LETTER CCCXXII.
To the Honourable J—— W——, at Boston.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 26, 1741.
Honoured Sir,
PRESUMING it would not be disagreeable to you, I have taken the liberty to print part of the letter you was so kind as to send me. Surely it will rejoice the hearts of thousands, to hear what good things the Lord is doing in these parts. It has put much gladness into my heart, and caused me to give many thanks in behalf of the people of New-England. How good is our God! When things are a little troublesome without, he sends his gospel to comfort his children within. Surely Jesus Christ is about to set the world in a flame. He is working powerfully at home; he is working powerfully abroad. I trust he will continue working, ’till the earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. I hope you will yet feel more of this light and life in your own heart, before you go hence, and be comforted with the comforts wherewith I am daily comforted of God. Dear Sir, Jesus is a precious Master. He, as it were, dandles me upon his knees. He carries me in his arms, he fights all my battles, and makes me more than conqueror thro’ his love. My work is great, but my supports are greater. He assures me from day to day, that he will never leave me nor forsake me. My infirmities often make me blush, and yet Jesus passes them all by. Dear Sir, think often on the love of Christ: think of his dying love; that must give you comfort. I rejoice at this opportunity of writing to you. I thank you for your kind caution. I pray God to teach me how to improve it. Help me, dear Sir, with your prayers; and accept of these few lines from, honoured Sir,
Your most affectionate brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXIII.
To Mr. E—— D——, at Boston.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 26, 1741.
Dear Mr. D——,
I Am to be blamed for not sending you a line. I am an ungrateful creature; ungrateful to my earthly friends, unspeakably more so to the friend of all. Pardon me this once. God willing, you shall have no reason to complain of me any more. If you remember, once in my sermon I said, “O that New-England was full of new creatures!” I hope the Lord in some measure is going to answer that prayer.—It rejoices my heart, to hear that the gospel runs so swiftly, and is so remarkably glorified amongst you. This is the Lord’s doings, and it ought to be marvellous in our eyes. Blessed are the eyes that see the things which we see; blessed are the ears that hear the things which we hear, for many righteous men have desired to see and hear them, and have not. I rejoice also to hear, that there is like to be a church in your house. O, dear Sir, take care that none of you rest, till you have got fast hold of the blessed Jesus. My kind love to dear Mrs. D——. May Christ’s justifying blood be upon you and your children. I return my love to all that are so kind as to remember me. I believe I shall not see you this Winter. The work is very great, and goes on very prosperous in England. However, you are all upon my heart, and the more heartily you pray for me, the sooner shall I be restored unto you. I hope I feel the benefit of your dear people’s prayers; for God comforts and strengthens me daily, and carries me on from conquering to conquer. On shore, I have scarce time to write a line; being now on board, I take this opportunity of returning you my hearty thanks for your kind letter, and of assuring you that I am, dear Mr. D——,
Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXIV.
To the Rev. Mr. R——, at Boston.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 26, 1741.
My dear Brother R——,
HOW glad was I to receive a letter from your hands, having heard nothing of, or from you particularly, since we parted. What great things has the Lord shewn us since that time. Methinks I hear you say, “and yet I can tell of greater things.” I believe we shall see far greater yet before we die. The work is beginning afresh here. I sometimes think B—— G—— must take a voyage over to Old-England. Most of our London ministers too much shun the cross, and do not appear boldly for God.—Now the Lord hath worked so powerfully in your college, I have less to say against your joining with Mr. W——. I am glad to hear you speak plainly and closely. What comfort will this afford you in a dying hour? Go on, my dear brother, go on; venture daily upon Christ, go out in his strength, and he will enable you to do wonders. He is with me more and more. I have been sweetly carried thro’ the heat and burden of every day’s labour. Jesus bears all my burdens. Jesus enables me to cast all my cares upon him. O then let us magnify his name together! I am now going to Scotland, knowing not what will befal me. What God does, you may expect to hear shortly. In the mean while, let us pray for and write to each other. As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the letters of a man his friend. Your last I have printed: God’s glory called me to it. My dear brother, adieu! Dear Brother S—— sits by and salutes you. My kind love awaits Mr. W——, and all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. In hopes of receiving another letter from you shortly, I subscribe myself, dear Mr. R.
Your very affectionate, tho’ very unworthy brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXV.
To the Students, &c. under convictions at the colleges of Cambridge and New-haven,—in New-England and Connecticut.
