LETTER DCCCCXCV.
To Dear A——.
Birmingham, October 13, 1753.
“HAVING loved his own, he loved them unto the end,” says the beloved disciple, concerning Jesus Christ. I would copy after this great exemplar, and have my love like his, steady and disinterested. Thus you have found, and I trust always will find my love to you. Works speak better than words. I am reposing the utmost confidence in you and yours. You are going to assist in a house, built in answer to millions of prayers, and which I doubt not, will prove a blessing to many that are now unborn. Look upon it in this light; think of the honour God is conferring upon you; then you will launch into the deep with a holy confidence, and when arrived at your wished for port, will behave with humility, disinterestedness, integrity and diligence. You need not ask any prayers, they will follow after you, though you should even fly upon the wings of the wind. I have pawned my word for your good behaviour in every respect, and hope to have my most sanguine expectations answered. Get but humility, and all will be well. I am satisfied about your passage and your room. You will remember, that God is about your bed, as well as your other paths, and take care to behave accordingly. To be a christian husband is no small matter. How much fresh grace is now necessary for your new state of life! Your sufficiency lives only in Christ. To his never-failing mercy do I commend you, and, for his great name’s sake, subscribe myself, dear A——,
Your affectionate and ready friend,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCVI.
To Mr. S——.
Nantwich, October 18, 1753.
My very dear Sir,
I am now at an Inn, but cannot go farther, without giving you an account of my last week’s circuit. Since my last, I have been at Birmingham, and several adjacent places. Still fresh work hath been done, and souls fled to the gospel like doves to the windows. At a place near Dudley, called Guarnall, I heard of a whole company awakened by reading my poor sermons. I met with others awakened years ago; and at one place, an old saint said, “this is the old story fifty-five years ago.” Another near as old, said, “I was comforted when you came last, now God hath sent you to me again, and I can go more chearful to heaven.” I have heard of a great reprobate, a notorious persecutor and drunkard, who hath been struck most powerfully. O my dear Sir; what shall you have for helping me in outward things, assisting me by your prayers, and thereby causing me to press forward more chearfully in this delightful work of publishing the everlasting gospel! I am now going to a neighbouring village, after that to Chester, and from thence, purpose to return through Staffordshire. God willing, you shall hear how it goes on, when I come to cross-plough the ground again. In the mean while, be pleased to accept this as a token of my love, gratitude, and respect unfeigned, and after giving my most hearty love to dear Mrs. S—— and your dear little daughter, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Your most unworthy, though most obliged friend, and ready servant in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCVII.
To Mr. S——.
Wolverhampton, October 27, 1753.
My very dear Sir,
MY last, I think was from Nantwich. Since that, the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, hath vouchsafed to employ me in breaking up new ground. I have preached four times at Alperam in Cheshire, where the Lord was with us of a truth, and where he had sweetly prepared my way, by blessing several of my poor writings. At Chester I preached four times; a great concourse attended; all was hushed and quiet, several of the clergy were present, and the word came with power. I have since heard, that the most noted rebel in town, was brought under deep conviction, and could not sleep night or day. Within doors, where I preached early in the morning, conviction seemed to go through the whole congregation. At Liverpool, the way was equally prepared.—A person who had been wrought on by some of my printed sermons, met me at landing, and took me to his house; a great number at a short notice was convened; all was quiet here also. Some came under immediate conviction; and I could wish to have stayed much longer, but notice was given for my preaching at Wrexham, which I find since, hath been a rude place indeed. Upon my coming, the town was alarmed, and several thousands came to hear. Several of the baser sort made a great noise, and threw stones, but none touched me, and I trust I can say, our Lord got himself the victory. The next day, near Alperam, we had another heaven upon earth. A divine power descended among the people, and we could say, how awfully sweet is this place! The next morning I intended to preach near Nantwich, where a Methodist meeting-house hath lately been pulled down. Here Satan roared.—The mob pelted Mr. D—— and others much, but I got off pretty free, and had opportunity of preaching quietly a little out of town. Last night I preached here in the dark, to a great body of hearers, for this country, and am now bound for Wednesbury, Dudley and Kidderminster. From thence, perhaps I may come to London for a few days. But this as yet is not determined. You will either see or hear again from me soon. In the mean while, I commend myself to the continual remembrance of your whole self, and with ten thousand thanks for all favours, beg leave to subscribe myself, my very dear Sir,
Yours, &c. in our blessed Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCVIII.
