LETTER DCLXXVI.
To the Rev. Mr. L——.
Doncaster, Sept. 7, 1748.
Rev. and dear Sir,
OUR last short interview at Stone-house pleased me. I hope it foreboded something good. I told you the truth when I said, “I had not forgotten you.” No, neither have I been suffered to think hardly of you for your shyness to unworthy me; only I have thought you were loosing time, and for fear of displeasing a few mortal men, had acted a part displeasing to the invisible, immortal, and only wise God. Good Sir John Philips used to call you sincere. I believe that is your right name. I cannot help thinking but you will prove it to be so ere long. That love which Jesus shed abroad in your heart years ago, must constrain you to confess him before man. The light which the Lord hath imparted to you, cannot, I am persuaded, be much longer hid under a bushel. The shackles with which you have been fettered, must be shaken off, or I am much mistaken in the dear man to whom I am writing.—Pardon me, my dear old friend. My heart at present overflows with love towards you. Though weary and on a journey, I cannot help writing to you. Fear not temporal support. Though I went without scrip or shoe, I have lacked nothing; or if I had nothing; in Jesus I have possessed all things. I do not envy those who choose to sleep in a whole skin. Let me have scars, so that they are scars of honour, scars for Jesus Christ. I know who will approve of them, when he comes to judgment. O that day! that awful day! God enable us so to act, that we may receive an Euge bone! Out of the fulness of my heart I write thus. I am now on my way to Scotland. The Lord Jesus hath blessed me in London. As soon as possible I intend calling upon you. If you have a mind to renew our old delightful christian correspondence, I am quite willing. I wish you and yours the best of blessings, and am, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXVII.
To Mr. S——.
Morpeth, (Northumberland,) Sept. 10, 1748.
Dear Mr. S——,
TILL now I have not had time to answer your kind letter, and now I am too weary to send you a long one. I thank you for your good wishes and prayers. May they enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth! Hitherto, God has been pleased to bless me since my arrival. Let the Lord’s people continue to hold up their hands, and by his divine assistance I will go on fighting till I drop. I am now on my way to Scotland. I know you wish me good luck in the name of the Lord. When providence opens a door, I shall be glad to embrace.—In the mean while, pray remember me to all in the kindest manner. As for your call to preach, I can say nothing, being a stranger to you. Only I would observe to you what the apostle says, “Not a novice, &c.”—You know what follows. If you chuse proper seasons, and keep within the bounds of humility and christian prudence, I pray the Lord to be with and bless you. I can now add no more, but subscribe myself
Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXVIII.
To Mr. T——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 15, 1748.
Dear Mr. T——,
ERE this can reach London, you will find that I have forgot not my promise. No, I love thee too well to do so. Thanks be to God, that you begin to awake out of your dream. It has been a dream, though a golden pleasing one. If all was right, such darkness would never come and abide upon your soul. Come, play the man, and, if called to it, leave a worm for God. You are not the first that have been called to part with what was as dear as their own souls, or that have seen their beloved object in the possession of another. Better see that, than enjoy the object with guilt upon the mind. How did Jacob smart, all his life-time afterwards, for getting the blessing by a lie? The way of duty is the way of safety. I write this on supposition that your father will be against your proceeding. You will let me know what he says: In the mean while, as our Lord enables, I will pray for you. May the Lord Jesus give us a right judgment in all things! But enough of this. You see the bishop’s charge has turned out as I supposed. Who could imagine otherwise? Lord, humble thy people for giving such wrong touches to the ark! Lord, keep me from doing so any more! O for zeal according to knowledge! O for grace and wisdom to act aright! Yesterday God brought me safe here, and I have been received very kindly. This afternoon I am to preach. The effects of it you may know hereafter. For the present, adieu. I recommend you to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to raise you when fallen; and subscribe myself,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXIX.
To the Reverend Mr. B——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 16, 1748.