Dear Gentlemen,
WITH unspeakable pleasure have I heard, that there seems to be a general concern among you about the things of God. It was no small grief to me, that I was obliged to say of your college, that “your light was become darkness;” yet are ye now become light in the Lord. I heartily thank God, even the Father of our glorious Redeemer, for sending dear Mr. T—— among you. What great things may we not now expect to see in New-England, since it has pleased God to work so remarkably among the sons of the prophets? Now we may expect a reformation indeed, since it is beginning at the house of God. A dead ministry will always make a dead people. Whereas, if ministers are warmed with the love of God themselves, they cannot but be instruments of diffusing that love among others. This, this is the best preparation for the work whereunto you are to be called. Learning without piety, will only make you more capable of promoting the kingdom of satan. Henceforward, therefore, I hope you will enter into your studies not to get a parish, nor to be polite preachers, but to be great saints. This, indeed, is the most compendious way to true learning: for an understanding enlightened by the spirit of God, is more susceptible of divine truths, and I am certain will prove most useful to mankind. The more holy you are, the more will God delight to honour you. He loves to make use of instruments, which are like himself. I hope the good old divinity will now be precious to your souls, and you will think it an honour to tread in the steps of your pious forefathers. They were acquainted with their own hearts.—They knew what it was to be tempted themselves, and therefore from their own experience knew how to succour others. O may you follow them, as they followed Christ. Then great, very great will be your reward in heaven. I am sure you can never serve a better Master than Jesus Christ, or be engaged in a higher employ than in calling home souls to him. I trust, dear gentlemen, you will not be offended at me for sending you these few lines. I write out of the fulness of my heart. I make mention of you always in my prayers. Forget me not in yours. I am a poor weak worm. I am the chief of sinners, and yet, O stupendous love! the Lord’s work still prospers in my unworthy hands.—Fail not to give thanks, as well as to pray for
Your affectionate brother and servant, in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXVI.
To Mr. D——, at Boston.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 25, 1741.
Dear Sir,
YOUR’s as well as other letters, which I received from Boston, gave me no small satisfaction. Now, now I live, if poor sinners are flocking for life to the dear Lord Jesus. How may we suppose the angels to be rejoicing over Boston, and other places in New-England! How glad are they to see the lectures frequented as in times of old, and the spirit of your good forefathers reviving among you! Sure it must be delightful to see black and white, young men and maidens, old men and children, praising the name of the Lord. Blessed be God, who in this great awakening hath not passed by your house. Fear not, dear Sir: Who knows but the blessed Jesus may yet visit you with the light of his blessed countenance? I rejoice to hear he has been gracious to your wife and daughter. I pray God, you may be all built up in our most holy faith, and go on from strength to strength, till you come to appear before the Lord Christ in glory. I thank God, who hath heard prayer on my behalf. I am strengthened daily both in body and soul, and have reason to think my ministry is blessed more and more. Let God’s goodness to me, encourage you to expect great things from our Lord. He is able and willing to do for us more abundantly than we can ask or think. That you and your dear family may daily drink of his divine pleasures, as out of a river, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXVII.
To John R——, an Orphan, at the Orphan-house.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741.
Dear John,
I Remember you once wanted to go away from Bethesda. Adore the free grace and mercy of that God, who has kept you there. I trust, it will prove the saving of your precious and immortal soul. To see oneself lost and condemned by nature, is the first step to conversion. I hope before this time you have found yourself saved by grace: for “by grace alone you are to be saved, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” The Lord Jesus hath indeed been knocking at the door of your heart. I trust, now he will break the door open, and give himself admission. Dear John, you may well wonder, that the Lord hath not sent you to hell. I trust, that you feel you deserve it. O that God may pluck you as a brand out of the burning. This was my only view in bringing you to Bethesda. This is the only desire of the dear friends who have the rule over you; they watch for your soul, &c. The devil (as you observe) watches to destroy it: and, therefore, my dear boy, away to Jesus Christ. He can take away the heart of stone: he can give you an heart of flesh. All things are possible with Him. That God may give you grace to take the kingdom of heaven with a holy violence, is the hearty prayer of, dear John,
Your sincere friend,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXVIII.
To James M——, an Orphan.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741.
