LETTERS (continued 11)

Your most assured friend for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLI.

To Mr. V―― B――.

London, Nov. 22, 1752.

My dear Mr. V―― B――,

I Hope this will find you and your yoke-fellow parents of a living and well-formed child. May the Redeemer sanctify it from the womb, and cause it to live to his glory, and your comfort! I see you are taught to live more and more by faith. This may be tried, but never disappointed. The Lord Jesus never did, and never will forsake those who put their trust in him. I believe Mrs. W―― will not suffer you or yours to want any thing that Bethesda affords. I thank you for your kind offer, but suppose ere now you have been enabled to purchase some negroes, and go upon your own land. If not, I have written to Mr. B―― to make what agreement you shall mutually judge to be most proper: I cannot say more at this distance. It is hard to determine any thing four thousand miles off. God willing, I hope to see you next year; though it is difficult to leave thousands and ten thousands, who gladly receive the gospel, to come to a wilderness, where it has been, alas! too, too often most wretchedly despised, and slighted by many. But I trust we shall yet see better times. Happy they who have learned to live on Jesus; and by keeping up a daily and hourly fellowship with him, can maintain a comfortable frame, when all is cold and dead around them. This is the happiness I wish my dear Mr. B――. May it increase day by day, moment after moment! Then, if we never should see each other again on earth, we shall meet, never to part again, in the kingdom of heaven. I am endeavouring to call as many thither as I can. Power seems to attend it, and many seem to have their faces set Zion-ward. May they and we be kept from looking back! Jesus is able to keep us. To his almighty never-failing mercy do I commend you, as being, my dear Sir, for Christ’s sake,

Your most affectionate friend, brother, and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLII.

To Mr. L――.

London, Nov. 28, 1752.

My dear Friend,

YOUR letter came safe to hand yesterday. The contents of it humbled and gladdened me, and led me directly to my knees, to intercede for you and yours, and all the dear people at Leeds, who are either seeking after, or have actually found redemption in the blood of Jesus. Many here, blessed be God, are in like circumstances. Our Lord seems to ride triumphantly on in the chariot of his everlasting gospel; and the shout of a king is indeed amongst us. Blessed are the eyes that see the things which we see. What shall we render unto the Lord? Our two mites, a vile body, and a sinful soul, are all that he requires: and shall he not have these? Yes, I trust the language of both our hearts is this:

Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,

For I must be no longer thine;

A nobler, a diviner guest,

Now claims possession of my breast.

As this is your case, I wonder not at your being so solicitous for your dear children’s welfare. The Lord give you faith and patience, and help you in every respect so to behave, that you may win them over to the choice of true and undefiled religion! Courage, my dear brother, courage.—Who knows, but they may be made willing in a day of the Redeemer’s power? He that hath given your dear yoke-fellow a heart to seek after the pearl of great price, can make your children like-minded. But faith must be tried, patience must be exercised, and our stubborn will brought into a chearful resignation to the holy sovereign will and good pleasure of God.

What though thou rulest not,

Yet heaven, and earth and hell

Proclaim God sitteth on the throne,

And ordereth all things well.

A variety of business prevents my enlarging. I should not have troubled you with such a speedy answer, had you not seemed to desire it, as a token of my love. I think it is cordial and unfeigned. None of you are forgotten by me before the throne. There, my dear friend, let us meet often. Remember it is a throne of grace; we may, therefore, come with boldness. Jesus is our advocate, even Jesus Christ the righteous. I thank you ten thousand times for all respect shewn me for his great name’s sake, and command you (since love will make you wait for orders) to believe me to be, my dear Sir,

Your very affectionate friend, brother, and ready servant in our common but dearest Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLIII.

To Mr. ――.

London, Dec. 5, 1752.

My dear Friend,

HOW does love meet love! Your long expected letter came last night, and as the box of books hath been gone some days, I answer you before day this morning. My dear friend, good-morrow! Blessed be God, that the day dawns, and that the day-star hath risen in your heart. May the Redeemer give you a Benjamin’s mess every hour! He is our great Joseph, and loves to say to his guilty brethren, “Come near me.” Out of his fulness we may all receive even grace for grace. O how does he continually watch over us for good! I thought the obstructions that lay in my way to York, were not for nothing. Our times are in our Lord’s hands. We are immortal till our work is done. This, this shall be the cry of my soul:

Lord, at thy command I’ll go,

And to the world will gladly tell,

That they a risen Christ may know,

That they the love of Christ may feel.

Assured of such a bidding, we may say with Luther, “If there was as many devils lying in wait, as there are tiles on the houses, we need not fear.” Who knows but in Spring we may have a fair field fight? We can do all things through Christ strengthening us. Methinks I long to range in your parts, and come to Leeds again. The persons mentioned need not bid me to remember them. I cannot forget either them or you night or day. O that we may make some large advances in the divine life, before we see each other. When will that be? Perhaps in Spring; perhaps not till we meet in heaven.

There we shall see Christ’s face,

and never, never sin;

There, from the riches of his grace,

Drink endless pleasures in.

Hasten, Lord, that blessed time! Till then, grant us, we beseech thee, an heaven upon earth! Such we have at the Tabernacle indeed. Last Lord’s-day we had, if possible, a more blessed sacrament than the former.

