LETTERS (continued 7)

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXIII.

To the Countess of D――.

Biddiford, Aug. 24, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

AS I am always praying for, so I cannot help sometimes writing to your Ladyship. I think I can say, “The love of Christ constrains me.” Thanks be to God that your Ladyship knows what these words mean. I hope you find it every day constraining you more and more to every good word and work. My greatest pain is, to find that I can do no more for Him, who has done and suffered so much for me. Blessed be his name, that the fields are yet every where white, ready unto harvest. Since I have been in the West, I have been preaching as usual, and a divine influence hath every where attended the word. This, I think, is the best way to answer those that oppose themselves. If God be for us, who can be against us? I suppose your Ladyship hath seen the Bishop’s second pamphlet. Surely it is an original. May the Lord Jesus open his eyes, and change his heart! Well might the glorious Emmanuel break out into this blessed exclamation, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Honoured Madam, how much are you indebted to divine grace, that hath singled you out from among the Mighty and Noble, and placed your Ladyship to the number of those happy few to whom it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God! I trust your honoured sister will ere long bear you company, and travel with you in that narrow road which leads to eternal life. When I remember you, I always think of her, and beg my most dutiful respects may find acceptance with her Ladyship. Some time next week I hope to be in town for a few days, and then shall do myself the honour of calling upon your Ladyship. In the mean while I recommend you to the tender mercies of the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, and beg an interest in your Ladyship’s prayers, in behalf of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obedient, obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXIV.

To Lady Fanny S――.

Exeter, Aug. 26, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

THOUGH I took the freedom of writing to your Ladyship before I left Bristol, and though I hope to be in town by next Thursday evening, yet gratitude and respect even compel me to trouble your Ladyship with another letter from this place. Here I came last night, after having preached the everlasting gospel to many thousands in the West. Sometimes I have been weak in body; but He, whose I am, and whom I endeavour to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, hath carried me through, and greatly refreshed and comforted my soul. Alas! to what a heaven are they strangers, who deny the influence of the Blessed Spirit, and cry down the felt and abiding joys of the Holy Ghost, as fancy, enthusiasm, and delusion. Ye poor dry Rationalists! I honour your parts in other respects, but pity your ignorance in the things of God. By this time, I suppose your Ladyship hath seen the Bishop’s second performance. I think it is an original, and so very scurrilous, unchristian, and profane, that I cannot think it will be worth my while to answer him again. I have satisfied my conscience in publishing my last pamphlet; and I now commit our cause to him who judgeth righteously. O honoured Madam, what a happy thing is it to be despised for the sake of Jesus! When John Huss was burnt, the Bishop of Constance painted devils upon paper, and put them round his head; how soon were they exchanged for a crown of glory! Yet a little while, and He that cometh will come, and will not tarry. Till then, may your Ladyship be kept by the mighty power of God through faith, and stand impregnable as a wall of brass! May you be kept a stranger to names and parties, and by a holy, humble, uniform imitation of the blessed Jesus, evidence to the world, that you are indeed experimentally acquainted with the power of his resurrection. High is your station, great are your difficulties; but he that dwelleth on high is mightier, and hath engaged to make you more than conqueror through his love. To his tender mercy do I now, and likewise every day, commend your Ladyship; and this, by divine assistance, shall always be the employ of, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXV.

To Lady H――n.

London, Sept. 4, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

BY the providence of good and gracious God, I came to town on Thursday evening, after having had a pleasant circuit in the West. The day after I wrote to your Ladyship, I preached twice at Exeter, and in the evening I believe I had near ten thousand hearers. The Bishop and several of his clergy stood very near me, as I am informed. A good season it was. All was quiet, and there was a great solemnity in the congregation; but a drunken man threw at me three great stones. One of them cut my head deeply, and was like to knock me off the table; but, blessed be God, I was not discomposed at all. One of the other stones struck a poor man quite down. As I came from Exeter, I visited one John Hayne, the soldier that, under God, begun the great awakening in Flanders. He is in Dorchester ♦gaol for preaching at Shaftsbury, where there has been, and is now a great awakening. Every where the work is upon the spread; and since I have been here, we have had some of the most awful, solemn, powerful meetings, as I ever saw at the Tabernacle. Congregations have been very large, and I have had several meetings with the preachers. On Saturday I had the honour of being almost all the day long with Lady F――, Lady H――, Lady C――, and the Countess of D――. Lady F―― and the Countess received the blessed sacrament before the others came: and I think they both grow. If I stay over Sunday, (as perhaps I may) I hope to have another day with them. I am sorry to inform your Ladyship, Mr. D―― died last Sunday about noon. He had been sick about a fortnight, was in doubts for a while, but two or three days before his death he rejoiced in God his Saviour. This morning I had the pleasure of a visit from Mr. P―― and two German ministers, who have been labouring among the Jews, and been made instrumental of converting many of them. They seemed to be dear souls. They have preached at the German chapel with great power. That your Ladyship may always enjoy a thriving soul in a healthy body, is the continual prayer of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXVI.

