To a friend in London.
Bethesda, Dec. 24, 1746.
My dear Brother,
I Thank you heartily for your very kind letter, which I now snatch a few moments to answer. The account you gave of things, made me mourn that they were in so bad a situation, and at the same time I could not help rejoicing they were no worse: You and all that attended on my preaching, and had opportunities to converse with me privately, cannot be ignorant how many hints I gave of what has happened. It might have been foreseen and spoken of without a spirit of prophecy, and consequently did not so much surprise me when I found it came to pass; but I trust the storm is now blown over, and that the little flock will enjoy a sweet calm. O that your eyes may be looking towards and waiting on the blessed Jesus: from him alone can come your salvation, he will be better to you than a thousand Whitefields.—I am afraid you are too desirous of having me with you; and indeed I long to see you and my other dear christian friends, but America seems to be my scene of action for some time. The harvest is great in many places, and the labourers are very few. I am resolved in the strength of Jesus to range more and more; hunting for souls is a delightful work, and I am ashamed that I do no more. O my dear man, pray for me; indeed I do for you and yours.—I am glad the Lord has appeared for you; he never fails those that put their trust in him; only remember, “In the world, and yet not of it,” is the real christian’s motto.—That Jesus may continually lift up the light of his blessed countenance upon you, give you and yours all peace and joy in believing, is the earnest prayer of, my dear man,
Your very affectionate friend, and servant for Jesus sake,
G. W.
P. S. My tender tender love to all enquiring friends; my dear yoke-fellow joins heartily: we are happy in Jesus, and happy in one another.
Bethesda, Dec. 24, 1746.
My dear Brother,
I Must not let your kind letter which I received a few days ago lie long unanswered. And now what shall I say? why that I would have you comfort yourself with this promise, “That all things shall work (nay do work) for good to those that love God.”—Blessed be God for that little, that great word ALL.—Could we always act faith upon that, nothing could move us.—It is this promise that makes me now to rejoice in the midst of all the tribulations that has befallen my dear Tabernacle friends.—For ere long you shall sing,
————O happy Rod!
That brought us nearer to our God!
Courage, therefore, my brother, courage.—The Lord will yet uphold you with his right hand.—Only live near to Jesus, and let the language of your heart be, “Lord, let me know myself and thee!” All trials are sent for these two ends, that we may be better acquainted with the dear Lord Jesus, and with our own wicked hearts.—That you may increase in this knowledge more and more, is the earnest prayer of
Your affectionate friend, and servant in Christ,
G. W.
P. S. My dear wife joins in sending hearty salutations to all.—I must refer you to other letters for news.
To Mr. A——.
Bethesda, Dec. 29, 1746.
My very dear Brother A——,
SINCE I wrote to you from Maryland, I have received two or three kind letters from you, in which I have had a particular account how affairs stand in England.—I bless God for the gracious assistance he has been pleased to afford you, and pray for a continuance and increase of it to your dear soul ever more and more—O my very dear brother, it is no small favour to be kept steady and humbly bold for the glorious Emmanuel in a cloudy dark day.—This honour the Lord Jesus has conferred on you—May his past goodness strengthen your faith, and encourage you to trust in him amidst all future trials!—I say future trials—for we must never expect an entire cessation of arms, till we bow down our heads and give up the ghost—Our trials will be changed in order to discover to us the remainder of corruption in the heart; but they will not, they must not be entirely removed—The captain or our salvation was made perfect through sufferings, and so must we—Be strong therefore, my brother, in the grace which is in Christ Jesus—Endure afflictions—make full proof of thy ministry—Truth is great, and will prevail—Fail not writing—Other letters will acquaint you with particulars about me.—Continue in prayer, and it may be, sooner than your expectations, you may see
Your very unworthy, but affectionate brother and servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
P. S. My dear yoke-fellow joins in sending most cordial salutations to you, yours, and all that love the precious Christ.
Charles-Town, Jan. 21, 1747.
Since I wrote the above I have had some sweet seasons at Bethesda: I intend staying here some days, and will redeem what time I can to write to friends—May grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon them all: Amen and Amen.—My dear wife and family are well—God willing, we move northward in the beginning of March.
