To the Rev. Mr. P――.

Upper Marlborough (Mary Land) Dec. 8, 1739.

Rev. and dear Sir,

TILL now, I have neither had leisure nor freedom to answer your kind letter. Blessed be God, who has opened the hearts of some of his people at New York to receive the word. May he enable you to water what his own right hand hath planted, and grant to your labours a divine increase! Indeed I wish you good luck in the name of the Lord. I wish all his servants were prophets. Oh that he would be pleased to send forth experimental labourers into his harvest:—for I fear amongst you, as well as in other places, there are many who are well versed in the doctrines of grace, having learned them at the university, but notwithstanding are heart-hypocrites, and enemies to the power of godliness.—Dear Sir, I use this freedom, because I love simplicity. I confess I am but a child in grace, as well as years. Pardon this freedom, for out of the fulness and sincerity of my heart my pen writeth.—I thank your son and dear Mr. S―― for what they did on my account. Alas, I fear they think too highly of me. Oh dear Sir, entreat the God of all grace to give me humility, so shall success not prove my ruin. My most cordial respects and hearty thanks attend dear Mrs. P――, I pray God in all things to make her a help meet for you—As fast as I can snatch a few moments from public business, more New York friends may expect to hear from me—A sense of their favours is still upon my heart—I would willingly remember them, whenever I go in and out before the Lord. Mr. N――’s letter, and my next journal, will acquaint you, how the Lord Jesus has been getting himself the victory, since I left New York—There has been such little opposition, that I have been tempted almost to cry out, “Satan, why sleepest thou?” But God pities my weakness. Oh, dear Sir, thank him in my behalf, for indeed he deals most lovingly with, Rev. Sir,

Your most unworthy brother and fellow-labourer,

G. W.

LETTER CXLV.

Upper Marlborough, Dec. 8, 1739.

Dear Sir,

I Cannot defer writing to dear Mr. N―― any longer.—This afternoon God brought us hither. Some are solicitous for my staying here to-morrow. As it seems to be a call from providence, I have complied with their request. Oh that I may be enabled to lift up my voice like a trumpet, and to speak with the demonstration of the spirit and with power. These parts are in a dead sleep. At Anapolis, I preached twice, and spoke home to some ladies concerning the vanity of their false politeness. But alas, they are wedded to their Quadrille and Ombre. The minister of the place was under convictions—He wept twice, and earnestly begged my prayers. He will not frighten people I believe with harsh doctrine,—he loves to prophesy smooth things.—God blessed the word wonderfully at Philadelphia. I have great reason to think many are brought home to God. When I return, it will then be seen, who has received the word into an honest and good heart. By the divine assistance, I propose revisiting Philadelphia, New York, and to go as far as Boston, and so return to Georgia, before I take shipping again for England—The Lord direct my going in his way! About May you may expect to see me. My dear friend, pray that I may so improve the time of my absence, that at my return my progress may be made known to all men. It shames me to see what little proficiency I have made in the school of Christ. If I do not begin to press forwards, how shall I appear before my blessed Lord? I feel myself to be the chief of sinners; surely never was a greater instance of redeeming distinguishing love. God forbid that I should glory in any thing but free grace: had not God plucked me as a brand out of the fire, I had now either been given over to a reprobate mind, or cast into a place of torment. Oh help me, help me, dearest Mr. N――, help me to be thankful, and accept my thanks, though late, for all favours received when at New York. Indeed I love you in the bowels of our dear Lord Jesus. Salute your dear wife my kind hostess: exhort her to be severely kind to her little boy.—My most cordial respects attend all who ask after me. Entreat them to continue their prayers, dearest Mr. N――, for

Your weak, but affectionate friend, brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CXLVI.

To Mr. B――.

Upper Marlborough, Dec. 8, 1739.

