LETTER CCCXLII.
To the Rev. Mr. O——.
Edinburgh, Aug. 10, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I Thank you for your kind and obliging letter.—I had not time to answer it before. God willing, I hope to come into the northern parts. The precise time I cannot yet tell. For ever adored be the Lord for his free grace! the word is accompanied with great power. Several apply to me daily under convictions. I find it best simply to preach the pure gospel, and not to meddle at all with controversy. The present divisions are a sore judgment to Scotland. This is my comfort, Jesus is king. He will either heal, or bring good out of them. I have been with several of the associate presbytery; but I see no hopes of accommodation. O that the power of religion may revive! Nothing but that can break down the partition wall of bigotry. Dear Sir, forget not to pray for me. I see more and more that I am nothing, and that Jesus is all in all. Did I know how, I would send you some papers; but I hope ere long to have a personal interview; and in the mean while, I beg leave to subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,
Your affectionate brother and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXLIII.
To the Right Honourable the Lord R——.
Edinburgh, Aug. 11, 1741.
My Lord,
THOUGH I am just going out, yet I cannot satisfy myself without snatching a few moments to write to you. I hope this will find your Lordship safe at your journey’s end, rejoicing in God for giving his angels charge concerning you in the way. It will please your Lordship, to inform you that the Lord of all Lords hath dealt most lovingly with me, since your departure hence. His power hath been frequently made known in the great congregation, and many come to me daily, crying out, “What shall I do to be saved?” The work of the Lord also goes on in America, and in England, so that I hope we shall see the kingdom of God come with power. This is the full desire of my soul. I am determined to seek after and know nothing else. For besides this, all other things are but dung and dross. O my Lord, why should we that are pilgrims, mind earthly things? Why should we that are soldiers, entangle ourselves with the things of this life? Heavenly-mindedness is the very life of a christian. It is all in all.—I pray the Lord that your heart may be drawn more and more towards him, and be fill’d with all his fulness. I could say more, but Mr. G—— W—— waits for me. I am, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXLIV.
To Mr. H—— H——, in London.
Edinburgh, Aug. 11, 1741.
My very dear Brother H——,
THOUGH my eyes are dim, and my body calls for rest, yet I would fain send you a line before I go. The Lord Jesus is getting himself into many hearts. I scarce feel any restraint in preaching. Both in public and private, the Lord clothes his word with power. Poor souls come to me under deep convictions. Sweet letters are sent to me of the success of my writings and sermons; and several pressing invitations to many places. I hope God is beginning such a work here, as he begun, and is now carrying on in New-England. Night and day Jesus fills me with his love. My bodily strength is daily renewed. The Lord is pleased to open my mouth wide; praise him for it. I have preached twice, and talked, and walked much to day. My dear man, good-night. The Lord be with you!
Ever, ever yours, in the most adorable Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXLV.
To the Most Honourable the M——ss of L——n.
Edinburgh, Aug. 12, 1741.
My Lord,
I Am surprized to find your Lordship so condescending as to write to me. How bright does humility shine in great personages? It is this renders God so amiable to his creatures. He is infinitely good, and withal infinitely condescending. What an unparalleled instance was that of his loving kindness, his giving his only begotten Son to die for sinful man. How low did Jesus stoop when he lay in a manger, much more when he hung upon the accursed tree. When I think of this mystery of godliness, I am lost in thought. This makes me to despise all human happiness, and sets my soul a longing for a full fruition of my Jesus. I pray God to give your Lordship grace to determine to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. He is the only center of true happiness. In him alone, solid, lasting joys are to be found. Having Jesus, I find in him I possess all things. But whither am I going? Your Lordship will excuse me. My heart at present is enlarged. I pray God to visit your Lordship with his great salvation. I thank your Lordship for your intended benefaction to the poor Georgia orphans. I hope the glorious Emmanuel will accept it at your hands. I have sent your Lordship another parcel, seeing the first hath miscarried. I shall follow it with my poor prayers, being, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXLVI.
To Mr. H—— H——.
Edinburgh, Aug. 13, 1741.