To Mr. H—— J——.
Charles-Town, Jan. 23, 1747.
My very dear Brother,
I Owe you much love, and though I have written to you more than once, yet I look upon myself as indebted to you still.—I therefore now sit down to answer the kind letter which you sent my dear yokefellow.—She is now at Georgia, and having not as yet seen it, she cannot answer it herself.—Blessed be God she is well, and prospers both in soul and body—We talk of you often, and hope yet to live and have our hearts warmed with our English and Welch friends ere we go hence, and are no more seen. At present the cloud seems to hang over the American parts.—The Lord Jesus is pleased to give me great access to multitudes of souls, and I hope has withal given me as strong an inclination as ever, to go out and preach to them the unsearchable riches of his dying love. I lately came from Bethesda, and found my family well, happy in Jesus, and happy in one another.—Our Lord bowed the heavens several times and came down among us, in the power of his eternal Spirit.—In the beginning of March, I purpose, God willing, to set out for the northward again, and shall not lose any opportunity of writing, that offers in my way. I am sorry to hear the leaven of Antinomianism is not yet purged out, and that animosities are not yet ceased.—I can say nothing at this distance, but pray that the God of peace and love may direct and rule all my dear friends hearts. You will remember me to all in the most tender manner.—Indeed I omit no opportunity of sending.—I pray for you all continually, and begging a continued interest in all your prayers, I subscribe myself, my very dear brother,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
To a generous Benefactor unknown.
Charles-Town, March, 15, 1747.
WHOEVER you are that delight to imitate the divine beneficence in doing good to your fellow-creatures when they know not of it, I think it my duty, in behalf of the poor orphans committed to my care, to send you a letter of thanks for your kind, generous and opportune benefaction.—That God who has opened your heart to give so bountifully, will as bountifully reward you.—I trust you have contributed towards the promoting an institution, which has, and I believe will redound much to the Redeemer’s glory.—Blessed be God, I hope I can say, that Bethesda was never in better order than it is now, in all probability taking root downwards, and bearing fruit upwards.—Since my arrival there this winter, I have opened a Latin school, and have several children of promising abilities that have begun to learn.—One little orphan, who this time twelvemonth could not read his letters, has made a considerable proficiency in his Accidence.—The blessed spirit has been striving with several of the children’s infant hearts, and I hope ere long to see some ministers sent forth from that despised place called Georgia. It is true, the constitution of that colony is very bad, and it is impossible for the inhabitants to subsist themselves without the use of slaves. But God has put it into the hearts of my South-Carolina friends, to contribute liberally towards purchasing a plantation and slaves in this province; which I purpose to devote to the support of Bethesda.—Blessed be God, the purchase is made.—I last week bought, at a very cheap rate, a plantation of six hundred and forty acres of excellent land, with a good house, barn, and out-houses, and sixty acres of ground ready cleared, fenced and fit for rice, corn, and every thing that will be necessary for provisions. One negroe has been given me.—Some more I purpose to purchase this week.—An overseer is put upon the plantation, and I trust a sufficient quantity of provision will be raised this year.—The family at Bethesda consists of twenty-six.—When my arrears are discharged; I purpose to increase the number.—I hope that time will soon come; and that he who has begun, will go on to stir up the friends of Zion to help me, not only to discharge the arrears, but also to bring the plantation lately purchased to such perfection, that if I should die shortly, Bethesda may yet be provided for.—As you have been such a benefactor, I thought proper to give you this particular account, that you may see it is not given in vain.—I could enlarge, but have only room to subscribe myself, generous friend,
Your most obliged servant,
G. W.
To Mrs. B.
Bohemia, (Maryland) Sunday night, April 26, 1747.
Very dear Mrs. B.
