and how little have I done for\nJESUS! A thought of it sometimes breaks my heart. And yet how good is\nthe LORD! In _London_ we have had most delightful seasons. The glory\nof the Redeemer filled the tabernacle. If any doubt whether the cause\nwe are embarked in be the cause of GOD, I say, \u201cCome and see.\u201d Are you\nfree that I should call upon you in my return to town? I think to come\nby way of _Northampton_. You shall hear what is done in _Yorkshire_.\nI find GOD has blessed my preaching at _Oundle_ to some souls. At\n_Biddiford_, _Plymouth_, _Exeter_, and _Chatham_ the word ran and was\nglorified. But what am I doing? I never wrote to any one so freely, I\nthink, that I was not personally acquainted with, as to you. Pardon me,\nif I am too free, and impute it to the love that is borne you by,\nreverend and dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Captain W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Newcastle, Sept. 29, 1749._\n\n_My very dear Brother_,\n\nSINCE I wrote to you last, I have had many proofs that GOD\u2019s providence\ndirected my way into _Yorkshire_. I preached four times at _Abberford_,\nfour times at _Leeds_, and thrice at _Howarth_, where lives one Mr.\n_G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. At his church I believe we had above a thousand communicants,\nand in the church-yard about six thousand hearers. It was a great\nday of the son of man. At _Leeds_ the auditory consisted of above ten\nthousand. About _Leeds_ are Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s societies. I was invited\nthither by them and one of their preachers; and Mr. _Charles W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\ncoming thither published me himself. I therefore complied, and I\nbelieve the gospel was welcome. I have preached here once, and am\nto preach again this evening. On _Monday_, GOD willing, I propose to\nreturn to _Yorkshire_, and from thence to _London_. Pray send me word\nimmediately whether the _Port-Merchant_ be gone, because I know not\nbut some out of _Wales_ may go in her. I forgot to tell you in my last,\nthat I had given over the immediate care of all my societies to Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; so that now I am a preacher at large indeed. I find every\nthing is turning round strangely. O for simplicity and honesty to the\nend! I long to know how it is with you. Am I to have my brother at\nlast? Do convictions fasten, and can you at length sing,\n\n _Be gone, vain world; my heart resign,_\n _For I must be no longer thine?_\n\nFor the present, adieu. My love to all. I wish you the very best of\nblessings, and am, my very dear brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXIX.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Wrote to your Ladyship lately a few lines under great weariness of\nbody. I then promised to send your Ladyship many pleasing particulars.\nTill now I have not had opportunity; and now what shall I say to your\nLadyship? Never did I see more of the hand of GOD in any of my journies\nthan in this. At Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s I believe there were above six thousand\nhearers. The sacramental occasion was most awful. At _Leeds_ the\ncongregation consisted of above 10,000. In the morning at five I was\nobliged to preach out of doors. I was invited to _Leeds_ by one of Mr.\n_W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s preachers, and by all his people. The gospel was welcome to\nthem. In my way hither I met Mr. _Charles W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who returned back\nwith, and introduced me to the pulpit in _Newcastle_. As I am a debtor\nto all, and intend to be at the head of no party, I thought it my\nduty to comply. I have preached now in their room four times, and this\nmorning I preached to many thousands in a large close. This evening I\nam to do the same again. The power of GOD has attended his own word,\nand there seems to be a quickening and stirring among the souls. To-\nmorrow, GOD willing, we set out for _Leeds_, and after about a week\u2019s\nstay in those parts I intend returning to _London_. As it is so late\nin the year, my _Scotch_ friends advise me to defer my going thither.\nHad I known that, I should have embarked for _America_ this fall; but\nI find there were other reasons for my being prevented crossing the\nwaters this winter. I desire to follow the Lamb whithersoever he is\npleased to lead me. At _New-haven_ there is a great awakening. If any\nthing offers worthy of notice, your Ladyship shall be sure to hear.\nIn the mean while, I continue to put up my usual prayer, that your\nLadyship may be filled with all the fulness of GOD, and to subscribe\nmyself, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged and willing servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXX.\n\n\n _To Lady Fanny S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nSOME time last week, my wife sent me the letter your Ladyship was\npleased to favour me with about three weeks ago. Though I was sorry\nit did not reach me before I left town, yet I rejoiced to find that it\nbespoke your Ladyship\u2019s attachment to the ever-loving ever-lovely JESUS,\nand a desire to partake of the sacred symbols of his most blessed body\nand blood. I doubt not but your Ladyship, with full purpose of heart,\nwill cleave unto him, and in spite of men and devils go on in that\nnarrow way which leads to life eternal. GOD\u2019s grace will be sufficient\nfor you. He hath promised, and he is faithful who hath promised, never\nto leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him. He is in the\nburning bush, he is in the fiery furnace. He can and will make us more\nthan conquerors over all. With what courage then may your Ladyship\ngo on through this howling wilderness, whilst leaning on your beloved\nSaviour? In him alone is all your strength found. Honoured Madam, look\nto him, consider him, and thereby you will be kept from being weary\nand faint in your mind. I doubt not but you meet with daily crosses.\nPersons that stand alone, and in high places, must expect storms. But\nJESUS is able and willing to uphold you. Thanks be to his great name\nfor giving your Ladyship such a share of prudence and courage. May the\nglorious _Emmanuel_ increase both; and without being attached to any\nparty, may you be preserved unspotted from the world, and be a common\nfriend to all!\u2015\u2015Since I saw your Ladyship, I have disengaged myself\nfrom the immediate care of the societies, and am now still more at\nliberty to preach the gospel of the blessed GOD. A series of unforeseen\nprovidences brought me down this way. In _Yorkshire_ many, many\nthousands have attended the word, and here at _Newcastle_ thousands\nalso hear the gospel gladly. To-morrow I am returning back, and hope\nto be in town some time this month. I fear it is now too late to embark\nfor _America_ this winter; but, thanks be to GOD, I hear my family\nis well, and that the LORD hath given them a plentiful crop. If your\nLadyship lives, I believe you will hear of some souls being educated\nat _Georgia_ for GOD. Honoured Madam, my heart\u2019s desire and constant\nprayer is, that you may go on from strength to strength, and be\ncontinually growing in the knowledge of yourself and CHRIST JESUS\nyour LORD. I must now add no more, but my repeated thanks for all your\nLadyship\u2019s favours, and my repeated assurances of being, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, obedient, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXI.\n\n\n _To Lady F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Estwood in Lancashire, Oct. 25, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nSINCE I had the honour of writing to your Ladyship from _Newcastle_,\nfresh wonders of grace and mercy have been shewn us daily. I have\nnow I think preached about thirty times in _Yorkshire_, and above ten\ntimes in _Cheshire_, and _Lancashire_. Congregations have been very\nlarge, and a solid, convincing, and comforting influence hath every\nwhere attended the word. In one or two places I have had a little\nrough treatment, but elsewhere all has been quiet, and many I hear are\nbrought under concern about the welfare of their better part. At the\nimportunity of many, I am now returning from _Manchester_ (where I\npreached to many thousands) to _Leeds_; from thence I purpose going to\n_Sheffield_, and next week I hope to see good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ at _Ashby_,\nand the week following I hope to be in _London_. Thus do I lead a\npilgrim life: GOD give me a pilgrim heart, and enable me to speak\nof redeeming love to a lost world, till I can speak no more! Surely\nthis is a work that brings with it its own reward. It brings a heaven\ninto the soul, and causes it, amidst all the scoffs and tauntings\nof a benighted, ill-natured, and ridiculing world, to rejoice with\njoy unspeakable, even a joy that is full of glory. \u201cTo me, (says the\nblessed apostle) to live is CHRIST.\u201d When a person can once say so in\nreality, then he begins to live indeed. Even death itself is then life,\nbecause death to such a one is eternal gain. O how great, how striking,\nhow transporting and transforming are the invisible realities of\nanother world, to a soul that is born of GOD! What meer shadows and\nempty nothings are all sublunary enjoyments, when compared with these!\nThanks be to GOD, who has given you, honoured Madam, a taste of these\ninfinitely important things. My constant prayer for your Ladyship is,\nthat you may hold on, and hold out, and with full purpose of heart\ncleave unto that Redeemer who hath loved you, and given himself for\nyou. Mrs. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ at _Manchester_ goes on well, and is not ashamed to\nconfess him, who I trust has called her out of darkness, and made her\npartaker of his marvellous light. May the glorious _Emmanuel_ add daily\nto the number of his honourable confessors, and give the rich to know,\nthat to be rich in faith and good works is the only way to be rich\nindeed! All is ours, if we can truly say, we are CHRIST \u2019s. Honoured\nMadam, I must beg your excuse for this freedom; but at present I have\na view of the Redeemer\u2019s glory, and therefore know not well how to stop\nwhen writing of him. Your Ladyship will \u2666pardon me, and accept these\npoor lines, which shall be followed with hearty prayers from, honoured\nMadam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged and ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cparden\u201d replaced with \u201cpardon\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXII.\n\n\n _To the Countess D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Halifax, Oct. 26, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I am jealous of myself, lest I should make too free with persons\nin high life, yet when I have good news to send concerning the kingdom\nof JESUS CHRIST, I am constrained as it were to write to your Ladyship.\nWill it not rejoice you very much, honoured Madam, to hear the glorious\n_Emmanuel_ is riding on in the chariot of his gospel, from conquering\nto conquer? Every day people flock to hear the word, like doves to\ntheir windows. I have preached about thirty times in _Yorkshire_, and\nat the desire of many am returned thither again. The latter end of\nnext week I hope to see good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_. I suppose her Ladyship will\ndetain me a few days at _Ashby_, and then I purpose coming directly to\n_London_. Thanks be to GOD, all places are near alike to me, so that\nI can but be doing something for Him, who hath done and suffered so\nmuch for me. This I would have to be my meat and my drink. To me to\nlive, let it be CHRIST; for life is no further desirable than as we can\nimprove it to the promoting his glory. _Mary_ thought so, who in the\ndays of his flesh sat at the Redeemer\u2019s feet and heard his words. This\nI believe is your Ladyship\u2019s daily employ; a glorious employ indeed.\nHow sweet must his fruit be unto your Ladyship\u2019s taste! Surely it is\nsweeter than the honey or the honeycomb. And if the first-fruits are so\ndelightful, how infinitely delightful must the full harvest be! Go on,\nhonoured Madam, and whatever others may do, still keep pursuing after\nmore and more of that better part, which shall never be taken away from\nyou. JESUS is full of grace, and full of truth. Believers are welcome\nto him every moment. He is ready to water them continually with the\ndew of his heavenly blessing. It is our privilege to go on from grace\nto grace, till grace be swallowed up in endless glory. O that your\nhonoured sister may march on with your Ladyship towards this blessed\nstate! There she will have a house, not made with hands, eternal in the\nheavens. I send her Ladyship my most dutiful respects, and sincerely\npray that she may be filled with all the fulness of GOD.\u2015\u2015I hope\nyour Ladyship is inclined to remember me at the throne of grace, your\nLadyship knows my name, \u201cThe chief of sinners, less than the least of\nall saints;\u201d but, for CHRIST\u2019s sake, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and\n willing servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Leeds, Oct. 30, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nON _Saturday_ evening I had the honour of your Ladyship\u2019s letter,\nand as it came before the _Manchester_ post went out, I immediately\nsent the inclosed to Mrs. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. If possible I am persuaded she will\ncomply. She seems to be quite in earnest. I conversed for about two\nhours with the Captain and some other officers, upon the nature and\nnecessity of the new birth. He was affected, and I hope it was blessed.\nSince I left them, I have preached to many thousands at _Rosindale_,\n_Aywood_, and _Halifax_. I have also offered JESUS at _\u2666Burstall_,\n_Pudsy_, and _Armly_, and have had three precious seasons here.\nCongregations are exceeding large indeed, and both the established\nand dissenting clergy are very angry. They thundered I hear yesterday\nheartily. But truth is great, and will prevail, though preached in\nthe fields and streets. Indeed it begins to be cold abroad now; but\nthe LORD JESUS is pleased to strengthen me, and people flock from all\nquarters. This day sevennight, GOD willing, without fail your Ladyship\nmay depend on seeing me. I thought to have been at _Ashby_ next\nLORD\u2019s-day, but a door seems to be opened at _Nottingham_, and I\nhave thoughts of trying what can be done there. This morning I shall\nset out for _Sheffield_. May the LORD give me a pilgrim heart for my\npilgrim life, and then all will be well! I know I have your Ladyship\u2019s\nprayers.\u2015\u2015I think your Ladyship judges right in respect to the churches.\nI expect to meet with many rebuffs, but by the help of my GOD I shall\nleap over every wall. That your Ladyship may stand as a wall of brass,\nis the hearty prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful obedient servant,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cBurstal\u201d replaced with \u201cBurstall\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXIV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby-Place, Nov. 8, 1749._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Thank you heartily for your kind letter to me, and your kind\nbenefaction to poor Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. That GOD, whom you both serve, will\nplentifully reward and bless you. I am in great hopes, enough will\nbe raised to pay his debts, and that a provision will be made for his\nfuture subsistence. Rather than _Elijahs_ shall want, ravens shall\nbe sent to feed them. Your present circumstances almost distress me,\nand at the same time make me ashamed. I think it requires more grace\nheartily to say, \u201cFather, thy will be done,\u201d in such a situation, than\nto die a martyr forty times. But my dear friend, though your body is\nweak and confined at home, your pen hath been active, and your works\nwalk abroad. I hear of them from all quarters. GOD hath blessed, and\nwill bless them. Let that comfort you, and if health any way permits,\npray write again. Fear not, my dear dear Man; let faith and patience\nhold out a little longer, and then the struggle shall be over. Yet a\nlittle while, and you shall join with that sweet singer Dr. _Watts_,\nwho whilst on earth dragged a crazy load along, as well as you, for\nmany years. As for my poor tabernacle, I wonder it is not dissolved\nevery day; but we are immortal till our work is done. Now is my time\nfor doing; my suffering time may come by and by. O for strength in a\ntrying hour! Wherefore should we fear? Wherefore should we doubt? He\nthat hath loved us, will love us to the end. This encourages me to hold\non my way. Blessed be GOD, I have seen great things since I wrote last.\nThe fields have been more and more white, ready unto harvest. I am now\nat _Ashby_ with good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_. Her Ladyship has a great regard\nfor you, and begs you would come and stay a week at her house. She will\ntake great care of you. I think to remove hence on _Monday_, and should\nbe very glad to see you in my way to _London_. However this be, we\nshall meet in heaven. There the wicked heart and wicked world will\ncease from troubling, and there the weary will enjoy an uninterrupted\nand eternal rest. This morning we have been remembering our blessed\nRedeemer\u2019s death, and I was enabled to pray earnestly for my dear Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I beseech the Father of mercies and GOD of all consolations\nto excite you to do the same for my dear old friend.\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Nov. 21, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nYOUR Ladyship\u2019s letter greatly rejoiced me, and stirred me up to pray\nafresh that our blessed LORD would give you to see of the travel of his\nsoul, in the salvation of many at _Ashby_. I am persuaded your Ladyship\nwas not sent there for nothing.\u2015\u2015But it is always darkest before\nbreak of day. I desire to be thankful that your honoured Sisters are\npleased to approve of me. Thanks be to GOD, I feel myself unworthy; but\nunworthy as I am, my poor prayers I trust will reach heaven in their\nbehalf. This day, both they and your Ladyship were remembered at the\nLORD\u2019s table. The Countess, Lady _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ were there,\nand all I think are grown in grace and in the knowledge of our LORD and\nSaviour JESUS CHRIST. What encouragement is this for your Ladyship to\ngo and speak for GOD? All send their best compliments, and Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\ndesired me to inform your Ladyship, that the man who was sent up has\nbeen taken care of. Blessed be GOD for putting it in your Ladyship\u2019s\npower to help the poor sufferers of _Cork_. Last night I received a\nletter from Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and purpose this night or to-morrow to write\nto him about what your Ladyship desires; I think he will be a proper\nperson. Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ I believe is at his house. I pity those who have\nbeen persecuted in _Ireland_. The minister being taken so ill near your\nLadyship, was an alarming providence. But who so blind as those that\nwill not see? GOD honours your Ladyship, in making you instrumental to\nown and provide for those, who are cast out for his great name\u2019s sake.\nGreat shall be your reward in heaven. I hope you and your honoured\nsisters will have great comfort in the perseverance of the poor baker.\nHe is a _Jerusalem_ sinner, a proper object for free grace to fix on. A\nwoman of fourscore, and a boy about eleven, have been lately awakened,\nand it is hoped converted, in _Essex_. May JESUS feed them all with\nbread that comes down from heaven! We have blessed seasons here, and\nour LORD gives us to see his stately steps. GOD prepare me for a\nsuffering hour! Mrs. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has met with a heavy trial in the death\nof her only daughter, aged twenty. I hear she behaves like a christian\nunder it. Happy they who know that promise belongs to them, \u201cAll things\nwork together for good to those who love GOD.\u201d How easy may _Isaacs_\nbe given up by them? But I forget I am weary, when writing to your\nLadyship. Pardon my taking up so much of your precious time. I wish\nyour Ladyship, your honoured Sisters, and children, all the privileges\nof the new-born, heaven-born sons of GOD. This is the only return that\ncan be made both to them and you, by, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, dutiful, and willing\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 22, 1749._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nI Received your kind letter on _Monday_ last, and to shew you how\nwilling I am to carry on a correspondence, I take the very first\nopportunity of answering it. Yours found me just returned out of\n_Yorkshire_, _Lancashire_, &c. Since you heard of me last, I have been\nat _Sheffield_ and _Nottingham_, and found the fields every where white\nready unto harvest. I believe my particular province is, to go about\nand preach the gospel to all. My being obliged to keep up a large\ncorrespondence in _America_, and the necessity I am under of going\nthither myself, entirely prevents my taking care of any societies.\nWhether it will ever be my lot to come over to _Ireland_, I cannot say.\nI have some thought of being there next Spring; but I would not intrude\non any one\u2019s labours. The world is large, and blessed be GOD, there is\na range and work sufficient for all. As for my manner of preaching, I\nbelieve, was you to hear me, you would find it calculated to serve all,\nbut intended at least to offend none. I profess to be of a catholic\nspirit; I am a debtor to all; I have no party to be at the head of,\nand through GOD\u2019s grace, I will have none; but as much as in me lies\nstrengthen the hands of all, of every denomination, that preach JESUS\nCHRIST in sincerity. In this spirit I hope my dear Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will\nfind me, should he ever see me in _Ireland_; but whether I shall go\nthere or to _America_ in the Spring, is not yet determined. Future\nthings belong to Him whose I am, and whom I desire to serve to my dying\nday, in the gospel of his dear Son. I earnestly beg an interest in\nyour prayers, and in the prayers of all that love the LORD JESUS in\nsincerity. Pray how do the poor people at _Cork_? Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ writes\nthis concerning them. \u201cI hope the poor persecuted people in _Cork_ will\nbe helped, and I should be glad if you could write in my name to any of\nthem, and inform them that I would have written myself, but I know not\nhow to direct. You may give them my kind assurance of serving them upon\nany occasion, and a hint that I believe they will meet with no more\nof the like rough usage.\u201d Thus far my good Lady. I have informed her\nLadyship, that I should write to you, who I am persuaded will gladly\nand in a prudent manner communicate this to all concerned. And now,\nmy dear Sir, have I not returned you a long letter? I love you, though\nI know you not, and the more so because I hear you breathe a catholic\nspirit. May the LORD increase it in your and all his children\u2019s hearts!\nI must now add no more, but subscribe myself, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 25, 1749._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nFOR some few days I have been returned from my northern rout, in which\nthe glorious _Emmanuel_ gave me to see new wonders every day. It was\nno small concern to me to turn my back on _Scotland_, when so near.\nHowever it hath been greatly over-ruled for good. I have thereby been\ncalled to preach in many fresh places, and, glory be to GOD, I saw\nthousands flock to the hearing of the gospel, like doves to the windows.\nThe generous offer made me by yourself and lady, I took exceeding kind,\nand gladly would I have embraced it, but\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015Well! what is, is best.\n\u201cFather, not my will but thine be done.\u201d Perhaps I may see you in the\nSpring; if not, ere long, dear Sir, we shall meet in heaven. My wife\ntells me, she answered Lady _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s letter immediately. In this she\njoins, sending most grateful acknowledgments and cordial salutations.\nBlessed be GOD, we are both well, and surrounded with mercies on every\nside.\u2015\u2015Only ungrateful, ill, and hell-deserving I, want a grateful and\nan humble heart. I am altogether an unprofitable servant, but our LORD\nI trust will purge me, that I may bring forth more fruit: for by this,\nand this only, I know our heavenly father is glorified. What I am most\nafraid of is, lest I should flag in the latter stages of my road. But\nhe that hath loved and helped, will, dear Sir, love and help me to the\nend. I am persuaded your prayers and the prayers of christian friends\nwill be very serviceable. O that you may be kept alive and warm in this\ncold declining day! Poor _Scotland_, I pity thee! I will pray for thy\nprosperity till I can pray no more! Be pleased to present our joint\nlove and cordial respects to all friends in general, and we entreat\nyou and yours to accept the same in a most particular manner from, very\ndear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Nov. 30, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Think it is now a whole week since I had the honour and pleasure of\nwriting to your Ladyship, and as your Ladyship was pleased to desire\nthe prayers of GOD\u2019s people, I read that part of your letter. Thousands\nheartily united in singing the following verses for your Ladyship.\n\n _Gladly we join to pray for those,_\n _Who rich with worldly honour shine;_\n _Yet dare to own a Saviour\u2019s cause,_\n _And in that hated cause to join:_\n _Yes! we would praise Thee that a few_\n _Love Thee, though rich and noble too._\n\n _Uphold this star in thy right hand,_\n _Crown her endeavours with success;_\n _Among the great ones may she stand,_\n _A witness of thy righteousness!_\n _Till many nobles join thy train,_\n _And triumph in the Lamb that\u2019s slain._\n\nThe verses were made by _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ who is now under my roof. He\nhas grievously backslidden, but I hope is now returning home to his\nheavenly Father. We had an uncommon scene when he first came to me.\nI find the LORD will be sanctified in all them that come near him,\nand will not suffer those who are concerned in his cause, and with\nhis people, to continue in sin long undiscerned. O that I may be kept\nsimple, and honest, and zealous unto the end! Mine eyes wait upon thee,\nO LORD, from whence alone cometh my salvation! I find he never fails\nthose that put their trust in him. Blessed be his name, I have got\nsufficient to pay off Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s debts.\u2015\u2015Poor, yet attempting at\nleast to make many rich, I would have my motto still. Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ also\nwrites word, that the glorious JESUS hath raised sufficient for his\ncharity school, and that he is much blessed in his labours. The book\nthat hath been given to me for your Ladyship, I purpose sending next\nweek, with one or two of the _Sundays Thoughts_ for your Ladyship\u2019s\nhonoured sisters. Indeed I honour them very much, and pray for them and\nall related to your Ladyship very earnestly. I was glad to hear by Mr.\n_R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ that your Ladyship and all were so well. May you prosper and\nbe in health both in body and soul! _London_ already begins to disagree\nwith my outward man, but the LORD\u2019s smiling upon my poor labours\nsweetens all. I have begun to preach by six in the morning. We have\nlarge congregations even then. I trust we shall have a warm winter. I\nhave not been at the other end of the town this week, but I find all\nhold on: however a leader is wanting. This honour hath been put on your\nLadyship by the great head of the church. An honour conferred on few,\nbut an earnest of a distinguished honour to be put on your Ladyship\nbefore men and angels, when time shall be no more. That you may every\nday add to the splendor of your future crown, by always abounding in\nthe work of the LORD, is the fervent prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, and obliged, though\n very unworthy servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCLXXXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 3, 1749._\n\n_My dear Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Thank you heartily for your kind Letter, and yet more heartily thank\nour glorious _Emmanuel_ for succeeding your charity school, and smiling\nupon your public administrations. I have sent Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ an account\nof it, and earnestly pray the blessed Redeemer to own and succeed\nyou evermore. My winter quarters are made very agreeable; but so much\nbusiness crouds in upon me, that I have not time to write long letters.\nI am looking out for some fresh sermons for you. Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, with whom\nI spent some agreeable hours lately at _Northampton_, would let you\nhave some, but his are all in short hand. Here is a volume of one Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s lately deceased that I guess will do for you. A friend to-day\npromises to send me _Gurnall\u2019s spiritual Armour_, of which I suppose\nyou will highly approve. I will endeavour to bring or send it to you.\nI cannot think of stirring hence till after Christmas, but before\nthe Winter is over, I shall long for the Spring to come, that I may\nenter on a fresh campaign. The encouragement given me this last fall,\ngladdens my poor heart, and makes me to long more than ever to spend\nand be spent for that JESUS, who hath shed his precious blood for us\nupon the cross. I know those last almost parting words of our ascending\nLORD, \u201cFeed my lambs, feed my sheep,\u201d will be engraven upon the tables\nof your heart. Our obligations to do so, are very great, at least mine\nare. O that we may embrace all opportunities of shewing that we love\nour LORD more than every created thing. O for simplicity and godly\nsincerity unto the end of our race! Yet a little while, and we shall\nreach the goal and lay hold on the crown. Yonder our LORD stands\nholding it out. It has those words written upon it, _Vincenti dabo_.\nWhat is infinitely more, he will give us himself. We shall behold, we\nshall partake of his glory. _O gloriam \u2666quantum et qualem!_ You will\nurge all to press after it. Blessed be GOD, that you have so many\naround you that have a taste thereof. My hearty love attends them all.\nMay the LORD JESUS be with your spirit, and give you to increase with\nall the increase of GOD! Nothing greater can be, nothing less shall be\ndesired in your behalf by, my dear old friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cquantam\u201d replaced with \u201cquantum\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXC.\n\n\n _To Mrs. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 6, 1749._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nI Thank you heartily for the acceptable favour of your letter, which\ncame to my hand last night. It was quite welcome, as it bespoke the\nlanguage of a heart panting after GOD, and desirous to be conformed to\nits great exemplar the blessed and holy JESUS. Go on, dear Madam, in\nhis strength, who hath loved you and given himself for you. Confess him\nbefore men, and he will confess you before his holy angels in heaven.\nI am glad that Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ visits you often. Whenever you meet, may\nthe glorious _Emmanuel_ cause your hearts to burn within you. What\nyou propose for the poor cast-out clergyman, will be accepted of and\nrewarded by our common LORD, as done to himself. GOD willing, I purpose\nwaiting upon you next _Saturday_ by eleven o\u2019clock, and then I can\nreceive your kind benefaction. _Colonel G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ being with me when your\nletter came, offered to accompany me. Perhaps Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will come\ntoo. I shall see him this day, and shall be sure to inform him and his\nwife of what you desire. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ would gladly make one in\naddressing the throne of grace. But she is happy in yonder dead place,\nand _Dorcas_-like is always employed for the poor. Glorious privilege!\nBlessed redemption! JESUS can make us happy any where and every\nwhere. You have a neighbour that dearly loves him. I mean the reverend\nMr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, the king\u2019s _German_ chaplain. I believe, Madam, he\nwould be glad to wait upon you; he has now three ministers with him,\nburning with the love of CHRIST, and going to preach the gospel in the\n_East-Indies_. Have you seen a little piece entitled _Sunday Thoughts_?\nI think you would like it much. But I forget myself. I wish you the\nbest of blessings, all the blessings of the everlasting covenant, and\nbeg leave to subscribe myself, dear Madam,\n\n Your most obliged and ready servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCI.\n\n\n _To Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 9, 1749._\n\n_My dear Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Find by your last kind letter that the king\u2019s business requires haste.\nI therefore immediately dispatched it to good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who I am\npersuaded will think it her highest privilege to serve the dear people\nof _Cork_. Whether your account of their sufferings has reached her\nLadyship I cannot tell, but you will know soon. However this we know,\nthat they have reached the ears of the blessed JESUS, who sitteth in\nheaven, and laughs all his enemies to scorn. He will take care that\nthe bush, though burning, shall not be consumed, nay he will take\ncare that it shall flourish even when in the midst of fire. In all our\nafflictions he is afflicted, and though the under shepherds be smitten,\nand his poor sheep for a while scattered, yet even this scattering\nshall be over-ruled for the propagation of the glorious gospel. It\nwill be melancholy to have any preachers transported; but really the\nthoughts do not affect me so much, because I know what a field of\naction there is for them abroad. It has been my settled opinion for a\nlong time, that CHRIST\u2019s labourers (at least some of them,) love home\ntoo much, and do not care enough for those thousands of precious souls,\nthat are ready to perish for lack of knowledge in yonder wilderness. We\npropose having an academy or college at the Orphan-house in _Georgia_.\nSupposing the worst, hundreds may find a sweet retreat there. The house\nis large; it will hold an hundred. I trust my heart is larger, and will\nhold ten thousand. Be who or what they will, if they belong to JESUS,\nthe language of my heart shall be, \u201cCome in, ye blessed of the LORD.\u201d\nBut perhaps this may not be the issue. The threatning storm may blow\nover, and all may be at peace again. It is always darkest before break\nof day. May the glorious _Emmanuel_ lighten the darkness of our minds!\nthen we need not fear what men or devils can say of, or do unto us.\nAdored be his free grace for enabling you, dear Sir, to confess him\nbefore men, and to make _Moses_\u2019s choice your choice. Great shall be\nyour reward of grace, though not of debt: he will confess you before\nhis Father and his holy angels in heaven. When you write, be pleased\nto salute the dear confessors at _Cork_. I love them in the bowels of\nJESUS CHRIST, and pray the LORD of all lords to give them grace to quit\nthemselves like men, and be strong. If any of my poor writings might be\nuseful, I will send some to _Ireland_ at any time. O free grace, that\nthe adorable JESUS should ever make use of such a wretch as I am! This\nis free grace indeed. Help me, dear Sir, to adore it; and if at any\ntime I can be serviceable, make no apologies, but write frequently, and\ncommand as well as pray for, my dear friend,\n\n Your very affectionate brother and chearful servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCII.\n\n\n _To Mr. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 12, 1749._\n\n_My dear Mr. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Thank you for your kind letter. It bespoke the language of an honest\nheart. If I am not mistaken, your name is _Nathaniel_. This is what\nI fain would be, an _Israelite_ indeed, in whom is no allowed guile.\nSuch will JESUS guide in his way. I therefore have no doubt of your\nreceiving a blessing, a blessing, in what you intend doing next\n_Christmas_. You have openly called JESUS and his disciples to the\nmarriage: and such proceedings are always owned of GOD, whilst contrary\nmethods are as surely either blasted or embittered by him, who loves\na single eye and an upright heart. You will remember me kindly to Mrs.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and all that love the blessed JESUS in sincerity. I desire\nto be thankful for the favour that was left behind a preached gospel.\nIt is the LORD\u2019s doings. Let us continue praying, and we shall yet\nsee far greater things than these. You do well to meet at _Rotheram_.\nMy cordial salutations, attend Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and their\nrespective families. May the LORD bless them, as he did the house of\n_Obededom_, for the ark\u2019s sake! My advice is, quit yourselves like\nmen, and be strong. If our LORD shall open a door, I fully purpose to\nhave another stroke at Satan\u2019s strong-holds in _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. JESUS can and\nwill make us more than conquerors over all. Blessed be his name for\nleading you, my dear friend, more and more into the knowledge of his\ndivine, compleat, and everlasting righteousness. That is a rock against\nwhich the gates of hell shall never prevail. If we have a mind to go\npleasantly to _Canaan_, we must lean, not on our frames, not on a stock\nreceived, but on our Beloved. Looking to him is the only way of being\nsaved from every evil that annoys and disturbs us. It is his blood,\nsprinkled by the blessed Spirit upon the conscience, and that alone,\nwhich cleanseth from all sin. Whatever, therefore, you want, go to\nJESUS: that is his name. And why? Because he is to save his people\nfrom their sins. And what amazing grace is it, that we should be in\nthe number of his people? Surely that GOD-exalting, that self-abasing\nexpression, \u201cWhy me, LORD, why me?\u201d should always be in the mouth of\none redeemed of the Lamb. But I must stop, though with regret. Whilst I\nam writing the fire kindles. I beg all your prayers;\u2015\u2015no one wants them\nmore. My wife returns her love. I believe good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ hath no\nplace suitable for the person you mention. Why should she fly from her\ncross? Sometimes we do best when surrounded by enemies: they keep us\nupon our watch. JESUS is able to preserve us, though in a burning bush.\nTo his never-failing mercy do I commend you all, and am, dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend and ready servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 13, 1749._\n\n_My dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR kind letter almost made me to blush. I little thought, when I left\n_N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that you should have written first; but I have been so engaged\nsince I came to town, that I could not well write to you before now.\nHowever, you have generally been in my thoughts; and I have not failed\nto remember you before him, who is able to save to the uttermost all\nthat come to the Father in and through him. I see you are still under\nthe rod, and I trust are enabled to kiss the hand that holds it. These\nafflictions, at present are not joyous, but grievous; nevertheless,\nthrough these many tribulations, we shall at length enter into eternal\nglory. By doing, or suffering, or by both, our active and passive\ngraces must be kept in continual exercise. Your sufferings are of a\npeculiar nature; peculiar grace shall be given under, and a peculiar\nconquest granted over them. Look, my dear Sir, not to the _Mysticks_,\nbut to JESUS. Indeed, his righteousness is the only rock on which you\ncan build any solid comfort. In this, and in this only are you compleat.\nThis is the only breast-plate; and faith in this, a true, living,\noperative faith in this, is the only shield whereby the believer will\nbe enabled to repel all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Thanks be to\nGOD, who hitherto hath given you to triumph, hath raised you from a bed\nof sickness, and set you on a throne, I mean your pulpit again. May the\nglorious _Emmanuel_ enable you to speak from thence both to him and his\npeople, as becometh the lively oracles of GOD. I find Satan does all\nthat he can to prevent your using your pen. The LORD will rebuke him\nin due time, and cause it yet to become the pen of a ready writer. I\nam glad you have opened a correspondence with our elect Lady. Keep it\nopen I entreat you, my dear friend, and be not _nimis nullus_. Alas!\nif differences of every kind were to hinder any one, surely I must be\nthe man. But in JESUS is my strength found; and as my day is, so he\ncauses my strength to be. Thanks be to his holy name, we have seen his\noutgoings frequently of late in _London_. His glory hath filled the\nTabernacle, and many have been brought under fresh concern for their\nsouls. I shall be glad to hear that Dr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ hath begun to speak\nfor the LORD. But what can be done, till we are delivered from worldly\nhopes and worldly fears? Perfect, unfeigned love to the blessed JESUS,\ncan only expel these. That your dear soul may constantly overflow with\nit, and that you may increase with all the increase of GOD, is the\nearnest prayer of, my very dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your most affectionate, though unworthy friend, and\n brother, and servant in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. James B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 14, 1749._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nIF you was rejoiced in hearing from me, I can assure you, I was\ndelighted, when I received letters from my dear _Maryland_ and\n_Bohemia_ friends. Upon reading them, I hoped that our LORD was purging\nyou, that you might bring forth more fruit to his glory. I hope you\nhave found it a sanctifying rod, and that it hath only whipped you so\nmuch nearer to the ever-blessed Lamb of GOD. Now, my dear Sir, now is\nthe time to shew your gratitude; now is the time to begin steadily to\npursue the one thing needful. What avail the many things of this poor\ntransitory world, in a sick and dying hour? Alas! they are nothing, and\nless than nothing. JESUS alone is all in all. He is the pearl of great\nprice, which a wise merchant will gladly sell all to purchase. It is\nworth all, or worth nothing. O when shall it once be, that the children\nof this world shall not be wiser in their generations than the children\nof light! I trust my dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will labour to fulfil this wish,\nand with full purpose of heart cleave unto his once dying, but now\nrisen, ascended, and interceding LORD. When shall I love him more;\nwhen shall unworthy I serve him better? My obligations to do so, are\nincreasing every moment. This last fall has been a glorious seed-time\nindeed. I have been in six or seven _Northern_ counties, and thousands\nand ten thousands flocked to hear the word. I am now in my Winter\nquarters. Our LORD is pleased to bow the heavens, and come down amongst\nhis people. His glory fills the Tabernacle, and the shout of a king\nis heard in our camp. I wish I could hear of the revival of GOD\u2019s work\namong you. Let us pray, and not faint. You know who has commanded us\nto let him have no rest till _Jerusalem_ be made a praise through the\nearth. Methinks I wish the months may fly away, wherein I am detained\nfrom coming to my dear _America_ again. I entreat you to pray me over,\nand then I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of\npeace. The glorious JESUS deals bountifully with me here. I am better\nin health, than I have been some years.\u2015\u2015My wife hath much improved in\nhers, since her arrival in her native country. She joins in sending\nmost affectionate respects. Pray remember us to all in the tenderest,\nand most endearing manner; and believe me to be, my very dear Mr.\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Dec. 14, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nYOUR Ladyship\u2019s letter gave me uncommon joy. I cannot help being\ndelighted, when any thing I write gives your Ladyship any peculiar\nsatisfaction. The inclosed I immediately shewed to Colonel _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nwho was very glad, but is still concerned because he does not hear\nfrom your Ladyship; and on _Saturday_, GOD willing, I shall read it to\nLady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Mrs. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. At that time, I am to give them the holy\nsacrament. Last _Saturday_ I prayed with them; and in conversation,\nan aged gentlewoman was struck: I shall see how the physic works next\nvisit. Thanks be to GOD, the Holy Spirit has not done striving with\nsinners. I have had glorious accounts of the success attending the\nword in my last _Northern_ circuit. Three or four fresh instances of\nconviction and conversion I have heard of here, within these few days.\nWhatever seems worthy of your Ladyship\u2019s notice shall be sent. I wish\nI knew how a parcel might be best conveyed to your Ladyship. If your\nLadyship remembers, last Winter application was made in behalf of one\n_Hill_, a Corporal. O that I could do any thing to express my gratitude\nto your Ladyship and honoured sisters. In public and private you have\nmy prayers, which I trust will enter into the ears of the LORD of\nSabaoth. I think your Ladyship hath great encouragement to go on,\nstriving to win souls to the blessed JESUS. Mrs. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is another\njewel in your Ladyship\u2019s crown. May the glorious _Emmanuel_ add daily\nto the number of them! We have golden seasons here. Poor Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nwas quite revived with your Ladyship\u2019s letter. He is under the cross\nindeed. I am ashamed to think how little I do or suffer for JESUS\nCHRIST. Next _Saturday_ I am thirty-five years old; fy upon me, fy upon\nme! I beg the continuance of your Ladyship\u2019s prayers, that I may now\nbegin in earnest to glorify my blessed Master. Nothing else can satisfy,\nhonoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCVI.\n\n\n _To the Old Mrs. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 14, 1749._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nIF this finds you in the land of the living, or rather this land of\nthe dying, it comes to assure you that your dear letter and the other\nletters received from your dear family, gave me great satisfaction.\nBlessed be GOD, even the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for\nwounding and healing. This is his way. He wounds, in order to heal,\nand in the midst of judgment remembers mercy. Surely he is good in\nholding your soul in life, and being so much a staff to you in your old\nage. He has been a promise-keeping GOD. He has not forsaken you when\ngrey-headed, and when your natural strength must necessarily begin to\nfail you. Though it is cruel to hope you will be kept out of heaven\nso long, yet who knows, but I may see you, dear Madam, on this side\neternity. GOD willing, I purpose to embark some time next year without\nfail. The infinitely condescending Redeemer vouchsafes to crown my\nlabours with great success; but in the midst of all, _America_, dear\n_America_, is not forgotten by me. Your family is peculiarly dear. I\nlook upon you as my mother, and on your children as my brethren and\nsisters. I have lately been in _Yorkshire_, where I saw a widow, whose\nhusband lately died in triumph, and who has five sons and one daughter\nall walking in the love of GOD. Let this strengthen your faith, dear\nMadam, and encourage you to hope that you shall still see the travail\nof the Redeemer\u2019s soul in the salvation of all your children, and be\nsatisfied. The LORD\u2019s Spirit seems still to be striving with them;\nand I trust he will not let them go, till they are enabled to give him\nspirit, soul, and body to be sanctified throughout. My poor prayers\nshall not be wanting. We often think and talk of you. My wife, with\nme, sends you and yours a thousand thanks for all your kindnesses. We\nare both pretty well, and have the satisfaction of seeing the glory of\nthe LORD manifested in the great congregation. O what a blessed master\nis JESUS CHRIST. I am just now come to my thirty-fifth year of age. I\nblush and am confounded, when I think for what little purpose I have\nlived. It is time now to begin to do something for Him, who has done\nand suffered so much for me. I beg, dear Madam, you will pray for me\nwhile life lasts. I am the chief of sinners, less than the least of all\nsaints; but for CHRIST\u2019s sake under manifold obligations to, and am,\ndear Madam,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend and ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCVII.\n\n\n _To Mrs. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 15, 1749._\n\n_My dear and honoured Mother_,\n\nI Have been quite uneasy because your things have not been sent. The\nwoman that was to procure them disappointed me. I hope you will not\nmiss of them another week. Pray be not uneasy. I should never forgive\nmyself, was I by my negligence, or any wrong conduct, to give you\na moment\u2019s needless pain. To-morrow will be thirty-five years since\nyou brought unworthy me into the world. Alas! how little have I done\nfor you, and how much less for Him who formed me, and has heaped\ninnumerable mercies upon me ever since I was born. O that my head\nwas water, and mine eyes fountains of tears, that I might bewail my\nbarrenness and unfruitfulness in the church of GOD! By his grace, I\nhope now to begin to work for Him, who stretched himself on the cross,\nand groaned and died for me. His care for his tender mother, excites\nme to wish I could do any thing for you. This is my comfort, I hope you\nwant for nothing. Thanks be to the LORD of all lords for his goodness\nto you in your old age! I hope you comfort yourself in him, who I trust\nwill be your portion for ever. After Christmas I hope to see you. My\nwife sends you her most dutiful respects. If you would have any thing\nbrought more than you have mentioned, pray write to, honoured mother,\n\n Your ever dutiful, though unworthy son,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCVIII.\n\n\n _To Dr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 15, 1749._\n\nAND shall I forget my dear Dr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? I cannot, though I have\nreceived no letter from him. I remember his labours of love, I have\nheard of the sickness of his dear yoke-fellow, I must not, I cannot\nwithhold my pen from writing. And what shall I say? I trust your soul\nprospers, and that you can cry out with dear Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, now in\nheaven,\n\n _\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015O happy rod,_\n _That brought me nearer to my GOD._\n\nSurely my dear friend has long ere now been convinced that good desires\nwill not carry us to heaven. There must be a closing with CHRIST, a\nvital union of the soul with GOD, or, in other words, \u201cCHRIST formed\nwithin us.\u201d This was the expression that first convinced me of the new\nbirth. Since that, I hope it has been in a degree fulfilled in my heart.\nI want it to be more and more so, and to have the image of GOD stamped\nin more lively characters upon my soul. My dear Doctor, let you and\nI begin to strive, not by way of contention, but in a way of holy\nemulation, which shall love CHRIST most, and live most to his glory.\nI hope that Dr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will join in this strife. Pray my love to him,\nto Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and family, and to all _Bohemia_ friends. I refer you to\nother letters for news, and beg leave to assure you that I am, my dear\nDoctor,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our blessed LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCXCIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 19, 1749._\n\n_My dear Mr. N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nIT is now almost an age since I wrote to you. Providence prevented my\nseeing you when last in the _North_, and ever since, business has kept\nme from writing. However, blessed be GOD, I can send you good news now\nI do write. For near three months I have preached in many places, and\nthousands and ten thousands flocked to hear the glorious gospel. I have\nsince had repeated letters of the impressions abiding upon the heart\nof many. Not unto me, not unto me, O LORD, but unto thy free grace be\nall the glory! At _Howarth_ I met with _William Davy_, who has since\nbeen imprisoned for preaching. Though he is seemingly unqualified, yet\nI meet with many that date their awakening from their first hearing\nhim. What shall we say to these things? Even so, Father, for so it\nseemeth good in thy sight! I think he belongs to our LORD\u2019s family;\nand therefore what is done for him, he will take as done to himself. I\nhope all things go on well at _Glasgow_. We have golden seasons here.