LETTER MCLI.
To Alderman H——.
London, November 6, 1756.
My dear Friend,
I AM glad you got no more hurt by your late fall from your horse. May the Lord Jesus write the laws of gratitude upon all our hearts! I wish my brother’s sickness may be sanctified to his better part. I know not the case of the poor weavers: I do not love to fish in troubled waters, and yet I fear more and more troubles await us both at home and abroad. O that the walls and street of the New Jerusalem, may be built in troublesome times! He hath said it, who is also able to perform it. I wish I may begin to begin to build in earnest. Do pray for me: I shall never forget you or yours. May this find you on the full stretch for Jesus! He was stretched upon the cross for you and me. Amazing love! Adieu. I must away. Beg Mr. B—— to write if my brother grows worse. I will answer him as soon as possible; but whilst my cold continues, I cannot expect to see you at Gloucester. O for a warm heaven! there you will know how much I am, my very dear Friend,
Yours in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MCLII.
To Mr. D——.
London, November 12, 1756.
My dear Mr. D——,
I HAVE just been with your new Governor, who sets out to-morrow. May the Lord of all lords make him a blessing! Upon the receipt of this, do you wait upon his Excellency, and give Him, and whom he pleases to bring with him, an invitation to Bethesda. I know dear Mrs. C—— will make proper provision. I have had no letters for a long season. I have only time to inform you, that we have just opened a new chapel at Tottenham-Court Road, and that I trust the Redeemer’s glory filled it last Sunday. Have you persons enough to exercise before the Governor? Can they receive him under arms? That the Captain of our salvation may make them all good soldiers for himself, is the earnest prayer of, my dear Mr. D——,
Yours, &c. in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MCLIII.
To Lady ——.
London, November 17, 1756.
Honoured Madam,
AS I thought it would give your Ladyship satisfaction, I herein inclose the copies of two letters sent from the condemned youth, in whose behalf your Ladyship hath interposed. May the Redeemer crown your endeavours with success! Blessed be his name, we hear of daily instances of his grace! At Long-Acre indeed the word ran, and at Tottenham-Court chapel we have had some glorious earnests of future blessings. Providence, I doubt not, will enable us to pray for it. My constant work now is, preaching about fifteen times a week. This, with a weak appetite, want of rest, and much care lying upon my mind, enfeebles my too, too feeble nature. But the joy of the Lord is my strength. And my greatest grief is, that I can do no more for Him, who hath done and suffered so much for me. I thank your Ladyship for your kind letter and good wishes. Indeed, honoured Madam, you are always remembered at the throne of grace. That your Ladyship’s soul may always prosper, and that you may increase with all the increase of God, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCLIV.
To Mr. H——y.
London, December 9, 1756.
My very dear Friend,
LAST night Mr. M—— informed me, that Mr. C—— shewed him a pamphlet, wrote on purpose to prove the fundamental errors of my printed sermons, and that you had offered to preface it, but he chose you should not. That this is true, I as much believe, as that I am now at Rome. But I wish that my very dear friend may not repent his connection and correspondence with some, when it is too late. This is my comfort, I have delivered my soul. Mr. R—— hath been so kind as to send me the two volumes of Jenks’s Meditations, and desires me to annex my recommendation to yours. I have answered, that it will not be prudent or beneficial to him so to do. I fear they are too large to go off. I hope that my dear friend prospers both in soul and body. Conviction and conversion work go on here. Lord keep us from tares! All is well at Clapham; I have expounded there twice. God hath met us at our new building. I know that you will pray, it may be full of new creatures. My most cordial respects await your mother and sister; my wife joins. With great haste, but much greater love, I subscribe myself, my very dear friend,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MCLV.
To Mr. Aaron B——.
London, December 9, 1756.
