LETTER DCXCV.
To Mr. H——.
Cambuslang, Oct. 9, 1748.
My dear Mr. H——,
HAVE you not suspected, that I have forgotten you? but indeed I have not. As a testimony of it, though late, accept a line of love, even love unfeigned. I hope you are well, and that affairs go on at the Tabernacle as well as can be expected. I trust the shout of a king is amongst you. Blessed be God, he has caused his gospel to triumph in Scotland. I have been humbled and exalted; humbled first, in order to be exalted afterwards. Thus it is.—The Lord wounds and then heals. At present I am in the place where the great awakening was about six years ago. The fruits of it yet remain. To morrow, God willing, I take my leave at Glasgow. I believe we shall have a sorrowful parting. As I expect to stop in Yorkshire, I suppose I cannot reach London till the latter end of this month, if so soon. O for a warm winter! You must remember me to all. I cannot now descend to particulars. I can only pray, that you and yours may be filled with all the fulness of God, and subscribe myself,
Yours most affectionately in the glorious Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXCVI.
To Mr. B——.
Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748.
My dear Sir,
LAST night, after wondering at your being silent so long, I received your wished-for letter. The reading it brought tears from my eyes. I felt for you, and for your father, and for all parties concerned. How lovingly does the Lord deal with you? Is not the way of duty the way of safety? Should you not both agree to let matters lie as they are, and not go one step farther till you know your father’s mind? You have given him your word; you must not go back. My affair came to as near a crisis, and yet I was called to sacrifice my Rachael. It may not be so with you. But prepare for the worst. Assure yourself, that your present passion, at least as to the excess of it, is sinful. If all is right, why such uneasiness for such a small space of time? Why such a long eclipse in the soul? Alas! B——’s has been almost total. I hope you are now coming out of it. Thanks be to that Jesus, who has promised “that we shall not be tempted above what we are able to bear,” but will with the temptation make a way to escape. You see, my dear man, my love by my sympathy and plainness. Pray remember me to your aged father in the kindest manner. Dear old man! he is worthy of your greatest regard. His account of the legacy is true.—Yes, my dear friend, the Lord Jesus does reign indeed, and therefore I shall be delivered out of all my troubles. You will give thanks in my behalf. He has appeared for me here. Congregations have been very large, and several things have concurred to prove that providence did indeed call me to Scotland. I would not but have come for the world. Last night I came hither from Glasgow, and thought to leave this place as next Tuesday, but perhaps it may be the Tuesday following. I fear I cannot write to any more this post. But whether I write or not, whether absent or present, you must always remember me, as
Your assured friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCXCVII.
To Mr. W——.
Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748.
Reverend and dear Sir,
THOUGH I have not written to you, yet not one day hath passed since my being this time in Scotland, without my thinking of you. The love and respect I owe you, as an aged minister of Jesus Christ, will not suffer me to be silent any longer. How do you, reverend Sir? I doubt not but you find that promise true, “The righteous shall bring forth much fruit in old age.” This leaves me, though faint, yet pursuing, and resolved, in the blessed Jesus, to spend and be spent in the blessed cause wherein I have embarked. Indeed, when I consider my blunders, mistakes, and imprudencies, I wonder the glorious Emmanuel does not lay me aside; but his grace is like himself, infinite and eternal. I hope he has given me a sight of, and humbled me for some of my mistakes; and I trust as I grow in years, if I am to live longer, I shall grow in knowledge and every christian virtue. Reverend and dear Sir, be pleased to pray for me. I do not forget you, though perhaps you may judge otherwise. O for heaven! There christian ministers shall see eye to eye.—But I must not weary you. In a few days I suppose you will hear what has happened in the West. Dear Mr. M—— perhaps may acquaint you with particulars. With this, I send you a few of my last accounts of the Orphan-house. You may dispose of them as you think proper. When you see Mr. B—— or R——, or any of the ministers that were friendly to me, be pleased to remember me to them in the most respectful manner. I hope Mrs. W—— and your whole houshold enjoy much of Him whose presence is better than life. I earnestly entreat the Lord to fill you with all his fulness, and beg leave to subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother and servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCXCVIII.
To the Reverend Mr. E——.
Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748.