\nWinter quarters are made very agreeable. Many are brought under fresh\nawakenings. You must remember us in the kindest manner to all dear\nfriends. I commend them and you to the mercies of GOD through CHRIST\nJESUS, and am, my dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCC.\n\n\n _To Mrs. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 20, 1749._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nI Received your letter, and had thoughts of writing to you before\nit came; but had forgotten your name, and knew not how to direct. I\nrejoice that any good impressions have been made upon your heart by\nthe blessed Spirit, under my poor unworthy administrations. I hope\nthis will find you coming up out of the wilderness, leaning upon your\nbeloved. You know whom I mean. It is the ever-loving, altogether lovely\nJESUS, even he who hath loved and given himself for you. I know his\nlove will constrain you to give yourself, even your whole self to him\nin return. This is all he requires, \u201cGive me thy heart.\u201d Amazing! Who\ncan help echoing back, \u201cMy heart, LORD JESUS, will I give.\u201d But we must\ngive it him as it is. We must come as poor, to be made rich, naked,\nto be cloathed, and miserable, to be made happy. O glorious exchange!\nprecious redemption! May the LORD JESUS shed a sense of it abroad\nabundantly in your heart by the Holy Ghost! It is he that must apply,\nand bring home what CHRIST has done and suffered for our souls; and\nwhen this is done, the kingdom of GOD is erected in our hearts, and\nit is our privilege to go on from strength to strength, till grace is\nswallowed up in endless glory. This I hope, dear Madam, you will find\ntrue by happy experience. Your business is to look up continually to\nthe LORD JESUS, not only as the author, but also as the finisher of\nyour faith. This will strengthen you under every weakness, and in the\nend make you more than conqueror over all. Your concern for Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nthe Redeemer takes kind at your hand. Fear not, only believe. Press\nhim with arguments, and GOD with prayers. And who knows but ere long\nyour husband may draw in the same yoke, and you may live together as\nheirs of the grace of life. All things are possible to that JESUS, who\nis able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and\nthrough him. To his tender never-failing mercy do I commend you, and am,\ndear Madam,\n\n Your affectionate friend and ready servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCI.\n\n\n _To Lady Ann H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 29, 1749._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nWILL your Ladyship and honoured sister be pleased to accept, though\nlate, my most hearty and grateful acknowledgments for all the\nkindnesses you conferred on me when at _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ place. They are noted in\nhis book, who has promised, \u201cThat a cup of cold water given in the name\nof a disciple, shall in no wise lose its reward.\u201d What a beneficent\nmaster does the christian serve! Who would but be his disciple, whose\nservice is perfect freedom here, and who hath reserved in heaven a\ncrown of glory for those that love him hereafter? I thank him ten\nthousand times for calling unworthy me to embark in his blessed cause!\nIt is indeed a cause worth embarking in. It gives me great Pleasure\nto think, that some poor souls at _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ are under awakenings, and\nseem inclined to list under the Redeemer\u2019s banner. Your Ladyship and\nhonoured sister, I trust, will now have repeated opportunities of\nseeing not only how JESUS receives publicans and sinners, but also how\nthe Spirit of GOD strips the Pharisee of his pitiful fig-leaves, hunts\nhim out of the trees of the garden (I mean his own tinsel performances),\nbrings him naked to the bar, makes him see himself on a level with the\nworst of sinners, and then sweetly reveals unto him a saviour. Thanks\nbe to GOD, I have had some blessed instances of this very lately;\nespecially a boatswain of a ship, who a few weeks ago knew no more\nof the corruption of his nature, and the righteousness of CHRIST,\ncomparatively speaking, than the whistle he used to make use of on\nboard ship; but now hath undergone a wonderful change. What cannot\ngrace do? Honoured Madam, I could say much of it, was I not afraid\nof being tedious. I hope your Ladyship will not be offended at my\npresenting you with Bishop _Hall\u2019s_ works. I thought your Ladyship\nand honoured sister might now and then like to read one of the\ncontemplations, which, in my opinion, are very delightful. That both\nyou and her Ladyship, and every branch of your noble family, may be\nevery moment under the guidance and direction of the great Shepherd\nand Bishop of souls, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 2, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nTHOUGH I am really very much busied, yet I cannot help complying with\nyour request, lest it should be any disappointment. I love you in the\nbowels of JESUS CHRIST, and earnestly pray our common Head, that you\nmay be a scribe more and more instructed to the kingdom of GOD, and out\nof the good treasure of your heart, bring forth things new and old, for\nthe Redeemer\u2019s people. The more you are acquainted with, and see your\ncompleatness in him, the more you will long after an entire conformity\nto him, and apply with greater boldness for fresh supplies of life\nand strength. His faithfulness must make us faithful. He must be the\n_Alpha_ and _Omega_, the first and the last. When we are once taught\nthis, not notionally, but by the Spirit of GOD, then we shall go on\nour way rejoicing, and experience the glorious liberty of the children\nof GOD. Thanks be to his name for enlightening you into these truths;\nbut I love to see the LORD JESUS bringing this about in his own way and\ntime. He gives us glorious seasons here. Yesterday was a blessed Letter\nday. These verses were sung for you, &c.\n\n _Thy work in the North,_\n _O SAVIOUR, increase;_\n _And kindly send forth_\n _The preachers of peace._\n _Till throughout the nation,_\n _Thy gospel shall ring;_\n _And peace and salvation_\n _Each village shall sing._\n\nThousands said, \u201cAmen, and Amen.\u201d I have had brave news from _Virginia_\nand _Scotland_. O for a disinterested spirit! O to be willing to be\npoor, that others may be rich! O to be nothing, that JESUS may be all!\nI must not enlarge. Let me know when you set out for _Newcastle_, and\nwhether the books shall be sent by land or water. I get very little by\nthem. I do not desire it should be otherwise. I believe that as many\nare given away, as answers to the profits of what are sold. If souls\nare profited, I desire no more. Troubles increase in _Ireland_. You\nmust remember me to all, and let them demonstrate their love by praying\nfor, dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCIII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 2, 1750._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nWITH great pleasure did I receive yesterday a letter from Mr. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\ninforming me of your boldness and success in the glorious gospel of\nthe ever-blessed GOD. It came just as I was going to read an account of\nthe LORD\u2019s doings in our parts to multitudes of souls. These lines were\nsung for you,\n\n _Thanks to the LORD, our souls give praise,_\n _Because he makes his vineyard thrive;_\n _Ten thousand thanks that still he rears,_\n _In answer to our daily prayers,_\n _Some faithful servants bold for GOD:_\n _Uphold them by thy chearing blood!_\n\nGOD will hear our prayer; our cry shall come unto him. Go on, my dear\nMr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. The more you do, the more you may do for the ever-blessed\nJESUS. Be instant in season and out of season, and boldly say,\n\n _For this let men revile my name,_\n _No cross I\u2019ll shun, I\u2019ll fear no shame;_\n _All \u2666hail reproach, and welcome pain,_\n _Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain._\n\nMay GOD bless you among the students! Their names are _Legion_. He that\ncatches one of them, catches many at once. We have blessed seasons here.\nI have good news from _Virginia_. I hear every day of fresh persons\nlately brought under conviction. A learned gospel minister, who was\nlately turned out for the sake of JESUS, I believe will be up here\nsoon. Grace! grace! The more we are cast out, the more will JESUS come\nin unto us. You must remember me to all. Want of leisure, not of love,\nprevents my writing. I have frequently scarce time to eat bread: and\nlittle of that serves me. But JESUS is the bread of life. Whilst his\nservants feed others, he feasts them. Do you not find this true by\nhappy experience? I know you do. Go on, press forward, dear Sir, and\nyou shall find it more and more. Excuse this hasty scribble. I hope to\nanswer Mr. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ shortly. My wife joins in cordial salutations to all,\nwith, reverend and dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cbail\u201d replaced with \u201chail\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCIV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 3, 1750._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nYOUR letter surprized me; but _benefacere & male pati hoc vere\nchristianus est_. If your friend does not hurt himself, he is in no\ndanger from me. I think sometimes of _Joseph_; He that appeared for\nhim, will in time appear for me, and plead my injured cause. But all\nis well. The returns I have hitherto met with, shall not discourage me,\nor at least make me to give over and cease from serving you and yours.\nMr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ sends me dreadful news from _Cork_. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is there again,\nmaking havock of the people. Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ expected to be murdered every\nminute some time ago. I have been with some, who will go to the Speaker\nof the House of Commons, and represent the case. I hope I have but\none common interest to serve; I mean, that of the blessed JESUS. O for\nsimplicity, and godly sincerity! Our LORD abhors guile in all shapes,\nand sooner or later it will meet with its own reward. I am glad you\nare supported\u2015\u2015Our LORD is a ready help in time of need. We have golden\nseasons here. Grace! grace! I wish you and yours a happy new year, and\nam,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Jan. 6, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHE inclosed letters came to hand on _Monday_ last, as a\nnew-year\u2019s-gift. As they bring such good news, I must communicate\nthem to your Ladyship. The first writer is a _Virginia_ planter, at\nwhose house I lay, and who with some other gentlemen asked me to play a\ngame at cards: I refused, and retired to pray for him. His present wife\nis my spiritual child. The letters will shew how GOD was pleased to\nanswer our prayers. This, and other things I meet with, more and more\nconvinces me, that a liberty to range and publish the gospel wherever\nprovidence shall call me, is what I am to maintain and preserve. Mr.\n_A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ abides still, and as far as I can judge, disinterested. Blessed\nbe GOD for stripping seasons! I would not lose the privilege of leaning\nonly upon the LORD JESUS for thousands of worlds. He alone can make me\nhappy, and he alone without foreign assistance can bless; and blessed\nbe his name, he daily makes me so. He has been pleased to remove in\nsome degree the pain of my breast, and gives me to determine more and\nmore, that every breath I draw by divine assistance shall be his. I\nthank him ten thousand times that your Ladyship is so well pleased with\nMr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. He expresses the strong sense he has of the obligations he\nlies under to the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and under him, to your Ladyship.\nO that neither of us may prove ungrateful in any respect! Next week\nI hope to let your Ladyship know how affairs go at Mrs. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s. I\nexpect to see her then. Lately his Majesty seeing Lady _Chesterfield_\nat court with a grave gown, pleasantly asked her, \u201cwhether Mr.\n_Whitefield_ advised her to that colour.\u201d O that all were cloathed\nin the bright and spotless robe of the Redeemer\u2019s righteousness! How\nbeautiful would they then appear in the sight of the King of kings!\nThis, honoured Madam, through free grace, is your dress. That your\nhonoured sisters, and all your children, may be adorned in like manner,\nis the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged and ready servant for\n CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCVI.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 8, 1750._\n\n_My very dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR letter must not any longer lie by unanswered. It is a pleasure\nto me to steal a few minutes to keep up a correspondence with one\nI so dearly love, and with whom I am persuaded I shall live in the\nregions of peace and joy, through the endless ages of eternity. This\nthe glorious _Emmanuel_ hath purchased for us, and of this, (for ever\nadored be his free grace) he hath given us an earnest! Supported with\nthis, I am still enabled to pursue my delightful work of preaching to\npoor sinners the unsearchable riches of redeeming love. Thousands and\nthousands flock to hear, and we have had a blessed Christmas and new\nyear\u2019s season indeed. In the midst of all, I want more retirement. I\nwant to read, meditate, and write. But I despair of getting much time\nfor these things, till I get upon the mighty waters. In the mean while,\nI thank the Redeemer for letting my hands be full of work. These words\nlately have followed me, \u201cDwell in the land, be doing good, and verily\nthou shalt be fed.\u201d These words embolden me to inform you of two that\nlove CHRIST, and therefore I believe you love them, and I think they\nwant assistance; _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and _I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. The former I think\nhas about eleven children, and scarce a crown a week to maintain them;\nand the latter writes me word, \u201cHe is about a guinea behind hand.\u201d I am\ndoing what I can for them, and if you would send them a small token, or\nnow and then let me have a little to give to the many christian objects\nthat apply to me, I know not how your generous heart could lay out a\nlittle to more advantage. You know the pleasure of doing for CHRIST\u2019s\ndisciples. I labour to contract every expence, and to save all I can\nfor the good of others. Ought I not to do so, to express my gratitude\nto him, who for my sake had not where to lay his head, and though he\nwas rich, yet he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made\nrich. Much, yea very much of his divine unction do I pray may be given\nto my dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ in his present plan. May the LORD make your pen\nthe pen of a ready writer, and after death may your writings be blest\nto thousands yet unborn! I believe they will. O my dear friend, whilst\nI am writing the fire kindles. Blessed be GOD for JESUS CHRIST! Blessed\nbe GOD for all the mercies he hath conferred upon us! O that this new\nyear may be filled with good works, flowing from a principle of love\nand a new nature! That the LORD may bless and keep you, and fill you\nwith all his divine fulness, is the continual earnest prayer of, my\ndear, dear old friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCVII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 12, 1750._\n\n_My very dear Sir_,\n\nLEST I should be hindered to-morrow, or in the beginning of the week,\nI now sit down to answer your kind letter. O that I may be helped to\nwrite something that may do you service, and be a means of quickening\nyou in that delightful cause in which you are embarked. I see, my dear\nSir, you are like to have hot work, before you quit the field:\u2015\u2015For\nI find you have begun to batter Satan\u2019s strongest hold, I mean the\nself-righteousness of man. Here, Sir, you must expect the strongest\nopposition. It is the _Diana_ of every age. It is the golden image,\nwhich that apostate _Nebuchadnezzar_, Man, continually sets up; and the\nnot falling down to worship it, but much more for us to speak, write,\nor preach against it, exposes one immediately to the fury of its blind\nvotaries, and we are thrown directly into a den of devouring lions.\nBut fear not, Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, the GOD whom we serve, the captain under\nwhose banner we are listed, is able to deliver us. He knows how to\ntrain us up gradually for war, and is engaged to bring us off more than\nconquerors from the field of battle. If any one need give way, it must\nbe the poor creature that is writing to you, for I believe there is\nnot a person living, more timorous by nature. But I trust in a degree,\nJESUS hath delivered me from worldly hopes and worldly fears, and by\nhis grace strengthening me, he makes me often bold as a lion. But O,\nmy dear Sir, this pretty character of mine I did not at first care to\npart with; \u2019twas death to be despised, and worse than death to think of\nbeing laughed at by all. But when I began to consider Him who endured\nsuch contradiction of sinners against himself, I then longed to drink\nof the same cup, and blessed be GOD, contempt and I are pretty intimate,\nand have been so for above twice seven years. JESUS\u2019s love makes it a\nvery agreeable companion, and I no longer wonder that _Moses_ made such\na blessed choice, and rather chose to suffer affliction with the people\nof GOD, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. May the LORD\nJESUS make us thus minded! For there is no doing good without enduring\nthe scourge of the tongue; and take this for a certain rule, \u201cThe more\nsuccessful you are, the more hated you will be by Satan, and the more\ndespised you will be by those that know not GOD.\u201d What has the honoured\nLady suffered under whose roof you dwell! Above all, what did your\nblessed master suffer, who hath done such great things for you? O let\nus follow him, though it be through a sea of blood. I could enlarge,\nbut time will not permit. I am ashamed of my unprofitableness, and must\nretire, after begging that you will not forget, reverend and dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCVIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Jan. 12, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I have missed two posts, yet the only cause of my not writing\nwas a fear of being troublesome, and too particular and prolix in the\naccounts sent your Ladyship in my last letters. Your Ladyship\u2019s kind\nletter this afternoon, together with the inclosed, which I received\nyesterday, give me fresh occasion to renew that pleasing employ of\nacquainting your Ladyship with some more particulars. Every day we have\nnew hearers, and I find some or another are almost continually brought\nunder convictions, or are edified at the tabernacle. I have offered\nMr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to assist occasionally at his chapel, and I don\u2019t know but\nit may be accepted. Your Ladyship will hear soon. O that I may learn\nfrom all I see, to desire to be nothing! and to think it my highest\nprivilege to be an assistant to all, but the head of none. I find a\nlove of power sometimes intoxicates even GOD\u2019s own dear children, and\nmakes them to mistake passion for zeal, and an over-bearing spirit for\nan authority given them from above. For my own part, I find it much\neasier to obey than govern, and that it is much safer to be trodden\nunder foot, than to have it in one\u2019s power to serve others so. This\nmakes me fly from that, which at our first setting out we are too apt\nto court. Thanks be to the LORD of all Lord\u2019s for taking any pains with\nill and hell deserving me! I cannot well buy humility at too dear a\nrate. This is a grace after which your Ladyship pants, and with which\nour LORD will delight to fill you more and more. Your Ladyship\u2019s letter\nconvinces me, that those who know and do most, think they know and\ndo least. If it were not so, grace itself would prove our bane, and\ngoodness and zeal, through the pride and corruption of our hearts,\nbe our destroyers. Honoured Madam, my hands and heart are continually\nlifted up for you, that you may abound evermore in every good word and\nwork, and be cloathed with that humility which your Ladyship delights\nto wear every day; I mean that humble mind which was in CHRIST JESUS.\nI rejoice exceedingly in the comfort which your Ladyship has in Mr.\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I shall take care to cultivate our acquaintance, and earnestly\npray that it may be blessed to our mutual improvement. I trust he will\nbe a good soldier of JESUS CHRIST, and doubt not ere long I shall hear\nof his receiving some wounds and scars of honour in the field of battle.\nAfter I left Mr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, by appointment I went to Mrs. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, to\nwhom with the Countess, Lady _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and one Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nI gave the blessed sacrament, and afterwards a word of exhortation. Our\nLORD was there, and your Ladyship &c. were remembered before him. On\n_Tuesday_ next the blessed feast is to be repeated at the Countess\u2019s\nhouse, and on _Wednesday_, GOD willing, I shall leave town for about\nfive weeks. All I think are as hearty as ever, and I trust some will\ntake deep root downwards, and bear fruit upwards. His Majesty seems\nto have been acquainted with some things about us, by what passed in\nhis discourse with Lady _Chesterfield_. The particulars are these;\nher Ladyship had a suit of cloaths on, with a brown ground and silver\nflowers, which was brought from abroad. His Majesty coming round to her,\nfirst smiled and then laughed quite out. Her Ladyship could not imagine\nwhat was the matter. At length his Majesty said, \u201cI know who chose that\ngown for you:\u2015\u2015Mr. _Whitefield_; and I hear that you have attended on\nhim this year and half.\u201d Her Ladyship answered, \u201cYes I have, and like\nhim very well;\u201d but after she came to her chair, was grieved she had\nnot said more; so that I find her Ladyship is not ashamed. O that she\nand all that have heard the gospel, may have grace given them to speak\nof their dear Redeemer, even before kings, when called to it, and not\nbe daunted! I have also been with the Speaker about the poor people in\n_Ireland_. Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ introduced me, and opened the matter well. His\nhonour expressed a great regard for your Ladyship, and great resentment\nat the indignities the poor sufferers underwent; but said, \u201cLord\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ or the secretary of state, were the properest persons to be\napplied to, and he did not doubt but that your Ladyship\u2019s application\nwould get their grievances redressed.\u201d I wished for a memorial to\nacquaint him with particulars. He treated me with great candour, and\nassured me no hurt was designed us by the state. Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was quite\nhearty, and has the utmost respect for your Ladyship. To-morrow I am\nto preach at Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s chapel, and I suppose on _Sunday_ also.\nO that I may be a freed-man, and ready to help all that preach and\nlove the LORD JESUS in sincerity! I bless GOD for Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and am\nexceedingly obliged to good Lady _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I am ashamed of the length\nof this, but as it is on business, your Ladyship will excuse, honoured\nMadam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 18, 1750._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nLAST _Monday_ I waited upon the Speaker of the House of Commons, with\none Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, a dissenting minister, who opened our poor suffering\nbrethren\u2019s case in a proper manner.\u2015\u2015The Speaker expressed great\nresentment upon hearing of the indignities they had met with, and said,\nthat if it did properly belong to him, he would make a thorough search\ninto the affair. But he wondered application had not been made to Lord\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who was the King\u2019s representative in _Ireland_. He at the same\ntime wanted to be informed of more particulars. For want of a memorial,\nI could only shew him the contents of your letter. Two things therefore\nseem necessary. Be pleased to send a well-attested narrative of the\nwhole affair, and wait upon Lord _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ yourself. A friend of mine\nintends writing to Lord Baron _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Is he in _Dublin_? As soon as\never I hear from you, more may be done. In the mean while, the dear\nsouls have my constant prayers, and shall have my utmost endeavours\nto serve them. I count their sufferings my own. Pray let me hear how\nthey do. We have great peace here. The blessed JESUS manifests himself\namong us, and you know that his presence is all in all. Hearty _Amens_\nare given, when our friends are mentioned in prayer at tabernacle.\nTo-morrow I am to preach at Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s chapel. O that it may be\nfor the Redeemer\u2019s glory and his people\u2019s good! I am a debtor to the\n_Greek_ and to the _Barbarian_, to the wise and to the unwise, and\nthink it my highest privilege to preach CHRIST and him crucified to all.\nI know you wish me prosperity. Strange! that the love of JESUS should\nunite hearts at such a distance, persons who never conversed with each\nother. But thus it is. Blessed be GOD, we belong to one family, are\ntravelling to one country, are redeemed by the same blood, and are\nheirs of the same glory. O glorious prospect! How happy are all they\nthat put their trust in the LORD JESUS! I commend you and yours to his\neverlasting mercy, and am, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our Great High Priest,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCX.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 18, 1750._\n\n_My very dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nA Few days ago I received your welcome letter dated _November 1_, at\na time I was wondering that I did not hear oftener from you. Blessed\nbe GOD for dealing so favourably with my dear families, and for giving\nthe prospect of such a plentiful crop! I take it as an earnest that the\nLORD JESUS will be the LORD GOD of _Bethesda_, and let the world see\nthat designs founded on him shall prosper. I shall not wonder to hear\nby and by that you are P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015t. O that you and I, my dear man, may be\ncloathed with humility, and the more we are exalted by others, the\nmore may we be abased in our own eyes! Then will the high and lofty One\ndelight to dwell in us, and prosperity itself, that dangerous thing,\nshall not destroy us. O that something may now be done for the poor\nnegroes. A good beginning now is of vast consequence. Pray stir in it,\nand let us exert our utmost efforts in striving to bring some of them\nto the knowledge of our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. Mr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will\nreadily concur in any proper measures for promoting so blessed a work.\nI sent him a copy of your letter, and the original to good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_.\nThis night I have agreed to take little _Joseph_ and his sister. Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ hath been with me, and I find he is desirous, as are all\ntheir relations, that I should take them, for they will be but poorly\nprovided for here. I think they have a kind of natural right to be\nmaintained at _Bethesda_, and I have written to Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ about it. I\nsuppose in your next, you will acquaint me with particulars concerning\ntheir father, and how he hath left his affairs. I hear there is a\nvery little infant, besides the other two. I would willingly have\nthat likewise, if it could be kept till it is about three years old.\nI hope to grow rich in heaven, by taking care of orphans on earth. Any\nother riches, blessed be GOD, are out of my view. If the crop answers\nexpectation, I would have Mrs. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and the other poor of _Savannah_\nreap the benefit. Pray let one \u2666barrel of rice be reserved for them.\nO what cannot, and what will not GOD do, if we put our trust in him! O\nfor faith! O for humility! May I learn of JESUS more and more! He deals\nbountifully with us here. We have had a blessed Winter indeed!\u2015\u2015I am\npretty well in health, but my wife at present is ill. We salute you\nand yours, and all friends, and wishing you the best of blessings, I\nsubscribe myself, my very dear Friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our dearest LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cbarrrel\u201d replaced with \u201cbarrel\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Jan. 23, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I am wearied in walking to and from _South-Audley-street_, yet I\nmust not omit sending to your Ladyship this night. I would have written\non _Saturday_, but I waited to see the event of things. On _Friday_\nI preached at the chapel to a very crowded and affected auditory; Mr.\n_W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ read prayers. On _Sunday_ I read prayers, and he preached, and\nafterwards the sacrament was administred to about twelve hundred. More\nattended at the tabernacle than ever. Was it as big again, I believe\non _Sunday_ evenings it would be filled. This day hath been spent with\nthe Countess, Mrs. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Lady _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Colonel _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nand Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I gave them the communion, and afterwards preached.\nThe public minister from _Genoa_ came to hear me, and I believe it\nwas a profitable season. Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, I hear, holds on, and writes\nword to the Countess, that she wishes all were as happy as she hath\nbeen in reading Bishop _Hall_\u2019s contemplations. Since I came home, I\nhave received the inclosed paragraph that was sent to a friend from\n_Portsmouth_. O that it may humble and quicken me! Surely ranging is my\nprovince. Methinks I hear a voice behind me saying, \u201cThis is the way,\nwalk in it.\u201d My heart echoes back, \u201cLORD, let thy presence go along\nwith me, and then send me where thou pleasest.\u201d Even so LORD JESUS,\nAmen and Amen! O that I had strength equal to my will. But indeed,\nhonoured Madam, this body is a daily trial to me. Sometimes I can\nscarce drag the crazy load along. At present, I am too fatigued to\nenlarge. However, I would inform your Ladyship, that I do not leave\ntown till _Tuesday_ next. My wife hath been confined to her bed some\ndays, but is now, blessed be GOD, upon the recovery. GOD willing, I\nhope to write to Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and the poor baker soon. If your Ladyship\nwants any more books to dispose of, I hope your Ladyship will mention\nit in your next. Your Ladyship, Lady _Ann_, &c. were remembered\nheartily to-day. May the prayer enter into the ears of the LORD of\nSabaoth! I believe it will. I can only now commend your Ladyship and\nhonoured relations to the GOD of all grace, and hasten to subscribe\nmyself, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged and very chearful servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 26, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Wrote to you not long ago, but that is no reason why I should not\ndrop you a few lines now. I hope they will find you and your dear\nyoke-fellow resigned to the dispensations of providence, and chearfully\nsaying, \u201cIt is well.\u201d I write thus, because Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ informed me in\nhis last, that old Madam _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was like to die. If she is yet alive,\nyou will present to her my sincere love and service. I am endeavouring\nto prepare for my great change every day, by looking up to JESUS,\nand spending and being spent for the good of those souls for whom he\nshed his precious blood. Glory be to his great name, my labour is not\nin vain in the LORD. My work increases on my hands, and the prospect\nof being serviceable widens continually more and more. I beg the\ncontinuance of your prayers, and assure you that mine, such as they are,\nalways attend you and yours and all my dear _Carolina_ friends. O that\nthe _Indian_ land may become indeed wholly christian land! Is there any\nthing too hard for the LORD?\u2015\u2015Ere long I hope to come and sow a little\nseed in your ground. May the LORD JESUS make my way plain before me!\nThe bearer of this is named _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; he once preached, but has (some\ntime past) greatly backslidden. To save him from ruin I have taken him\nin, and have now sent him to _America_. If he keeps close to GOD and\nhis book, he may yet do well. If not\u2015\u2015he has good parts, and is of a\ngood family. You will take no notice of what I write concerning him.\nI write to you as a friend. I mention it, that if he should turn out\nwrong, as I pray GOD he may not, you may see I was not deceived. I hope\nyou visit _Bethesda_, which I trust will be yet brought to something.\nMay the LORD hasten the time, when we shall arrive at the _Bethesda_\nthat is above, even that house not made with hands, eternal in the\nheavens! I can now add no more, but my most cordial salutations to you,\nyours, and all, and subscribe myself, dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 27, 1750._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nI Received your kind letter, and am glad to find the storm is a little\nabated at _Cork_. I always thought it was too hot to hold long. I\nsee by Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ that suffering grace is always given for suffering\ntimes. If they have honoured him so far as to give him some lashes,\nfor preaching the everlasting gospel, I shall rejoice. Such an instance\nof persecution, I am persuaded will stir up the resentment of persons\nin power on this side the water. I beg for the dear people\u2019s sake, you\nwould continue your accounts. They direct me in my prayers, and excite\nalso the prayers of others. On _Monday_, GOD willing, your letter\nshall be read, and in the strength of JESUS CHRIST, we will besiege\nthe throne of grace once more, in our dear brethrens behalf. Surely we\nshall prevail. Neither will I stop, but use all endeavours to extricate\nour friends out of their troubles. Inclosed you have a letter to the\nJudge. You may send or deliver it as you think proper. I hope you\nwill wait on Lord _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and let me hear what he says. The Duke\nwas spoke to, and last post I wrote to Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ for the memorial,\nwhich if sent, shall be put into the hands of some that are very near\nhis Majesty. Some honourable women are much your friends; JESUS makes\nthem so, and when his people are distressed, if needful, a thousand\n_Esthers_ shall be raised up. What are all these mountains in the\nsight of our great _Zerubabel_? Let him but speak the word, and they\nshall become a plain. I am glad my dear Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s hopes begin\nto brighten. O for faith to look through every cloud! Ere long the\nsun of righteousness will shine upon us, and not one cloud be seen to\nintercept his blessed rays. I trust I can say, that we have lately felt\nmany of his benign influences warming our souls, and the prospect of\nfuture usefulness increases daily. O for humility! O for gratitude and\nlove! I have now preached three times in Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s chapel, and each\ntime the LORD was with us of a truth. Next week I leave town for about\nfive weeks, but if you write, your letters will be sent to me. In the\nspring, I am apt to believe the cloud will move towards _Ireland_; but\nfuture things belong to him, before whom things past, present, and to\ncome, are one _eternal Now_. Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is much obliged to you for\nyour kindness to his friend. He writes word, that you are a father to\nhim. The LORD will reward you for all your works of faith, and labours\nwhich proceed from love. Perhaps it may do no harm, to let some know\nthat application has been made, and is making to several in power here,\nand that they all express great resentment at the _Cork_ proceedings. I\nfind their afflictions are my own, and I pray GOD when they have gotten\nrest, they may not grow lukewarm, but like the churches of old, walk\nin the comforts of the Holy Ghost and be edified. O for that rest which\nremains for the people of GOD! It is just at hand. We have a blessed\nforetaste of it here: We shall have a full fruition in the Redeemer\u2019s\nkingdom hereafter. I wait for thy salvation, O LORD! I can now only add\nmy most cordial salutations, and beg the continuance of your prayers\nfor, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our blessed I AM,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Gloucester, Feb. 6. 1750._\n\n_Dear Tommy_,\n\nTHOUGH I left _London_ in a very weak condition, and the weather was\nbut bad in coming down, yet the Angel of the everlasting covenant\npreserved and strengthened me, and I came to _Gloucester_ last _Friday_\nevening. On _Saturday_ evening I preached, and likewise on _Sunday_\nevening, and twice the same day in the country,\u2015\u2015at the new house,\nand at _Hampton_. Hundreds attended that could not come in; and\nat _Hampton_ all was still and quiet. I like that place very well.\nYesterday morning I preached at Mr. _Fowler_\u2019s, and our LORD gave\nus a blessed season from those words, \u201cI am the bread of life.\u201d On\n_Wednesday_ I am to preach at the _New-house_, and on _Thursday_ at Mr.\n_Fowler_\u2019s again. From thence I think to go once more to _Hampton_, but\nam not yet determined. More come here than can enter, and some young\nfellows behave rudely; but that is no wonder; the carnal mind is enmity\nwith GOD. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was rejoiced much with the guinea. How thankful are\nsome only with the crumbs that fall from others tables! Blessed be\nGOD, our branch of work is a poor branch; but if we are honest and\ndisinterested, dead to parties, and aiming only at the Redeemer\u2019s glory,\nand the good of souls, the LORD will appear for us in a manner that\nshall even make his children astonished. I never was easier about his\nwork than now. I see every thing in CHRIST\u2019s hands, and therefore every\nthing must end well. Go on then, my dear Sir, and let us be all heart.\nRemember me to your wife and all enquiring friends; and cease not\npraying for, my dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXV.\n\n\n _To Colonel G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Feb. 8, 1750._\n\n_My very dear C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR kind letter reached me this day, just as I came out of the country\nfrom preaching the everlasting gospel, and where the blessed Redeemer\nwas pleased to visit and greatly refresh his people. Last _Monday_ we\nhad a like feast; and in this place the word has been attended with an\nalarming and quickening power. Contrary to my intentions, I have been\nprevailed on to stay all this week; so that I do not expect to be at\n_Bristol_ till _Monday_ or _Tuesday_ next. A letter, if you are pleased\nto favour me with another, may find me there next week. I am sorry to\nhear you are ill of an ague; but this, and every thing we meet with\nhere, is only to shake and free us of our corruptions, and to fit us\nmore and more for a blessed hereafter. As long as we are below, if we\nhave not one thing to exercise us, we shall have another. Our trials\nwill not be removed, but only changed. Sometimes troubles come from\nwithout, sometimes from within, and sometimes from both together.\n\u2015\u2015Sometimes professed enemies, and sometimes nearest and dearest\nfriends, are suffered to attack us. But CHRIST is the believer\u2019s\n_hollow square_; and if we keep close in that, we are impregnable. Here\nonly I find my refuge. Garrisoned in this, I can bid defiance to men\nand devils. Let who will thwart, desert, or over-reach, whilst I am in\nthis strong-hold, all their efforts, joined with the prince of darkness,\nto disturb or molest me, are only like the throwing chaff against\na brass wall. O my dear Sir, what did I experience on the road this\nday! How did I rejoice at the prospect of a judgment to come, and in\nthe settled conviction, that, to the best of my knowledge, I have no\ndesigns, no views, but to spend and be spent for the good of precious\nand immortal souls. O that I may be content to be poor, to make others\nrich! O that I may never be suffered to seek my own things, but the\nthings of the LORD JESUS! His hand, without adding our carnal policy\nto it, will support his own cause, and make it more than conqueror over\nall. When fleshly wisdom, carnal reason, or human cunning is made use\nof, what is it, but, like _Uzza_, to give a wrong touch to GOD\u2019s ark,\nand in the end provoke GOD to smite us? I love you, dear Sir, because\nI hope and believe you have a tenderness for all that belong to JESUS.\nI pray GOD to increase this spirit in you. For what we lose of this,\nso much we lose of heaven, and so far are we destitute of the mind that\nwas and is in JESUS. A bigotted, sectarian, party spirit cometh not\nfrom above, but is sensual, earthly, devilish. Many of GOD\u2019s children\nare infected with it; but then they are sick of a bad distemper. May\nthe Spirit of GOD convince and cure them! But whither am I running?\nExcuse, dear Sir, the overflowings of a heart, at present, I hope,\nfilled with the love of GOD. It is free, unmerited, distinguishing,\ninfinite love, or it would never flow into my ungrateful soul. As our\nLORD enables, I shall remember all you desire. The King and his family\nI always remember in the most explicit manner. I hope you will succeed\nfor _Miles_, and for the poor sufferers in _Ireland_. Learn of _Esther_,\nand go in the name of JESUS of _Nazareth_. Your relations are in\nthe same condition as mine. Are we not as brands plucked out of the\nburning? Free grace! free grace! I hope to spend an eternity with you\nin praising the LORD of all lords for it. You will remember me to all,\nchiefly to the friend of all. You know my name, \u201cThe chief of sinners;\u201d\nbut for CHRIST\u2019s sake, very dear Sir,\n\n Your most obliged, affectionate friend,\n and very chearful servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXVI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Bristol, Feb. 12, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nWITH great pleasure (on my coming to _Bristol_ last night) I heard of\nyour Ladyship\u2019s recovery from your late indisposition. May the LORD of\nall lords perfect the begun blessing, and give you to live many years\nto be an ornament to his church, and a blessing to his people. Since\nI wrote last, we have been favour\u2019d both in _Gloucester_ city, and\nin the country, with very pleasant and delightful seasons. I have\npreached about twenty times within these eight or nine days; and though\nfrequently exposed to rain and hail, thanks be to the ever-loving,\never-lovely JESUS, am much better than when I left _London_. I hear\nthat they go on well in _London_; and if we can be helped to keep a\nsingle eye, I am persuaded in the end we shall see greater things than\never. Every thing I meet with seems to carry this voice with it, \u201cGo\nthou and preach the gospel; be a pilgrim, be a stranger here on earth;\nhave no party, or certain dwelling-place; but be continually preparing\nfor, and labouring to prepare others for, a house not made with hands,\neternal in the heavens.\u201d My heart at present echoes back, \u201cLORD JESUS,\nhelp me to do or suffer thy will; only let me be kept by thy mighty\npower, and when thou seest me in danger of nestling, in pity, tenderest\npity, put a thorn in my nest to preserve me from it.\u201d Hitherto he has\nin mercy answered my prayer; and though sometimes painful to the flesh,\nI thank him for it with my inmost Spirit. But surely no one\u2019s heart\nrequires so much pains to be taken with it, as doth mine. Surprizing,\nthat the friend of sinners should yet regard me! I must still cry,\n\u201cGrace! grace!\u201d At present, honoured Madam, I am lost in wonder.\nMay the LORD JESUS be with your spirit, and with the spirit of your\nhonoured sisters, whom I always remember. I doubt not but they were\nmuch concerned at your Ladyship\u2019s illness. May they long live with you,\nto be fellow-helpers of each others faith, and to shine as lights in\nthe world! I hope the work goes on at _Ashby_. How matters go on here,\nyour Ladyship shall know hereafter. I purpose continuing at _Bristol_\ntill _Monday_ next. I believe my brother thinks it best to have your\nlittle orphan-boy as soon as possible. May the blessing of many ready\nto perish descend on your Ladyship! I must now add no more, but my most\ndutiful respects, and my sincere acknowledgements of being, honoured\nMadam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful and ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, Feb. 15, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nWHAT shall I say? Really I can scarce tell what to say, because I have\nbeen so long silent to my dear _New-England_ friends. But indeed were\nthey to know my circumstances, they would pity me; for my hands have\nbeen continually so full of work, and my removes from place to place\nso frequent, that I often had scarce time to eat bread. However, I must\nnow break through all restraints, and snatch a few moments to inform my\ndear Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that I can set up my _Ebenezer_, and say, \u201cHitherto\nhath my GOD helped me.\u201d Words cannot well express how bountifully\nhe has been pleased to deal with me. The prospect of doing good in\nmy native country, is more and more promising every day. Last fall,\nthe LORD of the harvest was pleased to give us a most delightful\nseed-time in many places in the _North_ of _England_;\u2015\u2015in _Lancashire_,\n_Cheshire_, _Yorkshire_, _Nottingham_, _Newcastle_, &c. the word\nof the LORD ran and was glorified, and I hear of fruit remaining in\nevery place. At _London_ this Winter, the glory of the LORD filled\nthe Tabernacle, and since I have been in the country, we have had\ndelightful seasons. I am now going _Westward_, and in about two months\ntime purpose going to _Scotland_ and _Ireland_, and then shall embark\nfor my dear _America_ once more. My health is much restored to me, and\nI only want an humble and thankful heart. O my dear friend, what cannot\nGOD do? Ought I not to spend and be spent for the good of souls? Ought\nI not to be always upon the full stretch for Him, who was stretched\nupon the accursed tree for me? Yes, the LORD being my helper, I will\nnow begin to be in earnest. And O that I may hear that a prayer-hearing\nGOD has revived his work in dear _New-England_! You must let this serve\nas an historical letter, to be read to my dear friends. I would write\nto many, but indeed I have not time. I long as much to see them, as\nthey can do to see me. I begin to count the days, and to say to the\nmonths, \u201cFly fast away, that I may once more spread the gospel net\nin dear _America_.\u201d But my time and seasons are in thy hands, O LORD;\ndo with me as seemeth good in thy sight, only let me love thee, and\ncontinue faithful unto death! You will remember me to my honoured\nfriends and brethren in the ministry, and to all others as they come in\nyour way. That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon you all,\nis the hearty prayer of, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXVIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Bristol, Feb. 17, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nBLESSED be the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who, in mercy\nto his church and people, is pleased yet to hold your soul in life,\nand make your Ladyship instrumental in plucking sinners as brands out\nof the burning. All these things I look upon only as the earnests of\ngood things to come. Goodness and mercy will follow your Ladyship all\nthe days of your life, and you shall dwell in the house of the LORD\nfor ever. Lady _Ann_\u2019s sudden shock proves that the old observation is\ntrue, \u201cSeldom one affliction comes alone.\u201d I rejoice to hear that her\nLadyship is recovered, and pray the LORD of all lords so to sanctify\nit to her Ladyship\u2019s better part, that she may be ready at a moment\u2019s\nwarning to go forth and meet the heavenly bridegroom. O to be always\nready! to have nothing to do, but to die! Surely the Redeemer hath\npurchased this blessing for us. Doth not your Ladyship find it\ndifficult to be resigned to live, and to continue so long absent from\nthe LORD? But there is one consideration which may make life desirable\nto the greatest saint on earth; he may here do and suffer for JESUS,\nand call sinners to him; but in heaven all this will be over. Come\nlife then, come death, JESUS may thy will be done in, by, and upon thy\npeople! I know your Ladyship\u2019s heart echoes back, Amen. But what shall\nI say to the opposition arising at _Ashby_? I trust it is a sign that\ngood has already been done, and that more is still doing. The Searcher\nof hearts knows how highly I value your Ladyship\u2019s letters; yet I\nthink it honour enough to have leave to write to your Ladyship, without\nexpecting punctual answers. O that I may gladden your Ladyship\u2019s heart\nwith glad tidings from the _West_! I believe I shall. I have been much\nhelped in preaching here, and have heard of two that were thoroughly\nawakened when I was here last. Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, I think, does not lose\nground. The persons that seem calculated to do him service, must be\nsuch as have a knowledge of themselves, of the world, and of GOD, whose\npractice proves their eye to be single, and their minds disinterested,\nand who have gone several stages before him to heaven. These would\ncommand respect from him; these he would hear, and to their judgment he\nwould pay a great deference. The Captain, blessed be GOD, begins to be\nweary of his fine house; and I hope will be so uneasy in every worldly\nstate, as to find no rest for the soles of his feet. May the glorious\nJESUS reach out the hand of his mercy, take him into the ark, and shut\nthe door fast upon him! But I forget that your Ladyship is yet confined\nto your room. May the LORD JESUS make it a _Bethel_, a house of GOD,\nand a gate of heaven to your soul! He will, he will. I hear that the\nTabernacle people are blessed in _London_. I am quite easy about that,\nand every other public concern, and desire nothing but to approve\nmyself upright and disinterested in the sight of GOD and man. I hope\nyour Ladyship will never find any thing to the contrary in, honoured\nMadam,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exon, Feb. 22, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Received your kind letter a few days ago at _Bristol_, and\nembrace this first opportunity of answering it. In _London_ I was so\ncontinually busied with a multiplicity of avocations, that I could not\npossibly write to you from thence. However, it has pleased him, whose\nmercy endureth for ever, to give me and his dear people a very pleasant\nand warm Winter; and I trust much real good hath been done to precious\nand immortal souls. Just before I left town, I preached four or five\ntimes in Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s chapel, and administred the sacrament twice or\nthrice. Congregations were very large, and the Redeemer caused much of\nhis glory to pass before us. At _Bristol_, and in _Gloucestershire_,\nwe have had delightful seasons. At the former I saw and dined with Mr.\n_C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015y_, who talked about my preaching in their new room. I said\nbut little, having, as the Searcher of hearts knows, to the best of my\nknowledge, no view to head or gather a party, but only to preach CHRIST\ncrucified to all. In this I am blessed, in this I find unspeakable\nfreedom, and to this, the necessity I lie under of labouring on both\nsides the water, evidently calls me. I am now going _Westward_. Some\ntime in _April_ I purpose, GOD willing, to visit your parts again in\nmy way to _Scotland_, and then we can talk over many things. I think\nit is high time that all reasonings _pro_ and _con_ about what is past,\nshould be buried in utter oblivion. But I fear\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015However, this is\nmy comfort\u2015\u2015\u201cThe LORD reigneth.