How sweet, how awful was the place,

With Christ within the doors,

When everlasting Love display’d,

The choicest of his stores!

I must break off this delightful subject. Farewel. Pray for us. Remember me in the kindest manner to all. My wife heartily joins with

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLIV.

To Mr. S――.

London, Dec. 9, 1752.

My dear Brother,

IF your heart was full, so was mine when we parted. Such seasons make me long for that happy time when we shall neither part from each other, nor depart from the blessed Jesus any more. Our wanderings and tossings, fightings without, and fears within, will then all be over. Here the church is, and will be militant; in heaven it shall be altogether triumphant. Let us go on, my dear brother, fighting the good fight of faith. Ere long we shall be called to lay hold on life eternal. Christ is our captain; we are therefore assured of conquest.

A feeble saint shall win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way.

Endeavour to obstruct they will, and young converts little know how resolutely, how unweariedly. The way to heaven is a round-about way: we must go through a wilderness. God suffers this, to prove and try us, and to shew us what is in our hearts. Humility must be taught us, as Gideon taught the men of Succoth, with briars and thorns: these will frequently fetch blood from the old man. O that we may be made willing to have him bleed to death! “Away with him, away with him; crucify him, crucify him.” May this be the language of your heart and mine! To have this prayer answered, what trials must we necessarily meet with from the devil, the world, the flesh, and even from God’s own children? All little enough to lead us into that mortified, pacific, resigned, and disinterested mind, which was in Christ Jesus. The more we suffer, and the less we are esteemed for doing, or attempting to do good for his great name’s sake, the more we are conformed to his blessed example. In heaven, justice will be done to all. Strange! that we cannot wait more patiently till the great day of retribution. Lord, help us to walk more by faith, and less by sense! “Help, O help us to leave ourselves and all with thee.” I know you will say, “Amen!” But I forget myself. How willingly does the pen write, when love, love for Christ’s sake dictates and indites! I thank you for enquiring after my welfare: thanks be to God, I am as well as a poor, but happy pilgrim can expect to be. The shout of a king is amongst us. The glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle; and we hear every day of persons brought under fresh awakenings, as well as of God’s people being comforted. We have had two most awful sacramental occasions. Help me to cry, Grace! grace! I shall be glad to hear that the gospel runs and is glorified at Wakefield. Who knows but the last may be yet first? Is any thing too hard for the Lord? Continue to remember us at the throne of grace; and accept this speedy answer as a token of respect and love unfeigned, from, my dear brother,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLV.

To Lady H――n.

London, Dec. 15, 1752.

Ever-honoured Madam,

I Think it a long time since I heard from, or wrote to your Ladyship. My hands are full of work; and I trust I can say, the Lord of all lords causes his work to prosper in my unworthy hands. More blessed seasons we never enjoyed. Our sacramental occasions have been exceedingly awful and refreshing. I cannot help crying out night and day, Grace! grace! Last week we had another repast in South Audley-street. Lady F―― grows surprizingly. She increases much in the knowledge of herself, and of Jesus Christ. May she and all that profess to love him, increase with all the increase of God! I have glorious news from Yorkshire. Inclosed your Ladyship hath a letter, which I hope will please you. Ships will be going to Philadelphia soon after Christmas. Has your Ladyship read the awful account of the hurricane in South-Carolina? I do not find that it hath reached Georgia. Happy they who have laid up treasure in heaven, and have fled to Christ for refuge; such are safe from every storm. This is your Ladyship’s happiness; and blessed be God, this is the happiness of unworthy, ill, and hell-deserving me. Lord, why am I a guest?

Through all eternity to Thee,

A grateful song I’ll raise;

But O eternity’s too short,

To utter all thy praise.

Business prevents my enlarging.—I commend your Ladyship, and all your concerns, to the tender mercies of a never-failing Redeemer; and beg leave to subscribe myself, with all possible gratitude and respect, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLVI.

To Mrs. K――.

London, Dec. 16, 1752.

Dear Mrs. K――,

YOUR kind letter lies by me unanswered, because I had written to your dear husband just before it came to hand. Ere now I hope he hath received it with the books, and is with you, and the other true followers of our most adorable Redeemer, pressing forwards towards the mark of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. O that nothing may hinder us in this heavenly race! O that we may remember Lot’s wife, and never look back! Alas! what is there in this world worth looking back upon? It is nothing, less than nothing. Thanks be to that precious Christ, who hath redeemed us out of it. To Him that hath thus loved us, be ascribed all honour and glory now and for ever! My obligations to bless and magnify our Lord increase daily. It would delight you to see, how his glory is manifested among his poor despised ones. To-morrow we are again to celebrate the memorials of his dying love. O that we may be prepared according to the preparation of the sanctuary! Blessed be God for a compleat and an everlasting righteousness to appear in; this is the wedding garment; this every poor sinner is cloathed with, that truly puts on the Lord Jesus. Well may such despise outward ornaments, and trample upon the pride of life. Such things are food only for those that know not God. Go on then, dear Mrs. K――; go on, all ye my female fellow-soldiers, who are lifted under the Redeemer’s banner. As your day is, so shall your strength be. Look up continually to Jesus; and be so good as always to remember, when before his throne,

Your assured friend and ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLVII.

