LETTER DCXXXV.
To Mrs. D——.
Everards-Ferry, Oct. 16, 1747.
Dear Mrs. D——,
AS it is uncertain whether I shall ever see you again in this vale of tears, I cannot help expressing my gratitude for kindnesses received, by sending you a few lines.—And what shall I say? Why, that I trust you at length see, that what the world calls an innocent, harmless, decent, sober life, will not be sufficient to carry us to heaven. Such a life I suppose you have led, and assure yourself, you will find it an hard work to give up such a life in point of dependence, and to come as a poor, ill and hell deserving wretch, to be washed in the blood and cloathed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Nature will struggle, and a reasoning infidelity will stand at the door of your heart, lest Jesus Christ’s spirit should enter in and make you happy. But all things are possible with God. Apply to him therefore, dear Madam, and beg him to let you see that your heart is desperately wicked, and deceitful above all things. Strengthen your husband’s hands; be as a goad in his side, if you see him inclined (though I trust you will not) to forget what he hath lately felt and been convinced of. And O that you may be an happy instrument of converting your two daughters! It is sweet when all of one house are agreed to worship the Lord Jesus in spirit and in truth. That you and yours may be all such worshippers, is the earnest prayer of, dear Madam,
Your real friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXXVI.
To Mr. T—— A——.
Wilmington, Cape-Fear, Oct. 18, 1747.
My very dear brother A——,
I Have lately written to you and many other dear English friends. I am now in my way to Georgia, and hope to see my native country some time next year. My sphere of action still increases, and though I hoped this last Summer to have taken my flight to the blessed Jesus, yet it seems I am to live longer. O that it may be for the Redeemer’s glory, and the good of many precious and immortal souls! I know you will say Amen! I could write much, but am fatigued, having preached several times, and rode on horse-back through the woods an hundred and sixty miles. Jesus makes the barren wilderness to smile. I want to know how affairs go on among you. I expect letters from some of you at Charles-Town, and I hope to see you, I repeat it again, some time next year. But future things belong to God. My schemes are so frequently disconcerted, that I would willingly put a blank into his hands, to be filled up just as he pleases. But this stubborn will would fain avoid swallowing some wholesome bitter-sweets, which the all-gracious physician reaches out unto me. Nevertheless, through grace, the prevailing language of my heart is, “Not my will, but thine be done.” The being so long absent from my friends, sometimes a little affects me; but I have been used to so many partings, and heart-breakings from various quarters, that I wonder any thing affects, so as to surprize me. But the mystery of the cross is unsearchable. We shall never fully learn it till we die. We must be beginners in this school every day, hour, and moment. But where am I going? I write as though I was conversing with you. Perhaps such a time may come. In heaven I am sure such a time will have existence. The language of my heart is, Lord Jesus, let thy kingdom come! You will remember me to all. I must now say no more. Whilst I am writing, affection works and almost makes me to say, O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away, and see my English and Scotch friends! I salute all most heartily, as does my dear fellow pilgrim.—That grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied upon all your dear souls, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Man,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXXVII.
To Mr. B——.
Charles-Town, (South-Carolina,) Oct. 25, 1747.
Very dear Mr. B——,
I Hear a ship sails to-morrow for Philadelphia. I cannot help letting you know, that we arrived here last night in health and safety. The barren wilderness was made to smile all the way. I trust good was done in North-Carolina. The poor people were very willing to hear. I expected, on my arrival at this place, to have received letters and sundry things from you, or dear Mr. B——. If they are taken, may the Lord Jesus give me a thankful heart! I would write you a long letter, and I would also write to many friends, but you know travellers are weary, and I must away to-morrow to Georgia. All is well there, and at my new plantation. You will send the inclosed.—Mr. Dutton I believe is lost in his return to England. The ship foundered. I have preached this morning, and am to preach again. I snatch a few moments between sermons to write this. Our tender joint love to you all.
