LETTER DCXVII.
To Mr. W——.
Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747.
Very dear Sir,
LAST night I heard of Dr. Coleman’s sudden death. I bless God for granting him such an easy passage. Soon after the news reached me, I bowed my knee before the God and Father of our Lord Jesus in behalf of your bereaved (and I could almost say desolate) church. O may the Lord of all lords direct you in the choice of another, who may rule and feed you diligently with all his power. I shall be glad to hear what the great head of the church does for you. You may direct to me at Charles-Town. God willing, I set forward on my journey Monday next. Our glorious Emmanuel has been pleased to open my mouth, and enlarge my heart in preaching the unsearchable riches of his grace,—I hope my dear Boston friends are warm and lively. I salute all most heartily. Pray remember the poor pilgrims; and if you write to Scotland or South-Carolina, let them know how affairs go. My dear yoke-fellow is gone to Bohemia, otherwise she would write. I intend writing to dear Mr. S—— by next post. In the mean while, I beg leave to subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCXVIII.
To Mr. and Mrs. F——.
Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747.
My very dear, dear Friends,
THOUGH I hope to see you ere this reaches Charles-town, yet I cannot but embrace every opportunity that offers to let you know how we do. I have lately been eleven hundred miles journey northward, and have found the Redeemer’s strength magnified in my great weakness. The word ran and was glorified. I am now posting towards, and hope to reach you the beginning of November next. I am better in health than usual, and through grace am determined to die fighting the Redeemer’s battles. On Long Island I saw Mr. B——. He still loves his Charles-Town friend. If you are not provided, it is my opinion, that it is best for you, for him, and the church of Christ, that he should be at Charles-Town. But this is only my opinion. With this, you will receive a packet of letters from him. If it be not done before you receive this, I wish you would be pleased to send my bureau, with my other things that were packed up, to Providence. I would not willingly have it to do when I come to Charles-Town. I hear you have had a dry season, I trust it has not been so in spirituals. O that Jesus may water you every moment! I think you may plead this promise before a prayer-hearing God; “He that watereth, shall be water’d again.” Surely the bowels of the saints have been, and are daily refreshed through your means. Happy ye that are determined to make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness. When natural lives fail, you shall be received into everlasting habitations. O happy time, when we shall be, soul and body, for ever with the Lord! I have lived in hopes some time, that my departure was at hand; but I seem to be gathering strength again, and trust shall be made instrumental in calling some more souls to the precious Jesus. O that I may be humble and thankful! Dear friends, pray for us.—My dear wife is gone to Bohemia, otherwise she would write. We have written by every ship. Some of our letters, I believe, have been taken. Our tender love to all. I am,
Ever yours, whilst
G. W.
LETTER DCXIX.
To the Rev. Mr. H——.
Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747.
My very dear Mr. H——,
I Thank our gracious God for all the good news contained in your kind letter. It ♦gladdened my heart, and gave me reason to hope, that the Indian land would be a christian land indeed. When I received your letter, I was just returned from an eleven hundred miles journey northward, in which the rock of ages was pleased to let much of his glory pass before his dear people. I was enabled to preach about 30 times in New-England, and am now coming forward towards you, and hope to see you in November. My dear yoke-fellow would answer Mrs. H——, but she is gone to Bohemia. Accept thanks and love in her name. I have been frequently at the gates of death within these few months, and thought to have reached my desired port; but it seems I must put out to sea again. My heavenly Father’s will be done. I have good news from England. I have some thoughts of seeing it next year. Jesus will direct me. Captain Grant is sailed from Jamaica. Ere long I hope to owe no man any thing but love. Something considerable hath been done since I left Charles-Town. The Lord will never fail those that put their trust in him. I have remembered the book with the hymn tunes. I hope we shall not differ about an earthly matter. We are brethren; let us dwell in unity, and the God of love and peace will dwell amongst us. O that his divine love may be shed abroad abundantly in our hearts by the Holy Ghost! How shall we then bear with, and forbear one another? I hope all around you are well, and watered with spiritual as well as natural rain. I salute all most tenderly; and hoping to see you shortly, I subscribe myself, very dear Mr. H——,
Yours most affectionately in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCXX.
To the Rev. Mr. T——.
Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1747.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
I Suppose, ere this comes to hand, you will have heard how near I have been to my wished-for harbour, and how I have been obliged to put out to sea again. Blessed be God, since I must live, he does not permit me altogether to live in vain. The word ran and was glorified much in New-England. The gathering of the people, and the power that attended the word seemed to be near the same as when the work begun seven years ago. I parted from my friends with great reluctance. Since my coming southward, I have seen and dined with Governor B——. He ♦still retains his former affection, and I hope will be a great blessing to these parts. I have lately heard of the death of Doctor Coleman. I pity his poor congregation, fearing it will much dwindle. There are now many destitute flocks in New-England. Mr. B——’s death hath taught me a good lesson. May the Lord Jesus keep me from trimming! something considerable hath been done since I saw you, towards easing me of my Orphan-house embarrassments. The particulars expect in November: then I hope to see you once more. I still intend, God willing, to see Bermudas. Blessed be God, I have good news from Bethesda and Providence. I am helped here, as I was at New-York, in preaching; but find little conviction-work going on. As you observe, “that is God’s work.” I hope you have been carried comfortably through the Summer’s heat, and that we shall have a warm Winter when we meet at Charles-Town. Your father’s child is dead. I have a letter for you from him. I salute you and all for my dear yoke-fellow, who is gone forward to Bohemia. I follow on Monday next. You will remember me in the kindest manner to all. I have written to many friends, but believe the vessels have been taken in which the letters were sent. I have now just time to beg the continuance of your prayers, and subscribe myself, Rev. and very dear Sir,
Yours as usual,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXI.
To Mr. H—— H——.
Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747.
My very dear Brother,
I Wrote to you within these few months from this place, Boston and New-York. My last letters were to inform you, that, God willing, some time next year I purpose to see England, if my outward affairs can be settled. Surely the Lord will deliver me from money matters by and by.—He will, he will.—Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! I have good news from Georgia, and from my new plantation in South-Carolina. Many negroes are brought under conviction. We saw great things in New-England. The flocking and power that attended the word, was like unto that seven years ago. Weak as I was, and have been, I was enabled to travel eleven hundred miles and preach daily. I am now once more going to Georgia to settle all my affairs, and shall get ready to embark as soon as I receive letters from you. My dear yoke-fellow is gone forwards. She exceedingly longs to see her old friends. But death may intervene. I have been daily waiting for it. Few have expected my life, but at present I seem to be getting strength. By the grace of God, it shall all be employed in the dear Redeemer’s service. I find no inclination to settle. My Heart (O free grace!) is yet springing for God, and I am determined to die fighting. I hope matters go on well with you. Indeed I remember you daily, and pray that you all may be filled with all the fulness of God. I am here travelling through a wilderness; but I trust leaning on my beloved. Jesus is my rock, my stay, my God, and my all. Various are the scenes I pass through; various are the comforts and supports I meet with. Sometimes the Lord feeds me as it were by the ravens, and teaches me daily that man’s extremity is his opportunity to help and succour. O, my dear brother, if ever we meet in this world, how much have we to say to one another, concerning the loving-kindnesses of the Lord? But when we meet in heaven.—I am lost at the thought—What!
Make slaves the partners of thy throne,
Decked with a never-fading crown?
O Jesus! thy love is indeed immense, unsearchable.—Shed it abroad in the dear man’s heart to whom I am writing, and the hearts of all with whom he is concerned, and the hearts of all thy dear children. Even so, Lord Jesus. Amen! I can no more. My heart is almost too full to subscribe myself
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXII.
To the Rev. Mr. J. W——.
Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747.
Dear and Rev. Sir,
NOT long ago I received your kind letter, dated in February last. Your others I believe came to hand, and I hope ere now you have received my answer. My heart is really for an outward, as well as an inward union. Nothing shall be wanting on my part to bring it about; but I cannot see how it can possibly be effected, ’till we all think and speak the same things. I rejoice to hear, that you and your brother are more moderate with respect to sinless perfection. Time and experience I believe will convince you, that attaining such a state in this life, is not a doctrine of the everlasting gospel. As for universal redemption, if we omit on each side the talking for or against reprobation, which we may do fairly, and agree as we already do in giving an universal offer to all poor sinners that will come and taste of the water of life, I think we may manage very well. But it is difficult to determine such matters at a distance. Some time next year, (if the Redeemer spares my life) I hope to see you face to face. In the mean while, the language of my heart is,
O let us find the ancient way,
Our wond’ring foes to move;
And force the heathen world to say,
See how these brethren love.
