LETTERS. (continued 10)

Your affectionate brother pilgrim,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXII.

To Mr. A――, in London.

Edinburgh, June 4, 1742.

My dear Brother A――,

FROM a heart overflowing with a sense of God’s love, I write you these few lines. Yesterday our Saviour brought us hither. On board, I spent most part of my time in secret prayer. Satan shot many of his fiery darts against me. Our great Michael gave me a shield of faith, by which I was enabled to repel them all. As soon as I came on shore, the holy spirit filled my soul. The Lord commanded people to receive me and my fellow pilgrim into their houses. Our souls rejoiced in him. The people were soon alarmed at my arrival. As soon as I came on shore at Leith, many came blessing me, and weeping, took hold of me. About four in the afternoon we came to Edinburgh. Great numbers followed our coach, and almost catched me in their arms, as soon as I came out of it. How did they weep for joy! It would have melted you down to have seen them. When I came to my lodging, many dear friends came to salute us in the name of the Lord. About seven o’clock I went to see some persons of distinction, whose hearts the Lord reached, when I was here last. Some were ready to faint with excess of joy: with these I prayed and gave thanks. The Holy Ghost filled us with all joy and peace in believing.—At eight I went to a nobleman’s house, where his lady and several other dear friends received us with great gladness. The cushions and bible were immediately brought. I gave a word of exhortation. We sung, and prayed, and spent the remainder of the evening most delightfully in talking of the things of God. When we came home, we joined in blessing God’s holy name. Though late, I scarce knew how to go to rest.—This morning I received glorious accounts of the carrying on of the Mediator’s kingdom. The work of God is beyond expression. Three of the little boys that were converted when I was last here, came to me and wept, and begged me to pray for and with them. A minister tells me, that scarce one is fallen back, who was awakened, either among old or young. The serjeant, whose letter, brother C―― has, goes on well with his company. O my dear brother, help me to praise the Lamb that sitteth upon the throne for ever; and desire all the society to join with you. I believe within these four months you will hear of very great things. Pray that I may be very little in my own eyes, and not rob my dear Master of any part of his glory. We do not forget you. Once a day we meet together and pray for absent friends. He gives us leave, as it were, to ask of him what we will, and promises never to leave or forsake us. For the present, my dear brother, adieu! As opportunity offers, and if possible every post, some or other of my dear friends shall hear, dear brother A――, from

Your most affectionate, though most unworthy brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXIII.

To the Right Honourable Lord R――.

Edinburgh, June 4, 1742.

My Lord,

YESTERDAY morning our glorious Emmanuel brought us hither. Your Lordship’s kind letter was put into my hands. I heartily sympathize with your Lordship; but could not help rejoicing on your honoured lady’s account, knowing she is now entered into her blessed Master’s joy. Indeed, my Lord, I think, among christians, death hath not only lost its sting, but its name. I never was so joyful as I am now at the death of those who die in the Lord; and never was so reconciled to living myself. My general language, when I hear of the saints departure, is, “Let them go.” Lately at London we had a sister in Christ departed. Her last words were, “Holy, holy, holy!” she could say no more here; but our Saviour sent for her to finish her song in heaven. I preached over her corpse; our society attended: but surely never did souls triumph over death more than we did that night. Many would say, “O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory?” As for my own part, I was enabled to trample death under my feet: and, blessed be God, through rich grace I can do that daily. But then your Lordship may ask, “Why are you reconciled to life?” Because I can do that for Jesus on earth, which I cannot do in heaven: I mean, be made instrumental in bringing some poor, weary, heavy laden sinners to find rest in his blood and righteousness: and, indeed, if our Saviour was to offer either to take me now, or to stay only to take one sinner more, I would desire to stay to take him with me. But whither am I running? O my Lord, death is a delightful topic. Excuse me if I forget myself when writing about it. Blessed be our God for supporting your soul under so close a trial! How sweet will it be to meet your Lady glorified at the great day! Yet a little while, and that happy day shall come. But it is time to answer your Lordship’s question: “How was you on the 24th of last November?” I thank God, very well. My soul was much refreshed with the Redeemer’s presence; and I was rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. I hear of wonderful things in Scotland. I can only fall down and worship. I have seen greater things than ever in England. I expect to see far greater in Scotland. Our Lord will not let his people be disappointed of their hopes. But I must away. We were very happy together with some other dear friends last night. I have not seen your Lordship’s daughters, though they have been so kind as to send to enquire after my health. I hope to see them to-day; and am, my Lord, with all possible respect, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. M――, at Cambuslang.

Edinburgh, June 8, 1742.

Reverend and very dear Brother,

I Heartily rejoice at the awakening at Cambuslang, and elsewhere. I believe you will both see and hear of far greater things than these. I trust that not one corner of poor Scotland will be left unwatered by the dew of God’s heavenly blessing. The cloud is now only rising as big as a man’s hand; yet a little while, and we shall hear a sound of an abundance of gospel rain. Our glorious Emmanuel has given us much of his divine presence since my arrival. O that it may accompany me to Cambuslang! God willing, I hope to be with you the beginning of next week; but cannot exactly tell the day. In the mean while, forget not to pray for, reverend and dear brother,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXV.

To the Reverend Mr. E―― E――, at Sterling.

Edinburgh, June 10, 1742.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

I Am now at Mr. G――’s house; and finding his wife about to set out for Sterling, the love which I bear you, for my dear Master’s sake, constrains me to send you a line. It is some concern to me, that our difference as to outward things, should cut off our sweet fellowship and communion with each other. God knows my heart, I highly value and honour you. Reverend and dear Sir, I do assure you I love you and your brethren more than ever. I applaud your zeal for God; and though, in some respects, I think it not according to knowledge, and to be levelled frequently against me, yet indeed I feel no resentment in my heart, and should joyfully sit down and hear you and your other brethren preach. I salute them all; and pray our common Lord to give us all a right judgment in all things. I hope the glorious Emmanuel will be present at the sacrament, and make himself known to you in breaking of bread. I have made bold to send you the inclosed pamphlets, and should be glad to know your opinion of them. When I shall come to Sterling, I know not. However, I earnestly pray for you and yours. I could drop a tear. O when shall the time come, when the watchmen will see eye to eye? Hasten that time, our Lord and our God! But perhaps I am troublesome. Forgive me, reverend and dear Sir, being, without dissimulation, your

Younger brother and servant in the gospel of Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXVI.

To Mr. D―― A――, in London.

Edinburgh, July 7, 1742.

Dear Friend,

I Arrived here last Saturday evening from the West, where I preached all the last week: as, twice on Monday at Paisley, six miles from Glasgow; on the Tuesday and Wednesday, three times each day, at Irvine, 16 miles from thence; on Thursday, twice at Mearns, fifteen miles from that; on Friday, three times at ♦Cumbernauld; and on Saturday, twice at Falkirk, in my way to Edinburgh. In every place there was the greatest commotion among the people as was ever known. Their mourning in most of the places, was like the mourning for a first-born. The auditories were very large, and the work of God seems to be spreading more and more. Last sabbath-day I preached twice in the park, and once in the church, and twice every day since. A number of seats and shades, in the form of an amphitheatre, have been erected in the park, where the auditory sit in a beautiful order. I have received very agreeable news from my family abroad.—I purpose going to Cambuslang to-morrow, in order to assist at the communion; and shall preach at various places westward before I return here. I intend to embark for America as soon as possible after I leave Scotland. Thus you see, my dear brother, how I have been employed. O give thanks to our blessed Saviour, for his great unparalleled goodness to a most unworthy worm. Indeed I have seen and felt such things, as I never saw and felt before. I never was enabled to preach so powerfully as whilst I have been in the West. I hear that brother C―― is in the country, and that you exhort in the society. May the Lord open your mouth, and cause your lips to shew forth his praise! Let us talk of his loving-kindness all the day long. God gives me faith for my poor orphans. Help me with your prayers. God will supply all my wants. Glory be to his name, I am kept from doubting. My brother, I love you dearly. You have been a close and faithful brother. May the Lord bless you and yours. Adieu! Pray fail not of writing as particular as may be, to,

Most affectionately yours in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXVII.

To Mr. H――, at the Orphan-house.

Edinburgh, July 7, 1742.