\u201d Our business is to be guileless, and\nto go forwards, looking continually to that JESUS, in whose cause we\nare embarked. He will order all things well. I cannot do any thing at\npresent for _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I tried my utmost for Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. If he\nturns out bad, woe be to him, after such providential interpositions.\nI have no intimate correspondence with Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, but hear by Mr.\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that he is blest in the parts round about him. I see that\nhe and all young preachers need the Apostle\u2019s caution, to \u201cTake heed,\nlest being puffed up with pride, they fall into the condemnation of\nthe devil.\u201d\u2015\u2015And this I know, that no one will stand long in this work,\nunless he is disinterested, and looks for nothing but poverty, disgrace,\nand death. Whosoever is willing thus to lose his life shall find it;\nand, on the contrary, whosoever by sinister ends or practices seeks to\nsave his life, the same (mark the end) shall lose it. For the present\nadieu! The LORD be with you and yours! Be pleased to remember me to all\nas they come in your way. Direct as usual; and cease not to pray for,\ndear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXX.\n\n\n _To Mrs. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exon, Feb. 22, 1750._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nI Rejoice to hear by your last kind letter, that the seed sown at\n_Manchester_ begins to spring up. More especially, I desire to be\nthankful, that you have grace given you, Madam, to confess the LORD\nJESUS and his gospel before men. A blessed earnest this, of your being\nconfessed by him before his Father and the holy angels in the kingdom\nof heaven. The inward peace and satisfaction you enjoy by so doing,\nI am persuaded far surpasses all you ever enjoyed, or could possibly\nenjoy in the polite world. With what unspeakable comfort can you now\nsing,\n\n _Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_\n _For I must be no longer thine;_\n _A nobler, a diviner guest,_\n _Now claims possession of my breast._\n\nAnd if the beginning of the divine life be so sweet, what must the end\nbe, when this mortal puts on immortality, and the soul rises to all the\nfulness of GOD. Blessed be GOD, who has given you to choose that better\npart, that shall never be taken from you! What have you to do now, but\ndaily to sit at the dear Redeemer\u2019s feet and hear his word; I mean,\nsearch the scriptures, which testify of him: and for His great name\u2019s\nsake, let your remaining life be one continued sacrifice of love to\nGOD and man. This is true faith, even a faith that works by love, and\novercomes this wicked world. Well may it be stiled _precious faith_. It\nis precious in itself, and precious in its fruits. It lays hold on, and\nunites to CHRIST, and carries out the soul day by day after a nearer\nconformity to him. It goes on from strength to strength, and conducts\nthe soul at length to the perfect and uninterrupted vision of the\never-blessed GOD. Methinks I hear you say, \u201cLORD, evermore give me\nthis faith.\u201d He will, Madam, he will: for he giveth liberally, and\nupbraideth not. Be not afraid of asking too much. Lay your foundation\ndeep in the knowledge of yourself, and you cannot build too high. O\nthat the worthy Captain may bear you company to heaven! I trust he will.\nPerhaps some time in the Spring, I may have the pleasure of waiting\nupon you. I am now in the _West_, and have had blessed seasons in my\nway hither. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ hath been ill, but is recovering. There\nhath been an awakening at _Ashby_; but opposition begins to shew itself\nin these parts by the instrumentality of a dissenting minister. That\nthe number may daily increase among you, and that you and yours may be\nwatered every moment, is the hearty prayer of, Madam,\n\n Your most obliged and ready servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER [\u2666DCCCXX.]\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 25, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTHE day after I wrote to your Ladyship my last letter, I preached three\ntimes, once at _Kingswood_, and twice at _Bristol_. In the evening I\nstood at _Smith_\u2019s hall window and preached. It was a blessed day. The\nnext morning our ascended Saviour gave me much of his presence, and\nI came on my way rejoicing. At _Taunton_ I met with Mr. _Pearsall_,\na Dissenting minister, a preacher of righteousness before I was born.\nAt _Wellington_ I lay at the house of one Mr. _Darracott_, a flaming\nsuccessful preacher of the gospel, and who, I think, may justly be\nstiled (what Mr. _Hieron_ was some years ago) the star in the _West_.\nHe hath suffered much reproach; the common lot of all that are owned\nin the LORD\u2019s vineyard: and in the space of three months, he hath\nlost three lovely children. Two of them died the _Saturday_ evening\nbefore the sacrament was to be administred; but weeping did not hinder\nsowing. He preached the next day, and administered as usual. Our LORD\nstrengthened him; and for his three natural, hath given him above\nthirty spiritual children: and he is in a likely way of having many\nmore. He has ventured his little all for CHRIST; and last week a saint\ndied who left him and his heirs two hundred pounds in land. Did ever\nany one trust in the LORD and was forsaken? At his place I began to\ntake the field for this _Spring_. At a very short warning, a multitude\nof souls assembled, and the bread of life, that cometh down from\nheaven, was dispensed amongst them. The following evening I preached\nat _Exeter_, where there is a little flock, and last night and this\nmorning I have preached here: I humbly hope to the comfort of many.\nThis afternoon, GOD willing, I am to take the field again. What success\nI meet with here, and in _Cornwall_, your Ladyship shall know by\nanother opportunity. I am now waiting for a letter from Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nwhich I hope will bring me the wish\u2019d-for news of the confirmation of\nyour Ladyship\u2019s health. This is what I continually pray for from my\ninmost soul. I am sorry to inform your Ladyship (if it has not reached\nyou before) that Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ of _London_ is dead. I think he was one of\nthe most lively, and like to have been the most successful Dissenting\npreacher in that great city: but our LORD orders all things well. The\nresidue of the Spirit is in his hands. Blessed Redeemer, quicken my\ntardy pace, and make me also ready! Good Lady _Ann_ I hope is now\nperfectly recovered. But why do I talk of a perfect recovery in this\ndying life? Then only shall we be perfectly recovered, when we awake\nin the morning of the resurrection after our Redeemer\u2019s likeness; then,\nand not till then, will my poor soul be fully satisfied; then, and\nnot till then, will your Ladyship fully know how much the temporal and\neternal welfare of your Ladyship is desired and prayed for by, honoured\nMadam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most humble, dutiful, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cDCCCXX\u201d used for previous letter also.\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 25, 1750._\n\n_Reverend and dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR letters always fill me with sympathy. Your last I have just been\nreading; and in reading breathed out this ejaculation, \u201cLORD, when will\nthe days of his mourning be ended.\u201d Surely you are not always thus to\nstick fast in the mire and clay. Certainly the time will come, when\nthe dear Redeemer will put your feet upon a rock, and a song into\nyour mouth, and order your going for the promoting his glory and his\npeople\u2019s good. _Satan_ hath indeed desired to have you, that he may\nsift you as wheat; but CHRIST, a sympathizing, compassionate high-\npriest, prays for you, and your faith shall not fail. Look up then,\nmy dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; you shall find grace to help in time of need.\n\n _Leave to his sovereign sway_\n _To choose and to command;_\n _So shalt thou wond\u2019ring own his way,_\n _How wise, how strong his hand._\n _Far, far above thy thoughts,_\n _His counsel shall appear,_\n _When fully he the work hath wrought,_\n _That caus\u2019d thy needless fear._\n\nThis is the advice I give you. I know you will pray that I may take it\nmyself. For I find, that sufficient for every day is the evil thereof.\nBut the LORD causes me to renew my strength, and blessed be his name,\nenables me to go on my way rejoicing. In _London_ we have had a blessed\nWinter. In the country we have seen a Spring time. Hither I came last\nnight, and have preached twice since my coming. Thus I live a moving\nlife. O that I may be a pilgrim indeed, and desire no continuing\ncity till I come to the _New Jerusalem_, which is above, and the\nmother of us all. There, all that are born of GOD, whether _Mysticks_,\n_Calvinists_, &c. shall join in one common song, even the song of\n_Moses_ and of the LAMB. Your hymn, for which I thank you, is a\npreparative for this. I sent it to good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, who has been ill,\nbut is now, I hope, recovered. Pray write to me often. Sorrows grow\nless, and joys greater, by being communicated. Load me as much as you\nwill with all your grievances, and I will lay them before Him, who came\nto bear our sicknesses, and heal our infirmities. Pray what is become\nof Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? Will he preach, now he is sure of something in hand?\nBut alas! the disease is in the heart. When the love of GOD reigns\nthere, then and not till then will the love and fear of the world flee\naway. Blessed freedom, wherewith JESUS CHRIST makes his servants free!\nRemember me when at his footstool, and write long and often to,\nreverend and dear Sir,\n\n Your\u2019s, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 26, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nEVER since I received your last kind letter, I have been endeavouring\nto redeem some time to answer it, but till now have not had opportunity.\nIndeed even now a multiplicity of business obliges me to be much more\nbrief than otherwise I should. However, I cannot help informing you,\nthat I am glad that the gentlemen of _Philadelphia_ are exerting their\nefforts to erect an academy. I have often thought such an institution\nwas wanted exceedingly; and if well-conducted, am persuaded it will be\nof public service. Your plan I have read over, and do not wonder at its\nmeeting with general approbation. It is certainly well calculated to\npromote polite literature; but I think there wants _aliquid Christi_\nin it, to make it so useful as I would desire it might be. It is true,\nyou say, \u201cThe youth are to be taught some public religion, and the\nexcellency of the christian religion in particular:\u201d but methinks\nthis is mentioned too late, and too soon passed over. As we are all\ncreatures of a day; as our whole life is but one small point between\ntwo eternities, it is reasonable to suppose, that the grand end of\nevery christian institution for forming tender minds, should be to\nconvince them of their natural depravity, of the means of recovering\nout of it, and of the necessity of preparing for the enjoyment of the\nsupreme Being in a future state. These are the grand points in which\nchristianity centers. Arts and sciences may be built on this, and serve\nto embellish and set off this superstructure, but without this, I\nthink there cannot be any good foundation. Whether the little _Dutch_\nbook I have sent over, will be of any service in directing to such a\nfoundation, or how to build upon it, I cannot tell. Upon mentioning\nyour desire to the King\u2019s _German_ chaplain, a worthy man of GOD; he\nsent it to me, and thought, if translated, it might be of service.\nGlad should I be of contributing, though it was but the least mite,\nin promoting so laudable an undertaking; but the gentlemen concerned\nare every way so superior to me, both in respect to knowledge of books\nand men, that any thing I could offer, I fear, would be of very little\nservice. I think the main thing will be, to get proper masters that are\nacquainted with the world, with themselves, and with GOD, and who will\nconsequently naturally care for the welfare of the youth that shall\nbe committed to their care. I think also in such an institution,\nthere should be a well-approved christian Orator, who should not be\ncontent with giving a public lecture in general upon oratory, but who\nshould visit and take pains with every class, and teach them early\nhow to speak, and read, and pronounce well. An hour or two in a day, I\nthink, ought to be set apart for this. It would serve as an agreeable\namusement, and would be of great service, whether the youth be intended\nfor the pulpit, the bar, or any other profession whatsoever. I wish\nalso, that the youth were to board in the academy, and by that means be\nalways under the master\u2019s eye. And if a fund could be raised, for the\nfree education of the poorer sort, who should appear to have promising\nabilities, I think it would greatly answer the design proposed. It hath\nbeen often found, that some of our brightest men in church and state,\nhave arisen from such an obscure condition. When I heard of the academy,\nI told Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that the new building, I thought, would admirably\nsuit such a proposal; and I then determined in my next to mention\nsome terms that might be offered to the consideration of the Trustees.\nBut I find since, that you have done this already, and that matters\nare adjusted agreeable to the minds of the majority. I hope your\nagreement meets with the approbation of the inhabitants, and that it\nwill be serviceable to the cause of vital piety and good education.\nIf these ends are answered, a free-school erected, the debts paid,\nand a place preserved for public preaching, I do not see what\nreason there is for any one to complain. But all this depends on the\nintegrity, disinterestedness, and piety of the gentlemen concerned.\u2015\u2015An\ninstitution, founded on such a basis, GOD will bless and succeed; but\nwithout these, the most promising schemes will prove abortive, and the\nmost flourishing structures, in the end, turn out mere _Babels_. I wish\nyou and the gentlemen concerned much prosperity; and pray the LORD of\nall lords to direct you to the best means to promote the best end; I\nmean, the glory of GOD, and the welfare of your fellow-creatures. Be\npleased to remember me to them and all friends as they come in your way,\nand believe me, dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXIII.\n\n\n _To Governor B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, Feb. 26, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nI Was much rejoiced to hear, by a letter lately received from Mr.\n_Bradford_, that your Excellency was pretty well, and am very thankful\nthat you was pleased to enquire so cordially after unworthy me. I take\nthis first opportunity of returning my most grateful acknowledgements,\nand to assure your Excellency, you are not forgotten by me at the\nthrone of grace. Ere now, I thought to have waited upon you in person,\nbut it hath pleased Him, whose I am, and whom I desire to serve in\nthe gospel of his dear Son, to detain me longer than I expected in\nmy native country. The door for usefulness opens wider and wider. The\nseed sown among the rich, springs up and bears fruit in some; and the\npoor in various places receive the gospel more gladly than ever. Last\nfall was a glorious seed-time in the _North_ of _England_. In _London_\nwe had a warm winter; and in the country we have had reason to sing,\nthat \u201cthe voice of the turtle is again heard in the land.\u201d GOD willing,\nI purpose ranging this Summer, and then to embark for my beloved\n_America_ once more. Whether I shall see your Excellency is uncertain.\nYou are upon the decline of life; and for my own part, I wonder that I\nlive so long. But I trust I shall meet your Excellency in heaven, where\nthe wicked heart, the wicked world, and wicked devil will cease from\ntroubling, and every soul enjoy an uninterrupted and eternal rest. This\nI am waiting for every day; and according to the present frame of my\nsoul, desire no continuing city, till I arrive at and take possession\nof the _New-Jerusalem_ above. My Master makes ranging exceedingly\npleasant; and I hope in his strength to begin now to begin to spend\nand be spent for him, who shed his own dear heart\u2019s blood for sinful,\nill, and hell-deserving me. O that death may find me either praying\nor preaching! I hope your Excellency will increase my obligations, by\ncontinuing to pray for me. My prayer for you is, \u201cThat your Excellency\nmay bring forth much fruit in old age; and that whensoever you go\noff, you may be gathered like a ripe shock of corn into the Redeemer\u2019s\nheavenly garner!\u201d That you may till then go on from strength to\nstrength, and increase with all the increase of GOD, is the earnest\ndesire of, honoured Sir,\n\n Your Excellency\u2019s most obliged, dutiful, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXIV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Saint-Ginnys, March 5, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Was ashamed to send your Ladyship so short a letter from _Plymouth_,\nbut it was unavoidable. I was obliged to take horse, and therefore\ncould only promise your Ladyship to send you particulars afterwards.\nAt _Plymouth_ I preached twelve times in six days, and the longer I\npreached, the more hearers, and the power that attended the word\nincreased also. Friends grew more hearty, and enemies more softened.\nMr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ came to _Plymouth_ to meet me. I preached\nat _Tavistock_ in my way hither, and yesterday was a glorious day\nof the Son of man. Our LORD gave us to see his stately steps and\nout-goings in the sanctuary. Four of Mr. _Wesley_\u2019s Preachers were\npresent, and also four Clergymen in their gowns and cassocks.\u2015\u2015Mr.\n_Bennet_ aged fourscore, Mr. _Thompson_, Mr. _Grigg_, and myself. It\nwas a day of fat things. By the advice and desire of friends, I am\ngoing further Westward, and shall take care to let your Ladyship know,\nhow the LORD is pleased to deal with me and his dear people.\n\n\n _Redruth, March 10._\n\nThough the above was begun at _St. Ginnys_, yet I have not been able to\ngo on with it till now. Every day I have been travelling and preaching,\nand could I stay one month, it might be spent to great advantage. At a\nplace called _Port-Isaac_ the Redeemer\u2019s stately steps were seen indeed,\nand his people were filled as with new wine. At _Camelford_ I preached\nwith great quietness in the street. At _St. Andrews_ we had a very\npowerful season, and yesterday at _Redruth_ several thousands attended,\nand the word was quick and powerful. Invitations are sent to me from\n_Falmouth_, and several other places. I want more tongues, more bodies,\nmore souls for the LORD JESUS. Had I ten thousand, he should have them\nall. After preaching, about noon I am to go to _St. Ives_, and in about\nnine days I hope to be at _Exeter_. Your Ladyship shall be sure to hear\nhow the LORD prospers the gospel plough. Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is mighty hearty,\nand gone to his parish in a gospel flame. The people here want it much.\nSurely, GOD will some time or another turn their captivity. Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\ndesired his most dutiful respects might be presented to your Ladyship.\nBlessed be GOD, that you are better. I am not forgetful of your\nLadyship by night or by day. I hope the souls of your honoured sisters\ndo prosper, and that you will yet live to see JESUS CHRIST formed in\nall your relations hearts. That every thing your Ladyship writes, says,\nor does, may be mightily blessed and owned of the dear Redeemer, is the\ncontinual prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exeter, March, 21, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Think it is now almost an age since I wrote to your Ladyship, but\ntravelling and preaching have prevented me. Immediately after writing\nmy last, I preached to many thousands, at a place called _Gwinnop_.\nThe rain dropped gently upon our bodies, and the grace of GOD seemed\nto fall like a gentle dew and sprinkling rain upon our souls. It was\nindeed a fine spring shower. In the evening I rode sixteen miles to _St.\nIves_, and preached to many that gladly attended to hear the word; a\ngreat power seemed to accompany it. On the morrow, being LORD\u2019s day, I\npreached twice to large auditories, and then rode back again rejoicing\nto _Gwinnop_. In my way, I had the pleasure of hearing that good was\ndone, and had fresh calls to preach elsewhere. In the morning I went\nto church, and heard a virulent sermon from these words, \u201cBeware of\nfalse prophets.\u201d On _Saturday_ the preacher was heard to say, \u201cNow\n_Whitefield_ was coming, he must put on his old armour.\u201d It did but\nlittle execution, because not scripture proof, and consequently not\ntaken out of GOD\u2019s armory. On _Monday_ I preached again at _Redruth_,\nat ten in the morning, to near (as they were computed) ten thousand\nsouls. Arrows of conviction seemed to fly fast. In the evening I\npreached to above five hundred, at twelve miles distant, and then rode\nabout sixteen miles to one Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s, a wealthy man, convinced\nabout two years ago. In riding, my horse threw me violently on the\nground, but by GOD\u2019s providence, I got up without receiving much hurt.\nThe next day we had a most delightful season at _St. Mewens_, and\nthe day following a like time, at a place called _Port-Isaac_. In\nthe evening, I met my dear Mr. _Thompson_ again at Mr. _Bennet_\u2019s, a\nfriendly minister aged fourscore, and on _Thursday_ preached in both\nhis churches. Blessed seasons both! On _Friday_ we went to _Biddeford_,\nwhere there is perhaps one of the best little flocks in all _England_.\nThe power of GOD so came down while I was expounding to them, that Mr.\n_Thompson_ could scarce stand under it. I preached twice; a commanding,\nconvincing influence went forth a second time, and one came to me the\nnext morning under awakenings. The LORD JESUS has here brought home a\nlawyer; and one of the youngest but closest reasoners that ever I met\nwith, is now under deep convictions. On _Monday_ evening I came to\n_Exeter_, and with great regret shall stay till _Friday_. For I think\nevery day lost, that is not spent in field preaching. An unthought\nof and unexpectedly wide door is opened in _Cornwall_, so that I have\nsometimes almost determined to go back again. I beg the continuance\nof your Ladyship\u2019s prayers, and hope Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will let me know of\nyour Ladyship\u2019s welfare. You will not be forgotten by, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and chearful\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXVI.\n\n\n _To the Countess D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exeter, March 21, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Did not think of being so long out of _London_, without sending\nyour Ladyship a letter; but I have been so employed in travelling\nand preaching and answering letters, that I have scarce had any time\nat all. However, I bless the glorious Redeemer, that I can now send\nyour Ladyship good news. Every where the word of GOD has ran and been\nglorified. I am just returned from near the land\u2019s end, where thousands\nand thousands heard the gospel gladly. I have generally preached twice\na day, and rode several miles; but my greatest grief is, that I can\ndo no more for the blessed JESUS. Wherever I am, your Ladyship and\nhonoured sister, with the other honourable ladies, are continually\nremembered by me at the throne of grace. I hope all are determined with\nfull purpose of heart to cleave unto the LORD. The earthquake hath been\nan alarming providence. Happy they, that have an interest in CHRIST,\nand are always ready! On Him alone is my strength and safety founded.\nDid not this support and comfort your Ladyship under the awful alarm?\nGo on then, honoured Madam, and by a constant looking to JESUS, make\ncontinual advances in the divine life, which I believe hath been\ncommunicated to you from above. The more you see of his excellencies,\nthe more will all created things sicken and die in your view and taste.\nI commend your Ladyship to his never-failing mercy, and beg leave to\nsubscribe myself, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, and obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXVII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exeter, March 24, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nAS I am persuaded your heart\u2019s desire and prayer to GOD is, that the\nkingdom of the LORD JESUS may be set up on earth, I cannot return to\n_London_ without informing your Ladyship, that the gospel has been\nmost gladly received in these western parts. I have been very near the\nland\u2019s end, and every where souls have fled to hear the word preached,\nlike doves to the windows. The harvest is great, yea very great; but\nthe labourers are few. O that the LORD of the harvest would thrust\nout more labourers! Something out of the common road must be done,\nto awaken a thoughtless world. GOD has been terribly shaking the\nmetropolis. I hope it is an earnest of his giving a shock to secure\nsinners, and making them to cry out, \u201cWhat shall we do to be saved?\u201d I\ntrust, honoured Madam, you have been brought sweetly to believe on the\nLORD JESUS, and have experienced the beginnings of a real salvation in\nyour heart. What a mercy is this! To be plucked as a brand out of the\nburning, to be one of those few _Mighty_ and _Noble_ that are called\neffectually by the grace of GOD; what consolation must this administer\nto your Ladyship under all afflictions! What can shake a soul whose\nhopes of happiness, in time and eternity, are built upon the rock of\nages? Winds may blow, rains may and will descend even upon persons of\nthe most exalted stations; but they that trust in the LORD JESUS CHRIST\nnever shall, never can be totally confounded. That your Ladyship may\nevery day and hour experience more and more of this blessed truth, is\nthe earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obedient humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, April 3, 1750._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nLAST _Friday_ evening I came to town, and would have answered your kind\nletters (which I found waiting for me here) last post, had not fatigue\nand a multiplicity of business prevented me. Surely the distress of our\nsuffering friends is great, but he that dwelleth on high is greater.\nI have already laid your account before some particular persons,\nand shall use all possible means to have our dear friends grievances\nredressed. In the interim, let us besiege the throne of grace, and by\nearnest prayer engage his assistance, who has promised that the gates\nof hell shall never prevail against his Church. As I hear Mr. _John\nW\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is now in _Ireland_, I suppose he will best answer your question\nabout \u201ccoming out from amongst them.\u201d For my part, I think my business\nis to preach the gospel unto all, without setting up any particular\nparty. The acceptance which the glorious _Emmanuel_ is pleased to give\nto me, and the various calls sent, as well as the freedom I find in\ncomplying with them, confirm me more and more that this is my province.\nI am just returned from the West, where I have seen the fields every\nwhere white ready unto harvest. Though thousands flock to hear the word\nin town, yet I almost think every day lost in which I am not preaching\nabout the country, now the summer is coming on. GOD only knows whether\nI shall reach as far as _Ireland_. Pray continue your accounts. I\ncannot help thinking, but that this opposition is a blessed presage\nof a future glorious harvest in the kingdom of _Ireland_. Yet a little\nwhile, and he that will come, shall come, and will not tarry. That your\nsoul may be filled with all the divine fulness, is the hearty prayer of,\ndear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend and servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXIX.\n\n\n _To Governor B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, April 27, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nI Wrote to your Excellency last from _Plymouth_, where, as well as in\nmany other places in the west, the LORD of all lords has been pleased\ngreatly to bless my poor unworthy ministrations. I am now (after having\nseen much of the Redeemer\u2019s power in _London_) making a short elopement\nto _Portsmouth_, and from thence I purpose to go into the North, where\nI trust thousands are already awakened to seek after the things which\nlead to life eternal. The harvest in _England_ is exceeding great. I\nknow that your Excellency will pray, that the LORD of the harvest may\nthrust out more labourers into his harvest. I am glad your Excellency\nhath been honoured by providence, to put _New-Jersey_ college on\nsuch a footing, that it may be a nursery for future labourers. I\nhave had the pleasure of seeing Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Colonel _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and\nhave introduced them to such of my friends, as I believe, under GOD,\nmay serve the interest in which they are engaged. Glad shall I be of\nevery opportunity offered me, of promoting the Redeemer\u2019s cause in\n_New-England_ or _New-Jersey_. By the divine blessing, I hope that\nsomething considerable will be done in _England_ and _Scotland_ for\n_New-Jersey_ college. I wish your Excellency joy of the relation into\nwhich I hear you have lately entered. I hope my dutiful respects will\nfind acceptance with Madam _Bel\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and I earnestly pray that you may\nlive together as heirs of the grace of life. May GOD honour you both\nto bring forth much fruit in old age! Here I would end; but the love\nI owe to the bearer, Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, for CHRIST\u2019s sake, constrains me to\nrecommend him to your Excellency. He is I think an _Israelite_ indeed.\nI pray the LORD JESUS to succeed and bless him. He can give your\nExcellency an account, how the work prospers on this side the water.\nThat every wilderness in _America_ may blossom like a rose, and that\nyour Excellency\u2019s province may be like the garden of the LORD, is the\nhearty prayer of,\n\n Your Excellency\u2019s most dutiful but obliged humble servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXX.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, April 28, 1750._\n\n_My very dear friend and Brother_,\n\nYOUR letter should have had an immediate answer, if the least leisure\nhad offered when in town. But there I am continually hurried, and had\nscarce time to eat bread. However, our LORD gave me meat which the\nworld knows not of, and enabled me to preach three or four times a day\nto great multitudes, and I trust with great blessings. Fear not your\nweak body; we are immortal till our work is done. CHRIST\u2019s labourers\nmust live by miracle; if not, I must not live at all; for GOD only\nknows what I daily endure. My continual vomitings almost kill me, and\nyet the pulpit is my cure, so that my friends begin to pity me less,\nand to leave off that ungrateful caution, \u201cSpare thyself.\u201d I speak this\nto encourage you. Persons whose writings are to be blessings, must have\nsome thorns in the flesh. Your disorders, like mine, I believe are as\nyet only to humble, not to kill us. Though I long to go to heaven, yet\nI am apt to think we are not to die presently, but live and declare the\nworks of the LORD. You by your pen, I by my tongue. May the glorious\n_Emmanuel_ bless us both! I believe he will. Courage, my dear, very\ndear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; Courage. When we are weak, then are we strong.\u2015\u2015But\nto your letter. I am glad Dr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ preaches, and that Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nis at work. In working we shall be blessed. To him that hath, shall\nbe given. How shall we contrive to meet. I purpose being at _Oulney_\nnext _Sunday_ sevennight, and in a day or two after at _Northampton_. I\nwish I could have a line from you. In the mean while I shall endeavour\nto get Dr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. There is a glorious plan set on foot by the Great\nand Good, for a college in the _New-Jersies_; the particulars will ere\nlong be published. I wish it much prosperity. Your Meditations are now\nprinting in _Philadelphia_. Why do you not sit for your picture?\u2015\u2015The\nseed sown here months ago, hath sprung up. People hear with great\nattention. What cannot GOD do? The LORD be with you! I love you most\ntenderly. I thank you ten thousand times for all favours, and am, very\ndear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately and eternally in our\n dear LORD JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXI.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, May 1, 1750._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nTHOUGH I am somewhat fatigued with my journey, yet I cannot help\nanswering your very kind and wished-for letter. Blessed be the GOD and\nFather of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who delights to multiply his benefits\nupon us! I wish you and dear Mrs. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ joy of your twins. May JESUS\nsanctify them from the womb, and spare them with their tender mother,\nto be lasting blessings to yourself and others! What shall I render\nunto the LORD for removing prejudices from _Taunton_ people? It is\nhis doing; and the same grace was shewn at _Portsmouth_, from whence\nI am just now come. I was there this time twelvemonth, and now had\nthe pleasure of hearing that many were then awakened, who hold on\ntheir way. Thousands came to hear, and the word seemed to strike like\na pointed arrow. You have been misinformed about _Moor-fields_. I have\npreached there twice lately to many thousands, but without molestation.\nA blessed power attended the word, and we have had most delightful\nseasons in _London_. Help me to cry Grace! grace! I am now going\nNorthward, and hope next week to have another interview with Messrs.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ly_, Dr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and Dr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I rejoice in the\nsuccess of the Doctor\u2019s books, and pray the LORD earnestly to bless\nall his labours more and more. Poor Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ is ill. I say of\nher, as I would to you, _serius in c\u0153lum redeas_! You may direct to her\nLadyship at _Ashby-place_. I am glad to hear that your brethren begin\nto envy you; It is a good sign. You have heard of the viper and the\nfile. Their biting will only make their own teeth to bleed. We are to\ngo on. I pray GOD you may, and increase with all the increase of GOD.\nI salute you and all your family. My wife joins, very dear Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nwith\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, May 11, 1750._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nAS you talked when I left _London_ of setting out on your journey in\nabout a fortnight, I cannot help sending you these few lines. I believe\nthey will be acceptable, because they acquaint you with the continuance\nof the Redeemer\u2019s loving kindness to the very chief of sinners. At\n_Oulney_, where I preached last LORD\u2019s day, we had two sweet seasons.\nA great multitude attended, and I had the pleasure of seeing some, that\nwere wrought upon when I was there last. On the _Monday_, about six\nmiles from _Northampton_, I had a private interview with Dr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nDr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Messrs. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ly_. On the _Tuesday_ I preached\nin the morning to Dr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s family, and in the afternoon to above\ntwo thousand in the field. Dr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, &c. attended me,\nand walked with me afterwards along the street; so that I hope the\nphysician will now turn his back on the world, and be content to follow\na despised crucified Redeemer without reserve. I expounded at his house\nin the evening, and am hereafter to come to it as my own. On _Tuesday_\nI preached twice at _Kettering_ to several thousands. The people gladly\nreceived the word, and the Inn-keeper where I put up, I hope is a real\nchristian. On _Wednesday_ I came hither, and found good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nthough very weak, yet better than I expected. I hope you will beg Mr.\n_G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and all GOD\u2019s people, to strive together in their prayers, to\nkeep her out of heaven as long as they can, that she may do more good\non earth. I greet you and Mrs. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ most heartily, and wishing you\na very prosperous journey, by the will of GOD, I am, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXIII.\n\n\n _To Doctor S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, May 11, 1750._\n\n_My Dear Doctor_,\n\nHOW do you? I have thought of, and prayed for you much, since we\nparted from _Northampton_. Now I believe is the time in which the ax is\nto be laid at the very root of the tree. How wonderfully doth the LORD\nJESUS watch over you? How sweetly does he lead you out of temptation!\nO follow his leadings, my dear friend, and let every, even the most\nbeloved _Isaac_, be immediately sacrificed for GOD. Kindness is cruelty\nhere. Had _Abraham_ consulted either _Sarah_ or his affections, he\nnever would have taken the knife to slay his son. GOD\u2019s law is our\nrule, and GOD will have all the heart or none. _Agags_ will plead, but\nthey must be hewn in pieces. May the LORD strengthen, stablish, and\nsettle you! Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ was much rejoiced to hear that you had\nbeen without the camp. May you quit yourself like a man, and in every\nrespect behave like a good soldier of JESUS CHRIST! Her ladyship is\nvery weak, but I hope will yet be spared to do much good on earth. O\nthe happiness of giving up all for CHRIST, who hath given himself for\nus. The LORD be with you!\n\n I am yours to command,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXIV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, May 14, 1750._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nI Have desired to write you a long letter for a considerable time, but\nwas so hurried when at _London_, that I could not be so explicit as the\naffair I wanted to write about, necessarily required. It is concerning\nthe Presbyterian College in the _New Jersies_; the importance and\nextensive usefulness of which, I suppose you have long since been\napprized of. Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, a friend of Governor _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, is come over\nwith a commission to negotiate this matter; he hath brought with him\na copy of a letter, which Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ sent to you some months past.\nThis letter hath been shewn to Doctor _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and several of the\n_London_ ministers, who all approve of the thing, and promise their\nassistance. Last week I preached at _Northampton_, and conversed with\nDoctor _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ concerning it. The scheme that was then judged most\npracticable was this, \u201cThat Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s letter should be printed, and\na recommendation of the affair, subscribed by Doctor _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and others,\nbe annexed; that a subscription and collections should be then set\non foot in _England_, and afterwards that Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ should go to\n_Scotland_.\u201d I think it is an affair that requires dispatch. Governor\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is old, but a most hearty man for promoting GOD\u2019s glory, and\nthe good of mankind. He looks upon the college as his own daughter,\nand will do all he can to endow her with proper privileges. The present\nPresident Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and most of the Trustees, I am well acquainted\nwith. They are friends to vital piety, and I trust this work of the\nLORD will prosper in their hands. The spreading of the gospel in\n_Maryland_ and _Virginia_ in a great measure depends upon it, and\ntherefore I wish them much success in the name of the LORD. But more\nof this when we meet. As I am going further northward, I know not but\nI may go as far as _Glasgow_. Indeed there are so many doors opened\nin _England_, that I know not well where to go first. I have lately\nbeen in _Cornwall_, at _Portsmouth_, and _London_.\u2015\u2015Since that I have\npreached at _Oulney_, _Northampton_ and _Kettering_. For a few days I\nhave been at good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_\u2019s, who though weak in body, is always\nabounding in the work of the LORD. She sends you her kind compliments,\nand ordered me to beg the favour of you to acquaint Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, that\nshe will answer his kind letter as soon as ever her strength will\npermit. I preach daily at her Ladyship\u2019s, and this week, GOD willing, I\nshall preach in two or three churches. My bodily health is better than\nusual, and I long to be on the stretch for Him, who was stretched upon\na cursed tree for ill and hell-deserving me. I beg a continued interest\nin your prayers. I salute you and yours, Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and his wife, and\nall dear friends, in the heartiest manner, and am, reverend and very\ndear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate brother, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXV.\n\n\n _To Doctor D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, May 19, 1750._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR kind letter found me happy at our good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_\u2019s, whose\npath shines more and more bright unto the perfect day. She is strangely\nemployed now.\u2015\u2015Can you guess? The kind people of _Ashby_ stirred up\nsome of the baser sort to riot before her Ladyship\u2019s door, while the\ngospel was preaching; and on _Wednesday_ evening, some people in their\nreturn home, narrowly escaped being murdered. Her Ladyship has just\nreceived a message from the Justice, in order to bring the offenders\nbefore him. I hope it will be over-ruled for great good, and that the\ngospel for the future will have free course. This week I have preached\nin three churches, and tomorrow morning, GOD willing, I am to preach\nat a fourth. In the evening I shall preach at _Nottingham_, and purpose\nlying at the house of Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Thus, reverend and dear Sir, you\nsee I lead a pilgrim life. Blessed be GOD, it is quite pleasant, and\nI humbly intreat you to pray, that I may have a pilgrim heart, and be\nkept from trimming or nestling even to my dying hour. I rejoice, dear\nSir, that you was blest at _Kettering_. Gladly shall I call upon you\nagain at _Northampton_, if the LORD spares my life; and in the mean\nwhile shall not fail to pray, that the work of our common LORD may more\nand more prosper in your hands. I thank you a thousand times for your\nkindness to the very chief of sinners, and assure you, reverend Sir,\nthat the affection is reciprocal. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ greatly esteems\nyou. I go with regret from her Ladyship. Her Ladyship intends writing\nto you this evening. Do come and see her soon. I shall not be unmindful\nof your sick student. May the LORD JESUS sanctify all pain, and through\nhis sufferings make him perfect. I would enlarge, but cannot. I write\nin great haste, but with greater love subscribe myself, reverend and\ndear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged, though unworthy\n younger brother and servant, for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXVI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Nottingham, May 21, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nWITH regret I left your Ladyship; but I hope it was for the furtherance\nof the gospel. At _Radcliff_ church, the divine influence was greater\nthan at _Millburn_. I preached on these words, \u201cBut one thing is\nneedful.\u201d Many were impressed deeply. After sermon I conversed with Mrs.\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Mr. _Law_\u2019s sister. The latter seems to be under awakenings,\nand the former in her first love. She carries high sail; our LORD\nknows how to put in proper ballast. In the morning I preached here to\nmany thousands. I had a great cold, but the LORD strengthened me. This\nevening, GOD willing, I preach again, and to-morrow shall set off for\n_Mansfield_, where a friend has invited me to his house. What care does\nour LORD take of his poor pilgrims! As I go on, your Ladyship shall\nhear how I am dealt with. I know it will be bountifully, because I have\ngot such a bountiful master. He will bless your Ladyship more and more.\nWhen Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ comes, I shall be glad to hear what becomes of the\nrioters. A line may be sent to _Manchester_. O that your Ladyship may\nlive to see many of those _Ashby_ stones become children to _Abraham_!\nI trust you will. I write in great haste, but with respect and\ngratitude greater than I can express; and beg leave to subscribe myself,\nvery honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXVII.\n\n\n _To Dr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Mansfield, May 24, 1750._\n\n_My dear Doctor_,\n\nYOURS found me just as I was about to leave good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Ever\nsince, I have been engaged in travelling and preaching the everlasting\ngospel. In _Radcliff_ church, at _Nottingham_, and _Sutton_, our LORD\u2019s\nSpirit hath accompanied the word preached. This morning I preached here,\nand, GOD willing, purpose to do so again in the evening, and to-morrow\nmorning. Little was expected here but rudeness; however the auditory\nwas large and attentive. What cannot the Redeemer do? I am quite sorry\nthat Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s letter was printed:\u2015\u2015But it was no Methodist that\npublished it. _Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum._ I pray GOD\nto give my dear friend prudence and courage whilst he is in _London_.\nRemember, if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off;\u2015\u2015if thy right\neye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. Now is your time\nto sacrifice your _Isaac_. CHRIST will have all the heart or none. I\nwrite thus, because I love you dearly. I pray for you from my inmost\nsoul. O that you may be kept as in a garrison, by GOD\u2019s mighty power,\nthrough faith unto salvation! Without CHRIST you can do nothing. _Nil\ndesperandum Christo duce._ That he may strengthen you to do what you\nknow to be his will, is the hearty prayer of, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Mansfield, May 14, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Beg leave on my journey, to trouble your Ladyship with a few lines.\nThey bring your Ladyship good news. I have been quite sick ever since I\nhave left _Ashby_; but the glorious _Emmanuel_ has been pleased to work\nby my unworthy ministry. At _Nottingham_ several came to me, enquiring\nwhat they should do to be saved. I preached there four times. One\nevening Lord _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and several gentlemen were present, and behaved\nwith great decency. Many thousands attended. Yesterday morning I\nbreakfasted with three dissenting ministers and Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s, who told\nme that Lady _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ desired he would press me to preach at _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nchurch. Yesterday in the afternoon I preached at _Sutton_, and this\nmorning I lifted up the gospel standard here. All was quiet; and this\nevening and to-morrow morning I am to preach again. As I travel on,\nyour Ladyship shall hear. I must lie down to refresh this weary body:\nmy soul, through grace, smiles at bodily weakness, and longs to take\nits flight. I doubt not but your Ladyship is happy in him, who alone\nkilleth and maketh alive. Night and day do I look up to him in behalf\nof your Ladyship, as being, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obedient, obliged, and chearful\n Servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXXXIX.\n\n\n _To the Countess D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Leeds, May 30, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Heard about a week ago, that your Ladyship was exceeding ill. I have\nbeen much concerned ever since, and have attempted to write more than\nonce, but travelling and preaching twice a day prevented me. Ere now\nI trust the great physician has rebuked your Ladyship\u2019s indisposition,\nand given you to rejoice in his great salvation. If not, his grace will\nbe sufficient for you. He will not suffer you to be tempted above what\nyou are able to bear, but will with the temptation make a way for you\nto escape. Sanctified afflictions are signs of his especial love. Love\nholds the rod, love strikes, love wounds, and love heals again. \u201cStrike,\nLORD; (says _Luther_) now I know thou art my father.\u201d\u2015\u2015And, says that\nsweet singer Mr. _Mason_,\n\n _\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 O happy rod,_\n _That brought me nearer to my GOD._\n\nThis, I believe, will be the language of your Ladyship\u2019s heart. Look,\ntherefore, honoured Madam, to JESUS, the author and finisher of your\nfaith. In all your afflictions, he is afflicted. He will bring you out\nof this furnace, like gold purified seven times in the fire. Good Lady\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is weak too, but I trust will yet live to declare the works of\nthe LORD. _Ashby_ is not worthy of so rich a pearl. Was I not afraid of\nhurting your Ladyship, I would give you some particulars of my circuit.\nLet it suffice to inform your Ladyship, that the gospel plough seems\nto prosper. New ground has been broken up, and seed sown, that I trust\nwill bear fruit to life eternal. I am here amongst a multitude of\nsouls that seem to love the LORD JESUS in sincerity. To-morrow I move\n_Northward_; and if I hear that your Ladyship is recovered, I shall\ntake the freedom of writing now and then. I purpose sending a few lines\nalso to Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. All were constantly remembered\nat _Ashby_ at the holy table. All shall still be remembered, as our\nLORD enables, by, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged and ready servant,\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXL.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Leeds, May 30, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Cannot travel far without sitting down to refresh myself by writing\nto your Ladyship. _Mansfield_ I hope was taken. After leaving that\nplace, I went to _Rotheram_, where _Satan_ rallied his forces again.\nHowever, I preached twice, on the _Friday_ evening, and _Saturday_\nmorning. The cryer was employed to give notice of a bear-baiting. Your\nLadyship may guess who was the _Bear_. About seven in the morning the\ndrum was heard, and several watermen attended it with great staves.\nThe constable was struck, and two of the mobbers were apprehended, but\nrescued afterwards. But all this does not come up to the kind usage\nof the people of _Ashby_. I preached on those words, \u201cFear not, little\nflock.\u201d\u2015\u2015They were both fed and feasted; and after a short stay I left\n_Rotheram_, when I knew it was become more pacific. In the evening I\npreached at _Sheffield_, where the people received the word gladly. A\nvery great alteration was discernable in their looks since I was there\nlast. On _Sunday_ great multitudes attended, and in the evening many\nwent away that could not come near enough to hear. On _Monday_ we had a\nparting blessing; and in the evening the LORD JESUS fed us plentifully,\nwith the bread that cometh down from heaven, at _Barly-Hall_. Last\nnight I preached to many, many thousands, and this morning also at five\no\u2019clock. Methinks I am now got into another climate. It must be a warm\none, where there are so many of GOD\u2019s people. Our Pentecost is to be\nkept at Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s. I have seen him and Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and hear that\nMr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ died comfortably, being fully assured, \u201cThat not only all\nhis sins before, but after conversion were forgiven him.