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCXXXVIII.
To Mr. F——.
Bermudas, May 27, 1748.
My dear Mr. F——,
INCLOSED you have a letter which you may print in your weekly paper. It brings good news from this little pleasant spot. If you could print it on half a sheet of paper, to distribute among the Bermudas captains, it might perhaps be serviceable. The inhabitants here have received me so well, that I think publishing their kindness is a debt justly due to them. I am now waiting for a fair wind, and then we shall sail for England. The Governor’s lady goes with me. His Excellency is very civil to me, and I believe many souls have been benefited by this visit to Bermudas. I desire to give the Lord Jesus all the glory. You will remember me to Mrs. F——, and all my dear Philadelphia friends. I do not forget them, and hope they will always remember, dear Sir,
Their and your most affectionate, obliged friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCXXXIX.
To Mrs. F——.
On board the Betsy, June 2, 1748.
TILL last night, I did not know that the last letter I wrote to you never came to hand. Mr. B—— tells me, that as he did not go according to his design he destroyed it. Accept therefore, dear Madam, a few more parting lines. They bring you good news indeed. The Lord Jesus has blessed my being at Bermudas very much. A good work I trust is begun in many hearts. I am now on board, and the wind is fair. We expect to sail this day. According to my present view, I intend to return to beloved America next year; which is one of the reasons, why I leave my dear yoke-fellow behind. O that I knew how it was with her! But I see that God will make those he loves, to live by faith and not by sense. Glorious privileges, though difficult to flesh and blood! As you are so dear a friend, I know you will do your utmost to comfort her. I have so ordered matters, that she need not be under any concern about providing for the families. God has caused the people in Bermudas to devise liberal things. Yet a little while, and I trust I shall, on the Orphan-house account, owe no man any thing but love. But I find I must fight every inch of my ground. Well! Jesus is on my side. I can do all things through him strengthening me. An entrance is now made into the Islands. The Lord, that has begun, can and will carry on his own work. You will all help me with your prayers. I must be content with dealing in general salutations, having not time to write more particulars. Pray remember me in the kindest manner to all your relations and all our dear friends. That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon all, is the earnest prayer of, dear Mrs. T——,
Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant, in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXL.
To the Rev. Mr. S——.
On board the Betsy, June 24, 1748.
Rev. and very dear Sir,
THOUGH we are about two hundred leagues from land, yet lest hurry of business should prevent me when we get a shore, I think proper to write you a few lines whilst I am on board.—Long before this reaches you, I suppose you will have heard of what the Lord of all Lords was pleased to do for me and his people at, and also when we sailed from, Bermudas. We sailed from thence just twenty-one days this morning, and have lived, as to the conveniencies of eating and drinking, like people that came from the continent, rather than one of the islands; so bountiful were our friends, whom we left behind us. Hitherto we have met with no storms or contrary winds, only it begins to head us now. But God, in his own time, I trust will carry us to our desired port. The first day we came out we were chased, and yesterday a large French vessel shot thrice at and bore down upon us. We gave up all for gone. I was dressing myself in order to receive our expected visitors. In the mean while, our Captain cries, “the danger is over.” The Frenchman turned about and left us. He was quite near, and we almost defenceless. Now we are so near the channel, we expect such alarms daily. If any thing happens extraordinary, I shall be particular. As for other things, I cannot say much. The Captain is exceeding civil, and I have my passage free; but all I have been able to do in the great ♦cabin in respect to religious duties, is to read the church prayers once every evening, and twice on the Lord’s day. I have not preached yet; this may spare my lungs, but it grieves my heart. I long to be ashore, if it was for no other reason. Besides, I can do but little in respect to my writing. You may guess how it is, when we have four gentlewomen in the cabin. However, they have been, and are very civil, and I believe my being on board has been somewhat serviceable. My health I think is improved, and I have finished my abridgment of Mr. Law’s serious call, which I have endeavoured to gospelize. Yesterday I likewise made an end of revising all my journals. Blessed be God, for letting me have leisure to do it. I purpose to have a new edition before I see America. Alas! alas! In how many things have I judged and acted wrong.