My very dear Friend,
AS I am informed the Philadelphia packet sails this day, I cannot omit acknowledging the receipt of Mr. P——’s paper: the duplicates came to hand before. A memorial is drawn up by proper persons, and application is to be made for a charter. As yet, every thing promises well. This morning I am going to send P——’s writing to those, who I believe will put it into his Majesty’s hands. The letters mentioned by Mr. B——, about purchasing the land for the Indians, I did not receive, but I shall take the hint in the last, and do what I can. Alas! that is but little. Some books shall be secured for John O——, and some bibles, &c. for the Indian school. I wish John O—— of Long-Island was here, especially if he can preach, and could be spared from his mission for a few months, and his passage paid. I would pay his passage back again, and I hope get something for that which you have in view. At the ensuing fast, it practicable, I intend making a collection. Night and day, our hands are lifted up for dear America. I fear we are to be brought into far greater extremity, both at home and abroad, ere deliverance comes. The Lord reigneth, and blessed be the God of our salvation. I am sorry you have not your degree. It is ready, if testimonials were sent from those that know you. This not being done, it looks as though the character given you on this side the water, was not justly founded. The Lord Jesus direct and bless you! I wish you would write oftener. How glad would I be to see America, but my way is hedged up. We have just opened a new chapel at the other end of the town, and the awakening both in town and country continues. We have many pleasing accounts from various quarters, and more ministers are coming out to preach the gospel. This is refreshing. How does the worthy Governor? I cannot write now, but I pray. Dear Captain G—— is gone: O that my turn was come! Jesus is kind. I am strengthened to preach fourteen times a week, and I trust it is not in vain. You have work enough. That the giver of all strength may support and succeed you more and more, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,
G. W.
LETTER MCLVI.
To Mrs. G——.
London, December 15, 1756.
Dear Madam,
WHAT a prayer-hearing, promise-keeping God do we serve! O that I had a heart to bless and praise him! Your kind and opportune contribution for the new chapel, strengthened my faith, and encouraged me (in spite of the opposition of some narrow hearts) to go forwards with it, till it is compleated. Surely the work is of God. Last Sunday there was a wonderful stirring amongst the dry bones; some great people came, and begged they might have a constant seat. An earnest this, I believe, of more good things to come. To me, dear Madam, it is the most promising work the Redeemer ever vouchsafed to employ me in. Lord, what am I? Help me, glorious Emmanuel, to abhor myself in dust and ashes! He will bless you, dear Madam, for what you have done. O that I had a thousand lives to employ in his service! I am much obliged to dear Mrs. B——. Neither she nor you will have reason to repent your zeal on this occasion. It will be much for the Mediator’s glory, and the welfare, I hope, of thousands of souls, to have every thing honourably discharged. I know I shall have your prayers, dear Madam, and I am sure you have mine. O that you may know in whom you have believed! Come, dear Madam, be not discouraged; you know who hath said, “then shall ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lord.” I could enlarge, but it is near six in the morning, and I must away to preach. O that my blessed Master may never turn me out of that divine employ! I hope my most grateful respects and acknowledgments will find acceptance with dear Mrs. B——; and your acceptance of the same will add to the obligations already laid on, dear Madam,
Your most ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCLVII.
To Mrs. B——.
London, December 30, 1756.
Dear Madam,
GRATITUDE constrains me to send you a few lines. They inform you, that God is doing wonders at the new chapel. Hundreds went away last Sunday morning that could not come in. On Christmas-Day, and last Tuesday night (the first time of burning candles) the power of the Lord was present, both to wound and to heal. A neighbouring Doctor hath baptized the place, calling it “Whitefields’s Soul-trap.”—Just now the following letter came to hand.
Reverend Sir,
A THOUGHT came into my mind last Sunday morning, to go to hear you at the new tabernacle, and to see what sort of a place it was. In one part of your discourse my heart trembled, and the terrors of the Lord came upon me. I then concluded, that I must prepare for hell, and that there was no hope of salvation for me. I take this method, being assured that you will excuse the liberty I take to ask you one question, How I can be convinced that my past sins are to be forgiven? And O, what must I do to be saved! My sins are innumerable. God is just. I cannot think that I have any interest in the Redeemer’s blood. My soul is full of grief. I must conclude. Dear Sir, favour me with a line, which will be greatly acknowledged by,
Your friend,
A. B.
I have answered my new friend, and pray the friend of sinners to make the chapel a soul-trap indeed, to many wandering creatures. Abundance round about, I hear are much struck. O for humility! O for gratitude! O for faith! Wherefore should I doubt?—Surely Jesus will carry me through, and help me to pay the workmen. Accept repeated thanks for the help afforded by your dear Ladies, and depend on having the poor prayers of, dear Madam,
Your most obliged and ready servant, for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCLVIII.