\u201d To-morrow,\nGOD willing, I move hence, and expect to-morrow evening to see Mrs.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and to reach _Manchester_ next week. From thence I purpose\nwriting to your Ladyship again. O that any thing I write, say, or do,\nmay afford the least comfort to your Ladyship\u2019s soul! This is my desire\nand hearty prayer: and I earnestly entreat the LORD, that you may live\nlong, and prosper in soul and body. I send my usual and most dutiful\nrespects to the honourable ladies, and am ever, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged and ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Manchester, June 8, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Thought to have troubled your Ladyship with a letter long before this\ntime, but travelling, and preaching twice every day, prevented. Blessed\nbe GOD, it is pleasant work, and I trust it hath prospered in my\nunworthy hands. Thousands and thousands for some time past have flocked\nto hear the word twice every day, and the power of GOD has attended it\nin a glorious manner. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ I left some time ago weak in\nbody, but strong in the grace which is in CHRIST JESUS. The good people\nof _Ashby_ were so kind as to mob round her Ladyship\u2019s door, whilst\nthe gospel was preaching. Alas! how great and irreconcileable is the\nenmity of the serpent! This is my comfort, \u201cThe seed of the woman shall\nat length be more than conqueror over all.\u201d I hope that your Ladyship\nevery day experiences more and more of this conquest in your heart.\nThis is the christian\u2019s daily employ; this the believer\u2019s daily triumph,\nto die to self and sin, and to rise more and more daily into the image\nof the blessed JESUS. As it is our duty, so it is our unspeakable\nprivilege. All the crosses we meet with, all the afflictions with which\nwe are visited, are all intended by the good physician, to beat down,\nand keep under, and weaken the old man, and to raise up, strengthen,\nand give fresh vigour to the new man, which is created after GOD in\nrighteousness and true holiness. Our business is to look continually\nto JESUS, and to lean on him hourly, nay every moment. May this be your\nLadyship\u2019s continual employ! May the LORD JESUS strengthen, stablish,\nand settle you more and more in his love. May he give you to see your\nhonoured Relations partakers of a divine nature in this world, and\ngrant you mansions of eternal bliss in the world to come! No less\nmercies shall, no greater can be desired for your Ladyship and family\nby, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged and ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLII.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Rosindale (Lancashire), June 14, 1750._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nEVER since that I heard your journey into the country was deferred, I\nhave been impatient to write you a line. Till now, I cannot say I have\nhad a proper opportunity. Travelling, and preaching twice a day, as\nI generally do, is almost too much for my frail tabernacle. But he is\nfaithful who hath promised, \u201cThat as our day is, so our strength shall\nbe.\u201d Though faint, I am yet pursuing, and, glory be to GOD, hitherto\nI have had a most delightful and successful circuit. I suppose you\nhave heard of my reception at _Northampton_ and _Ashby_, and of that\npeople\u2019s unkind treatment of good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. At _Nottingham_ I\nlodged with Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and in that place and several others found\ngreat success. In _Yorkshire_ the work hath advanced most. In about a\nweek\u2019s time, within the compass of twenty miles, I preached, I believe,\nto above six thousand souls. This last week I have been beating up\nfor recruits in and about _Manchester_, and I trust some have listed.\nMrs. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ behaves like a good soldier; and if I am not mistaken, her\nhusband will follow her good example. I am now going towards _Kendal_,\nthen to _Whitehaven_, and it may be to _Scotland_. I know you will pray,\nthat the hand of the LORD may be with me. That is all in all! I hope\nthis will find my dear friend quite busy for his GOD, even his GOD\nin CHRIST. We have not a moment to be idle here; the Judge is before\nthe door. I want to have my lamp trimmed, and my loins girt, and to be\nalways habitually and actually ready to meet the blessed Bridegroom.\nThen do we begin to live like ourselves, and to act like those who are\nredeemed unto GOD by the precious blood of JESUS CHRIST, and made kings\nand priests unto GOD and his Father; to him be glory and dominion now\nand for evermore. My dear Sir, my cold heart is warmed when I think\nof this. O why am I not a flame of fire? Why am I not all life, all\nlove, all humility, all zeal? O my naughty heart! May JESUS sprinkle\nit afresh with his precious blood, and help me this morning to begin\nto hunt for souls. Though aged, I wish you may be employed in the same\nwork before you die. But future things belong to GOD. I must now bid\nyou adieu. My cordial love and respects await Mrs. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nand all enquiring friends. Continue to pray for, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Newby-Cote, June 16, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nIT is late, and I am somewhat fatigued, but I cannot rest without\nfinishing my week\u2019s work in writing to your Ladyship. Blessed be GOD,\nI have still good news to send to your Ladyship. All was quiet at\n_Manchester_; and I humbly hope the Redeemer will gather to himself\na people there. Kind Captain _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and his lady will acquaint your\nLadyship with particulars. I hope he will prove a good soldier of JESUS\nCHRIST. I advised him to send your Ladyship word of their coming to\n_Ashby_, that they might be directed the best road from _Derby_. We had\nsweet seasons at the places adjacent to _Manchester_. Only at _\u2666Bolton_\na drunkard stood up to preach behind me, and a woman attempted twice to\nstab the person that was putting up a stand for me to preach on, in her\nhusband\u2019s field. However, the LORD got himself the victory. Since that,\nwe have had very large and powerful meetings, where formerly were the\nmost violent outrages. Perhaps within these three weeks, sixty-thousand\nsouls or upwards have heard the gospel. I am now in Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s\ncircuit, and purpose being at _Kendal_ next _Thursday_. I hope that\nthere, or at _Whitehaven_, where I am to preach to-morrow se\u2019nnight,\nI shall hear from Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ concerning your Ladyship\u2019s welfare.\u2015\u2015His\nletter I received to-night, and will answer it the first opportunity.\nNature now calls for rest. I shall retire, praying that your Ladyship\nand honoured relations may be blessed with all spiritual blessings. I\nam a sink of sin and corruption; but JESUS comforts and supports me,\nand, I believe, will hear your Ladyship\u2019s prayers in behalf of one,\nwho, next to being a poor despised minister of the glorious _Emmanuel_,\nthinks it his highest honour to subscribe himself,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and very\n ready servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cBalton\u201d replaced with \u201cBolton\u201d\n\n\n _June 17th, seven in the morning. _\n\n_Honored Madam_,\n\nTHIS last night Satan hath shewed his teeth. Some persons got into the\nbarn and stable, and have cut my chaise, and one of the horse\u2019s tails.\nWhat would men do, if they could? The LORD be with your spirit. _Amen._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLIV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Kendal, June 21, 1750._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nI Guess this will find you returned from good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, with whom\nundoubtedly you have taken sweet counsel, and been mightily refreshed\nin talking about the things which belong to the kingdom of GOD.\nThis leaves me at _Kendal_, where I arrived this morning, and where,\nGOD willing, I shall preach the everlasting gospel this evening. An\nentrance is now made into _Westmoreland_; and pen cannot well describe\nwhat glorious scenes have opened in _Yorkshire_, &c. Perhaps since I\nsaw you, seventy or eighty thousand have attended the word preached\nin divers places. At _Howarth_, on _Whitsunday_, the church was almost\nthrice filled with communicants, and at _Kirby-Steven_ the people\nbehaved exceedingly well. It was a precious season. In my way I have\nread Mr. _Law_\u2019s second part of _The Spirit of Prayer_. His scheme\nabout the Fall, &c. I think is quite chimerical; but he says many\nthings that are truly noble, and which I pray GOD to write upon the\ntables of my heart. Several things at the end of his treatise on\nregeneration, in my opinion, are entirely unjustifiable: but the sun\nhath its spots, and so have the best of men. I want to see my own\nfaults more, and others less. It will be so, when I am more humble. If\nmercies would make a creature humble, I should be a mirror of humility.\nBut I am far from the mind that was in JESUS. You must pray, whilst\nI go on fighting. Though faint, I would yet pursue. Next week I hope\nto reach _Edinburgh_. GOD willing, you shall have notice of my return.\nGlad shall I be to meet such a friend upon the road. May the friend of\nsinners bless and support you, and give you always an heart to pray for,\nreverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLV.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Kendal, June 21, 1750._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nON _Saturday_ last I received your kind letter, but have not had an\nopportunity of answering it till now. I have been preaching the gospel\namongst the poor knitters, whose simple manner of life pleased me much.\nI am glad you have sounded the silver trumpet in _London_; _crescit\neundo_ must be your motto, and mine. There is nothing like keeping\nthe wheels oil\u2019d by action. The more we do, the more we may do; every\nact strengthens the habit: and the best preparation for preaching on\n_Sundays_, is to preach every day in the week. I am glad you have peace\nat _Ashby_. What a fool is Satan always to overshoot his mark! I hope\nthat Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, as well as Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, will hold on. They will be\nglorious monuments of free grace indeed. I am like-minded with you in\nrespect to the Doctor\u2019s comment; he is indeed a glorious writer. May\nthe LORD JESUS strengthen him to finish the work! My dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nwhat blessed opportunities do you enjoy for meditation, study, and\nprayer! Now is your time to get rich in grace, to search into the\ndepths of divine love, and the mystery of iniquity hid in your own\nheart. Such an example, and such advantages no one in _England_ is\nfavoured with but yourself. I do not envy you; but I pray the Redeemer,\nfrom my inmost soul, to sanctify your situation, and give you to\nincrease with all the increase of GOD. I am called forth to battle;\nremember a poor cowardly soldier, and beg the Captain of our salvation,\nthat I may have the honour to die fighting. I would have all my fears\nin my breast. Methinks I would not be wounded running away, or skulking\ninto an hiding-place. It is not for ministers of CHRIST to flee or be\nafraid.\u2015\u2015And yet alas!\u2015\u2015Well\u2015\u2015_Nil desperandum Christo duce_. For his\ngreat name\u2019s sake, I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLVI.\n\n\n _To the Countess of H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Kendal, June 26, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nSTILL (O amazing love!) the LORD of all lords vouchsafes to prosper the\ngospel plough. Such an entrance hath been made into _Kendal_, as could\nnot have been expected. I preached twice to several thousands last week,\nand the people were so importunate, that I was prevailed on to return\nhither again last night. The congregation was greatly increased, and\nthe power of the LORD was displayed in the midst of them. On _Saturday_\nevening, and on the Lord\u2019s-day, I preached at _Ulverston_, a town about\nsixteen miles distant from this. There Satan made some small resistance;\na clergyman, who looked more like a butcher than a minister, came with\ntwo others and charged a constable with me; but I never saw a poor\ncreature sent off in such disgrace. Good I believe was done in the\ntown. To the giver of every good gift be all the glory! Thus, honoured\nMadam, a poor pilgrim goes on. How I am to succeed at _Whitehaven_,\nyour Ladyship shall know hereafter. GOD willing, I set forward after\npreaching this evening. I hear Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has been much abused in\n_Ireland_, but that the Mayor of _Cork_ hath quite overshot himself. I\nhave some thoughts of seeing _Ireland_ before my return. May the LORD\ndirect my goings in his way! I am persuaded that this will find your\nLadyship travelling apace towards _Canaan_, and increasing your reward\ndaily. Great shall it be indeed in heaven.\u2015\u2015I shall be extremely glad\nof the honour of a line when at _Edinburgh_. In the mean while, your\nLadyship shall not fail, with your honoured sisters and family, of\nbeing prayed for, and hearing from, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and very\n chearful servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Kendal, June 26, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYESTERDAY I read in the public papers, that you was married. This\nmorning I sit down to wish you joy. GOD hath given you, a choice\nhelp-mate. May you love her as JESUS CHRIST loveth the church; and may\nboth of you be enabled to live together as heirs of the grace of life!\nThe LORD of all lords has been daily pouring down his benefits on you\nand me. O that his goodness may lead us to repentance, and his love\nconstrain us to obedience! You have now another blessing given you; one\nwho, I believe, will strengthen your hands in the LORD, and stir you up\nin the good ways of GOD. Now for _Joshua_\u2019s resolution, \u201cAs for me and\nmy house, we will serve the LORD.\u201d You are now entered on a new state;\nyou will want new supplies of grace. It is hard to govern; it is much\neasier to obey. To come into a flow of business, and at the same time\nto keep the heart near to GOD, what a task is this? JESUS alone can\nmake you sufficient for it. Look then, my dear friend, continually to\nhim, and take heed that nothing drowns the sound of this small still\nvoice speaking in your heart. When I come to town, GOD willing, I will\npay you a visit. In the mean while let us meet at the throne of grace.\nI am travelling, and you trading, for JESUS CHRIST. His strength is\nmy joy. Every where the gospel plough hath prospered. These _Northern_\nparts promise well. Adieu! The LORD be with you both! Pray remember me\nin the kindest manner to your mother and brothers. You are come into a\nfamily that I dearly love. That you all may sit down with the glorious\nfamily of the first-born, whole names are written in heaven, is the\nearnest prayer of, my dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Whitehaven, June 29, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYESTERDAY, upon my arrival hither, I received your kind letter, and\nam now seated to send you an answer. May the LORD JESUS cause it to be\nanswer of peace! You need make no apology for your openness and freedom;\nreserves to me are odious. I would willingly be a father, brother, and\nfriend to all concerned with me; and consequently I would gladly bear\na part with them in their sorrows and their joys. Your suspicions about\nMessrs. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, were groundless. The sole cause\nof your not hearing from me, was my not knowing where to direct to\nyou. As I am utterly unconcerned in the discipline of Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s\nsocieties, I can be no competent judge of their affairs. If you and the\nrest of the preachers were to meet together more frequently, and tell\neach other your grievances, opinions, &c. it might be of service. This\nmay be done in a very friendly way, and thereby many uneasinesses might\nbe prevented. After all, those that will live in peace must agree to\ndisagree in many things with their fellow-labourers, and not let little\nthings part or disunite them. I know not well, what my dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nmeans, about concealing the gospel privileges. There is no doubt but\nmilk must be given to babes, and meat to strong men; but this all\ndepends on the skilfulness of the preacher, and his being taught of\nGOD rightly to divide the word of truth. In general, gospel privileges\nmay be spoken of to encourage awakened sinners and quicken saints.\nIf by gospel privileges you mean _love-feasts_, _bands_, &c. these I\nthink are only prudential means, and therefore no doubt prudence should\nbe exercised in the use of them. I am of your opinion, that too much\nfamiliarity in these things is hurtful. But it is hard to keep a medium,\nwhere a multitude is concerned. As ill effects are discovered, they\nshould be corrected and avoided. The question and answer you refer to,\nI do not like. I know nothing of CHRIST\u2019s righteousness being imputed\nto all mankind. It is enough to say with the scriptures, \u201cThat it is\nimputed to all believers.\u201d What does my dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ think of that\nassertion of the Apostle, \u201cHe made him sin for us, who knew no sin,\nthat we might be made the righteousness of GOD, in him.\u201d And again,\n\u201cWho of GOD is made to us, wisdom, righteousness, &c.\u201d _cum multis\naliis_, vide Romans, ivth and vith.\u2015\u2015Is it not as express as can be,\nthat CHRIST\u2019s righteousness is imputed to believers? Consequently, it\nis sufficient for us, as preachers, to declare, \u201cThat all believers are\nactually delivered from the guilt of both actual and original sin, from\nthe power of their corruptions here, and that at the hour of death they\nshall be delivered from the very in-being of sin, and be admitted to\ndwell with the glorious JESUS, and the spirits of just men made perfect,\nhereafter.\u201d Another seven years experience, will teach some to handle\nthe word of life in a better manner. Our business is to shew believers\ntheir compleatness in CHRIST, and to point them to Him for strength for\nevery good word and work; and all to be done out of gratitude and love\nfor what he hath done and suffered for them. But you know my sentiments;\nyou have heard them all in my sermons. I have no reserves. What Mr.\n_S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ says, I know not; I believe CHRIST\u2019s redemption will be applied\nto all that shall believe. Who these are, we know not, and therefore\nwe are to give a general offer and invitation; convinced of this, that\nevery man\u2019s damnation is of himself, and every man\u2019s salvation all of\nGOD. You would do well to read more; but whether it would be best for\nyou to pursue, or re-assume your old studies, unless you are determined\nto settle, I cannot tell. Reading a _Latin_ author, a little every day,\nto be sure could do you no hurt. _Terentius Christianus_, _Castalio_\u2019s\nScripture Dialogues, and _Select\u00e6 Pr\u00e6lectiones Veteri Testamenti_,\nwould both delight and profit you. It has long since been my judgment,\nthat it would be best for many of the present preachers to have a tutor,\nand retire for a while, and be content with preaching now and then,\ntill they were a little more improved. Otherwise, I fear many who now\nmake a temporary figure, for want of a proper foundation, will run\nthemselves out of breath, will grow weary of the work, and leave it.\nMay the LORD JESUS direct! This is the plan I purpose to pursue abroad.\nWhether GOD will be pleased to succeed it, I know not. All I can say is,\nthat I am willing to lend an helping hand wherever I see the interest\nof CHRIST promoted. This is my motive, dear Sir, in answering your last.\nI hope it is satisfactory. If not, let me know. You may direct for me\nat Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s, _Edinburgh_. I hope to be there next week. We have\nhad good seasons since I parted from you. At _Kendal_ a most promising\ndoor is opened. Follow me with your prayers.\u2015\u2015Look up to JESUS, and\nlet not little things disappoint and move you. If this be your foible,\nbeware, and pray that Satan may not get an advantage over you. He will\nbe always striving to vex and unhinge you. \u201cThe LORD reigneth.\u201d Let\nthis consideration support and comfort you, under the various changes\nyou must necessarily meet with in the church. She is now militant, ere\nlong she shall be triumphant. Till then, as the elect of GOD, let us\nput on bowels of compassion, meekness, long-suffering and humbleness of\nmind. But what am I doing? Adieu. The LORD be with you and yours, and\ngive Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ faith and courage in her approaching hour! All with\nme salute you. I must hasten to subscribe myself, my dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXLIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, July 7, 1750._\n\n_Very dear T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Thought it long, yea very long since I heard from you; but as I\nbelieve your heart is upright towards the LORD JESUS, and to me your\nunworthy friend, for his great name\u2019s sake, I have been quite easy. The\nnews of your success, rejoices me. May the LORD increase it more and\nmore! Pen cannot well express what hath been done in the North. I have\npreached above ninety times since I left _London_, and perhaps to a\nhundred and forty thousand people. It is amazing to see how people\nare prepared, in places where I never was before. What shall I render\nunto the LORD? I will beg him to make me humble and thankful. Here, I\nam received with as much affection as ever. Still I will cry, Grace!\ngrace! Ere this reaches you, I suppose you will be thinking of _London_.\nMr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ I believe wants a breathing. I hear he hath been blest\nmuch. You and Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ are the only persons I chuse to have at the\ntabernacle, as heads in my absence. Several of \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 have offered to\njoin me; but you know I hate taking other persons as helpers, and as I\ndesire no party, I give no encouragement. But future things belong to\nHim, on whose shoulders the government is put. You must still remember\nme before Him. His word is indeed running, and like to be glorified day\nby day. How matters go on here, you will know hereafter. In the mean\nwhile pray for, and write to, my very dear _Tommy_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCL.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, July 7, 1750._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nAFTER preaching at _Cockermouth_, and near _Wigton_, with great\nacceptance, last night I came here, and was received in a most loving\nand tender manner. At noon, I dined with a family that honours your\nLadyship very much, and this evening I have been preaching to a great\nmultitude of very attentive and affected hearers. At my return to my\nlodgings, I had the wished-for pleasure of your Ladyship\u2019s two letters.\nThey both led me nearer to, and laid me lower before Him, at whose\nthrone I am daily pleading for the welfare of your Ladyship, both\nin temporals and spirituals. Indeed, ever honoured Madam, I have\nconfidence with you that your Ladyship shall have all the deliverance\nyou long for. By divine grace, I will let the LORD have no rest, till\nhe fulfils all your desires. I quite forget myself, when I think of\nyour Ladyship. Ever honoured Madam, the LORD as yet hath but begun to\nbless you; you shall, you shall, you will be made a greater blessing\nindeed. If dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ gets _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015y_, that will be making your\nLadyship a blessing. He is a dear soul; I am glad that both he and\nDr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ have been with your Ladyship. I would have all the good\nministers come and visit your Ladyship. There are numbers would go\nscores of miles willingly for that purpose. I hope soon to send your\nLadyship some pleasing particulars. I have heard from my family. May\nthe blessing of many ready to perish descend on your Ladyship. I pity\npoor _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Your Ladyship I believe will soon get the better of\nhim. Your Ladyship hath acted like yourself in forgiving the offenders.\nSuch offences come, that CHRIST\u2019s followers may give evidence of his\nblessed temper being wrought in their hearts. In my return, without\nfail your Ladyship may expect me at ungrateful _Ashby_. Out of those\nstones may the LORD JESUS raise up children unto _Abraham_! However\nGOD is pleased to deal with me, your Ladyship may be assured of hearing\nfrom me. In the mean while, your Ladyship and honoured relations and\nfamily will be continually remembered by, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, ready, obliged, though\n unworthy servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, July 12, 1750._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH I am really burning with a fever, and have a violent cold, yet I\nmust send your Ladyship a few lines by this post. They bring good news.\nPeople flock rather more than ever, and earnestly entreat me not to\nleave them soon. I preach generally twice a day,\u2015\u2015early in the morning,\nand at six in the evening. Great multitudes attend. Praise the LORD O\nmy soul! Your Ladyship\u2019s health is drank and enquired after every day.\nMr. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who married Lord \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2019s sister, has given me three franks,\nand his family are in the number of those who are left in _Sardis_, and\nhave not defiled their garments. Enclosed your Ladyship hath my last\nfrom _Carolina_, and an account of the affair mentioned by the Bishop\nof _Cork_. I fear I cannot reach _Ireland_ this season. Your Ladyship\u2019s\nmessage to Mr. _Robe_, I sent last post; he will think himself highly\nhonoured. Some time next month I hope to see your Ladyship. In the mean\ntime, whether sick or well, your Ladyship shall be sure to hear how\nthe LORD of all Lords is pleased to deal with me and his people. His\npresence makes me to smile at pain, and the fire of his love burns up\nall fevers whatsoever. This your Ladyship knows by happy experience.\nThat you may know it more and more every hour, and every moment, is the\ncontinual prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and chearful\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLII.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, July 21, 1750._\n\n_Dear Jemmy_,\n\nI Have nothing but good news to send you. The entrance GOD has been\npleased to give me into _Scotland_, demands the highest tribute\nof gratitude and love. I preached twenty times at _Edinburgh_, and\nthousands attended morning and evening. Many I hope got good. To the\ngiver of every good gift be all the glory! Last night I came hither,\nand was most lovingly received, and this morning the LORD of all Lords\nhath given us a delightful meeting. Blessed news is sent from _Kendal_.\nEnclosed you have the marks of my friends bounty, who love me for JESUS\nsake. Be pleased to receive the bill, and as you live near Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nbe so kind as to pay him the remainder of what is due for printing my\nlast sermons. Take his accompt, and a receipt under; what is left, pray\ngive to my wife to pay _Wr\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ the book-binder. For I would fain owe\nno man any thing but love.\u2015\u2015I would have my worldly affairs so ordered,\nthat let death come when it will, I may have nothing to do but to die.\nThat is a blessed word to me; the thoughts of death gladden my heart,\nand cause me often almost to leap for joy. But perhaps our LORD has\nmore work for me to do. His will be done in, by, and upon me, in time,\nand to all eternity. Pilgrims must not expect much rest here. In heaven\nwe shall have enough. There I shall meet you and yours. I salute you\nboth most tenderly, and beg you would all pray for, my dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, July 23, 1750._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nWITH pleasure I sit down to perform my promise, and to thank you for\nall favours. The LORD is still adding to my obligations, to love and\nserve him. Friends here received me most kindly, and the congregations\nI think are rather larger than ever. Yesterday, besides preaching twice\nin the field, I preached in the college _Kirk_, being forced by Mr.\n_G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. \u2019Twas a blessed season. Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Mr. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ were very\naffectionate. I have met, and shaken hands with Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. O\nwhen shall GOD\u2019s people learn war no more! GOD willing, I shall leave\n_Glasgow_ on _Thursday_ next, and if you please, will sup quietly with\nyou and your lady, or with Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, on _Friday_ evening. I hope\nto be in early, because I intend lying at Mr. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s house, or at\n_Kylsyth_ on the _Thursday_. Letters this post make me resolve not\nto visit _Ireland_ this summer; Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is there, and persecution\nincreases. I send the inclosed open. A copy might be put into my wife\u2019s,\nlest the other should miscarry. My stay in _Edinburgh_ at my return\nmust be very short. May the LORD JESUS make it sweet! You must remember\nme in the kindest manner to your dear lady, the other ladies, and all\nenquiring friends, and accept of most hearty love from, my very dear\nSir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, July 23, 1750._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nI Received your kind letter last week, but till now had not time to\nanswer you. Blessed be GOD, it brought glad tidings. Thanks be to the\never-loving ever-lovely JESUS, for causing his arrows to stick fast\nin any sinners hearts! May he that hath wounded, in his own due time\nand way heal and ease them!\u2015\u2015He is the awakened sinners only refuge.\nTo Him the weary and heavy laden are invited. Let them but come to\nhim, and he will, indeed he will give them rest. O that those who have\nbegun to put their hands to the plough, may be kept from looking back!\nAwakening times are like spring times. Many blossoms, but not always\nso much fruit. However, glory, glory be to GOD, that the Winter of\ndeadness is in some degree over, and that a Spring time of grace is\nseen at _Kendal_. Pray remember me in the kindest manner to all under\nawakenings, and exhort them all with full purpose of heart to cleave\nunto the LORD. Whether I can see you again in my return, is uncertain.\nIf it be any way practicable, I shall comply with your earnest\nsolicitation. Next week, GOD willing, I leave _Scotland_, and if I can\ncome, you shall hear from me. In the mean time, as the LORD enables, I\nshall not cease to pray for all that are setting their faces Zionward.\nYou know the many turnings that lie in the way thither, and therefore\ncan direct young travellers. It is pretty work for you in the decline\nof life. Methinks you may be surprized like _Sarah_, who said, \u201cwho\nwould have thought that _Sarah_ should have given suck!\u201d But is there\nany thing too hard for the LORD? O for faith, patience and humility!\nThese are graces my soul thirsts after. How humble, how thankful ought\nI to be! After leaving _Kendal_, the word of the LORD ran and was\nglorified in several places, and in _Scotland_ I think congregations\nare rather greater than ever. You must exhort all to pray for me, that\nI may be kept from flagging in the latter stages of my road. My love\nto Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I shall take care to answer his letter when it comes to\nhand. I have ordered some volumes of my sermons to be sent to him. May\nGOD sanctify the reading of them to the carrying on his blessed work. I\ncan now no more. The LORD be with you. I am, dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c. in JESUS CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, July 29, 1750._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nWHAT shall I say? Your Ladyship\u2019s condescension in writing to unworthy\nme, lays me low before Him, who continues to follow me with his\ngoodness and mercy every hour of my life. Ungrateful _Ashby_! O that\nthou knewest the day of thy visitation! Surely your Ladyship may shake\noff the dust of your feet against them. This was the command, that\nthe meek and lowly JESUS gave to his apostles, when the gospel was not\nreceived. And he himself departed, when the _Gadarenes_ desired him\nto go out of their coasts. This justifies your Ladyship in removing Mr.\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. What avails throwing pearls before swine, who only turn again\nand rend you? However, I bless GOD that your Ladyship\u2019s house is made\na _Bethel_. Glad would I be of the honour of joining your Ladyship\u2019s\nlittle select company, but our Redeemer appoints me other work.\u2015\u2015Indeed\nit is very pleasant work. No one can well describe the order, attention,\nand earnestness of the _Scotch_ congregations. They are unwearied in\nhearing the gospel. I left thousands sorrowful at _Glasgow_, and here\nI was again most gladly received last night. By preaching always twice,\nand once thrice, and once four times in a day, I am quite weakened; but\nI hope to recruit again, and get fresh strength to work for Him, who\nshed his precious blood for ill and hell-deserving me. On _Thursday_\nnext, GOD willing, I shall leave _Scotland_. Your Ladyship shall know\nwhither I go. In the mean while, I send your Ladyship some _Georgia_\nletters, which I hope will afford you satisfaction. I have been upon\nthe enquiry for some proper persons, for dear Captain _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and\nhis Lady to converse with at _Dumfries_, and last night I hear I have\nsucceeded. Particulars they shall know hereafter. I can now only send\nthem my most grateful and cordial respects, being obliged to stop to\nget strength even whilst I write this. O this mortal body! How does it\nweigh down my precious and immortal soul! Ere long it will be set at\nliberty, and body and soul shall be for ever with the LORD. I cannot\nenlarge. Your Ladyship is remembered every day by many here. I hope\nyour Ladyship\u2019s honoured sisters are prospering in soul and body. The\nsearcher of hearts can tell how much I count it my honour to subscribe\nmyself, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Their and your most obliged, dutiful, and chearful\n servant for JESUS CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLVI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Berwick, Aug. 4, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nAT length I have taken a very sorrowful leave of _Scotland_. The\nlonger I continued there, the more the congregations, and the power\nthat attended the word, increased. I have reason to think that many\nare under convictions, and am assured of hundreds having received great\nbenefit and consolation. The parting was rather more affectionate than\never, and I shall have reason to bless GOD to all eternity for this\nlast visit to _Scotland_. Not a dog moved his tongue all the while I\nwas there, and many enemies where glad to be at peace with me. Who is\nlike our GOD, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, continually\ndoing wonders! Preaching so frequently, and paying so many religious\nvisits, weakened me very much; but I am already much better for\nmy riding thus far, and I trust the LORD will cause me to renew my\nstrength. My obligations to spend and be spent for the blessed JESUS,\nare greatly increased. O that I may spring afresh, and soar aloft till\nI fly into the embraces of a sin-forgiving GOD! He hath prepared my\nway at _Berwick_. One of the ministers hath sent me an offer of his\npulpit, and I hear of about ten more round this town that would do the\nsame. I came hither this evening, and purpose, GOD willing, to set out\nfor _Newcastle_ on _Monday_ morning. What success I meet with, your\nLadyship shall hear in my next. Was it not so late in the year, I think\nI would go to _Ireland_. May the LORD direct my goings in his way!\n_Kendal_, I believe, must have another visit. The enclosed is from one\nof Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s preachers. The contents I believe will please your\nLadyship. Honoured Madam, what shall I say? The Redeemer\u2019s goodness\nquite amazes me. \u201cLess than the least of all,\u201d shall be my motto\nstill. With regret, I send your Ladyship Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s too, too much\nembellished and extravagant character of ill and hell-deserving me.\nIt came from _Plymouth_ last post. Your Ladyship desired to see it, or\notherwise I could not bear to send it. To me, O blessed JESUS, nothing\nbelongs, but shame and confusion of face. O that praise as well as\ncontempt may humble this proud heart of mine! Then I shall never be\nhurt by having the honour to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and very\n ready servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Newcastle, Aug. 9, 1750._\n\n_My dear dying Friend_,\n\nTHOUGH absent in body, yet I am present with you in spirit; and whilst\nyou are in this tabernacle of clay, as our LORD enables, you shall\nnot be forgotten before his throne. Ere long you will be called to sit\nupon it; JESUS himself will rise and take you in.\u2015\u2015And why? He hath\nredeemed you unto GOD by his blood, and given you the first fruits of\nheaven already in your heart. Fear not therefore, my dear friend, to go\nthrough _Jordan_. The great High Priest stands ready to guide you, and\nwill land you safe in _Canaan_. _I pr\u00e6, sequar._\u2015\u2015Yet a little while,\nand my turn will come. In heaven we shall part no more. Till then,\nmy dear dying friend, farewel! O that I may hear that you go off in\ntriumph. But whether this be vouchsafed or not, I know you will die in\npeace. To the GOD of peace and love do I most earnestly commend you.\nLet this be your joyful language,\n\n _A guilty, weak and helpless worm,_\n _Into thy arms I fly:_\n _Be thou my strength and righteousness,_\n _My JESUS and my all_.\n\nI send affectionate respects to both your sisters, and to Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_.\nI pray that the LORD JESUS may love them as he loved _Lazarus_, _Mary_,\nand their sister _Martha_, and I entreat you to accept this as a token\nof unfeigned christian love, from, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Sept. 4, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Received your kind letter yesterday, which was like the prophet\u2019s\nroll, full of lamentation, and mourning, and woe. But what shall we\nsay? It must needs be that offences come.\u2015\u2015Wo to the inhabitants of\nthe earth, and of the sea, for the devil is come down in great wrath,\nknowing he hath but a short time to reign; but let us look upwards.\nEvery plant that our heavenly father hath not planted, shall be rooted\nup; only let him that standeth take heed lest he fall. You must salute\ndear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and the rest of the brethren in my name. As far as\nI know, we are like-minded as to principles, and I shall be glad to\ndo all that I can to strengthen their hands, only let nothing be done\nthrough strife and vain-glory. Blessed be GOD, my poor labours never\nmet with greater acceptance in _England_ and _Scotland_ than now, and\nI would gladly fly to _Wales_, but perhaps my coming had better be\ndeferred to the cool of the day. Let us not fear. This storm will blow\nover.\u2015\u2015Truth is great, and though driven out of doors for a while, will\nprevail at the last. Alas, what are we when a party spirit lays hold on\nus! I suspect the principles that are productive of such practices.\u2015\u2015O\nthat these things may lead us nearer to CHRIST, keep us closer to\nhis blessed word, and be sanctified to the moulding us into a nearer\nconformity to his divine image. The meekness and lowliness of JESUS, I\nwant to be a large partaker of. You must pray for me, and let me know\nhow affairs stand. My tender love to all. I am, dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLIX.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Portsmouth, Sept. 8, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nTO day my wife sent me the melancholy news of the death of your\nLadyship\u2019s eldest daughter, but withal wrote me that she died very\ncomfortably. Indeed when I left her, GOD\u2019s spirit seemed to be working\nso strongly upon her heart, that I thought she would soon go to heaven,\nor shine as a glorious saint on earth. It hath pleased a sovereign GOD\nto cut short his work in righteousness, and call her home. A trial this\nindeed, for your Ladyship! but a trial, in which I hope your Ladyship\nwill have grace given to acquiesce. O that with _Aaron_ you may be\nenabled to hold your peace, and with the bereaved _Shunamite_ to say,\n\u201cIt is well.\u201d And if the Redeemer should call your Ladyship to part\nwith another daughter (hard trial for flesh and blood) may you be\nstrengthened chearfully to give her up, and hear the LORD of all Lords\nsaying unto you, \u201cNow know I that thou lovest me, since thou hast not\nwith-held two dear daughters from me.\u201d Now is the time, honoured Madam,\nto prove the strength of JESUS to be yours. Now is the time to be\nstrong in faith, and give glory to GOD. The Redeemer will be better to\nyou than seven daughters. What a comfort is it, honoured Madam, for you\nto think that Miss _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ gave such comfortable evidences of her dying\nin the LORD. She is blessed indeed, and the language of her departed\nsoul is, \u201cweep not for me.\u201d Comfort yourself, honoured Madam, with this\nthought, and say like _David_, \u201cI shall go to her, but she will not\nreturn to me.\u201d May this trial be sanctified to your Ladyship\u2019s whole\nhousehold, and may your surviving children learn to die betimes! I\ncould enlarge, but am afraid of being troublesome. On _Tuesday_, GOD\nwilling, I hope to be in _London_ for one day, and shall be impatient\nto know how the all-wise GOD is pleased to dispose of your Ladyship\u2019s\nother daughter. In the mean while, my poor prayers shall be put\nup night and day, that your Ladyship may have grace given you to\nglorify CHRIST in this time of need. I commend your Ladyship to his\nnever-failing mercy, as being, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, sympathizing, obliged,\n and ready servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLX.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Sept. 14, 1750._\n\n_My very dear Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nGLAD was I, yea very glad, to receive your kind letter about two\ndays ago. I send you this in return, with ten thousand thanks for all\nfavours conferred upon me, by you and yours. They are all numbered, and\nnot one of them shall be forgotten before the LORD of all Lords, whose\nmercy endureth for ever. Surely, his goodness and mercy have followed\nme all the days of my life, and blessed be his holy name, I shall ere\nlong dwell in his house for ever. At my return to town, I was received,\nthough utterly unworthy, with great joy, and our LORD has manifested\nforth his glory in the great congregation. I have preached in Mr.\n_W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s chapel several times, and I trust a young lady of high\nrank was truly awakened about a fortnight ago, and who is since gone\ntriumphantly to heaven. Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ breakfasted and prayed with me this\nmorning, and Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015y_ was so kind as to come up and be with me in\nmy house. He is a dear man, and I trust will yet be spared to write\nmuch for the Redeemer\u2019s glory. I have prevailed on him to sit for his\npicture, and it will be published in a short time. Two dozen of my\npictures, as my friends so earnestly desired them, are sent directed\nto you. Be pleased to let them be disposed of, as shall be judged most\nproper. O that my heart might in some measure resemble the image of my\ndear LORD! You and yours will not fail to pray, that it may be written\nin lively characters, and that I may go on my way rejoicing. I never\nforget you or any other of my dear _Scotch_ friends. Just now I have\ngood news from _Kendal_; a young woman, whom GOD was pleased to awaken\nwhen I was there, went off lately (as my friend expresses it) \u201cwith\nflying colours.\u201d Grace! Grace! LORD, make me humble! LORD JESUS, make\nme truly thankful! I am just now going for _Chatham_. Last LORD\u2019s day\nI was at _Portsmouth_. Next week, GOD willing, I go to _Gloucester_.\nI hope good Lady _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and her beloved son and daughter, &c. are\nprospering in soul and body. I send them my most dutiful respects, and\nten thousand thanks, and beg you, my very dear Sir, to accept the same\nfrom,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our blessed LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Sept. 17, 1750._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nTHOUGH it is a cross to me to be detained so long from coming\nto _Ashby_, yet I trust hitherto my steps have been guided by an\nover-ruling providence for good. Yesterday afternoon I returned from\n_Chatham_, where I think there is as promising a work begun as almost\nin any part of _England_. Last night the Redeemer\u2019s glory was seen\nin the tabernacle, and your Ladyship\u2019s letter revived my heart, and\ngave me some fresh hopes for ungrateful _Ashby_. My heart\u2019s desire and\nprayer to the LORD of all Lords is, that your Ladyship may live to see\nmuch of the travail of the Redeemer\u2019s soul. I am glad Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is\nordained, and hope Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will be the next, soon. By Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s\nletter to him, I find your Ladyship has acted in the affair like\nyourself. Your Ladyship shall have a copy of it, and you will then\nsee how matters go. Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is much for embarking in CHRIST\u2019s\ncause, and if the _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ would but help him at this juncture, he\nmight be a useful and happy man. Both he and Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ have the most\ngrateful sense of your Ladyship\u2019s great kindness. The latter I believe\nintends to winter with me in _London_. If possible, I will prevail on\nMr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ly_, at my return, to come and pay him a visit. To-morrow\nmorning, GOD willing, I set out for _Gloucester_, and intend coming\nto _Birmingham_, and so to your Ladyship\u2019s. In my way I hope to write\nto Lady _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and be as particular as circumstances will admit. I\nam surprized at your Ladyship\u2019s doing and going through so much. But\nwhat cannot a believer do, when strengthened by the blessed JESUS? Your\nLadyship will be remembered most heartily before him this afternoon,\nit being our letter-day. That you may long live to shine in his church\nbelow, and after death be translated to shine with distinguished lustre\nin the realms of light and love above, is the continual prayer of, ever,\never-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and most\n cheerful servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXII.\n\n\n _To Lady B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Gloucester, Sept. 22, 1750._\n\n_Madam_,\n\nAS I know your Ladyship had a great esteem for the late honourable Miss\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, I cannot but think a short account of her behaviour, under her\nlast sickness, must not only alleviate the concern your Ladyship must\nnecessarily have for so intimate a friend, but also excite you to pray,\nthat your latter end may be like hers. I think it is now near three\nweeks since good Lady _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ desired me to visit her sick daughter.\nShe had been prayed for very earnestly the preceding day after the\nsacrament, and likewise previous to my visit in Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s room.\nWhen I came to her bedside, she seemed glad to see me, but desired\nI would speak and pray as softly as I could. I conversed with her a\nlittle, and she dropped some strong things about the vanity of the\nworld, and the littleness of every thing out of CHRIST. I prayed as low\nas I could, but in prayer (your Ladyship has been too well acquainted\nwith such things to call it _enthusiasm_) I felt a very uncommon energy\nand power to wrestle with GOD in her behalf. She soon broke out into\nsuch words as these, \u201cwhat a wretch am I?\u201d She seemed to speak out of\nthe abundance of her heart, from a feeling sense of her own vileness.\nHer honoured Parent and attending servants were affected. After\nprayer, she seemed as though she felt things unutterable, bemoaned her\ningratitude to GOD and CHRIST; and I believe would gladly have given\na detail of all her faults she could reckon. Her having had a form of\ngodliness, but never having felt the power, was what she most bewailed.\nI left her; she continued in the same frame; and when Mrs. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nasked her whether she felt her heart to be as bad as she expressed\nherself, she answered, \u201cyes, and worse.\u201d At her request, some time\nafter this, I gave her the holy communion; a communion indeed it was.\nNever did I see a person receive it with seemingly greater contrition,\nmore earnest desire for pardon and reconciliation with GOD through\nCHRIST, or stronger purposes of devoting her future life to his service.\nBeing weak, she was desired to keep lying on her bed. She replied,\n\u201cI can rise to take my physic; shall I not rise to pray?\u201d When I was\nrepeating the Communion Office, she applied all to herself, and broke\nout frequently aloud in her applying. When I said, the burden of them\nis intolerable, she burst out\u2015\u2015\u201cyea very intolerable,\u201d with abundance\nof such like expressions. When she took the bread and wine, her concern\ngave her utterance, and she spake like one that was ripening for heaven.\nThose around her wept for joy.\u2015\u2015My cold heart also was touched, and I\nleft her with a full persuasion, that she was either to be taken off\nsoon, or to be a blessing here below. I think she lived about a week\nafterwards: she continued in the same frame as far as I hear, and I\ntrust is now gone, where she will sing the song of _Moses_ and of the\nLamb for ever. The thoughts of this, comforts good Lady _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and\nthe same consideration, I am persuaded, will have the same effect upon\nyour Ladyship. Only methinks I hear your Ladyship add, \u201cNo, I will\nnot stop here. By divine grace I will devote myself to JESUS CHRIST\nnow, and give him no rest, till I see the world in that light as dear\nMiss _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ did, and as I myself shall, when I come to die. I will\nfollow my honoured mother as she follows JESUS CHRIST, and count the\nRedeemer\u2019s reproach of more value than all the honours, riches and\npleasures of the world. I will fly to CHRIST by faith, and through\nthe help of my GOD, keep up not only the form, but also the power of\ngodliness in heart and life.\u201d That the glorious _Emanuel_ may enable\nyour Ladyship to put all this into practice, is the earnest prayer of,\nMadam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most ready servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXIII.\n\n\n _Eversham, Sept. 28, 1750._\n\n_Dear Miss B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Thank you for your kind letter, and thank our heavenly Father for\nblessing the seed sown to any of my hearers. Not unto me O LORD, not\nunto me, but unto thy free unmerited mercy, be all the glory!\n\n _If thou excuse, then work thy will,_\n _By so unfit an instrument;_\n _It will at once thy grace display,_\n _And prove thy power omnipotent._\n\nHitherto our LORD continues to help me. Since my return from _Scotland_,\nI have been brought very low; but as my day is, so is my strength.\nAt _London_, _Portsmouth_, _Chatham_, and lately in _Gloucestershire_\nwe have had many pleasant seasons. I am now going to _Birmingham_,\n_Coventry_, &c. GOD only knows when I shall see my beloved _Scotland_\nagain. Gladly could I live and die with my dear friends there. It is\nmy comfort, that those who are friends to JESUS, shall live eternally\ntogether hereafter. I know several of late that went off triumphantly.