IF you will promise not to be sorry, that you set out so soon, I will inform you, that through the singular goodness of a loving Redeemer, we reached Bohemia last night, after a pleasant journey of about five weeks from Charles-Town. To-day, I trust we have enjoyed some taste of that love, which I pray the Lord of all Lords to shed abroad abundantly in your dear heart by the Holy Ghost. You are entered upon a scene that will call for more than ordinary assistance. Jesus, who himself was once in a wilderness, knows how to succour, support and comfort you. “Out of the eater he can bring forth meat; Out of the strong he can and will bring forth sweetness.” My poor prayers do and will follow you. I trust you will return loaded with experience; and however your journey may turn out in respect to your body, I am persuaded it will be for the benefit of your soul. To tell you how bountifully the glorious Emmanuel hath dealt with us, would fill a volume. He hath indeed done wonders for us,—some of which I hope to relate to you, when I see you face to face. After two days abode here, I purpose, God willing, to take a three weeks circuit in hunting after Maryland sinners. In Virginia, for the present, the door is shut; but I believe it will be open in the fall to more advantage. I have no thoughts of visiting it this spring. The cloud moves another way. However, night and day I shall remember you in your little hut, praying that you may meet with agreeable company to join in saying, “Lord Jesus, all my springs are in thee.” that you may be continually enabled to believe on him, and find him to be a well of water springing up to life eternal, is the hearty prayer of, very dear Mrs. B——,
Your very affectionate, sympathizing friend, and willing servant for Jesus’s sake,
G. W.
To the Rev. Mr. F——.
Bohemia, April 28, 1747.
Rev. and very dear Brother,
WITH this, I send you a packet from your brother, whom I left well and happy at Bethesda about six weeks ago. As I came along I saw Mr. Davis. He is licensed, as are the four houses in Virginia; but there is a proclamation issued out against all itinerants. Nothing can be done to the purpose, but all will be in the utmost confusion, unless some proper person is always resident among the awakened souls. Pray acquaint your brethren of this. How do you all? Has Jesus warmed your hearts this last cold Winter, and kept you from spiritual frost? He has been very gracious to us southward; and as we came along, “the wilderness seemed to blossom like a rose.” About five weeks ago, we left Charles-Town, and reached Bohemia last Saturday evening. We came from Hanover county to this place in five days. I am now dispatching my private affairs, and after about three weeks itinerant preaching in these parts, I purpose, God willing, to go towards Philadelphia. You will remember me in a particular manner to the young students.—They have a continual share in my poor prayers; and the continuance of theirs and yours is earnestly desired by, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ,
G. W.
To the Honourable F. W——, Esq.
New-Town, (Maryland) May 6, 1747.
Honoured Sir,
A Few days past I had the pleasure of yours, dated November 28th. I embrace this first opportunity of returning you my hearty thanks for the unmerited kindness and affection expressed therein. May the Redeemer give me an humble heart, and grant that all favours conferred upon me by instruments, may lead me nearer to him, the source and fountain of all! But what shall I say to dear New-England’s sorrowful circumstances? It pities me to hear that she is still lying in the dust. However, this has generally been the case: trying and distressing times have generally followed awakening and converting times. May Jesus second them with another alarm of his holy spirit, and then all will be well. Glad would I be to come and offer myself once more to do New-England service; but I am afraid that many ministers and the heads of the people would not bear it. However, was this my only reason, it would soon be answered.—But here are thousands in these Southern parts (as you have observed, honoured Sir), that scarce ever heard of redeeming grace and love. Is it not my duty as an itinerant, since other places have had their calls and awakening seasons, to go where the gospel has not been named? Those who think I want to make a party, or to disturb churches, do not know me. I am willing to hunt in the woods after sinners; and, according to the present temper of my mind, could be content that the name of George Whitefield should die, if thereby the name of my dear Redeemer could be exalted. Indeed I am amazed that he employs me at all. But what shall we say? He hateth putting away, therefore I am not consumed. Grace, sovereign free grace! shall be all my song. Last Winter’s mercies have renewed my obligations to extol free grace. I could enlarge, but several things forbid. In heaven, dear Sir, we shall have no interruptions. That you may be supported through all the fatigues of your journey thither, and with all your dear family, at length arrive at the land of eternal rest, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Sir,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
Postscript. Fearing I shall not have an opportunity of seeing you, before you embark for England, it being uncertain whether your honour will be at Philadelphia upon my coming there, I think it my duty, honoured Sir, in this way to wish you, your honoured Lady and little Miss, an extraordinary good voyage. May the God of the seas as well as the God of the dry land, be your convoy and pilot! May you and all who sail with you, be preserved from the hand of the enemy, and kept in perpetual peace and safety! As God shall enable me, my poor prayers shall follow you. They are your due, honoured Sir. The Pensylvanians I am sure will soon regret the loss of you, and all the friends of liberty and loyalty must be constrained to wish you well. O that the great Governor of the universe may so bless you with his holy spirit, that you may bring forth much fruit in old age! O that you may hear the great Judge of quick and dead salute you at the last day, with a “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!” This, honoured Sir, is the native language of my heart. As I trust you think me sincere, be pleased to accept it, as the best acknowledgment I can make you and your beloved consort, for all the kindnesses you have been pleased to heap on, honoured Sir,