Dear James,
I Am glad to hear by dear brother B——’s letters, that your soul has received comfort. I am comforted at the news. May God increase it daily, ’till your joy be full. I must think God loves you, and that he has begun a good work in your soul. I hope to find at my return that it is carried on, and that you have been pressing forward towards the mark for the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus your saviour. Dear James, I do not forget you. I hope you never will forget the love of Christ, who died and hath given himself for you. Does not the very thought of this make you even to weep? Do you not want some private place where to vent your heart? Away then, I will detain you no longer. Retire into the woods. Go look to him whom you have pierced, and with a godly sorrow mourn for your sins, as a woman for her first-born. At the same time, forget not to sigh out a prayer in behalf of, dear James,
Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXIX.
To Thomas Webb, an Orphan.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741.
Dear Thomas,
HOW inconsistent is the devil! How artfully does he strive to keep poor souls from Christ! Sometimes he labours to drive poor souls into despair; sometimes to presumption. These are the two rocks, against which he would fain have poor souls to make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience. I pray God to enable you to steer a middle course.—May you see your misery, and at the same time see your remedy in the cross and wounds of Jesus Christ. He calls to all weary heavy laden souls; consequently he calls you. Your coming to him, will be a proof of your election. The devils know nothing of God’s decrees. If ever he should tempt you so again, say, “If I do perish, I will perish at the feet of Christ.” He is willing to save, to save to the uttermost. He sees, he feels your anguish. He longs to rejoice over you. Venture therefore upon him. Thomas, be not faithless, but believing. Christ shall yet shew you his hands and his feet. He is the same now, as he was yesterday, full of love and condescension to self-condemned sinners. That you may experience the full power and efficacy of the Redeemer’s blood, is the ardent prayer of, dear Thomas,
Your sincere friend,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXX.
To William B——.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741.
I Thought your father had sent for you from Bethesda; but I hope your heavenly Father has kept you there to bring you home to himself. Your deadness has often grieved me. O that I may have reason to sing, at my return, “Billy B—— was dead, but is alive again; he was lost, but is found.” You do well to pray to God, to search your heart, and to try your reins; for otherwise your treacherous heart will deceive you. I would not have you forget what the Lord is doing for you, for ten thousand worlds. O defer not repentance to a death-bed. It will be hard to strive with principalities and powers, when you can scarce turn in your bed. A man, at that time, can hardly bear up under his bodily infirmities; but a wounded spirit who can bear? Reject, therefore, such a horrid temptation, with the utmost abhorrence. Be a worker together with God; and now God is working in you to will and to do, see that you work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Do not stab your Saviour any more. Dear Billy, think on his bitter agony and bloody sweat, and fly to him, as a Redeemer ready and willing to receive you. That you may be happy in him here, and with him hereafter, is the hearty prayer of
Your sincere friend,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXI.
To R—— W——, an Orphan.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741.
Dear Richard,
THE contents of your letter pleased me. I have sometimes thought, if God did not convert Richard W——, he would be one of the most unhappy boys in the world. You have head-knowledge; and unless you are made to see the sinfulness of your heart, it will much increase your condemnation. Blessed be God, who yet hath patience with you, and seems to be striving with your soul. I do not wonder that the devil tells you, “it is time to repent when you are a man.” You may well say, it is the devil that tells you so: Such a suggestion cannot come from God. Behold, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation! Jesus will even now accept you, vile as you are, and ungrateful as you have been: if you feel your misery, and fly to him for succour, he will accept you. Every conviction cries, “Come, Richard, come to me, that thou mayest have rest.” Let me advise you, as old Eli advised young Samuel: say, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.”
I am your sincere friend,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXII.
To John F——, an Orphan.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741.
Dear John,
I Willingly fulfil your request, and sit down to write you a line or two. I am glad you begin to see the wickedness of your own heart. You cannot conceive what a mystery of iniquity is hid therein. The more you see it, the more you will find the want of a saviour, and adore God for giving his dear Son to die for sinners. There was once a young man, named John, who leaned on the Saviour’s bosom, and was his particular favourite. What if you should be thus highly honoured. Would it not be an amazing instance of love and condescension? And what doth the Saviour do less, for all that feel themselves poor, lost, undone sinners? Nay, does he not do for them infinitely more? Yes, he does. Come to him, therefore, by faith, and he shall embrace you in the arms of his mercy, clothe you with his righteousness, sanctify you by his spirit, guide you by his counsel, and after death receive you up into glory. Look up, then, and never rest till you have it. Conviction is not conversion. But you know who has promised not to quench the smoaking flax, or break the bruised reed. That this promise may be fulfilled in your soul, is the hearty prayer of
Your sincere friend,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXIII.