\nO that we may be kept from being cumbered! O that nothing may draw us\nfrom the feet of JESUS! There, and there alone is solid peace to be\nfound. Every thing is good that drives us thither. That this may be\nalways your abiding place, is the earnest prayer of, dear Miss _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Your affectionate friend, and ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXIV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, Oct. 9, 1750._\n\nI Should have written to you long before now, but I waited for the\narrival of Mr. _Habersham_\u2019s ship, in which I expected letters of\nconsequence. They are now come, and two of the chief I send enclosed in\nthis, and shall omit saying any thing further, till I have the pleasure\nof seeing you, which I hope will be some time next week or the week\nafter. Immediately after I left you, I have reason to think that the\nglorious Redeemer (O infinite condescension!) vouchsafed to make me\ninstrumental in the conversion of Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s eldest daughter,\nwho I hope is gone to rest. I am now at her Ladyship\u2019s house with four\nother clergymen, who I believe love and preach CHRIST in sincerity:\nbut _Ashby_ people reject the kingdom of GOD against themselves. At\n_Portsmouth_, _Chatham_, _Gloucestershire_, _Birmingham_, _Wednesbury_,\n_Eversham_, _Nottingham_, &c. our infinite High-priest has given\nus pleasant seasons. I am now waiting every day for my wife\u2019s being\ndelivered of her present burden, and hope ere long to rejoice that a\nchild is born into the world. O that it may be born again and made an\nheir of the Redeemer\u2019s kingdom. This is all my desire. Honoured Sir,\nyou see how freely I open myself unto you. I count it a great privilege\nthat you allow me this liberty, and I earnestly pray our blessed LORD\nto reward you ten thousand fold. He has been pleased frequently to\ncomfort and encourage my heart this circuit, and in the midst of all,\nlets me know he is my GOD. O that he may be my glory! O that I may be\nnever left to dishonour him! Reverend Sir, for JESUS\u2019s sake continue\nto pray for me, who, with grateful acknowledgments for all favours, beg\nleave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,\n\n Your most obliged, affectionate, though unworthy younger\n brother, and fellow-labourer in the kingdom of CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXV.\n\n\n _To the Countess D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, Oct. 11, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nIT would give me concern, was I to return to _London_, though from ever\nso short an excursion, without letting your Ladyship know that you are\nalways remembered by me at the throne of grace. Upon such a throne the\nRedeemer sits, holding out his golden sceptre, and asking us, \u201cWhat is\nyour petition? And what is your request?\u201d My request for your Ladyship\nis, that you may increase with all the increase of GOD. This I trust\nyour Ladyship is daily doing, and consequently increasing in inward\nhappiness, peace and joy. The riches of the divine life are indeed\nunsearchable. May your Ladyship dig for them as for hid treasure, till\nfaith be turned into vision, and hope into the endless fruition of the\never blessed GOD! That time will shortly come. I have been labouring\nat _Birmingham_, in _Gloucestershire_, at _Nottingham_, &c. to awaken a\nsleepy world to a sense of it, and I trust not without success. On last\n_Thursday_ I came here, and next _Monday_, GOD willing, shall set out\nfor _London_. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ goes on acting the part of a mother in\n_Israel_, more and more. For a day or two she has had five clergymen\nunder her roof, which makes her Ladyship look like a _good Archbishop_\nwith his Chaplains around him. Her house is indeed a _Bethel_. To us\nin the ministry, it looks like a college. We have the Sacrament every\nmorning, heavenly conversation all day, and preach at night. This is\nto _live at Court_, indeed. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing a\nlittle flock that seemed to be awakened by the grace of GOD; so that\neven out of ungrateful _Ashby_, I trust there will be raised up many\nchildren unto _Abraham_. Your Ladyship, and the other elect Ladies, are\nnever forgotten by us. I would write to good Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, but I hear\nshe is out of town. That the choicest of divine blessings, even the\nsure mercies of _David_, may follow you both all the days of your lives,\nis the hearty prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXVI.\n\n\n _To Lady \u2666H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Ashby, Oct. 11, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nIT is with great pleasure that I have heard of your Ladyship\u2019s being so\nsupported under your late bereavement, and of the good impressions made\non surviving relations by it. Thus the Redeemer delights to magnify\nhis strength in his people\u2019s weakness, and causes the death of one, to\nbe the life, as it were, the resurrection of another. O what amazing\nmysteries will be unfolded, when each link in the golden chain of\nProvidence and Grace, shall be seen and scanned by beatified spirits in\nthe kingdom of heaven! There all will appear symmetry and harmony, and\neven the most intricate and seemingly most contrary dispensations, will\nbe evidenced to be the result of infinite and consummate wisdom, power,\nand love. Above all, there the believer will see the infinite depths\nof that mystery of godliness, \u201cGOD manifested in the flesh,\u201d and join\nwith that blessed choir, who with a restless unweariedness are ever\nsinging the song of _Moses_ and the Lamb. There your Ladyship I believe\nwill see your departed daughter, not struggling with a burning fever,\nbut burning with love extatic, and with seraphic sweetness adoring that\nRedeemer, who at the eleventh hour, even on a dying bed, snatched her\nas a brand out of the fire. But what am I doing? I fear, making your\nLadyship\u2019s wounds to bleed afresh.\u2015\u2015But, honoured Madam, is it not\na pleasant bleeding, to think of bearing children for heaven! To see\nthose nearest and dearest parts of ourselves go before us thither\u2015\u2015O\nwhat a favour is this! May your Ladyship be always thus highly favoured:\nmay you live to see all your surviving children taught and born of GOD.\nI must not enlarge. Neither have I room to acquaint your Ladyship, how\nthat mirror of piety, good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, adorns the gospel of her LORD\nin all things. I wrote some particulars of our situation to the good\nCountess. I can now only add, that when I come to town, your Ladyship\nmay at any time command, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cH\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015m\u201d replaced with \u201cH\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, Oct. 13, 1750._\n\n_My very dear Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR kind letter did not reach me till about two days ago. I embrace\nthe first opportunity of answering it. If you write often, GOD willing,\nyou shall hear oftener from me. You are peculiarly dear to me, and\ntherefore I heartily wish you was thrust out into our LORD\u2019s harvest.\n_Vox populi_, much more _vox amicorum_, is frequently _vox Dei_. I say\nto you, as a good old minister did to one whom you know, and who was\nas unwilling to go into the vineyard, as you can be, \u201cI believe if St.\n_Paul_ was alive, he would ordain you.\u201d You have a moderate share of\nlearning, an agreeable address, a good elocution, a little knowledge\nof mankind, and of yourself, and above all an experimental acquaintance\nwith the LORD JESUS CHRIST, with a door of usefulness immediately\nopening; and what would you more? I wish some latent pride may not\nbe at the bottom. Lose no more time, my dear man. The voice of CHRIST\nto you now is, \u201cFollow me, and I will make thee a fisher of men.\u201d The\nharvest is great, the labourers are few. Thousands are perishing for\nlack of that knowledge, which you have already. The world wants more\nheat than light. _Crescit eundo, crescit agendo_, is a young minister\u2019s\nmotto. I think the Itinerancy abroad would suit you well. By travelling\nbefore you take on you a settled charge, you will get a deeper insight\ninto the world and the church; you will insensibly acquire larger and\nmore sublime thoughts of GOD\u2019s providence and grace, and consequently\nbe more fit to serve whatever flock the Holy Ghost shall hereafter\nplace you over. I believe that your honoured father loves CHRIST too\nwell, to stand out long against a rational scheme for the extensive\nusefulness of his son. He is a dear man, whom I love in the bowels of\nJESUS CHRIST. Pray remember me to him in the kindest manner, and tell\nhim I purpose writing to him as soon as possible. This leaves me at\n_Ashby_, at good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_\u2019s, whose house is indeed a _Bethel_\nto those who are willing to follow her, as she follows JESUS CHRIST.\nOne of high rank, I really believe, was converted lately on a dying\nbed, and her death I trust hath proved the life of one or two more.\nOne of the _Kendal_ converts is gone off in flying colours, and our\nblessed LORD has given us sweet seasons at _Portsmouth_, _Chatham_,\n_Gloucestershire_, _Birmingham_, _Eversham_, _Wednesbury_, _Nottingham_,\n&c. Next _Monday_, GOD willing, I go for _London_, in order to put\ninto winter quarters. The LORD prepare me for a fresh campaign! Do you\nknow any one fit for a Tutor at _Georgia_? I am glad that _New Jersey_\ncollege succeeds. I had lately a letter from Governor _Belcher_, which\nI suppose you have seen; it was sent to Mr. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Colonel _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nproposes that Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ shall come over with one of the _Indians_;\nI wish he may. I am sorry to hear that Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 is likely to destroy\nhimself by hard study. I had rather he would kill himself with hard\nworking, and going about to do good. Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ seems to me to have\nchosen the better part. How is dear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? I hope he\nis like a flame of fire. Pray salute him and all my dear, very dear\nfriends in the tenderest manner. I could live and die with them. In\nheaven we shall live together. There we shall see our dear Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_.\nI hope your little choir are every day learning more and more of the\nnew song, in order to join him in the realms above.\u2015\u2015You have all my\nhearty love and prayers. Accept the same yourself in a very particular\nmanner from, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in a precious CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXVIII.\n\n\n _To Governor B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, Oct. 13, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nI Had the favour of your Excellency\u2019s letter, and took the liberty\nof communicating it to good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, who shines in the church\nof CHRIST on this side the water, as a star of the first magnitude.\nHer Ladyship will be very glad to open a correspondence with your\nExcellency; and seems to speak of _New-Jersey_ College with great\nsatisfaction. I rejoice to hear that it is in a prosperous situation.\nIf Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ or Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ can be prevailed on to come over, I am\npersuaded liberal contributions will be raised both in _England_ and\n_Scotland_. All was ready, if dear Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ had not been taken off\nby death; but even this our blessed LORD can and will over-rule for\ngood. I think it forebodes good for _America_, that such a spirit is\nexcited in so many provinces for promoting a learned and religious\neducation. GOD only knows how much my heart is on that side the water.\nI should certainly have embarked about this time, did not my wife daily\nexpect an hour of travail. I can only say, \u201cIt is the LORD; let him do\nwhat seemeth him good.\u201d Blessed be his name, fresh doors for usefulness\nare opened every week. We had a blessed scene this Summer in _Scotland_,\nand ever since I have been ranging about, to see who will believe\nthe gospel report. O that I may die in the field! I am now at my good\nLady\u2019s with three clergymen that love and preach JESUS CHRIST. Several\nsouls have been awakened here. One of high birth was lately converted\non her dying bed; and by that means I trust one or two more are put\nupon securing the one thing needful. On _Monday_ I shall leave her\nLadyship, to go for _London_, which is to be my Winter quarters. I\nshall long for _Spring_, that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. O that\nmy soul may begin to spring indeed! spring for Him who was stretched\nupon the accursed tree to save my wretched soul. Blessed be his name,\nthat your Excellency has got such a sweet retreat in the decline of\nlife; where, free from noise and hurry, you and your consort may ripen\nfor heaven, and consequently be more and more fitted for your last\ngreat change. That will now shortly come. Your Excellency is arrived to\na good old age. You have by faith seen the LORD CHRIST. You have been\ninstrumental in founding a christian college. Let death come when it\nwill, with good old _Simeon_, you may say, \u201cLORD, now lettest thou thy\nservant depart in peace,\u201d for my soul hath experienced thy great\nsalvation! This I believe, honoured Sir, is all your desire. Our LORD\nwill grant it to you. O that when you are near his throne, you may have\na petition upon your heart for unworthy, ill-deserving, hell-deserving\nme! Your Excellency hath laid me under many obligations; let me entreat\nyou by the mercies of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, to add to them by not\nceasing to pray for me, that as I have had much forgiven me, I may,\nwith _Magdalen_, love much; and being a brand plucked out of the\nburning, I may, in GOD\u2019s own time and way, be translated to dwell with\nJESUS in his kingdom. As our LORD enables, the favour shall constantly\nbe returned in behalf of you and yours, by, honoured Sir,\n\n Your Excellency\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXIX.\n\n\n _To Baron Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 9, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nTHE love of JESUS CHRIST constrains me to send you a few lines. They\nflow from a heart truly sympathizing with your beloved Baroness, under\nyour present trials. O that patience may have its perfect work in your\nsouls! O that with your tempted, afflicted, agonizing JESUS, you may\nbe enabled to say, \u201cThe cup, which our heavenly Father hath given us,\nshall we not drink it?\u201d I doubt not, but you find it sweetened with his\nlove:\u2015\u2015\u201cfor he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able\nto bear; but will with the temptation make a way for us to escape.\u201d\nThe sacrificing our relations to his sovereign good will and pleasure,\nis no small trial, especially when unconverted. But what says the\nscripture? \u201cNeither did his brethren believe on him.\u201d Your LORD can\nsympathize with you under your present circumstances;\n\n _He knows what this temptation means,_\n _For he has felt the same._\n\nLook up, therefore, to him, honoured Sir, who has promised never to\nleave nor forsake you. He hath helped you out of six, he will also\nhelp you out of seven troubles. I write this out of the fulness of\nmy heart. My poor prayers are continually ascending to the throne of\ngrace in your behalf. I hope you will not be offended at my freedom\nin writing. Love and gratitude are my only motives. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_\nwill sympathize with you, when she hears how you are situated. I left\nher some little time past abounding in the work of the LORD. I had a\npleasant excursion into the country, and my Winter quarters are made\nvery agreeable in town. What shall I render unto the LORD? Honoured Sir,\nI beg a continued interest in your prayers, and those of your honoured\nBaroness.\u2015\u2015You know my name,\u2015\u2015I am the chief of sinners, less than the\nleast of all saints, but for JESUS CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n\n Your sympathizing ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Canterbury, Nov. 20, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nBY that time yours reached _London_, I suppose my last will have\nreached _Dublin_, and find you on the full stretch for him, who was\nstretched upon the cross for you and me. As far as I can judge of the\ncircumstances you related to me, settling as you propose, will not\nhinder, but rather further you in your present work. Only beware of\nnestling. If you do, and GOD loves you (as I believe he does) you shall\nhave thorns enough put into your nest. O that I may be enabled, even\nto the end, to evidence, that nothing but a pure disinterested love to\nCHRIST and souls, caused me to begin, go on, and hold out, in pursuing\nthe present work of GOD! I have seen so many that once bid exceedingly\nfair, and afterwards, _Demas_ like, preferred the world to CHRIST, that\nI cannot be too jealous over myself, or others whom I profess to love.\nThis is my motive in writing to you, love, even love unfeigned; love\nfor CHRIST\u2019s sake, and the good of souls. O let no one take away your\ncrown. If you marry, let it be in the LORD, and for the LORD, and then\nthe LORD will give it his blessing. Only remember this, marry when\nor whom you will, expect trouble in the flesh. But I spare you. Seven\nyears hence, if we should live and meet, we can talk better of these\nthings. In the mean while, let us go on leaning on our Beloved. He, and\nHe alone, can keep us unspotted from the world. Does the work prosper\namong you? It increases here. At _Canterbury_ I find several souls are\nawakened. GOD willing, I leave it to-morrow. You must pray for me, and\nexhort all to continue their prayers also. I expect, one day or another,\nto see some glorious days in _Ireland_. I am called away.\u2015\u2015For the\npresent, adieu.\n\n Yours most affectionately in our blessed LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 30, 1750._\n\n_My dear Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nAS I love you in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, and look upon you as an\naged friend of the blessed Bridegroom, and my friend for his great\nname\u2019s sake, I cannot help dropping you a few lines. They are lines of\ngratitude; lines of thanks for all favours conferred upon me when in\n_Scotland_. They leave me pleasantly sojourning in my Winter quarters,\nand longing for the Spring that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. Now\nand then I make little excursions, and can inform you, that there is a\nsweet work begun and carrying on at _Canterbury_ and _Chatham_. I long\nto hear that your son _John_ has put his hand to the gospel plough,\nand am not without hopes that his lot will be to itinerate, at least\nfor a while. He seems to be qualified for such an employ. I shall be\nglad to see him on the other side of the water. Had I the management\nof a thousand youths, if circumstances would allow, they should travel\nfor one year at least, before they took upon them a settled charge.\nMethinks I hear you say, \u201cWhat! will you take my _Benjamin_ away?\u201d This\nwas old _Jacob_\u2019s infirmity. You love CHRIST too well to refuse giving\nup the young lad, if it should appear in providence that the LORD hath\nneed of him either at home or abroad. I pray GOD to direct and bless\nyou both, and to establish his covenant with you and your seed for ever.\nYou are now on the decline of life. I have been just reading about the\nyear of jubilee. How joyful were the prisoners when they heard of the\napproach of that wish\u2019d-for day! How much more joyful may those be, who\nhaving an interest in JESUS CHRIST, are waiting for the last trump, to\nproclaim our eternal jubilee in heaven! This, my dear friend, is your\nhappy lot. Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice. The day of our complete\nredemption draweth nigh. Let us then lift up our heads, and let us\nlift up our hearts to praise him, from whom alone cometh our salvation.\nI could enlarge, but am called away. My hearty love to all enquiring\nfriends. I think to write to your son soon. We had a happy day\nyesterday among the Great Ones. I am, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our dear LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXII.\n\n\n _To Doctor W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 17, 1750._\n\n_My dear Doctor_,\n\nI Received your kind letter, and would have answered it much sooner,\nhad I not been prevented by sickness. For near a fortnight past, I\nhave been confined to my room; but through the divine blessing, am\nnow enabled to preached again. Praise the LORD, O my soul. My disorder\nwas a violent fever: JESUS hath rebuked it. I am raised up once more.\nO may it be that I may minister unto him! For me to live is CHRIST. But\nalas! how little do I live to his glory! Yesterday I entered upon my\nseven-and-thirtieth year. I am ashamed to think I have lived so long,\nand done so little, and yet every year, day, and hour of my life hath\nbeen crowned with the divine goodness. O my dear friend, let this be\nour motto, _Vivimus ut viviamus_. It is enough when we come to our last\nmoments, to have nothing to do, but to die. Blessed be GOD, that you\nhave courage given you to speak to the dying. A word spoken in such\na season how good is it? May the great physician take you under his\npeculiar care, forgive you all your sins, and heal all your diseases!\nI purpose writing to my friend _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and others, as I get\nstrength. At present, I must content myself with sending general, but\ncordial salutations, and begging the continual interest of your prayers\nin behalf of, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 21, 1750._\n\nI Have been lately near the gates of death, which has hindered my\nanswering your kind letter as soon as I proposed. Accept a few, though\nloving lines now. I hope they will find you entered upon your trials,\nand longing to preach the gospel, which you have felt to be the power\nof GOD to the salvation of your soul. Every line of your letter seemed\nto have this call in it, \u201cRise, _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015r_, rise,\u2015\u2015the harvest is great;\nthe labourers are few: pray the LORD of the harvest to send thee,\nand many more like-minded, into the harvest.\u201d I cannot write much at\npresent. Inclosed you have a few extracts. That from Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_,\ncame last week when she was dangerously ill. May the LORD continue her\nuseful life! I am now entering upon my seven-and-thirtieth year. O that\nI may begin to live to him, who hath lived and died for me! I shall be\nglad to know your friend\u2019s answer about _Georgia_. If the LORD raises\nup a solid, heavenly-minded, learned young man for a tutor, I shall be\nglad. Nothing, I believe, but sickness or death, will prevent my going\nover next year. Methinks the winter is long; I want to take the field\nagain. Could you send me all Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s weekly papers. We prayed\nheartily last _Monday_ for the awakened _Hollanders_. I have heard of\nseveral lately awakened here. To the blessed and glorious JESUS be all\nthe praise. My dear friend, my heart leaps at the very mention of his\nname. When I muse of him, the fire kindles. O that you and I may shew\nforth his praise while we have a tongue! Pray remember me to all in\nthe kindest manner, and beg them not to forget unworthy me. Let not my\nbeing so slow in answering your last, prevent your writing speedily to,\nmy dear Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our dearest LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXIV.\n\n\n _To Lady S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 25, 1750._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nI Had the favour of your Ladyship\u2019s letter on _Saturday_ afternoon, and\nimmediately communicated what concerned him, to my ingenious and devout\nfriend Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. With this, your Ladyship will receive a line from\nhim. I persuaded him, that your Ladyship would not take it ill. Poor Mr.\n_B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is much obliged to your Ladyship for speaking in his behalf. He\nhappened to be with me, when your Ladyship\u2019s letter came. The Reception\nthat your Ladyship\u2019s kind motion met with, convinces me more and more,\nthat \u201cBe ye warmed, and be ye filled,\u201d without giving any thing to be\nwarmed and filled with, is the farthest that most professors go. Words\nare cheap, and cost nothing; and therefore many can say, \u201cthey pity,\u201d\nand that extremely too, when at the same time, their practice shews it\nis only a verbal, and not a real compassion. I often told the poor man,\nthat his dependance was too strong; and that I was afraid least help\nwould not come from that quarter where he expected most. He sends ten\nthousand thanks for what your Ladyship hath done already. Surely he\nis worthy. He is a lover of CHRIST, and his outward circumstances very\npitiable indeed. Your Ladyship will not be offended at the freedom I\ntake. You love to help the distressed to the utmost of your power; and\nyour Ladyship shall find that good measure, pressed down and running\nover, shall be returned into your bosom. That your Ladyship may\nexperience the truth of this, in respect to temporals and spirituals,\nmore and more every day, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most obliged, dutiful, and ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 4, 1751._\n\n_My dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nIMMEDIATELY upon the receipt of your last from _Limerick_, I wrote you\nan answer, directed for you at _Limerick_ post-office, as you desired.\nAs you are going that way, ere this reaches you, I hope you will have\nreceived it. I pray the LORD of all lords to give you such grace, that\nall may see, that the doctrines of the gospel are indeed productive\nof righteousness, and true holiness in heart, lip, and life. Mind\nthis, and then fear not. Continue as you are, until you are absolutely\nrejected. I want not to proselyte persons to myself, but to the\nglorious _Emmanuel_, my LORD and Master JESUS CHRIST. Perhaps He\nmay send me to _Ireland_; though some weeks ago I hoped that he was\nabout to take me to heaven. I kept my room near a fortnight, and\nstill continue very weak. This obliges me to be brief. My wife is now\nexpecting an hour of travail. Some time this month I trust she will\nbe delivered. She desires to be remembered to you. GOD willing, Mr.\n_Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ shall hear from me. I do not yet hear who is to be the person.\nUnless you have thoughts of going abroad, I see no objection against\nyour altering your condition. May the LORD direct and bless you and all\nin that important step! It is a change for life. We have had blessed\nseasons here; but methinks the Winter is very long. O that I was\nentering upon a Spring campaign! It is a new year. My dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nwhy should we not begin to begin to live to that JESUS, who has done\nand suffered so much for us! I trust this is the language of your heart,\n\n _A life that all things casts behind,_\n _Springs forth obedient at thy call;_\n _A heart, that no desire can move,_\n _But still t\u2019adore, believe, and love,_\n _Give me, my LORD, my life, my all!_\n\nI hear you say, _Amen, Amen. Hallelujah!_ I must have done. Bodily\nstrength fails me. My love to all that love CHRIST JESUS. Brethren,\npray for us, is the earnest request of, my dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our dearest LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 13, 1751._\n\n_Dear Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nBEFORE I had the pleasure of your letter, I had heard some particulars\nof the late commotion at _Canterbury_. Ere now I hope you have been\ndirected to the choice of such means, as may, under GOD, open the door\nwider than ever for preaching the everlasting gospel in your parts.\nSatan has done at _Canterbury_ as he always does elsewhere; I mean,\nhe has overshot his mark. Such proceedings are too violent to hold\nlong. Exhort, therefore, my dear Sir, your fellow-soldiers, to quit\nthemselves like men, and be strong. Put ye on the whole armour of GOD;\nand always remember, that through much tribulation we must enter into\nglory. Now is the time for you to prove the strength of JESUS to be\nyours. Your way to fight, is upon your knees. That weapon _all-prayer_\nwill do wonders. The devil has lost some servants, and he is afraid of\nlosing more. Therefore he rallies his forces as _Pharaoh_ harnessed his\nchariots, and wants to bring you back to _Egypt_. Your business is to\ngo on. Though _Pharaoh_ is behind, and a red-sea before you,\u2015\u2015ere long\nyou shall pass through the one, and see the other totally destroyed.\nIn patience possess ye your souls. GOD is able to bring the counsel of\nevery _Achitophel_ to nought. You know in whom you have believed. He\nnever did, he never will, he never can fail those that put their trust\nin him. Think of those farewel words, which he spake in the days of his\nflesh to his dear disciples, \u201cLet not your hearts be troubled; in the\nworld ye shall have tribulation:\u2015\u2015But I have overcome the world.\u201d That\nis enough to raise every drooping heart. He hath overcome for us; he\nwill overcome in us, and ere long call us to reign with him for ever\nin glory. O blessed hope! Whilst I am musing on it, the fire kindles.\nBrethren, my heart is enlarged towards you. The LORD strengthen you,\nand give you to pray for\n\n Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. X\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 Y\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 15, 1751._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR letter came safe to hand. I pray GOD enable me to answer it\nagreeable to his will. Your call to enter into the ministry, seems to\nbe pretty clear, and if your health would permit you to be a tutor,\nand courage be given you to act like a good soldier of JESUS CHRIST,\nyou might do unspeakable good in residing at college. If a person\u2019s\nhealth will not admit of such a residence, I think by the laws of GOD\nand man, his absence may be dispensed with. Originally, _Fellows_ were\nappointed to reside; but there is no general rule without an exception.\nParticular circumstances can only determine particular cases. Mr.\n_W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ I know hath been dispensed with many years:\u2015\u2015and though I\ncannot say I have approved of this part of his conduct, yet as he is\ncalled elsewhere, and applies the college income to good purposes,\nI suppose he thinks he acts an honest and christian part. As for\nthe difficulties you seem to place before you, I can only say, \u201c_Nil\ndesperandum Christo duce._\u201d Every new scene brings its new temptations;\nbut faith in the Son of GOD, will make us more than conquerors over\nall. His love shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost, is the best\ndirector and support in all circumstances whatsoever. For want of an\nestablishment in this, and through the prevalency of an hypocondraical\ndisorder, you seem to have particular scruples about particular things.\nIt is what all persons, entering on the divine life, are more or less\nexposed to. \u201cMeditation, prayer, reading, and temptation, (says holy\n_Luther_) make a minister.\u201d Your levity of spirit, and fickleness of\ntemper, are your greatest diseases. These are to be watched and prayed\nagainst, and by divine grace will be overcome. Look up, therefore, dear\nSir, to the blessed JESUS. Out of weakness he can and will make you to\nbecome strong, and turn your lightness of spirit into solid joy. Till\nthen, be content rather to appear stupid, than by giving way to the\nluxuriancy of unsanctified wit, bring guilt upon your soul. Thus, dear\nSir, I have endeavoured to answer your letter; though I must confess,\nas you are so near, I had rather converse with you personally. You\nmay use freedom with me. I rejoice that the glorious JESUS hath in any\ndegree blessed my poor administrations to you. I need not, therefore,\nremind you to give him all the glory, and entreat you to pray for me,\nwho am the very chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints,\nbut for CHRIST\u2019s sake, dear Sir,\n\n Your very ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 18, 1751._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nYOUR kind letter I received this morning. The love I owe you for\nCHRIST\u2019s sake, constrains me to send you an immediate answer. From\nthe same motive I just now wrote to Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Poor man! This is a\nhome-stroke indeed! I hope he and his yoke-fellow will now take a large\nstep to heaven. May GOD prepare us, my dear friend, for the finishing\ntrials! We must all have them in our turns. But wherefore should we\nfear? Out of very faithfulness, our heavenly Father causes us to be\ntroubled. Of his infinite mercy he hath lately been pleased to visit me\nwith a threatening illness. I was just casting anchor;\u2015\u2015but it seems I\nmust put out to sea again. O that it may be to direct others to the way\nthat leads to the haven of eternal rest! Who knows but I may sound the\ngospel once more in _Scotland_? I have some thoughts of coming for a\nlittle while, before I embark for _America_. You will desire all the\nsocieties to pray, that the LORD would order my goings in his way. I\nrejoice that they hold on their way. May they hold on and hold out to\nthe end! My constant prayer for them is, that they may increase with\nall the increase of GOD. Many in town have been awakened this Winter. O\nthat I was humble! When shall that once be? O that I was thankful! Fain\nwould I burn with love and gratitude like a seraph.\n\n _With arms of love, and wings of faith,_\n _I\u2019d fly and take the prize._\n\nWell! Let faith and patience hold out a little longer, and all will be\nwell. He is faithful, who hath promised, who also will do it. Believers\nshould look more to JESUS. It is the only way to keep their hands from\nhanging down, and to strengthen their feeble knees. Exhort all to this:\nand pray salute every enquiring friend, every member of the societies,\nin the most endearing manner; for indeed I love my _Scotch_ friends in\nthe bowels of JESUS CHRIST. Whilst I am writing to and thinking of them,\ntears, but tears of love, are ready to gush from mine eyes. O that I\nmay meet them all in the kingdom of our Father! O that their lamps may\nbe always trimmed, and their loins girt! Behold JESUS comes quickly,\nand his reward is with him: let us not leave him. Let us not flag in\nthe latter stages of our road. O our bleeding, agonizing, dying JESUS,\nhow have we pierced thee! At least how have I! O that we may look and\nlove, look and mourn, even as one that mourneth for a first-born or\nan only son. Dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ can now comment on this text. May the\nLORD comfort his heart, and be better to him than seven sons! I can no\nmore. Affections of various kinds quite overflow. I long to begin to do\nsomething for JESUS. A sense of my vileness and unfruitfulness, quite\nbreaks my heart. Surely I shall sing, free grace in heaven.\u2015\u2015I write\nthis to you as a friend. The LORD be with you, and reward you and\nall, for their sympathy with me and mine. Fail not to pray for me; and\nbelieve me to be, my very dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours in the best of bonds,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXIX.\n\n\n _To Dr. W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby-Place, Jan. 29, 1751._\n\n_My very dear Sir_,\n\nIT is high time to answer your kind letter. I am doing it at _Ashby_,\nwhither I rid post, not knowing whether I should see good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_\nalive. Blessed be GOD, she is somewhat better, and I trust will not\nyet die, but live and abound more and more in the work of the LORD.\nEntreat all our friends to pray for her. Indeed she is worthy. Her\nsister-in-law, Lady _Frances H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, lies dead in the house. She was a\nretired christian, lived silently, and died suddenly without a groan.\nMay my exit be like hers! Whether right or not, I cannot help wishing\nthat I may go off in the same manner. To me it is worse than death,\nto live to be nursed, and see friends weeping about one. Sudden death,\nis sudden glory. Methinks it is falling a sleep indeed, or rather\na translation. But all this must be left to our heavenly Father. He\nknows what is best for us and others. Let it be our care to have all\nthings ready. Let the house of our hearts, and our temporal affairs be\nput in order immediately, that we may have nothing to do but to obey\nthe summons, though it should be at evening, cock-crowing, or in the\nmorning. Physicians that are always attending on the dying, one would\nimagine should in a peculiar manner learn to die daily. May this be\nyour daily employ! I believe it is; though, like me, you must complain\nthat the old man dies hard. Well, has he got his deadly blow? Die then\nhe shall, even that death to which he put our LORD. O that the language\nof our hearts may always be, \u201cCrucify, crucify him.\u201d This is painful.\nBut the Redeemer can help us to bear it.\n\n _Thou wilt give strength, thou wilt give power;_\n _Thou wilt in time set free;_\n _This great deliverance let us hope,_\n _Not for ourselves, but thee!_\n\nI write this out of the fulness of my heart. You will receive it as\nsuch, and remember me in the best manner to all friends. We have had\ngood times. All glory be to JESUS through all eternity!\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXX.\n\n\n _To Lady M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, Jan. 30, 1751._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nLAST _Monday_ evening, through the goodness of an ever-blessed Redeemer,\nI got safe to _Ashby_, where I found good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ very sick,\nthough I trust not unto death. All advise her Ladyship to take a\njourney to _Bristol_, for the benefit of the waters, which her Ladyship\nseems determined to do. The death of Lady _Frances_, has not affected\nher Ladyship so as to hurt her. She rejoices at the thoughts of her\nsister\u2019s being so quickly translated out of this house of bondage, into\nthe glorious liberty of the sons of GOD. Her death was a translation\nindeed. Her Ladyship died without a groan. She seemed as it were to\nsmile at death; and may be said, I trust, truly \u201cto fall asleep in\nJESUS.\u201d Ere long, she and all that sleep in JESUS, shall come with him.\nI hope it hath been a purging time in this family. Almost all have been\nsick in their turns. Lady _Selina_ has had a fever, but is better. Lady\n_Betty_ is more affected than ever I saw her. A letter now from one of\nthe young ladies, I hope would do service. Lady _Ann_ bears up pretty\nwell, but Miss _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015r_ is inconsolable. It is a house of mourning;\nthat is better than a house of feasting. The corpse is to be interred\non _Friday_ evening. May all that follow it, look and learn! I mean,\nlearn to live, and learn to die. This is a lesson which you and yours,\nhonoured Madam, I trust are learning every day. We had need be careful\nto get our lesson perfect, since we know not when the Son of Man\nwill come, whether at evening,\u2015\u2015cock-crowing,\u2015\u2015or in the morning. To\nbe ready at that hour, is all in all. Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ sends her\nsincerest compliments. If any thing extraordinary happens before my\nreturn, your Ladyship shall hear again from, honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXI.\n\n\n _To Doctor S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Ashby, Feb. 4, 1751._\n\n_My dear Doctor_,\n\nYOUR letter distresses me. GOD hasten the time when you shall sing\nchearfully,\n\n _Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_\n _For I must be no longer thine;_\n _A nobler, a diviner guest,_\n _Has got possession of my breast._\n\nWhy will you not shake off your chains? Why will you be stricken any\nmore? You must come back, or be undone for ever. What have you gained\nby running from your father\u2019s house? His servants have bread enough,\nwhilst you are perishing with hunger. Say, say, I pray you, without\ndelay, \u201cI will arise and go to my Father.\u201d His love keeps you uneasy;\nhis love hedges up your way; his love follows and pursues you with\nthis mighty famine. The language of all is, \u201cGive me thy heart.\u201d Be\ncontent to become a fool for CHRIST\u2019s sake. Your body as well as soul,\nwill suffer even in this world, if you do not comply. You are half\ndead already. Faith in CHRIST, and the love of GOD shed abroad in your\nheart, can alone cure you. You know too much to be happy without it:\nand O that dreadful sentence, \u201cIt had been better for them never to\nhave known \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 &c.\u201d For CHRIST\u2019s sake, remember _Lot_\u2019s wife. You are\nalmost become a pillar of salt already. Out of anguish I write this.\nMay CHRIST\u2019s love so constrain you, that you may never rest till you\nfind solid rest in him! Good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ is gone to take the air.\nYour message shall be delivered. She is but poorly; and my wife writes\nme word, that she is exceeding bad. This must hasten my remove from\nhence. I insist upon Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ly_\u2019s coming directly to _Ashby_, if\nhe has any regard for good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_. She ought always to have a\nchristian friend with her. That you may have a feeling possession of\nCHRIST in your heart, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c. in great haste, but greater concern for you,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Feb. 8, 1751._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nYESTERDAY I saw your letter to Mr. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, which made me to think\na line would not altogether be unacceptable to you. And what shall\nI say? Your case is affecting. O that your present confinement may\nbe sanctified to the setting of your imprisoned soul at liberty, and\nbringing you home (after having so long fed on husks with swine) to\nfeed upon the fatted calf! You know the father\u2019s behaviour to the\nreturning prodigal. He saw him when he was yet a great way off.\u2015\u2015He ran\ntowards him,\u2015\u2015filthy as he was, he fell upon his neck, and kissed him.\nThus, if you resolve with the prodigal, to arise and go to your Father,\nwill the ever-blessed GOD deal with you. He will embrace you in the\narms of his love; he will also cloathe you with the righteousness of\nhis dear Son, and cause joy to be in heaven even over you, on repenting\nand returning to him. Is not this enough to encourage you to lay hold\non his golden sceptre? to resolve, in divine strength, to mortify\nand bid adieu to all those sins, by which you have dishonoured your\nglorious Maker? You see, Sir, what wages Satan gives; _death_ even in\nthis world, and alas! _eternal death_ in the world to come. GOD keep\nyou from this second death, and then temporal shame will be but little.\nThe way you know; JESUS is the way, the truth, and the life. He is\nmighty, and willing to save to the uttermost all that come to the\nFather in and through him. Come then, dear Sir, and throw yourself at\nthe feet of his mercy. He will not only pardon, but abundantly pardon\nyou. In JESUS CHRIST there is a fountain opened for sin and for all\nuncleanness. \u201cWash ye, make ye clean,\u201d is the call of GOD to all,\nand now the particular call of GOD to you. May the Spirit of the\never-loving, ever-lovely JESUS, bring it home to your soul, and make it\neffectual to your thorough conversion! Let this be your sole care. For\nthis and this only is the one thing needful. As for seeing Mrs. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015,\nif I was to advise (as it hath been hitherto deferred) I would have\nyou both decline it a little longer. Wait and see the issue of your\ntrial; she can do you no good, and by coming may do herself harm. But\nthis is a tender point. May Providence point out what is best! If we\nacknowledge the LORD, we have a promise, \u201cthat he will direct us in all\nour ways.\u201d I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and beg you to\naccept this from, dear Sir,\n\n Your sympathizing friend and servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Feb. 26, 1751._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nYOUR Ladyship\u2019s kind letter, which came to hand yesterday, was an\nunexpected as well as undeserved favour, and for which I return your\nLadyship ten thousand thanks. Surely the LORD of all lords will at\nlength answer the prayers of his people, and raise you up to the joy\nof many souls. It would rejoice your Ladyship much to see what has been\ndoing here. I have not known a more considerable awakening for a long\ntime. The LORD comes down as in the days of old, and the shout of a\nking is amongst us. Praise the LORD, O my soul! The inclosed, which\ncame from abroad, I believe will give your Ladyship satisfaction. I\nthink it is an earnest of good things to come. To-morrow I purpose\nto leave _London_; but whether the rain and wind will permit me is\nuncertain. I am at present quite feverish, by my late hurry and fatigue;\nbut GOD is my portion and my confidence for ever. Underneath your\nLadyship are his everlasting arms; you cannot sink with such a prop.\nYour Ladyship must be made conqueror, yea more than conqueror, through\nhis love. That, is engaged to bring you through whatever sufferings\nmay be yet before you. He is faithful, who hath promised, \u201cthat we\nshall not be tempted above what we are able to bear.\u201d This is my\ndaily support. To explain GOD\u2019s providence by the promise, and not his\npromise by his providence, I find is the only way both to get and to\nkeep our comforts. Above all, I find that looking unto JESUS, is an\nuniversal, never-failing antidote against every evil. This is what your\nLadyship knows by happy experience. May you know it more and more so\nevery day and hour! But I fear I weary your Ladyship, and therefore\nhasten to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, March 1, 1751._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR generous conduct much affects me; it hath drawn me to the throne\nof grace in your behalf. If any of my poor writings should be rendered\neither entertaining or beneficial to you, I hope it will make me more\nthankful to him, who is the father of lights, and from whom every good\nand perfect gift cometh. Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ writes me word, that his heart\nis knit to you. I wish the colony affairs may not lie too hard upon\nhim. Whenever he dies, I believe he will die as it were a martyr for\nthe welfare of _Georgia_. He mentions Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ for a magistrate\nin his stead; if I might advise, nothing should be denied, that might\nstrengthen Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s hands. I know him to be a tried friend, and\none who has the good of that poor province exceedingly at heart. Young\n_M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, he thinks, might be ordained for an itinerant preacher among\nthe negroes. A good beginning amongst them might be of vast consequence.\nMr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ hath this affair much at heart. I give you these hints\nto be improved as you think proper. My views to serve _Georgia_ are\ndisinterested; so I believe are yours. Such intentions the great\nRedeemer will own and bless one way or another. I wish I could have my\npacket from _Westminster_, \u2666before I leave town. I think you do right\nto send the young gentleman to _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. If he inquires for Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\nS\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ a merchant, he will be taken care of. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is no good place\nhowever for young men, for there young _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has been hurt. But alas,\nif people\u2019s hearts are not upright, change of place will avail but\nlittle. This consideration induces me to send the inclosed. I commit it\nto your care, and commend your better part to his mercy, who hath loved\nand given himself for us. That you may experience all the unsearchable\nriches of his superabundant grace, is the earnest prayer of, very dear\nSir,\n\n Your affectionate friend, and very obliged and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cbefere\u201d replaced with \u201cbefore\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, March 1, 1751._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR acknowledgment for my poor present, is more than it deserved.\nIf it is made of use to your precious soul, I have my desired end. My\nheart\u2019s desire and prayer to GOD is, that his goodness may lead you to\na thorough repentance, and that you may have no rest, till you truly\nbelieve on JESUS CHRIST. Reformation is not renovation: and unless\nthe heart be totally and thoroughly changed, when the fear of hell and\nother outward restraints are gone, good impressions will gradually wear\noff, and the seeming convert return again to folly. The love of CHRIST\ntherefore constrains me, dear Sir, to exhort you to make thorough work\nof it, and to give all diligence to make your calling and election sure.\nNow indeed is the accepted time! Surely you may say, \u201cAm I not a brand\nplucked out of the burning?\u201d Satan will not care that you should leave\nhim without some attacks. When you are abroad, old habits, and old\ncorruptions will strive to renew their ancient acquaintance with you:\nmerry company will endeavour to redebauch you, and your grand adversary\nthe devil will labour to render all the amazing mercies you have\nreceived, fruitless and abortive.\u2015\u2015Be upon your guard. Distrust\nyourself. Be instant in prayer. Look continually to JESUS, and then as\nyour day is, so shall your strength be. Be pleased to accept this in\nlove. If I may judge of your aspect and letter, you will. Glad shall I\nbe to find you a new creature in _Georgia_. My prayers shall follow you,\nand I hope ere long we shall meet with our brother and all the redeemed\nof the LORD in paradise. Be pleased to remember me to Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; and\nif you would mind me, as the chief of sinners and less than the least\nof all saints, when you get access to the throne of grace, you would\noblige, dear Sir,\n\n Your real friend for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXVI.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, March 17, 1751._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nTHIS comes with a summons from good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, for you to appear in\n_Bristol_, and abide for a month or two at my brother\u2019s house. You must\nnot refuse. The GOD who has carried that elect Lady through such bad\nroads from _Ashby_ hither, will take care of you, and I am persuaded\nyou will not repent your journey. Her Ladyship made the motion to me,\nand intends writing herself. Blessed be GOD, she is much better, and\nI trust will do well. She will have nobody to give her the Sacrament\nunless you come. I hope this will find you at the tabernacle house, and\ntrust shall hear of your sister\u2019s safe delivery. My tender and cordial\nrespects await her, your dear brother, and his whole houshold. I\nventured the other day to put out a guinea to interest for you. It was\nto release an excellent christian, who by living very hard, and working\nnear twenty hours out of four-and-twenty, had brought himself very low.\nHe has a wife and four children, and was above two guineas in debt. I\ngave one for myself and one for you. We shall have good interest for\nour money in another world. O for a mind like his, who though he was\nrich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might\nbecome rich! I have been recommending him this morning, and purpose\ndoing so again this evening. In _Gloucestershire_ the word hath been\ngladly received, and here we have had pleasant gales. O my dear Sir,\nfollow me with your prayers. The LORD be with your spirit. I commend\nyou to his never-failing mercy, and am, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, March 22, 1751._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nI Lately received your last kind letter, and am glad to find that you\nare enabled to joy in tribulation, and to say, \u201cFather, not my will,\nbut thine be done.