LETTER DCCCLXXXII.
To Mr. B——.
London, Feb. 8, 1751.
Dear Sir,
YESTERDAY I saw your letter to Mr. V——, which made me to think a line would not altogether be unacceptable to you. And what shall I say? Your case is affecting. O that your present confinement may be sanctified to the setting of your imprisoned soul at liberty, and bringing you home (after having so long fed on husks with swine) to feed upon the fatted calf! You know the father’s behaviour to the returning prodigal. He saw him when he was yet a great way off.—He ran towards him,—filthy as he was, he fell upon his neck, and kissed him. Thus, if you resolve with the prodigal, to arise and go to your Father, will the ever-blessed God deal with you. He will embrace you in the arms of his love; he will also cloathe you with the righteousness of his dear Son, and cause joy to be in heaven even over you, on repenting and returning to him. Is not this enough to encourage you to lay hold on his golden sceptre? to resolve, in divine strength, to mortify and bid adieu to all those sins, by which you have dishonoured your glorious Maker? You see, Sir, what wages Satan gives; death even in this world, and alas! eternal death in the world to come. God keep you from this second death, and then temporal shame will be but little. The way you know; Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is mighty, and willing to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and through him. Come then, dear Sir, and throw yourself at the feet of his mercy. He will not only pardon, but abundantly pardon you. In Jesus Christ there is a fountain opened for sin and for all uncleanness. “Wash ye, make ye clean,” is the call of God to all, and now the particular call of God to you. May the Spirit of the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, bring it home to your soul, and make it effectual to your thorough conversion! Let this be your sole care. For this and this only is the one thing needful. As for seeing Mrs. ——, if I was to advise (as it hath been hitherto deferred) I would have you both decline it a little longer. Wait and see the issue of your trial; she can do you no good, and by coming may do herself harm. But this is a tender point. May Providence point out what is best! If we acknowledge the Lord, we have a promise, “that he will direct us in all our ways.” I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and beg you to accept this from, dear Sir,
Your sympathizing friend and servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXXIII.
To Lady H——n.
London, Feb. 26, 1751.
Ever-honoured Madam,
YOUR Ladyship’s kind letter, which came to hand yesterday, was an unexpected as well as undeserved favour, and for which I return your Ladyship ten thousand thanks. Surely the Lord of all lords will at length answer the prayers of his people, and raise you up to the joy of many souls. It would rejoice your Ladyship much to see what has been doing here. I have not known a more considerable awakening for a long time. The Lord comes down as in the days of old, and the shout of a king is amongst us. Praise the Lord, O my soul! The inclosed, which came from abroad, I believe will give your Ladyship satisfaction. I think it is an earnest of good things to come. To-morrow I purpose to leave London; but whether the rain and wind will permit me is uncertain. I am at present quite feverish, by my late hurry and fatigue; but God is my portion and my confidence for ever. Underneath your Ladyship are his everlasting arms; you cannot sink with such a prop. Your Ladyship must be made conqueror, yea more than conqueror, through his love. That, is engaged to bring you through whatever sufferings may be yet before you. He is faithful, who hath promised, “that we shall not be tempted above what we are able to bear.” This is my daily support. To explain God’s providence by the promise, and not his promise by his providence, I find is the only way both to get and to keep our comforts. Above all, I find that looking unto Jesus, is an universal, never-failing antidote against every evil. This is what your Ladyship knows by happy experience. May you know it more and more so every day and hour! But I fear I weary your Ladyship, and therefore hasten to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXXIV.
To Mr. ——.
London, March 1, 1751.