My very dear friend, faithful steward, and brother in Christ,

LAST Monday I received an agreeable packet of letters from you. I think they are dated in October and December last. They rejoiced our hearts. As soon as I read yours, my wife said, let us give thanks and pray. Accordingly we kneeled down, and had very near access to the Father of Mercies on your behalf. At night, after our coming home, we did the same. Our common Lord enabled us to wrestle in faith. We all felt our hearts drawn mightily towards you. I could wish for wings to fly unto you. I long to thank you in person, for your faithfulness to your poor unworthy, but most affectionate friend. My dear brother, God is still doing greater things for me than ever. The awakening here in Scotland is unspeakable. The congregations in the West, are just like those which you and I saw at Foggs-Manor, in Pensylvania. God seems to awaken scores together. I never was enabled to preach so before. O that I may lie low at the feet of my dear Redeemer! to whose image I am studying to be more conformed every day. Your letter to dear brother A―― pleased us very much. I have desired him to print it. I paid a three hundred pound bill drawn upon me by Mr. N――, as well as Mr. B――’s: whether you include that in the eleven thousand pounds, I know not. However, blessed be God, if it were eleven thousand more I hope I should be kept from doubting. At present, I am looking up to our great Housholder for fresh supplies; which I believe he will give me, and which I will send to you as soon as possible. I hope to see you soon, and to thank you in particular for your faithfulness to me. My friend and brother, you shall in no wise lose your reward. I believe God will take Georgia into his own hands. Its affairs have lately been before the House of Commons. Mr. Ste―― was reprimanded for his abuse of the trustees; the use of rum was granted, but the use of slaves denied. Let us stand still, be instant in prayer, and we shall certainly see the salvation of God. I am yet made to hope against hope, in behalf of poor Georgia. The Lord strengthen your weak body, and continually comfort your soul. That you may be filled with all the fulness of God, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mr. H――,

Yours eternally in the strictest bonds of gospel love,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXVIII.

To Mrs. Whitefield.

Edinburgh, July 7, 1742.

My dear Love,

SINCE I wrote the last, I have seen such things as I never beheld before. Yesterday morning I preached at Glasgow to a very large congregation. At noon I came to Cambuslang, the place which God hath so much honoured. I preached at two, to a vast body of people, and at six in the evening, and again at nine at night. Such a commotion surely never was heard of, especially at eleven at night. It far out-did all that I ever saw in America. For about an hour and a half there was such weeping, so many falling into deep distress, and expressing it various ways, as is inexpressible. The people seem to be slain by scores. They are carried off, and come into the house like soldiers wounded in, and carried off a field of battle. Their cries and agonies are exceedingly affecting. Mr. M―― preached after I had ended, till past one in the morning, and then could scarce persuade them to depart. All night in the fields, might be heard the voice of prayer and praise. Some young ladies were found by a gentlewoman praising God at break of day. She went and joined with them. The Lord is indeed much with me. I have preached twice to-day already, and am to preach twice, perhaps three times more. The commotions increase. To-morrow, and on sabbath-day, I shall preach at Calder; on Monday, here again; and on Tuesday at Kilsyth, and then, God willing, at Glasgow. I am persuaded the work will spread more and more. My kindest respects to all. Accept of the same from, my dear love,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXIX.

To the Reverend Mr. W――, of Dundee.

Edinburgh, July 7, 1742.

Reverend and dear Sir,

YOUR letter gave me some little concern, I thought it breathed much of a sectarian spirit; to which I hoped dear Mr. W―― was quite averse. Methinks you seem, dear Sir, not satisfied, unless I declare myself a Presbyterian, and openly renounce the church of England. God knows that I have been faithful in bearing a testimony against what I think is corrupt in that church. I have shewn my freedom in communicating with the church of Scotland, and in baptizing children their own way. I can go no further. As for what you mention about the Quakers, I know not what particular exceptionable passages there were in my sermons, in which I mentioned them. That some good souls are among the Quakers, I doubt not.—For such I have charity, because our Lord hath given to them his spirit.—Though I am a strenuous defender of the righteousness of Christ, and utterly detest Arminian principles, yet I know that God gave me the Holy Ghost, before I was clear in either as to head-knowledge: and therefore, dear Sir, I am the more moderate to people who are not clear, supposing I see the divine image stamped upon their hearts. Mr. W――, Mr. L――, &c. I take to be holy men of God, though they think far widely from me, and from each other in some particular branches of doctrine. Dear Sir, be not offended at my plain speaking. I find but few of a truly catholic spirit. Most are catholic till they bring persons over to their own party, and there they would fetter them. I have not so learned Christ. I desire to act as God acts. I shall approve, and join with all who are good in every sect, and cast a mantle of love over all that are bad, so far as is consistent with a good conscience. This I can do without temporizing; nay I should defile my conscience if I did otherwise. As for my answer to Mr. M――, dear Sir, it is very satisfying to my own soul. Morning and evening retirement is certainly exceeding good; but if through weakness of body, or frequency of preaching, I cannot go to God in my usual set times, I think my spirit is not in bondage. It is not for me to tell how often I use secret prayer; if I did not use it, nay, if in one sense I did not pray without ceasing, it would be difficult for me to keep up that frame of soul, which by the divine blessing I daily enjoy. If the work of God prospers, and your hands become more full, you will then, dear Sir, know better what I mean. But enough of this. God knows my heart, I would do every thing I possibly could, to satisfy all men, and give a reason of the hope that is in me with meekness and fear; but I cannot satisfy all that are waiting for an occasion to find fault: our Lord could not; I therefore despair of doing it. However, dear Sir, I take what you have said in very good part: only I think you are too solicitous to clear up my character to captious and prejudiced men. Let my master speak for me. Blessed be God, he will, so long as I simply throw myself into his almighty arms. I am glad the work goes on with you. Glory be to God, we have seen glorious things in the West. My tender love to all that are pleased to remember me. When I shall come your way, I know not. On Friday, God willing, I go to Cambuslang, where I expect to see great days of the son of man. That God may bless you abundantly more and more, and cause your latter end greatly to increase, is the hearty prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours &c.

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXX.

To the Reverend Mr. A――, in Dublin.

Glasgow, July 12, 1742.

Reverend and dear Sir,

ON Saturday I received your very kind letter, and being just now returned from Cambuslang, I snatch a few moments to acknowledge it. I have long since waited for a call to Ireland. In such an important step, I care not to proceed without great caution. When I find the cloud of divine providence moving your way, I trust the language of my heart will be, Lord, I come to do or suffer thy will! In the mean while, I will watch unto prayer. I doubt not but you, reverend and dear Sir, will help me herein. I thank you most heartily, for being jealous over me. I believe it is with a godly jealousy. I wish I was more jealous over myself. But blessed be God, this I can say in the midst of the honours wherewith the glorious Emmanuel hath honoured me, “Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto thy name be all the glory.” Dear Sir, I think I am the worst of the sons of men. Yet I dare not deny what the blessed Jesus hath done for my sinful soul. He is pleased (O infinitely condescending God!) to honour me still more and more. Saturday last I came to Cambuslang, and I think I never saw such things before. The work seems to be spreading. O that it may reach and overspread poor Ireland also! All things are possible with God. Now the Lord is watering so many other places, I pray he may not leave that intirely destitute and dry.—O for faith to expect great, and very great things from God! He does not love to disappoint people of their hope. Dear Sir, my heart is now enlarged with a sense of the freeness and fulness of the Redeemer’s loving-kindness. You, dear Sir, are an old weather beaten soldier. You are ripened for glory, and are ready to sing your Nunc dimittis¹.—I am just about to begin to be a soldier. But, blessed be God, I shall follow soon. The hopes of bringing more souls to Jesus Christ, is the only consideration that can reconcile me to life. For this cause I can willingly stay long from my wish’d-for home, my wished-for Jesus. But whither am I going? I forget myself when writing of Jesus. His love fills my soul, O free grace! Surely I shall sing the loudest in heaven; but I must have done; nature calls for rest. Depending on the continuance of your prayers, and with my hearty salutation to all that love the blessed Jesus, I subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, though younger and most unworthy brother and servant in the gospel of God’s dear Son,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXI.

To Mr. J―― C――, in London.

New-Kilpatrick, July 15, 1742.