\u201d May the LORD increase your faith, and if you should\nbe called to give up your _Isaac_, your dear yoke-fellow, may you,\n_Aaron_ like, hold your peace, and by an undissembled resignation\nto the divine will, glorify your GOD! My wife has been in pitiable\ncircumstances for some time. The LORD only knows what will be the issue\nof them. This is my comfort, \u201call things work together for good to\nthose that love GOD.\u201d He is the father of mercies, and the GOD of all\nconsolation. He can bring light out of darkness, and cause the barren\nwilderness to smile. This I trust will be verified in _Georgia_. Thanks\nbe to GOD, that the time for favouring that Colony seems to be come.\nI think now is the season for us to exert our utmost for the good of\nthe poor _Ethiopians_. We are told, that even they are soon to stretch\nout their hands unto GOD. And who knows but their being settled in\n_Georgia_, may be over-ruled for this great end? As for the lawfulness\nof keeping slaves, I have no doubt, since I hear of some that\nwere bought with _Abraham_\u2019s money, and some that were born in his\nhouse.\u2015\u2015And I cannot help thinking, that some of those servants\nmentioned by the Apostles in their epistles were or had been slaves.\nIt is plain, that the _Gibeonites_ were doomed to perpetual slavery,\nthough liberty is a sweet thing to such as are born free, yet to those\nwho never \u2666knew the sweets of it, slavery perhaps may not be so irksome.\nHowever this be, it is plain to a demonstration, that hot countries\ncannot be cultivated without negroes. What a flourishing country might\n_Georgia_ have been, had the use of them been permitted years ago? How\nmany white people have been destroyed for want of them, and how many\nthousands of pounds spent to no purpose at all? Had Mr. _Henry_ been in\n_America_, I believe he would have seen the lawfulness and necessity of\nhaving negroes there. And though it is true, that they are brought in a\nwrong way from their own country, and it is a trade not to be approved\nof, yet as it will be carried on whether we will or not; I should think\nmyself highly favoured if I could purchase a good number of them, in\norder to make their lives comfortable, and lay a foundation for\nbreeding up their posterity in the nurture and admonition of the LORD.\nYou know, dear Sir, that I had no hand in bringing them into _Georgia_;\nthough my judgment was for it, and so much money was yearly spent to no\npurpose, and I was strongly importuned thereto, yet I would not have a\nnegro upon my plantation, till the use of them was publicly allowed in\nthe colony. Now this is done, dear Sir, let us reason no more about it,\nbut diligently improve the present opportunity for their instruction.\nThe trustees favour it, and we may never have a like prospect. It\nrejoiced my soul, to hear that one of my poor negroes in _Carolina_\nwas made a brother in CHRIST. How know we but we may have many such\ninstances in _Georgia_ ere it be long? By mixing with your people, I\ntrust many of them will be brought to JESUS, and this consideration,\nas to us, swallows up all temporal inconveniencies whatsoever. Thus,\nmy dear Sir, I have opened my mind to you on this head; if it satisfies\nyou, I shall be glad; though I suppose what holy Mr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ has\nalready written, has been sufficient. His heart seems touched with\na sympathy for these poor creatures, and in the fall, GOD willing,\nI intend seeing what can be done towards laying a foundation. LORD\nprosper this work of our hands upon us, prosper thou, O GOD, our handy\nwork! I am now entering upon my spring campaign, and long for the time\nto embark for _Georgia_. This I believe will shortly come. Blessed\nbe GOD, the work on this side increases daily. You will help me with\nyour prayers, and you will remember me in the kindest manner to your\ncollegue, your wife and dear congregation, and believe me to be,\nreverend Sir,\n\n Your most unworthy, but affectionate brother and\n fellow-labourer in the kingdom of our LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cnew\u201d replaced with \u201cknew\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ly._\n\n _Plymouth, March 30, 1751._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Am persuaded you was surprized to find our elect Lady gone from\n_Ashby_, and I was as much surprized to see her Ladyship at _Bristol_.\nI hope her journey was of GOD. The waters agree with her wonderfully\nalready, and I trust she will be restored to perfect health. As dear Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ cannot be prevailed upon to come down, if it would any way suit\nyou to be with her Ladyship a month, it would much refresh her, and I\nbelieve be very agreeable to you. Some pulpits would be open for you,\nand who knows but you might catch some great fish in the gospel net?\nBut I need not enforce this, since her Ladyship hath written to you\nherself. May the blessed Redeemer direct your going in his way! Put up\nthe same request for me. I have thoughts of going to _Wales_, _Ireland_\nand _Scotland_. We have had good seasons in _Gloucestershire_, and at\n_Bristol_, and the LORD enabled me to sow some gospel seed at _Taunton_\nand _Wellington_ in my way hither. O that ever such a wretch as I\nshould be thus honoured!\n\n _If thou excuse, LORD, work thy will_\n _By so unfit an instrument;_\n _It will at once thy goodness shew,_\n _And prove thy power omnipotent._\n\nFor the present adieu. It is a grief to me that I cannot write oftener\nand longer. I suppose the death of our prince has affected you. It has\ngiven me a shock. \u201cThe LORD reigneth.\u201d That is our comfort. That he\nmay reign more and more every day, and every hour, in our souls, is the\nhearty prayer of, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCLXXXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Plymouth, March 30, 1751._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR letter came safe to hand in due season, but I have been straitened\nhow to answer it. I would write as I preach; I mean I would speak\nthe truth as it is in JESUS, without endeavouring to blacken any\ndenomination whatsoever. I think _Gamaliel_\u2019s advice is good at all\ntimes, and in all ages, and our LORD\u2019s promise will be fulfilled, \u201cThat\nevery plant that our heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted\nup.\u201d This makes me to bear and forbear with many who widely differ from\nme both in principles and practice. This, as you observe, dear Sir, you\nmay know by my poor discourses, and I find as yet no reason to alter\nmy sentiments. I doubt not but there are many holy souls among the\n_M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015s_; but their not preaching the law, either as a _Schoolmaster_\nto shew us the need of CHRIST, or as a _rule of life_ after we have\nclosed with him, is what I can in no wise concur with. These seem\nto be two grand mistakes, and which with their various unscriptural\nexpressions in their hymns, and several superstitious fopperies lately\nintruded among them, make me to think, they are sadly departed from the\nsimplicity of the gospel. But to their own master they stand or fall.\n_Exitus acta probat._ My prayer for myself and all GOD\u2019s children is,\n\u201cLORD JESUS, rectify all that is wrong, and bless and prosper all that\nis right!\u201d I bless GOD, dear Sir, that you are appearing valiant for\nthe truth. You will find more and more by happy experience, that to\nhim that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance. CHRIST never\nsends a person on a warfare at his own charges. Do not despair of Mr.\n_G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. As the love of GOD comes in, the fear of man goes out. By and\nby I trust he will set his face on a flint. It is high time for some to\nappear for JESUS. What pain did he endure? What shame did he suffer for\nus? Strange! that we should be so unwilling to go without the camp, to\nshare with Him in his sacred reproach. Alas, what cowards are we! Dear\nSir, let us pray for each other, that we may be strong in the grace\nwhich is in the CHRIST JESUS, and never fear what men and devils can\nsay, or do unto us. CHRIST is worth all, or he is worth nothing. I\nthank you for your invitation in his great name. If providence should\nbring me into the North, I hope to wait upon you. At present, I am\nbound for _Wales_. I have good news from abroad, and I believe the work\nis upon the advance at home. That you may be abundantly blessed, is the\nearnest prayer of, dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate though unworthy brother in CHRIST,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXC.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Exeter, April 11, 1751._\n\n_My very dear Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Was pleased last night to find by my wife\u2019s letters, that your sister\nwas delivered, and more so, because my wife wrote as though you was\nagain under my roof. This I count a great honour, and such a privilege,\nthat I wish to have the favour conferred on me as long as I live.\nThese my hands (could they work, and was there occasion for it,) should\nreadily minister to your necessities. If my wife should come down to\n_Bristol_, pray let not my dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ move. If _Molly_ stays in\n_London_, she will take care of you; if not, _Polly_ and Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_\nwill gladly wait upon you. As I have been under some trying exercises\nfor this month past, I have often wished to see you. But my blessed\nmaster hath given me access to himself, and he will make me more then\nconqueror through his love. I find _Luther_\u2019s words truly applicable to\nmyself, \u201cHe was never employed about any fresh work, but he was either\nvisited with a fit of sickness or some violent temptations.\u201d Some good\nI trust is to be done this Spring to many souls. This Western circuit\nI believe hath been blessed already. I have preached about forty\ntimes since I left _London_, and have been enabled several times to\nride forty miles in a day. I find that this sensibly refreshes me. I\nwish you could say so too;\u2015\u2015your _Biddeford_ friends would then see\nyou.\u2015\u2015They hold on their way, and long to have a line from you. Old Mr.\n_W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is dead. I providentially met Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ at his son\u2019s house.\nAt _Plymouth_ we had sweet seasons, and on _Tuesday_ last I met with a\nyoung clergyman who was awakened under my preaching seven years ago. He\nhath been at _Cambridge_, and was ordained last Lent by the bishop of\n_Exeter_. He is followed much, and I suppose will soon be reproached\nfor his master\u2019s sake. What cannot JESUS do? I hope you find that he\ngives you strength to proceed in your book. It is enquired much after.\nThe LORD be with you, and bless your pen, and your heart. I send my\nhearty love to your brother and whole houshold, and am, very dear Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Dublin, May 30, 1751._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nI Was uneasy that I had no opportunity of writing to your Ladyship a\nlonger letter than my last, at leaving _Wales_; but it could not be\navoided, and Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ (to whom I delivered your Ladyship\u2019s message)\npromises to supply my deficiency. I am now at _Dublin_, where I arrived\nthe 24th instant. Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ gladly received me into his house, and\nI have been enabled to preach twice every day this week. Some seasons\nhave been very powerful indeed, and the congregations increase daily.\nLast _Sunday_ I believe ten thousand heard with great attention. After\nstaying one LORD\u2019s day more, I shall set out for a month\u2019s circuit,\nand then purpose going to _Scotland_. I find that providence has\nwonderfully prepared my way, and over-ruled every thing for my greater\nacceptance. O that I could be more humble and thankful! Surely here\nare many converted souls, amongst whom are two or three students, and\nseveral soldiers. May the LORD JESUS add to their number daily such\nas shall be saved! I know not where this will find your Ladyship,\nbut where-ever you are, my heart\u2019s desire and prayer to GOD is, that\nyou may have a thriving soul in a healthy body, and be rewarded ten\nthousand fold for all favours conferred on, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCII.\n\n\n _To Mr. D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Dublin, June 1, 1751._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Fully proposed to have written to you from _Wales_, but was prevented\nby travelling and preaching. In about three weeks, I rode perhaps above\nfive hundred miles, and preached generally twice a day. Congregations\nwere as large as usual, and I trust an unusual power accompanied the\nword. After being about five days on the water, I arrived here the\n24th ult. At first the greatness and hurry of the place surprized me;\nbut thanks be to the LORD of the harvest, here as well as elsewhere\nthe fields are white ready unto harvest. I have now preached about\nfourteen times, and find great freedom in dealing out the bread of life.\nCongregations are large, and hear as for eternity. Perhaps last LORD\u2019s\nday upwards of ten thousand attended. It much resembled a _Moor-fields_\nauditory. Next _Monday_, GOD willing, I leave _Dublin_, and set out\non a circuit to _Limerick_, _Cork_, _Athlone_, _Waterford_, &c. I now\nlodge at a banker\u2019s, who purposes to come to _London_ shortly. He is\na follower of CHRIST, and will be glad of your acquaintance. I purpose\ngiving him a letter. Have you heard nothing of Captain _Grant_? I\nlong to hear of his arrival, because I would fain go over with him\nto _America_. Pray give me the first intelligence concerning him. A\nlong journey is before me, but I would be at home every where, and\nyet never at home, till I come to heaven. There, the wicked will cease\nfrom troubling; there, the weary will be at rest. There, before men and\nangels will I declare how kind, yea exceeding kind, you and yours have\nbeen to, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Athlone, June 10, 1751._\n\nTHIS morning I had the wished-for favour and honour of your Ladyship\u2019s\n\u2666letter. O that it had acquainted me of your Ladyship\u2019s better health!\nBut our LORD knows what is best. May patience have its perfect work,\nand your Ladyship come out of the furnace like gold tried seven times\nin the fire! Every day I can sympathise with your Ladyship. As the\nweather grows warmer, my body grows weaker, and my vomitings follow\nme continually. But all is little enough to keep me down, and prepare\nme for the service in which I am engaged. My last from _Dublin_,\nacquainted your Ladyship of my being owned of GOD there. By a letter\nfrom Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, I am informed, that _Dublin_ is in a ferment,\nand that my hearers will be much more numerous at my return. Oh the\nblessedness of leaving all for JESUS! For this week past, I have been\npreaching twice almost every day in some country towns, and yesterday\nI sounded the gospel trumpet here. Every where, there seems to be a\nstirring among the dry bones, and the trembling lamps of GOD\u2019s people\nhave been supplied with fresh oil. I find, through the many offences\nthat have lately been given, matters were brought to a low ebb. But\nthe cry now is, \u201cMethodism is revived again.\u201d\u2015\u2015Thanks be to GOD, that I\nhave an opportunity of shewing my disinterestedness, and that I preach\nnot for a party of my own, but for the common interest of my blessed\nmaster. May he keep me thus minded, and then I am sure all will go\nwell at last. Your Ladyship would smile, to see how the wise have\nbeen catched in their own craftiness. O that this good news from\na far country may prove a cordial to your Ladyship\u2019s soul! I pity\nyour solitary state. I pity the deadness of all around you; but your\nLadyship knows, whose brethren did not believe on him; it was even\nthat GOD-man, who spoke a parable for this end, that men ought always\nto pray and not to faint. Happy trials, that drive us to our knees.\nEver-honoured Madam, I could enlarge, but must not. Your Ladyship\nshall hear, GOD willing, how the glorious _Emmanuel_ deals with me in\n_Ireland_. In the mean while, with the warmest sense of your Ladyship\u2019s\nunmerited favours, I subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201clettter\u201d replaced with \u201cletter\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Limerick, June 14, 1751._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nMY last was written on board the _Crawford_, and sent immediately upon\nmy arrival at _Dublin_. Blessed be GOD, the word ran and was glorified\nthere. I preached above fourteen times, and every day great multitudes\nattended. A friend, since my departure, writes me, that the city was\nin a ferment. For about a week I have been preaching twice a day in\nseveral country towns and villages. At _Athlone_ I preached four times,\nand last night was gladly received here at _Limerick_. Every where\nour LORD hath vouchsafed us his blessed presence. That supports me\nunder the heat of the weather, the weakness of my body, and the various\ntrials which exercise my mind. I am now earnestly asking counsel from\nabove. A wide door is open in _Dublin_; but after I have visited _Cork_,\nI believe I must cut short my circuit, lest I should have a winter\u2019s\nvoyage. I should have been heartily glad to have heard from or seen you,\nbut I trust, honoured Sir, you will have a heart given you to pray for\nme, and then, one way or another, my way will be made plain before me.\nHitherto (thanks be to his free grace) my master supports and comforts\nme. He administers seed to the sower, and as far as I can hear, blesses\nit when sown. O that his mercies humbled me! O that I may never provoke\nhim to leave me, or lay me aside! Some dreadful offences have been\ngiven in _Ireland_, but I trust all will work for good. My coming\nwas very opportune and providential. May I learn to follow the Lamb\nblindfold, whithersoever he shall be pleased to lead me! Be pleased to\nremember me at his throne, and as he enables, you shall hear, from time\nto time, how he vouchsafes to deal with, honoured Sir,\n\n Your most obliged, affectionate younger brother, and\n unworthy fellow-labourer in our LORD\u2019s vineyard,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Cork, June 19, 1751._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nSTILL does the father of mercies, and the GOD of all consolation and\ncomfort, follow me with his blessing. Since my last from _Athlone_,\nI have been at _Limerick_, where I preached seven times to large and\naffected auditories. Much freedom of spirit did I enjoy there indeed.\n\u2015\u2015Yesterday I came hither (the seat of the late persecution) and thanks\nbe to GOD, have preached twice to a great body of people, with all\nquietness. Both the Mayor and Sheriff have absolutely forbidden all\nmobbing. Now have the people of GOD rest. O that they may improve it,\nby walking in the comforts of the Holy Ghost! Next week, GOD willing,\nI shall return to _Dublin_, and from thence purpose going through the\nnorth of _Ireland_ to _Scotland_. So long a circuit in this kingdom\nwill be inconvenient for my voyage to _America_; but as divine\nprovidence seems to point out the way,\n\n _Lord at thy bidding I will go,_\n _And gladly to poor sinners tell,_\n _That they a blessed CHRIST may know,_\n _That they his peace and joy may feel_.\n\nI hope your Ladyship enjoys a large share of this, under all your\ntrials. They are great, but greater is he who hath promised to make\nhis strength perfect in our weakness. I commit your Ladyship to his\nnever-failing mercy, and beg the continuance of your fervent prayers\nin behalf of, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, chearful\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCVI.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Dublin, June 28, 1751._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nMY last from _Cork_, informed your Ladyship of my having preached\ntwice there to large and attentive auditories. From thence I went to\n_Bandon_ and _Kinsale_, where a like blessing attended the word. At my\nreturn to _Cork_, I preached five or six times more, and every time,\nboth the power of the word and numbers of hearers increased. I believe\non _Sunday_ evening there might be more than three thousand people.\nHundreds prayed for me, when I took my leave, and many of the papists\nsaid, \u201cif I would stay, they would leave their priests.\u201d After\npreaching twice in the way, I came here on _Wednesday_ evening, where\nI have again published the ever-lasting gospel. Next _Monday_, GOD\nwilling, I set out for _Belfast_, and hope in about ten days to be\nin _Scotland_. From thence, by GOD\u2019s leave, your Ladyship shall hear\nfrom me again: but what return shall I make for your Ladyship\u2019s two\nkind letters? I can only repeat my old tribute, my poor but I trust\nunfeigned thanks. O for sincerity! O for a simple, disinterested heart.\nI think that low politics are below the children of GOD, and if we\nwill be quiet, our LORD will speak for us. One to whom I had been\nrepresented in black colours, writes thus from _Dublin_ to a preacher\nin _Cork_,\u2015\u2015\u201cWhat blessed seasons have we had since Mr. _Whitefield_\ncame,\u2015\u2015his coming hath been unspeakably blest to many. Thousands\nconstantly attended the word. His word is attended with power. I\nnever heard a man preach holiness of heart in a clearer manner.\u2015\u2015He\npowerfully preaches CHRIST for us and in us. I confess I had strange\nideas about him, but blessed be GOD, I have not now. GOD be praised\nthat ever I saw his face, &c.\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\u201d Thus it hath been elsewhere. O\nthat I was humble! O that I was thankful! Not unto me, O LORD, not\nunto me, but to thy free unmerited grace be all the glory?\u2015\u2015May I\nlearn more and more to leave all to GOD, even a GOD in CHRIST! If his\ncause be promoted, my end is answered. Let souls go where they please\nto hear, and welcome. Thanks be to JESUS for giving your Ladyship a\ndisinterested catholic spirit. However afflicted, and in pain on earth,\nyou shall shine ere long in the kingdom of heaven. CHRIST hath prepared\na place for you, and is daily and hourly preparing your Ladyship for\nthe place. I am glad you are like to have some company. I beg that my\nmost hearty respects and acknowledgments may find acceptance with them\nand good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I hope the waters will agree with the young\nLadies. Above all, I pray that they, and the whole circle of your\nLadyship\u2019s relations and friends, may drink plentifully of that water,\nwhose streams refresh the city of GOD. I can now add no more, but to\nsubscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Belfast, July 4, 1751._\n\n_Dear Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nVERY providentially, your kind letter reached me this morning. As\nI am detained by the importunity of the people, I must snatch a few\nmoments to answer it. Thanks be to the LORD of all Lords, if my poor\nadministrations have been any ways blessed, either to you or others.\n\u201cNot unto me, not unto me, but unto thy free and unmerited grace, O\nLORD, be all the glory!\u201d Preaching CHRIST, I find to be the best means\nof winning sinners, and of building up saints. This done with a single\neye and disinterested heart, will make its way through all opposition,\nand stand fast, when all other schemes built on a legal bottom and\nsupported by low politics, will fall to the ground. I wish you may have\ngrace given you to act aright in your present circumstances. Let all\nbitterness and wrath and clamour be put away from you. Go on simply\npreaching the everlasting gospel; and if rejected for that, and freely\ndischarged from your present connection, I shall do all in my power to\npromote your usefulness. I suppose, you will hear from other hands what\nhath been doing in _Dublin_. I hope the LORD of all Lords hath been\nwith us. Thousands flock in this place also, to hear the word preached.\nI thought to have left _Belfast_ to-day, but have complied with the\npeople\u2019s earnest requests, to continue in these parts till _Monday_.\nO for a pilgrim heart with my pilgrim life! At present, I have no\nthoughts of nestling. Fain would I be kept from flagging in the latter\nstages of my road. I beg the continuance of your prayers. My prayer to\nGOD for you and yours is, \u201cthat you may live together as heirs of the\ngrace of life, and walk in all the ordinances and commandments of the\nLORD blameless.\u201d You are entered upon a new scene, and will require\nmore grace to act your parts well, than at present you may be aware of:\nBut there is an all-sufficiency in CHRIST, who hath promised, that as\nour day is, so our strength shall be. I commend you and yours, and all\nthe followers of CHRIST, to his never-failing mercy, and subscribe\nmyself, for his great name\u2019s sake, dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCVIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Belfast, July 7, 1751._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nLAST _Monday_ about noon I left _Dublin_, but with what concern\nin respect to many poor weeping souls, cannot well be exprest. On\n_Wednesday_ evening I came hither, and intended to embark immediately\nfor _Scotland_, but the people by their importunity prevailed on me\nto stay. In about an hour\u2019s time, thousands were gathered to hear the\nword. I preached morning and evening, and since that have preached\nat _Lisburn_, _Lurgun_, the _Maize_, and _Lambag_, towns and places\nadjacent. So many attend, and the prospect of doing good is so\npromising, that I am grieved I came to the north no sooner. The country\nround about is like _Yorkshire_ in _England_, and quite different from\nthe most southern parts of _Ireland_. I am now waiting for a passage\nto _Scotland_, which I hope to get either to-morrow or on _Tuesday_.\nFrom thence your Ladyship shall hear from me again; in the mean while,\nhaving preached to many thousands again this morning, I must content\nmyself with praying, that the best of blessings may descend on your\nLadyship, and subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCXCIX.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, July 12, 1751._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nAT length, a good and gracious GOD hath brought me out of _Ireland_,\nwhere to the very last, the people heard the gospel gladly. In the\nnorthern parts, multitudes attended, and was I not bound for _America_,\nI would have stayed there much longer. People flock here as usual, and\nI am enabled to preach twice every day. In about ten days I purpose\nmoving towards _London_ in order to embark. How my wife is, I cannot\ntell, having not heard from her for some time; but I hope she will be\nresigned. This, this is the cry of my soul,\u2015\u2015\n\n _Bind, Father, hand and foot thy son,_\n _Nor leave thy work till all be done;_\n _O never let me, LORD, go free,_\n _Till all my heart\u2019s resign\u2019d to thee._\n _Then quickly to the altar lead,_\n _And suffer me no more to plead;_\n _No longer with the old |ADAM| bear,_\n _Lead on, dear LORD, consume him there._\n\nSurely I shall be taken at my word. May JESUS support me in a trying\nhour! I still beg a continued interest in your prayers,\u2015\u2015and hoping\nthis will find you with a thriving soul in a healthy body, I subscribe\nmy self, honoured Sir,\n\n Your most obliged, affectionate, though unworthy\n younger brother, in the glorious Gospel,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCC.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, July 12, 1751._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nI Think it long ere I send your Ladyship another letter.\u2015\u2015My last was\nfrom _Belfast_, where I preached twice on yesterday sevennight, and\nimmediately after took shipping and arrived the next evening at _Erwin_.\nOn _Wednesday_ morning, at the desire of the magistrates, I preached\nto a great congregation, and ever since have been preaching twice every\nday in this city. Thousands attend every morning and evening. They seem\nnever to be weary, and I am more followed than ever. Though I preached\nnear eighty times in _Ireland_, and GOD was pleased to bless his word,\nyet _Scotland_ seems to be a new world to me. To see the people bring\nso many bibles, turn to every passage, when I am expounding, and hang\nas it were upon me to hear every word, is very encouraging. I feel\nuncommon freedom of heart here, and talking with the winter, as well\nas summer saints, feeds and delights my heart. My body is kept pretty\nhealthy, and my voice greatly strengthened, so that I think GOD is\npreparing me for more work, or that some trial is at hand. This I\nsuppose will find your Ladyship yet in the furnace, but CHRIST is in\nthe midst of the bush, and in the fiery furnace too; he will quench the\nviolence of the flames, or cause the fire of his love to burn higher.\nI could enlarge, but am straitened. Some ministers wait for me. Your\nLadyship would be delighted with our morning and evening auditories.\nThis day in the church we have had a blessed feast. To-morrow I take\nmy leave, and then for _Edinburgh_. There I expect to stay near a\nfortnight. Glad shall I be to hear of your Ladyship\u2019s welfare. You\nhave always my poor prayers, and my poor, but hearty thanks; being,\never-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant, for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCI.\n\n\n _To Mr. M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, July 29, 1751._\n\nTHROUGH the tender mercies of a never-failing Redeemer, I came here\nsafe yesterday noon. In the evening, and this morning, I preached the\neverlasting gospel to thronged auditories, and met with a very kind\nreception from my friends. LORD make me humble, LORD JESUS make me\ntruly thankful! As his interest seems to be concerned, and the King\u2019s\nbusiness requires haste, I take this first opportunity of writing\nabout the _Virginia_ affair. In that province, there has been for some\nyears past, a great awakening, especially in _Hanover_ county, and\nthe \u2666counties adjacent. As the ministers of the establishment did not\nfavour the work, and the first awakened persons put themselves under\nthe care of the _New-York_ synod, the poor people were from time to\ntime fined, and very much harrassed for not attending on the church\nservice:\u2015\u2015And as the awakening was supposed to be begun by the reading\nof my books, at the instigation of the council a proclamation was\nissued out to prohibit itinerant preaching. However, before I left\n_Virginia_, one Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ (an excellent young man) was licensed, and\nsettled over a congregation. Since that, the awakening has increased,\nso that Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ writes, \u201cthat one congregation is multiplied to\nseven.\u201d He desires liberty to license more houses, and to preach\noccasionally to all, as there is no minister but himself. This, though\nallowed of in _England_, is denied in _Virginia_, which grieves the\npeople very much. The commissary is one of the council, and with\nthe rest of his brethren, I believe no friend to the Dissenters. The\nlate Lieutenant-Governor was like-minded.\u2015\u2015I therefore think that Mr.\n_D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is raised up to succeed him, in order to befriend the church\nof GOD, and the interest of CHRIST\u2019s people. They desire no other\nprivileges than what dissenting protestants enjoy in our native country.\nThis I am persuaded your brother-in-law will be glad to secure to them.\nI shall write to Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to wait upon his Honour immediately after\nhis arrival. I pray the GOD of the sea, and the GOD of the dry land,\nto send him a safe and speedy passage, and make him a long and great\nblessing to the inhabitants of _Virginia_. You may improve these hints\nas you please. I beg the prayers both of yourself and dear yoke-fellow,\nand assure you, that neither you nor yours are forgotten by, reverend\nand dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201ccountries\u201d replaced with \u201ccounties\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, July 29, 1751._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nSINCE I wrote to you from _Glasgow_, a never-failing JESUS hath\nvouchsafed to help me every day in preaching the everlasting gospel.\nThe congregations morning and evening amount to many thousands. People\nflock more than ever, and are desirous of my longer stay, but I purpose\nmoving next week. I thank you, honoured Sir, for paying my wife a visit.\nThe inclosed letter I believe helped to make her sick; I have sent\nit with this: be pleased to keep it to yourself, and let me have\nthe letter at my return. I little thought I was so much behind hand;\nbut GOD will keep me dependent. \u201cHaving nothing, yet possessing all\nthings,\u201d must be my motto still. Honoured Sir, I hear that a ship is\ngoing to _Georgia_ with more _Saltzburghers_. Are you concerned? Could\nI go myself in her? Or could I send two or three little passengers?\nMr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ shall call for an answer to these last questions. I\ntrust, honoured Sir, you are enabled to pray for me. I dread coming\nto _London_, and think it would be best to part at a distance.\u2015\u2015But,\nFather, not my will, but thine be done! In heaven these trials will\nbe over. LORD, hasten thy coming! Come, LORD JESUS, come quickly! With\ndifficulty I get time to write this. But whether I write or not, you\nand your collegue are never forgotten by, honoured Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, July 30, 1751._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nI Think it a long time, since I last wrote to your Ladyship. Continual\npreaching twice a day, and paying and receiving visits, quite prevented\nmy putting pen to paper, as I would have done. However, thanks be to\nGOD, matters go on in _Scotland_ better and better. The parting at\n_Glasgow_ was very sorrowful indeed. Numbers set out from the country,\nto hear the word, by three or four in the morning. Congregations\nincrease greatly. I now preach twice daily to many thousands. Many\nof the best rank attend. My body is almost worn out, but in the LORD\nhave I righteousness and strength. I purposed to move as to-morrow, but\nthrough the importunity of friends, have been prevailed upon to stay\ntill next _Monday_. O that it may be for a further blessing! I have\nbeen to _Musselburgh_ to see Captain _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and his Lady.\u2015\u2015They hold\non.\u2015\u2015Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ has been there, and intends setting up societies,\nwhich I think imprudent. I was glad to hear that your Ladyship was\nstrong in body, and rejoicing in your soul. The joy of the LORD shall\nbe your strength. Letters from _Georgia_ inform me, that my family is\nwell. My eyes wait upon JESUS, from whom alone comes all my salvation.\nHe gives me hints, that he will provide. I sometimes wish your\nLadyship here. Such composed, thronged, continued, attentive, judicious\nauditories perhaps were seldom seen. Your Ladyship is often remembered\nby _Scotch_ friends, and never forgotten by, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant, for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCIV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Kendal, Aug. 10, 1751._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nAS a good and gracious GOD hath vouchsafed to bring me thus far on\nmy way, I cannot help dropping your Ladyship a few lines. Preaching,\nbodily weakness, and a variety of business, prevented my writing\nagain before I left _Edinburgh_. O _Edinburgh! Edinburgh!_ Surely thou\nmust never be forgotten by me! The longer I stayed, the more eagerly\nboth rich and poor attended on the word preached. Perhaps for near\ntwenty-eight days together in _Glasgow_ and _Edinburgh_, I preached to\nnear ten thousand souls every day. It would have melted your Ladyship\u2019s\nheart to have seen us part. Ninety-four pounds were collected for the\n_Edinburgh_ orphans, and I hear of seven or eight students awakened\nabout ten years ago, that are likely to turn out excellent preachers.\nPraise the LORD, O my soul.\u2015\u2015Two of them came with me on the road,\nand parted with broken hearts. Lord and Lady _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ behaved very\nrespectfully. To the LORD of all Lords be all the glory! I am now on\nmy way to _London_, in order to embark for _America_. Thanks be to\nGOD, the seed sown in _Kendal_ last year hath sprung up, and borne\nfruit. One woman hath been with me, that seems to have received GOD\u2019s\npardoning love. I leave it on _Monday_, and hope to be in town on\n_Saturday_. Glad should I be, to hear of your Ladyship\u2019s welfare. I\nthrew up much blood in _Edinburgh_, but riding recruits me. O that I\nmay begin to work for Him, who bled and died for me! To his most tender\nmercies do I humbly recommend your Ladyship, and beg leave, from the\nvery bottom of my heart, to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and chearful\n servant, for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Aug. 29, 1751._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nAT length the struggle is over;\u2015\u2015I have been dying daily for some\ntime, in taking leave of friends; and this afternoon I expect to go\non board the _Antelope_, Captain _Maclelan_, bound for _Georgia_, with\n_Germans_.\u2015\u2015I take several children with me.\u2015\u2015Surely you will see the\n_American_ land.\u2015\u2015Mr. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, with your other friends, seem to concur\nin thinking that a little travelling would do you service.\u2015\u2015May the\nLORD direct and bless you! Will you not write to me by _Cowan_? If\nmy dear friend Mr. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ could speak to that brewer that is so well\ndisposed, and he or any other would send in _Cowan_ a little good\nbeer, it would be acceptable in yonder wilderness.\u2015\u2015Pray what says\nMr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? If he should agree to go over, Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ may be\napplied to for cash.\u2015\u2015I have several sweet little ones to put under\nhis care;\u2015\u2015GOD\u2019s will be done in this also! He reigneth, that is my\nunspeakable consolation.\u2015\u2015By next ship I believe will come a parcel\ndirected to Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, with a folio book, and an hundred pictures of\n_Aaron_ the _Indian_ preacher, from good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who is yet but\npoorly.\u2015\u2015Sixty may be disposed of among _Edinburgh_ friends, and forty\nsent to Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. The book you are to peruse, and then it must go\nwith the pictures to _Glasgow_.\u2015\u2015Be pleased to apprize Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ of\nit, and desire him to send me a line by _Cowan_.\u2015\u2015If possible, I will\nanswer Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ before we leave the _Downs_. My tender love and\nthanks await your dear father, family, and all friends. The LORD be\nwith you all, Amen and Amen! My horses sold for fourteen pounds. GOD\nreward my benefactors! Perhaps Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and Dr. _Doddridge_ may go\noff about the same time. _I pr\u00e6 sequar._ Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is better. And now,\nmy dear Sir, farewel! Be strong in the grace which is in CHRIST JESUS.\nI commend you to his never-failing mercy, and, for his great name\u2019s\nsake, subscribe myself,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCVI.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _On board the Antelope, Sept. 2, 1751._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nTHOUGH I could not, through hurry of business, write to you on shore,\nyet I would fain send you a few lines from on board. We are now near\nthe _Downs_, and, I trust, shall sail comfortably on.\u2015\u2015The Captain\nis civil; and the cabin passengers seem to be very agreeable company.\nParting seasons of late have been to me dying seasons.\u2015\u2015Surely they\nhave broken my very heart: but it is for JESUS, and therefore all is\nwell. Remember, my dear, dear Sir, a floating pilgrim.\u2015\u2015If possible,\nsend me a line.\u2015\u2015Young Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015r_ knows how to direct. I shall\nrejoice to hear of your prosperity. Before my embarkation, I ordered\nforty of _Aaron_\u2019s pictures, and the folio book concerning the\n_Moravians_, to be sent to Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. They will be committed to the\ncare of Mr. _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, in _Edinburgh_. And now, my dear Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nfarewel, farewel! The LORD be with you and Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, Mr.\n_S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and all my dear, very dear _Glasgow_ friends. I salute you all\nmuch in the LORD, and beg the continuance of your most earnest prayers\nin behalf of, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our blessed JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCVII.\n\n\n _On board the Antelope, Oct. 6, 1751._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nI Have been just writing to one, to whom I know you will gladly convey\nthe inclosed. I must now send you a few lines: may the Redeemer attend\nthem with his blessing! At the great day, you shall know how often you\nhave been remembered by me at the throne of grace, this voyage. Blessed\nbe GOD, hitherto it has been a short and easy one! We are now within a\nfew hundred miles of shore; and He that hath hitherto helped, I trust\nwill help us even to the end. O that the blessings bestowed upon us,\nmay, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to thy glory, O GOD!\nO that I could do something to promote this! As yet alas! alas! how\nlittle have I done! Stir up then, my sluggish soul, and begin to exert\nthyself for Him, who hath shed his dear and precious heart\u2019s blood for\nthee! O my dear Sir, is it not strange that we should forget this love?\nStrange, that a little silver dust, should blind our eyes, and divert\nus from beholding Him, who indeed is altogether lovely! A word to the\nwise is enough. Our LORD hath dealt wonderously kind with each of us,\nwith us, and with ours. What shall we render unto him? My obligations\nare much increased by the mercies of this voyage. Your kind present\nwas very useful. I pray the LORD of all lords to reward you ten\nthousand-fold. You will remember me to your dear partner, and all\nenquiring friends. That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied on\nyou all, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bethesda, in Georgia, Nov. 20, 1751._\n\n_My dear Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nERE this can reach you, I suppose you will have heard of our safe\narrival in _Georgia_; for which, I trust, you and my other dear\nfriends will be thankful in our behalf. Blessed be GOD, I found the\nOrphan-house in as good a situation as could be expected. The children\nhave much improved in their learning; and I hope a foundation is\nnow laid for a future useful seminary. I want to know what answer\nMr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s hath given. I expect letters by _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, when I go to\n_Charles-town_ next month. I was there about ten days ago, and had some\nclose talk with Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and several of Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s congregation,\nconcerning you. All seemed to be unanimous, in giving you a call.\nI need only observe, that if GOD should direct your course to them,\nyou will find a generous, loving people, who will study to make your\nlabours profitable and delightful to you. I doubt not but in the\ncongregation there are many dear children of GOD. And as there will\nbe such an harmony between you and Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, I hope you will be an\nhappy instrument of promoting peace between all parties, and adding\nsuch to the church as shall be finally saved. Very near you, are\nseveral pious ministers of other denominations, who will be glad to\nkeep up a christian correspondence with you, and strengthen your hands\nin the work of the LORD. As far as I can judge of your disposition,\nand all other concurring circumstances, your situation will be very\nagreeable to others, and to yourself. However, a trial can do no hurt\nto either side. A voyage to sea, and the seeing and conversing with\nmany of GOD\u2019s people and ministers on this side the water, will make\nit worth your while to leave your native country. Travelling improved,\nwill enlarge your ideas, and promote your future usefulness. May the\nglorious _Emmanuel_ direct your goings in his way! If it should appear\nto be the divine will that you should come over to _Charles-Town_,\nI am persuaded, the good old man your father will chearfully let his\n_Benjamin_ go; and he will find his blessed Master to be better to him\nthan seven sons. Pray salute him and all dear friends in the kindest\nmanner. I would write to many, but as yet have not time. Brethren, pray\nfor us. My very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Charles-Town, Dec. 26, 1751._\n\n_My dear Mr. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nMAY this find you getting out of your eclipse, and determining, through\nthe strength of CHRIST, that the earth shall never get in between\nyour soul and the Son of Righteousness any more! What mercies, signal\nmercies hath the LORD JESUS conferred on you and me! What shall we\nrender unto the LORD? Shall we not give him our whole hearts? O let us\nnot follow afar off. Let his love constrain us to an holy, universal,\nchearful obedience to all his commands. You have a wife that will\nprovoke you to love, and to good works. Make much of her; and present\nher, and your mother, and all her children, with my most cordial\nsalutations. I do not forget them, or you, or dear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_.\nFor CHRIST\u2019s sake forget not unworthy me. I am now returning to the\nOrphan-house, which I trust will be like the burning bush indeed. My\npoor labours are accepted here; and in the Spring I purpose going to\nthe _Bermudas_. JESUS is very good to me. Help me to praise him; and\nbelieve me to be, my dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCX.\n\n\n _To Mr. William L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bethesda, Jan. 25, 1752._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nMAN appoints, but GOD disappoints. Though we missed seeing each other\non earth, yet if JESUS CHRIST be our life, we shall meet never to part\nagain in the kingdom of Heaven. Your kind letter found me employed for\nthe fatherless, in this wilderness, and am almost ready to enter upon\nmy Spring campaign. The news from _Ireland_, does not at all surprize\nme. Weak minds soon grow giddy with power; and then they become pests,\ninstead of helps to the church of GOD. You have done well, dear Sir,\nnot to desist from doing good, on account of some rubs you meet with\nin the way. _Benefacere et male pati, vere christianum est._ Go on,\ntherefore, to lay up treasures in heaven; and let the world see, that\nyou have been with JESUS, by imitating him in going about doing good.\nI intend, by his assistance, now to begin; for as yet alas! I have done\nnothing. Continue to pray for me; and be pleased to assure our _Irish_\nfriends, that they are not forgotten by me. Who knows but I may see\nthem once more on this side eternity? As soon as possible, some of\nthem shall hear from me. Thanks be to GOD, the Orphan-house flourishes.\nThat the work of CHRIST may flourish amongst all persons of all\ndenominations, and that you and yours may be always abounding in the\nwork of the LORD, is the earnest prayer of, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXI.\n\n\n _To the Rev. Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Charles-Town, Feb. 1, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Long to write to, and inform you, that I love you in the bowels of\nJESUS CHRIST, and earnestly pray, that you may go on from strength\nto strength, and increase with all the increase of GOD. This leaves\nunworthy me, endeavouring to do something for Him on this side the\nwater. Glory be to his great name, he causes his work to prosper in\nmy worthless hands. The Orphan-house is in a flourishing way, and I\nhope will yet become a useful seminary. My poor labours in this place\nmeet with acceptance; and after one more trip to _Georgia_, I purpose\nsetting out upon my Spring campaign. Follow me with your prayers; and\nwho knows but we may meet once more on this side heaven. Our dear Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ I find is to be detained longer from thence. I think he will\nlive to bury many stronger men. I wish _Lisbon_ may be blessed to Dr.\n_D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; and O how do I wish that dear Dr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was fully employed\nin preaching the everlasting gospel! Pray salute him tenderly in my\nname, and beg him to renounce the world for CHRIST. I hope you both\nwrite to, and see our good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ frequently. I was rejoiced\nto hear, from my dear yoke-fellow, that her Ladyship was bravely: this\nwas joy indeed. May she long live to be a blessing! That is all in all.\nO that I may begin to be in earnest! It is a new year; GOD quicken my\ntardy pace, and help me to do much work in a little time! This is my\nhighest ambition. The LORD JESUS fill me with this ambition more and\nmore! For the present, adieu. Accept this as a token of your not being\nforgotten by, reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our dear LORD JESUS,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Charles-Town, Feb. 5, 1752._\n\nAS I love you most tenderly in the bowels of JESUS CHRIST, you may\neasily guess, what great pleasure both your kind letters gave me. They\ncame attended with a great blessing, and knit my heart, if possible,\nnearer to you than ever. Part of the first, indeed, I mean that which\nrespected the Tabernacle-house, gave me uneasiness; but your last\nremoved it, and made me thankful to our common Redeemer, who in spite\nof all opposition, I find will cause his word to run and be glorified.\nPoor Mr. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is striving against the stream; strong assertions will\nnot go for proofs, with those who are acquainted with the divine life,\nand are sealed by the Holy Spirit even to the day of redemption. They\nknow, that their stock is now put into safe hands; that the covenant of\ngrace is not built upon the faithfulness of a poor fallible, changeable\ncreature, but upon the never-failing faithfulness of an unchangeable\nGOD. This is the foundation whereon I build. \u201cLORD JESUS, I believe,\nhelp my unbelief! Having once loved me, thou wilt love me to the end;\nthou wilt keep that safe, which I have committed unto thee: establish\nthy people more and more in this glorious truth; and grant that it may\nhave this blessed effect upon us all, that we may love thee more, and\nserve thee better!\u201d All truths, unless productive of holiness and love,\nare of no avail. They may float upon the surface of the understanding;\nbut this is to no purpose, unless they transform the heart. This, I\ntrust, the dear Tabernacle preachers and people will always have deeply\nimpressed upon their minds. Let us not dispute, but love. Truth is\ngreat, and will prevail. I am quite willing that all our hearers shall\nhear for themselves. The Spirit of CHRIST is a Spirit of liberty.\nYou remember what I have often told you about _Calvin_. He was turned\nout of _Geneva_ for several years; but in less than twelve years\ntime they wished for their _Calvin_ again. But what is _Calvin_, or\nwhat is _Luther_? Let us look above names and parties; let JESUS, the\never-loving, the ever-lovely JESUS, be our all in all.\u2015\u2015So that he be\npreached, and his divine image stamped more and more upon people\u2019s\nsouls, I care not who is uppermost. I know my place, (LORD JESUS enable\nme to keep it!) even to be the servant of all. I want not to have a\npeople called after my name, and therefore I act as I do. The cause is\nCHRIST\u2019s, and he will take care of it. I rejoice that you go on so well\nat the Tabernacle. May the shout of a king be always in the midst of\nyou, and the glory of GOD be your reward. I am apt to believe you will\npray me over. But future things belong to him, whose I am, and whom I\nendeavour to serve. After one more trip to the Orphan-house, I purpose\ngoing to the _Northward_, where I expect more letters by Captain\n_Grant_. Thanks be to GOD, all is well at _Bethesda_. A most excellent\ntract of land is granted to me very near the house, which in a few\nyears I hope will make a sufficient provision for it. Pray give my\ntenderest and most hearty love to all your dear family, and all the\nTabernacle people, and all enquiring friends. Entreat them, I pray you,\nto be mindful of a poor pilgrim, who night and day is never unmindful\nof you or them. Doctor _Doddridge_ I find is gone; LORD JESUS prepare\nme to follow after!