Reverend and dear Sir,
BY the providence of a good and gracious God, I came hither last night, after having preached at Falkirk in the morning. Mr. A—— behaved very kindly. Mr. N—— has Mr. M——’s letter. I am to see him at five this evening. On Tuesday next, God willing, I intend preaching for Mr. G——, and to leave Scotland the Tuesday following. In the mean while you may write what you please. But whither am I going? Let God direct. Let my name be forgotten, let me be trodden under the feet of all men, if Jesus may thereby be glorified. I wish you or Mr. M—— would write a line to Mr. W——; I would not have any good, though mistaken man, uneasy upon my account. Well! In heaven all will be over. When I meet you there, I will thank you for all the pains you have taken with, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCXCIX.
To the Countess of H——n.
Edinburgh, Oct. 15, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
THOUGH it is late and nature calls for rest, yet I cannot with satisfaction close my eyes unless I write once more to your Ladyship: and what shall I say? I am the chief of sinners, and the Lord Jesus magnifies his grace in being long suffering and infinitely bountiful unto me. At Glasgow he has magnified his strength in my weakness, and out of the eater hath brought forth meat. Next week I purpose, God willing, to send your Ladyship the substance of a long debate about poor unworthy me, in the synod of Glasgow. Since that, I find the presbytery of Perth (I mean the new-fashioned part of it) has made an act against employing me. Ill-nature shews itself here, but I feel the benefit of it. Congregations are large, and I am enabled to preach with greater power, and feel unspeakable great comfort in my own soul. My hoarseness is quite gone off, my bodily health much repaired, and if my enemies shew themselves, I am persuaded the blessed Jesus will bless me to his people more and more.—Some give out, that I am employed by the government to preach against the Pretender; and the Seceders are very angry with me for not preaching up the Scotch Covenant. Blessed be God, I preached up the covenant of grace, and I trust many souls are taught to profit. The inclosed, dear Madam, will shew your Ladyship a little how I have been dealt with. Particulars your Ladyship shall have when the Lord is pleased to bring me to London. Next Tuesday sevennight I am to leave Scotland. Lady Mary H——, Lord L—— and Lady F—— beg their compliments may be presented to your Ladyship. Many in Scotland pray most earnestly for you, and Mr. R—— intends writing your Ladyship a letter. I pray for you, honoured Madam, continually. I am quite happy in Him who died upon the cross to save me. I believe he will deliver me out of all; and if I die for him, so that I am not suffered to deny him, it will exceedingly please, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCC.
To the Same.
Topcliff, Nov. 1, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
THUS far has a gracious and good God brought me in my way to London, which I hope to reach some time next week. Your Ladyship may expect to see me the next day I come to town. Thanks be to the Lord of all Lords for directing my way to Scotland. I have reason to believe some have been awakened, and many, many quickened and comforted. My old friends are more solidly so than ever, and a foundation I trust has been laid for doing much good, if ever the Lord should call me thither again. Two synods and one presbytery brought me upon the carpet; but all has worked for good. The more I was blackened, the more the Redeemer comforted me. I desire to cry, Grace! grace!
The love of Christ doth me constrain,
To seek the wandering souls of men;
With cries, entreaties, tears, to save,
And snatch them from the gaping grave.
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.
At present I add no more, but my most dutiful respects to your Ladyship, and with hearty prayers for your temporal and eternal welfare, I beg leave to subscribe myself,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCI.
To Mr. R——.
Topcliff, Nov. 1, 1748.
My dear Friend,
HERE, with thankfulness of heart, will I set up my Ebenezer; for hitherto assuredly hath the Lord helped me. We reached Fetton on Saturday night. There being no public worship on the Lord’s-day, I came on to Morpeth to worship there; got to Ferry-hill on Monday evening, and to-night am writing at Topcliff. Though I do not preach, yet I hope I am preparing for it. Reading, prayer, and meditation are three necessary ingredients. Riding, and getting proper rest, have recruited me; but I am apt to believe I have strained myself inwardly. I feel sensible pain in my breath.—But no matter; it is for a good master, who bore inexpressible pain for me.
O Lord, enlarge my scanty thought,
To see the wonders thou hast wrought;
Unloose my stammering tongue to tell,
Thy love immense, unsearchable.