My dear Brother,

OF all my fellow-labourers letters, I think yours come the sweetest to my soul. You do not forget the rock from whence you was hewn, and therefore the Lord will honour you more and more. Though I have so small a degree of humility myself, I can see and admire it in others. It is the queen of graces. O beg of the exalted Jesus to make me humble. Indeed I have need of humility, for I am honoured more and more. What I have sent you already, does not near come up to what I have seen since. Last Thursday night, and Friday morning, there was such a shock in Edinburgh as I never felt before. O what a melting and weeping was there! I have heard blessed effects of it since. All glory be to God through Christ. On Friday night I came to Cambuslang, to assist at the blessed sacrament. On Saturday I preached to above twenty thousand people. In my prayer the power of God came down and was greatly felt. In my two sermons, there was yet more power. On sabbath day, scarce ever was such a sight seen in Scotland. There were undoubtedly upwards of twenty thousand people. Two tents were set up, and the holy sacrament was administered in the fields. When I began to serve a table, the power of God was felt by numbers; but the people crouded so upon me, that I was obliged to desist and go to preach at one of the tents, whilst the ministers served the rest of the tables. God was with them, and with his people. There was preaching all day by one or another, and in the evening, when the sacrament was over, at the request of the ministers I preached to the whole congregation. I preached about an hour and a half. Surely it was a time much to be remembered. On Monday morning, I preached again to near as many; but such an universal stir I never saw before. The motion fled as swift as lightning from one end of the auditory to another. You might have seen thousands bathed in tears. Some at the same time wringing their hands, others almost swooning, and others crying out, and mourning over a pierced Saviour. But I must not attempt to describe it. In the afternoon, the concern again was very great. Much prayer had been previously put up to the Lord. All night in different companies, you might have heard persons praying to, and praising God. The children of God came from all quarters. It was like the passover in Josiah’s time. We are to have another in about two or three months, if the Lord will. One Mr. W――, a minister, who has great popular gifts, was as well as others much owned and helped at this time. On Tuesday morning I preached at Glasgow, (it was a most glorious time) and in the afternoon twice at Inchannon. The Lord gave a blow to many. Yesterday morning I preached there again, and here twice. Every time there was a great stir, especially at this place. A great company of awakened souls is within the compass of twenty miles, and the work seems to be spreading apace. I am exceedingly strengthened, O unmerited mercy! both in soul and body, and cannot now do well without preaching three times a day. The Lord gives me great confidence about the Orphan-house, and assures me that he will provide for me and mine. O help me to thank him. Call upon all to bless his holy name. I know you will not be slack to praise him. I rejoice, my dear brother, to find that you enjoy so much of God. May he fill you with all his fulness. The trials you meet with, will only make you a more able minister of the New Testament. I am of your mind with respect to ――. He will not prosper. The Lord hates sectarian zeal. Dear brother, adieu. Expect to hear every opportunity from

Yours most affectionately and eternally in the blessed Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXII.

To the Reverend Mr. R――, in London.

Inchannon, July 21, 1742.

Reverend and dear Sir,

I Heartily rejoice that the Lord is blessing and owning you. Go on, dear Sir, go on, and you will certainly find the glorious Emmanuel will be with you more and more. It is observable, that there is but one thing in scripture, that we are commanded to do out of season, preaching. Be instant therefore, dear Sir, in season and out of season. The Lord will stand by you and strengthen you, and deliver you from wicked and unreasonable men. You will find the blessedness of the cross, and the spirit of Christ and of glory to rest upon your soul. The Messrs. E―― and their adherents, would you think it, have appointed a publick fast to humble themselves, among other things, for my being received in Scotland, and for the delusion, as they term it, at Cambuslang, and other places; and all this, because I would not consent to preach only for them, till I had light into, and could take the solemn league and covenant.—But to what lengths may prejudice carry even good men?—From giving way to the first risings of bigotry and a party spirit, good Lord deliver us!

Your most affectionate brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXIII.

To Mr. M―― A――, at Morpeth.

Edinburgh, July 26, 1742.

Dear Sir,

I Just now received and read your letter. It much affected me. It bespeaks the language of an uneasy restless heart. In reading it, I thought of the great Austin, who used, when he prayed against lust, secretly to wish that his prayer might not be answered, and yet he made a most eminent saint, and shone in the church as a star of the first magnitude. I likewise thought how our Saviour would receive you, if here on earth; even as he received and answered the poor woman taken in adultery.—I am sure he would say, “Neither do I condemn thee.” Another text offers itself, “I will heal their backslidings, and love them freely.” God does not say, I will heal thy backsliding for any certain term of years, but I will heal thy backslidings in general. Dear Sir, if you have been a backslider these fifty years, nay, was it possible for you to have been a backslider a thousand years, yet if with hearty repentance and true faith you turn unto him, he will abundantly pardon you. O dear Sir, if any one had need to despair of mercy, I had; but Jesus has washed me in his blood, and I know that my Redeemer liveth. Your temptations, and atheism, and hard thoughts of God, do not surprize me. Dear Sir, what else can be expected from a heart desperately wicked, and deceitful above all things? Dear Sir, let all this drive you to the fountain which is open for sin and all uncleanness. I once, in your circumstances, thought Christ was hard-hearted; but now I find, nay have long since found, that his heart is full of love. Take courage, dear Sir; draw near to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Return, thou wandering prodigal, thy heavenly father is running to meet thee.—Come back, thou fluttering dove, Jesus is ready to take thee into the ark. May God bless this to you! If he does, I will bless his name. I am a vile sinner, and have need to lie low before him, whom I have pierced by my transgression and unprofitableness, times without number. In his blood and righteousness I find perpetual refuge. Many in these parts are flying to him. May you, Sir, add to the happy number. You are but a sinner, and Jesus died for sinners. Come and welcome to Jesus Christ. I expect to remain in Scotland a few months, and hope to be your way, if the Lord direct. If your way should be directed hither, I should be glad to see you; if not, you are welcome to write to me. As my multiplicity of affairs will admit, you shall be answered by, dear Sir,

Your truly affectionate friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. M^cL――.

Edinburgh, July 28, 1742.

Reverend and dear Sir,

WITH this, I suppose, you will receive several young ones, who I think have acted wrong in leaving their respective employs under parents and masters to go after me. Be pleased to examine them, and send them home. The Lord was with me at Falkirk, and is pleased to work by me here. O free grace! I am persuaded I shall have more power, since dear Mr. G―― hath printed such a bitter pamphlet. Now I begin to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I rejoice and am exceeding glad. The archers shot sore at me that I might fall, but the Lord is, and the Lord will be my helper. At present I can add no more; but beg the continuance of your prayers for me and mine. We all join in hearty salutation to you and your whole houshold. I am, reverend and dear Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant, and brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXV.

To Mr. D―― A――, in London.

Edinburgh, July 30, 1742.

Dear Brother A――,

WHAT is the meaning I hear no oftner from you? It always gives me great pleasure to hear of your welfare. I write to you as often as possible. At present I am somewhat indisposed in body; but, glory be to God, the joy of the Lord is in my soul. I feel a blessing I cannot express.

July 31.

So far I wrote yesterday, but was obliged through illness to leave off.—Notwithstanding, in the pulpit the Lord out of weakness makes me to wax strong, and causes me to triumph more and more. One of the associate presbytery has published the most virulent pamphlet I ever saw, ascribing all that has been done here, and even in New-England, &c. to the influence of the devil. O how prejudice will blind the eyes even of good men. Last night some of my friends thought I was going off; but how did Jesus fill my heart! To-day I am, as they call it, much better; next post, if able, I will send you some more news. My health will not permit me to enlarge now. In less than a month, we are to have another sacrament at Cambuslang, a thing not practised before in Scotland. I entreat all to pray in an especial manner for a blessing at that time. Our blessed master is exceeding good to us. O help me to praise him for the signal unmerited mercies conferred on, dear brother A――,

Your most affectionate brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXVI.

To Mr. H―― B――, in South-Carolina.

August 6, 1742.

Dear Mr. B――,

I Have just been walking with a nobleman in his fine house, and likewise talking with him about the house not made with hands, of which you and I are heirs. Blessed be God, who has given us the earnest of an inheritance amongst all them that are sanctified. This you shall surely in a very little time be a possessor of, notwithstanding of late satan has bruised your heel. That cunning, cruel archer has shot sorely at you, that you might fall, but the Lord has been, and the Lord will be your helper. Even this shall work together for good to your own and many other souls. Our Saviour would never have given satan leave to have sifted you, had he not prayed for you, and intended to bring great good out of it. If it makes you more like a little child, and your friends and acquaintance more watchful and self-diffident, it will be very well. O dear Sir, I see every day plainer and plainer that I am nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing, and yet I can do all things through Jesus Christ strengthening me. What God has lately done for me and his church, is unspeakable. Ere long I hope to tell you face to face. In the mean time, be pleased to remember me in your prayers and praises. Accept my hearty thanks for all favours conferr’d on my orphan family. Be pleased to remember me in the kindest and most cordial manner, to all your dear relations, and believe me to be, dear Mr. B――,

Your most obliged affectionate friend, brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXVII.

To Mr. R―― S――.

Strath-martin, August 10, 1742.

Dear brother Robert,

I Can never let a letter of yours lie long unanswered. The love I bear to you and yours is unfeigned, and I continually remember you before the Lord. His word runs and is much glorified in these parts. I trust it also makes advances in your soul. How is it with you, my dear brother R――? Do you grow in grace? Is the world more under your feet than usual? Do you find a real, solid, abiding rest in Jesus Christ? Or is it only transitory and superficial? It is a very uncommon thing to be rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus. I find persons may have the idea, but are far from having the real substance. To say, “I am a poor sinner,” and to be a poor sinner indeed, are two different things. Methinks I hear my dear man say, and so they are. Well then, let us go to Jesus, and he will make us poor and yet free. Blessed be his name, I feel the power of his precious, life-giving, all-atoning blood more and more every day. I was happy when at London. I am ten times happier now. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. How is my dear Peter? Is his heart yet established and settled upon the rock? Or is the dove only fluttering about the door of the ark? If so, may the dear Redeemer reach out his almighty and extended arm, and take him in! Dear B―― I hope grows, because he seems to see more of his heart. We shall certainly bear fruit upwards, in proportion as we take root downwards. May the eternal spirit breathe upon this letter, and bless it to your soul! O my brother, keep close to Jesus. Do not be content, unless you feel a sensible growth in your soul. Accept my hearty love from,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXVIII.