\u2015\u2015With real and great affection, I subscribe myself,\nvery dear _Jemmy_,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, May 26, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nHEARING that Mr. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is to go shortly from _Leith_, I cannot help\nsending you a few lines. They leave me at _London_, where, through\nthe divine goodness, I am safely arrived, after a passage of near\nfive weeks on board the _Henry_. People have received me with great\naffection; and I never saw the work of GOD go on in a more promising\nway. Thousands and thousands hear the gospel gladly. LORD, what am I?\nNot unto me, not unto me, but unto thy free grace and unmerited mercy\nbe all the glory! I wish I could send you good news about your minister.\nBut alas! I now almost despair of procuring one. I waited upon Dr.\n_G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ immediately after my arrival;\u2015\u2015he gave me no hopes. The person\nthat was fixed upon, declined it. Several of the large congregations\nin _London_, besides many more in the country, are without pastors:\nthey are obliged to make use of our preachers. O that the LORD of the\nharvest may thrust out more labourers into his harvest! Who can tell\nbut some ministers may be raised up at _Bethesda_? At _Midsummer_ the\nKing takes _Georgia_ into his own hands: blessed be GOD for sending\nme over at such a juncture. He hath given me already good success\nconcerning Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s scheme. I am come to a determination, if I\ncan dispose of _Providence_ plantation, to carry all my strength to the\nOrphan-house. May the LORD JESUS prosper more and more this work of our\nhands upon us! Prosper thou, O GOD, this handy work! I trust he will. I\ncould enlarge, but have not time. You may expect to hear from me again\nby Dr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, whom I expect to see next week. Your _Rapin_ is bought,\nand shall be sent with the other; I thank you for the loan of it, and\nfor all other favours. The GOD whom I serve, will richly reward both\nyou, and all my other dear _Charles-Town_ friends. My very dear Sir,\ncease not to pray for\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, June 4, 1752._\n\n_My dear Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Doubt not of your being directed in your late choice. If we\nacknowledge GOD in all our ways, he hath promised to direct our paths.\nI pity poor _Carolina_. But what shall we say? JESUS may do what he\nwill with his own. I must look out for a tutor for my orphans. When our\nLORD\u2019s time is come, some one or other will be stirred up to care for\nthese sheep in yonder wilderness. Blessed be GOD, it begins to smile.\nYou will see by the inclosed, what a prospect I have of providing\nfor _Bethesda_\u2019s future support. The letter was sent me by Mr. _J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015\nB\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, a worthy christian planter, who is lately come from _Carolina_\nto settle in _Georgia_. He was awakened at the Orphan-house about\nten years ago. At _Midsummer_, _Georgia_ is to be taken into the\nGovernment\u2019s hands. It will then be put on the same footing with the\nother provinces; and in all probability will be a flourishing province.\nI am come in the very best time. O what a blessed thing is it to follow\nJESUS blindfold! He hath enabled me once more to take the field. The\nfields seem as white as ever; and I never saw the Tabernacle so well\nattended. If GOD should so direct me, would the middle of _August_ not\nbe too late to come to _Edinburgh_? I cannot well come before. Does\nMr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ go directly for _Charles-Town_? How will he be paid for\nthe Ossnaburghs he was so kind as to send over? I would fain send a few\nletters by him. My hearty love to him and his. Ten thousand thanks to\nyou, for caring so friendly for my dear wife in my absence.\u2015\u2015The LORD\nJESUS will care for you and my other kind friends. She is pretty well,\nand joins in sending cordial respects and thanks.\u2015\u2015My young man returns\nhis. Letters from those you mention, will be very acceptable. I hope to\nwrite to several shortly. I must now away; but not before I have wished\nMr. _Gillespie_ joy. The Pope I find has turned Presbyterian. O this\npower, when got into wrong hands, what mischief does it occasion! \u201cThe\nLORD reigns:\u201d\u2015\u2015that is enough for us. Adieu. My love to your honoured\nfather, and all dear friends. Accept the same in the tenderest manner\nfrom, my dear _Timothy_,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, June 9, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Have received and read your manuscripts; but for me to play the\ncritic on them, would be like holding up a candle to the sun. However,\nbefore I leave town, I will just mark a few places as you desire,\nand then send the manuscripts to your brother. I foretell their\nfate: nothing but your scenery can screen you. Self will never bear\nto die, though slain in so genteel a manner, without shewing some\nresentment against its artful murderer. I am glad you have written to\n_South-Audley-street_. You are resolved not to die in my debt. I think\nto call your intended purchase WESTON, and shall take care to remind\nhim by whose means he was brought under the everlasting gospel. O that\nDoctor _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ may be brought out to preach it! If you do not take\nthe other living yourself, I think your giving it to the Doctor is a\nglorious scheme. I lay at your brother\u2019s house last week: your sister\nseemed to love to talk of JESUS CHRIST and her own heart. She got up\nearly, and came after me and my wife to Madam _T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s. You know how\nto improve this hint at a proper season. Your brother hath been so kind\nas to let me have the little mare again. My Master walked, I ride to\npreach the glorious gospel. Whether riding or walking, LORD JESUS, let\nmy whole heart be taken up with thee! Adieu, my dearest Sir, adieu.\nCease not to pray for,\n\n Ever yours whilst\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXVI.\n\n\n _To Dr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, June 9, 1752._\n\n_My dear Doctor_,\n\nGLAD shall I be to hear that you are a poor despised preacher of the\neverlasting gospel. I long to direct _to the Reverend Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I\nbelieve if you once was gone so far that you could not retreat, you\nwould do very well. If Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ does not take the two livings, I\nthink your scheme is glorious. May the LORD thrust you out some way or\nanother! I am sure the harvest is great: people seem more eager than\never to hear the word. May I die preaching! Next _Thursday_ se\u2019nnight\nI leave _London_, and purpose to take a long circuit. I should be glad\nto see you in the mean while. O that the love of CHRIST may burn all\nthe love of the world out of your heart! Adieu. Never fear the Bishop:\nlet your eye be only on the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls! He\nwill make your way plain. I must away. Business obliges me to hasten\nto subscribe myself, dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXVII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, June 12, 1752._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nTHIS day about noon I received your Ladyship\u2019s wished-for letter, which\nbrought me the welcome news of your Ladyship\u2019s safe arrival at _Bath_.\nMay the waters be abundantly blessed to the restoring of your bodily\nhealth, and may the comforts of the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS,\nfill and refresh your soul! Your Ladyship judges right of dear Mr.\n_Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_: he is a blessed man, a father in CHRIST indeed! I hope to\nsee both him and your Ladyship, about the twenty-fourth of this month.\nNext week, GOD willing, I shall go to _Portsmouth_, from thence to\n_Bath_, then to the West, then to _Wales_, and from thence, may be,\nto _Scotland_ and _Ireland_. O that I could fly from pole to pole\npublishing the everlasting gospel! Every day we hear of fresh conquests\ngained. Grace! Grace! Yesterday I had several pleasing particulars told\nme about _Georgia_. The having my work so divided, is a great trial\nto me; but what is undertaken for GOD, ought to be carried on for him.\nHe can and will do wonders for those who put their trust in him. O for\nfaith, precious faith! It is all in all. Old times seem to be coming\nabout here. My body is much enfeebled, but the joy of the LORD is my\nstrength. Hoping shortly to see your Ladyship prospering both in soul\nand body, and begging a continual interest in your Ladyship\u2019s prayers,\nI subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, June 16, 1752._\n\n_Dear Mr. I\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR last letter brought strange things to my ears, and put me upon\nconsidering how to act. You know, my dear friend, that I hate to head\na party, and that it is absolutely inconsistent with my other business,\nto take upon me the care of societies in various parts. I therefore\ncannot promise to come to _Ireland_ for that purpose, neither do I\never intend to engage in building any houses. My intention is to come\nyour way, but whether it will be this summer or not I cannot tell.\nMr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ was very desirous of seeing you and his sister, and goes\nthrough _Wales_ to _Ireland_. As you seem to have taken _Skinner\u2019s\nAlley_, I suppose he may preach there, and if a larger place could be\nprocured, I doubt not of its being filled. The LORD direct you how to\nact, so as most to promote his glory, and the good of souls.\u2015\u2015I hope\nyou will all, if possible, avoid the very appearance of a party spirit,\nand evidence to the world, that the principles we hold are indeed of\nGOD, by their moulding us more and more into the divine image. This is\nindeed all in all. I hope the people here are in a growing way. Glory\nbe to GOD, we have happy days. What shall we render unto the LORD?\nAll he requires, is our poor hearts. May he have them without reserve!\nMy hearty love to your wife, Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and his wife, and all that\nlove CHRIST JESUS in sincerity. If I am prayed over, come I must. The\nLORD be with you. I am so wearied by preaching, &c. that I can scarce\nsubscribe myself, my dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, June 19, 1752._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR kind letter I received immediately after my last return to\n_Scotland_, but I was so exceedingly busied in preparing for my\nvoyage to _America_, that I had not time to answer it. Being once more\nunexpectedly brought back to my native country, I send my sincere,\nthough late acknowledgments, and hope this will find you and yours,\nfighting the good fight of Faith, and resolved never to desist, till\nyou have laid hold on eternal life. Let not what has happened, draw off\nyour mind from the Captain of your salvation. He is altogether lovely,\nand worthy of your highest regard. But alas! All his servants, even\nthe best of them, are but weak fallible men at the best. Happy they,\nwho by seeing the imperfections of the creature, are led to adhere\nmore closely to the all-sufficient and most adorable Creator. If you\nand yours are taught this lesson by past occurrences, you will have no\nreason to complain, but on the contrary will be excited to praise him,\nwho causes, that out of the eater there shall come forth meat, and out\nof the strong shall come forth sweetness. Be pleased to accept this in\nlove. I send my most cordial respects to your whole self and family,\nand beg their and your prayers in behalf of, dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend and ready servant,\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. T\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Portsmouth, June 19, 1752._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Thank you for your very kind letter, and thank the LORD of all Lords\nfor honouring dear Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Now he will do more good in a week,\nthan before in a year. Where the carcase is, there the eagles will be\ngathered together. Last _Monday_ we sung for him the following lines;\n\n _Give him thy strength, O GOD of power,_\n _Then let winds blow, or thunders roar;_\n _Thy faithful witness shall he be,_\n _\u2019Tis fixed\u2015\u2015he can do all through Thee._\n\nHow blind is Satan! What does he get by casting out CHRIST\u2019s servants?\nI expect that some great good will come out of these confusions. We\nwait for thy salvation, O LORD! I hope your soul prospers. I long to\nsee you, and my other _Scotch_ friends, but question whether I can\ncome this summer. The LORD direct me to act as shall be most conducive\nto his glory and the good of souls! We have had blessed seasons in\n_London_; there I must be again in about a fortnight. On next _Tuesday_\nthe Trustees give up _Georgia_ to the King; the King of Kings has\nappeared for _Bethesda_. I cannot think of seeing it again, till next\nyear. In the mean while you must pray that I may be busy for CHRIST.\nAnd in so doing you will strengthen the hands of, my dear, dear friend,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, July 13, 1752._\n\n_Very dear Sir_,\n\nI Am quite sorry to hear that you are so much indisposed. But what\nshall we say? The LORD JESUS orders all things well. He knows of what\nwe are made; he remembers that we are but dust. As our day is, so shall\nour strength be. I see more and more, that, like our great Exemplar,\nwe must be made perfect through sufferings. Ere long, the time of\nreigning will come, and one sight of the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS,\nwill make amends for all. O glorious prospect! Well might the apostle\nsay, \u201cthat the sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to\nbe compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.\u201d _O gloriam\nquantam et qualem!_ Courage then, my dear Sir; he that cometh will\ncome, and will not tarry. I dare not give vent; business obliges me\nto be short. Here, as well as at _London_, the fields are white, ready\nunto harvest. This week I pass over to _Wales_. I am a poor, but happy\npilgrim. Thanks be to free grace for it. My dutiful respects await good\nLady _Jane_, and the young Ladies. Be pleased to accept the same from,\nvery dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Cardiff, July 17, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nWHEREVER I am, you and yours, you and your kindnesses, are always upon\nmy heart. I think of them at my down-sitting and mine up-rising, and to\nrefresh myself, must express my gratitude. Indeed I thank you both ten\nthousand times, and as a poor tribute, I send you word that the LORD of\nall Lords is pleased to smile upon, and bless my feeble labours. I was\nat _Bristol_ four days, and preached nine times. To my great surprize,\nthousands (very near as many as attended at _Moorfields_) came out\nevery evening to hear the word. A blessed influence attended it; and\nI have reason to believe much good was done. Old times seemed to be\nrevived again. Praise the LORD, O my soul! The last evening it rained a\nlittle, but few moved. I was wet, and contracted a cold and hoarseness;\nbut I trust, that preaching will cure me again. This is my grand\nCatholicon. O that I may drop and die in my blessed master\u2019s work!\n\n _For this let men revile my name,_\n _I\u2019ll shun no cross, I\u2019ll fear no shame;_\n _All hail reproach, and welcome pain;_\n _Only thy terrors, LORD, restrain._\n\nI am now entering upon _Wales_. What success my Master gives me, you\nmay hear some time hence. I beg your prayers, that I may be kept from\nrobbing GOD of his glory, or of any more of my precious time. What\nsaid my dear Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ when I saw him last? What!\u2015\u2015\u201cYou the biggest\nrobber? No, no,\u2015\u2015I am the man.\u201d But thanks be to GOD, as you observed,\n\u201cour judge is our advocate.\u201d I thank you for the hint. The LORD give me\nto improve it! Farewell! I must soon away, to preach about eight miles\noff. We have had a comfortable meeting this morning. My tender love to\ndear Mrs. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and your little daughter; accept the same in the most\nendearing manner from me, who in the strongest terms that words can\nexpress, am, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Haverford-west, July 25, 1752._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nAS this is the first day of rest from journeying, since my coming into\n_Wales_, and also the extent of my _Welch_ circuit, I must not omit\nsending your Ladyship a few lines. They inform your Ladyship of the\ncontinued goodness of my blessed master, to the most unworthy servant\nhe ever sent forth. As my day, so hath my strength been. Abundance of\nsouls, especially in _Pembrokeshire_, have attended; and I hope that\nseed hath been sown, which will spring up to eternal life. On _Monday_\nnext, I shall begin to return back, and some time this day sevennight\nhope to wait upon your Ladyship at _Clifton_. On the following day,\nI propose to preach at _Bristol_, and the next day shall set out for\n_Gloucestershire_, to keep an association there. The LORD help me to\nhold on and hold out unto the end! I dread the thoughts of flagging\nin the latter stages of my road. JESUS is able to keep me from being\neither weary or faint in my mind. In him, and in him alone is all\nmy strength found. I hope your Ladyship finds both your bodily and\nspiritual strength repaired day by day. That you may mount on wings\nlike an eagle, walk and not be weary, hold on and not be faint, is the\ncontinual prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ever\n ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Haverford-west, July 25, 1752._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nI Love and honour you too much, to have let yours lie so long\nunanswered, had not travelling and preaching prevented me. This is the\nonly quiet day that I have had for a long season. At _London_, the work\nseemed to be as it were but just beginning. At _Bristol_ we had blessed\nseasons indeed, and in _Wales_ the fields are white, ready unto harvest.\nHad I not been pre-engaged in these parts, I should certainly have\ncome, and mounted my despised throne. I love state too well, especially\nin _Scotland_, not to take it upon me as often as possible. I think\nsometimes, that it is almost a pity one cannot have more bodies and\nmore souls. They should all run about, and be employed for JESUS.\nWhat an honour to be employed in doing or suffering for him? Happy Mr.\n_G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; I fancy he must preach quite well now. I dare say, you had no\nhand in casting him out; GOD forgive those that had. In heaven there\nwill be none of this stuff. Thanks be to GOD, the church is militant\nonly here below. The LORD help us to fight the good fight of Faith,\ntill we lay hold on life eternal! Dear Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ hath taken up his\nweapons again; he is now Rector of a parish, and preaches twice every\nLord\u2019s day. I thank you and yours, for your kind invitation of us to\nyour pleasant villa; had I wings I could fly thither to talk of JESUS,\nand sing an hymn, but the cloud seems to move westward, and I fear my\nvisit to beloved _Scotland_ must be deferred till next spring. May the\nLORD enable me to fill up every hour, every moment with duty! I believe\ndear Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ had a narrow escape the other day: if with you, pray\nremember me to him and his, in the kindest manner. I most heartily\nsalute all enquiring friends, beseeching you all, for JESUS CHRIST\u2019s\nsake, never to cease praying for, reverend and very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Bristol, August 1, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nSINCE I wrote my last, I have been off my horse but one day. The\nglorious _Emmanuel_ hath carried me through the _Welch_ circuit in\npeace and comfort. In the fortnight past, from my leaving this place,\nI preached twenty times, and have travelled above three hundred miles.\nCongregations were very large. Last Lord\u2019s day was a high day indeed;\nthe number of hearers at seven in the morning, as well as in the\nevening, at _Haverford-west_, was almost incredible. The LORD was in\nthe midst of them. My body was weak in speaking to them, but JESUS hath\nstrengthened me again. O that I was humble and thankful! In my way\nhither, we held an association; there were present about nine clergy,\nand near forty other labourers. I trust all are born of GOD, and\ndesirous to promote his glory, and his people\u2019s good. All was harmony\nand love. Yesterday I came here. It is fair time, and to-morrow, GOD\nwilling, I purpose to expose the gospel wine and milk to sale. This I\nhave been doing this morning. O that the hearers may be made to come\ndown to the price, and willing to be saved by grace:\u2015\u2015GOD knows I have\nnothing else to depend upon.\n\n _Grace!\u2015\u2015it\u2019s a sweet, a charming theme,_\n _My soul exults at JESU\u2019s name;_\n _Of him, who did salvation bring,_\n _I could for ever speak and sing_.\n\nBut how poorly do I speak of and for him? GOD be merciful to me a\nsinner! He does show he will have mercy, and therefore it is that I am\nnot consumed.\n\n _If all the world his goodness knew,_\n _They must adore and love him too._\n\nBlessed be GOD for manifesting himself to us, as he doth not unto the\nworld! You will join in crying Grace! Grace! Grace! Love bids me to\nenlarge, though business obliges me to be brief. In about ten days I\nhope to be in _London_. In the mean while, pray accept these poor lines\nas a token of love unfeigned, and of grateful respect, from, my very\ndear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Aug. 17, 1752._\n\n_Dear Mr. F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nINCLOSED you have a letter for Mr. _R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. I hope that promotion\nwill do him no hurt. May GOD help him to make a stand against vice\nand prophaneness, and to exert his utmost efforts in promoting true\nreligion and virtue! This is the whole of man. I find that you grow\nmore and more famous in the learned world. As you have made a pretty\nconsiderable progress in the mysteries of electricity, I would now\nhumbly recommend to your diligent unprejudiced pursuit and study the\nmystery of the new-birth. It is a most important, interesting study,\nand when mastered, will richly answer and repay you for all your pains.\nOne at whose bar we are shortly to appear, hath solemnly declared, that\nwithout it, \u201cwe cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.\u201d You will excuse\nthis freedom. I must have _aliquid Christi_ in all my letters. I am\nyet a willing pilgrim for his great name sake, and I trust a blessing\nattends my poor feeble labours. To the giver of every good gift be all\nthe glory. My respects await your whole self, and all enquiring friends,\nand hoping to see you yet once more in this land of the dying, I\nsubscribe myself, dear Sir,\n\n Your very affectionate friend, and obliged servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Chester in the street, near Newcastle, Aug. 28, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nTHUS far hath a good and gracious GOD brought a poor and worthless\npilgrim on his way towards _Edinburgh_. Last Lord\u2019s day I preached\ntwice at _Lutterworth_, the famous _John Wicliffe_\u2019s parish, and have\nsince received a letter giving me an account of the Redeemer\u2019s blessing\nmy poor labours. On the _Monday_, I began in the name of the almighty\nhusbandman, to plow up some fallow ground at _Leicester_; several\nthousands attended, and some endeavoured to disturb us, but the\nopposition was nothing like what I expected. In the evening all was\nhushed, and I trust our LORD left a blessing behind us. In my way to\n_Lutterworth_, my heart was encouraged by the coming of a young man,\nwho had been awakened under my preaching about four years ago at\n_Oulney_. He was before that time a bitter scoffer, but hath now been\na student for a year and a half under Doctor _Doddridge_, and I believe\nwill be admitted into the _London_ academy. You may know more of him\nhereafter. Is not this as much as to say, \u201cGo forwards.\u2015\u2015In the morning\nsow thy seed, and in the evening with-hold not thy hand, since though\nknowest not which may prosper, this or that.\u201d Yes, my blessed JESUS,\nthrough thy grace strengthening me, I will continue to go out into the\nhighways and hedges; only vouchsafe to uphold me with thy right hand,\nand keep me from flagging in the latter stages of my road. I know you\nwill say, _Amen_ and _Amen_. This will increase my obligations, which\nare already more than I can express. GOD will reward both you and yours\nfor them, a thousand fold. Accept repeated thanks for repeated favours,\nand depend on hearing as often as possible, how the ever-lovely,\never-loving JESUS is pleased to deal with, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Newcastle, Aug. 30, 1752._\n\n_My dear Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR last kind letter came to hand, only a few days before I left\n_London_. Business prevented my answering it then: accept a few lines\nfrom hence. They leave me on my way to _Scotland_. Thither the cloud\nseemed to move, and I purpose to call on you, GOD willing, in my return\nto _London_. Could you meet me at _Leeds_? I have thoughts of coming\nthat way back. I have written to Mr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and as I expect to see\nhim, you need say nothing about the books. I wrote also to Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_.\nA short interview will settle every thing. Do not let my friend be\nso solicitously anxious about persons or things. \u201cThe LORD reigneth,\u201d\nwas the answer that _Luther_ sent to over-careful _Melancthon_. Never\nfear.\u2015\u2015Our LORD knows how to over-rule all for good. So that his work\ngoes on, let you and I be content to be forgotten, nay to be trodden\nunder foot, and slighted by our own spiritual children and friends.\nThis is bitter, but wholsome physic. The all-wise physician I trust\nwill make us drink it, till every evil, fretful, and uneasy temper be\npurged out of us. Let us then, my dear man, chearfully take the cup\nout of his blessed hands, and leave all to Him. A word to the wise is\nenough. I must not enlarge. How goes on brother _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015b_? I hope he\ndoes not preach in a controversial way; I suppose I shall see him in\nthe North. My stay in _Scotland_ will be about a month. You may direct\nfor me at _Edinburgh_. I hope that a door is opened at _Leicester_\nand _Lutterworth_ for field-preaching. We have had glorious seasons in\n_Gloucestershire_ and _London_. O for a good gate in the North! It is\nharvest time.\u2015\u2015All hands to work. My love to Mrs. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and all that\nlove CHRIST, whether they think in all things as I do or not. I send Mr.\n_\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015ly_ my cordial respects, and beg you to accept the same from, my\ndear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXIX.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Edinburgh, Sept. 22, 1752._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nTHE day after I wrote to your Ladyship, I left _London_, and in my way\nto _Scotland_ I preached twice at _Lutterworth_.\u2015\u2015The auditories were\nvery numerous, and very quiet; but at _Leicester_ some turnips were\nthrown at me during the first sermon; at the second all was hushed, and\nI hear since that good was done. Some of _Ashby_ society came thither\nto hear me. At _Aberford_ I called on Lady _Margaret_, who behaved\nvery friendly, and enquired much after your Ladyship\u2019s welfare. At\n_Newcastle_ I was, as it were, arrested to stay. \u2666I preached four times,\nand indeed a whole shower of divine blessings descended from heaven on\nthe great congregations. I came hither last _Wednesday_ was sevennight,\nand have preached twice a day in the open air, to very large and polite\nauditories. Abundance of the better sort constantly attend. Next\n_Tuesday_ I thought to move, but they have prevailed upon me to stay\na little longer. I hope the great GOD will give me a useful journey\nback again to _London_. I design keeping from thence as long as I can,\nbefore I go into my Winter quarters. Alas, how little is to be done\neven in the Summer season! One had need work whilst it is day; the\nnight comes on a pace, when no man can work. I need not tell your\nLadyship of this, who are always employed for your GOD. O that the\nrich and great would learn to copy after your example! Surely all your\nLadyship\u2019s efforts will not be lost upon them! My heart\u2019s desire and\ncontinual prayer to the LORD of all Lords is, that your Ladyship may\nbe long continued, and find your rod budding and blossoming more and\nmore every day. Hoping to send your Ladyship more good news in my next,\nand commending my poor unworthy self to your Ladyship\u2019s prayers, I beg\nleave to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and very ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 duplicate \u201cI\u201d removed\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXX.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 29, 1752._\n\n_My very dear friend_,\n\nAS you are no day out of my thoughts, so you must needs think it hath\nseemed a long time since I wrote to you last. But what has hindered me?\nNot want of love, but opportunity. For this fortnight last past, I have\nbeen preaching twice every day at _Edinburgh_, where a great multitude,\nas well of polite as common sort of people, attended continually. I\nwondered they were not wearied, but the more they heard, the more they\nseemed desirous of hearing. Many young ministers and students were\nclose attendants, and I trust through grace good has been done. I\nexpected to have left _Scotland_ as last _Tuesday_, but through the\nimportunity of friends have been prevailed on to come to _Glasgow_, and\nshall not return for _England_ till _Tuesday_ sevennight. Then I hope\nto begin to preach my way up to _London_. In this blessed delightful\nwork, I hope to live and die; I think it is worth dying for. The LORD\nmake me sensible of the honour put upon me, and lay me lower at his\nfeet every day, every hour, and every moment! I have here a flaming\nminister that is my friend, and I hear sweet work is going on in the\nhighlands. Praise the LORD, O our souls! Inclosed you have a letter\nfrom the young student mentioned in my last. I think it is a pity that\nsuch a youth, when pious students are so much wanting, should go back\nto business for want of a little help. I doubt not but the LORD will\nprovide for him some way or other. He generally brings those low,\nwhom he intends to exalt, and make use of. I have glad tidings from\n_Newcastle_ and _Leicester_. Methinks every thing concurs to bid me go\nout into the highways and hedges.\n\n _LORD, at thy command I\u2019ll go,_\n _And unto sinners gladly tell,_\n _That they a risen CHRIST may know,_\n _That they the love of CHRIST may feel._\n\nThis is a heaven upon earth. Of this, I pray the GOD of love to give\nyou and yours a double portion. I know you pray for me. I send you and\nyour dear yoke-fellow ten thousand thanks, and am, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXI.\n\n\n _To Madam C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 29, 1752._\n\n_Dear Madam_,\n\nIT is no small pleasure to me, that providence hath once more opened a\nway for a further correspondence with one, who for many years hath been\nmy friend, and strengthened my hands in the work of our common LORD\nand master JESUS CHRIST. He will richly reward you for it in the great\nday of accounts; though I am persuaded you think the work itself, its\nown reward. Indeed it is. Blessed be GOD, I find CHRIST\u2019s service to\nbe perfect freedom. He hath vouchsafed to encourage and comfort me in\n_Scotland_. At _Edinburgh_ great multitudes, among whom were abundance\nof the better sort, attended twice every day. After a short continuance\nhere, I am to return to _Edinburgh_, and next _Tuesday_ sevennight\npurpose to set out for _England_. Many young ministers and students\nhave given close attendance, and I hear of several persons that have\nbeen brought under deep convictions. As soon as they are put into my\nhands, I intend to send you copies of two letters from a High-land\nschoolmaster, who is honoured of GOD to do much good among the poor\nHighland children.\u2015\u2015By this post I have also sent a letter to Mr.\n_D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, which I received from a young student; he wants some little\nassistance, to help him to go on in his studies, but I did not send\nhis letter to you, because he informs me that you had taken one of\nMr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s spiritual children under your care. Blessed be GOD, that\nmakes you, Madam, a mother in _Israel_. Every student\u2019s name is Legion.\nHelping one of those, is helping thousands. I think this young man\u2019s\ncase, as laid down in the letter, is very remarkable, and matter of\npraise. LORD JESUS add to the blessed number, for thy great name\u2019s\nsake! I have brave news sent me from _Leicester_ and _Newcastle_, and\nhave strong invitations to _Yorkshire_ and _Lancashire_. What a pity\nis it, that the year goes round so soon? O my GOD, my GOD in CHRIST,\nhow little can I do for thee! Dear Madam, be pleased to increase my\nobligations by praying for me. I never forget you or your \u2666houshold,\nand as a proof of it, promise that you shall hear at all opportunities,\nfrom, dear Madam,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201choushould\u201d replaced with \u201choushold\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 29, 1752._\n\n_Dear Mr. A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Received your kind letter, but till now have not had time to answer\nit. However, I have not, and, GOD willing, shall not be unmindful of\nyou. I think you have nothing to do, but by prayer and supplication\nwith thanksgiving, to make your wants known unto GOD. He careth for\nyou, and will some way or other provide both for soul and body. I have\nalways found him a present help in every time of need. As means ought\nto be used, I have just written to some _London_ friends, who under GOD\nmay serve you. When we meet, you shall hear what success.\u2015\u2015The hearts\nof all are in CHRIST\u2019s hands. Wait on him, and your eyes shall behold\nhis great salvation. If he calls you to the ministry, as I hope he\ndoes, he will make your way plain. The cloud of his providence shall\ngo before you, and you shall hear a voice behind you, saying, \u201cThis is\nthe way, walk in it.\u201d Though your father should die, and your mother\nforsake you, the LORD JESUS CHRIST will take you up. Keep close to your\nGOD, and your book. Prayer, reading, meditation, and temptation make a\nminister. The LORD be with you. Pray for me, and assure yourself of my\nbeing, for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n\n Your affectionate friend and ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXIII.\n\n\n _To G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015, Esq._\n\n _Glasgow, Sept. 30, 1752._\n\n_Dear Sir_,\n\nMR. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, in a letter, insists upon my sending you a few lines:\nI care not to refuse him, and yet I know not well how to use so much\nfreedom. If it be too great, you will excuse it; it proceeds from love,\nlove to your better part, for I have nothing to write about, but the\ninvisible realities of another world. These I trust, dear Sir, you and\nyours will be experimentally acquainted with more and more every day.\nHerein lies all our present peace, and the only solid preparation for\nfuture comfort in the coming world. The love of JESUS shed abroad in\nthe heart by the Holy Ghost, is indeed all in all; this is glory begun;\nthis is the opening of the kingdom of heaven in the soul; this is\na never-failing well of water, which will at last spring up to life\neternal. And yet all this is the gift, the free gift of GOD in CHRIST\nJESUS. It cost him dearly, even his own heart\u2019s blood, but flows down\nto us in a free channel; yea and that too even to the very chief of\nsinners. Therefore I have hope, and, blessed be GOD, good hope through\ngrace. Is not the same grace, dear Sir, sufficient for you and yours?\nLet us then come boldly to CHRIST\u2019s throne. He sits encircled with a\nrainbow; his name and his nature is Love. He came into the world, to\nseek and save those that feel themselves lost; this I trust you do.\nSalvation then is just coming to your soul, even a present and great\nsalvation. Only believe, and yours is the kingdom of heaven. But\nwhither am I running? I forget myself when writing of redeeming love. O,\nmy dear Sir, do not rest, do not let GOD have any rest, till your heart\nis filled with it. It is worth asking, seeking, knocking, and striving\nfor. But I must have done. My cordial respects await your Lady. That\nyou may both go on hand in hand to heaven, is the hearty prayer of,\ndear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend and ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXIV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _Newcastle, Oct. 15, 1752._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nTHUS far hath a never-failing Redeemer brought me in my way towards\n_London_. With all humility and thankfulness of heart I desire to set\nup my _Ebenezer_: for surely hitherto hath the LORD helped me. Since my\nwriting last to your Ladyship, I went and preached for about a week at\n_Glasgow_, where the word of the LORD ran and was glorified. I preached\ntwice a day, and rather more attended than at _Edinburgh_. We had\na sorrowful parting at both places. For about twenty-eight days, I\nsuppose I did not preach to less than ten thousand every day. This\nhath weakened my body, but the Redeemer knows how to renew my strength.\nAt present, I am as well as a pilgrim can expect to be. About seventy\npounds were collected for the _Edinburgh_ orphans, and I hear that\nnear a dozen young men that were awakened about ten years ago, have\nsince entered upon the ministry, and are likely to prove very useful.\nPraise the LORD, O my soul!\u2015\u2015In my way hither, I preached at _Berwick_,\n_Alnwick_ and _Morpeth_; and next _Monday_, after preaching at\n_Sunderland_, as is intended, I am to go into _Yorkshire_. I know your\nLadyship wishes me much prosperity. That your Ladyship may prosper\nmore and more, and be in health both in soul and body, is the continual\nprayer of, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXV.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Sheffield, Nov. 1, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nSINCE I left _Newcastle_, I have scarce known sometimes whether I\nhave been in heaven or on earth. At _Leeds_, _Burstall_, _Howarth_,\n_\u2666Halifax_, &c. thousands and thousands have flocked twice and thrice\na day to hear the word of life. A gale of divine influence hath\nevery where attended it. I am now come from _Bolton_, _Manchester_,\n_Stockport_ and _Chinly_.\u2015\u2015Yesterday I preached in a church, where\nI believe execution was done. Four ordained ministers, friends to\nthe work of GOD, have been with me. The word hath run so swiftly at\n_Leeds_, that friends are come to fetch me back, and I am now going to\n_Rotheram_, _Wakefield_, _Leeds_, _York_, and _Epworth_, and purpose\nreturning to this place next Lord\u2019s day. GOD favours us with weather,\nand I would fain make hay whilst the sun shines. My dear Sir, pray\nfollow me with your prayers. Fain would I spend and be spent for\nthe good of souls. This is my meat and drink. The LORD bless you and\nyours! I can no more, but only subscribe myself, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cHallifax\u201d replaced with \u201cHalifax\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXVI.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Wakefield, Nov. 3, 1752._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nI Have been upwards of three weeks out of _Scotland_, but scarce ever\nhad more encouragement in preaching the everlasting gospel, since the\nLORD of the harvest was pleased to send me forth into the harvest.\nAt _Newcastle_, _Sunderland_, and several places in _Yorkshire_,\n_Lancashire_, and _Cheshire_, thousands and thousands have daily\nattended on the word preached. The glorious _Emmanuel_ caused life\nand power to follow it, and I hear that the arrows have stuck fast\nin many hearts. The stir hath been so great at _Leeds_, that at the\ndesire of friends, I am returning thither again. From thence I shall\ngo to _York_, and several places in _Lincolnshire_, and am to preach at\n_Sheffield_ next Lord\u2019s day. My return to _London_ must be determined\nby the weather. It hath been uncommonly favourable, and methinks it\nis pity to go into Winter quarters, so long as work can be done in the\nfields.\u2015\u2015O that I had as many tongues, as there are hairs upon my head!\nThe ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS should have them all. Be so good,\nhonoured Sir, to pray that he may not turn me out of his service, but\nemploy me as a poor pilgrim till I die. Fain would I die preaching.\u2015\u2015I\nhear that Mr. _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is gone. The LORD JESUS quicken my tardy pace,\nand prepare me to follow! I know you say _Amen_ in my behalf, and\nthereby add to the obligations you have already laid upon, honoured and\ndear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, though unworthy son and servant\n in the glorious gospel,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 11, 1752._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nTHROUGH the good providence of an ever-lovely, ever-loving Redeemer, I\ncame safe hither last night. My _Sunday_\u2019s work, sickness, the change\nof weather, and affecting parting from friends, so enfeebled this\ntottering tabernacle, that I was in hopes on the road the imprisoned\nsoul would have been set at liberty, and fled to those blissful regions,\n\n _Where pain, and sin, and sorrow cease,_\n _And all is calm and joy and peace._\n\nAt _Northampton_ I took coach, and am now, blessed be GOD, arrived\nat my Winter quarters. My poor wife I found an invalid. Our LORD\ncan restore her, for he came to heal our sicknesses, and bear our\ninfirmities. I hope this will meet my dear friend and his wife leaning\non this all-sufficient, never-failing _Emmanuel_. I have remembered you\never since my departure, and now, with groanings that cannot be uttered,\npray that your souls, and the souls of all the dear people around\nyou, may prosper and increase with all the increase of GOD. O, my dear\nfriend, what manner of love is this, that _we_ should be called the\nsons of GOD! Excuse me. I must pause a while.\u2015\u2015My eyes gush out with\nwater. At present they are almost fountains of tears. But thanks be to\nGOD, they are tears of love. O what shall I do for Him who hath loved\nand given himself for ill and hell-deserving, ungrateful, unfruitful\nme! Add to my obligations by praying for me! My unfeigned love to Mr.\n_L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. If I can, he shall soon hear from me. With the box for Mr.\n_G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, I shall send a few pictures, which you may present to Mr. and\nMrs. _N\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, as you think best. O that the blessed and divine image\nof the adorable JESUS may be stamped in most lively colours on all\nour hearts! It will, it will. JESUS is the author, and he is also the\nfinisher of our faith. Let us not be faithless but believing. Let us\nnot trust in ourselves, but in him who hath promised never to leave nor\nforsake us. I can no more. The LORD be with you and yours.\u2015\u2015My hearty\nlove to all that love CHRIST JESUS in sincerity; accept the same in the\nmost tender manner from, my very dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXVIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. J\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 11, 1752._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nLAST night the glorious _Emmanuel_ brought me hither, after having\ngiven me and his dear people many blessed seasons in _Scotland_, and\nthe North of _England_. O that with all his other mercies, he may\nvouchsafe to give me a thankful and humble heart! This morning I have\nbeen talking with dear Mr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and cannot help thinking, but\nthat you have run before the LORD, in forming yourselves into a public\nsociety, as you have done. I was afraid poor Mr. _C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ would not do.\nMr. _A\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s visit was designed to be transient, and I cannot promise\nyou any settled help from hence. I am sincere, when I profess, that\nI do not choose to set myself at the head of any party. When I came\nlast to _Ireland_, my intention was to preach the gospel to all.\u2015\u2015And\nif it should ever please the LORD of all Lords to send me thither\nagain, I purpose to pursue the same plan. For I am a debtor to all\nof all denominations, and have no design, if I know any thing of this\ndesperately wicked and deceitful heart, but to promote the common\nsalvation of mankind. The love of CHRIST constrains me to this.\nAccept it as wrote from that principle. That He, who is the wonderful\ncounsellor, may in all things direct and rule your hearts, is the\nearnest prayer of, my dear friend,\n\n Yours most affectionately,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXXXIX.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 14, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Am quite sorry that I missed seeing you, but glad and thankful that\nyou condescended to write to me. I find you are resolved to outdo me\nin love; this I would prevent if possible. May the glorious JESUS shed\nabroad his love abundantly in your dear heart, by the Holy Ghost, and\ngive you to increase with all the increase of GOD. He will bless you\nfor vindicating the honour of his sacred volumes in your last pamphlet,\nfor which, as well as for all other unmerited favours, I most heartily\nthank you. I have just now read it, and doubt not of its being greatly\nblessed and owned, and going through many editions. I cannot discern\nany errata or inaccuracies in the composition. Surely GOD hath raised\nmy dear friend up, to let the polite world see how amiable are the\ndoctrines of the gospel. Why will you weary the world, and your friends,\nby delaying to publish your other long wished-for performance? Glad\nshall I be to peruse any of the dialogues. The savour of the last is\nnot of my mind. Pray let them see the light this Winter. They will\ndelight and warm many a heart. O that we may have a warm season at the\nTabernacle! My country circuit was exceedingly delightful. When the\nweather altered, my health was much affected; but a little rest hath\nalready in some degree repaired it. You and I perhaps are not to see\nheaven as yet: I have waited for it long, but alas! my appointed time\nis not yet come. Thanks be to GOD, there is such a thing as having a\nheaven upon earth; CHRIST in us is the heaven of heavens. My dear, very\ndear friend, good night. I am called away. My love to the Doctor. O\nthat he was wise! How glad should I have been to have seen dear Mr.\n_H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_! My kind respects await your mother and sister. My wife, who is\nquite an invalid, joins heartily with me, who am, my very dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXL.\n\n\n _London, Nov. 21, 1752._\n\n_My dear Nat_,\n\nYOUR letters have all been brought safe to hand, and have given me no\nsmall satisfaction. I doubt not but the LORD, whom you seek, will in\nhis own time come and visit the temple of your heart. Fear not, neither\nbe dismayed. Be found in the way of duty; go on feeding his lambs, and\nyou shall find, that the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls will bless\nand comfort you. I know not of a more profitable situation, that you\ncould be in than at present. Next year, GOD willing, you will have a\nfellow-student. I have agreed with him, as I wrote you from _Edinburgh_,\nfor three years at least. I am of your mind in respect to boarders.\nAs affairs stand, I think the less the family is at present, the\nbetter. Nothing seems to be wanted but a good overseer, to instruct\nthe negroes in sawing and planting. Let me know how Mr. _M\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nbehaves, and whether the Lumber trade is begun. I have consented\nto Mr. _E\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\u2019s going to Mr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and to _Margaret_\u2019s leaving\n_Bethesda_. You will see what I have wrote to Mrs. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. Pray make\n_George_ and the children to write often. He should not have written\nto me, _Honoured Master_, but\u2015\u2015_Sir_. I am glad to hear that some of\nthe children promise well. Surely some good will in the end come out of\nthat institution, I am only afraid of its growing too great one day or\nanother, in a worldly way. O that I may be directed to such managers,\nthat will act with a single eye to GOD\u2019s glory, and his people\u2019s good!\nI have great confidence in you. I am glad you live in peace. May the\nPrince of peace cause his grace and mercy to be multiplied upon you!\nI shall be glad to live to see you a preacher. It is a delightful\nemployment, when done out of love to JESUS: that sweetens all. In\nabout ten weeks I have travelled above a thousand miles, and was\nenabled to preach sometimes twice and thrice a day to many thousands.\nI trust a great blessing was left behind with the word preached. O that\n_Georgia_\u2019s wilderness may blossom like a rose! It will, when GOD\u2019s set\ntime is come. Never mind a few evil reports. No one need be ashamed of\n_Bethesda_ children. Blessed be GOD, they are taken care of, and the\nLORD will reward you. Ah my dear _Nat_, you are highly honoured. I hope\nyou often bow down before the blessed Redeemer, and out of the fulness\nof your heart say, \u201cWhy me, LORD? why me?\u201d Pray, pray, I beseech you\ncontinually, that you may be cloathed with humility. How many young\nmen have I known ruined for the want of it! \u201cGOD resisteth the proud,\nbut giveth grace unto the humble.\u201d Pray that I may have an humble and\nthankful heart. I would vie with a seraph, if I could, in humility\nand thankfulness. Adieu. The LORD be with you! My wife sends her love;\naccept the same from, my dear _Nat_,\n\n Your most assured friend for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLI.\n\n\n _To Mr. V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 22, 1752._\n\n_My dear Mr. V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Hope this will find you and your yoke-fellow parents of a living\nand well-formed child. May the Redeemer sanctify it from the womb,\nand cause it to live to his glory, and your comfort! I see you are\ntaught to live more and more by faith. This may be tried, but never\ndisappointed. The LORD JESUS never did, and never will forsake those\nwho put their trust in him. I believe Mrs. _W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will not suffer you\nor yours to want any thing that _Bethesda_ affords. I thank you for\nyour kind offer, but suppose ere now you have been enabled to purchase\nsome negroes, and go upon your own land. If not, I have written to\nMr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ to make what agreement you shall mutually judge to be most\nproper: I cannot say more at this distance. It is hard to determine any\nthing four thousand miles off. GOD willing, I hope to see you next year;\nthough it is difficult to leave thousands and ten thousands, who gladly\nreceive the gospel, to come to a wilderness, where it has been, alas!\ntoo, too often most wretchedly despised, and slighted by many. But I\ntrust we shall yet see better times. Happy they who have learned to\nlive on JESUS; and by keeping up a daily and hourly fellowship with him,\ncan maintain a comfortable frame, when all is cold and dead around them.