Dear Sir,

GRATITUDE obliges me to send you a letter of thanks for your last kind present, and all other favours; but the love of our Lord Jesus Christ constrains me to write to you, exhorting you earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. I humbly hope the Lord has been pleased to bless my coming in these parts to many, and amongst them to you also. It rejoiced me to find dear Mr. B―― was convinced that I preached the truth as it is in Jesus. It pleased me exceedingly, to find how his eyes were opened to see the direct contrariety there is, between the spirit of Christ and the spirit of the world. What has my dear friend now to do, but to prosecute these convictions, and never rest till they end in a sound conversion. God has given you richly all things to enjoy. Be persuaded henceforward not to be so cumbered about the many trifles of this life, as to neglect the one thing needful, Dare, Sir, to be singularly good, Oh dare to let your light shine before men—Be not ashamed of Christ and his gospel. Come out from your carnal acquaintance, and live as becomes a true follower of our Lord Jesus. Dear Mr. B――, I hope will join with you. God’s spirit has been and is now striving with his heart. I pray God to make this the accepted time, and cause it to be the day of his salvation. How will it fill me with joy at my return to Philadelphia, to see dear Mr. B―― and some other excellent well-meaning people, whom I love, become despised followers of the Lamb of God. If my prayers may be any ways assisting, as God shall enable me you may depend on them—Our dear friend B―― can inform you what God has done for us, since we saw you. One favour more I beg of you; give thanks as well as pray for

Your most obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

Savannah, Jan. 16, 1740.

Reverend and dear Sir,

WITH much pleasure (tho’ not till last week) I received your kind affectionate letter. I thank you for it with all my soul, and pray God to reward you for this, and all other your works of faith and labours of love. You may depend on my not being prejudiced against you or your brethren, by any evil report. They only endear you to me more and more; and were your enemies to represent you as black as hell, I should think you were the more glorious in the sight of heaven. Your sweet criticisms and remarks upon my journal and sermons, were exceeding acceptable, and very just. I assure you, dear Sir, I am fully convinced of the doctrine of election, free justification, and final perseverance. My observations on the Quakers, were only intended for those particular persons with whom I then conversed. The tenets of the quakers in general, about justification, I take to be false and unscriptural. Your adversaries need take no advantage against you, by any thing I have written; for I think it every minister’s duty to declare against the corruptions of that church to which they belong, and not to look upon those as true members of their communion, who deny its publick constitutions. This is your case in Scotland, and ours in England. I see no other way for us to act at present, than to go on preaching the truth as it is in Jesus; and then if our brethren cast us out, God will direct us to take that course which is most conducive to his glory, and his people’s good. I think I have but one objection against your proceedings; “Your insisting only on presbyterian government, exclusive of all other ways of worshipping God.” Will not this, dear Sir, necessarily lead you (whenever you get the upper-hand) to oppose and persecute all that differ from you in their church government, or outward way of worshipping God? Our dear brother and fellow-labourer Mr. G―― T―― thinks this will be the consequence, and said he would write to you about it. As for my own part, (though I profess myself a minister of the church of England) I am of a catholic spirit; and if I see a man who loves the Lord Jesus in sincerity, I am not very solicitous to what outward communion he belongs. The kingdom of God, I think, does not consist in any such thing. These are my sentiments, dear Sir, and I write them out of love—I am ashamed (because only a babe in Christ) to pretend as it were to direct; but true friendship needs no apology. God is doing great things in America. My journal, which I send over with this, will shew you what he has done already. Your welfare is much upon my heart, and as I am enabled, I make mention of you in my prayers. Affairs of the Orphan-house go on well. Some few, even here, love the Lord Jesus. Oh, dear Sir, pray for us, and especially for

Your weak unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in Christ,

G. W.

Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740.