Very dear Sir,
YOUR generous conduct much affects me; it hath drawn me to the throne of grace in your behalf. If any of my poor writings should be rendered either entertaining or beneficial to you, I hope it will make me more thankful to him, who is the father of lights, and from whom every good and perfect gift cometh. Mr. H—— writes me word, that his heart is knit to you. I wish the colony affairs may not lie too hard upon him. Whenever he dies, I believe he will die as it were a martyr for the welfare of Georgia. He mentions Mr. H—— for a magistrate in his stead; if I might advise, nothing should be denied, that might strengthen Mr. H——’s hands. I know him to be a tried friend, and one who has the good of that poor province exceedingly at heart. Young M——, he thinks, might be ordained for an itinerant preacher among the negroes. A good beginning amongst them might be of vast consequence. Mr. Z—— hath this affair much at heart. I give you these hints to be improved as you think proper. My views to serve Georgia are disinterested; so I believe are yours. Such intentions the great Redeemer will own and bless one way or another. I wish I could have my packet from Westminster, ♦before I leave town. I think you do right to send the young gentleman to B——. If he inquires for Mr. J—— S—— a merchant, he will be taken care of. B—— is no good place however for young men, for there young B—— has been hurt. But alas, if people’s hearts are not upright, change of place will avail but little. This consideration induces me to send the inclosed. I commit it to your care, and commend your better part to his mercy, who hath loved and given himself for us. That you may experience all the unsearchable riches of his superabundant grace, is the earnest prayer of, very dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend, and very obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXXV.
To Mr. ——.
London, March 1, 1751.
Dear Sir,
YOUR acknowledgment for my poor present, is more than it deserved. If it is made of use to your precious soul, I have my desired end. My heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that his goodness may lead you to a thorough repentance, and that you may have no rest, till you truly believe on Jesus Christ. Reformation is not renovation: and unless the heart be totally and thoroughly changed, when the fear of hell and other outward restraints are gone, good impressions will gradually wear off, and the seeming convert return again to folly. The love of Christ therefore constrains me, dear Sir, to exhort you to make thorough work of it, and to give all diligence to make your calling and election sure. Now indeed is the accepted time! Surely you may say, “Am I not a brand plucked out of the burning?” Satan will not care that you should leave him without some attacks. When you are abroad, old habits, and old corruptions will strive to renew their ancient acquaintance with you: merry company will endeavour to redebauch you, and your grand adversary the devil will labour to render all the amazing mercies you have received, fruitless and abortive.—Be upon your guard. Distrust yourself. Be instant in prayer. Look continually to Jesus, and then as your day is, so shall your strength be. Be pleased to accept this in love. If I may judge of your aspect and letter, you will. Glad shall I be to find you a new creature in Georgia. My prayers shall follow you, and I hope ere long we shall meet with our brother and all the redeemed of the Lord in paradise. Be pleased to remember me to Mr. R——; and if you would mind me, as the chief of sinners and less than the least of all saints, when you get access to the throne of grace, you would oblige, dear Sir,
Your real friend for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXXVI.
To the Reverend Mr. H——.
Bristol, March 17, 1751.
My very dear Friend,
THIS comes with a summons from good Lady H——, for you to appear in Bristol, and abide for a month or two at my brother’s house. You must not refuse. The God who has carried that elect Lady through such bad roads from Ashby hither, will take care of you, and I am persuaded you will not repent your journey. Her Ladyship made the motion to me, and intends writing herself. Blessed be God, she is much better, and I trust will do well. She will have nobody to give her the Sacrament unless you come. I hope this will find you at the tabernacle house, and trust shall hear of your sister’s safe delivery. My tender and cordial respects await her, your dear brother, and his whole houshold. I ventured the other day to put out a guinea to interest for you. It was to release an excellent christian, who by living very hard, and working near twenty hours out of four-and-twenty, had brought himself very low. He has a wife and four children, and was above two guineas in debt. I gave one for myself and one for you. We shall have good interest for our money in another world. O for a mind like his, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might become rich! I have been recommending him this morning, and purpose doing so again this evening. In Gloucestershire the word hath been gladly received, and here we have had pleasant gales. O my dear Sir, follow me with your prayers. The Lord be with your spirit. I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and am, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXXVII.