Your Honour’s most obliged humble servant,
G. W.
To Mrs. P——.
New-Town, (Maryland) May 6, 1747.
Dear Mrs. P——,
I Must refrain no longer from returning you thanks for two or three kind letters with which you have favoured me. They seemed to speak the language of a heart concerned for Zion’s glory. Well! Blessed are they that mourn for those who will not mourn for themselves, verily they shall be comforted. Blessed are they who are enabled to walk with God in a declining day;—they shall shine hereafter with a distinguished lustre. Thus Enoch did,—and Enoch was remarkably honoured.—“He was not, for God took him.”—But shall the harps of Boston Christians be always hanging on the willows? No; Jesus will not be always chiding. He that has brought on this pleasant Spring, after so hard a Winter, can thaw men’s hearts, and cause the turtle once more to be heard in the land. Hasten that time, O blessed Lord!—I hope you will keep close to your prayer-days. I have received the memorials from dear Mr. P——, and shall disperse them. I should be glad of a line from him. How are his dear daughters, and the other members of your society? I do not forget you, indeed I do not. If affection guided me, you would soon see me; but the people in these Southern parts are like people that have no shepherd. Surely I ought to go out after them. To-day I have had a sweet season. People are very ready to hear, and the word seems to fasten in some souls. Follow me with your prayers. Remember me to your husband, and to all, in the most cordial manner, and believe me to be
Your very affectionate friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
To Madam P——.
Dover, (Pensylvania) May 8, 1747.
Honoured Madam,
THE great though unmerited regard you have always been pleased to express for me, emboldens me now and then to drop you a line to inform you, that you are not forgotten by me before that God whose mercy endureth for ever. I trust, your latter end, like that of Job’s, will greatly increase, and that you will, as it is said of the righteous, “Bring forth much fruit in old age.” Your honoured husband (to whom be pleased to present my dutiful respects) I suppose is now with you. The Lord hath honoured you with many honours, and I hope, amidst all outward favours, does not withhold the comforting influences of his blessed spirit from your soul. I have reason to believe, you esteem this above all earthly things whatsoever. O, dear Madam! how mean and contemptible does every creature appear, when the soul gets a near view of a crucified Redeemer! How easy to bear pain, when one meditates on the agony and bloody sweat of an incarnate God! Here then, honoured madam, fix your eye. Look unto Jesus continually. He hath been the author, he will be the finisher of your faith. I find him to be a God that changeth not, a tender and compassionate High Priest. Thro’ his help, I continue to this day preaching amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches of his dying love, I am as well in health as I can expect to be, and more and more determined to spend and be spent for the good of precious and immortal souls. Through grace, my labours are rendered very acceptable in various places. Be pleased, Madam, to remember me before the throne. I neither forget you nor the General.—I pray that God’s loving kindnesses and fatherly corrections may make you truly great, and beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,
Your affectionate, obliged humble servant,
G. W.
To Mr. B——, Senior.
Dover, May 8, 1747.