I rejoice to find that the rebellion has been over-ruled for the awakening of many souls. Our Lord generally builds his temple in troublesome times. I cannot, upon the maturest deliberation, charge myself with a design to flatter in my sermon on that occasion. You know my attachment to the present establishment. Out of the fulness of my heart my pen wrote. But it may be I know not myself. Lord, keep me from trimming! At present, my heart seems as free for Jesus as ever. I have been once more in New-England. My entrance was as at the first, about seven years ago. Perhaps I may embark from thence for my native country. Our Lord will direct. I am now going to Georgia to winter. At New-York and here, Jesus has enlarged my heart, and opened my mouth to shew forth his praise. I have news of the awakening of several negroes at my new plantation, lately purchased at South-Carolina. I hope ere long to be delivered from my outward embarrassments. I long to owe no man any thing but love. This is a debt, Reverend Sir, I shall never be able to discharge to you, or your brother. Jesus will pay you all. For his sake, I love and honour you very much, and rejoice as much, in your success as in my own. I cannot agree with you in some principles, but that need not hinder love; since I trust we hold the foundation, even “Jesus, the same yesterday, to-day and for ever.” Will you salute, in the kindest manner, all the followers of the Lamb within your sphere of action? Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon all their dear souls! I thank them for remembering a poor pilgrim, who though faint is still pursuing, and determined, in the strength of Jesus, to spend and be spent more and more for the good of poor sinners. Perhaps before I see you, I may visit Bermudas and Cape-Breton. You will pray that the Lord may order my steps aright. What have you done with the Moravian Brethren? their affairs are in confusion here. I think their foundation is too narrow for their superstructure. I believe in their plan there are many plants that our heavenly Father hath not planted. The Lord bless what is right, and rectify what is wrong in them, in us, and in all. Even so, Lord Jesus, Amen!—O for heaven! where we shall mistake, judge, and grieve one another no more. Lately I thought myself sailing several times into the blessed harbour; but it seems I must put out to sea again. My Redeemer’s will be done! Forgive, Reverend Sir, the prolixity of this. Love indites. I salute you for my dear fellow pilgrim; who is gone forwards.—Continue to pray for us, and assure yourself, that you are always remembered by, Reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXIII.
To the Rev. Mr. C—— W——.
Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747.
Very dear Sir,
BOTH your letters and your prayers I trust have reached me. May mine reach you also, and then it will not be long ere we shall indeed be one fold under one Shepherd. However, if this should not be on earth, it will certainly be effected in heaven. Thither I trust we are hastening apace. Blessed be God that you are kept alive, and that your spiritual children are increasing. May they increase more and more! Jesus can maintain them all. He wills that his house should be full. Some have wrote me things to your disadvantage. I do not believe them. Love thinks no evil of a friend. Such are you to me. I love you most dearly. I could write to you much more, but time and business will not permit. You will see my letter to your dear brother. That you may be guided into all truth, turn thousands and ten thousands more unto righteousness, and shine as the stars in the future world, for ever and ever, is the hearty prayer of, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCXXIV.
To the Rev. Mr. M——.
Bohemia, (Maryland) Sept. 17, 1747.
Honoured Sir,
WILL you permit a young soldier of Jesus Christ to write to an experienced veteran, before he goes hence, and is no more seen? Sorry am I that my visit to York was short, yet glad that our Lord gave me to see you once more ready to sing your Nunc dimittis with steadiness and composure, if not with joy unspeakable, even a joy that is full of glory.—Happy, thrice happy, Reverend Sir! You have gone through that wilderness, which if hoary hairs should be my lot, awaits me your younger son and servant. Well! this is my comfort: I have the same Beloved to lean on, as you have had. The way, though narrow, is not long; the gate, though strait, opens into life eternal. O that I might pass through it when young; but, Father, not my will, but thine be done! Honoured Sir, be pleased to pray for me. I remember you and your dear flock, whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ. May he who kissed away the soul of his beloved Moses, appoint a Joshua to succeed you, when he bids you come up to the mount and die! I hope my cordial respects will find acceptance with your dear yoke-fellow. I remember what she said to me, and once more beg a continued interest in your prayers. I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,
Your most affectionate tho’ unworthy younger son and willing servant in him that liveth for ever,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXV.
To the Rev. Mr. M—— Jun.
Bohemia, Sept. 17, 1747.
I Have been writing to the father,—Love, love unfeigned constrains me to write to the son also. I hope it will influence you to send me, however unworthy, a line or two in return. Reverend and dear Sir, how do you? Are you yet God’s mouth to the people? Surely if the prayers of faith keep me alive, the prayers of faith must open your mouth, and constrain you in preaching to shew forth your glorious Redeemer’s praise. All things are possible with God.