To Governor B――.

London, Dec. 20, 1752.

Honoured Sir,

WITH great pleasure and satisfaction, I received and read your kind letter, and took the first opportunity of transmitting the inclosed to good Lady H――n, who is now near Bristol. If the ship which brings this, doth not sail soon, I believe your Excellency will have an answer by the same conveyance. She is an elect lady indeed; one who hath fairly renounced the world, and scorns to divide her affections between it and her God. Her Ladyship corresponds with the Dutchess of ――, but I fear that the latter doth not glory in the cross of Christ, so much as might be wish’d. You know, honoured Sir, that we must have true self-denial, and a disinterested spirit, before we can be sincerely willing to be accounted fools for Christ’s sake. And yet there is no going to heaven without it. Blessed be God, your fight, honoured Sir, is almost over; the days are now coming wherein you must necessarily say, “I have no pleasure in them.” The 71st psalm, translated by Dr. Watts, seems to be sweetly adapted to your circumstances. Part of it was lately sung for your Excellency, by many true followers of the Lamb.

I.

Still hath his life new wonders seen,

Repeated every year;

Behold his days which yet remain,

We trust them to thy care.

II.

Cast him not off, should health decline,

Or hoary hairs arise;

And round him let thy glories shine,

Whene’er thy servant dies.

I doubt not but the Lord Jesus will say, Amen. Whether I shall have the pleasure of seeing you on this side eternity, is uncertain. It was no small self-denial for me to leave America without going to the Northward; but the cloud moved towards England. Here (O amazing condescension!) the glorious Emmanuel vouchsafes still to own and bless my feeble labours. In Scotland, Wales, and the parts in and near Yorkshire, we have seen blessed days of the Son of Man. I am now in my Winter quarters, longing for Spring, to take the field again. Had I a thousand tongues and lives, Jesus should have them all. I am sorry, quite sorry that not one of his ministers could venture over the Atlantick for New-Jersey College. Two general collections have lately been made upon other occasions in Scotland. What a pity, when all circumstances concurred, that such a favourable opportunity should have been lost? I can only lament that, which I did all I could to prevent. And now, honoured Sir, I must bid you farewel. Ere long I hope to see you in a better world: perhaps we may meet again in this. Dear America is much upon my heart. Thanks be to God, Bethesda is now put on a good and flourishing foundation, and I hear hath escaped the late hurricane in South-Carolina. Great are thy judgments, O God;—and great are thy mercies also! both past finding out. To the infinitely great and gracious I AM, do I most earnestly commend both you and yours, and with ten thousands thanks for all your unmerited favours, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your Excellency’s most obliged, dutiful, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLVIII.

To Captain G――.

London, Dec. 20, 1752.

My dear Captain,

ONE would imagine, that you and I were never to meet any more on this side eternity. I often, often think of you, and long to see and converse with you; but God only knows when. We are now about to erect a new Tabernacle eighty foot square, which I fear will detain me in England the ensuing Summer. Pen cannot well describe, how white the fields have been, and how ready to harvest, in Wales, Scotland, and the North of England. I could sometimes scarce tell, whether I was in or out of the body. Grace! grace! I am now in Winter quarters, where our Lord gives us fresh conquests, gained by his word every day. We do not dispute, but love. I find more and more that truth is great; and however seemingly crush’d for a while, will in the end prevail. But there must be a kind of death upon every promise, and upon every thing that is done for God. Thus hath it been with Georgia and Bethesda. O that we may learn to wait! Then shall we certainly see the salvation of God. I pity our dear friends in Charles-Town. O God, how great are thy judgments, as well as thy mercies! May they hear the rod, and who hath appointed it! My soul is distressed for them. May this severe correction make them truly great! When you send any thing to Savannah, I should be obliged to you, if you would send a few things to Bethesda. Our Lord will bless you for it. I hope there are now above twenty negroes at work upon the new plantation. May the Lord Jesus convert them, and every other member of my family! And O that I may be converted myself more and more every day and hour! I am ashamed of my being such a dwarf in religion, and of my having so little of the mind of Christ. I hope you, my dear old friend, do find his grace sufficient for you, to keep your heart above the world, and continually alive to God. My prayer for you is, that you may have power to get wealth, and grace to improve it for the Redeemer’s glory, and his people’s good: then you will be rich for both worlds, and God, even your own God, will give you and yours his blessing. Why do you not write to dear Mr. S――? He is a heavenly-minded man indeed, and my bosom friend. I suppose Mr. D―― will acquaint you of my having been at his house; we are kind friends still: he and his very much regard you. What cannot God do? How faithful is he to those, who “seek first his kingdom, and the righteousness thereof.” Let these words be written over your store-house door; or rather let them be written on the table of your heart. I can add no more. A variety of business demands my attention. My dear man, farewel. Had I wings, I would fly and see you, and my other never to be forgotten Philadelphia friends. Continue to pray, and perhaps I may yet come sooner than expectation. My wife joins in sending love to you and your houshold. Accept the same in the most endearing manner, from one that loves you more than a brother, even

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXLIX.