Very dear Mr. B——,
I Think it is high time for me to send you a line of thanks, for the favours you have been pleased to shew me, while others were loading me with scorn and contempt. A weak body and continued employ in the service of the best of Masters, occasion my not writing so frequently to my dear friends, as love and gratitude would prompt me to do. You will accept this unfeigned apology, and still increase the obligations you have laid upon me, by continuing to remember me before the Lord. I have need, great need of the united prayers of my christian friends.—For Jesus hath of late so remarkably appeared for me, that I ought to lay myself out more and more in going about endeavouring to do good to precious and immortal souls. At present this is my settled resolution. The Redeemer seems to approve of it; for the fields in the Southern parts are white ready unto harvest, and many seem to have the hearing ear. All next October, God willing, I have devoted to poor North-Carolina. It is pleasant hunting in the woods after the lost sheep for whom the Redeemer hath shed his precious blood. May the Lord of the harvest spirit up more to go forth in his strength, to compel poor sinners to come in! I hope that you and my other Boston friends do go in and out, and find good pasture. I hear it is a Winter time with many. May God keep the fatal languor from extending to the circle of my intimate friends! For alas, what is a christian without a holy warmth? Will you remember me to all that you know, in the most tender manner? I beseech them by the mercies of God, to live near to Jesu’s cross, and whatever others may do, let them and theirs serve the Lord Christ. You will remember me in particular to Mr. F——, and his family, Mr. V—— and wife, your dear son, and your whole houshold, as being, dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother in Christ,
G. W.
To Mr. H—— S——.
Dover, May 9, 1747.
AS you were my kind host and peculiar friend, I take the liberty of writing to you more frequently than to others. I hope you will accept of this as a token of my unfeigned gratitude and love. It brings you the news of my being advanced thus far, of my being in health, and employed in going about and preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. I shall be more northward, God willing, in June, and possibly may stretch as far as some part of New-England.—But I am not yet determined. Pray for me, dear Mr. S——, that Jesus may direct my steps. I would not willingly go to the right hand or to the left, contrary to his blessed will, for ten thousand worlds.—When shall I have another line from you? It may be directed to me at Philadelphia. My dear yoke-fellow is there now. We travelled very pleasantly through the woods, and purpose returning to South-Carolina and Georgia in the fall. We lead a moving life, but I trust we move heaven-ward. O that Jesus may quicken all his dear people’s hearts, and cause them to mount on wings like an eagle! I hear that times are yet dead in New-England. It is dreadful to have winter all the year round. May your heart, my dear Sir, and the heart of your dear wife, and the hearts of all my dear friends, be kept close to Jesus, and continually flaming with love! I know you will readily say Amen. For the present, adieu. I must go to my delightful work, Preaching. Pray remember me to all. Let me have a line, and tell me whether the Lord stirs up any to lend an helping hand to, very dear Mr. S——,
Yours most affectionately in Christ,
G. W.
To the Reverend Mr. M——, junior.
Dover in Pensylvania, May 9, 1747.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
EVER since I have known and heard of you, the Lord Jesus Christ hath made you peculiarly dear to my soul. Your troubles and soul distresses have in some measure been my own. I have looked and learned from your case, that we are indeed but clay in the hands of the heavenly potter, and that a sovereign God may deal with us as it seemeth good in his sight. “His ways are in the deep waters, and his footsteps are not known.” What he does to us now, we know not, but we shall know hereafter. How will you be surprized, dear Sir, in a very short time, to see that Jesus, whom your soul loves, and who has many a time shed abroad his love in your heart; how will you be surprized to see him receive you into glory, and turning your late or present Egyptian darkness into celestial and eternal day? May the compassionate high priest till then support your sinking spirits, and enable you to cope with and overcome all those difficulties and temptations, which either the prevalency of an inveterate melancholy, or the malice of evil spirits, may make you the subject of! Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but surely Jesus prays for you, though as it were behind the curtain. Excuse this freedom, reverend Sir; redeeming love constrains me to write thus. I hope you will receive it, as it is written, in much love. If you enquire after me, I would inform you that I am travelling about, and preaching from time to time among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. I trust, my labours are not in vain in the Lord. The glorious Emmanuel has given me a pleasant Winter, and I hope is about to cause these southern wildernesses to blossom like a rose. You will follow me with your prayers. My most humble and affectionate respects await your aged father. My love to your nurse, and all York friends. I am
Yours most affectionately in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
To Mrs. B——.
Wicoacommoco, (Maryland) May 16, 1747.