To the Reverend Mr. M——.
London, January 4, 1757.
Reverend and dear Sir,
JUST now I received and read your kind letter, and hope, God willing, on Friday, to have the pleasure of a personal interview. May our common Lord sanctify it to our mutual edification! Glad should I have been to have known you before. I love the Hanoverians, because I think they love, and would prove faithful to our dear King George. I am sorry for the treatment they have met with, but it is not our province to meddle with politics. Blessed be God for a kingdom that is not of this world, which can never be removed, or so much as shaken.
Blest is faith that trusts Christ’s power,
Blest are saints that wait his hour;
Haste, great conqueror, bring it near;
Let the glorious close appear.
You see, my dear Sir, how free I write. It is because I think you are a true minister of our glorious Emmanuel. Be pleased to remember me when near his throne. Though a stranger, you know my name: I am the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, but for Christ’s sake, reverend and dear Sir,
Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer, in our Lord’s vineyard,
G. W.
LETTER MCLIX.
To Lady H——.
London, January 12, 1757.
Honoured Madam,
WILL your Ladyship be pleased to accept a few hasty lines? They come with hearty wishes, that your Ladyship, and every branch of your honourable family, may have a very happy new year.—This can only be had in Jesus, and therefore I wish, from the very bottom of my heart, that you all may be blessed with all spiritual blessings.—These are blessings indeed. They are solid, they are lasting, commensurate even with eternity itself. I hope we have some daily foretastes of this. Indeed, honoured Madam, a wide door seems to be opening at Tottenham-Court chapel. The word flies like lightning in it; O that it may prove a Bethel, a house of God, a gate of heaven! I believe it will.—As the awakening continues, I have some hopes that we are not to be given up. Alas! alas! We are testing and contesting, while the nation is bleeding to death. We are condemning this and that; but sin, the great mischief-maker, lies unmolested, or rather encouraged by every contending party. Well, the Lord reigns;—and therefore blessed be the God of our salvation.—I hope your honoured sister, and her noble Lord, are well. I sometimes wish that his Lordship was at the helm, but infinite wisdom knows what is best. Happy they who can look beyond time! The christian can; the short-sighted infidel dares not, cannot. But I grow troublesome. I must therefore only add my most grateful acknowledgments, and assure your Ladyship, that I am, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER ♦MCLX.
To Lady M—— H——.
London, January 13, 1757.
Honoured Madam,
I WISH your Ladyship joy. What a mercy, to be made an instrument in settling a true minister of Jesus Christ! May he be the spiritual father to many souls! Your Ladyship’s unexpected sight of your son, was like life from the dead. What pleasure then must be the consequence of seeing our relations brought home to God! This be your happy lot! The holy spirit seems to be quickening many dead souls here. I am informed, that all are alive without the Cannon-Gate; but such are dead whilst they live. O Scotland! Scotland! Turn us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned! We had need to fast and pray too.—Your Ladyship, I doubt not, mourns in secret. The glorious Emmanuel will put your tears into his bottle. That your consolations in him may abound evermore, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXI.
London, February 5, 1757.