To P――, at London.

Strath-martin, August 10, 1742.

Dear P――,

THE great trouble which I gave you when at London, and the readiness you shewed in waiting upon a poor unworthy minister of Christ, hath made me often to pray for you, and also to hope, that in time you would be brought to love the Lord Jesus himself. I trust that time is now come, and that the glorious Emmanuel hath at length captivated and taken full possession of your heart. Will you give me leave to ask a few friendly questions? Has religion sunk out of your head into your heart? You was civilized when I was at London: Are you yet really converted? Your affections were now and then raised towards,—are they now centered in and fixed on the Lord Jesus? If you can answer these questions in the affirmative, I pronounce you a wise virgin, even wise to eternal salvation; blessed art thou among women. If not, I do not despair of you. Jesus can change the heart. Jesus can make of a proud pharisee, a poor sinner. Let you and I then, dear P――, apply to the Redeemer’s blood. He can wash us as white as snow. I feel his power every day more and more, and so do those with me. May we go on from strength to strength, till grace be swallowed up in glory. We see great days of the son of man in Scotland. May the kingdom of God come with full power over all the earth! The Lord be with you. Accept this as a token of unfeigned love, from

Your affectionate friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXXXIX.

To Mr. B――, at the Orphan-house.

Cambuslang, August 17, 1742.

AND has my dear brother B―― got the start of me? What, put into prison before me? I wish you joy, my dear brother, with all my heart. Had I been at Savannah, surely I would gladly have come (and if there had been need) gladly have washed your feet. I doubt not but your imprisonment was for Christ’s sake. I am persuaded, the letter from your friend that doubted, was the sorest stab of all; but all is intended to draw us from the creature, even from the new creature, and bring us nearer to the Creator, God blessed for evermore. Paul’s friends deserted, and no doubt judged him. “All they in Asia forsook me,” says he; and again, “At my first trial no man stood by me;” and what follows? but “the Lord stood by me:” and will he not, dear brother, also stand by you? I cannot help believing but that Georgia will yet be a glorious colony. The counsel of God shall stand. He surely put it into my heart to build the Orphan-house. He certainly brought you to Georgia to superintend it. He will bless you and yours. I join in blessing God with you, and in admiring how he has spread a table for my dear family in that wilderness. But what shall we say? The Lord loves to encourage faith; and since his honour is so much concerned, I am sure he will vindicate it, and never suffer his enemies to say thus of us, “There, there, so would we have it.” I am kept from the least doubting; and God only knows how many prayers of faith I have put up for you. I have often wished as it were for the wings of a dove, that I might fly unto you, and take you one by one into my unworthy arms, and weep over you with tears of love. Blessed be God, the time draws near apace. I am just now about to publish a further account of the Orphan-house, and hope shortly to collect some more money towards its support. I am blessed with far greater success than ever, and satan roars louder. You will see by what I here send, how the archers of different classes shoot at me; but the Lord (for ever adored be his never-failing love) causes my bow to abide in strength, and enables me to triumph in every place. The comforts and success the Lord gives to me, is unspeakable. Last Lord’s day, I believe there were here thirty thousand people, and above two thousand five hundred communicants. The work spreads, and I believe will yet spread. My bodily strength is daily renewed, and I mount on the wings of faith and love like an eagle. I can only cry Grace! grace! My dear brother, I feel every day more and more, that I am a poor, very poor sinner. I often wonder why Jesus suffers me to live, much more to speak for him. But he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. O free grace! Oh unparalleled love of an infinitely condescending God! Whilst I am musing, the fire kindles. Surely we shall have a happy meeting in Georgia. My Master will, I trust, come along with me. Otherwise, may I not go up hence. In the mean while, I pray him to quicken and revive your dear souls, and fill you as with new wine. Thus he deals with me and mine daily. I am retired for a day, on purpose to write letters. The Lord bless them to your dear souls, whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I wish you had told me who stood by at Savannah and brought you refreshment. Greet them, and give them particular thanks in my name. My heart is full; I know not how to stop. But I must write to the trustees, and to others. I heard nothing of the affair, till I received your letter last week. A word or two of yours to Mr. O――, I think a little too harsh; but Paul spoke once a little too harsh to the high-priest. Our Jesus will overlook this; and reward you for your imprisonment by and by. Adieu! my dear man, adieu! Forget not,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXL.

To the Honourable Trustees for Georgia.

Cambuslang, Aug. 17, 1742.

Honoured Gentlemen,

SOME letters, which I received last week from Georgia, occasion my troubling you with this, which I doubt not will meet with a candid reception at your hands. I find that Mr. H―― and Mr. B―― have been taken up by a warrant, and were imprisoned above a week, for a thing which, I believe, none of you, honoured gentlemen, will judge cognizable by the civil magistrate. It seems that Mr. B――, in a private conversation with Mr. O――, (who, I suppose, is the present minister of Savannah) told him, “He was no ‘christian’; that he wondered at the impudence of young men in subscribing articles they did not believe; and that he should think it his duty to warn his friends not to hear him.” I acknowledge that such language was too harsh; but Mr. H――, who did not say near so much, was linked in the same prosecution, and imprisoned with him. Mr. J――, who was then at Frederica, being informed of it, declared such a procedure to be illegal; and his Excellency General Oglethorp, desired my friends to lay the matter before the board of the Honourable Trustees. I being now upon the spot, they have sent to me a very particular account of what has passed; which, if you please, honoured gentlemen, I will transmit unto you, or, when I come to London, will wait upon you in person. I find also, that my friends were denied a copy of the proceedings of the court: in which, I am persuaded the honourable gentlemen to whom I am writing, will think they have been wronged. My friends require no satisfaction, but only desire such a proceeding may be animadverted upon; knowing that otherwise it will be a great discouragement to people’s settling in Georgia. I am sorry also to inform you, honoured gentlemen, that five very small children, (Swiss or Dutch) whose parents lately died in their passage from England, have had their goods sold at Vendue, and are bound out till the age of twenty-one years. This I think directly contrary to the grant given me by you, honoured gentlemen; for thereby I was impowered to take as many orphans into the house as my fund would admit of. The magistrates, I understand, have also been at the Orphan-house, and claim a power to take away the children when they please, whether the children chuse it, or complain of ill-treatment, or not. This grieves some of the children, and makes others of them insolent, who are hereby taught, that they have a power to go away when they will. This, honoured gentlemen, must be very discouraging to those who are entrusted with their education; and who, I am persuaded, aim at nothing but the glory of God, the welfare of the colony, and the salvation of the children’s souls. I suppose that the magistrates (I mean Mr. P―― and Mr. T――) have taken such a liberty from the instructions which were sent, honoured gentlemen, from you some time ago. But Mr. J―― has told them, they have misunderstood you; and his Excellency General Oglethorp I find has wrote to you, honoured gentlemen, about it. By the accounts I have, our plantation thrives well; and Mr. H―― hopes we shall do with white servants alone. I do assure you, honoured gentlemen, I will do all I can, with the most disinterested views, to promote the good of Georgia: only I beg the management of the Orphan-house, and orphans, may be secured to me and my successors for ever; and that the magistrates be not suffered to disturb us, when there is no ground of complaint. They acknowledged, when at the Orphan-house last, that the children were taken good care of, both as to their bodies and souls; and will it not then, honoured gentlemen, tend much to the welfare of the colony, that the Orphan-house should meet with all possible encouragement. His Excellency General Oglethorp has informed my friend Mr. H――, that, if I desired it, he thought you would grant me a greater tract of land, which I should be obliged to give away in a certain term of years, and that we might have our own magistrates, as have the people of Ebenezer. Whether I shall desire such a favour, I know not; but, if I should, I desire to know, what you, honoured gentlemen, would say to it. Many have applied to me to settle in Georgia; hitherto I could give them no encouragement. I wish I may be enabled to give them a great deal for the future. Indeed, honoured gentlemen, I do not desire to find fault. I doubt not but you have been prejudiced both against me and my friends. The event will shew what friends we are to Georgia. The Orphan-house will certainly be of great utility to the colony; and the children educated therein, I trust, will be the glory of the society to which they belong. They are bred up to industry, as well as to other things; and are taught to fear God, and honour the king. I am glad to hear that you have lately sent over a gentleman who (I suppose) will do justice. I think I desire nothing else; and heartily pray God to bless him, and you, honoured gentlemen, and all that are concerned in the management of Georgia affairs. I hope to be in town in about two months; in the mean while, I would beg the favour of a line by your secretary; and also entreat you, honoured gentlemen, to write to the magistrates of Savannah, to let the Orphan-house managers alone. If I or my friends should happen to say or do any thing amiss, I assure you, honoured gentlemen, you shall have all possible satisfaction given you by them, and also by, honoured gentlemen,

Your very humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLI.