To Mr. B——.
Bristol, March 22, 1751.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
I Lately received your last kind letter, and am glad to find that you are enabled to joy in tribulation, and to say, “Father, not my will, but thine be done.” May the Lord increase your faith, and if you should be called to give up your Isaac, your dear yoke-fellow, may you, Aaron like, hold your peace, and by an undissembled resignation to the divine will, glorify your God! My wife has been in pitiable circumstances for some time. The Lord only knows what will be the issue of them. This is my comfort, “all things work together for good to those that love God.” He is the father of mercies, and the God of all consolation. He can bring light out of darkness, and cause the barren wilderness to smile. This I trust will be verified in Georgia. Thanks be to God, that the time for favouring that Colony seems to be come. I think now is the season for us to exert our utmost for the good of the poor Ethiopians. We are told, that even they are soon to stretch out their hands unto God. And who knows but their being settled in Georgia, may be over-ruled for this great end? As for the lawfulness of keeping slaves, I have no doubt, since I hear of some that were bought with Abraham’s money, and some that were born in his house.—And I cannot help thinking, that some of those servants mentioned by the Apostles in their epistles were or had been slaves. It is plain, that the Gibeonites were doomed to perpetual slavery, though liberty is a sweet thing to such as are born free, yet to those who never ♦knew the sweets of it, slavery perhaps may not be so irksome. However this be, it is plain to a demonstration, that hot countries cannot be cultivated without negroes. What a flourishing country might Georgia have been, had the use of them been permitted years ago? How many white people have been destroyed for want of them, and how many thousands of pounds spent to no purpose at all? Had Mr. Henry been in America, I believe he would have seen the lawfulness and necessity of having negroes there. And though it is true, that they are brought in a wrong way from their own country, and it is a trade not to be approved of, yet as it will be carried on whether we will or not; I should think myself highly favoured if I could purchase a good number of them, in order to make their lives comfortable, and lay a foundation for breeding up their posterity in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. You know, dear Sir, that I had no hand in bringing them into Georgia; though my judgment was for it, and so much money was yearly spent to no purpose, and I was strongly importuned thereto, yet I would not have a negro upon my plantation, till the use of them was publicly allowed in the colony. Now this is done, dear Sir, let us reason no more about it, but diligently improve the present opportunity for their instruction. The trustees favour it, and we may never have a like prospect. It rejoiced my soul, to hear that one of my poor negroes in Carolina was made a brother in Christ. How know we but we may have many such instances in Georgia ere it be long? By mixing with your people, I trust many of them will be brought to Jesus, and this consideration, as to us, swallows up all temporal inconveniencies whatsoever. Thus, my dear Sir, I have opened my mind to you on this head; if it satisfies you, I shall be glad; though I suppose what holy Mr. Z——n has already written, has been sufficient. His heart seems touched with a sympathy for these poor creatures, and in the fall, God willing, I intend seeing what can be done towards laying a foundation. Lord prosper this work of our hands upon us, prosper thou, O God, our handy work! I am now entering upon my spring campaign, and long for the time to embark for Georgia. This I believe will shortly come. Blessed be God, the work on this side increases daily. You will help me with your prayers, and you will remember me in the kindest manner to your collegue, your wife and dear congregation, and believe me to be, reverend Sir,
Your most unworthy, but affectionate brother and fellow-labourer in the kingdom of our Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXXVIII.
To Mr. H——ly.
Plymouth, March 30, 1751.
My very dear Friend,
I Am persuaded you was surprized to find our elect Lady gone from Ashby, and I was as much surprized to see her Ladyship at Bristol. I hope her journey was of God. The waters agree with her wonderfully already, and I trust she will be restored to perfect health. As dear Mr. H—— cannot be prevailed upon to come down, if it would any way suit you to be with her Ladyship a month, it would much refresh her, and I believe be very agreeable to you. Some pulpits would be open for you, and who knows but you might catch some great fish in the gospel net? But I need not enforce this, since her Ladyship hath written to you herself. May the blessed Redeemer direct your going in his way! Put up the same request for me. I have thoughts of going to Wales, Ireland and Scotland. We have had good seasons in Gloucestershire, and at Bristol, and the Lord enabled me to sow some gospel seed at Taunton and Wellington in my way hither. O that ever such a wretch as I should be thus honoured!