I could write much, but my body calls for rest. My very dear Sir, good night. May the Lord of all lords reward you, and my other dear honoured friends, a thousand-fold. I intend writing to more very soon. In the mean while, pray present my sincerest respect and thanks to all. Inclosed you have Mr. M——’s letter and my answer. Be pleased to shew what Mr. M—— and Mr. —— writes, and let them tell you how the affair between them was. I know you will act as a peace-maker. That the God of peace and love may dwell and rule in your dear heart, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear friend,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCCII.
To the Honourable Lady D——.
Wantsworth (Northamptonshire), Nov. 5, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
THOUGH I am now eighty miles from London, yet gratitude, and the unfeigned respect I bear to you and yours, will not suffer me to go any further, without sending your Ladyship my repeated acknowledgments for your very many and repeated favours. Your kindnesses, when last at Edinburgh, were indeed surprizing. They have often humbled me, and as often led me to the throne of grace in behalf of your Ladyship and honoured family. May the promise made to those who are not ashamed of Christ, his gospel, and ministers, descend upon you all! O that you may have grace given you to shine as lights in the world, and to dare to be singularly good, since it is too apparent that we live in a wicked and adulterous generation. Honoured Madam, let us look up: as our day is, so shall our strength be. All things are possible to those that believe. May the Lord Jesus evermore give your Ladyship and children a large share of precious, purifying, operative faith! This is the earnest desire of my soul. Upon this I could enlarge, but travelling wearies me. Thanks be to God, I have that place in view, where the weary are at rest. In a post or two I purpose writing to my Lord B——, his honoured lady, &c. I never forget any of them. They have my constant prayers and most cordial respects. Be pleased to accept the same, honoured Madam, from
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCIII.
To Lady ——.
London, Nov. 10, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
I Wrote a line to dear Mr. R——, when about the middle of my journey. I must write a line to you, now the Lord of all lords hath brought me to the end of it. I trust I can say, Jesus was with me on the way. My health was sensibly improved; but, by sitting up late to preach, I am grown little sick again. Good Lady H—— is come to town, and I am to preach at her Ladyship’s house twice a week to the Great and Noble. O that some of them may effectually be called, and taste of the riches of redeeming love! I need not inform your Ladyship, that this, and this alone, can give true rest and peace to any soul. You have felt the beginnings of it. May you experience an increase of it more and more. I desire my most tender and affectionate respects may find acceptance with dear Mr. R——, and with all who are pleased to honour me with their acquaintance. That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon you, is the continual prayer of, honoured madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCIV.
To Lord R——.
London, Nov. 10, 1748.
My Lord,
I Believe I am not mistaken, in thinking that your Lordship will not be offended with me for sending you a short letter. It is the effect of that unfeigned love I bear to your honoured father, yourself, and that dear and honourable family with which your Lordship is now so closely allied. And what shall I say? Can I wish your Lordship any thing greater, than that you may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. It is a blessed thing to be engaged in fighting his battles; and not only to be almost, but altogether a christian. It is this half-way religion that undoes the professing world. The heart can never be at unity with itself, till it is wholly centered in God. This can only be done by faith in Jesus Christ; and when once a soul begins to taste of this faith, then that soul’s heaven begins on earth. I trust I can say this by happy experience. I wish your Lordship a very large share of it; and with hearty acknowledgments for all favours, beg leave, to subscribe myself, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient, obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCV.
To Lady Mary H——.
London, Nov. 10, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
THOUGH absent from, yet I am not unmindful of you. The regard your Ladyship has been pleased to shew to a poor unworthy worm, calls for and claims my sincerest and most repeated acknowledgments. This letter brings them, and shall be followed, honoured Madam, as the Lord enables, with fervent prayers for your temporal and eternal welfare. O that you may be enabled to make a stand this winter for the Lord Jesus, and not in the least countenance any of those diversions that have already brought religion so low in poor Scotland! I need not inform your Ladyship, what a blessed thing it is to be singularly good, and to be consistent in our whole walk and conversation. To be uniform, and all of a piece, is the very life of a christian. It is this, and not a compliance with the polite world in any of their fooleries, that will gain proselytes to Jesus Christ. I could enlarge on this head, but I am persuaded it is needless for your Ladyship. The glorious Jesus hath let you see too much of his love, for you ever to be taken up with any thing short of his own eternal life! That he may knit your heart yet closer to himself, he is pleased to visit you with crosses. They are the christian’s portion, honoured madam: They are the believer’s birthright. “In the world you shall have tribulation;” but what follows? “Be not afraid, I have overcome the world.” Look, therefore, to Him, honoured madam, who, as he hath been the author, will also be the finisher of your faith. That you may increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, honoured madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCVI.