My dear Sister,

I Rejoice to hear that you are enabled to see not only the freeness but eternal duration of God’s grace. Till the sinner is convinced of this, I am persuaded he can neither work from a principle of true love, nor give Jesus Christ the honour due unto his name. He must always be making his salvation to depend partly at least on his own doings; “If I do so and so, Jesus Christ will give me his grace:” But can any believer who knows himself, help confessing, that after he had received grace, he should have finally fallen from it, had the continuance of it depended on his own will? Indeed, my dear Sister, nothing so much comforts my own soul as the thought that God will never leave me nor forsake me; if he does, it must be for my unworthiness: But on that account it cannot be; for he never chose me on account of my unworthiness. He loved me freely, he prevented me by his grace; he chose me from eternity, he called me in time, and I am persuaded will keep me till time shall be no more.—This consideration makes my faith to work by love. Now, I can live not barely upon my frames, which notwithstanding are blessed things, but on the promises. Now, I can go on my way rejoicing, and, amidst all dejections, lift up my head in prospect of a certain and exceeding weight of glory. Though I fall, I know I shall rise again; for he that is brought truly to believe on Jesus Christ, his faith shall never die. The Lord Jesus will not suffer to be lost the purchase of his blood. He knew for whom he died, and neither men nor devils shall ever pluck them out of his hands. Such as have been taught most of God, I find, are thus minded. And I am persuaded were the effects of our Lord’s redemption to depend on a man’s own compliance, or was the continuance of God’s grace to depend solely on man’s improvement, Jesus Christ would have died in vain. Adam could not stand in paradise when left to his own free-will, how then can we? No, blessed be God, our salvation is put into better hands than our own. Jesus Christ has purchased not only wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, but also eternal redemption for us. Let this thought, my dear Sister, lift up our hands when they hang down, and strengthen our feeble knees; God’s gifts and callings are without repentance. There is no condemnation to them that are truly in Christ Jesus. And I write thus peremptorily to you, because I find now you are able to bear it.—Blessed be God! my dear Sister, flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you. I hope ere long our brethren will lay all carnal reasoning aside, and see and preach the truth in this respect, as it is in Jesus. My kindest love to your sister.—What I write to one, I write to both. The Lord direct your going in his way, and cause you to continue instant in prayer for

Your weak brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CLVIII.

To Mrs. Elizabeth W――.

Savannah, Jan. 31, 1740.

My dear Sister,

I Have been just reading over your letter, and felt a sweet sympathy with the writer. Oh that it may increase till we are filled with all the fulness of God! Some passages in your letter were dangerous to my soul. Whenever you see any growth of grace, pray that I may grow in humility in particular. Oh that I was lowly in heart! Honour and dishonour, good report and evil report would then be alike, and prove a furtherance to me in my christian cause.—I believe the time is shortly coming in which I am to endure something for my Lord and Master; then will I cry out, Who is on the Lord’s side? Nothing supports me under a prospect of a trying time, so much as a sense of God’s everlasting love. I am persuaded, that neither men nor devils shall ever pluck me out of his Almighty hands. Let this support you, my dear Sister, in your change of life. Wherever you are, I am confident you will have reason to say, “Surely God is in this place.” That you may wax stronger and stronger, and ripen daily for glory, is the hearty prayer of

Your affectionate brother and servant in our dear Emanuel,

G. W.

LETTER CLIX.

To the Rev. Mr. J. W.

Savannah, March 26, 1740.

Honoured Sir,

SINCE I returned here, I received your letter and journal.—I thank you for both, and shall wait almost with impatience to see a continuance of your account of what God is doing or has done amongst you—He knows my heart, I rejoice in whatever God has done by your hands. I, præ, sequar, etsi non passibus equis.

I could now send a particular answer to your last; but, my honoured friend and brother, for once hearken to a child, who is willing to wash your feet. I beseech you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, if you would have my love confirmed towards you; write no more to me about misrepresentations wherein we differ. To the best of my knowledge at present, no sin has dominion over me, yet I feel the strugglings of indwelling sin day by day; I can therefore by no means come into your interpretation of the passage mentioned in the letter, and as explained in your preface to Mr. Halyburton—The doctrine of election, and the final perseverance of those that are truly in Christ, I am ten thousand times more convinced of, if possible, than when I saw you last—You think otherwise: why then should we dispute, when there is no probability of convincing? Will it not in the end destroy brotherly love, and insensibly take from us that cordial union and sweetness of soul, which I pray God may always subsist between us? How glad would the enemies of the Lord be to see us divided? How many would rejoice, should I join and make a party against you? And in one word, how would the cause of our common master every way suffer by our raising disputes about particular points of doctrines? Honoured Sir, let us offer salvation freely to all by the blood of Jesus; and whatever light God has communicated to us, let us freely communicate to others. I have lately read the life of Luther, and think it in no wise to his honour, that the last part of his life was so much taken up in disputing with Zuinglius and others; who in all probability equally loved the Lord Jesus, notwithstanding they might differ from him in other points. Let this, dear Sir, be a caution to us, I hope it will to me; for by the blessing of God, provoke me to it as much as you please, I do not think ever to enter the lists of controversy with you on the points wherein we differ. Only I pray to God, that the more you judge me, the more I may love you, and learn to desire no ones approbation, but that of my Lord and master Jesus Christ.—Ere this reaches you, I suppose you will hear of my late excursion to Charles Town. A great work I believe is begun there. Enclosed I have sent you Mr. Garden’s letters—They will serve to convince you, more and more, of the necessity you lie under to be instant in season and out of season. Oh, dear honoured Sir, I wish you as much success as your own heart can wish. Was you here, I would weep over you with tears of love, and tell you what great things God hath done for my soul, since we parted last. Indeed and indeed, I often and heartily pray for your success in the gospel: May your inward strength and outward sphere increase day by day! May God use you as a choice and singular instrument of promoting his glory on earth, and may I see you crowned with an eternal and exceeding weight of glory in the world to come! This is the hearty desire of, honoured Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CLXX.