Dear Mrs. B——,
HEARING by Captain Adams that the glorious Emmanuel holds your soul in life, I cannot help letting you know, past kindnesses are not yet forgotten, and that I wish you much spiritual and temporal prosperity. How does your soul prosper in these hard, dull and afflicting times? Has tribulation produced patience, patience experience, and experience hope; and do you find thereby the love of God shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost? Happy then, unspeakably happy are you in being afflicted. With exultation of heart may you sing,
O happy rod!
That brought me nearer to my God.
I think I can say, it is good to bear the yoke of affliction in youth. It teaches one to keep silence, and weans us from a too great attachment to all sublunary enjoyments. I have a few strokes of my father’s rod from time to time, as well as you. But I find that his rod as well as his staff do comfort. I am a naughty child, and want much correction; but he that wounds, heals also, and in glory we shall find, that his loving correction hath made us great. O glory! It is yonder in view; Jesus stands at the top of the ladder to receive us into it. Look to him, dear Mrs. B——, for surely he is your never-dying husband.—Death itself shall not, death cannot part him and you. Had I strength equal to my will, I should write much of the Redeemer’s everlasting love; but my body is weak through continued journeyings and preaching. However, Christ’s strength is in some degree magnified in my weakness, and my preaching is blessed to poor souls. Amazing love! Maryland is yielding converts to the blessed Jesus. The gospel seems to be moving southward. Pray for me, that I may be unwearied in well doing, and follow the Lamb whithersoever he shall be pleased to lead me. Pray remember me in the kindest manner to your aged declining pastor, the other minister who lives about five miles from you, to Mr. J——, and all my kind nurses, and dear York friends. I find death and sickness have made great havock and alterations among them. May Jesus sanctify all events to the furtherance of his grace, in all their hearts, and give us to meet where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest! I salute you and all, and once more praying that you and yours may be watered by the blessed Jesus every ♦moment, I subscribe myself, dear Mrs. B——,
Your most affectionate, obliged servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
To the Reverend Mr. J—— R——.
Wicoacommoca, May 16, 1747.
CAN souls united in Jesus’s love ever forget one another? It is difficult, though I believe possible, and in dull seasons I fear too common. However, blessed be the Redeemer, I have not yet forgotten my dear Mr. R——. As a proof it, I send you these few lines by Captain Adams. You see whence they are dated. Methinks I see you rejoice, and ready to say, “And have the Marylanders also received the grace of God?” I trust some have indeed received his grace in sincerity. The harvest is promising.—The heat tries my wasting tabernacle, but, through Christ strengthening me, I intend persisting till I drop. Since I saw you, the glorious Emmanuel has multiplied my obligations to spend and be spent in his service a thousand-fold. The language of my heart at present is,
A willing and a chearful mind,
That life and all things cast behind,
Springs forth obedient to thy call;
A heart that no desire can move,
But still to adore, believe and love,
Give me, my Christ, my God, my all.
O dear Sir, continue to pray for me, that I may not flag in the latter stages of my road. I was in hopes of seeing you this Summer, but am afraid my engagements to preach in North-Carolina next October will prevent me. However, you and the other dear neighbouring ministers are always upon my heart. I pity them in their present distressing circumstances, and pray that they and you may have grace given to endure hardness like good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Your dear father I hear is discharged from all campaigns.—Ere long, the captain of our salvation will command us home also. The Lord grant that we may die like soldiers, fighting against the devil, the world, and the flesh. How are your dear brothers and son? Pray give my hearty love to them, and to your dear wife, and whole houshold. I salute you all from my dear fellow pilgrim now at Philadelphia; and praying that you may have thousands to be your joy and crown of rejoicing in the great day, I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your very affectionate friend, brother and willing servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
To the Reverend Mr. B——.
Near New-Town, (Maryland) May 21, 1747.
AND how does my dear friend and brother Mr. B—— after so long a silence? What a pity is it, that the Redeemer’s children cannot more frequently correspond with each other? Blessed be God, there is a time coming, when our fellowship with Jesus and one another shall never be interrupted. Now is the time for stirring; then will be a time for sitting, in no meaner place than (O amazing love!) at the right hand of the everloving, everlovely Lamb of God.—Well then my dear man, let us go on in his strength, and see what we can do for precious and immortal souls. Indeed they are purchased with the blood of God. This consideration excites me to persist in going out into the highways and hedges.—I have been now a three hundred mile circuit in Mary-land, and through one or two counties in Pensilvania. Every where people have a hearing ear, and I trust some have an obedient heart. I hope the time of singing of birds is come to New-England, and that your hands are full of work. I most heartily wish you very much success. I cordially salute your dear yoke-fellow, and all the followers of the Lamb, and beg you would not forget, my dear old friend,
Your affectionate
G. W.
To the Reverend Mr. P——.