If thou excuse, Lord, work thy will
By so unfit an instrument;
It will at once thy goodness shew,
And prove thy power omnipotent.
For the present adieu. It is a grief to me that I cannot write oftener and longer. I suppose the death of our prince has affected you. It has given me a shock. “The Lord reigneth.” That is our comfort. That he may reign more and more every day, and every hour, in our souls, is the hearty prayer of, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXXXIX.
To Mr. M——.
Plymouth, March 30, 1751.
Dear Sir,
YOUR letter came safe to hand in due season, but I have been straitened how to answer it. I would write as I preach; I mean I would speak the truth as it is in Jesus, without endeavouring to blacken any denomination whatsoever. I think Gamaliel’s advice is good at all times, and in all ages, and our Lord’s promise will be fulfilled, “That every plant that our heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” This makes me to bear and forbear with many who widely differ from me both in principles and practice. This, as you observe, dear Sir, you may know by my poor discourses, and I find as yet no reason to alter my sentiments. I doubt not but there are many holy souls among the M——s; but their not preaching the law, either as a Schoolmaster to shew us the need of Christ, or as a rule of life after we have closed with him, is what I can in no wise concur with. These seem to be two grand mistakes, and which with their various unscriptural expressions in their hymns, and several superstitious fopperies lately intruded among them, make me to think, they are sadly departed from the simplicity of the gospel. But to their own master they stand or fall. Exitus acta probat. My prayer for myself and all God’s children is, “Lord Jesus, rectify all that is wrong, and bless and prosper all that is right!” I bless God, dear Sir, that you are appearing valiant for the truth. You will find more and more by happy experience, that to him that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance. Christ never sends a person on a warfare at his own charges. Do not despair of Mr. G——. As the love of God comes in, the fear of man goes out. By and by I trust he will set his face on a flint. It is high time for some to appear for Jesus. What pain did he endure? What shame did he suffer for us? Strange! that we should be so unwilling to go without the camp, to share with Him in his sacred reproach. Alas, what cowards are we! Dear Sir, let us pray for each other, that we may be strong in the grace which is in the Christ Jesus, and never fear what men and devils can say, or do unto us. Christ is worth all, or he is worth nothing. I thank you for your invitation in his great name. If providence should bring me into the North, I hope to wait upon you. At present, I am bound for Wales. I have good news from abroad, and I believe the work is upon the advance at home. That you may be abundantly blessed, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,
Your affectionate though unworthy brother in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXC.
To Mr. H——.
Exeter, April 11, 1751.
My very dear Mr. H——,
I Was pleased last night to find by my wife’s letters, that your sister was delivered, and more so, because my wife wrote as though you was again under my roof. This I count a great honour, and such a privilege, that I wish to have the favour conferred on me as long as I live. These my hands (could they work, and was there occasion for it,) should readily minister to your necessities. If my wife should come down to Bristol, pray let not my dear Mr. H—— move. If Molly stays in London, she will take care of you; if not, Polly and Mr. D——n will gladly wait upon you. As I have been under some trying exercises for this month past, I have often wished to see you. But my blessed master hath given me access to himself, and he will make me more then conqueror through his love. I find Luther’s words truly applicable to myself, “He was never employed about any fresh work, but he was either visited with a fit of sickness or some violent temptations.” Some good I trust is to be done this Spring to many souls. This Western circuit I believe hath been blessed already. I have preached about forty times since I left London, and have been enabled several times to ride forty miles in a day. I find that this sensibly refreshes me. I wish you could say so too;—your Biddeford friends would then see you.—They hold on their way, and long to have a line from you. Old Mr. W—— is dead. I providentially met Mr. T—— at his son’s house. At Plymouth we had sweet seasons, and on Tuesday last I met with a young clergyman who was awakened under my preaching seven years ago. He hath been at Cambridge, and was ordained last Lent by the bishop of Exeter. He is followed much, and I suppose will soon be reproached for his master’s sake. What cannot Jesus do? I hope you find that he gives you strength to proceed in your book. It is enquired much after. The Lord be with you, and bless your pen, and your heart. I send my hearty love to your brother and whole houshold, and am, very dear Mr. H——,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXCI.