Dear Mrs. C——,
I THANK you heartily for your last kind letter, and for all your works of faith and labours of love.—Glad would I be to see America, but the cloud doth not seem to move that way as yet.—The new chapel at the other end of the town is made a Bethel, and the awakening increases day by day. O that it was so at Georgia! Surely the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls will bless you, for taking care of the lambs in that distant wilderness.—Mr. P——’s leaving Bethesda sadly distresses me; but my eyes are upon Him who knows all. I wrote to desire Mr. P—— to continue the oversight of my affairs, till I can come myself. Whatever he and you shall agree to, in respect to Mr. R——, &c. I shall acquiesce in: only I desire that all who are capable may be put out, and the family reduced as low as possible, till the war is over, and the institution out of debt. I find nobody mentions I—— P——s. If I—— P——m goes to the college, cannot he and Mr. D—— be enough for the school? Ere now, G—— W—— I hope is put out.—Lord, remember me and all my various concerns!—God bless and direct you in every step! He will,—he will.—I trust you will find it so in your late determination? Now you are free. Things that seem against us at first, afterwards prove to be designed for us.—What is to become or us here, God only knows.—A year perhaps may determine.—The best sign is, that the awakening continues.—A parcel of the addresses was put up for you, but through mistake not put into the box. All your relations are well. That you may prosper both in body and soul, and be filled with all the fulness of God, is the earnest prayer of, dear Mrs. C——,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXII.
To the Reverend Mr. M——.
London, February 17, 1757.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
YOUR kind letter lies before me, for which, be pleased to accept my cordial thanks. I am glad you got safe to Chatham, and heartily pray, that the God of the sea, and the God of the dry land, may be your convoy on the mighty waters. The continuance of your correspondence will be quite agreeable. Who knows but Jesus may bless it to our mutual edification? I want to be stirred up, to begin to begin to do something for him, who hath done and suffered so much for ill and hell-deserving me. Surely, I am a worthless worm, and therefore little moved with whatever judgment an ill-natured, misinformed world may form of me. The great day will discover all. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.—O to be an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile! Simplicity and godly sincerity is all in all. A want of this, I fear, hath led the Count into all his mistakes. With great regret I speak or write of any people’s weaknesses; but I did and do now think, that divine Providence called me to publish what you mention. The Redeemer gave it his blessing. I do not find that their fopperies are continued, and I hear also that they have discharged many debts. You seem to have right notions of the sermon to which you refer. It certainly speaks of a sinless state, which is not attainable in this life. We are called to be saints, but not angels. Strange, that after so many years, such an error should be propagated!—but so it is. Lord, what is man? Glory be to God, there is a time coming, when sin, root and branch, shall be destroyed: I mean at death. Then an eternal stop will be put to the fountain of corruption, and we shall be sinless indeed.—Till then, O Jesus, do thou continue to wash us in thy blood, and cloathe us with thy compleat and everlasting righteousness; and at the same time, out of a principle of love to thee, do thou help us to follow hard after that holiness, without which no man can see the Lord!—But whither am I going? My very dear Sir, excuse prolixity. I write to you, as to one whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ. My most cordial respects await all that love him. My wife joins in sending you the same, with, reverend and very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXIII.
To Lady H——n.
London, March 2, 1757.
Ever-honoured Madam,
A FEW days ago, I received the kind benefaction for the happy convicts. Not doubting of success, I had advanced some guineas, which with what hath been procured from other hands, hath bought both their liberties, and they are provided for on the other side of the water; just now I believe they are under sail. O that he, who I suppose will now receive a pardon, was alike favoured! But not many mighty, not many noble are called. However, some come to hear at Tottenham-Court. S—— the player, makes always one of the auditory, and, as I hear, is much impressed, and brings others with him. I hope this will not find your Ladyship ill of the gout. May the Lord Jesus bear all your sickness, and heal all your infirmities both of body and soul! I am sensibly touched when any thing affects your Ladyship; gratitude constrains to this. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his mercies? I would preach for him, if I could, a hundred times a day. Surely, such a worthless worm was never honoured to speak for the Redeemer before. Your Ladyship will excuse; I must away, and give a little vent to the heart of, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXIV.
To the Reverend Mr. B——.