Reverend and dear Sir,
ON Thursday noon, through the providence of a good and gracious God, I came hither, where I have met with an hearty welcome. Last night I preached to a Moorfields congregation for numbers, and the Lord, I believe, was pleased to give it his blessing. I have had the pleasure of hearing, that a serjeant of a regiment, awakened when I was here last, held on, and held out, and died rejoicing; and likewise of several others, who are gone before us to inherit the promises. May the Lord awaken fresh souls to supply their places. I trust he will. I was also much delighted last night, to hear there were so many christian soldiers among the king’s forces that came from Flanders. A young christian lady, under whose roof they were, told me, that some or other of them were continually praying to, and wrestling with God. If any of them return to England, I doubt not but Col. G——y will find them out. I intend writing to him soon, and hope to send our good lady some glad tidings next week. In the mean while, pray present my most dutiful respects to her Ladyship. I hope all is well in London. The bishop’s death, I suppose, will prevent any further stir about Bartholomew. I shall be glad to hear how you go on. Pray, dear Sir, how are your circumstances? You will not be offended if I inform you, that more than one have informed me of your being in debt to several. I thought it my duty to apprize you of it, because I know what a burden it is to be in debt; not indeed for myself, but for others. I make no apology for this; you know it must proceed from love. I wish you the very best of blessings, and am, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXX.
To Mr. S—— W——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 19, 1748.
My very dear Mr. W——,
SHALL I promise, and not perform? God forbid! Glad am I, yea very glad to open a fresh correspondence with a dear old friend, with whom I have often taken such sweet counsel. O my dear man, how patient, how long-suffering has the blessed Jesus been towards us! Ought not his love to constrain us to obedience? Ought we not to confess him, who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself for us? For my part, when I think that the glorious Emmanuel endured the pain, and despised the shame of dying upon a cursed tree for me, I cannot help saying,
For this let men revile my name,
No cross I’d shun, I’d fear no shame;
All hail reproach, and welcome pain,
Only thy terrors, Lord, restrain.
Glory be to God, I have hitherto found that the cross of Jesus has been lined with love. This has made it easy; this even now makes it exceeding light. I fear prosperity more than affliction; and though there is but little danger perhaps of my being exalted in this world, yet the language of my soul is, “In all time of my wealth, good Lord deliver me.” May the Lord keep you, my dear friend, by his mighty power through faith! He has entrusted you with many talents; may you occupy them till he come! I hope he will bless your conversation to those who are yet but weak in the faith, and who cannot, through love of the world, or fear of man, as yet bear much contempt. My service to Messrs. B—— and M——, when you see them. My prayer for you all is, that you may be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. I am fighting for him here. Vast multitudes come to hear; but what good is done, cannot yet be determined. Many of my dear friends are gone to glory, I purpose being in town about the time appointed. I know you will pray for me. Whether absent or present, assure yourself you are never forgotten by, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXI.
To the Countess of H——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 20, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
I Suppose, ere this can reach you, your Ladyship will have heard of my being arrived at Edinburgh, and of another particular or two mentioned in Mr. B——’s letter. This brings your Ladyship an account of very great multitudes flocking to hear the word; but with what success it is attended, I cannot yet tell. Upon my first coming, I was somewhat discouraged at hearing of the death of many of my valuable and leading friends, and of others losing their first love. Besides, the weather was boisterous, some ministers shy, and God was pleased to visit me with a great hoarseness. But the prospect is now more pleasant; and I trust, ere I leave Scotland, your Ladyship will have some good news from a far country. Inclosed your Ladyship has an extract of a letter sent from London to a pious gentlewoman here: I wish part of the contents may not prove, like the bishop of E——’s charge,—mere imaginary. May God hasten the time, when more of the mighty and noble shall be called, and made to stoop to the Redeemer’s sceptre! It is now growing late. That your Ladyship and family may be filled with all the fulness of God, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obedient, willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXII.
To Mr. H——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 21, 1748.
AND could my very dear Mr. H—— think, that when he was out of sight he was out of mind? No, my dear friend, I believe it will never be so with you and me. By this time, I hope Mr. D——’s letter from Bermudas, or the letters sent you from thence by way of Philadelphia, will inform you, that I wrote several parting letters to you and many other friends, and sent you bills of exchange to the amount of eighty pounds sterling; but, with my letter, books, and several other things, I find they are taken. Of this Mr. D—— writes me lately. As there is now peace, and a commerce opened with Spain, I hope the new settlers will be disturbed no more. Courage, my dear man, courage. Surely we shall yet live to see the salvation of God in Georgia. I am glad Mr. Fairweather hath been at Bethesda. Whatever has happened, do your best for me in respect to my family. Next year you may see me again. But more of this hereafter. The Lord is exceeding good to me. Great things are doing in England; and the Lord is blessing me more and more in Scotland. This morning, I hear a gentlewoman has left me an hundred pounds. If so, fifty shall be paid for you on the Orphan-house account, to Mr. N——, and as much more as I can spare, as soon as possible.—I have paid Mr. J—— thirty pounds sterling. But what does my wife tell me in her letter received this day, about your losing some favourite creature? Is it your wife, or your little daughter? Well, my dear friend, you and I must be made perfect through sufferings; you and I must learn to walk by faith. May the Father of Mercies comfort your heart, and abundantly supply the want of every creature, by communications from his own eternal Self. O pray write to me. Let me bear part of your sorrows, and thereby shew myself your friend. If my wife is embarked ere this arrives, I beg you would open all parcels that are sent to your care, and act as usual for my family. My tender love to all. You will not cease praying, dear Mr. H——, for
Ever yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXIII.