—I have been too rash and hasty in giving characters, both of places and persons. Being fond of scripture language, I have often used a style too apostolical, and at the same time I have been too bitter in my zeal. Wild-fire has been mixed with it, and I find that I frequently wrote and spoke in my own spirit, when I thought I was writing and speaking by the assistance of the spirit of God. I have likewise too much made inward impressions my rule of acting, and too soon and too explicitly published what had been better kept in longer, or told after my death. By these things I have given some wrong touches to God’s ark, and hurt the blessed cause I would defend, and also stirred up needless opposition. This has humbled me much since I have been on board, and made me think of a saying of Mr. Henry’s, “Joseph had more honesty than he had policy, or he never would have told his dreams.” At the same time, I cannot but bless, and praise, and magnify that good and gracious God, who filled me with so much of his holy fire, and carried me, a poor weak youth, through such a torrent both of popularity and contempt, and set so many seals to my unworthy ministrations. I bless him for ripening my judgment a little more, for giving me to see and confess, and I hope in some degree to correct and amend, some of my mistakes. I thank God for giving me grace to embark in such a blessed cause, and pray him to give me strength to hold on and increase in zeal and love to the end. Thus, dear Sir, have I unburdened my heart to you. I look upon you to be my fidus achates, and therefore deal thus freely. If I have time and freedom before we land, I think to write a short account of what has happened for these seven years last past; and when I get on shore, God willing, I purpose to revise and correct the first part of my life. I know you will pray that I may be directed and owned in every thing. I think often of, and pray for you, and as I intend writing to you again when I send this, I shall content myself at present with subscribing myself, Reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate obliged though unworthy brother and servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCXLI.
To Mrs. L——.
Deal, July 5, 1748.
Very dear and Honoured Mother,
ARE you yet in the land of the living, or rather among the dead? shall I have the pleasure of receiving one more letter from you, and asking your blessing once more? Next post, I hope that the two former of these will be answered in the affirmative, and in a week or two I trust God will grant me the last. About a month ago I left the island of Bermudas, where my poor labours have been greatly blessed, and your unworthy son has been honoured with many honours. I am now come once more to see my friends in my native country, and settle some affairs, and then return to America again. My dear yoke-fellow I have left behind, to take care of two families. I have been several times just upon the brink of eternity since I saw you, but am now a little recruited. O that my health and strength may be wholly employed for that Jesus who has done such great things for me! His blood and cross, my ever honoured mother, I trust are exceeding precious to your soul. O that I may see you laden with holiness, and bringing forth much fruit in your old age! I could say more, but have several other letters to write. As I know not how your outward affairs are situated, or where you live for a certainty, I can only send cordial and general salutations to all friends and relations. I hope you will be pleased to let me know whether you stand in need of any thing, and not cease to pray for, honoured mother,
Your ever dutiful though unworthy son,
G. W.
LETTER DCXLII.
To Mr. G—— H——.
Deal, July 5, 1748.
AND how does my dear old friend Mr. H——? Surely he will send me a line now! For through the goodness of an infinitely gracious and condescending Saviour, I am once more arrived at my native country. My last excursion was to Bermudas. We left those islands a month ago, and God was pleased to set his seal to my unworthy ministry in a very glorious manner. I know you will be thankful in my behalf, and let me know next post how the brethren are in and about Gloucestershire. I rejoice to find that you still go on steadily and are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Why should you? Have you not found it by happy experience to be the power of God unto salvation? Go on then, my dear Sir, and prove the strength of Jesus to be yours. I long to see you, that we may talk of redeeming love, and feel our hearts warm with an holy fire from God’s altar. Are the dear old men, the Reverend Messrs. S—— and P——, yet alive? Pray send them my most dutiful and affectionate respects, and let them know, that an entrance I trust is now made into one of the islands for the glorious gospel of the Son of God. O that I was able to fly from pole to pole upon this blessed errand. But alas! my wings are clipped. My bodily health is much impaired, and I hoped ere now to have taken my last flight to heaven. But it seems that happy hour is not yet come. Well, welcome life, welcome death, so that Jesus, my dear Jesus, may be glorified in both! Pray that we may shortly meet in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace. I subscribe myself, my very dear Gaius,
Yours most affectionately in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCXLIII.