My very dear Brother,
I Longed to receive a letter from you. Blessed be God, my longing was satisfied this day. My heart is much united to you, and carried out for you. I utterly disapprove of some persons separating principles. I find, Satan now turns himself into an angel of light, and stirs up God’s children to tempt me to come over to some particular party. The associate Presbytery have been hard upon me; but I find no freedom, any longer than I continue just as I am, and evangelize to all. I know not that I differ from you in one thing. Glory be to God for what he has done at London! He is doing great things here. I walk in the continual sunshine of his countenance. Every day, fresh seals are given of my ministry. This morning God opened my voice to speak to preachers of the gospel. Be pleased to accept of this summary account of my proceedings. On Sunday morning, I visited and preached to the orphans here, and in the evening to as many people as the Sunday before. Every day since, excepting Monday, I have preached either in the churches or field twice a day, and yesterday I collected upwards of ninety-three pounds for the Georgia orphans. People are daily coming under deep convictions, and fresh invitations are sent me to preach at divers places round about. On Sunday, I purpose to preach in the country, and also the greatest part of the following week, and shall return again, God willing, about Friday to this city. O my brother, exhort all to praise the Lord. I have most sweet letters from many awakened ones. God, I believe, will work in the ministers and young students hearts. Even so Lord Jesus. Amen. Pray fail not writing to
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXLVII.
To Mr. D—— E——, at Sterling.
Edinburgh, Aug. 13, 1741.
My dear Brother,
I Received your kind letter, and heartily bless God, if any thing dropping from my unworthy lips was made of service to your soul. I believe, God inclined me to speak to you. The sons of the prophets are much upon my heart. I pray God that you may be polished shafts, and noble instruments in his hands, of building up living temples for the Holy Ghost. The treatment I met with from the associate presbytery, was not altogether such as I expected. It grieved me, as much as it did you. I could scarce refrain from bursting into a flood of tears. I wish all were like-minded with your honoured father and uncle: matters then would not be carried on with so high an hand. I fear they are led too much. Such violent methods, such a narrow way of acting, can never be the way to promote and enlarge the kingdom of the blessed Jesus. It surely must be wrong to fix such bounds to ourselves, as forbid even our hearing those who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, and have also been owned of him. Christ would not have done so.—Supposing the scheme of government which the associate presbytery contend for to be scriptural, yet forbearance and long-suffering is to be exercised towards such as may differ from them; and I am verily persuaded, there is no such form of government prescribed in the book of God, as excludes a toleration of all other forms whatsoever. Was the New Testament outward tabernacle to be built as punctual as the old, as punctual directions would have been given about the building it; whereas, it is only deduced by inference, and thus we see Independents, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians bring the same text to support their particular scheme, and I believe Jesus Christ thereby would teach us to exercise forbearance and long-suffering to each other. Was the associate presbytery scheme to take effect, out of conscience, if they acted consistently, they must restrain, and grieve, if not persecute many of God’s children who could not possibly come into their measures; and I doubt not but their present violent methods, together with the corruptions of that assembly, will cause many to turn Independents, and set up particular churches of their own. This was the effect of archbishop Laud’s acting with so high an hand; and whether it be presbytery or episcopacy, if managed in the same manner, it will be productive of the same effects. Blessed be God, I have not so learned Christ. I preach the simple gospel, and our glorious Jesus is pleased to attend it with his power. Every day I feel more and more of the divine presence, and people are coming to me crying, “What shall we do to be saved.” The love of Jesus fills my soul, and constrains me to write thus freely to you. O dear Sir, I love and honour your pious father. Remember me in the kindest manner to the good old man. I pray God, his last days may not be employed too much in the non-essentials of religion. My heart is knit to the family. God forbid, that any thing should hinder us from taking sweet counsel together. God willing, I am to preach at Falkirk on Tuesday evening, and purpose to be at Sterling that night, and to preach twice there the next day. If it was thought advisable, I would collect for the Orphan-house at Georgia in the afternoon. The Lord be with you, and all the family. Forget me not in your prayers.—I am a poor unworthy wretch. As such, pray for
Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXLVIII.