New-Town, May 21, 1747.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
IT sometimes gives me concern that I cannot hear oftener from you, and your dear son, whom I love so tenderly. But I suppose your hands are full of work for the best of masters. I pray him daily, that you may be crowned with much success. Though I have deserved a thousand and a thousand times over to be cast off, yet such is the divine goodness, that my labours in fresh places are made very acceptable daily. I have now been upon the stretch, preaching constantly for almost three weeks. I hope I can say with sincerity (O that I may say it with humility!) that God hath been with me of a truth. My body is often extremely weak, but the joy of the Lord is my strength, and by the help of my God I intend going on till I drop, or this poor carcase can hold out no more. These southern colonies lie in darkness, and yet, as far as I find, are as willing to receive the gospel as others. If some books could be purchased to dispose among poor people, much good might be done. Pray, Sir, have you any Latin school-books to spare? I shall want some for the Orphan-house. I hope to hear from you at Philadelphia, where I expect to be in a week’s time. In the mean while, reverend Sir, I beg you would make my most cordial and humble respects acceptable to all your reverend brethren, that honoured me with their acquaintance, as well as to your dear family and all other friends. I wish you and them millions and millions of blessings, and intreat the continuance of their and your prayers, for, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother, and servant in Christ,
G. W.
To Mr. H—— H——.
Philadelphia, May 30, 1747.
My dearest Brother,
HAD I strength equal to my will, you should now receive from me a very long letter; but at present I have such a fever upon me, that I can scarce send you a few lines. However I will try. Your dear letters in August last came to my hands last Lord’s-day.—They variously affected me, and put me on the search, whether I had neglected writing to my very dear man. Upon enquiry, I found that I wrote to you about the same time as I wrote to Mr. J——, and brother S——, and four or five times since. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am not suffered to forget old love and old friends. Indeed you are very dear to me,—all of you very dear to me still. I thank you ten thousand times for all expressions of your tender love, and for your steadiness in the truths and cause of Christ; and hope sometimes that your prayers will draw me to England more speedily than I imagine. But what shall I say, my dear friend? Here are thousands and thousands in America who as to spiritual things know not their right hand from their left; and who are ready to hear the gospel from my mouth. Since my coming this time from Georgia, I have been within these five weeks a circuit of 400 miles, and every where found the fields white ready unto harvest. Nobody goes out scarcely but myself. As you are in England and Wales, the power of religion I trust will be kept up; and though my coming should be delayed some time longer, yet when I am sent, it will be with the greater blessing. I am daily finishing my outward affairs, and shall think my call clearer home, when I have provided for the support of the Orphan-house. The generous benefactor’s letter pierced my heart, made me to shed tears of love, and to put up many prayers for him. I sent him a letter from Charles-Town under cover to Mr. B——. If the person be unknown, I see no impropriety in printing my letter in the Daily Advertiser or Evening Post. I am glad you have printed my letter to the Litchfield clergy, and want to know what effect my sermon on the rebellion has had. Our Lord has blessed it much in these parts. I shall be glad when the great Head of the church unites dear brethren again. I trust nothing shall be wanting on my part when I come over. An union before perhaps may not be so well. However, I leave it to you, my dear Sir, and think that the bar being taken away against people’s coming to the tabernacle, may be one good step towards it. I wait upon the Lord. As his grace increases in the heart, I am sure his children will grow less positive and more child-like, yet more steady. O my dear man, I could write all night long, but am so giddy by hard riding and preaching constantly in the heat of the day, that I must defer being more particular till another opportunity. I hope my dear wife will supply all my deficiencies. Remember me in the tenderest manner to all. Bid them to pray me to England; and in the mean while, they may assure themselves they are not forgotten by, my very dear brother,
Yours, &c.
G. W.