To Lady H——.
Dublin, May 30, 1751.
Ever-honoured Madam,
I Was uneasy that I had no opportunity of writing to your Ladyship a longer letter than my last, at leaving Wales; but it could not be avoided, and Mr. P—— (to whom I delivered your Ladyship’s message) promises to supply my deficiency. I am now at Dublin, where I arrived the 24th instant. Mr. L—— gladly received me into his house, and I have been enabled to preach twice every day this week. Some seasons have been very powerful indeed, and the congregations increase daily. Last Sunday I believe ten thousand heard with great attention. After staying one Lord’s day more, I shall set out for a month’s circuit, and then purpose going to Scotland. I find that providence has wonderfully prepared my way, and over-ruled every thing for my greater acceptance. O that I could be more humble and thankful! Surely here are many converted souls, amongst whom are two or three students, and several soldiers. May the Lord Jesus add to their number daily such as shall be saved! I know not where this will find your Ladyship, but where-ever you are, my heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that you may have a thriving soul in a healthy body, and be rewarded ten thousand fold for all favours conferred on, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXCII.
To Mr. D——.
Dublin, June 1, 1751.
My very dear Friend,
I Fully proposed to have written to you from Wales, but was prevented by travelling and preaching. In about three weeks, I rode perhaps above five hundred miles, and preached generally twice a day. Congregations were as large as usual, and I trust an unusual power accompanied the word. After being about five days on the water, I arrived here the 24th ult. At first the greatness and hurry of the place surprized me; but thanks be to the Lord of the harvest, here as well as elsewhere the fields are white ready unto harvest. I have now preached about fourteen times, and find great freedom in dealing out the bread of life. Congregations are large, and hear as for eternity. Perhaps last Lord’s day upwards of ten thousand attended. It much resembled a Moor-fields auditory. Next Monday, God willing, I leave Dublin, and set out on a circuit to Limerick, Cork, Athlone, Waterford, &c. I now lodge at a banker’s, who purposes to come to London shortly. He is a follower of Christ, and will be glad of your acquaintance. I purpose giving him a letter. Have you heard nothing of Captain Grant? I long to hear of his arrival, because I would fain go over with him to America. Pray give me the first intelligence concerning him. A long journey is before me, but I would be at home every where, and yet never at home, till I come to heaven. There, the wicked will cease from troubling; there, the weary will be at rest. There, before men and angels will I declare how kind, yea exceeding kind, you and yours have been to, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXCIII.
To Lady H——n.
Athlone, June 10, 1751.