London, March 10, 1757.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
PROVIDENTIALLY, a Lady was at my house when the bearer brought your letter, who perhaps may want just such a servant, within the time mentioned. Thus God provides for those that love him. He is indeed a prayer-hearing, a promise-keeping God. Satan may and will have us, that he may sift us as wheat; but Jesus prays for us; our faith therefore shall not fail. This is my support; this, my very dear Sir, must be yours. Ere long we shall be tempted no more. I am a poor soldier; I want to be discharged. Not from Christ’s service, but from this prison of the flesh. O that I could do something for Jesus whilst here below! my obligations increase. He vouchsafes daily (O amazing love) to own my feeble labours. The word runs and is glorified. That it may run and be glorified more and more, under God, through your instrumentality, is the earnest prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your affectionate but unworthy brother, in our glorious Head,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXV.
To Lord H——.
London, April 20, 1757.
My Lord,
I MAKE bold to trouble your Lordship with the proposals about the Georgia college; they should have been sent before, but I heard that your Lordship was out of town. On Monday next, my business calls me into the country. If your Lordship should have leisure immediately to run over the memorial, I would call on Saturday morning to know your Lordship’s mind. In the mean while, praying that your Lordship may be a lasting blessing to your country, I subscribe myself,
Your Lordship’s most dutiful, obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXVI.
To the Reverend Mr. T——.
Edinburgh, May 31, 1757.
CANNOT you come here for one day this week? I shall leave Edinburgh on Monday, God willing.—Attendance upon the assembly, and preaching, have engrossed all my time. I can scarce send you this.—Nil mihi rescribas attamen ipse veni.—Adieu! With love more than I express, I am, my dear Mr. T——,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
P. S. Jesus is good to us. My hearty love awaits your whole self and family.—It is near eight at night.
LETTER MCLXVII.
To Mr. ——.
Glasgow, June 9, 1757.
My very dear Friend,
TO me, it is almost an age since I wrote to you last. But at Edinburgh I was so taken up all day, and kept up so late at night, that writing was almost impracticable. Surely my going thither was of God. I came thither the twelfth of May, and left it the sixth of June, and preached just fifty times. To what purpose, the great day will discover. I have reason to believe to very good purpose. Being the time of the general assembly (at which I was much pleased) many ministers attended, perhaps a hundred at a time. Thereby prejudices were removed, and many of their hearts were deeply impressed. About thirty of them, as a token of respect, invited me to a public entertainment. The Lord High Commissioner also invited me to his table, and many persons of credit and religion did the same in a public manner. Thousands and thousands, among whom were a great many of the best rank, daily attended on the word preached, and the longer I staid, the more the congregations and divine influence increased. Twice I preached in my way to Glasgow, and last night opened my campaign here. The cloud seems to move towards Ireland. How the Redeemer vouchsafes to deal with me there, you shall know hereafter. In the mean while, my very dear friend, let me entreat the continuance of your prayers. For I am less than the least of all saints, and unworthy to be employed in the service of so divine a Master. Lord Jesus,
If thou excuse, then work thy will,
By so unfit an instrument;
It will at once thy goodness shew,
And prove thy power omnipotent.
I hope this will find you, and your dear yoke-fellow and daughter, enjoying thriving souls in healthy bodies. I doubt not but you are brightening your crown, and increasing your reward, by doing good for your blessed Master. Ere long, you shall hear him say “Well done.” That will crown all. I can no more, I must away to my throne. My very dear Sir, be pleased to accept ten thousand thanks for all favours, and give me leave (after sending most cordial respects to dear Mrs. S—— and Miss) to subscribe myself, my very dear friend,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and very ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXVIII.
To Mr. ——.
Dublin, June 30, 1757.