To Mr. S——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 23, 1748.
My dear Brother S——,
HOW good is God! Well may you say, that he never fails those that put their trust in him. How does he make my extremity his opportunity to help and relieve me. If the news about the legacy be true, I hope it will increase my faith, and make me more willing to be upon the stretch for Him, who was stretched upon the accursed tree for me. I thank you for sending my letters. My wife proposes to embark for England in October. The climate will not agree with her. The physicians advise her to come over, and she entreats all friends to pray for her safe passage to England. Affairs here have now a comfortable aspect. I think more people than ever come to hear, and their hearts begin to be warm. Continue to write. My love to all. The not sending the late published account of the Orphan-house, has been of disservice to me. When will the children of light be as wise in their generation as the children of the world? I can now no more, but am, my dear Sir,
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXIV.
To Colonel G——ly.
Edinburgh, Sept. 23, 1748.
Very dear Sir,
EVER since I have been in Edinburgh, I have been attempting to write to you, but could not effect it till now. Though I am absent from, yet I am present with you. I hope this will find you fighting the good fight of faith, and in every respect behaving like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. The news of your conversion hath reached the ears of many of the great ones in Scotland. May the Lord Jesus keep you stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in his work. The way you know. A constant looking up to the author and finisher of our faith, and watching unto prayer with all perseverance, will keep the soul steady amidst all the temptations of a malicious devil, and ensnaring world. O for grace and zeal to endure unto the end! Finis coronat opus. I could say much, but company waits for me. Vast multitudes come to hear, and I trust much good is done. Good Lady H—— has an extract of a letter from a soldier, which will please you. Here are two devout soldiers in Edinburgh. May the Lord Jesus add more to his church of such converts as may be saved! You will not forget to pray for me. That you may increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate friend, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXV.
To Mr. H——.
Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748.
My very dear Mr. H——,
YOU are every day upon my heart. I must not, I cannot refrain writing to you any longer. How do you? Old love revives in my heart towards you, because, I trust, love to the blessed Jesus begins to revive in your heart. May the glorious Emmanuel fan the divine spark, till it break out into a holy blaze! Do not lose one moment more, my dear Sir: let this be the language of your soul continually,
Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,
For I will be no longer thine:
A nobler a diviner guest
Now takes possession of my breast.
It pleases me to think, how loud you and I shall sing of infinite, free, and unchangeable love in heaven; for because God changeth not, therefore you and I have not been consumed. O pleasant, transporting thought! What a saviour is Jesus of Nazareth! How precious was his blood! How profusely, as it were, was it shed for sinners! That you and yours may every moment feel its pardoning, renovating, cleansing, and purifying power, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXVI.
To Mr. S——.
Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748.