THIS morning I had the wished-for favour and honour of your Ladyship’s ♦letter. O that it had acquainted me of your Ladyship’s better health! But our Lord knows what is best. May patience have its perfect work, and your Ladyship come out of the furnace like gold tried seven times in the fire! Every day I can sympathise with your Ladyship. As the weather grows warmer, my body grows weaker, and my vomitings follow me continually. But all is little enough to keep me down, and prepare me for the service in which I am engaged. My last from Dublin, acquainted your Ladyship of my being owned of God there. By a letter from Mr. L——, I am informed, that Dublin is in a ferment, and that my hearers will be much more numerous at my return. Oh the blessedness of leaving all for Jesus! For this week past, I have been preaching twice almost every day in some country towns, and yesterday I sounded the gospel trumpet here. Every where, there seems to be a stirring among the dry bones, and the trembling lamps of God’s people have been supplied with fresh oil. I find, through the many offences that have lately been given, matters were brought to a low ebb. But the cry now is, “Methodism is revived again.”—Thanks be to God, that I have an opportunity of shewing my disinterestedness, and that I preach not for a party of my own, but for the common interest of my blessed master. May he keep me thus minded, and then I am sure all will go well at last. Your Ladyship would smile, to see how the wise have been catched in their own craftiness. O that this good news from a far country may prove a cordial to your Ladyship’s soul! I pity your solitary state. I pity the deadness of all around you; but your Ladyship knows, whose brethren did not believe on him; it was even that God-man, who spoke a parable for this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint. Happy trials, that drive us to our knees. Ever-honoured Madam, I could enlarge, but must not. Your Ladyship shall hear, God willing, how the glorious Emmanuel deals with me in Ireland. In the mean while, with the warmest sense of your Ladyship’s unmerited favours, I subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXCIV.
To Mr. Z——.
Limerick, June 14, 1751.
Honoured Sir,
MY last was written on board the Crawford, and sent immediately upon my arrival at Dublin. Blessed be God, the word ran and was glorified there. I preached above fourteen times, and every day great multitudes attended. A friend, since my departure, writes me, that the city was in a ferment. For about a week I have been preaching twice a day in several country towns and villages. At Athlone I preached four times, and last night was gladly received here at Limerick. Every where our Lord hath vouchsafed us his blessed presence. That supports me under the heat of the weather, the weakness of my body, and the various trials which exercise my mind. I am now earnestly asking counsel from above. A wide door is open in Dublin; but after I have visited Cork, I believe I must cut short my circuit, lest I should have a winter’s voyage. I should have been heartily glad to have heard from or seen you, but I trust, honoured Sir, you will have a heart given you to pray for me, and then, one way or another, my way will be made plain before me. Hitherto (thanks be to his free grace) my master supports and comforts me. He administers seed to the sower, and as far as I can hear, blesses it when sown. O that his mercies humbled me! O that I may never provoke him to leave me, or lay me aside! Some dreadful offences have been given in Ireland, but I trust all will work for good. My coming was very opportune and providential. May I learn to follow the Lamb blindfold, whithersoever he shall be pleased to lead me! Be pleased to remember me at his throne, and as he enables, you shall hear, from time to time, how he vouchsafes to deal with, honoured Sir,
Your most obliged, affectionate younger brother, and unworthy fellow-labourer in our Lord’s vineyard,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXCV.
To Lady H——.
Cork, June 19, 1751.
Ever-honoured Madam,
STILL does the father of mercies, and the God of all consolation and comfort, follow me with his blessing. Since my last from Athlone, I have been at Limerick, where I preached seven times to large and affected auditories. Much freedom of spirit did I enjoy there indeed.—Yesterday I came hither (the seat of the late persecution) and thanks be to God, have preached twice to a great body of people, with all quietness. Both the Mayor and Sheriff have absolutely forbidden all mobbing. Now have the people of God rest. O that they may improve it, by walking in the comforts of the Holy Ghost! Next week, God willing, I shall return to Dublin, and from thence purpose going through the north of Ireland to Scotland. So long a circuit in this kingdom will be inconvenient for my voyage to America; but as divine providence seems to point out the way,
Lord at thy bidding I will go,
And gladly to poor sinners tell,
That they a blessed Christ may know,
That they his peace and joy may feel.
I hope your Ladyship enjoys a large share of this, under all your trials. They are great, but greater is he who hath promised to make his strength perfect in our weakness. I commit your Ladyship to his never-failing mercy, and beg the continuance of your fervent prayers in behalf of, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, chearful servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXCVI.
To Lady H——.
Dublin, June 28, 1751.