To Mr. C―― W――.

London, Dec. 22, 1752.

My dear Friend,

I Have read and pondered upon your kind letter with some degree of solemnity of spirit. In the same frame I would now sit down to answer it. And what shall I say? Really I can scarce tell. The connection between you and your brother, hath been so close and continued, and your attachment to him so necessary to keep up his interest, that I would not willingly for the world do or say any thing that may separate such friends. I cannot help thinking, but he is still jealous of me and my proceedings; but, I thank God, I am quite easy about it. Having the testimony of a good conscience, that I have a disinterested view to promote the common salvation only, I can leave all to him, who I am assured will in the end speak for me, and make my righteousness as clear as the light, and my just dealing as the noon-day. I more and more find, that he who believeth doth not make haste; and that if we will have patience, we shall find that every plant, which our heavenly Father hath not planted, however it may seem to have taken very deep root, shall be plucked up. As I wrote to good Lady H――n, so I write to you, dear Sir.—I bless God for my stripping seasons. I have seen an end of all perfection, and expect it only in him, where I am sure to find it, even in the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. He knows how I love and honour you, and your brother, and how often I have preferred your interest to my own. This, by the grace of God, I shall still continue to do. My reward is with the Lord. If he approves, it is enough. More might be said, were we face to face. When this will be, I cannot tell. Several things, especially our design of building a new tabernacle, which I hope will succeed, detain me in town this Winter. God only knows what course I am to steer in the Spring. I would be a blank;—let my heavenly Father fill it up as seemeth him good. I am glad you are with our elect Lady; she will shine indeed in heaven as a common friend. O how amiable is a truly catholic spirit! Lord, make us all partakers of it more and more! I beg the continuance of your prayers: I need them much. God willing, you shall have mine in return. That you and yours may increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest request of, my dear friend,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCL.

To Lady H――n.

London, Dec. 22, 1752.

Ever-honoured Madam,

WITH great pleasure I received your Ladyship’s letter, which hath drawn me to the Father of Spirits, that the meek, lowly, loving, zealous, and heavenly-minded temper which was in Christ Jesus, may be stamped more and more upon your Ladyship’s heart. A growth in these blessed graces and fruits of the divine Spirit, I am persuaded is what your Ladyship desires above all things under heaven, and I doubt not but all the trials and afflictions you meet with, both from friends and foes, will be sanctified to the promoting this glorious end. Many of these I meet with; but if I come purified out of the furnace, and am at length any way conformed to my dear and blessed Exemplar, I rejoice, yea and will rejoice. Experience, if attended with this effect, cannot be bought too dear. But alas, how unwilling is the old man to be crucified and slain! How hard is even the mind that is renewed in part, how hard to be brought off low and selfish and party views. With how much reluctance doth it give up the uppermost place, and submit to be accounted in the church, as well as in the world, less than the least of all. Yet this is a lesson the witnesses of Jesus must learn. O that I had learnt only my A B C in it! I beg the continuance of your Ladyship’s prayers, for which I thank your Ladyship a thousand times. May the Lord of all lords return them seven-fold into your bosom, and give your Ladyship success in your endeavours to serve the persons mentioned in your last! It is but for your Ladyship to try. I shall observe your Ladyship’s hints about Mr. ――. I believe our visits will not be very frequent.—But I am easy, having no scheme, no design of supplanting or resenting, but I trust a single eye to promote the common salvation, without so much as attempting to set up a party for myself. This is what my soul abhors. Being thus minded, I have peace; peace which the world knows nothing of, and which all must necessarily be strangers to, who are fond either of power or numbers. God be praised for the many strippings I have met with: it is good for me that I have been supplanted, despised, censured, maligned, judged by, and separated from my nearest, dearest friends. By this I have found the faithfulness of him, who is the friend of friends; by this I have been taught to wrap myself in the glorious Emmanuel’s everlasting righteousness, and to be content that He, to whom all hearts are open, and all desires are known, now sees, and will let all see hereafter, the uprightness of my intentions towards all mankind. But whither am I going? I run too fast. Your Ladyship’s kind letter hath extorted this from me. I will weary your Ladyship no longer, but hasten to subscribe myself, what I really am, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and very chearful servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLI.

To Mr. R――.

London, Dec. 22, 1752.

My very dear Friend,

WITH great pleasure I received your kind and wished-for letter; and heartily bless God that your whole self is in such comfortable circumstances, and that honest D―― is so blest in his work. I read his two letters about ten days ago, and many joined in singing for him the following verses:

The isles in the North,

Remember, O God,

And feed thy sheep there,

With pure gospel food.

Lord, revive thy blest work

In every place,

Till thousands and thousands

Do triumph through grace.

Do you not think the blessed Jesus will say, Amen? Yes, assuredly he will. And if he will work, who shall hinder?

Thoughts are vain against the Lord,

All subserve his mighty word;

Wheels encircling wheels shall run,

Each in course to bring it on.

Fear not, my dear Sir; if Christ hath work for you to do, he will put you into a proper station. But would you be a Nehemiah, and have no Sanballat to oppose you? Building the walls of the New-Jerusalem, is what the profane and formalists do not approve of. We must expect the serpent will hiss, whenever the gospel seed of the woman is coming into a place to bruise his head. Courage, my dear Sir, courage. God is on your side.