To Mr. W.

Savannah, March 26, 1740.

AND how does dear Mr. Wal—? His letter lies by me, and I now am inclined to answer it. My dear brother, how do you feel your heart? Is it grown sick of original and actual sin? Is it grown sick of unbelief and self-righteousness? Is it closely united to the holy Jesus? Do you feed on him in your heart by faith? And do you receive of his fulness day by day? I ask these questions, because I want to see you write of the inward life, and to hear you talk of your having a feeling possession of your God. For he that believeth aright, hath the witness within himself. How do the brethren? I hope there is no more saying “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” but that you are only desirous of being one in Christ. I pray for, though distant from you. I believe I am preparing a place for many. Our work goes on bravely. I have near forty little ones now in my house. Some of them I trust will be effectually wrought upon, and made christians indeed. We all live in love and unity, and most I hope are seeking after Jesus Christ. He is pleased from time to time to manifest himself to my soul, and to shew me how unworthy I am of the least mercy. Shortly I shall go northward, to preach the gospel and collect fresh contributions for my orphans. God has given me an earnest of what he will do in America, by the large collection that was made at Charles Town—I live every day in expectation of hearing from my London friends. My brother, the captain, refreshed my soul with glad tidings and letters from Bristol. God gave me great comfort and satisfaction in conversing with him, and I hope he will be a christian indeed. Adieu. All salute you and the brethren.

I am yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXI.

To the Rev. Mr. B. I.

Savannah, March, 28, 1740.

HOW glad should I be of a letter from dear brother I――? When shall my soul be refreshed, with hearing that the work of the Lord prospers in his hand? I suppose before now you have received my letters, and seen my journal, and I believe God is yet preparing great things for us. Many at Charles-town, lately were brought to see their want of Jesus Christ—Next week, God willing, I purpose going to Philadelphia, and then perhaps may see England the latter end of this year, or beginning of the next. The orphan-house goes on bravely. I have forty children to maintain, besides workmen and assistants—The great housholder of the world does, and will I am persuaded richly provide for us all. The colony itself is in a very declining way. But our extremity is God’s opportunity—Our brethren I trust go forwards in the spiritual life. I have often great inward trials—Pray that I may be kept in all changes, and seeming chances of this mortal life. I believe it to be God’s will that I should marry. One, who may be looked upon as a superior, is absolutely necessary for the due management of affairs. However, I pray God, that I may not have a wife, till I can live as though I had none—You may communicate this to some of our intimates; for I would call Christ and his disciples to the marriage. If I am deluded, pray that God would reveal it to

Your most affectionate brother and servant,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXII.

To Mr. and Mrs. D.

On board the Savannah, bound to Philadelphia from Georgia, April 4, 1740.