To the Rev. Mr. J—— or C—— W——.
Deal, July 5, 1748.
WILL you not be glad to hear that the God of the seas and the God of the dry land hath brought me to my native country once more? I came last from the Bermudas, where the friend of sinners has been pleased to own my poor labours abundantly. I hope, I come in the spirit of love, desiring to study and pursue those things which make for peace. This is the language of my heart,
O let us find the ancient way,
Our wond’ring foes to move;
And force the heathen world to say,
See how these Christians love.
I purpose, God willing, to be in London in a few days. In the mean while, I salute you and all the followers of the blessed Lamb of God most heartily.—Be pleased to pray for, and give thanks in behalf of, Reverend and dear brother,
Yours most affectionately in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCXLIV.
To Mr. F——.
London, July 7, 1748.
My very dear Friend,
I Have but just time to inform you, that after a pleasant passage of a month, a good and gracious God brought me hither in safety, where I have been received by thousands with a joy that almost overcame both them and me. I have preached once, and am this evening to preach again. One large church is open. I cannot now descend to particulars.—I can only send you a thousand thanks for all favours, beg my kindest salutations may be presumed to all friends, and entreat the continuance of your most fervent prayers in behalf of, my dear host and hostess,
Yours as usual,
G. W.
LETTER DCXLV.
To Mr. H——.
London, July, 7, 1748.
My very dear Friend,
THOUGH I suppose you will see my dear wife’s letter, yet I must send you a few lines. They bring you news of my safe arrival, and wonderfully kind acceptance in my native country. The blessings bestowed on me, have already, through the thanksgivings of thousands, redounded to the glory of God. Words cannot express the joy that has possessed the hearts of the people. I hear that the minds even of enemies are much softened. I came at a critical juncture. I hear Mr. —— has stood up for me at C——, and that one who preached before the trustees hath spoke honourably of Bethesda. If God is pleased to send us a general peace, I hope Georgia will lift up its drooping head. You may depend on hearing from me as often as possible. You will remember me to all friends. I can only beg you to give thanks, and pray for, my very dear Sir,
Yours as usual,
G. W.
LETTER DCXLVI.
To the Rev. Mr. H——.
London, July 8, 1748.
Rev. and dear Brother,
GLAD am I, yea very glad to hear that you are yet alive and have grace given you to adhere to Jesus Christ and his eternal truths. I am very much pleased to find that you appear in print, and that such encouragement is given you to print again. I hope the glorious Emmanuel smiles upon your ministerial labours, and gives you many living witnesses, that the truths which you preach are according to Godliness. Go on, my dear old friend, and prove the strength of Jesus to be thine. Through his infinite and unmerited goodness I am once more safe in my native country. Bermudas was the last place where I have been preaching. I left many souls under concern. Many precious souls (O free grace!) have received me here in great love, and I have been enabled twice to preach, to a multitude of poor sinners, the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. My bodily health is much impared; but through divine assistance, I will go on working for Jesus of Nazareth, ’till I can work no more. I could say much of his love, but have a deal of business before me. Accept this as a token of unfeigned love and respect from, my very dear Sir,
Your affectionate though unworthy brother and servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCXLVII.
To Mr. C——.
London, July 8, 1748.