To Mr. H――, in Georgia.

Cambuslang, Aug. 17, 1742.

My very dear Friend and Brother,

WITH a great deal of pleasure I received your letters dated May 14th, 26th, 29th, and June 1st. Blessed be God! for all his goodness, in providing for my dear family in that wilderness, by such various unexpected ways. It caused my heart to leap for joy. I find you have been wrongfully imprisoned. I should have been glad (if time had permitted) that you had wrote me word, how it has been with your soul under such a circumstance. I hope the spirit of Christ and of glory rested upon you. Glad should I have been to have sung and prayed with you; but my hour is not yet come. I have just now wrote to the trustees, and intend waiting upon them as soon as I come to London. I am persuaded the Lord will influence their hearts to do us justice. I am glad you wrote so properly to the General, and that God hath given you favour in his sight. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes his very enemies to be at peace with him.” I intend sending him and Mr. Jones a letter of thanks. I owe Mr. S―― only about ninety pounds, and about a hundred and fifty more in all, upon the Orphan-house account in England. I am just publishing a further account, which I am persuaded the Lord will bless. I would not have you to undertake any business you do not like. I think the Lord has fitted you for your present station. Professor Franck held it dangerous to change persons frequently, who were entrusted with the care of the orphans. I am of your opinion as to hiring servants.—It is impossible to tell you, my dear man, what I have seen, heard, and felt since I came last to Scotland. The glorious Emmanuel rides daily on in the chariot of his gospel, from conquering and to conquer. The congregations are just like that at Fogg-Manor.—I am opposed on all sides. Dear Mr. E――’s people have lately kept a fast upon my account. The kirk presbyters also, now they see the Seceders splitting, notwithstanding I have been instrumental in God’s hands, in some degree, in stopping the secession, begin to call some of their ministers to account for employing me: but who can stand before envy? In the midst of all, my dear Master keeps me leaning upon himself, and causes me to walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost from morning to night. I wish time would have allowed you to have wrote a little about his love, and to have abounded more in thanks for the opportune supplies which he sent you. But I am sure that my dear Mr. H―― is not wanting in either of these. I think that I see you grow in grace. I assure you, you are dearer to me than ever. My wife readily excuses your not writing, knowing what it is to be in a hurry of business. O pray that we may have a prosperous voyage to you, by the will of God. By this time I suppose you are a father. May God teach you and your wife how to order the child! I have much to say to you both, when I see you. My dear old friend, and first fellow-traveller, God has yet great blessings in store for us. He will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he with-hold from them that lead a godly life. Methinks I am conversing with you now. May God give us a happy meeting! He will, he will! For the present I must bid my dear man good night. I stole this day from public preaching, to dispatch my private affairs. All join in hearty love to, and prayers for you. Accept of the same in the most tender manner, from, my dear Mr. H――,

Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant till death,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLII.

To his Excellency General Oglethorp.

Cambuslang, Aug. 18, 1742.

Honoured Sir,

I Most heartily thank you for being so kind to my family in Georgia, and for espousing my friends cause when I think they were apparently wronged. In a letter, I yesterday laid the case before the honourable trustees, not doubting but they will preserve us from oppression, and from persecution in all its shapes. I think we have only the glory of God, and the good of the colony at heart. Prejudices may be raised against us by evil reports and misrepresentations; but your Excellency is more noble than to hearken to insinuations, which are not supported by evident matters of fact. I am sure God will bless you for defending the cause of the fatherless, and espousing the cause of injured innocence. My friends, I trust, will at all times readily acknowledge any thing they may either say or do wrong; and, if I know any thing of my own heart, I would not offend any one causelessly and wilfully, for the world. In a few months I hope to see Georgia. In the mean while, I beg your Excellency to accept these few lines of thanks from, honoured Sir,

Your Excellency’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLIII.

To Thomas J――, Esq., in Georgia.

Cambuslang, Aug. 18, 1742.

Dear Mr. J――,

WITH this I send you my repeated thanks for your great kindness to my dear family. The Father of Mercies and the God of all Consolations will plentifully reward you for such well-doing. In a few months I hope to thank you in person. God hath done, and is still doing greater things for me than I am able to express. Indeed many souls have been born again, both in England and Scotland, since I left you at Georgia. I desire to cast my crown at the feet of Jesus, and to cry Grace! grace! Dear Sir, what a charming word is that? I am sure I can freely own, that all my salvation is of grace, unmerited, distinguishing, electing grace! If I could be saved by my own righteousness, I had rather be saved by the righteousness of Christ; because that way of salvation brings most glory to our glorious God. I doubt not but Mr. J―― is like-minded. May he be so more and more, and daily feel the full power of the Redeemer’s blood! Be pleased to remember me to all that are pleased to enquire after unworthy me, who am, dear Sir,

Your most obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLIV.

To Mrs. B――, at the Orphan-house.

Cambuslang, Aug. 18, 1742.

Dear Sister B――,

HAS the Lord called for your dear lambs? If so, I trust you have been enabled to say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord.” I am glad to find you was so well reconciled to your dear husband’s imprisonment. It is sweet when wives are strengthened to encourage their husbands in a suffering hour. Then are they helps meet for them indeed. You do well, my dear Sister, to lament the vileness of your heart. I find more and more that my heart is desperately wicked. But, blessed be God, I have a fountain to go and wash in every moment, even the blessed fountain of the Mediator’s blood. There I can have free access; there I can wash, and daily be made clean. Indeed, my dear sister, without dissimulation, I am a poor, very poor sinner; but I am rich in Jesus, and rejoice in his great salvation from day to day. I long to see you and my dear family, to acquaint you what God hath done for my soul: and yet he is still doing more and more. He does, he will delight to honour me. I thank you for the great respect you pay me for his great name’s sake. I will endeavour not to be behind with you, and the rest of my dear friends, in humility and love. I am, my dear sister, most sincerely,

Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLV.

To Mr. B――.

Cambuslang, Aug. 18, 1742.

Dear Mr. B――,

I Think there is a mystery in the Lord’s dealing with you and your brother. Surely he would never suffer you to be thus tempted, did he not intend to honour you by and by. What our Saviour does to us now we know not; it is enough that he hath assured us we shall know hereafter. I rejoice to hear that you have so many christian negroes. I hope they are only the first-fruits of a more glorious harvest. Though the work may be at a stop for a while, fear not; Jesus will revive his own work in his own time. Notwithstanding our blunders, imprudence, and the opposition of enemies from without, yet the counsel of the Lord shall stand, and he will set his king upon his holy hill of Zion. The Mediator’s kingdom makes glorious advances here. I cannot tell you the hundredth part. I verily believe we shall see greater things abroad. I know you pray that I may have a prosperous journey to you, by the will of God. I expect to embark for Georgia in a few months. In the mean while, you shall not be forgotten by, dear Mr. B――,

Your most affectionate friend, brother and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLVI.

To Mrs. T――, in South-Carolina.

Cambuslang, Aug. 18, 1742.

My dear Friend,

I Am glad to hear by your sister, that you are become a despised follower of the lowly Jesus.—O glorious character! I am persuaded you had rather have that title truly applied to you, than to be empress of the universe. I long to see you, and to hear you tell what a happy change you feel. How does dear Mr. T――? Is he yet truly broken, and going hand in hand with you to heaven? Happy pair!—I know, by sweet experience, the comforts you enjoy. Death itself shall not part you. I hope, nothing that has happened to dear Mr. B―― will prove a stumbling block to your soul. Such things must be glory to him, that has said “all things shall work together for good.” My dear friends, what a mystery is the christian life? Happy those, who are acquainted with it. That it may be revealed more and more in your hearts, is the earnest prayer of, dear friends,

Your most affectionate friend, brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLVII.

To Mr. H―― H――.

Cambuslang, Aug. 26, 1742.