To the Rev. Mr. M——.
London, Nov. 10, 1748.
Reverend and dear Sir,
OUR bountiful and good God brought me here in safety the beginning of this week. I have already waited upon, and preached at good Lady H——’s. About thirty have desired to come, and I suppose they will bring thirty more. I have heard of two or three more dear christians among the Great Ones. I know you will pray the Lord of all lords to increase the number. Her Ladyship hath a great regard for all those in Scotland, who stand up for vital religion. She intends to send you down the picture of poor Aaron the late negroe preacher. I find the public papers give strange lying accounts of my reception in Scotland. At present, blessed be the glorious Jesus, I am content to be blackened. I send you my repeated thanks for all favours; and, with hearty love to dear Mr. G——, your family, and all friends, I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged, though unworthy younger brother and servant in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCCVII.
To the Reverend Mr. S——.
London, Nov. 12, 1748.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
BY my not hearing from you with my wife’s letter, I suspect you are not yet reconciled to my leaving America, though but for a season. Every thing concurs to prove that I have done the will of God. As I am streightened in time, I will refer you to the inclosed, which I desire you will read, seal, and send. Here are loud calls; but I think to come over to you again next year. Pray write to me. I will endeavour to answer you. I wrote to you lately from Scotland. Not a day passes, but I think of you and my other Charles-Town friends. I intend to write to you very soon. In the mean time, be pleased to remember me to all in the most tender manner. Ere this can reach you, I expect to see my wife in England. I purpose to persuade her to settle here. I want to make the Orphan-house a seminary of learning. If some such thing be not done, I cannot see how the Southern parts will be provided with ministers. All are afraid to come over. May the Lord Jesus direct me. I believe he will. Pray remember me to Mr. Z——, Mr. O——, &c. if with you. I have not time at present, or otherwise they should have a line from, reverend and very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCCVIII.
To the Countess of H——.
London, Nov. 14, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
THE inclosed brings good news from a far country. The person’s mother belongs to the Tabernacle society: I lay at his house when in Virginia; but he and others went to cards, I thought on purpose to affront me. We retired to prayers for him. I hope they were heard. Your Ladyship will be pleased to let me have the letter again; as likewise that I sent to your Ladyship from Scotland, from one Capt. K. of St. Helena. Your Ladyship shall have copies of them all. I am getting the New-England Christian History, and Bishop Hall’s Works in folio, bound for your Ladyship. I find there has been a great stir in the synod of Edinburgh about unworthy me. Mr. W——, Mr. J——, Mr. R—— W——, have protested against their proceedings, and appeared quite hearty. Your Ladyship wrote to Mr. R——. A word or two of encouragement now from your Ladyship, would strengthen the hands of these ministers of Christ. I hear the affair is to come before the assembly next May. News also was brought me last night, that the negroes are allowed by the trustees for Georgia. If so, that province, under God, will flourish. Blessed be God, I am more hearty than I have been for a long season. I hope to be enabled to preach here on Sunday evening, and to come and preach at your Ladyship’s afterwards. Last night the gospel was indeed preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. I was shewing the dignity of a christian, and in what sense christians were kings. The King of kings was amongst us. When I hear or receive any thing that is new and good, I naturally inform your Ladyship of it, because I believe it will give your Ladyship satisfaction. I hope your new house is agreeable to your Ladyship. That the Redeemer’s glory may fill it, and that it may prove a gate of heaven to many of the rich and great, is the earnest prayer of, honoured madam,
Your Ladyship’s, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCCIX.
To the Honourable Lady T——.
London, Nov. 19, 1748.