The world, with sin and Satan,

In vain our march opposes;

Through Christ we shall

Break through them all,

And sing the song of Moses.

You see, my dear Sir, how freely I write. The love of Christ constraineth me. I am much indebted to you, and hope to see you in London soon. My wife longs to have you under our roof: she hath been ill, but blessed be God is now better. We both send cordial and grateful respects to your whole self and all enquiring friends. We have had most solemn sacramental occasions. I sympathize with both our suffering friends: from what unexpected quarters do troubles come! Who would sing a requiem to himself, whilst here below? Lord God, prepare us for whatever thou hast prepared for us! I must bid you farewel. A variety of business obliges me to hasten to subscribe myself,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLII.

To Lady ♦H――n.

London, Jan. 1, 1753.

Honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s kind letter hath added to the obligations already laid on me. I can only say, the Lord knows that you and yours, are remembered by me before his throne. This is the reward, which the Redeemer promises to those who do good to a disciple, in the name of a disciple. O happy they who are rich in faith and good works! These are the true riches; they are durable; they follow us beyond the grave, and we shall be reaping the fruit of them through the endless ages of eternity. Eternity! eternity! The very writing or hearing this word, is enough to make one dead to the world, and alive unto God. The Lord quicken my tardy pace! I am now thirty-eight years of age, and entering upon another new year; Alas! alas! How little have I done for that Jesus, who hath done and suffered so much for me! I want to begin to begin to act and preach for God. Blessed be his name, that his spirit is moving on precious souls at Bristol. For ever adored be his rich, free, and unmerited grace, the same may be said of London. We have had blessed holidays, and I have had good news from the Orphan-house.

A life that all things casts behind,

Springs forth obedient at his call.

Had I a thousand lives, the Lord Jesus should have them. I wish your Ladyship, and honoured daughters, much of his divine love shed abroad in your hearts. That is the best new year’s compliment, and the best new year’s gift. I hope, the young ladies through grace are kept unspotted from the world. I would come and wait upon our elect Lady at Clifton, but am engaged in forwarding the building of a new tabernacle; I hope it will be accomplished, and that God’s presence will fill it when erected. I could enlarge, but am called away, and therefore subscribe myself,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLIII.

To Mr. L――.

London, Jan. 3, 1753.

My very dear Friend and Brother,

THOUGH I am very much straitened for time, yet I must sit down, (since you so earnestly desire it) and answer your kind letter. My love does not shift with my scene of action; I would have it in some degree, like my Lord’s to me and his people, “Permanent and unchangeable.” Blessed be God for such a Jesus, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. What can we want then? Or of whom should we be afraid? All his attributes are engaged to keep us on earth, and to set us upon thrones in his glorious kingdom in heaven. Last night I buried one, who I believe is seated there.—Ah lovely appearance of death! Surely my turn will come soon. I am now thirty-eight years of age; little did I think of staying in the land of the dying so long. Well, if it be to call more souls to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, Father, thy will be done!

If thou excuse, then work thy will,

By so unfit an instrument;

It will at once thy goodness show,

And prove thy power omnipotent.

I hope you have had a happy Christmas at Leeds. We have kept holidays here indeed. Sinners have been pricked to the heart, and saints refreshed in their spirits. To the Father of spirits be all the glory. I forgot none of you in my poor prayers: fear not; let us continue to pray, and we shall always find, that our extremity will be God’s opportunity to help and appear for us. But there must be a seeming death upon every promise.

Where reason fails with all its powers,

There faith prevails and love adores.

Lord, increase our faith.—Lord, quicken my sluggish heart! I commend you and yours to God, and to the word of his grace. I am sorry dear Mr. S―― is disabled from writing. When his hand is well, I hope to hear from him. In the mean while, tell him, and his, and all dear friends, that I am, for Christ’s sake, my dear Sir,

Theirs and yours, &c. &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLIV.

To Mr. C――.

London, Jan. 7, 1753.

My dear Mr. C――,

I Received your kind letter, for which I send you most hearty thanks. I see that you strive, and I fear you will succeed, to outdo me in love and kindness. However, I will endeavour to copy after you, and, if possible, not die in your debt. But who can ever pay his debt of love, either to God, or the brethren? Alas! Alas! I run in arrears every day. God’s favours are continually multiplied upon me, and he seems to let us know that we shall see greater things than ever. We have had a blessed Christmas season. I trust our Lord hath imparted many a new year’s gift. You know what that is, even a new heart. “A new heart also will I give thee.” Thus run the words of our Lord’s last will and testament. O for faith to prove this will! O for a willingness to receive so invaluable a legacy! Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!

Thou wilt give strength, thou wilt give power,

Thou wilt in time set free;

This great deliverance let us hope,

Not for ourselves but thee.

Come, my dear brother, let us take courage: “He is faithful, who hath promised, who also will do it.”

O unbelief, injurious bar,

Source of tormenting, fruitless care.