My dear friends,

SINCE I wrote last, we have buried our Sister L――. Rachel I left at Philadelphia, and sister T―― seems to be in a declining state; so that sister A―― alone is like to be left of all the women which came over with me from England. I find by experience, that a mistress is absolutely necessary for the due management of my increasing family, and to take off some of that care, which at present lies upon me. Besides, I shall in all probability, at my next return from England, bring more women with me: and I find, unless they are all truly gracious (or indeed if they are) without a superior, matters cannot be carried on as becometh the gospel of Jesus Christ. It hath been therefore much impressed upon my heart, that I should marry, in order to have a help meet for me in the work whereunto our dear Lord Jesus hath called me. This comes (like Abraham’s servant to Rebekah’s relations) to know whether you think your daughter, Miss E――, is a proper person to engage in such an undertaking? If so; whether you will be pleased to give me leave to propose marriage unto her? You need not be afraid of sending me a refusal. For, I bless God, if I know any thing of my own heart, I am free from that foolish passion, which the world calls Love. I write, only because I believe it is the will of God, that I should alter my state; but your denial will fully convince me, that your daughter is not the person appointed by God for me. He knows my heart; I would not marry but for him, and in him, for ten thousand worlds.—But I have sometimes thought Miss E―― would be my help-mate; for she has often been impressed upon my heart. I should think myself safer in your family, because so many of you love the Lord Jesus, and consequently would be more watchful over my precious and immortal soul. After strong crying and tears at the throne of grace for direction, and after unspeakable troubles with my own heart, I write this. Be pleased to spread the letter before the Lord; and if you think this motion to be of him, be pleased to deliver the inclosed to your daughter—If not, say nothing, only let me know you disapprove of it, and that shall satisfy, dear Sir and Madam,

Your obliged friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXIII.

To Miss E――.

On board the Savannah, April 4th, 1740.

BE not surprised at the contents of this:—The letter sent to your honoured father and mother will acquaint you with the reasons. Do you think, you could undergo the fatigues, that must necessarily attend being joined to one, who is every day liable to be called out to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ? Can you bear to leave your father and kindred’s house, and to trust on him, (who feedeth the young ravens that call upon him) for your own and childrens support, supposing it should please him to bless you with any? Can you undertake to help a husband in the charge of a family, consisting perhaps of a hundred persons? Can you bear the inclemencies of the air both as to cold and heat in a foreign climate? Can you, when you have an husband, be as though you had none, and willingly part with him, even for a long season, when his Lord and master shall call him forth to preach the gospel, and command him to leave you behind? If after seeking to God for direction, and searching your heart, you can say, “I can do all those things through Christ strengthening me,” what if you and I were joined together in the Lord, and you came with me at my return from England, to be a help meet for me in the management of the orphan-house? I have great reason to believe it is the divine will that I should alter my condition, and have often thought you was the person appointed for me. I shall still wait on God for direction, and heartily intreat him, that if this motion be not of him, it may come to nought.—I write thus plainly, because, I trust, I write not from any other principles but the love of God.—I shall make it my business to call on the Lord Jesus, and would advise you to consult both him and your friends—For in order to attain a blessing, we should call both the Lord Jesus and his disciples to the marriage—I much like the manner of Isaac’s marrying with Rebekah, and think no marriage can succeed well, unless both parties concerned are like-minded with Tobias and his wife—I think I can call the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to witness that I desire “to take you my sister to wife, not for lust, but uprightly;” and therefore I hope he will mercifully ordain, if it be his blessed will we should be joined together, that we may walk as Zachary and Elizabeth did, in all the ordinances of the Lord blameless. I make no great profession to you, because I believe you think me sincere. The passionate expressions which carnal courtiers use, I think, ought to be avoided by those that would marry in the Lord. I can only promise, by the help of God, “to keep my matrimonial vow, and to do what I can towards helping you forward in the great work of your salvation.” If you think marriage will be any way prejudicial to your better part, be so kind as to send me a denial. I would not be a snare to you for the world. You need not be afraid of speaking your mind. I trust, I love you only for God, and desire to be joined to you only by his command, and for his sake. With fear and much trembling I write, and shall patiently tarry the Lord’s leisure, till he is pleased to incline you, dear Miss E――, to send an answer to

Your affectionate brother, friend and servant in Christ,

G. W.

To Mr. S――.

Willingtown, (Pensylvania) April 14, 1740.