Dear Mr. C——,
I Am come over with a sincere desire to pursue the things which make for peace. Consequently I must hear and see for myself, before I determine upon any thing. I have heard nothing of Mrs. D——’s writing concerning you. All I can say is, that by what you have published and I have perused, you have unhappily fallen into some principles, which are contrary to the revealed will of God.—But I speak not this to begin a dispute. I shall be glad to see and converse with you. As for your preaching in Moor-fields, they are no doubt as free for you as another. I intend preaching there, God willing, on Sunday evening. That you may have a clear head and a clean heart, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCXLVIII.
To Mr. K——.
London, July 12, 1748.
My dear Brother,
AT my first arrival, you judged right that I am pretty much taken up; however, I must snatch a few minutes to answer your kind, very kind letter. Blessed be God, that the mercies bestowed on hell-deserving me, have, through the thanksgivings of many, redounded to the glory of the blessed Jesus. O that the same prayers that have drawn me hither, may draw down showers of blessings upon God’s church. Now I am come, do you and my other friends continue to pray and hold up your hands, and in the strength of Jesus Christ I will go on fighting. The fields seem to be as white as ever. I trust the shout of a king is among us. O for humility, love and zeal! O for that mind, which was in Christ Jesus! I trust that the members of your society are copying after our great Exemplar. As soon as possible I purpose to come down and see you. I thank you for what you have done in respect to the Orphan-house. I could wish the cash was remitted to London immediately, because I want to pay it away. Surely the time will come, when I shall owe no man any thing but love. Then, and ’till the day of my death, Poor, yet making many rich, shall be my motto. You will remember me in the kindest manner to all the followers of the Lamb; and that you may be filled with all his fulness, is the prayer of
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCXLIX.
To Mr. C——.
London, July 12, 1748.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
THOUGH I am pretty much engaged, yet I cannot let your kind letter lie by me two posts unanswered. Blessed be God that you yet retain your simple heart, and are determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. With this mind, may you climb up higher and higher in the church of England, in order that you may move in a superiour orb, and your light shine with greater and more diffusive ardor round the church of God! O my dear Mr. C——, what has the Redeemer done for us! What is he still doing! It would gladden your heart to see what a turn affairs take in London. I have preached twice in St. Bartholomew’s church, and helped to administer the sacrament once. I believe on Sunday we had a thousand communicants. Moor-fields are as white as ever unto harvest, and multitudes flock to hear the word. The old spirit of love and power seems to be revived amongst us. What am I, what am I, that Jesus Christ should still delight to honour me? O for a single eye and a simple heart unto the end! By what I can judge, satan will allure some with his golden bait. “In all times of our wealth, good Lord deliver us.” Blessed be God, I am not much in danger of having too much of this world’s goods at present. My outward affairs are yet behind hand. I long to owe no man any thing but love. As for your cautions, they shall be observed punctually. Never mind me, let my name die every where, let even my friends forget me, if by that means the cause of the blessed Jesus may be promoted. In about a fortnight I hope to see you at my brother’s. I hear he is better. O that he may come out for Christ! I think I have now answered your request, and sent you a long letter. I hope to hear from you again before I see you. My hearty respects await Mr. G——. I trust he determines to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Commending you to his mercy, and myself to the continuance of your prayers, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Yours eternally in the blessed Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCL.
To the Honourable —— R——, Esq.; of Bermuda.
London, July 12, 1748.