Ever-honoured Madam,
MY last from Cork, informed your Ladyship of my having preached twice there to large and attentive auditories. From thence I went to Bandon and Kinsale, where a like blessing attended the word. At my return to Cork, I preached five or six times more, and every time, both the power of the word and numbers of hearers increased. I believe on Sunday evening there might be more than three thousand people. Hundreds prayed for me, when I took my leave, and many of the papists said, “if I would stay, they would leave their priests.” After preaching twice in the way, I came here on Wednesday evening, where I have again published the ever-lasting gospel. Next Monday, God willing, I set out for Belfast, and hope in about ten days to be in Scotland. From thence, by God’s leave, your Ladyship shall hear from me again: but what return shall I make for your Ladyship’s two kind letters? I can only repeat my old tribute, my poor but I trust unfeigned thanks. O for sincerity! O for a simple, disinterested heart. I think that low politics are below the children of God, and if we will be quiet, our Lord will speak for us. One to whom I had been represented in black colours, writes thus from Dublin to a preacher in Cork,—“What blessed seasons have we had since Mr. Whitefield came,—his coming hath been unspeakably blest to many. Thousands constantly attended the word. His word is attended with power. I never heard a man preach holiness of heart in a clearer manner.—He powerfully preaches Christ for us and in us. I confess I had strange ideas about him, but blessed be God, I have not now. God be praised that ever I saw his face, &c.——” Thus it hath been elsewhere. O that I was humble! O that I was thankful! Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but to thy free unmerited grace be all the glory?—May I learn more and more to leave all to God, even a God in Christ! If his cause be promoted, my end is answered. Let souls go where they please to hear, and welcome. Thanks be to Jesus for giving your Ladyship a disinterested catholic spirit. However afflicted, and in pain on earth, you shall shine ere long in the kingdom of heaven. Christ hath prepared a place for you, and is daily and hourly preparing your Ladyship for the place. I am glad you are like to have some company. I beg that my most hearty respects and acknowledgments may find acceptance with them and good Lady H——. I hope the waters will agree with the young Ladies. Above all, I pray that they, and the whole circle of your Ladyship’s relations and friends, may drink plentifully of that water, whose streams refresh the city of God. I can now add no more, but to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXCVII.
To Mr. T——.
Belfast, July 4, 1751.
Dear Mr. T——,
VERY providentially, your kind letter reached me this morning. As I am detained by the importunity of the people, I must snatch a few moments to answer it. Thanks be to the Lord of all Lords, if my poor administrations have been any ways blessed, either to you or others. “Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thy free and unmerited grace, O Lord, be all the glory!” Preaching Christ, I find to be the best means of winning sinners, and of building up saints. This done with a single eye and disinterested heart, will make its way through all opposition, and stand fast, when all other schemes built on a legal bottom and supported by low politics, will fall to the ground. I wish you may have grace given you to act aright in your present circumstances. Let all bitterness and wrath and clamour be put away from you. Go on simply preaching the everlasting gospel; and if rejected for that, and freely discharged from your present connection, I shall do all in my power to promote your usefulness. I suppose, you will hear from other hands what hath been doing in Dublin. I hope the Lord of all Lords hath been with us. Thousands flock in this place also, to hear the word preached. I thought to have left Belfast to-day, but have complied with the people’s earnest requests, to continue in these parts till Monday. O for a pilgrim heart with my pilgrim life! At present, I have no thoughts of nestling. Fain would I be kept from flagging in the latter stages of my road. I beg the continuance of your prayers. My prayer to God for you and yours is, “that you may live together as heirs of the grace of life, and walk in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless.” You are entered upon a new scene, and will require more grace to act your parts well, than at present you may be aware of: But there is an all-sufficiency in Christ, who hath promised, that as our day is, so our strength shall be. I commend you and yours, and all the followers of Christ, to his never-failing mercy, and subscribe myself, for his great name’s sake, dear Sir,
Your affectionate friend and servant,
G. W.