My very Dear Sir,
I Have been in pain because your kind letter has lain by me so long unanswered.—Nothing but a variety of other necessary business has been the cause. My hands are full, and I trust the pleasure of the Lord will prosper in them. Very great multitudes have flocked to hear; and in Glasgow the prospect of doing good is rather more promising than in Edinburgh. In a fortnight I purpose, God willing, to leave Scotland, and to preach at Oundle in my way to London. Glad shall I be to see two such friends as you and Mr. H——, though incog. I will endeavour to send you timely notice. I would have neither of you expose yourselves to needless contempt upon my account. I think I can say, that I am willing to be forgotten even by my friends, if Jesus Christ may thereby be exalted. But then, I would not have my friends act an inconsistent part towards that friend of all, that friend of sinners, the glorious Emmanuel. You know, my dear Sir, what an inspired apostle hath asserted: “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Whilst you are afraid of men, you will expose yourself to a thousand inconveniences. Your polite company, (unless you converse with them more as their physician, than as their companion) will prevail on you to such compliances, as will make you smart when you retire into your closet, and reflect on the part you have acted. Before I shook off the world, often have I come out of company, shorn of all my strength, like poor Sampson when he had lost his locks! But this is a tender point. Go on, dear Sir, and prove the strength of Jesus to be yours. Continue instant in prayer, and you shall see and feel infinitely greater things than you have seen or felt yet. I am of your opinion, that there is seed sown in England, which will in time grow up into a great tree. God’s giving some of the mighty and noble a hearing ear, forebodes future good. I do not despair, if I live, of seeing you a proclaimer of the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. God be praised, that Mr. H—— is so bold an advocate for his blessed Lord. I send him my most affectionate respects, and entreat him to remember me in his prayers. I wrote to Mr. H—— lately. I herewith send you an extract of a letter I wrote on ship-board to my dear invaluable friend Mr. S——, of South-Carolina. If it was judged proper, I would put it in the preface of a new edition of my Journals. I would not have any of my mistakes remain uncensured, uncorrected. I thank you for your hint about my way of preaching. I shall take care to observe it. And now, dear Sir, for the present, adieu. I am afraid I have tired you. I shall be fond of seeing you at London. Rejoicing in the prospect of seeing you in the kingdom of heaven, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER [♦DCLXXXVI.]
To Mr. K——.
Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748.
Dear Sir,
WHEN I was the other day at Edinburgh, your aged father communicated a letter to me, which gave an account of your being translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. As the news rejoiced the hearts of angels in heaven, no wonder that it gives satisfaction to those who desire to follow the blessed Jesus here on earth. Hoping that I am one of those, and being willing to promote his glorious gospel in every part of the world, I write you this letter at a venture, to wish you joy of your happy change, and to exhort you with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord. The more you know of Wisdom’s ways, the more you will find them to be ways of pleasantness. The more you know of the blessed Jesus, the more you will find that his yoke is easy, and his burden exceeding light. Go on then, dear Sir: be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and learn to endure hardness like a good soldier. Who knows what the Lord may do by you in the dark parts where you are? Much good has been done among the soldiers in Flanders. What God has done for your soul, I trust is only an earnest of what he intends to do for others in St. Helena. I salute your companion very heartily. I wish you both much prosperity in the Lord. You shall have the prayers of as many as I can engage for you. Remember our Lord’s promise. Where there are only two or three gathered together in his name, there is he in the midst of them. Though you have not public ordinances, yet if the God of ordinances be with you, there will be no room for complaint. If I can any way be instrumental of promoting the blessed work begun among you, you may readily command, dear Sir,
Your most affectionate friend and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXVII.
To Mrs. E——.
Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748.
Dear Madam,
ALTHOUGH I fear it may be taking too much freedom, yet as I humbly hope that the love of God is shed abroad in your heart, I trust you will not be offended at my sending you these few lines. They are lines of joy; for who can help rejoicing that hears what the blessed Jesus hath done for your soul? O Madam, how much are you indebted to that grace which hath made such difference between you and others. To see any one converted is a miracle. But to see a rich person, one of the mighty, one of the noble converted, is yet a greater. May the Lord Jesus add more of your rank to his church, such as shall be saved! Never fear, Madam; all things are possible to the glorious Emmanuel. Let him but speak the word, and great shall be the numbers of new creatures. I hope this will find you in good health, and upon the full stretch for him who was stretched and bled upon the cross for you. Great multitudes in Scotland flock to hear. Some of my spiritual children, I hear, are gone to heaven, and others come to me, telling what God did for their souls when I was here last. I desire to cast my crown before the Lamb; I desire always to be crying out, “Why me, Lord, why me?” In about a fortnight I purpose setting out for London. I lead a moving life. In heaven I shall have rest enough. Blessed be God for giving us to enter into a little of that rest even here! That you may daily increase in faith, and consequently enjoy more and more of this rest, is the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,
Your most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXVIII.
To some devout Soldiers.
Glasgow, Sept. 29, 1748.