My very dear Brother,

GLAD was I last night to receive a letter from your hands. I love your simple honest heart, and earnestly pray the dear Redeemer to give you a true, lasting, abiding rest in himself. Blessed be his name, I think I can say, through free grace, that I am in a measure entered into it, and know what it is by happy experience, to pass from glory to glory every day. My dear brother, I am opposed on every side; the archers shoot sore at me that I may fall, but the Lord is my helper. He causes my bow to abide in strength, and makes me more than conqueror through his love. The account sent with this, will shew you how often I have been enabled to preach; but with what efficacy and success, pen cannot describe. The glorious Redeemer seems to be advancing from congregation to congregation, carrying all before him. The Messrs. E――’s people have kept a fast for me, and give out, that all the work now in Scotland is only delusion, and by the agency of the devil. O, my dear brother, to what great lengths in bigotry and prejudice may good men run? Blessed be God, I can see the differences between God’s children, and yet love them from my heart. What you said about poor Wales, affected me. I laid upon my face this day, and for some time pleaded with groans unutterable, for direction in that, and several other matters of great consequence. I fear my dear brother thinks too highly of me. Indeed, I feel myself to be a poor sinner, and yet I am rich in Christ, and lean upon his bosom from morning to night; nay, all the night long. By his grace alone I am what I am; and if he is pleased to honour me so far, I should be glad to help the brethren in Wales. I am sorry to hear there has been such divisions. But dividing times generally precede settling times. Upon the receipt of your last, I wrote to Mr. O――. Last night I received his answer. He speaks very honourably of you, but thinks that you are too censorious, in condemning a whole society for the faults of but some, and too bigotted also to your own way. My dear brother will excuse this. I would not deal so freely, or take such liberty, did I not believe you would take it kindly. My brother, my soul loves you. Dear Miss Nancy wrote me word you was at my house, (I rejoiced) and that you prayed heartily for unworthy me. The Lord reward, and fill you with all joy and peace in believing! Our Lord is sovereign in his dealing with his dear children. I walk in much liberty. O free grace! Your being so exercised with inward conflicts, helps you to search hypocrites. But glory be to our heavenly Father, there is a glorious rest awaits us, and all the children of God. I think I feel a foretaste of it now; nay, I believe I feel the thing itself in a degree, and when I speak of it, I speak what I know. O infinitely condescending God! My brother, my heart is full. The Lord Jesus bless you, and fill your dear soul with all his fulness! So prays, with his whole heart,

Your most affectionate though most unworthy brother, and willing servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLVIII.

To Mrs. L――, in Bristol.

Cambuslang, Aug. 26, 1742.

Honoured Mother,

I Rejoice to hear that you have been so long under my roof. Blessed be God, that I have a house for my honoured mother to come to. You are heartily welcome to any thing my house affords, as long as you please. I am of the same mind now, as formerly. If need was, indeed these hands should administer to your necessities. I had rather want myself than you should. I shall be highly pleased when I come to Bristol, and find you sitting in your youngest son’s house. O that I may sit with you, in the house not made with hands eternal in the heavens! Ere long, your doom, honoured mother, will be fixed. You must shortly go hence, and be no more seen. Your only daughter, I trust, is now in the paradise of God. Methinks I hear her say, “Mother, come up hither.” Jesus, I am sure, calls you in his word. May his spirit enable you to say, “Lord, lo I come!” My honoured mother, I am happier and happier every day. Jesus makes me exceeding happy in himself. I hope by Winter to be at Bristol. If any enquire after me, please to tell them, I am well both in body and soul, and desire them to help me to praise free and sovereign grace. O that my dear, my very honoured mother may be made an everlasting monument of it! How does my heart burn with love and duty to you? gladly would I wash your aged feet, and lean upon your neck, and weep and pray ’till I could pray no more. With this I send you a thousand dutiful salutations, and ten thousand hearty and most humble thanks for all the pains you underwent in conceiving, bringing forth, nursing, and bringing up, honoured mother,

Your most unworthy, though most dutiful son, ’till death,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXLIX.

To Mr. A――, in London.

Cambuslang, Aug. 27, 1742.

My very dear Brother A――,

THIS day fortnight I came to this place, to assist at the sacramental occasion with several worthy ministers of the church of Scotland. Such a passover has not been heard of. The voice of prayer and praise was heard all night. It was supposed, that between 30 and 40,000 people were assembled, and 3000 communicated. There were three tents. The ministers were enlarged, and great grace was among the people. I preached once on Saturday, once on the Lord’s Day morning, served five tables, and preached about ten at night to a great number in the Church-yard. Though it rained much, there was a great awakening. On Monday at seven in the morning, the Reverend Mr. Webster preached, and there was a very great commotion, and also in the third sermon when I preached, a very great and serious concern was visible through the whole solemnity. The Lord’s people went home much refreshed. On Thursday I preached twice at Greenock; on Friday three times at Kilbride, and again on Saturday once, and twice at Stevenson; on Sunday four times at Irvine. On Monday once at Irvine, and three times at Kilmarnock; on Tuesday once at Kilmarnock, and four times at Stewarton; on Wednesday once at Stewarton, and twice at the Mearnes; and yesterday twice at this place. I never preached with so much apparent success before. At Greenock, Irvine, Kilbride, Kilmarnock, and Stewarton, the concern was great: at the three last very extraordinary. The work seems to spread more and more. O, my friend, pray and give praise in behalf of the most unworthy wretch that was ever employed in the dear Redeemer’s service. I speak this from my inmost soul. I must cry out continually, “Why me Lord, why me?” My dear brother A――, I love you dearly in the bowels of the Lord Jesus Christ. I think I could live with you always. The Lord, I think, hath given you a meek and teachable disposition. O what is it to be as little children! I am glad to find, you so hunger and thirst after a continual abiding rest in God. Assure yourself, the Lord will fill and satisfy your soul. He is faithful, who hath promised, who also will do it. Wait, and thou shalt see and feel the salvation of God. I think I have seen it more for some days past, than in any journey before. Our Saviour loves to let us see yet greater things. O for a large heart to receive all the fulness of God! I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you at the Tabernacle. May his glory appear, and shine in it more and more! I believe it will: I believe God will bless your school. Our Lord’s Disciples are generally too much in a hurry; at least I am. They are not content to wait. “He that believeth, doth not make haste.” O for a passive, tender, truly broken, child-like heart! that we could watch in reality, and from moment to moment hear the cry of every Christian, with every call from God, whether by his providence or spirit. It is said, that God brought and kept Abraham at his feet. O that we were always there, waiting for divine direction! Blessed be his name, I am for the most part at the feet of Jesus, and indeed he graciously teaches me moment after moment. I have many things before me now. I know brother A―― will help me by his prayers. Blessed be God, our heaven is begun here.

Your truly affectionate brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCL.

To Mr. S―― C――, in Deptford.

Glasgow, Sept. 2, 1742.

My very dear Brother C――,

I Am just now come from the pulpit, wherein I have experienced much of the Redeemer’s power, and seen his stately outgoings in the sanctuary. My brother, the cry of my heart is, “and will God indeed dwell with such a wretch as I am.” Methinks a voice echo’s from above, “I have dwelt in thee, I do dwell in thee, I will dwell in thee for evermore.” My heart replies, “Lord, I believe and worship.”

A heart that no desire can move,

But still to adore, believe, and love.

This, my dear brother, is the present, and indeed continual bent of my soul, which I trust prospers. I feel myself to grow more poor inwardly; I see, I am but a learner in the school of Christ, and my dear Master teaches me new lessons every day. About a week ago, I think he did more for me than ever I saw before. Glory be to God, that he is so much with you at London. I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice. I am amazed when I hear, as I do almost every day, of some fresh persons wrought upon by my unworthy ministry. This humbles me very much, and brings me very low at the feet of the ever-loving Jesus. I dare not deny that I am one of his chosen; but I am jealous for myself and for those about me, lest we should grieve the holy Spirit, and oblige him to withdraw for our ingratitude, unfruitfulness, pride, selfishness, and insensibility of the blessings we enjoy. Last night I went to sleep quite angry, but chiefly with myself.—I saw that I had received much, and did so little for my God, and Christ, that I could feelingly smite upon my breast, lay my head upon my pillow, and close my eyes with these words, “God be merciful to me a sinner?” And to-day, what have I seen and felt, yea what do I now feel? My soul is swallowed up in God. His presence is filling my soul, and renewing my bodily strength. Here is free grace, my dear brother. Was you here, I think I could now warm your heart with a lecture upon the unparalleled love of Jesus; but time is short: blessed be God, an eternity is before me, but “eternity too short to utter all his praise.” I think I love you and yours unfeignedly, and rejoice that you enjoy sweet fellowship together. Glory be to God, that you have gotten many living stones. Trust the great Redeemer, the all-wise contriver and perfecter of his spiritual temple, to put them together. I have been faulty in looking too much to foreign help, and despising that which God had given me. When our Lord was to feed the multitude, he would not create new bread, but multiplied the loaves that were already at hand. “Ye need not send them away, give ye them to eat,” said he: so say I to my dear brethren at the tabernacle. “Work with the materials you have.” In doing the work, God will teach you how to do it.—Experience will grow up with the work itself. Thus God hath dealt with me, and so he continues to deal. May his blessed spirit guide you all into all truth, and give you a right judgment in all things! I love to see the little child in others, though I see so little of it in my unworthy self. But I must not exceed; other business demands my attention. Write to me often about the state of the church. Mr. E――’s people rather run greater and greater lengths in misguided zeal. Our love to all. I intreat a continuance of your prayers, because the archers are shooting from every quarter at, dear brother C――,

Your poor weak brother in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCLI.