To Mr. H—— H——.
Edinburgh, Aug. 15, 1741.
My very dear Brother,
IT would make your heart leap for joy, to be now in Edinburgh. I question if there be not upwards of 300 in this city seeking after Jesus. Every morning, I have a constant levee of wounded souls, many of whom are quite slain by the law. God’s power attends the word continually, just as when I left London. At seven in the morning, we have a lecture in the fields, attended not only by the common people, but persons of great rank. I have reason to think several of the latter sort are coming to Jesus. Little children also are much wrought upon. God much blesses my letters from the little orphans. He loves to work by the most contemptible means. O my dear brother, I am quite amazed, when I think what God hath done here in a fortnight. My printed journals and sermons have been blessed in an uncommon manner. I am only afraid lest people should idolize the instrument, and not look enough to the glorious Jesus, in whom alone I desire to glory. Congregations consist of many thousands. Never did I see so many bibles, nor people look into them, when I am expounding, with such attention. Plenty of tears flow from the hearers eyes. Their concern appears various ways. I preach twice daily, and expound at private houses at night, and am employed in speaking to souls under distress great part of the day. I have just snatched a few moments to write to my dear brother. O that God may enlarge your heart to pray for me. This afternoon I shall preach out of town, and also to-morrow. Next post, God willing, you shall have another letter. I walk continually in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. The love of Christ quite strikes me dumb. O grace! grace! Let that be my song. Adieu. My dear fellow-traveller joins with me in hearty love to you all. I must away.
Ever yours in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXLIX.
To Mr. J—— H——, at Georgia.
Edinburgh, Aug. 24, 1741.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
WITH very great difficulty I get time to write this. The Lord is doing great things in Scotland. I preach twice daily to many thousands with great power. I have collected here very near two-hundred pounds, and have a prospect of collecting much more. Mr. N—— has drawn upon me for three hundred pounds sterling. I have paid two of it. Some hundreds remain yet unpaid. God gives me to put my trust in him. I have bought five hundred yards of cloth for the dear orphans winter’s wear, and shall send you the other things you mentioned. I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you. I do not wonder at the contempt you meet with, or the calumnies which are spread abroad. Remember the burning bush. O my friend, my dear friend, how shall I thank you for your prayers, care, and love? I am willing to wash all your feet. Perhaps in the Spring, I may embark; but cannot yet determine. I have written to you many letters, and I always remember you in my prayers. I am glad to hear that you can go to market without money. The Lord increase your faith. My dear brother, I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I will do what I can for Mr. B——. I thank dear Mr. J——, from my heart, for his great kindness. I wrote to him and to Mr. B——, and near thirty more, a month ago. Expect also some money shortly. I had rather bear any burden, than have my dear family burdened. I thank Mr. W—— for his care. His brethren here are well. I have not time to tell you, how I love and esteem you for the care you take of the dear lambs. I long to weep over you all. Excuse me for not writing particularly. The Lord be with you all. As soon as I can possibly redeem time, you shall hear again, my dear Mr. H——, from
Ever yours in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCL.
To the Rev. Mr. R—— E——.
Edinburgh, Aug. 24, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I Thank you for your kind letter. I believe it proceeded from love; but, as yet, I cannot think the solemn league and covenant is any way obligatory upon me. Indeed, dear Sir, you mistake if you think I temporize on account of the orphans. Be it far from me. I abhor the very thought of it. I proceed now, just as I have done ever since I came out in the ministry; and so far from not setting a hedge about our Lord’s garden, that was I called to it, I should set a much closer hedge than that which the associate presbytery are planting. I should enquire into people’s experiences, before I admitted them to the Lord’s table. I would have church members meet in church fellowship, and tell one another what God has done for their souls. You seem to think I am not open to light. That I may give you satisfaction, I am willing to confer with Mr. W—— at Perth, where I am to be by divine permission on Thursday, September 3. On Tuesday next, about four in the afternoon, I purpose preaching at Dumfermling.—I am engaged to sup at your collegue’s house, but intend to lie at yours. In the mean time be pleased to pray for me, and to remember my love to all your family; and believe me, reverend Sir, to be
Your most affectionate, though unworthy brother and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLI.