To L—— M——, an Orphan.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 27, 1741.
Dear L—— M——,
AND are little boys and girls, at this and that corner of the wood, crying unto the Lord? I hope you, dear L——, are always among them; and may the Lord hear your prayers, when you cry unto him! Surely he will, if you feel yourselves poor sinners. Never did Jesus reject an humble suppliant. “Suffer (says he) little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Dear L——, take all possible care to cherish your convictions. God has spoken once, yea twice to you, in an extraordinary manner. You are one of the oldest; you ought to go before the rest, and to encourage them to follow the ever-blessed Jesus. Satan will, no doubt, be very busy; and therefore you ought to be busy also. You fight under a good captain, even Jesus Christ, who will tread all enemies under your feet. My dear child, redeem your precious time. Fight the good fight of faith; and when you are wrestling with God, fail not to pray for
Your sincere friend,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXIV.
To Mr. Thomas J——, at Savannah.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 29, 1741.
Dear Sir,
I Thank you for your continued kindness to my dear family. The God whom I serve, will richly reward you. I am more and more convinced, that the Orphan-house is of God. He will uphold it with his mighty arm. Dear Sir, there is nothing like a life of faith. It is more and more pleasant to me every day. I pray God, you may experience it every moment, and be enabled entirely to overcome the world. My letters, to my dear family, will inform you, how the Lord hath been pleased to deal with me. Blessed be his name, he hath delivered, he does, he will yet deliver. My soul has been among lions. Jesus hath been my helper. I am very comfortable within, and experience more of the divine presence in preaching, I think, than ever I did before in England. I suppose I shall not embark for America till Spring. Whatever good offices you are pleased to do for my family, shall be then fully acknowledged by, dear Sir,
Your obliged friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXV.
To Mr. L——, at Bristol.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 29, 1741.
Dear Mr. L——,
WE are now within thirty miles of our desired haven. We have had a pleasant passage. Before I go ashore, I would fain answer your kind letter. Fear not for Bristol. No weapon formed against Zion shall prosper. Let us wait patiently, and we shall certainly see the salvation of God. The Lord is beginning his work afresh. I suppose brother C—— has told you something of it. I never felt greater power in England. I have had God’s continued presence during the passage. God has given me sweet sleep at night, and a good appetite to my food by day. Faithful is he who hath promised, that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. I speak thus freely to you, because I know you will be thankful on my behalf. I hope both you and your dear wife, are making daily advances in the divine life. Whilst others are disputing, let us be growing. This will be the best way to convince those, who you find will not be convinced any other way. Adieu! The Lord be with you. May your soul breathe nothing but gentleness and love!
I am, dear Sir, Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXVI.
To Mr. H——, at the Orphan-house.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 30, 1741.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
I Have been five days on board, and am now just at our desired haven. God’s presence has sweetened the passage, and I have had freedom to write many letters besides those sent to Bethesda. If you, and dear brother B——, think proper, the little ones may be called, and the letters read before you. A word of exhortation, and a short prayer, may not be unseasonable. I thank you all for the tender care you take of the dear lambs. You serve a master, who will richly reward all your pains. I hope there will come a time, when I shall embrace and weep over you all with tears of love! At present, I feel myself a poor sinner, and stand amazed at God’s goodness and patience extended towards me. I am less than the least of his mercies. You may expect to hear from me again shortly. O do not forget to pray for me. My dear friends, for the present, adieu! The Lord be with your spirit.
Ever, ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXVII.
To Mr. J—— C——.
Edinburgh, Aug. 1, 1741.