Honoured Madam,
WHEN I was lately in Scotland, Col. G——ly wrote me word, that your Ladyship was pleased to desire my poor prayers. Before his writing, they had been put up to the throne of grace in behalf of your Ladyship very frequently; and I would then have written to your Ladyship, had I not feared it would have been making too free. Yesterday good Lady H——n informed me that your Ladyship was ill. Had I judged it proper, I would have waited upon your Ladyship this morning. But I was cautious of intruding. However, the regard I bear to your Ladyship, constrains me to inform your Ladyship, that my heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that this sickness may not be unto death, but to his glory, and the present and eternal good of your better part, your precious and immortal soul. This, no doubt, is the end of afflictions: God’s name and nature is Love. He cannot, therefore, chastise us for any other purpose, than that we may be made partakers of his holiness.—Every cross and disappointment, every degree of pain, brings this important call with it, “My son, my daughter, give me thy heart.” O that your Ladyship’s soul may echo back, “My heart, Lord Jesus, will I give.” O that from a feeling, spiritual, abiding sense of the vanity and emptiness of all created good, you may, in a holy resentment, cry out,
Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,
For I must be no longer thine:
A nobler, a diviner guest,
Now claims possession of my breast!
Then, and not till then, will your Ladyship’s mind be at unity with itself. Then, and not till then, will your Ladyship, upon truly rational principles, with chearfulness wait for the approach of death, and the coming of the Lord from heaven. It is faith in Jesus, a true and living faith in the Son of God, that can alone bring present, real peace, and lay a solid foundation for future and eternal comfort. I cannot wish your Ladyship any thing greater, any thing more noble, than a large share of this precious faith: and a large, yea a very large share, is the glorious Redeemer ready to give to all that sincerely ask for, and seek after it. He waits to be gracious. He giveth liberally; he upbraideth not. When, like Noah’s dove, we have been wandering about in a fruitless search after happiness, and have found no rest for the sole of our feet, he is ready to reach out his merciful hand, and receive us into his ark. This hand, honoured madam, is he reaching out to you. May you be constrained to give your heart entirely to him, and thereby enter into that rest which remains for the happy, though despised people of God. But whither am I going? I forget that your Ladyship is indisposed, and I almost a stranger to you. I will only make this apology: “The love of Jesus constrains me.” Hoping, therefore, your Ladyship will excuse the freedom I have here taken, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCX.
To the Reverend Mr. P——.
London, Nov. 19, 1748.
Reverend and dear Sir,
IT is a concern to me, that I cannot write to more of my New-England friends than I do; for indeed a multiplicity of business renders a more frequent correspondence impracticable. However, I would willingly send you, dear Sir, a few lines. They are lines of love, and bring you news of my being better in health than I have been for many years last past. Several things have concurred to prove it was the divine will I should return this time to my native country. Matters were in great confusion by reason of Mr. C——’s going over to the Moravians; but blessed be God, we are now easy at the Tabernacle, and the word falls with weight and power. In Scotland the Lord Jesus was pleased to appear for me; I found no diminution in respect to the number of hearers; and, I believe, (thanks be to free grace) my preaching was more acceptable than ever to God’s people, and to those ministers who were pleased formerly to own and encourage me. Some of the opposite party begun a like stir with that which was made in New-England by Dr. C——, &c. but I believe it will only make the people more eager to hear, and in the end be productive of great good. Our Lord orders all things well. I never enjoyed more settled peace and joy than now. I trust he has given me to see many things that were wrong, and withal a disposition to confess and amend them. At present, this is the language of my heart:
Correct me when I go astray,
And lead me in the perfect way.
I suppose you will be acquainted with particulars by some of my dear friends from Scotland. In all probability I shall go to Scotland again in the Spring; and, in the latter end of the year, I propose embarking for America. But future things belong to God. Thanks be to his great name, I am willing to go any where, so that I may but glorify the dear Redeemer. Ere this reaches you, doubtless you will have heard of his giving me favour in the sight of Lady H——n, a Lady as good as she is great. Two or three among the great, I trust have been made the happy subjects of redeeming love. I have heard lately also of the conversion of two or three clergymen; there is likewise a great awakening in Ireland, and in Wales the work goes on. Upon the whole, I believe the gospel is getting ground, and next spring, when it is proper to range about and preach in the fields, I hope to see yet greater things. I repeat my old request, reverend and dear brother, “Pray for us.” I continually pray for you, and the people committed to your charge. I wish you and yours an increase of blessings, and beg leave to subscribe myself, Reverend and very dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCCXI.