To Mr. B――.

Oundle, in Northamptonshire, Sept. 15, 1749.

My very dear Mr. B――,

THOUGH I have not written to you, yet I know of no one in America, for whom I have a more real and abiding esteem. The account of your temporal affairs, which I received from my wife, gave me great concern. I often wish it was in my power to assist you; but as it is not, all I can do is to pray for you, and exhort you to look up to Him, who has engaged, that all things shall work together for good to those who love him in sincerity. This, I am persuaded, may be said of you; and therefore, dear Sir, be of good courage. These light afflictions are but for a moment, and are intended to work out a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Thanks be to God, all the hell we are to have, is on this side the grave; there is none for believers beyond it: and even in the midst of our deepest temporal misery, we may enjoy an antepast of heaven. This you know by experience. Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift in and through Christ Jesus our Lord. Though faint, my dear friend, yet still pursue. Yonder stands the blessed Jesus with a crown in his hand, ready to put on the conqueror’s head. Let this animate you, for you shall certainly reap in due time, if you faint not. I could write much, but am surrounded with business from many quarters. Blessed be God, my hands are full of work, though I stand amazed that the Redeemer does not lay me aside. But his grace is free. I commend you and your dear yoke-fellow to his never failing mercy, and begging a continued interest in your prayers, subscribe myself, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXVII.

To the Rev. Mr. H――.

Binnington, Sept. 17, 1749.

Rev. and very dear Sir,

IF you was uneasy that my last lay by you unanswered, I am sure I have been, it may be, much more so, ever since yours came to hand. Upon reading it, I felt all the springs of sympathy move as it were at once. Glad would I have been of the wings of a dove, to have fled to, and condoled with my suffering friend. Perhaps I have heard from what corner your cross comes. It is a very near one indeed.—A saying of Mr. B―― hath often comforted me; “I would often have nestled, but God always put a thorn in my nest.” Is not this suffered, my dear brother, think you, to prick you out, and to compel you as it were to appear for the Lord Jesus Christ? Preaching is my grand Catholicon under all domestic, as well as other trials. Methinks the voice of providence now is, “Who is on the Lord’s side?”—I fear Dr. S―― has done you hurt, and kept you in shackles too, too long. For Christ’s sake, my dear Mr. H――, exhort him, now he hath taken the gown, to play the man, and let the world see that not worldly motives, but God’s glory and a love for souls, have sent him into the ministry. Though when I conversed with him he was exceeding weak, yet as I trust there is sincerity at the bottom, I hope he will turn out a flamer at last. O when shall this once be! who would lose one moment? Amazing! that the followers of a crucified Redeemer should be afraid of contempt. Surely it must be for want of looking more to, and considering him who endured so much pain, and despised so much shame, but is now sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. O gloriam quantam et qualem! Rise, H――, rise, and see thy Jesus reaching out a crown with this motto, Vincenti dabo. Excuse this freedom, I write out of the fulness of my heart, not to draw you over to me or a party, but to excite you to appear openly for God. I am glad you intend to write. May I know the plan you intend to go upon? Do you think to say any thing to the Bishop of Exeter? Have you seen his second piece? Would you have me reply? Will you point out to me the faults of my first answer? A letter may be directed (if you write immediately) to be left for me at the Reverend Mr. J――’s, Yorkshire. Thither I am bound now, and if the season of the year should permit, I would stretch to Scotland. Alas, how soon is the year gone round since I was there last! and how little have I done for Jesus! A thought of it sometimes breaks my heart. And yet how good is the Lord! In London we have had most delightful seasons. The glory of the Redeemer filled the tabernacle. If any doubt whether the cause we are embarked in be the cause of God, I say, “Come and see.” Are you free that I should call upon you in my return to town? I think to come by way of Northampton. You shall hear what is done in Yorkshire. I find God has blessed my preaching at Oundle to some souls. At Biddiford, Plymouth, Exeter, and Chatham the word ran and was glorified. But what am I doing? I never wrote to any one so freely, I think, that I was not personally acquainted with, as to you. Pardon me, if I am too free, and impute it to the love that is borne you by, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXVIII.