My very dear Sir,
YOUR kind letter, dated the 25th instant, I just now received, for which as well as all other favours be pleased to accept unfeigned thanks.—What to do I cannot well tell.—As I am in the kingdom, it is pity to leave it unvisited.—The door is open, and indeed the poor Methodists want help.—Here in Dublin the congregations are very large, and very much impressed. The Redeemer vouchsafes to give me great freedom in preaching, and arrows of conviction fly and fasten.—One of the Bishops told a nobleman, “He was glad I was come to rouse the people”—The nobleman, with whom I sweetly conversed yesterday, told me this again.—Lord Jesus, do thou (for it is thy doing) rouse all ranks for thy mercy’s sake! I hope Mr. M——n will go on and prosper.—As for Mr. J——s, I think it best for him to keep as he is.—I find he is unsettled, and therefore would be always uneasy.—If Messrs. D——s and D——r can serve alternately in the Summer, by the help of Jesus I will go through the Winter work.—Alas, that so few have the ambition of coming out to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Not one clergyman in all Ireland yet stirred up to come out singularly for God! Pity, Lord, for thy mercy’s sake! I think God will yet appear for the protestant interest.—My rout now is to Athlone, Limerick, Cork, and to return here about July 21.—Whether I shall then go to the North, and to Scotland, or whether I shall come by way of Park-Gate, must be determined hereafter.—I know you will pray, my very dear Sir, that the never-failing Jesus will direct my goings in his way. I would fain be where and what he would have me to be.—I bless him, for making you, my very dear Sir, instrumental in strengthening my weak hands, and earnestly pray, that great may be the reward of you and your dear relations in the kingdom of heaven.—Assure yourselves you or they are never forgotten by, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXIX.
To Mr. R—— K——n.
Dublin, July 3, 1757.
My very dear Mr. K——,
ACCEPT a few lines from a poor, feeble, but willing pilgrim.—They bring you most amazing news. The infinitely condescending Jesus still vouchsafes to follow the chief of sinners with his unmerited blessing.—In Scotland, his almighty arm was most powerfully revealed;—and, here in Dublin, many have begun to say, “What shall we do to be saved.”—Congregations are large, and very much impressed indeed.—A spirit of conviction and consolation seems to be sent forth.—All sorts attend, and all sorts seem to be affected.—I should be glad to come to London, but cannot in confidence as yet.—Not one minister either in the church or among the dissenters in this kingdom, as far as I can hear, appears boldly for God, even a God in Christ. To-morrow therefore I purpose to set out for Athlone, Limerick, and Cork. God only knows, after that, where will be the next remove.—Perhaps to London, perhaps to the North of Ireland, which I hear lies open for the gospel.—Winter must be the London harvest.—O for more labourers who will account the work itself the best wages! God will bless you and yours, for strengthening my hands. I send you and Mrs. K——n my hearty love, and earnestly pray the Lord of all Lords to bless you. Next post, or soon after in my circuit, I hope to write to dear Mr. and Mrs. J——. God forbid that I should forget my old friends.—I pray for, though I cannot write to them.—I am glad to find that dear Mr. G—— is safe returned.—Pray remember me to him, and to all enquiring friends in the kindest manner, and assure them of being remembered at the throne of grace, by, very dear Mr. and Mrs. K——,
Your most obliged, affectionate friend, and ready servant in our common Lord,
G. W.
July 5th.
Since writing the above, I have been in the wars.—But blessed be God am pretty well recovered, and going on my way rejoicing.—Pray hard.
LETTER MCLXX.
To Mr. ——.
Dublin, July 9, 1757.