Surely it is the womb of misery, and grave of comfort. Had we faith but as a grain of mustard seed, how should we trample the world, the flesh, the devil, death, and hell under foot? Lord, increase our faith! I know you say Amen. “Even so Lord Jesus, Amen and Amen!” But whither am I going? Love makes me forget myself. Adieu—my dear Sir, adieu. Pray tell Mr. G―― that I intend answering his kind letter shortly. I send cordial love to him, and all the followers of the Lamb.

O may we find the ancient way,

Our wond’ring foes to move;

And force the heathen world to say,

See how these christians love!

I can now no more, but subscribe myself, dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLV.

To Mr. H―― B――.

London, Jan. 7, 1753.

My very dear Friend,

BY this conveyance I send you a power of attorney to dispose of Providence Plantation, and leave it to your discretion to sell at what price you please. I would only observe, that I had rather it should be sold for somewhat less than its real value, than to keep it any longer in my hands. I do not choose to keep two families longer than needs must. Be pleased to pay what you receive for it, into the hands of Mr. Charles H――n of Charles-Town. Blessed be God for remembering mercy in the midst of judgments. O that with his rod he may also send his spirit! For without it, as dear Mr. V―― B―― observes, “We shall be chastened, but not changed.” The world after the deluge, was as bad as before. Nothing but the blood of Jesus Christ, applied by faith, can cleanse the soul from sin.—

To this blest fountain of thy blood,

Incarnate God I fly;

Here let me wash my spotted soul,

From sins of deepest dye.

My dear Sir, add to my obligations, by praying, that the foot of pride may never come against me. This is what turned fair angels into foul devils; and yet alas, how prone are we to it! Surely it is the first enemy we fight with, and the last that is totally conquered. O that I was humble! then would the Lord delight to own and honour me more and more. I am amazed he doth not throw me aside. But (O unchangeable love!) still he causeth my rod to bud and blossom. The Winter season hath been very blessed, and we hear daily of fresh inroads made into Satan’s kingdom. God seems determined to throw down Jericho’s walls by rams-horns, yea by very crooked rams-horns. Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight! My dear Sir, once more I intreat you to pray for me. Neither you nor yours are forgotten by me. The money you receive for Providence, will be immediately wanted to buy more land, and to pay for opening Bethesda’s new plantation.—I have desired your brother to agree with Mrs. P―― for hers, if she can give a good title. I am sorry to hear she is declining.—But why so? Is not death an entrance into life everlasting?

There sin and pain, and sorrow cease,

And all is calm and joy and peace.

Hearty love and prayers attend her and all enquiring friends. That this new year may be filled with millions of new blessings, both to your souls and bodies, is and shall be the constant prayer of, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLVI.

To Mr. S――.

London, Jan. 9, 1753.

My dear Mr. S――,

I Received your kind letter yesterday, and suppose, ere this can reach you, my last will be come to hand. What say you? If I should be detained in England this year, are you willing to put your life in the Redeemer’s hands and go immediately? A ship is bound for Savannah about ten miles from the Orphan-house, the beginning of next month. Methinks I hear you say to the glorious Emmanuel,

A life that all things casts behind,

Springs forth obedient at thy call.

Such a spirit is fit for Bethesda; such a spirit becomes one who desires to be a teacher of youth, and a faithful minister of the ever-loving ever-lovely Jesus. Let me know your mind. If you come immediately, may the Lord come and go with you! That is company enough.—But there are others going in the same ship. The Lord direct and bless you! He will vouchsafe to countenance my feeble labours. I have yet more good news from the North. Last night was an awful night, we carried three saints together to the grave; thousands attended, and both within and without doors, the word I trust came with power. O that the dead may be made to hear the voice of the Son of God, and to come forth! I rejoice if any of his dear people have been quickened at Glasgow. Perhaps next Summer, I may see them in my way to, or return from Ireland. The Lord help all to pray for me. “Less than the least of all,” shall be still my motto. To me nothing belongs, but shame and confusion of face. I must away. The Lord direct and bless you. I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and am

Your assured friend for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLVII.

To Mr. Z――.

London, Jan. 10, 1753.

Honoured and very dear Sir,

THIS morning, before I received your kind packet, I was finishing my answer to the good Professor, and then intended to send it to you with the inclosed extracts. Lord, what am I, that any of thy faithful servants should write to, or concern themselves about me or my affairs! With all thy other favours, give me, O God, an humble and grateful heart; so shall thy mercies not prove my ruin! I hope to answer good Mr. U―― and dear Mr. B――s speedily. A ship goes to Savannah the ♦beginning of next month. Mrs. V―― B―― is safely delivered of a daughter; the forts being destroyed by the late dreadful hurricane, the Governor and Council of South-Carolina, have sent for her husband to Charles-Town. Blessed be God, Bethesda hath received but little damage. Several of the orphans have sent me pretty letters, and I trust it will yet prove an useful seminary for both white and black persons. I wait to see this great salvation, O Lord! To-morrow, God willing, I shall dine with Mr. L――, and on Friday morning if possible will endeavour to wait upon you. My hands are full of work, and I hear every day of fresh persons awakened; but I can do so little, and what I do is done so badly, that I fear sometimes my Lord will throw me aside like a broken vessel.—Very dear and honoured Sir, for Christ’s sake do you and your worthy collegue continue to pray for me; surely it is an act of the greatest charity. Less than the least of all, shall be my motto still. My heart is full; God forgive me. I am now beginning to enter upon my thirty-ninth year. Lord Jesus quicken my tardy pace! I can no more. But hoping to see you on Friday, and to be furthered in my work and way by your fatherly counsel and instruction, I subscribe myself, very dear and honoured Sir,

Your most affectionate, obliged son, and ready servant in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLVIII.