To Mr. E——.
London, November 8, 1753.
Dear Mr. E——,
MAN appoints, but it is God’s prerogative to disappoint, when disappointments are necessary for our good. But how hard is it to believe this? How apt are we in our haste to say, all these things are against us! But what says Doctor Watts?
Where reason fails with all her pow’rs,
There faith prevails and love adores.——
Come then, my dear Sir, and chearfully give up your Isaac for God. He will be better to you than a thousand creatures.
Leave to his sovereign sway,
To choose and to command;
So shalt thou wond’ring own his way:
How wise! how strong his hand!
Far above thy thoughts,
His counsel shall appear,
When fully he the work hath wrought,
That caus’d thy needless fear.
Ere now, I trust, the storm is blown over, and that the Redeemer hath made you happy in himself. His love is unchangeable; this rock of ages can never fail you. Build upon him, and you are quite safe. I could enlarge, but time fails. Be pleased to remember us to all, and believe me to be, dear Sir,
Your affectionate brother and servant in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCIX.
To Mr. P——.
Gloucester, November 16, 1753.
My dear P——,
I THANK you for your kind letter; it found me just returned from another tour in the north, which, like the former, I trust hath been owned and blessed to many precious and immortal souls. At Liverpool, Chester, Dudley, Wednesbury, Birmingham, Coventry, Northampton, and various other places, the gospel report was believed, and the arm of the Lord was revealed. At Nantwich and Wrexham, I met with a little rough treatment; but what have pilgrims to expect better, in their journeying through the wide howling wilderness of this noisy and troublesome world? At London, we had blessed seasons; and here, in my native country, the Lord of all Lords hath repeatedly made us cry out, “how dreadful is this place!” After Lord’s day, I am bound for Bristol and Plymouth, and hope to get into my winter quarters some time before Christmas. Glad should I be to travel for Jesus all the year round. It is more to me than my necessary food. Thank you, thank you my dear singing friends, for praying for me. I am persuaded, you help to hold up my weak hands. O continue to pray, that I may at length begin to be a pilgrim indeed. No other honour do I desire, whilst on this side eternity. I hope to send you some new tunes ere long. And what is better, infinitely better, I hope to join with you in singing the song of Moses and the Lamb ere long in the kingdom of heaven. Till then, though as yet we are embodied spirits,
We’ll strive to sing as loud as they,
Who shine above in brighter day.
Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you all. But a word or two concerning Jenks on the righteousness of Christ. It is a precious book, and I think your extracting Mr. Hervey’s recommendation, and putting it by way of preface, to a new edition, will be sufficient. This I know is all he would consent to have done some time ago, when applied to by a London bookseller. God prosper this work of your hands upon you. Pray remember me to all my never to be forgotten friends, and assure them, that not want of love but leisure prevents their hearing more frequently from, my dear Sir,
Theirs and yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER M.
To Mr. G——.