Blest is faith, that trusts his power;
Blest are saints, that wait his hour;
Haste, great Conqueror, bring it near,
Let the wish’d-for thing appear.
But you do not like that I should write about yourself? Will you then permit me to tell you, that in spite of all my corruptions, Jesus still continues to bless unworthy me. He gave me a prosperous journey to New-York, and there, as well as at Philadelphia, he opened my mouth to shew forth his praise. My outward circumstances are made easier, and I trust, in a short time I shall owe no man any thing but love. I am now posting southward, willing to follow the cloud wheresoever it shall point in the spring. O pray, pray that Jesus may be my comforter and my guide. Great are my trials, but greater my consolations. O free, rich, and sovereign grace! Help me, dear Sir, to extol and praise it. You will remember me to all. Your ¹fidus achates, and your dear faithful nurse, I shall never forget. When you go to Kittery, pray make my most dutiful respects acceptable to Sir William and his consort. Wishing you, what Colonel Gardiner once wished me, “A thriving soul in a healthful body,” I subscribe myself, Reverend and very dear Sir,
Yours in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXVI.
To Mr. J—— S——.
Bath-Town, North Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747.
Very dear Sir,
I Wrote you a few lines just as I was leaving Bohemia. They informed you of the receipt of my bills, and by them I also desired you to pay the remainder of what you have of mine into the hands of Mr. D—— V—— of New-York. Since that, I have posted forward here, and hope to see some souls in this province all in love with Jesus, and made partakers of the power of his Resurrection. I have preached three times, and purpose, God willing, to preach many times more. The Lord seems to have given me the affections of the people, and I am determined in his strength to see what can be done amongst them. The box of books sent hither from Mr. K—— and G—— never came to hand. Be pleased to make some enquiry about it. I preached once in Virginia, and would have preached oftner; but the small-pox was spreading, the assembly did not sit, and I wanted to let North-Carolina have as much time as I could. I hope to write to you again from Charles-Town. There, I shall be glad to hear that the all-wise head of the church hath directed you to a suitable pastor in the room of Dr. Coleman. I sometimes think all will go to heaven before me. I am weak and faint, I long to be dissolved and to be with Jesus, but cannot die. My heavenly Father’s will be done! I would have you still pray for me, as a dying man; but O pray that I may not go off as a snuff. I would fain die blazing, not with human glory, but the love of Jesus. I wish you, and yours, and all dear friends, as much of this as your hearts can hold. I remember you daily and hourly. I will thank you in heaven for what you have done for me on earth, and till then shall subscribe myself, dear Sir,
Yours in the best bonds,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXVII.
To Mrs. S——.
Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747.
Dear Madam,
BE pleased to accept this, as a token that you are not forgotten by me;—no, I loved your deceased husband, I honour and pray for his dear and sorrowful relict. I would give you that advice, dear Madam, which I believe he would do, was he to rise from his grave, “Make sure of a Christ, and give the Lord no rest, till you can say, my maker is my husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name.” What have you now to do, Madam, but to make sure of a Christ? You are desolate, why should you not put your trust in the Lord? Widows, godly ministers widows, are God’s peculiar care. O that you may have reason to say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” Now is your time to learn God’s law. Come to Jesus, Madam, close with him, and give him your whole heart. I need not tell you, that he will make you happy. He has made me so, even me the chief of sinners. As such be pleased to pray for, dear Madam,
Your real, affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXVIII.
To Mrs. A——.
Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747.
Dear Madam,
BE where I will, the Lord Jesus puts you upon my heart. I often think you happy, because you are so circumstanced that you must necessarily drink of the waters of life at the fountain head. It drinks sweetest from thence. Communion with God’s children is sweet; but communion with God himself is infinitely sweeter. The woman of Samaria found it so. When the disciples came and interrupted her fellowship with their master, she left her water pot and went her way. Blessed be God, that happy time is coming when we shall enjoy both him and his without interruption. Till then, dear Madam, be content to have little or much of the company of Christ’s people, as your heavenly father shall judge most convenient. Heaven is before you, time is flying on eagles wings. Eternity, an happy eternity awaits you when time shall be no more. O that it would approach faster to me! But why so hasty, O my soul! In heaven thou canst not deny thyself for Jesus Christ! Dear Madam, pray for me, that my will may be swallowed up in the will of God. That it may be so with you, is the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,
Your most affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXIX.