To Lady H――n.

London, Jan. 13, 1753.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s very kind and christian letter, I have read over and over again. It drew my heart towards the Redeemer, and caused me to pray, that your present retirement, may be a glorious preparative for further, and yet more public usefulness in his mystical body. To have one’s hands or tongue tied from acting or speaking for God, is, to a new and heaven-born soul, one of the greatest pieces of self-denial in the world. But this hath been the lot of many of the most choice and holy souls under heaven. It is a mercy, that where there is a willing mind, it is accepted according to that which a man hath, and not according to that which he hath not. I beg that your Ladyship would not have the least thought about my concerns, otherwise than at a throne of grace. Your Ladyship wants a bridle, rather than a spur. My highest ambition is to spend and be spent for Jesus, and to be not the head, but servant of all. When your Ladyship mentioned the word ambition, I could not help thinking of the saying of the Eunuch, “Speaketh the prophet this of himself, or of some other man?” But we know not what is in our hearts. Lord, keep me from being led into, and falling by temptation. I wish your Ladyship much success with B――, but worldly wise men, serpent-like, so turn and wind, that they have many ways to slip through and creep out at, which simple-hearted single-eyed souls know nothing of, and if they did, could not follow after them. Honesty is the best policy, and will in the end (whether we seek it or not) get the better of all. Your Ladyship’s intended letter to Governor B――, will be very acceptable. I hope the inclosed will give your Ladyship pleasure. O that I may be enabled to give the Lord Jesus all the glory! To me nought belongs, but confusion of face. Surely I am the chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints, but for Christ’s sake, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and very ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLIX.

To Mr. C――.

London, Jan. 15, 1753.

My dear Mr. C――,

I Owe you a letter and much love. The one I will now pay you, the other debt our ♦common Lord must discharge. I despair of doing it, because I run upon fresh arrears to him and his dear people every day and every hour. I willingly therefore own myself a debtor to high and low, rich and poor, to all, of all denominations whatsoever.—What have we to do with a party or sectarian zeal? Why should not our heaven begin on earth?

All that we know they do above,

Is, that they sing, and that they love.

O for some fresh anointings of the blessed spirit! Then will the scales fall more and more from our eyes, and the veil of ignorance be taken more and more from our hearts. Then shall we be more and more content to think, and let think, and be studious to be of one heart, where we cannot be of one judgment or mind. The sweetness of such a spirit, is unspeakable; it brings with it its own reward; it frees the soul from a thousand needless jealousies, and selfish passions, and enables it to put the reins of government into his hands, who alone orders all things well. Lord, increase in us this spirit, and give us more and more to love all that bear thy image, though they may not in all things agree with us!

O may we find the ancient way,

Our wond’ring foes to move;

And force the heathen world to say,

See how these christians love!

My dear brother, your kind letter constrains me to write thus.—Blessed be God for what has been done at any time, by any instrument, at Newcastle. I still pray that the town may be full of new creatures. In London we have reason to rejoice. Yesterday was a great day of the Son of man; both at the sacrament, and under the word preached, our Lord gave us to drink of the wine of the kingdom. On Monday last we followed three believers to the grave, and triumphed over death on his own ground. O what a Christ have we! God help us to love him more, and serve him better! I salute all most heartily with whom you are in fellowship.—Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you. I beg a continued interest in all your prayers, and subscribe myself, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLX.

To C―― W――.

Chatham, Jan. 19, 1753.

My dear Friend,

A Multiplicity of business prevented my answering your kind letter, before my coming out of London. Lest I should be prevented by the same means at my return thither, I write you a few lines in the way. I have been among some new-awakened souls, who seem to be taking the kingdom of God by a holy violence. At London, God hath lately caused his people’s cups to run over with strong consolation, and many sturdy sinners have been made to cry out, “What shall we do to be saved?” I thank you for the caution about the new building; a burnt child dreads the fire. I shall not begin, till we have a thousand pounds in hand, and then shall contract for a certain sum for the whole. This affair will detain me till the days are long enough to travel, and set out upon a fresh pursuit after poor sinners, who have wandered from their God.—The Lord be with you and yours. May the gospel plough be prospered, whatever hand is employed to lay hold of it. This, as far as I know my treacherous heart, is the sincere language of, dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXI.

To Mr. O――.

London, Jan. 23, 1753.