Gloucester, November 16, 1753.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
YOUR kind letter I received, and would have answered it during my stay in London (which was only a few days) but really I was almost killed with a multiplicity of business. The journals also I would have sent immediately, but knew not how.—My wife promised me to embrace the first opportunity that offered, and I hope ere long they will come safe to hand. As for my pointing out particular passages, it is impracticable; I have neither leisure nor inclination so to do. At present, my doings and writings appear to me in so mean a light, that I think they deserve no other treatment than to be buried in eternal oblivion. “Behold, I am vile, I am vile,” is all that I can say to God or man. And yet, amazing love! vile as I am, the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, still delights to honour me, by owning and succeeding my poor feeble labours. Great things were done in and about Newcastle; but far greater did we see afterwards in Yorkshire, Lancashire, &c. Since that, I have been another tour, and have preached at Liverpool, Chester, Coventry, Birmingham, Dudley, Wednesbury, Kidderminster, Northampton, Bedford, &c. &c. Ere now I suppose Mr. B—— P—— hath informed you, what apostolical treatment we met with at Nantwich. Lord, what am I, that I should be accounted worthy to suffer reproach for thy great name sake? At present I am in my native country, where the Lord of all Lords hath vouchsafed to give us several precious meetings. After a few days sojourning here, I am bound for Bristol and Plymouth, and in about three weeks, I purpose to betake myself to my winter quarters. Blessed be God, I have had good news from Georgia. O that we all may at length safely arrive in Abraham’s harbour! From thence we shall never put to sea again. My dear Sir, in the mean while, let us pray for each other. Christ is in our ship, and therefore it will not sink. I commend you and yours, and all my other never to be forgotten Glasgow friends, to his never-failing protection, and beg them, for Christ’s sake, to always remember to pray for, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MI.
To Mr. S——.
Gloucester, November 17, 1753.
My very dear Sir,
IT is now just a week since I left London. I must not, I cannot go any further without writing to him, who doth so much to strengthen my hands in the Lord. And what shall I say? Truly the glorious Emmanuel still continues to smile upon my feeble labours. Although I am in my native country, yet he hath not left himself without witness. Last Lord’s day was a high day, and since that, we have had some more beautiful seasons in the country. I write this from a nineteen years friend’s house, an Alderman of the city, who with his wife, are my spiritual children. Lord, what am I? To-morrow I am to move, and expect, besides riding, to preach thrice for some days.
Christ’s presence will my pains beguile,
And make me, though fatigu’d, to smile.
After visiting Bristol and Plymouth, I purpose hastening to my winter quarters. Winter quarters!—The word winter almost shocks me. Alas, winter come already, and I, ungrateful, ill and hell-deserving I, have done so little for my God in the summer? How can I lift up my guilty head? I blush and am confounded before thee, O Lord. Behold, I am vile; O dig and dung round me, that I may bring forth more fruit to thee my God! Still, my dear Sir, I must beg your prayers, and those of your dear yoke-fellow, whom I love and honour, and whom (with your dear little daughter) I salute much in the Lord. A sense of my own unfruitfulness, and of God’s amazing condescension in employing such a wretch, at present so over-powers me, that I am obliged to retire, to give vent to my heart, after having subscribed myself, my very dear Sir,
Yours under innumerable obligations, in the best of bonds,
G. W.
LETTER MII.
To Mr. A——.
Bristol, November 21, 1753.
My very dear friend,
I HOPED a few days ago to send you glad tidings, and blessed be God, I am not disappointed. Never had I before such freedom in Gloucestershire. It was so pleasant, that I intend taking it again in my way to London. Sunday was indeed an high day. I preached and gave the sacrament at the new-house in the morning, and preached again at Mr. G——’s and Mr. F——’s in the field, at noon and in the evening. Showers of blessings descended from above. Mr. L—— supped with me; our Lord gave us richly to feast upon his great love. At Painswick we had two pleasant seasons, and the same favour was vouchsafed us at Chafford and Tedbury. At Gloucester also a time of refreshing came from the presence of the Lord, and the dear Alderman’s house was made a Bethel to my soul. God brought me here on Monday evening, and to my great disappointment the new tabernacle is not finished, so that I know not well what to do. However, we had a good time last night at the hall, and I hope all this is but the beginning of a warm winter. I am glad that the Lord Jesus deals so bountifully with you at London. May he do so more and more! I believe he will. Your motion to go to Norwich I much approve of. Whatever others design, that is nothing to us. Simplicity and godly sincerity will carry all before it in the end. O that the sons of Zeruiah could be persuaded to let us alone! But how then should we be able to approve ourselves sons of David? By thorns and briars, the old man must be scratched to death.—O this crucifixion work! Lord Jesus help us to go through it! He will, he will. I commend thee and thine to his almighty protection and never-failing mercy, as being, my very dear man,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MIII.