To Captain W――.

Newcastle, Sept. 29, 1749.

My very dear Brother,

SINCE I wrote to you last, I have had many proofs that God’s providence directed my way into Yorkshire. I preached four times at Abberford, four times at Leeds, and thrice at Howarth, where lives one Mr. G――. At his church I believe we had above a thousand communicants, and in the church-yard about six thousand hearers. It was a great day of the son of man. At Leeds the auditory consisted of above ten thousand. About Leeds are Mr. W――’s societies. I was invited thither by them and one of their preachers; and Mr. Charles W―― coming thither published me himself. I therefore complied, and I believe the gospel was welcome. I have preached here once, and am to preach again this evening. On Monday, God willing, I propose to return to Yorkshire, and from thence to London. Pray send me word immediately whether the Port-Merchant be gone, because I know not but some out of Wales may go in her. I forgot to tell you in my last, that I had given over the immediate care of all my societies to Mr. H――; so that now I am a preacher at large indeed. I find every thing is turning round strangely. O for simplicity and honesty to the end! I long to know how it is with you. Am I to have my brother at last? Do convictions fasten, and can you at length sing,

Be gone, vain world; my heart resign,

For I must be no longer thine?

For the present, adieu. My love to all. I wish you the very best of blessings, and am, my very dear brother,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXIX.

To Lady H――.

Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

I Wrote to your Ladyship lately a few lines under great weariness of body. I then promised to send your Ladyship many pleasing particulars. Till now I have not had opportunity; and now what shall I say to your Ladyship? Never did I see more of the hand of God in any of my journies than in this. At Mr. G――’s I believe there were above six thousand hearers. The sacramental occasion was most awful. At Leeds the congregation consisted of above 10,000. In the morning at five I was obliged to preach out of doors. I was invited to Leeds by one of Mr. W――’s preachers, and by all his people. The gospel was welcome to them. In my way hither I met Mr. Charles W――, who returned back with, and introduced me to the pulpit in Newcastle. As I am a debtor to all, and intend to be at the head of no party, I thought it my duty to comply. I have preached now in their room four times, and this morning I preached to many thousands in a large close. This evening I am to do the same again. The power of God has attended his own word, and there seems to be a quickening and stirring among the souls. To-morrow, God willing, we set out for Leeds, and after about a week’s stay in those parts I intend returning to London. As it is so late in the year, my Scotch friends advise me to defer my going thither. Had I known that, I should have embarked for America this fall; but I find there were other reasons for my being prevented crossing the waters this winter. I desire to follow the Lamb whithersoever he is pleased to lead me. At New-haven there is a great awakening. If any thing offers worthy of notice, your Ladyship shall be sure to hear. In the mean while, I continue to put up my usual prayer, that your Ladyship may be filled with all the fulness of God, and to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXX.

To Lady Fanny S――.

Newcastle, Oct. 1, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

SOME time last week, my wife sent me the letter your Ladyship was pleased to favour me with about three weeks ago. Though I was sorry it did not reach me before I left town, yet I rejoiced to find that it bespoke your Ladyship’s attachment to the ever-loving ever-lovely Jesus, and a desire to partake of the sacred symbols of his most blessed body and blood. I doubt not but your Ladyship, with full purpose of heart, will cleave unto him, and in spite of men and devils go on in that narrow way which leads to life eternal. God’s grace will be sufficient for you. He hath promised, and he is faithful who hath promised, never to leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him. He is in the burning bush, he is in the fiery furnace. He can and will make us more than conquerors over all. With what courage then may your Ladyship go on through this howling wilderness, whilst leaning on your beloved Saviour? In him alone is all your strength found. Honoured Madam, look to him, consider him, and thereby you will be kept from being weary and faint in your mind. I doubt not but you meet with daily crosses. Persons that stand alone, and in high places, must expect storms. But Jesus is able and willing to uphold you. Thanks be to his great name for giving your Ladyship such a share of prudence and courage. May the glorious Emmanuel increase both; and without being attached to any party, may you be preserved unspotted from the world, and be a common friend to all!—Since I saw your Ladyship, I have disengaged myself from the immediate care of the societies, and am now still more at liberty to preach the gospel of the blessed God. A series of unforeseen providences brought me down this way. In Yorkshire many, many thousands have attended the word, and here at Newcastle thousands also hear the gospel gladly. To-morrow I am returning back, and hope to be in town some time this month. I fear it is now too late to embark for America this winter; but, thanks be to God, I hear my family is well, and that the Lord hath given them a plentiful crop. If your Ladyship lives, I believe you will hear of some souls being educated at Georgia for God. Honoured Madam, my heart’s desire and constant prayer is, that you may go on from strength to strength, and be continually growing in the knowledge of yourself and Christ Jesus your Lord. I must now add no more, but my repeated thanks for all your Ladyship’s favours, and my repeated assurances of being, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXI.