My very dear Brother,
THE Lord was very gracious to me on board. He gave us a pleasant passage. As you know that the Messrs. Erskines gave me the first invitation to Scotland, and hath been praying for me in the most public, explicit, I could almost say extravagant manner, for near two years last past, I was determined to give them the first offer of my poor ministrations. Accordingly, I went yesterday to Dumfermling, where dear Mr. R—— E—— hath got a large and separate, or, as it is commonly termed, seceding meeting-house. He received me very lovingly. I preached to his and the town’s people.—A very thronged assembly—After I had done prayer, and named my text, the rustling made by opening the bibles all at once, quite surprized me: a scene, I never was witness to before. Our conversation after sermon, in the house, was such as became the gospel of Christ. They entertained me with various accounts of the success of the Seceders labours; and, as a proof of God’s being with them, Mr. R——’s son-in-law told me, that, at one of their late occasions, a woman was so deeply affected, that she was obliged to stop her mouth with an handkerchief to keep herself from crying out. They urged a longer stay, in order to converse more closely, and to set me right about church government, and the solemn league and covenant. I informed them, that I had given notice of preaching at Edinburgh this evening; but, as they desired it, I would in a few days return, and meet the associate presbytery in Mr. R——’s house. This was agreed on. Dear Mr. E—— accompanied me, and this evening I preached to many thousands, in a place called The Orphan-house Park. The Lord was there. Immediately after sermon, a large company, among whom were some of the nobility, came to salute me. Amidst our conversation, came in a portly, well-looking Quaker, nephew to Messrs. E——, formerly a Baptist minister in the north of England, who, taking me by the hand, said, “Friend George, I am as thou art; I am for bringing all to the life and power of the everliving God: and, therefore, if thou wilt not quarrel with me about my hat, I will not quarrel with thee about thy gown.” In this respect, I wish all, of every denomination, were thus minded. I find God has blessed my works in these parts. I am most cordially received by many that love the Lord Jesus. I have just been in company with a nobleman, who, I believe, truly fears God; and also with a lady of fashion, that discovers a christian spirit indeed. I already hear of great divisions. But Jesus knows how to bring order out of confusion. I hope the Lord is much with you, my dear brother. O may you be anointed more and more, till you are filled with all the fulness of God. Be pleased to read this to all in Wine-street; and remember me kindly to all that love the glorious Redeemer. He is a dear, dear Jesus. Tho’ we die for, yet let us not deny him in any wise. Pray that such a mind may be always given to
Your weak and unworthy brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXVIII.
To the Rev. Mr. G. W——, at Maxton.
Edinburgh, Aug. 1, 1741.
Dear Sir,
YOUR kind letter, like all other tokens of my precious Master’s love, quite amazes me. I hear you are a good old soldier of Jesus Christ. O that you had wrote to me sooner! I want the advice and exhortation of those who have been in Christ before me. The Lord is pleased greatly to bless me. His work seems to be beginning afresh in England. How it goes on abroad, the papers sent with this will inform you. Help me, dear Sir, help me with your prayers, that the Lord may bless my coming here. I hope some have felt the divine presence in this evening’s exercise. Thro’ grace I can say, I did, and do now. O that I could be humble and thankful! O that my heart glowed with the love of God and men! I would breathe nothing but love. I would love all that love the Lord Jesus, of whatsoever denomination. May the Lord heal our divisions, and grant that we may not thereby provoke him to send us a common persecution to drive us together! O that we may stand in a trying hour. Dear Sir, I shall be glad to see you at Edinburgh any day after Wednesday next, and then we can settle when to come into your parts. I am willing to preach the gospel to all. It is now late, but I was willing to write, lest something should hinder me on Monday. Dear Sir, good night. I commend you to God, thank you for your prayers, and desire a continuance of them in behalf of
Your affectionate younger brother, and fellow-labourer in the Redeemer’s vineyard,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXXIX.
To Mr. Thomas N——, at New-York.
Edinburgh, Aug. 8, 1741.