Stroude, November 27, 1753.
Dear Mrs. C——,
YOUR letter came to my hands at Wrexham, but being upon the road I could not answer it. What said God to Abraham, “Fear not; I will be thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” Now is your time to approve yourself his daughter.—My heart’s desire and prayer to the Lord of all Lords is, that you may be strong in faith, and thereby give glory to God.—I am much obliged to those who dissuade you from going.—I find most love to be friends till they begin to have their Isaacs demanded.—Let them have but a little patience: perhaps I may embark myself.—If they do not think it a privilege to go for Christ over the waters, I do.—This, even this is the language of my heart,
Lord, obediently I’ll go,
Gladly leaving all below;
Only Thou my leader be,
And I still will follow Thee.
O for a pilgrim heart! This I believe God hath given you, and I do not fear repenting the confidence I have reposed in you.—That the Lord may make you a mother in Israel, and bless you in taking care of his dear lambs, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mrs. C——,
Your most assured friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
P. S. We have had blessed seasons in the country: the Lord has been with us of a truth. Grace! grace!
LETTER MIV.
To Mr. S——.
Bristol, December 1, 1753.
My very dear friend,
THIS hath been a long fortnight, for so long it is since I wrote to my very dear friend; but I waited to send him a bundle of good news together. Blessed be God, I am not disappointed of my hope. Since my last, I have preached several times in Gloucestershire, where the people, as well as the unworthy preacher, drank plentifully of the good wine of the kingdom. In the fields several thousands attended. Here we have also enjoyed much of God; twice I preached in my brother’s great house to the quality, amongst whom was one of Cæsar’s houshold. On Sunday I opened the new Tabernacle. It is large, but not half large enough: would the place contain them, I believe near as many would attend as in London. Last Monday I set out for Somersetshire, intending to have gone as far as Plymouth, but the weather was so violent, and my call to London likely to be so speedy, that I turned back. However, I preached in Somersetshire four or five times. Some told me, they were scarce able to stand under what God gave them. On Tuesday, at seven in the evening, I preached in the open air to a great multitude; all was hush’d and exceeding solemn; the stars shone exceeding bright, and then, if ever, by an eye of faith, I saw him who calleth them all by their names. My soul was filled with an holy ambition, and I longed to be one of those who shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. My hands and body at this, and at other times were pierced with cold; but what are outward things when the soul within is warmed with the love of God? O my very dear Sir, increase my obligations by continuing to pray, that this unspeakable gift may be shed abroad abundantly in my heart by the Holy Ghost. Then shall I not grovel as I do now here below, but mount on wings like an eagle; I shall walk and not be weary, I shall hold on and not be faint. O that I may die in the field! But die when or where I will, I shall die under the strongest obligations to you and your dear yoke-fellow, who will both know, at the day of judgment, how sincerely I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER MV.
To Mr. S——.
Bristol, December 3, 1753.
WHEN I saw the seal of your last sweet letter, I guessed at the contents of it. Blessed be God, I was not disappointed. The heart was soaring aloft, mounting on the wings of faith and love, and had fled out of sight of this poor and troublesome world. Thus may that God, who is rich in mercy, pay and reward all that love ill and hell-deserving me! The devil himself dares ♦not accuse us, for serving and loving God or man, for these wages. They are wages of God’s appointing, God’s promising, God’s paying. May my dear friend always find such payment! I believe he will.
O Lord, enlarge our scanty thoughts,
To see the wonders thou hast wrought;
Unloose our stammering tongues to tell,
Thy love immense, unspeakable.