\nThis is the happiness I wish my dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. May it increase day\nby day, moment after moment! Then, if we never should see each other\nagain on earth, we shall meet, never to part again, in the kingdom of\nheaven. I am endeavouring to call as many thither as I can. Power seems\nto attend it, and many seem to have their faces set _Zion-ward_. May\nthey and we be kept from looking back! JESUS is able to keep us. To his\nalmighty never-failing mercy do I commend you, as being, my dear Sir,\nfor CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n\n Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLII.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Nov. 28, 1752._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nYOUR letter came safe to hand yesterday. The contents of it humbled\nand gladdened me, and led me directly to my knees, to intercede for you\nand yours, and all the dear people at _Leeds_, who are either seeking\nafter, or have actually found redemption in the blood of JESUS. Many\nhere, blessed be GOD, are in like circumstances. Our LORD seems to\nride triumphantly on in the chariot of his everlasting gospel; and the\nshout of a king is indeed amongst us. Blessed are the eyes that see the\nthings which we see. What shall we render unto the LORD? Our two mites,\na vile body, and a sinful soul, are all that he requires: and shall he\nnot have these? Yes, I trust the language of both our hearts is this:\n\n _Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,_\n _For I must be no longer thine;_\n _A nobler, a diviner guest,_\n _Now claims possession of my breast._\n\nAs this is your case, I wonder not at your being so solicitous for\nyour dear children\u2019s welfare. The LORD give you faith and patience,\nand help you in every respect so to behave, that you may win them over\nto the choice of true and undefiled religion! Courage, my dear brother,\ncourage.\u2015\u2015Who knows, but they may be made willing in a day of the\nRedeemer\u2019s power? He that hath given your dear yoke-fellow a heart to\nseek after the pearl of great price, can make your children like-minded.\nBut faith must be tried, patience must be exercised, and our stubborn\nwill brought into a chearful resignation to the holy sovereign will and\ngood pleasure of GOD.\n\n _What though thou rulest not,_\n _Yet heaven, and earth and hell_\n _Proclaim GOD sitteth on the throne,_\n _And ordereth all things well._\n\nA variety of business prevents my enlarging. I should not have troubled\nyou with such a speedy answer, had you not seemed to desire it, as a\ntoken of my love. I think it is cordial and unfeigned. None of you are\nforgotten by me before the throne. There, my dear friend, let us meet\noften. Remember it is a throne of grace; we may, therefore, come with\nboldness. JESUS is our advocate, even JESUS CHRIST the righteous. I\nthank you ten thousand times for all respect shewn me for his great\nname\u2019s sake, and command you (since love will make you wait for orders)\nto believe me to be, my dear Sir,\n\n Your very affectionate friend, brother, and ready servant\n in our common but dearest LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 5, 1752._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nHOW does love meet love! Your long expected letter came last night, and\nas the box of books hath been gone some days, I answer you before day\nthis morning. My dear friend, good-morrow! Blessed be GOD, that the day\ndawns, and that the day-star hath risen in your heart. May the Redeemer\ngive you a _Benjamin_\u2019s mess every hour! He is our great _Joseph_, and\nloves to say to his guilty brethren, \u201cCome near me.\u201d Out of his fulness\nwe may all receive even grace for grace. O how does he continually\nwatch over us for good! I thought the obstructions that lay in my way\nto _York_, were not for nothing. Our times are in our LORD\u2019s hands. We\nare immortal till our work is done. This, this shall be the cry of my\nsoul:\n\n _LORD, at thy command I\u2019ll go,_\n _And to the world will gladly tell,_\n _That they a risen CHRIST may know,_\n _That they the love of CHRIST may feel._\n\nAssured of such a bidding, we may say with _Luther_, \u201cIf there was as\nmany devils lying in wait, as there are tiles on the houses, we need\nnot fear.\u201d Who knows but in Spring we may have a fair field fight? We\ncan do all things through CHRIST strengthening us. Methinks I long to\nrange in your parts, and come to _Leeds_ again. The persons mentioned\nneed not bid me to remember them. I cannot forget either them or you\nnight or day. O that we may make some large advances in the divine life,\nbefore we see each other. When will that be? Perhaps in Spring; perhaps\nnot till we meet in heaven.\n\n _There we shall see CHRIST\u2019s face,_\n _and never, never sin;_\n _There, from the riches of his grace,_\n _Drink endless pleasures in._\n\nHasten, LORD, that blessed time! Till then, grant us, we beseech thee,\nan heaven upon earth! Such we have at the Tabernacle indeed. Last\nLord\u2019s-day we had, if possible, a more blessed sacrament than the\nformer.\n\n _How sweet, how awful was the place,_\n _With CHRIST within the doors,_\n _When everlasting Love display\u2019d,_\n _The choicest of his stores!_\n\nI must break off this delightful subject. Farewel. Pray for us.\nRemember me in the kindest manner to all. My wife heartily joins with\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 9, 1752._\n\n_My dear Brother_,\n\nIF your heart was full, so was mine when we parted. Such seasons make\nme long for that happy time when we shall neither part from each other,\nnor depart from the blessed JESUS any more. Our wanderings and tossings,\nfightings without, and fears within, will then all be over. Here the\nchurch is, and will be militant; in heaven it shall be altogether\ntriumphant. Let us go on, my dear brother, fighting the good fight of\nfaith. Ere long we shall be called to lay hold on life eternal. CHRIST\nis our captain; we are therefore assured of conquest.\n\n _A feeble saint shall win the day,_\n _Though death and hell obstruct the way._\n\nEndeavour to obstruct they will, and young converts little know how\nresolutely, how unweariedly. The way to heaven is a round-about way:\nwe must go through a wilderness. GOD suffers this, to prove and try\nus, and to shew us what is in our hearts. Humility must be taught us,\nas _Gideon_ taught the men of _Succoth_, with briars and thorns: these\nwill frequently fetch blood from the old man. O that we may be made\nwilling to have him bleed to death! \u201cAway with him, away with him;\ncrucify him, crucify him.\u201d May this be the language of your heart and\nmine! To have this prayer answered, what trials must we necessarily\nmeet with from the devil, the world, the flesh, and even from GOD\u2019s own\nchildren? All little enough to lead us into that mortified, pacific,\nresigned, and disinterested mind, which was in CHRIST JESUS. The more\nwe suffer, and the less we are esteemed for doing, or attempting to\ndo good for his great name\u2019s sake, the more we are conformed to his\nblessed example. In heaven, justice will be done to all. Strange! that\nwe cannot wait more patiently till the great day of retribution. LORD,\nhelp us to walk more by faith, and less by sense! \u201cHelp, O help us to\nleave ourselves and all with thee.\u201d I know you will say, \u201c_Amen_!\u201d But\nI forget myself. How willingly does the pen write, when love, love for\nCHRIST\u2019s sake dictates and indites! I thank you for enquiring after my\nwelfare: thanks be to GOD, I am as well as a poor, but happy pilgrim\ncan expect to be. The shout of a king is amongst us. The glory of the\nLORD fills the Tabernacle; and we hear every day of persons brought\nunder fresh awakenings, as well as of GOD\u2019s people being comforted. We\nhave had two most awful sacramental occasions. Help me to cry, Grace!\ngrace! I shall be glad to hear that the gospel runs and is glorified at\n_Wakefield_. Who knows but the last may be yet first? Is any thing too\nhard for the LORD? Continue to remember us at the throne of grace; and\naccept this speedy answer as a token of respect and love unfeigned,\nfrom, my dear brother,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLV.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Dec. 15, 1752._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nI Think it a long time since I heard from, or wrote to your Ladyship.\nMy hands are full of work; and I trust I can say, the LORD of all lords\ncauses his work to prosper in my unworthy hands. More blessed seasons\nwe never enjoyed. Our sacramental occasions have been exceedingly awful\nand refreshing. I cannot help crying out night and day, Grace! grace!\nLast week we had another repast in _South Audley-street_. Lady _F\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\ngrows surprizingly. She increases much in the knowledge of herself,\nand of JESUS CHRIST. May she and all that profess to love him, increase\nwith all the increase of GOD! I have glorious news from _Yorkshire_.\nInclosed your Ladyship hath a letter, which I hope will please you.\nShips will be going to _Philadelphia_ soon after _Christmas_. Has your\nLadyship read the awful account of the hurricane in _South-Carolina_? I\ndo not find that it hath reached _Georgia_. Happy they who have laid up\ntreasure in heaven, and have fled to CHRIST for refuge; such are safe\nfrom every storm. This is your Ladyship\u2019s happiness; and blessed be GOD,\nthis is the happiness of unworthy, ill, and hell-deserving me. LORD,\nwhy am I a guest?\n\n _Through all eternity to Thee,_\n _A grateful song I\u2019ll raise;_\n _But O eternity\u2019s too short,_\n _To utter all thy praise._\n\nBusiness prevents my enlarging.\u2015\u2015I commend your Ladyship, and all your\nconcerns, to the tender mercies of a never-failing Redeemer; and beg\nleave to subscribe myself, with all possible gratitude and respect,\never-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLVI.\n\n\n _To Mrs. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 16, 1752._\n\n_Dear Mrs. K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nYOUR kind letter lies by me unanswered, because I had written to\nyour dear husband just before it came to hand. Ere now I hope he\nhath received it with the books, and is with you, and the other true\nfollowers of our most adorable Redeemer, pressing forwards towards the\nmark of the prize of our high calling in CHRIST JESUS. O that nothing\nmay hinder us in this heavenly race! O that we may remember _Lot_\u2019s\nwife, and never look back! Alas! what is there in this world worth\nlooking back upon? It is nothing, less than nothing. Thanks be to\nthat precious CHRIST, who hath redeemed us out of it. To Him that\nhath thus loved us, be ascribed all honour and glory now and for\never! My obligations to bless and magnify our LORD increase daily. It\nwould delight you to see, how his glory is manifested among his poor\ndespised ones. To-morrow we are again to celebrate the memorials of\nhis dying love. O that we may be prepared according to the preparation\nof the sanctuary! Blessed be GOD for a compleat and an everlasting\nrighteousness to appear in; this is the wedding garment; this every\npoor sinner is cloathed with, that truly puts on the LORD JESUS. Well\nmay such despise outward ornaments, and trample upon the pride of life.\nSuch things are food only for those that know not GOD. Go on then, dear\nMrs. _K\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_; go on, all ye my female fellow-soldiers, who are lifted\nunder the Redeemer\u2019s banner. As your day is, so shall your strength be.\nLook up continually to JESUS; and be so good as always to remember,\nwhen before his throne,\n\n Your assured friend and ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLVII.\n\n\n _To Governor B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 20, 1752._\n\n_Honoured Sir_,\n\nWITH great pleasure and satisfaction, I received and read your kind\nletter, and took the first opportunity of transmitting the inclosed to\ngood Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, who is now near _Bristol_. If the ship which brings\nthis, doth not sail soon, I believe your Excellency will have an answer\nby the same conveyance. She is an elect lady indeed; one who hath\nfairly renounced the world, and scorns to divide her affections between\nit and her GOD. Her Ladyship corresponds with the Dutchess of \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015,\nbut I fear that the latter doth not glory in the cross of CHRIST, so\nmuch as might be wish\u2019d. You know, honoured Sir, that we must have true\nself-denial, and a disinterested spirit, before we can be sincerely\nwilling to be accounted fools for CHRIST\u2019s sake. And yet there is no\ngoing to heaven without it. Blessed be GOD, your fight, honoured Sir,\nis almost over; the days are now coming wherein you must necessarily\nsay, \u201cI have no pleasure in them.\u201d The 71st psalm, translated by Dr.\n_Watts_, seems to be sweetly adapted to your circumstances. Part of it\nwas lately sung for your Excellency, by many true followers of the Lamb.\n\n I.\n\n _Still hath his life new wonders seen,_\n _Repeated every year;_\n _Behold his days which yet remain,_\n _We trust them to thy care._\n\n II.\n\n _Cast him not off, should health decline,_\n _Or hoary hairs arise;_\n _And round him let thy glories shine,_\n _Whene\u2019er thy servant dies._\n\nI doubt not but the LORD JESUS will say, _Amen_. Whether I shall have\nthe pleasure of seeing you on this side eternity, is uncertain. It was\nno small self-denial for me to leave _America_ without going to the\n_Northward_; but the cloud moved towards _England_. Here (O amazing\ncondescension!) the glorious _Emmanuel_ vouchsafes still to own and\nbless my feeble labours. In _Scotland_, _Wales_, and the parts in and\nnear _Yorkshire_, we have seen blessed days of the Son of Man. I am\nnow in my Winter quarters, longing for Spring, to take the field again.\nHad I a thousand tongues and lives, JESUS should have them all. I am\nsorry, quite sorry that not one of his ministers could venture over\nthe _Atlantick_ for _New-Jersey_ College. Two general collections have\nlately been made upon other occasions in _Scotland_. What a pity, when\nall circumstances concurred, that such a favourable opportunity should\nhave been lost? I can only lament that, which I did all I could to\nprevent. And now, honoured Sir, I must bid you farewel. Ere long I\nhope to see you in a better world: perhaps we may meet again in this.\nDear _America_ is much upon my heart. Thanks be to GOD, _Bethesda_ is\nnow put on a good and flourishing foundation, and I hear hath escaped\nthe late hurricane in _South-Carolina_. Great are thy judgments, O\nGOD;\u2015\u2015and great are thy mercies also! both past finding out. To the\ninfinitely great and gracious I AM, do I most earnestly commend both\nyou and yours, and with ten thousands thanks for all your unmerited\nfavours, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,\n\n Your Excellency\u2019s most obliged, dutiful, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLVIII.\n\n\n _To Captain G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 20, 1752._\n\n_My dear Captain_,\n\nONE would imagine, that you and I were never to meet any more on\nthis side eternity. I often, often think of you, and long to see and\nconverse with you; but GOD only knows when. We are now about to erect\na _new Tabernacle_ eighty foot square, which I fear will detain me in\n_England_ the ensuing Summer. Pen cannot well describe, how white the\nfields have been, and how ready to harvest, in _Wales_, _Scotland_, and\nthe _North_ of _England_. I could sometimes scarce tell, whether I was\nin or out of the body. Grace! grace! I am now in Winter quarters, where\nour LORD gives us fresh conquests, gained by his word every day. We do\nnot dispute, but love. I find more and more that truth is great; and\nhowever seemingly crush\u2019d for a while, will in the end prevail. But\nthere must be a kind of death upon every promise, and upon every thing\nthat is done for GOD. Thus hath it been with _Georgia_ and _Bethesda_.\nO that we may learn to wait! Then shall we certainly see the salvation\nof GOD. I pity our dear friends in _Charles-Town_. O GOD, how great\nare thy judgments, as well as thy mercies! May they hear the rod, and\nwho hath appointed it! My soul is distressed for them. May this severe\ncorrection make them truly great! When you send any thing to _Savannah_,\nI should be obliged to you, if you would send a few things to\n_Bethesda_. Our LORD will bless you for it. I hope there are now above\ntwenty negroes at work upon the new plantation. May the LORD JESUS\nconvert them, and every other member of my family! And O that I may be\nconverted myself more and more every day and hour! I am ashamed of my\nbeing such a dwarf in religion, and of my having so little of the mind\nof CHRIST. I hope you, my dear old friend, do find his grace sufficient\nfor you, to keep your heart above the world, and continually alive to\nGOD. My prayer for you is, that you may have power to get wealth, and\ngrace to improve it for the Redeemer\u2019s glory, and his people\u2019s good:\nthen you will be rich for both worlds, and GOD, even your own GOD,\nwill give you and yours his blessing. Why do you not write to dear\nMr. _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? He is a heavenly-minded man indeed, and my bosom friend.\nI suppose Mr. _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will acquaint you of my having been at his house;\nwe are kind friends still: he and his very much regard you. What cannot\nGOD do? How faithful is he to those, who \u201cseek first his kingdom,\nand the righteousness thereof.\u201d Let these words be written over your\nstore-house door; or rather let them be written on the table of your\nheart. I can add no more. A variety of business demands my attention.\nMy dear man, farewel. Had I wings, I would fly and see you, and my\nother never to be forgotten _Philadelphia_ friends. Continue to pray,\nand perhaps I may yet come sooner than expectation. My wife joins in\nsending love to you and your houshold. Accept the same in the most\nendearing manner, from one that loves you more than a brother, even\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCXLIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 22, 1752._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nI Have read and pondered upon your kind letter with some degree of\nsolemnity of spirit. In the same frame I would now sit down to answer\nit. And what shall I say? Really I can scarce tell. The connection\nbetween you and your brother, hath been so close and continued, and\nyour attachment to him so necessary to keep up his interest, that I\nwould not willingly for the world do or say any thing that may separate\nsuch friends. I cannot help thinking, but he is still jealous of me\nand my proceedings; but, I thank GOD, I am quite easy about it. Having\nthe testimony of a good conscience, that I have a disinterested view\nto promote the common salvation only, I can leave all to him, who I\nam assured will in the end speak for me, and make my righteousness as\nclear as the light, and my just dealing as the noon-day. I more and\nmore find, that he who believeth doth not make haste; and that if we\nwill have patience, we shall find that every plant, which our heavenly\nFather hath not planted, however it may seem to have taken very deep\nroot, shall be plucked up. As I wrote to good Lady _H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_, so I write\nto you, dear Sir.\u2015\u2015I bless GOD for my stripping seasons. I have seen\nan end of all perfection, and expect it only in him, where I am sure\nto find it, even in the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS. He knows how I\nlove and honour you, and your brother, and how often I have preferred\nyour interest to my own. This, by the grace of GOD, I shall still\ncontinue to do. My reward is with the LORD. If he approves, it is\nenough. More might be said, were we face to face. When this will be,\nI cannot tell. Several things, especially our design of building a new\ntabernacle, which I hope will succeed, detain me in town this Winter.\nGOD only knows what course I am to steer in the Spring. I would be a\nblank;\u2015\u2015let my heavenly Father fill it up as seemeth him good. I am\nglad you are with our elect Lady; she will shine indeed in heaven as\na common friend. O how amiable is a truly catholic spirit! LORD, make\nus all partakers of it more and more! I beg the continuance of your\nprayers: I need them much. GOD willing, you shall have mine in return.\nThat you and yours may increase with all the increase of GOD, is the\nearnest request of, my dear friend,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCL.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Dec. 22, 1752._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nWITH great pleasure I received your Ladyship\u2019s letter, which hath drawn\nme to the Father of Spirits, that the meek, lowly, loving, zealous, and\nheavenly-minded temper which was in CHRIST JESUS, may be stamped more\nand more upon your Ladyship\u2019s heart. A growth in these blessed graces\nand fruits of the divine Spirit, I am persuaded is what your Ladyship\ndesires above all things under heaven, and I doubt not but all the\ntrials and afflictions you meet with, both from friends and foes, will\nbe sanctified to the promoting this glorious end. Many of these I meet\nwith; but if I come purified out of the furnace, and am at length any\nway conformed to my dear and blessed Exemplar, I rejoice, yea and will\nrejoice. Experience, if attended with this effect, cannot be bought too\ndear. But alas, how unwilling is the old man to be crucified and slain!\nHow hard is even the mind that is renewed in part, how hard to be\nbrought off low and selfish and party views. With how much reluctance\ndoth it give up the uppermost place, and submit to be accounted in the\nchurch, as well as in the world, less than the least of all. Yet this\nis a lesson the witnesses of JESUS must learn. O that I had learnt only\nmy A B C in it! I beg the continuance of your Ladyship\u2019s prayers, for\nwhich I thank your Ladyship a thousand times. May the LORD of all lords\nreturn them seven-fold into your bosom, and give your Ladyship success\nin your endeavours to serve the persons mentioned in your last! It is\nbut for your Ladyship to try. I shall observe your Ladyship\u2019s hints\nabout Mr. \u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015. I believe our visits will not be very frequent.\u2015\u2015But I\nam easy, having no scheme, no design of supplanting or resenting, but I\ntrust a single eye to promote the common salvation, without so much as\nattempting to set up a party for myself. This is what my soul abhors.\nBeing thus minded, I have peace; peace which the world knows nothing of,\nand which all must necessarily be strangers to, who are fond either of\npower or numbers. GOD be praised for the many strippings I have met\nwith: it is good for me that I have been supplanted, despised, censured,\nmaligned, judged by, and separated from my nearest, dearest friends. By\nthis I have found the faithfulness of him, who is the friend of friends;\nby this I have been taught to wrap myself in the glorious _Emmanuel_\u2019s\neverlasting righteousness, and to be content that He, to whom all\nhearts are open, and all desires are known, now sees, and will let all\nsee hereafter, the uprightness of my intentions towards all mankind.\nBut whither am I going? I run too fast. Your Ladyship\u2019s kind letter\nhath extorted this from me. I will weary your Ladyship no longer, but\nhasten to subscribe myself, what I really am, ever-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and very\n chearful servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLI.\n\n\n _To Mr. R\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Dec. 22, 1752._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nWITH great pleasure I received your kind and wished-for letter;\nand heartily bless GOD that your whole self is in such comfortable\ncircumstances, and that honest _D\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is so blest in his work. I read\nhis two letters about ten days ago, and many joined in singing for him\nthe following verses:\n\n _The isles in the North,_\n _Remember, O GOD,_\n _And feed thy sheep there,_\n _With pure gospel food_.\n _LORD, revive thy blest work_\n _In every place,_\n _Till thousands and thousands_\n _Do triumph through grace._\n\nDo you not think the blessed JESUS will say, _Amen_? Yes, assuredly he\nwill. And if he will work, who shall hinder?\n\n _Thoughts are vain against the LORD,_\n _All subserve his mighty word;_\n _Wheels encircling wheels shall run,_\n _Each in course to bring it on._\n\nFear not, my dear Sir; if CHRIST hath work for you to do, he will put\nyou into a proper station. But would you be a _Nehemiah_, and have no\n_Sanballat_ to oppose you? Building the walls of the _New-Jerusalem_,\nis what the profane and formalists do not approve of. We must expect\nthe serpent will hiss, whenever the gospel seed of the woman is coming\ninto a place to bruise his head. Courage, my dear Sir, courage. GOD is\non your side.\n\n _The world, with sin and Satan,_\n _In vain our march opposes;_\n _Through CHRIST we shall_\n _Break through them all,_\n _And sing the song of |Moses|._\n\nYou see, my dear Sir, how freely I write. The love of CHRIST\nconstraineth me. I am much indebted to you, and hope to see you in\n_London_ soon. My wife longs to have you under our roof: she hath\nbeen ill, but blessed be GOD is now better. We both send cordial and\ngrateful respects to your whole self and all enquiring friends. We\nhave had most solemn sacramental occasions. I sympathize with both our\nsuffering friends: from what unexpected quarters do troubles come! Who\nwould sing a requiem to himself, whilst here below? LORD GOD, prepare\nus for whatever thou hast prepared for us! I must bid you farewel. A\nvariety of business obliges me to hasten to subscribe myself,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLII.\n\n\n _To Lady \u2666H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Jan. 1, 1753._\n\n_Honoured Madam_,\n\nYOUR Ladyship\u2019s kind letter hath added to the obligations already\nlaid on me. I can only say, the LORD knows that you and yours, are\nremembered by me before his throne. This is the reward, which the\nRedeemer promises to those who do good to a disciple, in the name of\na disciple. O happy they who are rich in faith and good works! These\nare the true riches; they are durable; they follow us beyond the grave,\nand we shall be reaping the fruit of them through the endless ages of\neternity. Eternity! eternity! The very writing or hearing this word,\nis enough to make one dead to the world, and alive unto GOD. The LORD\nquicken my tardy pace! I am now thirty-eight years of age, and entering\nupon another new year; Alas! alas! How little have I done for that\nJESUS, who hath done and suffered so much for me! I want to begin to\nbegin to act and preach for GOD. Blessed be his name, that his spirit\nis moving on precious souls at _Bristol_. For ever adored be his rich,\nfree, and unmerited grace, the same may be said of _London_. We have\nhad blessed holidays, and I have had good news from the Orphan-house.\n\n _A life that all things casts behind,_\n _Springs forth obedient at his call._\n\nHad I a thousand lives, the LORD JESUS should have them. I wish your\nLadyship, and honoured daughters, much of his divine love shed abroad\nin your hearts. That is the best new year\u2019s compliment, and the best\nnew year\u2019s gift. I hope, the young ladies through grace are kept\nunspotted from the world. I would come and wait upon our elect Lady\nat _Clifton_, but am engaged in forwarding the building of a new\ntabernacle; I hope it will be accomplished, and that GOD\u2019s presence\nwill fill it when erected. I could enlarge, but am called away, and\ntherefore subscribe myself,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged, and ready\n servant for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cH\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015m\u201d replaced with \u201cH\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLIII.\n\n\n _To Mr. L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 3, 1753._\n\n_My very dear Friend and Brother_,\n\nTHOUGH I am very much straitened for time, yet I must sit down, (since\nyou so earnestly desire it) and answer your kind letter. My love does\nnot shift with my scene of action; I would have it in some degree, like\nmy LORD\u2019s to me and his people, \u201cPermanent and unchangeable.\u201d Blessed\nbe GOD for such a JESUS, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for\never. What can we want then? Or of whom should we be afraid? All his\nattributes are engaged to keep us on earth, and to set us upon thrones\nin his glorious kingdom in heaven. Last night I buried one, who I\nbelieve is seated there.\u2015\u2015Ah lovely appearance of death! Surely my turn\nwill come soon. I am now thirty-eight years of age; little did I think\nof staying in the land of the dying so long. Well, if it be to call\nmore souls to the ever-loving, ever-lovely JESUS, Father, thy will be\ndone!\n\n _If thou excuse, then work thy will,_\n _By so unfit an instrument;_\n _It will at once thy goodness show,_\n _And prove thy power omnipotent._\n\nI hope you have had a happy _Christmas_ at _Leeds_. We have kept\nholidays here indeed. Sinners have been pricked to the heart, and\nsaints refreshed in their spirits. To the Father of spirits be all\nthe glory. I forgot none of you in my poor prayers: fear not; let us\ncontinue to pray, and we shall always find, that our extremity will\nbe GOD\u2019s opportunity to help and appear for us. But there must be a\nseeming death upon every promise.\n\n _Where reason fails with all its powers,_\n _There faith prevails and love adores._\n\nLORD, increase our faith.\u2015\u2015LORD, quicken my sluggish heart! I commend\nyou and yours to GOD, and to the word of his grace. I am sorry dear Mr.\n_S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is disabled from writing. When his hand is well, I hope to hear\nfrom him. In the mean while, tell him, and his, and all dear friends,\nthat I am, for CHRIST\u2019s sake, my dear Sir,\n\n Theirs and yours, &c. &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLIV.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 7, 1753._\n\n_My dear Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Received your kind letter, for which I send you most hearty thanks.\nI see that you strive, and I fear you will succeed, to outdo me in\nlove and kindness. However, I will endeavour to copy after you, and, if\npossible, not die in your debt. But who can ever pay his debt of love,\neither to GOD, or the brethren? Alas! Alas! I run in arrears every\nday. GOD\u2019s favours are continually multiplied upon me, and he seems to\nlet us know that we shall see greater things than ever. We have had a\nblessed _Christmas_ season. I trust our LORD hath imparted many a new\nyear\u2019s gift. You know what that is, even a _new heart_. \u201cA new heart\nalso will I give thee.\u201d Thus run the words of our LORD\u2019s last will\nand testament. O for faith to prove this will! O for a willingness to\nreceive so invaluable a legacy! LORD, I believe, help my unbelief!\n\n _Thou wilt give strength, thou wilt give power,_\n _Thou wilt in time set free;_\n _This great deliverance let us hope,_\n _Not for ourselves but thee._\n\nCome, my dear brother, let us take courage: \u201cHe is faithful, who hath\npromised, who also will do it.\u201d\n\n _O unbelief, injurious bar,_\n _Source of tormenting, fruitless care._\n\nSurely it is the womb of misery, and grave of comfort. Had we faith but\nas a grain of mustard seed, how should we trample the world, the flesh,\nthe devil, death, and hell under foot? LORD, increase our faith! I know\nyou say _Amen_. \u201cEven so LORD JESUS, Amen and Amen!\u201d But whither am\nI going? Love makes me forget myself. Adieu\u2015\u2015my dear Sir, adieu. Pray\ntell Mr. _G\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ that I intend answering his kind letter shortly. I\nsend cordial love to him, and all the followers of the Lamb.\n\n _O may we find the ancient way,_\n _Our wond\u2019ring foes to move;_\n _And force the heathen world to say,_\n _See how these christians love!_\n\nI can now no more, but subscribe myself, dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLV.\n\n\n _To Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 7, 1753._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nBY this conveyance I send you a power of attorney to dispose of\n_Providence Plantation_, and leave it to your discretion to sell at\nwhat price you please. I would only observe, that I had rather it\nshould be sold for somewhat less than its real value, than to keep it\nany longer in my hands. I do not choose to keep two families longer\nthan needs must. Be pleased to pay what you receive for it, into the\nhands of Mr. _Charles H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n_ of _Charles-Town_. Blessed be GOD for\nremembering mercy in the midst of judgments. O that with his rod he\nmay also send his spirit! For without it, as dear Mr. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_\nobserves, \u201cWe shall be chastened, but not changed.\u201d The world after the\ndeluge, was as bad as before. Nothing but the blood of JESUS CHRIST,\napplied by faith, can cleanse the soul from sin.\u2015\u2015\n\n _To this blest fountain of thy blood,_\n _Incarnate GOD I fly;_\n _Here let me wash my spotted soul,_\n _From sins of deepest dye._\n\nMy dear Sir, add to my obligations, by praying, that the foot of pride\nmay never come against me. This is what turned fair angels into foul\ndevils; and yet alas, how prone are we to it! Surely it is the first\nenemy we fight with, and the last that is totally conquered. O that I\nwas humble! then would the LORD delight to own and honour me more and\nmore. I am amazed he doth not throw me aside. But (O unchangeable love!)\nstill he causeth my rod to bud and blossom. The Winter season hath\nbeen very blessed, and we hear daily of fresh inroads made into Satan\u2019s\nkingdom. GOD seems determined to throw down _Jericho_\u2019s walls by\nrams-horns, yea by very crooked rams-horns. Even so, Father, for so\nit seemeth good in thy sight! My dear Sir, once more I intreat you to\npray for me. Neither you nor yours are forgotten by me. The money you\nreceive for _Providence_, will be immediately wanted to buy more land,\nand to pay for opening _Bethesda_\u2019s new plantation.\u2015\u2015I have desired\nyour brother to agree with Mrs. _P\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ for hers, if she can give a\ngood title. I am sorry to hear she is declining.\u2015\u2015But why so? Is not\ndeath an entrance into life everlasting?\n\n _There sin and pain, and sorrow cease,_\n _And all is calm and joy and peace._\n\nHearty love and prayers attend her and all enquiring friends. That this\nnew year may be filled with millions of new blessings, both to your\nsouls and bodies, is and shall be the constant prayer of, very dear\nSir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLVI.\n\n\n _To Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 9, 1753._\n\n_My dear Mr. S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Received your kind letter yesterday, and suppose, ere this can\nreach you, my last will be come to hand. What say you? If I should be\ndetained in _England_ this year, are you willing to put your life in\nthe Redeemer\u2019s hands and go immediately? A ship is bound for _Savannah_\nabout ten miles from the Orphan-house, the beginning of next month.\nMethinks I hear you say to the glorious _Emmanuel_,\n\n _A life that all things casts behind,_\n _Springs forth obedient at thy call._\n\nSuch a spirit is fit for _Bethesda_; such a spirit becomes one who\ndesires to be a teacher of youth, and a faithful minister of the\never-loving ever-lovely JESUS. Let me know your mind. If you come\nimmediately, may the LORD come and go with you! That is company enough.\n\u2015\u2015But there are others going in the same ship. The LORD direct and\nbless you! He will vouchsafe to countenance my feeble labours. I have\nyet more good news from the North. Last night was an awful night, we\ncarried three saints together to the grave; thousands attended, and\nboth within and without doors, the word I trust came with power. O\nthat the dead may be made to hear the voice of the Son of GOD, and to\ncome forth! I rejoice if any of his dear people have been quickened at\n_Glasgow_. Perhaps next Summer, I may see them in my way to, or return\nfrom _Ireland_. The LORD help all to pray for me. \u201cLess than the least\nof all,\u201d shall be still my motto. To me nothing belongs, but shame and\nconfusion of face. I must away. The LORD direct and bless you. I\ncommend you to his never-failing mercy, and am\n\n Your assured friend for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLVII.\n\n\n _To Mr. Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 10, 1753._\n\n_Honoured and very dear Sir_,\n\nTHIS morning, before I received your kind packet, I was finishing\nmy answer to the good Professor, and then intended to send it to you\nwith the inclosed extracts. LORD, what am I, that any of thy faithful\nservants should write to, or concern themselves about me or my affairs!\nWith all thy other favours, give me, O GOD, an humble and grateful\nheart; so shall thy mercies not prove my ruin! I hope to answer good\nMr. _U\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and dear Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015s_ speedily. A ship goes to _Savannah_\nthe \u2666beginning of next month. Mrs. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ is safely delivered of\na daughter; the forts being destroyed by the late dreadful hurricane,\nthe Governor and Council of _South-Carolina_, have sent for her husband\nto _Charles-Town_. Blessed be GOD, _Bethesda_ hath received but little\ndamage. Several of the orphans have sent me pretty letters, and I trust\nit will yet prove an useful seminary for both white and black persons.\nI wait to see this great salvation, O LORD! To-morrow, GOD willing, I\nshall dine with Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, and on _Friday_ morning if possible will\nendeavour to wait upon you. My hands are full of work, and I hear every\nday of fresh persons awakened; but I can do so little, and what I do is\ndone so badly, that I fear sometimes my LORD will throw me aside like\na broken vessel.\u2015\u2015Very dear and honoured Sir, for CHRIST\u2019s sake do you\nand your worthy collegue continue to pray for me; surely it is an act\nof the greatest charity. Less than the least of all, shall be my motto\nstill. My heart is full; GOD forgive me. I am now beginning to enter\nupon my thirty-ninth year. LORD JESUS quicken my tardy pace! I can no\nmore. But hoping to see you on _Friday_, and to be furthered in my work\nand way by your fatherly counsel and instruction, I subscribe myself,\nvery dear and honoured Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, obliged son, and ready servant\n in our glorious Head,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 \u201cbegining\u201d replaced with \u201cbeginning\u201d\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLVIII.\n\n\n _To Lady H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015n._\n\n _London, Jan. 13, 1753._\n\n_Ever-honoured Madam_,\n\nYOUR Ladyship\u2019s very kind and christian letter, I have read over and\nover again. It drew my heart towards the Redeemer, and caused me to\npray, that your present retirement, may be a glorious preparative for\nfurther, and yet more public usefulness in his mystical body. To have\none\u2019s hands or tongue tied from acting or speaking for GOD, is, to a\nnew and heaven-born soul, one of the greatest pieces of self-denial in\nthe world. But this hath been the lot of many of the most choice and\nholy souls under heaven. It is a mercy, that where there is a willing\nmind, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, and not\naccording to that which he hath not. I beg that your Ladyship would not\nhave the least thought about my concerns, otherwise than at a throne\nof grace. Your Ladyship wants a bridle, rather than a spur. My highest\nambition is to spend and be spent for JESUS, and to be not the head,\nbut servant of all. When your Ladyship mentioned the word _ambition_,\nI could not help thinking of the saying of the _Eunuch_, \u201cSpeaketh the\nprophet this of himself, or of some other man?\u201d But we know not what\nis in our hearts. LORD, keep me from being led into, and falling by\ntemptation. I wish your Ladyship much success with _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, but worldly\nwise men, serpent-like, so turn and wind, that they have many ways to\nslip through and creep out at, which simple-hearted single-eyed souls\nknow nothing of, and if they did, could not follow after them. Honesty\nis the best policy, and will in the end (whether we seek it or not) get\nthe better of all. Your Ladyship\u2019s intended letter to Governor _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\nwill be very acceptable. I hope the inclosed will give your Ladyship\npleasure. O that I may be enabled to give the LORD JESUS all the glory!\nTo me nought belongs, but confusion of face. Surely I am the chief of\nsinners, less than the least of all saints, but for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\never-honoured Madam,\n\n Your Ladyship\u2019s most dutiful, obliged and very\n ready servant,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLIX.\n\n\n _To Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 15, 1753._\n\n_My dear Mr. C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Owe you a letter and much love. The one I will now pay you, the other\ndebt our \u2666common LORD must discharge. I despair of doing it, because I\nrun upon fresh arrears to him and his dear people every day and every\nhour. I willingly therefore own myself a debtor to high and low, rich\nand poor, to all, of all denominations whatsoever.\u2015\u2015What have we to\ndo with a party or sectarian zeal? Why should not our heaven begin on\nearth?\n\n _All that we know they do above,_\n _Is, that they sing, and that they love._\n\nO for some fresh anointings of the blessed spirit! Then will the scales\nfall more and more from our eyes, and the veil of ignorance be taken\nmore and more from our hearts. Then shall we be more and more content\nto think, and let think, and be studious to be of one heart, where we\ncannot be of one judgment or mind. The sweetness of such a spirit, is\nunspeakable; it brings with it its own reward; it frees the soul from\na thousand needless jealousies, and selfish passions, and enables it to\nput the reins of government into his hands, who alone orders all things\nwell. LORD, increase in us this spirit, and give us more and more to\nlove all that bear thy image, though they may not in all things agree\nwith us!\n\n _O may we find the ancient way,_\n _Our wond\u2019ring foes to move;_\n _And force the heathen world to say,_\n _See how these christians love!_\n\nMy dear brother, your kind letter constrains me to write thus.\u2015\u2015Blessed\nbe GOD for what has been done at any time, by any instrument, at\n_Newcastle_. I still pray that the town may be full of new creatures.\nIn _London_ we have reason to rejoice. Yesterday was a great day of\nthe Son of man; both at the sacrament, and under the word preached,\nour LORD gave us to drink of the wine of the kingdom. On _Monday_ last\nwe followed three believers to the grave, and triumphed over death on\nhis own ground. O what a CHRIST have we! GOD help us to love him more,\nand serve him better! I salute all most heartily with whom you are in\nfellowship.\u2015\u2015Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you. I beg a\ncontinued interest in all your prayers, and subscribe myself, dear Sir,\n\n Your affectionate friend, and ready servant\n for CHRIST\u2019s sake,\n _G. W._\n\n \u2666 duplicate word \u201ccommon\u201d removed\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLX.\n\n\n _To C\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 W\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _Chatham, Jan. 19, 1753._\n\n_My dear Friend_,\n\nA Multiplicity of business prevented my answering your kind letter,\nbefore my coming out of _London_. Lest I should be prevented by the\nsame means at my return thither, I write you a few lines in the way.\nI have been among some new-awakened souls, who seem to be taking the\nkingdom of GOD by a holy violence. At _London_, GOD hath lately caused\nhis people\u2019s cups to run over with strong consolation, and many sturdy\nsinners have been made to cry out, \u201cWhat shall we do to be saved?\u201d I\nthank you for the caution about the new building; a burnt child dreads\nthe fire. I shall not begin, till we have a thousand pounds in hand,\nand then shall contract for a certain sum for the whole. This affair\nwill detain me till the days are long enough to travel, and set\nout upon a fresh pursuit after poor sinners, who have wandered from\ntheir GOD.\u2015\u2015The LORD be with you and yours. May the gospel plough be\nprospered, whatever hand is employed to lay hold of it. This, as far\nas I know my treacherous heart, is the sincere language of, dear Sir,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLXI.\n\n\n _To Mr. O\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 23, 1753._\n\n_My dear Mr. O\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_,\n\nI Received your kind letter, and have since shewn it to the secretary\nfor _Georgia_, who approved of it very much. I am glad we are to have\nyou in that infant province, and could heartily wish you was nearer\n_Bethesda_. I doubt not of its becoming a seat of learning in time,\nbut it is good for every thing to rise gradually. I have engaged a dear\nyouth, who I trust will suit the Orphan-house infant state very well.\nIt hath scarce learnt as yet to stand upon its own legs; as it grows I\nexpect it will give me more trouble. To have young men educated there,\nand then turned out into the church graceless and unconverted would\nbreak my heart. Father, if it be thy will, let this cup pass from me!\nI suppose we shall now soon know, who is to be Governor; every thing\nis to be ordered as I informed you in my last. My eyes are waiting upon\nHim, from whom alone cometh all our salvation. We see wonders every\nday on this side the water. Glorious days of the Son of man indeed!\nNotwithstanding, I long to take another trip to yonder new world. Time\nwill determine, wherefore this attraction. He that believeth doth not\nmake haste. GOD forbid that \u201cChastened, but not changed,\u201d should always\nbe _Charles-Town_ motto. LORD, let them hear thy rod, and who hath\nappointed it! What a dreadful thing is it to come cankered out of the\nfurnace? It bespeaks further trials yet behind;\u2015\u2015but I need not tell\nyou this.\u2015\u2015Excuse this freedom: be pleased to give my hearty love to\nall, and I beseech you continue to pray for, my dear friend and brother,\n\n Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLXII.\n\n\n _To Mr. V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015 B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 19, 1753._\n\n_My very dear Sir_,\n\nA Few days ago I was with good Mr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_, who assured me that Mr.\n_V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ had written him, that two hundred pounds sterling were ordered\nyou to be disposed of as you should judge proper. I hope you will find\nthis to be true, if you have not found it so already. Is there no way\nof making the breach up between you and Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? Mr. _U\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015r_, from\nwhom I heard very lately, and also all your _German_ friends, desire\nit extremely. I promised Mr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ that I would use my interest for\nyour own sake, but above all for the sake of JESUS CHRIST our common\nLORD. My very dear Sir, do forgive and forget, and if you are conscious\nyou have been too hasty in any respect, pray send to Mr. _B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ a few\nlines of love. We never lose any thing by stooping.\u2015\u2015GOD will always\nexalt the humble soul. O that the prince of peace would honour me to be\na peace-maker!\u2015\u2015Do, my dear friend, comply with my request, and thereby\ngive further proofs that you are indeed converted, and become a little\nchild. May this blessing descend on your new-born babe! Our joint\nrespects await Mrs. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and yourself. You may well wish yourself\nat the tabernacle. All is alive there.\u2015\u2015Thousands flock to hear, and\nthousands feel the power of the living GOD.\u2015\u2015Dear _Charles-Town_, I\npity thee! O that thou knowest the day of thy visitation! If this meets\nyou there employed as an engineer, may the LORD own, bless and direct\nyou, and keep you unspotted from the world! If elsewhere, I hope you\nare where GOD would have you be, and that is enough,\u2015\u2015I commend you\nto his never-failing mercy, and desiring a continued interest in your\nprayers, beg leave to subscribe myself, very dear Sir,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLXIII.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. H\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 27, 1753._\n\n_My very dear Friend_,\n\nI Thank you a thousand times for the trouble you have been at, in\nrevising my poor compositions, which I am afraid you have not treated\nwith a becoming severity. How many pardons shall I ask for mangling,\nand I fear murdering your dear _Theron_ and _Aspasia_? You will see\nby _Monday_\u2019s coach; which will bring a parcel directed for you, to\nthe care of Doctor _S\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_. It contains one of your dialogues, and two\nmore of my sermons, which I do not like very well myself, and therefore\nshall not wonder if you dislike them. If you think they will do for the\npublic, pray return them immediately, because the other two go to the\npress next _Monday_. I have nothing to comfort me but this, \u201cthat the\nLORD chooses the weak things of this world to confound the strong, and\nthings that are not, to bring to nought the things that are.\u201d I think\nto sell all four sermons for six-pence. I write for the poor, you\nfor the polite and the noble; GOD will assuredly own and bless what\nyou write.\u2015\u2015As yet I have only had time to peruse one of your sweet\ndialogues; as fast as possible I shall read the rest. I am more than\npaid for my trouble by reading them. The LORD be with your dear heart!\nContinue to pray for me. The LORD be with us. Grace! Grace! I am,\ndearest Sir, in very great haste, but greater love,\n\n Yours, &c.\n _G. W._\n\n\n\n\n LETTER DCCCCLXIV.\n\n\n _To the Reverend Mr. B\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015._\n\n _London, Jan. 31, 1753._\n\n_Reverend and very dear Sir_,\n\nYOUR kind letter came safe to hand, and according to your desire, I\nsend you a little bell, as a small token of my unfeigned love to your\ndear congregation. I have written strongly to Professor _Frank_ for\nsome Negroes for you, and heartily pray the LORD of all Lords to put it\ninto our power to serve that black generation. Their souls are equally\nprecious in the eyes of an all gracious Redeemer, as ours. O that\nwe may yet see some good come out of _Georgia_. I would take another\ntrip over this spring, but am hindered by our building a new place of\nworship, and by the continual calls that are given me to preach the\neverlasting gospel.\u2015\u2015Indeed we see most glorious days of the Son of man.\nThe cup of GOD\u2019s people is made to run over, and every day we hear of\nsomebody or another brought under new awakenings, and pricked to the\nheart; notwithstanding this, I find a continual attraction to _America_.\nThe event will prove wherefore all this happens to me. LORD help me\nto walk by faith and not by sight! My dear Sir, you and yours will not\nforget to pray for me. I am the chief of sinners, and less than the\nleast of all saints\u2015\u2015What shall I render unto the LORD? Write every\nopportunity. Dear Mr. _Z\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ will take care of your child. Cannot\nmatters be made up between you and Mr. _V\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_? Is it not a pity that\nany of us should fall out in our way to heaven? When we meet next,\nremember that a floor and blanket is all the lodging, and a chick\nor fowl, boiled or roasted, is all the food I desire at _Ebenezer_.\nWhat is a pilgrim life without a pilgrim heart? O that I was like\nmy LORD! Then should I endure hardness, like a good soldier of JESUS\nCHRIST.\u2015\u2015The encouragement for raising silk will be continued. O\nthat _Georgia_ may prove a fruitful soil for raising children unto\n_Abraham_! We wait for thy salvation, O LORD. For the present, reverend\nSir, adieu. My wife joins in sending cordial salutations to your\nwhole self, to Mr. _L\u2015\u2015\u2015\u2015_ and his wife, and all the dear people at\n_Ebenezer_. That you all may at all times have reason to say, \u201chitherto\nhath our LORD helped us,\u201d is the earnest prayer of, reverend and very\ndear Sir,\n\n Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother,\n and fellow-labourer in our common LORD,\n _G. W._\n\n\n The END of the SECOND VOLUME.","title":"The works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Vol. 2 (of 6) : $b Containing all his sermons and tracts, etc.","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":172443}