My dear Brother,
I Have written you several letters; and I rejoice to hear that the work of the Lord prospers in the hands of Messrs. T——s, &c. am glad they intend to meet in a synod by themselves. Their catholic spirit will do good. The associate presbytery here, are so confined, that they will not so much as hear me preach, unless I only will join with them. Mr. Ralph E——, indeed, did hear me, and went up with me into the pulpit of the Cannon-gate church.—The people were ready to shout for joy; but, I believe, it gave offence to his associates. I met most of them, according to appointment, on Wednesday last.—A set of grave venerable men! They soon proposed to form themselves into a presbytery, and were proceeding to chuse a moderator—I asked them for what purpose? They answered, to discourse, and set me right, about the matter of church-government, and the solemn league and covenant. I replied, they might save themselves that trouble, for I had no scruples about it; and that settling church-government, and preaching about the solemn league and covenant, was not my plan; I then told them something of my experience, and how I was led out into my present way of acting. One in particular said, he was deeply affected; and the dear Mr. E—— desired they would have patience with me, for that having been born and bred in England, and never studied the point, I could not be supposed to be so perfectly acquainted with the nature of their covenants. One, much warmer than the rest, immediately replied, “that no indulgence was to be shown me; that England had revolted most with respect to church government; and that I, born and educated there, could not but be acquainted with the matter now in debate.” I told him, I had never yet made the solemn league and covenant the object of my study, being too busy about matters, as I judged, of greater importance. Several replied, that every pin of the tabernacle was precious.—I said, that in every building there were outside and inside workmen; that the latter, at present, was my province; that if they thought themselves called to the former, they might proceed in their own way, and I should proceed in mine. I then asked them seriously, what they would have me to do; the answer was that I was not desired to subscribe immediately to the solemn league and covenant; but to preach only for them till I had further light. I asked, why only for them? Mr. Ralph E—— said, “they were the Lord’s people.” I then asked, whether there were no other Lord’s people but themselves; and supposing all others were the devil’s people, they certainly had more need to be preached to, and therefore I was more and more determined to go out into the highways and hedges; and that if the Pope himself would lend me his pulpit, I would gladly proclaim the righteousness of Jesus Christ therein. Soon after this, the company broke up; and one of these, otherwise venerable men, immediately went into the meeting-house, and preached upon these words, “Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night, if ye will enquire, enquire ye; return, come.” I attended; but the good man so spent himself in the former part of his sermon, in talking against prelacy, the common-prayer book, the surplice, the rose in the hat, and such like externals, that when he came to the latter part of his text, to invite poor sinners to Jesus Christ, his breath was so gone, that he could scarce be heard. What a pity that the last was not first, and the first last! The consequence of all this was, an open breach. I retired, I wept, I prayed, and after preaching in the fields, sat down and dined with them, and then took a final leave. At table a gentlewoman said, she had heard that I had told some people, that the associate presbytery were building a Babel. I said, “Madam, it is quite true; and I believe the Babel will soon fall down about their ears:” but enough of this. Lord, what is man, what the best of men? but men at the best! I think I have now seen an end of all perfection. Our brethren in America, blessed be God, have not so learned Christ. Be pleased to inform them of this letter. I have not time to write now. The Lord blesses my preaching here, and the work, I think, is begun afresh in London. I preach to many thousands daily, and several have applied to me already under convictions. I have been here about eight days. You may expect to hear from me shortly again. The Lord be with you. I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ: He will bless you for what you have done for the poor orphans. He comforts me on every side. O free grace! Dear brother S—— salutes you all.
Ever yours in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXL.
To Mr. T—— G——, at London.
Edinburgh, Aug. 8, 1741.
YOU will see, my dear brother, by the following, what God is still doing for me. On Sunday evening, I preached in a field near the Orphan-house, to upwards of fifteen thousand people; and on Monday, Friday, and Saturday evening, to near as many. On Tuesday I preached in the Cannongate church; on Wednesday and Thursday at Dumfermling; and at my return on Friday morning, at about eight o’clock, I preached at a town called Queens-Ferry, seven miles from Edinburgh. Every where the auditories were large, and very attentive. Great power accompanied the word. Many have been brought under convictions; and I have already received several invitations to different places, which, God willing, I intend to comply with. At present I can say no more, but desire you to pray for, and expect soon to hear further from,
Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXLI.
To the Rev. Mr. W——, at Dundee.
Edinburgh, Aug. 10, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I Just now had the pleasure of your letter; for which be pleased to accept my hearty thanks. I trust your prayers will be heard in my behalf. Glory be to free grace! many are here brought under convictions. Unworthy as I am, the glorious Emmanuel is pleased to clothe his word with power. I am amazed at his loving-kindness, and want heaven and earth to join with me in praising his holy Name. By your son I have sent some papers, and shall gladly receive any from you. I wish you would not trouble yourself or me in writing about the corruptions of the Church of England. I believe there is no church perfect under heaven; but, as God, by his providence, is pleased to send me forth simply to preach the gospel to all, I think there is no need of casting myself out. The divisions in Scotland are affecting, and undoubtedly they will occasion great searchings of heart. I pray God to support us in a trying hour. I am not yet determined, when I shall come your way. I can only promise, it shall be the first opportunity, and that you shall be apprized of it some time before. In the mean time, be pleased to bear me upon your heart. I am a weak helpless worm. Your correspondence will always be agreeable to me. That you may daily receive fresh anointings from above, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,
Your affectionate, tho’ younger brother and servant in the Gospel,
G. W.