I rejoice in the promising prospect of the happiness of your brother’s houshold. May it widen and spread over all! If I have any time, I hope to send him a few lines. Lord, hasten the time when my poor kinsmen and brethren after the flesh shall be joined to thee by one spirit! Till then, help me, O Lord, to be continually crying out, “Why me, Lord, why me?” Well may distinguishing grace, and the thoughts of everlasting love, swallow up your whole soul. Strange! that God’s children should not know their own bread. But these corrupt hearts of ours still verge towards the law. Grace, omnipotent grace alone, can enable us to see our compleatness in Christ, and yet excite us, from principles of gratitude and love, to faithfulness and zeal, as though we were to be saved entirely by them. Glorious mystery! Like the blessed angels, may you and yours, my dear friend, be continually employed in looking into it! This is what I have been preaching on last week in Somersetshire. The fire there warmed and enflamed me, though I preached in the air on Tuesday evening at seven o’clock, as well as on Wednesday and Thursday. I purposed to go as far as Plymouth, but providence hath brought me back, and I am now hastening to London, to pay my last respects to my dying friend. It may be, that shortly Mr. J—— W—— will be no more; the physicians think his disease is a galloping consumption. I pity the church, I pity myself, but not him. We must stay behind in this cold climate, whilst he takes his flight to a radiant throne, prepared for him from the foundations of the world. Lord, if it be thy blessed will, let not thy chariot wheels be long in coming. Even so come Lord Jesus, come quickly! Poor Mr. C—— will now have double work. But we can do all things through Christ strengthening us. The residue of the Spirit is in the Redeemer’s hands, and he hath promised not to leave his people comfortless. Our eyes, O Lord, are unto thee from whom cometh all our salvation. Here I could enlarge, but I must send a few lines to London, which I hope to reach myself some time this week. Be pleased to direct your next there. My Leeds friends have my cordial acknowledgements for their kind enquiries concerning me. I hope this will find them all, with your dear yoke-fellow, leaning on the Mediator’s bosom. There am I now reclining my weary head. Adieu. The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER MVI.
To Mr. C—— W——.
Bristol, December 3, 1753.
BEING unexpectedly brought back from Somersetshire, and hearing you are gone upon such a mournful errand, I cannot help sending after you a few sympathizing lines. The Lord help and support you! May a double spirit of the ascending Elijah, descend and rest on the surviving Elisha! Now is the time to prove the strength of Jesus yours. A wife, a friend, and brother, ill together. Well! this is our comfort, all things shall work together for good to those that love God. If you think proper, be pleased to deliver the inclosed. It was written out of the fulness of my heart. To-morrow I leave Bristol, and purpose reaching London by Saturday morning or night. Glad should I be to reach heaven first; but faith and patience hold out a little longer. Yet a little while, and we shall be all together with our common Lord. I commend you to his everlasting love, and am, my dear friend, with much sympathy,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER MVII.
To the Reverend Mr. J—— W——.
Bristol, December 3, 1753.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
IF seeing you so weak when leaving London, distressed me, the news and prospect of your approaching dissolution hath quite weighed me down. I pity myself, and the church, but not you. A radiant throne awaits you, and ere long you will enter into your Master’s joy. Yonder he stands with a massy crown, ready to put it on your head amidst an admiring throng of saints and angels. But I, poor I, that have been waiting for my dissolution these nineteen years, must be left behind to grovel here below! Well, this is my comfort, it cannot be long ere the chariots will be sent even for worthless me. If prayers can detain them, even you, reverend and very dear Sir, shall not leave us yet: but if the decree is gone forth, that you must now fall asleep in Jesus, may he kiss your soul away, and give you to die in the embraces of triumphant love. If in the land of the living, I hope to pay my last respects to you next week. If not, reverend and dear Sir, farewel.—I præ, sequar, etsi non passibus æquis. My heart is too big, tears trickle down too fast, and I fear you are too weak for me to enlarge. May underneath you be Christ’s everlasting arms! I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and am, very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, sympathizing, and afflicted younger brother in the gospel of our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MVIII.