READ where I am, and judge whether or not I am a stranger and pilgrim upon earth. Yesterday, after a short passage of ten days, did God bring us from Georgia to New-Castle: there I preached twice. To-day I shall preach here, and in the evening hope to reach Philadelphia. People are much alarmed already; and great things, I find, God has been pleased to do, by what he enabled me to deliver when last here. Two ministers have been convinced of their formal state, notwithstanding they held and preached the doctrines of grace. One plainly told the congregation he had been deceiving himself and them, and could not preach any more, but desired the people to pray with him. Another is as a flame of fire, and hath been much owned of God. An opposer reading my sermon, in order to convince them I did not preach as Mr. T――, was much disappointed; for power went along with the sermon, God’s spirit fell on the people, and formal opposers went affrighted away. It is unknown what a glorious stir here is in the province. Many, very many, I believe, of late have been brought savingly to believe on the Lord Jesus. The work much increases, and here is employment for many months: but I must return shortly to Savannah. A primitive spirit revives; and many, I hope, will be brought to live stedfast in the apostles doctrine, in fellowship, and breaking of bread, and in prayer. Perhaps dear Mr. S―― may be one of them. Pray how does that young man do? Is he deeply humbled, and closely united to the dear Lord Jesus? Does he feel himself a poor sinner, and daily experience the outgoing and incoming of the blessed spirit in the sanctuary of his heart? Blessed be God, I do: even whilst I am writing I feel his power. I am persuaded I shall be more than conqueror over every evil, through my Redeemer’s love. Oh! my dear friend, keep close to the dear Lord Jesus! Do not go without his leading, and then you are safe, though in the midst of devils. Adieu.

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER CLXXIX.

To Madam C――.

New Brunswick, April 27, 1740.

Madam,

ALL things go on well in America—nay, better than I dare ask, or could think. Our Lord’s kingdom comes with power. It is amazing to see how God is present in our assemblies: I refer you to dear brother S―― for particulars. My animal spirits are exhausted, but I am filled within. Nature would sometimes cry out, “Spare thyself;” but when I am offering Jesus to poor sinners, I cannot forbear exerting all my powers. Oh that I had a thousand lives! my dear Lord Jesus should have them all. I long to be out of the body, that I may love and serve him as I would: but I must suffer before I can reign with him. That you and I may never deny our Lord, is the earnest prayer of, Madam,

Your obliged humble servant,

G. W.

To the Allegany Indians.

Reedy Island, May 21, 1740.