To Mr. P——.
Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747.
Dear Mr. P——,
OUR affectionate parting is not yet out of my remembrance. Since that, I hope you have been diligent, and ere now have got an evidence that we shall not be parted hereafter. O for assurance! It is indeed the anchor of the soul. It keeps it steady in the midst of storms. Dear Sir, press after it, as you value your present as well as eternal welfare. Tell the Lord Jesus, you cannot do without it. I once thought dear Mr. P—— would be one of the first-rate christians in New-England. What hath hindered you? Whatever it be, whether a right hand or a right eye, may the Lord Jesus take it away! Will you say Amen heartily? You will excuse this freedom. I always write so to those I love. Pray remember me to your mother, wife, and all friends. Tell them I am here, hunting after sinners in North-Carolina woods. It is pleasant work, though my body is weak and crazy. After a short fermentation in the grave, it will be fashioned like unto Christ’s glorious body. The thought of this rejoices my soul, and makes me long to leap my seventy years. O pray for me, that I may have patience to tarry the Lord’s leisure. I commit you to his care. I charge you in his great name, not to let me miss you in heaven, and with much love subscribe myself, dear Mr. P——,
Your very affectionate friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXX.
To Mr. S——.
Oct. 6, 1747.
My dear Mr. S——,
LET who will be omitted when I am writing to New-England, I think, I am under many obligations not to forget you. Blessed be God for making you a christian merchant, and teaching you the holy art of trafficking for the Lord. You trade upon a safe bottom. Your all is insured, and you shall receive your own with good usury at the great day. Go on, my dear man, spend and be spent for Christ’s people; it is a glorious employ. I would not but be thus engaged for millions of worlds. It is true, I am decaying daily; but resolved in the strength of Jesus to die fighting. At present I am engaged in North-Carolina, and hope ere long to send you good news from this ungospelized wilderness. In about a month I expect to see Charles-Town. The Lord direct me where to go in the Spring. Several ways present. I am willing to see more of the north before I return to my native country. But alas! why write I thus? How many important hours will intervene? O that every minute may be employed for God, even a God in Christ. Indeed he is a good master. He wounds, but he heals also. He brings down, but raises up again. He humbles, but it is only in order to exalt his dear children. This you and I shall find, as we have found already, times without number, perfectly true, by happy experience. But I cannot enlarge. You will deliver the enclosed. I hope my last to the dear Messrs. M——’s came safe. I will write to more as business, opportunity, and health permit. In the mean while, accept our joint most cordial love to all dear, very dear friends. Accept the same to you and yours. I am, dear Sir,
Yours eternally in the everlasting I AM,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXXI.
To Mr. R——.
Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 7, 1747.
Very dear Sir,
BY this time (such is your love to unworthy me,) I suppose you are willing to know where I am, and what I am doing. Blessed be God, I am still employed in my old delightful work, “calling poor sinners to repentance.”—I trust a day of power will shortly come to North-Carolina. I have preached three times already, and am now going a small circuit round about. I expect to reach Charles-Town in a month’s time. But give me leave in my turn to enquire, how it is with you and yours? Are your resolutions more and more invigorated, and hath Jesus at length taken possession of your whole heart? I must not let you alone, till you can fairly and truly say, “’Tis done, ’tis done.” O what a revenue of glory might a person in your station bring to Christ, and what a radiant crown of grace might you secure to your own soul, was you but once in earnest to lay up treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal! Rise, rise, dear Sir, awake and sleep no more. Jesus waits to give you light. May he so fill you with his light and love, that you may rejoice in his great salvation all the day long! Pray let me hear from you in the Winter. I am more concerned for you than ever. Your late favours have increased my obligations to be so. I shall be glad to hear that the Lord hath given you a son. I remember dear Madam R——, and hope to drop her a few lines. May the glorious Emmanuel make little Miss a wise virgin. My love awaits Mrs. H——, and your whole houshold. You will remember me in the kindest manner to Mrs. G——, L——, &c. and the whole circle of my female friends. Praying that grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied upon all, subscribe myself, dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXXII.
To the Reverend Mr. L——.
Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 11, 1747.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
IT has given me much concern, that I could not comply with your kind invitation to Plymouth, but providence plainly pointed my course another way. God only knows what a cross it was to me, to leave dear New-England so soon. I hope death will not be so bitter to me, as was parting from my friends. Glad shall I be to be prayed thither again, before I see my native land. But future things belong to God. I would be just where he would have me, though it be in the uttermost parts of the earth. At present I am hunting after poor lost sinners in these ungospelized wilds. People are willing to hear, and blessed be the Lord of all lords, I am willing to preach. My body is yet weak. A little riding fatigues me; but he that has been, is, and I trust will be my strength, my support, and my guide even unto death. Dear Sir, continue to pray for me. I wish you much of the divine presence, and hope the Lord will yet make you a spiritual father to thousands. Be pleased to remember me in the kindest manner to dear Mr. F——, and the whole circle of those reverend brethren, who dare confess Christ’s work, and Christ’s truths. I salute your whole large fire side, and am, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCXXXIII.
To Mr. P——.
Bath-Town, Oct. 11, 1747.
Very dear Mr. P——,
I Am ashamed to think that your short though exceeding sweet and kind letter, lies as yet unanswered. Want of health and of time, (assure yourself) not want of love, has been the cause of it. The searcher of hearts alone knows, what a cordial reverential respect I bear your honoured father and mother, yourself, and dear sister. I must not write much on this head, lest my eyes should gush out with water. Sorry am I, very sorry, dear Sir, that the church is not to have the benefit of your labours. But what shall we say? God is a sovereign God. He must do what he will with his own. This comforts me, that I trust you have learned to be in the world, and yet not of it. Well then, since it must be so, go, dear Sir, and trade for God. Let merchants see by your example, that Jesus Christ can make many saints in a store. O may you daily taste, and feel the efficacy of his all-atoning, heart-cleansing, world-conquering, precious blood! I trust this is dearer and weightier to me than ever. I am now proclaiming it in these uncultivated ungospelized desarts. People hear with great attention, and I trust ere long news will be heard in heaven, that some North-Carolina sinners are born of God. I stayed but a small time in Virginia and Maryland, that I might give this province the more time. I hope to be in Charles-Town in about a month, and soon after my arrival, expect to determine what course to take in the spring. Several ways present themselves. May Jesus direct me which to take! Weak as I am, I am willing to spend and be spent for that ever-lovely, ever-loving Jesus, who has done so much for, and borne so long with me. I am afraid some of you have prayed me back into the world again. Well, it cannot be long ere I get my dismission. O for a triumphant exit. Lord Jesus keep me from going off like a snuff! But it is time to bid you good night. I have been on a forty mile excursion, and this tabernacle of mine is weak. You will remember me to all your dear family, and all friends. I will name none, that if possible I may offend none. However, this I must say, New-England friends are dearer to me than ever, and glad shall I be, if another sight of them before I die, be permitted to, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXXIV.
To Mr. D——.
Everards-Ferry, Oct. 16, 1747.
Dear Mr. D——,
THE love I owe you for Jesus Christ’s sake, induces me to send you a few lines. I hope they will find you yet more and more convinced of self-righteousness, and the absolute necessity of being cloathed with the all-sufficient, compleat and everlasting righteousness of Jesus Christ. This, and this only is the ground of our acceptance with a holy, just, and sin-avenging God. Here the sinner may find a sure asylum, an everlasting, never-failing refuge. Happy they! who begin to see, feel, and taste this, in a realizing spiritual manner. It is the budding of grace, the beginning of the kingdom of God in the soul. May I hope that dear Mr. D—— is one of these happy men. I trust so. You seemed beginning to awake out of nature’s dream when I left you. O that nothing may prevail on you to lie down to sleep again! It is dangerous to trifle with the spirit of God. When he puts into our hearts good desires, he expects that we shall be workers together with him. Strive therefore, on, as the word imports, agonize with God, yourself, and the world, in order that you may enter into the strait gate of a thorough sound conversion. You know who has told you “that the kingdom of God suffereth violence, and the violent only take it by force.” And surely heaven is worth striving for; especially since we are sure of a conquest; and Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation, stands ready to assist, support, and strengthen at every rencounter. Learn therefore to endure hardness, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ: adopt Joshua’s resolution, stand the laugh, quit yourself like a man, put your hand to the plough, and do not look back; fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. I could write more, but I want time and paper. Blessed be God, I am as well as a pilgrim in my way can expect to be. I am happy in Christ, and that is all in all. I wish you and yours this happiness. I pray you may be partakers of it. This is the best return I can make for all kindnesses shewn to, dear Sir,
Your affectionate, obliged friend and servant,
G. W.