To Mr. C—— W——.
London, December 13, 1753.
My dear Friend,
THE searcher of hearts alone knows the sympathy I have felt for you and yours, and what suspence my mind hath been in concerning the event of your present circumstances. I pray and enquire, enquire and pray again, always expecting to hear the worst. Ere this can reach you, I expect the lot will be cast either for life or death. I long to hear, that I may partake like a friend either of your joy and sorrow. Blessed be God for that promise, whereby we are assured, that “all things shall work together for good to those that love him.” This may make us at least resigned, when called to part with our Isaacs. But who knows the pain of parting, when the wife and the friend are conjoined? To have the desire of one’s eyes cut off with a stroke, what but grace, omnipotent grace, can enable us to bear it? But who knows, perhaps the threatened stroke may be recalled. Surely the Lord of all lords is preparing you for further usefulness by these complex trials. We must be purged, if we would bring forth more fruit. Your brother I hear is better; to-day I intended to have seen him, but Mr. B—— sent me word he thought he would be out for the air. I hope Mr. H—— is better; but I can scarce mention any body now but dear Mrs. W——. Pray let me know how it goes with you. My wife truly joins in sympathy and love. Night and day indeed you are remembered by, my dear friend,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER MIX.
To Mr. S——.
London, December 13, 1753.
My dear Friend,
THE mail not coming in till to-day, I began to fear lest something had happened to prevent your writing. But, blessed be God, my fears are dispelled, my friend is well, his temporals, his spirituals prosper: herein I rejoice, yea and will rejoice. But what news do you tell me? Hath an infinitely condescending God vouchsafed to breathe on my poor worthless scribble? Hath life and power attended inanimate ink and paper? This then, my God, shall be the language of my heart!
Forgive my faults, and work thy will
By such a worthless instrument;
It will at once thy goodness shew,
And prove thy power omnipotent.
Whatever some may boast of, I know not; but this I can say, that although, through rich, free, and sovereign grace, I have been enabled these nineteen years to say unto God, “Thou art my father,” yet I can still say to corruption, “Thou art my sister.” Time and experience will convince others also of this important truth. God keep me, and all concerned with me, from such manifestations, as do not lead us more and more into the chambers of imagery, which are latent and undiscovered in the secret corners of our hearts! Such only come from God: illuminations which engender pride, and lead us from a deep and pungent feeling of our own nothingness, and the remainders of in-dwelling corruption, are either of a diabolical extraction, or at least are perverted by the devil and proud nature, to feed that disease, which when operating in a genuine way, they have a native tendency to remove. Well might Mr. Fleming say, “Lord, grant me a divine manifestation, but O teach me to manage it after thou hast granted it.” Paul needed a thorn to teach him how to manage such favours aright. I tremble for those who hug their delusions, and look upon the dunghill of corruption as quite removed, when it is only covered over as it were with a little snow. How white did the most foul places look only a few days ago! But the thaw is come, the whiteness is vanished, and filthy dunghills are dunghills still. My dear friend knows how to make the application. Blessed be God for leading you into the knowledge of the mystery of gospel holiness.—Holiness, not built on Moses, or the sandy bottom of our own faithfulness, but on Jesus, that rock of ages, whose faithfulness makes us faithful, and a reliance on whole compleat and all-sufficient righteousness, doings, and sufferings, carries the believer on (without thinking of a reward) to do and suffer, what a legal heart will shrink and boggle at. May this mind be in you and me, and all that love our dear Lord Jesus in sincerity! When the Son of Man makes them thus free, then will they be free indeed. You may easily see, that part of your letter hath led me insensibly into this strain of writing. If it pleases or profits, or both, it will answer the end designed, and the dear, ever-dear, ever-loving, and ever-lovely Redeemer shall have all the glory. As our acquaintance was begun in him, and I trust hath hitherto been blessed, so I would have it continue to run in the same channel, and, whether absent from or present with each other, sweetly lead us to our ocean, God. I am only sorry you have such an unprofitable correspondent. Tears are ready to gush out at the thought, and I am ready to sink into the earth, when I consider how little I can do for that Jesus, whom I love for himself, or for my friends, whom I love for his great name’s sake. Friend of sinners, circle me in thy own compleat and all-sufficient Self! Good night, my dear Sir, good night. If you guess at my present frame, you will know at whose cross this leaves me, and how much I am
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER MX.