My dear Brethren,
IT gave me no small satisfaction, when I was lately at Edinburgh, to hear that several of you were enabled to behave like good soldiers of Jesus Christ. I rejoice greatly that you are made partakers of his grace, and I earnestly intreat the Lord of all Lords that you may grow and increase in it day by day. This is the christian’s duty. He must forget the things that are behind; he must press forward towards the things which are before; he must not stop, till he arrives at the mark of the prize of his high calling. I trust, my dear brethren, you are all thus minded; and that whatever befals you, you will, through divine assistance, hold on and hold out to the end. If I can be any way serviceable to you, be not backward to send to me. I hear of others of your profession, that have lately enlisted under the banner of the ever-blessed Redeemer. Happy they! happy you! You have a good captain, a good cause, good armour, and an exceeding great reward. That you may at all times quit yourselves like men, and be strong; that you may fight the good fight of faith, and at length lay hold on life eternal is the hearty prayer of, my dear Brethren,
Your affectionate friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXIX.
To the Countess of H——.
Sept. 29, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
AM I not too troublesome in writing to your Ladyship so frequently? I fear I am; and yet I am afraid to break your Ladyship’s command, “Write weekly.” Blessed be God, I can yet send your Ladyship word that the glorious Emmanuel is with me, and countenances my poor administrations. I have met with some unexpected rubs, but not one more then was absolutely necessary to humble my proud heart. “O my blessed Redeemer, when shall I learn of thee to be meek and lowly! Thou alone, O Lamb of God, canst teach me. Sanctify all thy dispensations to this end, and give me always to lie at thy feet.” There, honoured Madam, I am safe: There I believe this letter will find your Ladyship.—May you every moment hear the Redeemer’s voice, and be built up continually in your most holy faith. In about a fortnight I purpose leaving Scotland. Several things concur to make me believe that it was right for me to come here. Particulars your Ladyship may expect at my return to town. In the mean while, I recommend your Ladyship, and your dear offspring, with your whole houshold, to the care of the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, and am, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCXC.
To Dr. H——.
Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748.
My dear Doctor,
YESTERDAY with great satisfaction I received your kind letter. Being in Scotland, I cannot as yet have the pleasure of seeing Captain T——; but, God willing, I shall enquire him out at my return to London. The God of the seas and the God of the dry land has brought me safe to my native country; since which I have written to you and many others, and left two boxes of books for my dear Bermudas friends, to be sent the first opportunity. Although God is pleased to smile upon my poor administrations, and very great multitudes flock to hear both in England and Scotland, yet I have thoughts of seeing Bermudas again next year. But I dare not determine. Future things belong to God. Glory be to his great name for sending me to Bermudas at all! Glory be to his great name, that you, my dear Sir, are striving to enter at the streight gate of a sound conversion. I hope you will never cease striving, till you know that your Redeemer liveth.—Neither the greatness nor number of your sins can keep you from this unspeakable privilege, if you believe on the Lord Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Come to the Father in and through him, and you, even you shall be made more than conqueror. Ere this can reach you, I hope you will have received redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of your sins. When you experience this, O how will you rejoice with joy unspeakable, even with joy that is full of glory! You will then have an heaven upon earth. Sin shall not have dominion over you. It shall not reign in your mortal body. My dear Mr. H——, whilst I am musing on, and writing about this blessed change, this present salvation, the fire kindles. I love you with a peculiar love. I travail in birth till Jesus Christ be formed in your dear heart. O do not backslide. Study to improve the light and grace already received. “To him that hath shall be given,” and he shall have abundance. But I forget myself. Busy as I am, I must, you see, write a long letter. Pray return my hearty love to your dear wife, Mrs. H——’s mother in law, &c. &c. May grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you all! I hope you will omit no opportunity of writing to, my very dear Friend,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXCI.
To Mr. A——.
Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748.
Dear Mr. A——,
I Am not disappointed of my hope. I thought the Lord Jesus had begun a good work in your soul before I left the Bermudas. Your welcome letter confirmed me in this opinion. I received it with joy. Though I wrote to you not long ago, yet I must answer yours immediately. And what shall I say? May I not welcome you into the world of new creatures? May I not hope that there has been joy in heaven over you, even you, my dear Man, repenting and turning unto God, even a God in Christ? Surely I may. And what then does the Lord now require of you, now he hath shewn you that good thing, the pardon of your sins, through a once crucified but now exalted Redeemer? Will you not, out of a principle of gratitude, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God? Methinks I hear you say, “I will, I will through the Lord Jesus Christ strengthening me.”—And he will strengthen you.—He has promised, that as our day is so shall our strength be.—Despised you must be, and your name shall be cast out as evil; but the glorious Redeemer will enable you to go without the camp, and cause you to rejoice when loaded with his sacred reproach. “Increase and multiply,” must now be your motto. Strive as much as in you lies, by your life and conversation, to win others to the blessed God. The eyes of men and angels will now be upon you. May the Lord enable you to walk circumspectly to those that are without. I hope your wife and all your relations will join in going to heaven with you. I return them my most hearty love, and pray that they may be filled with all the fulness of God. You will join in praying me over to the Bermudas again. I suppose Dr. H—— will shew you his letter. Remember me in the kindest manner to all, and accept this as a token of love unfeigned, from, dear Mr. A——,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXCII.