To the Rev. Mr. L——.
London, Nov. 19, 1748.
My very dear Brother,
WORDS cannot well express what I felt when your welcome letter came to hand. It drew me to my knees; it made me shed tears of joy, and with two or three of my dear friends I was enabled to wrestle for you at the throne of grace. Blessed, for ever blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for opening your eyes, and giving you such an experimental and soul-ravishing knowledge of the doctrine of grace. No wonder that people take notice of you. I hope the fame thereof, as it hath reached heaven, will also be spread abroad upon the earth, and thro’ the thanksgivings of thousands redound to the glory of God. I think it a happiness, that you are surrounded with many souls that have indeed tasted that the Lord is gracious, and consequently will be fed with the sincere milk of the word, now communicated to them, under God, by you. Now, my dear friend will you begin to live, now will you begin to preach indeed. Go on in the name of Jesus, and as Paul did, so shall you, “increase with all the increase of God.” Glad shall I be to give you all the assistance that lies in my power. Henry on the Scriptures will now suit your taste, and Jenks upon the Righteousness of Christ might do you immediate service. Flavel’s Sermons would be food for you, and Boston upon the Covenant, and his fourfold State, I believe would delight you. Bishop Hall’s Contemplations are excellent, Bishop Hopkins and Beveridge will do for you, and indeed almost all the writers a century ago. The doctrines you now preach are no new doctrines; you are now got into the good old way. May the Lord keep and succeed you in it, ever more and more. I believe he will. I could say more, but I expect another letter from you before I come down. Lady H—— is rejoiced to hear of you. I read part of your letter to her last night before I preached. Some of the great ones hear the gospel gladly. That you may be made a very great blessing to thousands and ten thousands, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Mr. L——,
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER DCCXII.
To the Rev. Mr. P——.
London, Nov. 21, 1748.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
I Was glad to hear, by a letter sent by Mr. R——, that you had been in New-England. I hoped you would have come further, even to Old England and Scotland. I have been endeavouring in Scotland to do all the service I could to the Indian school and the New-Jersey college whilst I was there; but I believe nothing will be done to purpose unless you or some other popular minister come over, and make an application in person. In all probability, a collection might then be recommended by the general assembly, which sits next May, and large contributions be raised among private persons that wish well to Zion. If one of the Indians was brought over with the minister, and a proposal made to educate some of the late awakened Indians in the New-Jersey college, it would certainly be of service. Mr. M—— and several other faithful ministers are hearty in the affair; but I believe will do nothing, unless you or some other such like minister come over. Probably I shall be in Scotland next spring again. God has been pleased to countenance me there; and some of the clergy, in order to stop my progress, have followed Dr. C——y’s example. But if God be for us, who can be against us? Thanks be to his holy name, I am kept quite chearful in soul, and healthy in my body. Blessed be God, the word falls with weight, and I hear of several brought under fresh convictions. A clergyman or two have been lately converted, and there is a great awakening in Ireland. I shall be glad to hear that New-York is full of new creatures. I beg that my most cordial respects and love may find acceptance with all my dear friends, and am, reverend and dear Sir,
Ever yours,
G. W.
LETTER DCCXIII.
To Mr. E——.
Gloucester, Dec. 5, 1748.
Dear Mr. E——,
WHY no letter from you all this while? I have written to you several times. Lately I sent a case full of divers things for Bethesda. When I return to London, I purpose to send more. I hear that my wife hath lessened the family; but how it stands now, I cannot expect to know for a certainty till I see her. I expect her daily, though I am apt to believe she will not embark till she sees Betty W——. I hope ere now you have welcomed her to Bethesda in the name of the Lord. I expect to be over with you again by this time twelvemonth. In the mean while, I trust we shall make some better advances towards heaven than we have hitherto done, and be more conformed to the blessed and glorious Jesus. Thanks be to his great name, he continues to deal bountifully with me. I am pretty well in health, and hope to hear that you are so. I send you all my blessing, and am
Yours, &c.
G. W.