To Mr. V——.
London, December 15, 1753.
My very dear Mr. V——,
JUST now I received, and have read over your kind letter, dated August 22d, and in reading it, could have wished for the wings of a dove, that I might have fled and embraced you in these unworthy arms, and wished you joy of being assured of his love, who so loved us as to give himself for us. May this find you in the same happy frame, and may you for ever hereafter be blessed with the uninterrupted witness of God’s Spirit, witnessing with your spirit, that you are indeed his child! As you have undergone a long and tedious law work, I hope your joys are of the right kind, and will be more substantial and lasting, than those who leap into a fancied liberty at once, and having no root in themselves, in time of temptation fall away. Your house, my dear friend, I believe, is not built upon the sand, but upon Jesus, even Jesus of Nazareth, the rock of ages; against which the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail. Whoever hath been the instrument of bringing you into this happy frame, it is no matter to me; I rejoice, yea and will rejoice. If I know any thing of my heart, I am just the same disinterested person as when I saw you, and believe me, you are my dear, very dear Gaius, my son, my friend still. Mr. S—— can tell you, why you received no letters. They are ready, and were sent to his lodgings:—but to my great surprize I was told, a coach came for him and the other passengers. Ever since I have been preaching and travelling as usual, generally twice, and frequently thrice a day. I came only last Saturday into Winter quarters, and shall long for the Spring again, that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. O that my dear Lord may never discard me from this divine employ! An itinerant pilgrim life is that which I choose.—And why? It was the life of my blessed Lord. I hope you will not fail of calling out dear Mr. Z——y to it every year.—I am sure America, dear America stands much in need of it. Let envious, lukewarm elder brethren say what they please against it, this is the way that God hath honoured, yea and I believe will honour even unto the end. But I find, love of honour, power, ease, and fulness of bread, make even good people to think, and speak, and act unlike themselves. These, these are the things which have led the Moravian brethren on this side the water, from the cross of Christ, and made them to differ as much from what once they were, as light from darkness. O how have my dear spiritual children, (for whom I travailed in birth, and whom I love as my own soul) been insensibly led away, and robbed of their spiritual and temporal substance, at least for a while, by some self-designing and deceitful men. Against these, and not the dear people, who have been eaten up as bread, with a bleeding heart, have I drawn my pen; and I believe shall rejoice that I have done so to my dying day. God grant that the like scene may never be opened on your side the water! But I forbear.—O for heaven! O for that time when we shall get out of this church militant! I long to be
Where sin and strife and sorrow cease,
And all is joy and calm and peace.
Dear Mr. J—— W—— is going thither apace: he is supposed to be in a galloping consumption. Lord Jesus, give me patience to wait till my wished-for change also shall come! I long to awake after thy likeness; I long to be dissolved to be with thee! Then, then shall I meet you, my dear friend, and rejoice, together with all the blessed train that shall follow the Lamb! O my dear Sir, bear with me, bear with me, I pray you, for indeed I am sick of love. Surely of all the redeemed, I, even ill and hell-deserving I, shall sing loudest in heaven. Behold I am vile! black, but yet comely: not in myself, but in the comeliness which my dear Jesus hath put upon me. I can now no more. I must retire to pray for you and yours. The Lord bless you, and keep you, and give you a heart continually to remember before his throne, my dear Mr. V——,
Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant in Christ,
G. W.