My Dear Brethren,

FOR so I call you, because you, and I, and all, have one common father, One God, in whom we live, move and have our beings. We all came at first out of the dust of the earth. For after God made the sun, moon, stars, and every thing you see, he also made a creature called man, and breathed into him the breath of life; he then became a living soul. He could not only walk and speak, but he could also think, and reason, and was full of goodness, peace, and joy. This man, this happy creature God placed in a garden, which his own right hand had planted. He then cast him into a deep sleep, and out of one of his ribs made what we call a woman, that she might be his wife. Their names were Adam and Eve. With these, God made an agreement that they should eat of every tree of that garden, except one; but if they ate the fruit of that particular tree, they should die; they should return to the dust from whence they were taken, lose the comforts they enjoyed in their souls, and be unhappy for ever in another world. But if they did not eat this fruit, none of these things should come upon them. A being, which we call the devil, (and who for his pride had been cast out of heaven) envying their happiness, tempted them to eat the forbidden fruit. They consented, they ate, they died. Their bodies became mortal, their souls were deprived of the presence and love of God; and unless a way was found out to make satisfaction for what they had done, they must have been lost for ever. These were our parents, and God made this agreement with us their children, as well as with them. For they acted in our name, as a king acts in the name of his people, or a father in the name of a child—What therefore befel them, befel us. We died in them; and come into this world poor and miserable, blind and naked, as they were, when they had eaten of the forbidden tree. Hence it is, that we are given to lust, anger, envy, hatred, pride, and malice, and all those troublesome passions which you all must feel in your own hearts, and cannot but see even in the hearts of your children. If then, you only look into yourselves, you must confess these things are so. But God hath given us a book, wherein he assures us of the truth of all this:—And we know that book came from God, because none but God could tell us the things therein contained. And I speak first of this, because ’till you feel and believe this, you cannot come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ; and without the knowledge of Jesus Christ you cannot be saved. For after our first parents, Adam and Eve, had taken the forbidden fruit, and with all their children, thereafter to be born, became guilty before God, God out of his own free love sent his only begotten Son into the world, to die, and so to make an atonement for the sin of fallen man, and also to obey the law, which man had broken; so that though fallen man had no righteousness of his own, yet upon believing in God’s Son, he should find a perfect righteousness in him. This Son is called Jesus, “A Saviour,” because he was to save us from the guilt and power of our sins. He was truly God, and therefore could satisfy; he was truly man, and therefore could obey and suffer in our stead. He was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again. My dear brethren, (for so I must call you, though I never saw you) these are strange things. But if you are willing to learn, the holy spirit shall teach you. For Jesus Christ by dying, and obeying God’s law, hath bought for us the holy spirit, who shall change your corrupt natures, and fit you for happiness hereafter with the ever-blessed God, if you do but believe in your hearts.—Thousands of white people only believe in their heads, and therefore are no more christians than those who never heard of Jesus Christ at all. They call Christ, “Lord, Lord,” but they do not live as Jesus Christ hath commanded. No, they curse and swear, they break the sabbath, they get drunk, they play, they whore, they commit adultery, and have taught many poor Indians to do these abominable things as well as themselves. Do not you therefore learn of them. For true christians are sober, chaste and holy. They will not get drunk, they will not play the whore, they will not cheat, lie, curse or swear; but they will bless and praise God, keep the sabbath, and do all the good they can; for thus Jesus Christ, their Lord and master, lived when he was here on earth. I say, when he was here on earth; for after he died, he rose again, and went up into heaven from whence he came, and there he sits praying for all that shall believe on Him to the end of the world. For as the world had a beginning, so it also will have an end. And Jesus Christ will come again in the clouds to judge all mankind; and then he that hath believed in Christ, and hath shewn forth his faith by his works, shall be saved; and he that hath not believed in Christ, shall be damned for ever, and be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone. But before he comes, he hath promised that the heathen shall be brought to believe on him, and therefore I write this letter to you. I would come myself, and preach the glad tidings of salvation among you, as the bearer of this could interpret for me; but my other business will not permit. I am a minister of the same Jesus, and once was as ignorant of Him comparatively as you may be. I once lived like other people; but the Lord Jesus hath brought me to believe on Him, and I now do so no more. I once was full of envy, hatred, malice, and such like cursed tempers; but now I have love, and peace, and joy. And because Jesus Christ hath shewn such mercy to me, I desire that all others should be made as happy, nay happier than I am myself.—Hearken therefore now to the voice of the Lord. Pray to God that you may feel yourselves poor, miserable sinners, and come by a living faith to Jesus Christ. Then he will pardon you of all your sins, make you holy by his spirit here, and take you into everlasting happiness hereafter. Your traders, some of them at least, will tell you, that you must be miserable, if you will be christians. But these know nothing of Jesus Christ; for they are ungodly men, walking after their own wicked lusts. Whosoever will follow Jesus Christ, though happy in himself, must be looked upon as a fool by others. The spirit of the world, and the spirit of Jesus are quite contrary one to the other; and therefore if you will live godly in Him, you must suffer persecution; you must have all manner of evil spoken against you falsely, and be called madmen and fools; but let not that daunt you, or make you afraid. There is a world to come, there is a judgment-day, and then Jesus Christ shall crown all those with glory, who have suffered for his name’s sake. Once more, therefore, hearken to the voice of the Lord. For the Lord Jesus died for you, as well as for the white men among you, and that you might be taught the gospel; but they have made you worse than you were before, and therefore shall receive the greater damnation. He who brings this, no doubt, will be despised amongst them, because he will, I hope, neither get drunk, nor curse, nor swear.—But I trust the Lord will strengthen him, and cause him to shew many of you the true way of salvation—I shall not fail to pray for him, and for you; for though I know you not, yet if I could thereby save your precious souls, I think I could die for your sake. May the Lord Jesus bless you, and bring you out of darkness into his marvellous light, for his infinite mercy’s sake. This is the prayer of, dear brethren,