Honoured Sir,
GRATITUDE constrains me to embrace the first opportunity of informing you of our safe arrival at our wished-for port. We struck ground, I think, the 27th day after we set sail, and landed at Deal the 30th. We were chased the first afternoon, and prepared for going to prison twice or thrice. But our fears were groundless; there was a cessation of arms with France, though we knew it not, and some ships that we thought were pursuing us proved to be English men of war. We had plenty of provisions, and met with no storms or bad weather worth the speaking of. Other particulars, I suppose, Captain E——, who was very civil, will inform you. The evening after we landed at Deal, I was at Mr. D—— and E——’s, before I came to my own lodgings. They were very glad to hear from Bermudas. Since then, words cannot well express how joyful my friends were to see me once more in the land of the living. I find the news-papers had buried me ever since April last; but it seems I am not to die, but live: O that it may be to declare the works of the Lord! My obligations to do so, are much increased by the mercies conferred on me at Bermudas, and during my voyage. Surely the stones would cry out against me, did I not set forth the riches of redeeming love. Blessed be God, I have had several opportunities of doing so, since my arrival. Last Lord’s-day I believe we had a thousand communicants. In a few weeks, God willing, I purpose to see Scotland, and then shall do myself the pleasure of writing to, or waiting on your brother. In the mean time, I shall, as opportunity offers write to some more of my Bermudas friends, whom I desire never to forget at the throne of grace. You and yours, honoured Sir, will be pleased to accept my most cordial salutations. That you and your house may serve the Lord here, and live with him eternally in the kingdom of heaven hereafter, is the hearty prayer of, honoured Sir,
Your most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLI.
To Mr. H——.
London, July 16, 1748.
My very dear Mr. H——,
I Thank you for your speedy and kind answer to my last poor letter, and heartily pray God, if it be agreeable to his will, yet to prolong your life, and make your pen the pen of a ready writer. I shall take it as a great favour, if you will order me a set of your works. I shall peruse them with the greatest pleasure, and send a set of them also abroad. Blessed be God, for causing you to write so to suit the taste of the polite world! O that they may be won over to admire Him, who is indeed altogether lovely! But what shall I say to your kind intended present? It is like my dear old friend. Mr. —— was so kind as to come and see me yesterday. I shewed him your letter. He expects to see me at his house. God willing, if possible I will pay him a visit. O that he may recover his first love! For ever adored be free grace: many souls seem to be quickened. Multitudes flock to hear. My health somewhat improves, and our Lord makes it exceeding pleasant to me to preach to poor sinners his unsearchable riches. O when shall we get within the veil! Thanks be to God, it cannot be long. We are both sickly. Lord give us patience to wait till our blessed change come! To the Redeemer’s tender mercy do I most earnestly commit you; and entreat, while life and breath lasts, you will not cease praying for one, who, though less than the least of all, yet for Jesus Christ’s sake subscribes himself, my very dear friend,
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER DCLII.
To Mr. K——.
London, July 19, 1748.
Very dear Sir,
I Thank you for your kind answer to my last, as well as for all other favours. Before I heard from you, I had been informed from several quarters that Satan hath been sifting all our poor societies. This is no more than I expected. But let us take courage, dear Sir; Jesus Christ prays for us. His truths are great and shall prevail. At London, affairs seem to be taking a good turn. The Lord Jesus comes among us as in the days of old. I trust by and by we shall see good days at Exon again. When I shall go there is uncertain. Next week, God willing, I must be at Bristol, and after that I must go to the Welch association. Glad shall I be to hear whatever you have to offer. May the Lord Jesus give us a right judgment in all things! When the time of my seeing Exon is fixed, I will endeavour to send you previous notice. In the meanwhile, let you and yours accept most hearty love and cordial salutations from one, who, though less than the least of all saints, begs leave to subscribe himself, very dear Mr. K——,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCLIII.
To the Reverend Mr. C——.
London, July 20, 1748.
My very dear Friend and Brother,
NEITHER length of time, nor change of place, I trust, will ever estrange us from each other.—Though through the goodness of God I am now in England, yet I cannot help daily thinking upon you and my other dear friends in America. I have been prayed over hither: do you strive to pray me over again to South-Carolina. Much business now lies upon my hands. It is too much for one man, to be received as I have been by thousands. The thoughts of it lay me low, but I cannot get low enough. I would willingly sink into nothing before the blessed Jesus, my All in All. Next week I hope to see Bristol, where I shall not fail to enquire about your minister, and send you word accordingly. I hope you do not forget Bethesda or Providence. O my dear yoke-fellow, how is she carried through the Summer’s sultry heat? May the Lord be her helper! You will not fail to give my most cordial respects to Mrs. B——, Dr. B——, his wife, and all friends. Fail not, O fail not to pray heartily for,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCLIV.