To the Reverend Mr. O——, at Aberdeen.
Perth, Sept. 3, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I Have received two letters from you, which much affect me, knowing how unworthy I am of such endearing expressions, or indeed of any notice at all. But what shall I say? Grace! grace! Jesus loves me, and so does his servant for Jesu’s sake. O free grace! I am sorry to find that any should insinuate, my not coming to Aberdeen is owing to your cold invitation. Such a thought never entered my heart, but quite the contrary. The distance of the way, and my pressing call to England, will keep me from you, and nothing else. I love and honour you for my master’s sake. I should be glad to wash your feet, and if possible I will yet see you. But if God should not permit me, dear Sir, be not offended. The Lord is pleased to give me much freedom and power in preaching. Congregations are every where large, and they have been very liberal to my poor orphans. O that I was humble, and thankful! I am the chief of sinners: I feel myself such. O the efficacy of Christ’s blood! It is omnipotent; it hath saved me. Dear Sir, my heart is melted down with the love of Jesus. He is a dear master. He hath suffered no evil to befal me, as you have already heard. I have not so much as hurt my foot against a stone. Help me to praise him. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive all honour and glory and riches and power and blessing! With much difficulty, I get time to send you these few lines.—Reverend and dear Sir,
Your very affectionate, obedient friend, younger brother, and servant in the gospel,
G. W.
P. S. For nine days past, I have continued preaching with great power twice every day, to very large and affected auditories in many towns and villages.
LETTER CCCLII.
To the Rev. Mr. W——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 19, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir,
THOUGH nature calls for rest, and I am to preach four times to-morrow, yet I cannot go to bed without answering your kind letter. Blessed be God for any good done at Dundee! Not unto me, not unto me, but unto Jesus Christ be all the glory. Thanks be to God, I can yet send you more glad tidings. At Creif we had a most precious meeting. At Glasgow I preached ten times. The Lord was with me of a truth. The congregations were very large, as were the contributions, and many were brought under the deepest convictions. With great regret we parted, and with great joy was received at Edinburgh. I had some thoughts of abiding in Scotland longer, but last night I received a letter, which almost determined my return to England. Next Saturday, God willing, I purpose to leave this place, and shall return into these parts, if providence points a way, in the Spring. I do not despair of seeing Scotland like New-England. Reverend Sir, for the present adieu. My poor body bids me to stop. O when shall I sleep no more! I am exceedingly weary, but am affectionately, Reverend and dear Sir,
Your most unworthy and obedient brother, and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLIII.
To Mr. T—— G——, in London.
Edinburgh, Sep. 24, 1741.
My very dear Brother,
THIS serves to inform you, that on Sunday last I preached here four times, twice in a church, and twice in the fields; in the evening I collected twenty pounds for the royal infirmary. On Monday morning, I visited the children in three hospitals, and preached in the evening in the park; also at Kinglassy, Aberdour, and Innerkeithing, on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday I visited the prison, and in the evening preached to the children of the city, with a congregation consisting of near twenty thousand in the park. It is remarkable that many children are under convictions, and every where great power and apparent success attend the word preached. Calls to divers places, are so numerous and importunate, that I think it my duty to stay in Scotland some time longer: being in haste, can say not more at present. My love to all that love the Lord Jesus.
Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLIV.
To the Right Honourable Lord L——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 25, 1741.