To Lady F―― S――.

Estwood in Lancashire, Oct. 25, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

SINCE I had the honour of writing to your Ladyship from Newcastle, fresh wonders of grace and mercy have been shewn us daily. I have now I think preached about thirty times in Yorkshire, and above ten times in Cheshire, and Lancashire. Congregations have been very large, and a solid, convincing, and comforting influence hath every where attended the word. In one or two places I have had a little rough treatment, but elsewhere all has been quiet, and many I hear are brought under concern about the welfare of their better part. At the importunity of many, I am now returning from Manchester (where I preached to many thousands) to Leeds; from thence I purpose going to Sheffield, and next week I hope to see good Lady H――n at Ashby, and the week following I hope to be in London. Thus do I lead a pilgrim life: God give me a pilgrim heart, and enable me to speak of redeeming love to a lost world, till I can speak no more! Surely this is a work that brings with it its own reward. It brings a heaven into the soul, and causes it, amidst all the scoffs and tauntings of a benighted, ill-natured, and ridiculing world, to rejoice with joy unspeakable, even a joy that is full of glory. “To me, (says the blessed apostle) to live is Christ.” When a person can once say so in reality, then he begins to live indeed. Even death itself is then life, because death to such a one is eternal gain. O how great, how striking, how transporting and transforming are the invisible realities of another world, to a soul that is born of God! What meer shadows and empty nothings are all sublunary enjoyments, when compared with these! Thanks be to God, who has given you, honoured Madam, a taste of these infinitely important things. My constant prayer for your Ladyship is, that you may hold on, and hold out, and with full purpose of heart cleave unto that Redeemer who hath loved you, and given himself for you. Mrs. G―― at Manchester goes on well, and is not ashamed to confess him, who I trust has called her out of darkness, and made her partaker of his marvellous light. May the glorious Emmanuel add daily to the number of his honourable confessors, and give the rich to know, that to be rich in faith and good works is the only way to be rich indeed! All is ours, if we can truly say, we are Christ’s. Honoured Madam, I must beg your excuse for this freedom; but at present I have a view of the Redeemer’s glory, and therefore know not well how to stop when writing of him. Your Ladyship will ♦pardon me, and accept these poor lines, which shall be followed with hearty prayers from, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXII.

To the Countess D――.

Halifax, Oct. 26, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

THOUGH I am jealous of myself, lest I should make too free with persons in high life, yet when I have good news to send concerning the kingdom of Jesus Christ, I am constrained as it were to write to your Ladyship. Will it not rejoice you very much, honoured Madam, to hear the glorious Emmanuel is riding on in the chariot of his gospel, from conquering to conquer? Every day people flock to hear the word, like doves to their windows. I have preached about thirty times in Yorkshire, and at the desire of many am returned thither again. The latter end of next week I hope to see good Lady H――n. I suppose her Ladyship will detain me a few days at Ashby, and then I purpose coming directly to London. Thanks be to God, all places are near alike to me, so that I can but be doing something for Him, who hath done and suffered so much for me. This I would have to be my meat and my drink. To me to live, let it be Christ; for life is no further desirable than as we can improve it to the promoting his glory. Mary thought so, who in the days of his flesh sat at the Redeemer’s feet and heard his words. This I believe is your Ladyship’s daily employ; a glorious employ indeed. How sweet must his fruit be unto your Ladyship’s taste! Surely it is sweeter than the honey or the honeycomb. And if the first-fruits are so delightful, how infinitely delightful must the full harvest be! Go on, honoured Madam, and whatever others may do, still keep pursuing after more and more of that better part, which shall never be taken away from you. Jesus is full of grace, and full of truth. Believers are welcome to him every moment. He is ready to water them continually with the dew of his heavenly blessing. It is our privilege to go on from grace to grace, till grace be swallowed up in endless glory. O that your honoured sister may march on with your Ladyship towards this blessed state! There she will have a house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. I send her Ladyship my most dutiful respects, and sincerely pray that she may be filled with all the fulness of God.—I hope your Ladyship is inclined to remember me at the throne of grace, your Ladyship knows my name, “The chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints;” but, for Christ’s sake, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and willing servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXIII.