To Brother T――, in London.

Glasgow, September 4, 1742.

My dear Brother,

I Hope this letter will find you, where your last left you, at the feet of the meek and lowly Jesus. My dear brother, it is a delightful situation: Mary found it so. O true poverty of spirit, what a rare, yet what a precious thing it is! The foundation of it, is a deep, abiding knowledge of the corruption of the heart, and its desperate wickedness. I find more and more the necessity of leaning upon my beloved, whilst travelling through the wilderness of this world. I find I am yet but learning in the school of Christ, and scarce know any thing as I ought to know. I often blush at a sense of my unfruitfulness, ingratitude, &c. and yet am made continually to rejoice in his great salvation. My brother, press on and faint not; though faint, yet still pursue. When your father and mother forsake you, the Lord will take you up. I do not wonder at your father’s opposition. His letter bespeaks him to be a man of a very bad spirit. I thought proper to burn it. My brother, pray for him, and beg of Jesus that you may behave with all meekness, humility and love. I would enlarge, but time is short, and much of my dear Master’s business is lying before me. For the present, adieu! My kind love to all. May the Lord keep you unspotted from the world. You shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb. We see wond’rous things here. Pray and give thanks for

Your affectionate friend, and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCLII.

To Mr. B――, in London.

Glasgow, Sept. 4, 1742.

My dear Brother B――,

I Embrace a few moments to answer your kind letter. Not want of love but leisure prevented my doing it before; yet I have not forgotten you in my prayers. Your case hath been upon my heart. I pray God you may be enabled, at this time especially, to plead the promise of temporal blessings. Remember, my dear brother, you can call God, your God and Father: if so, your God will supply all your wants. These words were so pressed upon my soul once when in extremity, that I hope I shall never forget them: “Be careful for nothing, but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” I have for these eight or nine years past, had no visible settled fund, but fetched in all temporal supplies by pleading the promises. My God never failed me, he never will. This morning I have been lecturing upon Elisha’s multiplying the widow’s oil. The Lord God of Elisha is yet living. O that you may have faith to apply to him. O that you may be willing to be made poor. My brother, I find freedom in writing to you. Blessed be God, who hath made any thing that I have spoken of use to your soul. Tell your wife, she must take my advice, and pray with you. She sins, I think, in omitting it. I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you at the tabernacle. May he be with you more and more! My brother, God is doing wonders here indeed. Every day he shews us great things. Yesterday, and the day before, how did he display his power? I am lost when I think of it. O that God should ever dwell with such an ill and hell-deserving wretch as I am! Amazing! Thy mercies, O God, they humble me. Adieu.

Your unworthy and affectionate friend and brother,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCLIII.

To Mr. J―― N――.

Edinburgh, Sept. 13, 1742.

My very dear brother N――,

I Have just been writing to our dear brother G―― T――, and now sit down to write to you. Both your letters came to me at the same time, and had I not been used to trials of that nature, would have affected me much. Dear Mr. T―― speaks many things, that I know are too true of the Moravian Brethren; but his spirit seems to be too much heated, and I fear some of his own wild-fire is mixed with that sacred fire of zeal, which comes from God. My dear brother, I want to be more like unto God, who sees and corrects all things that are amiss, and yet continues unmoved in his own nature. I want to be more like unto Jesus, God blessed for evermore! who sees all the quarrels and heart-risings of his children one amongst another, and yet bears with, and loves them still. My heart doth not reproach me, for my kindness and friendship with those that differ from me. I think I have been led by the word and spirit of God into this part of my conduct; but I confess that I am jealous, and trust with a godly jealousy, over many who talk and write of the Lamb, and who mimic some particular persons in their outward way of behaviour, but yet are not truly poor in spirit. They act too much like me, who at my first setting out imitated the outward shew of humility in Monsieur Dezenly, before I got true simplicity of heart. Indeed, I have too little of it now. But, blessed be God by his free grace, I am what I am. I think I can say I am made unfeignedly happy in the Lord Jesus Christ, and can discover in some measure between a false and disguised holiness. Glory be to the Redeemer’s name, I walk in light and liberty, and am enabled to rejoice in the Lord always. Though I can say to corruption, “Thou art my sister,” yet I can with a full assurance of faith at all times say, “God is my father, and all is mine, because I am Christ’s.” My dear, very dear host and brother, I pray God that you and I may more experience the glorious liberty of the children of God: a liberty not from the in-being, but from the reigning power and dominion of sin. Jesus came to make us kings, as well as priests, and it is our privilege to reign upon the earth. We that believe, do enter into rest. Faith is of an all-conquering nature, and causes us to trample sin, death, and hell under our feet. My dear brother, I experience more, unspeakably more of the Redeemer’s power, than when I saw you last. My happiness increases daily, and I am persuaded will increase, ’till grace is swallowed up in glory. My principles as to the fundamentals of the gospel are just the same as yours. I cannot renounce those precious truths, that I have felt the power of, and which were taught me not of man but of God. At the same time, I would love all that love Jesus, though they differ from me in some points. The angels love all the true worshippers of Jesus every where, and why should not we? If our brethren will quarrel with us, let us not quarrel with them. O my dear brother, I pray our dear Redeemer to give you meekness to those, who may not see so far as you do. I entreat you, my dear brother, to overcome their evil with your good. Zeal for God may excite others to oppose you, as well as you to oppose them; therefore bear with and love them. This will shew you to be a disciple indeed, and to have that mind, which was in Christ Jesus. O that we grew up into his divine likeness, and were indeed conformed to our great Exemplar! How truly simple and void of guilt should we be! Our brother, I fear, has not dealt uprightly with me. At first he called me a servant of God, and then a blasphemer and deceiver, and said, I should be in a miserable condition. Pray tell P―― of it, and acquaint him at the same time, that I grow happier and happier in the Lamb every day, and more and more honoured by the great Head and King of the Church. O simplicity! whether art thou fled?—In a short time I hope to embark for Georgia, and then, God willing, I shall see you face to face. Wonderful things have been doing here; things unspeakable and full of glory. The confusions abroad are no greater than what I expected to hear of. Just such a scene hath been at home; but the glorious Emmanuel will over-rule all for good. Why have you not written to my poor family in Georgia? I am persuaded great things will come from the orphan-house. O remember, my dear brother, to exercise catholic love in all its branches. I love and long much to see you. I shall write, God willing, to Mr. W――. I find his spirit is also imbittered. May the Lord sweeten all your hearts! With hearty thanks for all favours, I am, my very dear brother,

Most affectionately yours in the glorious Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCLIV.

To Mr. E――, in Philadelphia.

Edinburgh, Sept. 14, 1742.

My very dear Brother,

YOUR kind letter came to hand a few days ago, and I rejoice to hear that you are now happy. I wish you may be really settled and rooted and grounded in love, and no longer so tossed about as you have been in times past. I find many talk and boast of rest, of which I fear they have not yet got a feeling possession. There is as much difference between these two, as between a shadow and the substance. Far be it from me, to think thus of you, my dear brother. No, I believe our Saviour has really loved and washed you in his blood, and redeemed you unto God, that you might be a king and priest, and reign upon the earth. There is plenteous redemption in the blood of Jesus. He came, not only that we might have life, but that we might have it more abundantly. He that believeth on Jesus, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. They that believe enter into rest. O glorious redemption! O glorious liberty of the children of God! Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed; they, who having not seen, yet have loved Jesus, and do rejoice with joy unspeakable, even with joy that is full of glory. Blessed be God, that you feel more of this than you did a twelvemonth ago. In a year’s time, you will be ashamed to think what a dwarf you are now. A believer is to pass from glory to glory. It is ignorance and pride that makes us think we have already attained. The more we are acquainted with Jesus, the more we shall be acquainted with our own hearts, and grow more truly poor in spirit every day. Indeed, my dear brother, I am a thousand times happier than when you saw me. Jesus hath saved me from many corruptions, and is every day transforming me more and more into his own likeness. I cannot rest, unless I feel a sensible growth in my soul, and find that I get more of the true artless simplicity that was in Jesus. Blessed be God for that fulness which is in Christ, out of which we are all to receive grace for grace. Many, many souls have lately been drawing out of this fulness. I am amazed at his love to me! O free grace! O sovereign, distinguishing, unmerited love!—I think you did well in receiving some particular persons into your house. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers,” says the Apostle. I cannot think it is right, to be so far carried away with an orthodox scheme, as to neglect acts of love to the members of Christ’s body. Give me leave, my dear brother, to behave with all meekness toward those, who may not be so well affected toward such whom you love. If you do not take care, and keep close to the blessed Jesus, your spirit may be imbittered, and you may yet insensibly sink into bigotry. Some of our English friends, I am sure, have done so. It is a blessed thing to be kept free. Jesus can do this for you, my dear brother, and I am persuaded he will. In the love of a crucified Jesus,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCLV.