My Lord,
THOUGH nature calls for rest, yet love and gratitude oblige me to sit up to answer your Lordship’s letter, lest I should not have time in the morning. Blessed be the glorious Redeemer! who seems in some degree to be working upon your heart. My prayer to God is, that these convictions may continue, ’till they end in a sound conversion. You do well, my Lord, to fear, lest they should wear off. I have not had so much acquaintance with the world as your Lordship; but I know it is a deceitful thing, and without the utmost care and watchfulness, will insensibly divert the soul from God. Your Lordship is in a dangerous situation. A fear of contempt, and a love for honour, falsely so called, render religion unfashionable amongst the rich and polite part of mankind. But the blood of Jesus is almighty, and makes the soul more than conqueror. Here is the fountain to which you and I must apply, to wash away all our sins. And is it yet open for all poor sinners? Come then, my Lord, and lay yourself at the feet of the blessed Jesus. He can, he will, if you believe on him, abundantly pardon you. But faith is the gift of God. I pray God to give you no rest, ’till you have received the full assurance of faith. Then will you recover your primitive dignity, trample earth under your feet, and with your soul be panting after God. O my Lord, it is a blessed thing to have fellowship with the Father, and with the Son. I am a poor despised minister of Jesus Christ; but I would not change my Master for ten thousand worlds. I have food to eat, that the world knows nothing of. I long to have your Lordship taste of it too, and shall as it were travail in birth ’till Jesus Christ is formed in you. Your Lordship need not remind me to pray for you. Your eternal welfare is much upon my heart. My Lord, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. The blessed spirit is now striving with you, and saying, “My son, give me thy heart; what hast thou to do any more with idols?” I hope your reply will be, “Lord, I give thee my heart, my whole heart, and will no longer keep back from thee the least part.” Then will your Lordship be truly happy; for so far as we are void of God, so far we are miserable. But whither am I running? It is late; but your Lordship desired a long letter, and therefore I have taken the liberty to write freely. I am sensible of the honour put upon me by your Lordship, and hope I shall never betray any trust reposed in me. I pray God to sanctify this, and bless our fellowship when we meet together. I thank your Lordship for your concern about the orphans. I am persuaded you will in no wise lose your reward. I hope your Lordship received my last letter, which gave an account of my intended preaching at Kinglassie and Coupar. May the glorious Jesus sanctify my continuance in these parts, to the promoting his own glory and the good of souls! I think I can say, “to me to live is Christ.” It revives me to see so many seeking after Jesus. At Kinglassie the power was extraordinary. O free grace! that God should make use of such a wretch as I am. I desire to lie humbly in the dust, and say, “Why me, Lord, why me?” Fear not, my Lord, I have received remission of sins by the blood of Jesus. Into his arms, I am just about to commend your Lordship. I pray God to visit your soul with his salvation; and hoping my humble respects will find acceptance with your Lordship, your lady, and lady Ann, I beg leave to subscribe myself,
Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLV.
To the Right Honourable Lord R——.
Gallashiels, Sept. 28, 1741.
My Lord,
YOUR letter I fear has been too long unanswered, but gratitude will not permit me to defer answering it any longer. I have also received your Lordship’s liberal benefaction for the orphans, for which and all other favours, your Lordship hath my hearty thanks.—The innumerable instances of God’s goodness quite melt me down. The word of God prevails more and more. Every where Jesus Christ is getting himself the victory in poor sinners hearts. Young and old from many quarters fly to the gospel, as doves to the windows. I trust, your Lordship’s daughters will feel the power of Christ’s blood. Happy they, who do feel it. They rest in God. They are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. What a rich person is the poorest christian? He is joint heir with Jesus Christ. Supported with this thought, and feeling the power of it in my soul, I can despise all sublunary enjoyments, and long to be wholly swallowed up in God. Happy day, when we shall converse with the world no more! I pray God to give me patience to wait ’till Jesus comes. I would leap my seventy years, and fly upon the wings of faith and love, into the blessed Redeemer’s presence. I hope your Lordship is thus minded. May the glorious Emmanuel keep you so, ’till your soul is carried into Abraham’s bosom. This is the hearty prayer of, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient and obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLVI.
To the Right Honourable lord L——
Edinburgh, Oct. 2, 1741.