My dear Friend,
MANY attacks have I had from Satan’s children, but yesterday, you would have thought he had been permitted to have given me an effectual parting blow. You have heard of my being in Ireland, and of my preaching daily to large and very affected auditories, in Mr. W——’s spacious room. When here last, I preached in a more confined place in the week days, and once or twice ventured out to Oxminton-Green, a large place like Moorfields, situated very near the barracks, where the Ormond and Liberty, that is, high and low party boys, generally assemble every Sunday, to fight with each other. The congregations then were very numerous, the word seemed to come with power; and no noise or disturbance ensued. This encouraged me to give notice, that I would preach there again last Sunday afternoon. I went through the barracks, the door of which opens into the green, and pitched my tent near the barrack walls, not doubting of the protection, or at least interposition of the officers and soldiery, if there should be occasion. But how vain is the help of man! Vast was the multitude that attended; we sang, prayed, and preached, without much molestation; only now and then a few stones and clods of dirt were thrown at me. It being war time, as is my usual practice, I exhorted my hearers not only to fear God, but to honour the best of kings, and after sermon I prayed for success to the Prusian arms. All being over, I thought to return home the way I came; but to my great surprize access was denied, so that I had to go near half a mile from one end of the green to the other, through hundreds and hundreds of papists, &c. Finding me unattended, (for a soldier and four methodist preachers, who came with me, had forsook me and fled) I was left to their mercy; but their mercy, as you may easily guess, was perfect cruelty. Vollies of hard stones came from all quarters, and every step I took, a fresh stone struck, and made me reel backwards and forwards, till I was almost breathless, and all over a gore of blood. My strong beaver hat served me as it were for a scull cap for a while; but at last that was knocked off, and my head left quite defenceless. I received many blows and wounds; one was particularly large and near my temples. I thought of Stephen, and as I believed that I received more blows, I was in great hopes that like him I should be dispatched, and go off in this bloody triumph to the immediate presence of my master. But providentially, a minister’s house lay next door to the green; with great difficulty I staggered to the door, which was kindly opened to, and shut upon me. Some of the mob in the mean time having broke part of the boards of the pulpit into large splinters, they beat and wounded my servant grievously in his head and arms, and then came and drove him from the door. For a while I continued speechless, panting for and expelling every breath to be my last; two or three of the hearers, my friends, by some means or other got admission, and kindly with weeping eyes washed my bloody wounds, and gave me something to smell to and to drink. I gradually revived, but soon found the lady of the house desired my absence, for fear the house should be pulled down. What to do, I knew not, being near two miles from Mr. W——’s place; some advised one thing, and some another. At length, a carpenter, one of the friends that came in, offered me his wig and coat, that I might go off in disguise. I accepted of, and put them on, but was soon ashamed of not trusting my master to secure me in my proper habit, and threw them off with disdain. I determined to go out (since I found my presence was so troublesome) in my proper habit; immediately deliverance came. A methodist preacher, with two friends, brought a coach; I leaped into it, and rid in gospel triumph through the oaths, curses, and imprecations of whole streets of papists unhurt, though threatened every step of the ground. None but those who were spectators of the scene, can form an idea of the affection with which I was received by the weeping, mourning, but now joyful methodists. A christian surgeon was ready to dress our wounds, which being done, I went into the preaching place, and after giving a word of exhortation, join’d in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, to him who makes our extremity his opportunity, who stills the noise of the waves, and the madness of the most malignant people. The next morning I set out for port Arlington, and left my persecutors to his mercy, who out of persecutors hath often made preachers. That I may be thus revenged of them, is the hearty prayer of,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER MCLXXI.
To Mr. I——.
Cork, July 15, 1757.
My very dear Mr. I——,
ACCEPT a few loving lines, as a token that you and yours are not entirely forgotten by me. They leave me, earnestly desirous to know what path the God whom I serve would have me to take. Every where (O amazing condescension!) the glorious Emmanuel so smiles upon my feeble labours, that it is hard to get off. At Port Arlington, Athlone, Limerick, and in this place, the word hath run and been glorified. Arrows of conviction seem to fly, and the cup of many hath been made to run over. I hope you have had some refreshings from the presence of the Lord. Nothing else can carry us comfortably through the howling wilderness of this troublesome life. I have met with some hard blows from the Dublin rabble. But blessed be God, they have not destroyed me. Perhaps I am to see London before my great change comes. And who knows, but we may enjoy our Peniels and Bethels there again? Troublous times seem to be approaching. God hide us all under the shadow of his almighty wings! When you see dear Mr. W——, pray remember me to him and his in the kindest manner, as likewise to Mr. and Mrs. W——. I think of, and pray for you, and all my dear friends, though preaching and travelling prevents my writing. O that none of us may be parted in another world! Jesus alone can keep us by his almighty power. To his tender and never-failing mercy do I most earnestly commit you, and earnestly intreat the continuance of your prayers in behalf of, my very dear friend,
Yours, &c.
G. W.