To Mr. M――, at Cambuslang.

Edinburgh, Sept. 15, 1742.

Rev. and dear Brother,

YOUR kind letter I received this morning. I wonder you can love me, for I feel myself more unworthy every day; and yet, dear Sir, the King of Kings still delights to honour me. At Cumbernauld, and Torphichen, the Lord was with me. I was much led to discourse upon walking with God, and had a sweet opening upon those words, “And Enoch walked with God, &c.” Since I have been at Edinburgh, the Lord has much blessed me, and given me some fresh teachings from his blessed spirit. I believe hundreds are fed day by day. O dear Sir, help me to adore free grace. May God reward you for all kindnesses shewn to me and mine! Indeed, dear Sir, I have scarce patience with myself. I can do so little in the day for God, that when I go to bed at night, I am quite ashamed. I trust I shall begin to do something now. Dear Sir, help me, help me by your prayers, that I may stir up the gift of God that is in me. I shall not easily forget you; fear not, the Lord will yet be with you. I have sent to Messrs. O―― and L――. I fear I cannot reach either of their places; but, God willing, I purpose to come home once more to Cambuslang, and then must take a long, long farewel. Blessed be God, we shall meet by and by, never to part any more. Then, dear Sir, our warfare will be accomplished, and the archers will shoot at us no more. My soul glows with love whilst I am writing. Sometimes I am enabled to look within the veil, and to take a view of the promised land. I am nothing, but Christ is my all. For the present, adieu! Dear Sir, adieu! My love to Robert, surnamed Nathaniel. All with me dearly love him. O join with him in praying, and giving thanks for us, especially, dear Mr. M――, for

Your weak, unworthy, though happy brother and servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCLVI.

To Mr. F――, in Pensylvania.

Edinburgh, Sept. 22, 1742.

My dear Brother F――,

I Received your two kind letters, dated June the 1st and 6th, and can only say, Christ is king in Zion, and orders all things well. I think you cannot have a scene of greater confusion among you, than there has been in England. But blessed be God, matters are brought to a better issue, and though we cannot agree in principles, yet we agree in love, Tho’, as you know, I am clear in the truths of the gospel, yet I find that principles of themselves, without the spirit of God, will not unite any set of men whatever; and where the spirit of God is in any great degree, there will be union of heart, though there may be difference in sentiments. This I have learnt, my dear brother, by happy experience, and find great freedom and peace in my soul thereby. This makes me to love many, though I cannot agree with them in some of their principles. I dare not look upon them as wilful deceivers, but as persons who hazard their lives for the sake of the gospel.—Mr. W―― I think is wrong in somethings, and Mr. L―― wrong also; yet I believe that both Mr. L―― and Mr. W――, and others, with whom we do not agree in all things, will shine bright in glory. It is best therefore for a gospel-minister, simply and powerfully to preach those truths he has been taught of God, and to meddle as little as possible with those who are children of God, though they should differ in many things. This would keep the heart sweet, and at the same time not betray the truths of Jesus. I have tried both the disputing, and the quiet way, and find the latter far preferable to the former. I have not given way to the Moravian Brethren, or Mr. W—y, or to any, whom I thought in an error, no not for an hour. But I think it best not to dispute, when there is no probability of convincing. I pray you, for Christ’s sake, to take heed lest your spirit should be imbittered, when you are speaking or writing for God. This will give your adversaries advantage over you, and make people think your passion is the effect of your principles. Since I have been in England this time, Calvin’s example has been very much pressed upon me. You know how Luther abused him. As we are of Calvinistical principles, I trust we shall in this respect imitate Calvin’s practice, and shew all meekness to those who may oppose. My dear brother, you will not be offended at my using this freedom. I am a poor creature, unworthy to advise you; but I simply tell you a little of my own experience. May the Lord give you, and all that stand up for the doctrines of the gospel, a right judgment in all things! For Jesus Christ’s sake, as much as in you lies, put a stop to disputing. It imbitters the spirit, ruffles the soul, and hinders it from hearing the small still voice of the Holy Ghost. May you be filled with all joy and peace in believing! God has been very gracious to me here. Wonderful things have been done in Scotland. When I shall come to you, I cannot as yet determine. I hope to embark in a few months. In the mean time, be pleased to remember me to all that love the glorious Emmanuel, and accept this in tenderest love from, my very dear brother,

Your most affectionate though most unworthy brother and servant in the kingdom and patience of Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCLVII.

To Mr. H――.

Edinburgh, Sept. 24, 1742.

My most endeared Friend and Brother,

YOUR short letter, dated July the 14th, I received two days ago, to my great satisfaction. I am glad my dear family is removed to Mr. B――, and rejoice, that our glorious God had raised him and his brother up, to be such friends in time of need. Our all-wise Saviour saw this, and therefore sent them to be converted at the Orphan-house. O Lord, thou art fearful in praises, glorious in holiness, doing wonders! I trust this will find you, my dear friends, and my dear lambs, happily settled at Bethesda. I cannot think, God will give you over into the enemies hands, or that he will suffer the enemy to abide in Georgia for any considerable time. My thoughts have been variously exercised, but my heart kept stedfast and joyful in the Lord of all Lords, whose mercy endureth for ever. The kings taking Lot, and Abraham recovering him out of their hands, hath been much pressed upon my heart. Abraham’s going into the land of Canaan, and being driven out by a grievous famine soon after he came there, has also been applied to my soul. And those words of Moses, “These enemies which you see, you shall see them no more,” have fallen with great warmth, and wait upon me. These things put together, keep my mind humbly depending upon God, in a full assurance that some great and good event for the kingdom of Jesus will ere long be brought about. I am supported in a peculiar manner, and kept from staggering through unbelief.—With this, I send you a continuation of the Orphan-house account, which I printed to satisfy the public, and to promote future collections. The news about the Spaniards, perhaps may strike a damp upon the collection at this time; but even this shall work for good. God has a wheel within a wheel. O, my dear brother, how do I long to be with you! You need not say, “if possible now come over,” for I have long wished for the wings of a dove to fly to Georgia. I yet owe upwards of two hundred and fifty pounds in England, upon the Orphan-house account, and have nothing towards it. How is the world mistaken about my circumstances: worth nothing myself, embarrassed for others, and yet looked upon to flow in riches? Our extremity is God’s opportunity. O faith, thou hast an all-conquering power! Surely, my dear man, you and the rest of you will grow now in this time of trial. Fear not, neither be dismayed: the Lord your God will fight for you. I put my trust in him, and through his mercy I shall not miscarry. He still strengthens me to go on from conquering to conquer. I pray for you, I think and dream of you almost continually. I long, I long to be with you, and methinks could willingly be found at the head of you kneeling and praying, though a Spaniard’s sword should be put to my throat. But alas! I know not how I should behave, if put to the trial: only we have a promise, “that as our day is, so our strength shall be.” I would gladly write to you all, but being so variously employed, having the superintendency of so many souls and so many spiritual affairs, in many different places, I feel a little of what St. Paul says, when he wrote these words, “besides that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” What am I? Lord, I adore and worship! I hope ere now you have had letters from brother G―― and Philadelphia friends. Some there, are suspicious that I am joined with the Moravian Brethren, but indeed I am not. My principles are still the same; only as I believe many of them love the Lord Jesus, I would love and be friendly to them, as I would be to all others, who I think bear the image of our common Master, notwithstanding some of my principles differ from theirs, and are as far distant as the East is from the West. Glory be to God, for keeping me stedfast to those truths, which himself and not man hath taught me. I feel the power of them more and more every day, and am continually made happier and happier in the righteousness of the glorious Redeemer. O free, sovereign, distinguishing, electing, everlasting, infinitely condescending love! it quite amazes me. The thoughts of this love carry me above every thing. My dear friend, the Spaniards cannot rob us of this, nor can men, or devils. It is immutable and eternal as God himself. May the meditation on this, lead us nearer and nearer to God in Christ, that we may every day, every hour, every moment be more and more conformed to his blessed image, and ripen more and more for eternal glory. But I must have done. Adieu! my dear man, adieu! I am ready to weep tears of love. Humbly hoping, that I shall shortly hear of the spiritual and temporal welfare of you all, I subscribe myself, with the utmost sincerity and affection,