My Lord,
LAST night I returned from the south country, and receiv’d your Lordship’s kind letter. My invitation to Coupar was in the name of many: who the persons were that signed the letter I cannot tell. I have sent it inclosed in this. Had I known it to have been more agreeable to your Lordship, I would have appointed the meeting at Melvill; but I fear, as such public notice has been given, it will be now impracticable. I cannot possibly stay with your Lordship all Tuesday, being to preach at Dundee. But in my return from Aberdeen, I hope to be at your Lordship’s house. I am glad your Lordship intends to be at Kinglassie. I shall have both sermons very early, and hope the glorious Jesus will be with us in our going to Melvill. O my Lord, I want a thousand tongues to set off the Redeemer’s praise. Having him, tho’ I have nothing else, I find I possess all things. I have not forgotten your Lordship since I wrote last. You are, and will be much upon my heart. I have heard of the piety of your Lordship’s ancestors, and hope many prayers are yet in store for you. Above all, I trust, Jesus prays for you, and then you cannot but be a conqueror; nay, more than conqueror over the world, the flesh and the devil. Take courage then, my Lord, and fear not to follow a crucified Jesus without the camp, bearing his sacred reproach. Beware of honour, falsely so called: dare to be singularly good, and be not ashamed of Jesus or his gospel. O that you may find it to be the power of God to your salvation! Look but to Christ by faith, and your Lordship’s great possessions will not retard, but further and promote your progress in the divine life. What sweet communion will your Lordship then enjoy with God, in your walks and gardens? It will then be a little paradise to your soul, and every thing you meet with, will only draw you so much nearer to Jehovah, in whom all fulness dwells. This I find by daily experience; and that your Lordship may daily experience the same, is the earnest prayer, my Lord, of
Your Lordship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLVII.
To Mr. H——.
Melvill, October 5, 1741.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
I Have, by the ship that brings you this, sent you 70l. worth of different sorts of goods to be disposed of, and the money to be applied for the use of the Orphan-house. You are to let Mr. B—— have 20l. I have also sent 600 yards of cloth, a present of my own, to make the boys and girls gowns and coats, some whereof I have had made up here. The other things were given by various persons. Amongst these, you will find some damask table-cloths, which I desire you will sell, they being too good, in my opinion, for our use. O my dear friend, how faithful is the Lord Jesus! He has now enabled me to pay my brother, and Mr. N——’s bill of three hundred pounds sterling. There is yet 200l. to be paid, which I borrowed since my arrival in England; but very shortly I hope to discharge that also. I have been in Scotland about two months, and think to be here about a fortnight longer. God is pleased to give me health, and to bless my ministrations in an abundant manner. The little children in the hospitals, are much wrought upon. Saints have been stirred up and edified, and many others, I believe, are translated from darkness to light, and from the kingdom of satan to the kingdom of God’s dear Son. The good that has been done, is inexpressible. I am intimate with three noblemen, and several ladies of quality, who have a great liking for the things of God. I am now writing in an earl’s house, surrounded with fine furniture; but glory be to free grace! my soul is in love only with Jesus: he helps me more and more. I feel but little straitness in preaching, and we have often sweet appearances of the divine presence in our large assemblies. As to my own soul, it is very comfortable and composed; I feel the power of Jesus more, and the power of indwelling sin less. I am daily waiting for the coming of the Son of God. I fear I am too impatient to be gone; but what can the soul do, when sick of love? I have some thoughts of visiting Ireland. Whether I shall do that, or come to America in the Spring, God only knows. I pray for, and long to see you and the rest of my dear family. I trust, I then shall behold, what I long to behold, a houshold of faith, a company of poor sinners walking in the simplicity and love of the meek and lowly Jesus. O that you may so live, that whosoever comes amongst you may say, “Surely God is in this place.” Thousands of prayers are put up for us, and thousands of lies are spread abroad against us. But Jesus enables me to fight my way through all, and I am persuaded he will make me more than conqueror through his love. In England, the work goes on well. Brother C—— is much blessed in Wiltshire; and brother H—— wrote me word some time ago, that he had examined about three hundred souls of our society, most of which had been wrought upon since my return from Georgia. Help me to cry, Grace! grace! My dear friend and brother, for the present adieu! I love you in the bowels of a crucified Jesus. Brethren, pray for us.
I am ever, ever yours in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLVIII.