My dear Mr. O――,

I Received your kind letter, and have since shewn it to the secretary for Georgia, who approved of it very much. I am glad we are to have you in that infant province, and could heartily wish you was nearer Bethesda. I doubt not of its becoming a seat of learning in time, but it is good for every thing to rise gradually. I have engaged a dear youth, who I trust will suit the Orphan-house infant state very well. It hath scarce learnt as yet to stand upon its own legs; as it grows I expect it will give me more trouble. To have young men educated there, and then turned out into the church graceless and unconverted would break my heart. Father, if it be thy will, let this cup pass from me! I suppose we shall now soon know, who is to be Governor; every thing is to be ordered as I informed you in my last. My eyes are waiting upon Him, from whom alone cometh all our salvation. We see wonders every day on this side the water. Glorious days of the Son of man indeed! Notwithstanding, I long to take another trip to yonder new world. Time will determine, wherefore this attraction. He that believeth doth not make haste. God forbid that “Chastened, but not changed,” should always be Charles-Town motto. Lord, let them hear thy rod, and who hath appointed it! What a dreadful thing is it to come cankered out of the furnace? It bespeaks further trials yet behind;—but I need not tell you this.—Excuse this freedom: be pleased to give my hearty love to all, and I beseech you continue to pray for, my dear friend and brother,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXII.

To Mr. V―― B――.

London, Jan. 19, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

A Few days ago I was with good Mr. Z――, who assured me that Mr. V―― had written him, that two hundred pounds sterling were ordered you to be disposed of as you should judge proper. I hope you will find this to be true, if you have not found it so already. Is there no way of making the breach up between you and Mr. B――? Mr. U――r, from whom I heard very lately, and also all your German friends, desire it extremely. I promised Mr. Z―― that I would use my interest for your own sake, but above all for the sake of Jesus Christ our common Lord. My very dear Sir, do forgive and forget, and if you are conscious you have been too hasty in any respect, pray send to Mr. B―― a few lines of love. We never lose any thing by stooping.—God will always exalt the humble soul. O that the prince of peace would honour me to be a peace-maker!—Do, my dear friend, comply with my request, and thereby give further proofs that you are indeed converted, and become a little child. May this blessing descend on your new-born babe! Our joint respects await Mrs. V―― and yourself. You may well wish yourself at the tabernacle. All is alive there.—Thousands flock to hear, and thousands feel the power of the living God.—Dear Charles-Town, I pity thee! O that thou knowest the day of thy visitation! If this meets you there employed as an engineer, may the Lord own, bless and direct you, and keep you unspotted from the world! If elsewhere, I hope you are where God would have you be, and that is enough,—I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and desiring a continued interest in your prayers, beg leave to subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXIII.

To the Reverend Mr. H――.

London, Jan. 27, 1753.

My very dear Friend,

I Thank you a thousand times for the trouble you have been at, in revising my poor compositions, which I am afraid you have not treated with a becoming severity. How many pardons shall I ask for mangling, and I fear murdering your dear Theron and Aspasia? You will see by Monday’s coach; which will bring a parcel directed for you, to the care of Doctor S――. It contains one of your dialogues, and two more of my sermons, which I do not like very well myself, and therefore shall not wonder if you dislike them. If you think they will do for the public, pray return them immediately, because the other two go to the press next Monday. I have nothing to comfort me but this, “that the Lord chooses the weak things of this world to confound the strong, and things that are not, to bring to nought the things that are.” I think to sell all four sermons for six-pence. I write for the poor, you for the polite and the noble; God will assuredly own and bless what you write.—As yet I have only had time to peruse one of your sweet dialogues; as fast as possible I shall read the rest. I am more than paid for my trouble by reading them. The Lord be with your dear heart! Continue to pray for me. The Lord be with us. Grace! Grace! I am, dearest Sir, in very great haste, but greater love,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. B――.

London, Jan. 31, 1753.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

YOUR kind letter came safe to hand, and according to your desire, I send you a little bell, as a small token of my unfeigned love to your dear congregation. I have written strongly to Professor Frank for some Negroes for you, and heartily pray the Lord of all Lords to put it into our power to serve that black generation. Their souls are equally precious in the eyes of an all gracious Redeemer, as ours. O that we may yet see some good come out of Georgia. I would take another trip over this spring, but am hindered by our building a new place of worship, and by the continual calls that are given me to preach the everlasting gospel.—Indeed we see most glorious days of the Son of man. The cup of God’s people is made to run over, and every day we hear of somebody or another brought under new awakenings, and pricked to the heart; notwithstanding this, I find a continual attraction to America. The event will prove wherefore all this happens to me. Lord help me to walk by faith and not by sight! My dear Sir, you and yours will not forget to pray for me. I am the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints—What shall I render unto the Lord? Write every opportunity. Dear Mr. Z―― will take care of your child. Cannot matters be made up between you and Mr. V――? Is it not a pity that any of us should fall out in our way to heaven? When we meet next, remember that a floor and blanket is all the lodging, and a chick or fowl, boiled or roasted, is all the food I desire at Ebenezer. What is a pilgrim life without a pilgrim heart? O that I was like my Lord! Then should I endure hardness, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.—The encouragement for raising silk will be continued. O that Georgia may prove a fruitful soil for raising children unto Abraham! We wait for thy salvation, O Lord. For the present, reverend Sir, adieu. My wife joins in sending cordial salutations to your whole self, to Mr. L―― and his wife, and all the dear people at Ebenezer. That you all may at all times have reason to say, “hitherto hath our Lord helped us,” is the earnest prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother, and fellow-labourer in our common Lord,

G. W.

The End of the Second Volume.