To Mr. D——.
Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748.
My very dear Friend,
WHO is like unto God, who makes his creatures extremity, the opportunity to help them? Your kind letter hath confirmed the news of the death of Mrs. B——, and of her leaving me a legacy of a hundred pounds. Well! though she is gone, yet I shall meet her at the great day, when the Lord Jesus shall remember this and all her other works of faith, and labours which have proceeded from love. I am glad she has left such an executor; I doubt not of your taking care of my interest. Your love is founded upon the rock of ages, and so is mine; for indeed I love you and yours in the bowels of the dear Redeemer. I know you will be glad to hear of my prosperity in this work. Indeed God makes way for his own gospel. Many come to me, telling me what the Lord did by me the last time I was in Scotland, and also the time before. Congregations are very large. I am pressed to stay three or four days more than I intended. Some that were prejudiced, have had their prejudices removed, and I believe will be greater friends than ever. O that I was humble and thankful! I have good news from Bermudas. I return you and yours love and thanks. I desire to be remembered to dear Mrs. —— and every inquiring friend. As I need them so much, I hope none will cease putting up earnest prayers in behalf of, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXCIII.
To Mr. S——.
Glasgow, Oct. 3, 1748.
My dear Sir,
I Thank you for your kind letter. I am so ill with a hoarseness and cold, and in straining to reach large congregations, that I must send you but a short answer. The depending upon Christ’s immediate teachings, without making use of books and proper means of instruction, you may assure yourself is a terrible temptation. It is the very quintessence of enthusiasm, and will lay you open to a thousand delusions. “Give thyself to reading,” says Paul to Timothy. If thou cannot think of being a Latin, strive to be an English scholar. At my return I will endeavour to assist you. At present I am quite ill; but I am afraid I shall not be able to leave Scotland in less than a fortnight. You must remember me to all. The Lord Jesus has appeared for me. Particulars expect to hear another time.
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXCIV.
To Mr. ——.
Glasgow, Oct. 5, 1748.
Very dear Sir,
I Received yours this morning; though I am engaged this evening, yet I think it my duty to send you an immediate answer. You might well inform, and almost assure, my Lord of Exeter, that I knew nothing of the printing of his Lordship’s pretended charge, or of the pamphlets occasioned by it. When the former was sent to me in manuscript from London to Bristol, as his Lordship’s production, I immediately said, it could not be his. When I found it printed, I spoke to the officious printer who did it out of his own head, and blamed him very much. When I saw the pamphlet, I was still more offended; repeatedly in several companies I urged the injustice as well as imprudence thereof, and said it would produce what it did, I mean a declaration from his Lordship, that he was no Methodist. I am sorry his Lordship had such an occasion given him to declare his aversion to what is called Methodism; and though I think his Lordship in his declaration hath been somewhat severe concerning some of the Methodist leaders; yet I cannot blame his Lordship for saying, “that he thought some of them were worse than ignorant and misguided,” supposing that his Lordship had sufficient proof, that they either caused to be printed, or wrote again when printed, a charge which his Lordship had never owned nor published. If you think proper, dear Sir, you may let his Lordship see the contents of this. I will only add, that I wish a way could be found out, whereby his Lordship and other of the Right Reverend the Bishops, might converse with some of us. Many mistakes might thereby be rectified, and perhaps his Lordship’s sentiments in some degree altered. If this cannot be effected (I speak only for myself,) I am content to wait till we all appear before the great shepherd and bishop of souls. In the mean while, I heartily pray, that their Lordships may be blessed with all spiritual blessings, and wishing you the like mercies, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Your affectionate, obliged humble servant,
G. W.