To Mr. H—— in Edinburgh.
Melvill, October 5, 1741.
Dear Mr. H——,
I Received your kind letter with the bill, and also that signed by you, and my other friends at Edinburgh. I take all they say in good part, but think some of their reasonings a little too worldly. The calumnies of evil men are not to be regarded. I value them not in the least. My largest donations have been from the rich and substantial. The mites which the lower sort of people have given, I am persuaded will not prevent their paying their debts, or impoverish their families. Mr. W——, in a letter to Mr. S——, wishes there may be a private contribution for myself; but I know nothing of, and will not admit of any such thing. I make no purse; what I have, I give away.—Freely I have received, freely I desire to give. “Poor, yet making many rich,” shall be my motto still. My great and professed design, is to bring poor sinners to Jesus Christ: but as my orphan family abroad is now large, and daily to be provided for, without the least visible fund, and I believe much glory will redound to God from that house; I think it my duty to speak to those, who I believe, for Christ’s sake, are willing to help them. I would have no one afraid of doing too much good, or think, that a little given in charity will impoverish the country.—May God reward you, and all others that have assisted me for his dear Son’s sake! My poor prayers will always attend my Scotch friends. When I shall go to England, I know not, but I hope God will direct me. I must have done. Dear Sir, may the Lord be with you, and be your ease in pain. My kindest respects attend your kind wife, and all my dear friends. I thank you and them for their advice, and desire to subscribe myself, with much affection, dear Sir,
Your obliged, and affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLIX.
To the Rev. Mr. M——, at Dornock.
Aberdeen, October 9, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir,
SOME time past, I received a letter from your Presbytery of Sutherland, and if I mistake not, with your name subscribed. However, as I this night have seen your son, I think it my duty in a letter to you, to thank the reverend presbytery for their kind invitation; but as my stay in Scotland is so short, and Sutherland so far Northward, I cannot think of going thither at this time. Notwithstanding, my prayer to God is, that the glorious gospel may flourish in your hands, and that you may bring many, very many souls to Jesus. This, reverend Sir, unless my heart deceives me, is my only aim.
For this let men revile my name,
I shun no Cross, I fear no shame;
All hail reproach, and welcome pain,
Only thy terrors, Lord, restrain!
O, dear Sir, my heart is warmed with the love of Jesus; whilst I am writing, the fire kindles. Amazing, that Jesus should suffer me to speak for him! But what shall we say? His grace is free. Dear Sir, help me to cry, Grace! grace! Surely I shall sing it in heaven. I long to be there, but am willing to tarry the Lord’s leisure. Dear Sir, excuse this freedom; I hope I am writing to one that loves Jesus. I would write more, but must away to give a word of exhortation. That the Lord Jesus may fill you with all joy and peace in believing, is the hearty prayer of, Reverend and dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend, brother, &c. in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLX.
To Major M——.
Aberdeen, October 9, 1741.
Dear Sir,
BEING come thus far Northward, and hearing that you are this way, I cannot forbear writing, though nature calls for sleep. I was concerned I could not see you at London; but hope this will find you retired from a noisy world, and walking with your dear spouse as becometh the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is what I have longed and prayed for many a time. I am of the same mind as formerly. Nothing but Jesus can satisfy the soul. Aided by his Almighty power, I still go on through good report and evil report, preaching the gospel. Blessed be God, I am not ashamed of it. For, I find it, as do many others, to be the power of God to our eternal salvation. O, dear Sir, I feel more and more of the love of Christ every day. It is past expression. I hope ere now you have had it shed abroad in your heart abundantly, by the Holy Ghost. A letter informing me of this, will rejoice my soul. Be pleased to direct to me at Mr. T——’s, Edinburgh. God willing, I purpose leaving Scotland in about a fortnight. Whether I shall see you in the flesh, I know not. However, since I know what God once did for you, be not offended, if I charge you, dear Sir, not to let me miss you at God’s right-hand in the great day. But God only can bring this to pass: That you and your dear wife may be kept by his mighty power unto salvation, prays, dear Sir,
Ever yours,
G. W.