To the Reverend Mr. D——.
London, July 23, 1748.
My very Dear Mr. D——,
GLAD was I, yea very glad to receive one more letter from such a valuable and dearly beloved friend and brother. I have often enquired after you since my arrival, and only multiplicity of business prevented your hearing from me. Glory be to the blessed Jesus, for supporting and carrying you through so many difficulties that necessarily attend the pastoral office. I find more and more, my dear Sir, that experience is only to be learned in the school of tribulation; and as we undergo the sufferings mentioned in the scriptures, so far and no farther do we understand the scriptures themselves. O that patience may have its perfect work, and we may be enabled to the end of our days to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts! As for poor Scotland, what shall I say? Our Lord’s words must be fulfilled, “The first shall be last, and the last first.” Awakening times are always like the Spring. Many blossoms appear, and perhaps but little solid fruit is produced after all. O that the Lord of the harvest, if I am to see Scotland again, may send me to call some backsliders to return. Glory be to God, affairs are taking a happy turn here. Old love, and old power, seem to be reviving among us. I preach to multitudes daily. Many are already brought under new awakenings. On Monday next I set out, God willing, for Gloucester, and intend returning in about three weeks.—How glad shall I then be to see Mr. D——. My dear yoke-fellow would rejoice to do so too; but I left her abroad in the tent.—Perhaps she may come over soon. Pray remember her, and, my dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCLV.
To Dr. R——.
London, July 22, 1748.
Honoured Sir,
LOVE and gratitude constrain me to send you a few lines. They come to inform you, that a sense of the almost innumerable favours you was pleased to confer on me, when under your tuition, is yet deeply engraven upon the tables of my heart. That God, whom I endeavour to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, will richly reward you in that day. By his assistance, I still continue to preach the everlasting gospel in various places; and, I trust, not without some abiding good effect. Indeed, last year I was in hopes I should have been translated to those blissful regions, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary be at rest. But it seems, I am not yet to die, but live. O that it may be to declare the works of the Lord! I think his glory is the main principle of my acting. I want to bring souls, not to a party, much less to lead them from the established church, but to a sense of their undone condition by nature, and to true faith in Jesus Christ, which will be evidenced by a holy life, and an universal, chearful obedience to all the commands of God. In this, honoured Sir, however you may judge of the means and method of my proceeding, I am persuaded you wish me success. Your’s, both in respect to this life and another, I have much at heart. That the great shepherd and bishop of souls may assist you in the oversight of all under your care, and in the future state receive you with an Euge bone, in the presence of applauding angels, and spirits of just men made perfect, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Sir,
Your most unworthy, though dutiful pupil, and very humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLVI.
To Governor Thomas.
London, July 22, 1748.
Honoured Sir,
THOUGH I am uncertain about your being in town, yet I cannot leave it, without leaving a few lines of acknowledgment, for those many favours you and your worthy lady were pleased to confer upon me and mine abroad. Glad were we, yea exceeding glad to hear of your safe arrival in England, and gracious reception at court. May you so live in this world, as to be received with expressions of joy and approbation by the King of kings in the world to come! I hope, honour’d Sir, that the change of climate has been conducive to your health, and the health also of dear little Miss, and her honoured Mamma. I beg my most dutiful respects may find acceptance, honoured Sir, both with them and you. At my return to London, which I suppose will be in about three weeks, I purpose doing myself the honour of waiting upon you in person. In the mean while, I beg leave, with the warmest affection, to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,
Your most obliged, obedient humble servant,
G. W.