To Lady H――n.

Leeds, Oct. 30, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

ON Saturday evening I had the honour of your Ladyship’s letter, and as it came before the Manchester post went out, I immediately sent the inclosed to Mrs. G――. If possible I am persuaded she will comply. She seems to be quite in earnest. I conversed for about two hours with the Captain and some other officers, upon the nature and necessity of the new birth. He was affected, and I hope it was blessed. Since I left them, I have preached to many thousands at Rosindale, Aywood, and Halifax. I have also offered Jesus at ♦Burstall, Pudsy, and Armly, and have had three precious seasons here. Congregations are exceeding large indeed, and both the established and dissenting clergy are very angry. They thundered I hear yesterday heartily. But truth is great, and will prevail, though preached in the fields and streets. Indeed it begins to be cold abroad now; but the Lord Jesus is pleased to strengthen me, and people flock from all quarters. This day sevennight, God willing, without fail your Ladyship may depend on seeing me. I thought to have been at Ashby next Lord’s-day, but a door seems to be opened at Nottingham, and I have thoughts of trying what can be done there. This morning I shall set out for Sheffield. May the Lord give me a pilgrim heart for my pilgrim life, and then all will be well! I know I have your Ladyship’s prayers.—I think your Ladyship judges right in respect to the churches. I expect to meet with many rebuffs, but by the help of my God I shall leap over every wall. That your Ladyship may stand as a wall of brass, is the hearty prayer of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful obedient servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. H――.

Ashby-Place, Nov. 8, 1749.

My very dear Friend,

I Thank you heartily for your kind letter to me, and your kind benefaction to poor Mr. C――. That God, whom you both serve, will plentifully reward and bless you. I am in great hopes, enough will be raised to pay his debts, and that a provision will be made for his future subsistence. Rather than Elijahs shall want, ravens shall be sent to feed them. Your present circumstances almost distress me, and at the same time make me ashamed. I think it requires more grace heartily to say, “Father, thy will be done,” in such a situation, than to die a martyr forty times. But my dear friend, though your body is weak and confined at home, your pen hath been active, and your works walk abroad. I hear of them from all quarters. God hath blessed, and will bless them. Let that comfort you, and if health any way permits, pray write again. Fear not, my dear dear Man; let faith and patience hold out a little longer, and then the struggle shall be over. Yet a little while, and you shall join with that sweet singer Dr. Watts, who whilst on earth dragged a crazy load along, as well as you, for many years. As for my poor tabernacle, I wonder it is not dissolved every day; but we are immortal till our work is done. Now is my time for doing; my suffering time may come by and by. O for strength in a trying hour! Wherefore should we fear? Wherefore should we doubt? He that hath loved us, will love us to the end. This encourages me to hold on my way. Blessed be God, I have seen great things since I wrote last. The fields have been more and more white, ready unto harvest. I am now at Ashby with good Lady H――n. Her Ladyship has a great regard for you, and begs you would come and stay a week at her house. She will take great care of you. I think to remove hence on Monday, and should be very glad to see you in my way to London. However this be, we shall meet in heaven. There the wicked heart and wicked world will cease from troubling, and there the weary will enjoy an uninterrupted and eternal rest. This morning we have been remembering our blessed Redeemer’s death, and I was enabled to pray earnestly for my dear Mr. H――. I beseech the Father of mercies and God of all consolations to excite you to do the same for my dear old friend.

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXV.

To Lady H――n.

London, Nov. 21, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s letter greatly rejoiced me, and stirred me up to pray afresh that our blessed Lord would give you to see of the travel of his soul, in the salvation of many at Ashby. I am persuaded your Ladyship was not sent there for nothing.—But it is always darkest before break of day. I desire to be thankful that your honoured Sisters are pleased to approve of me. Thanks be to God, I feel myself unworthy; but unworthy as I am, my poor prayers I trust will reach heaven in their behalf. This day, both they and your Ladyship were remembered at the Lord’s table. The Countess, Lady G―― and Lady F―― were there, and all I think are grown in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What encouragement is this for your Ladyship to go and speak for God? All send their best compliments, and Lady F―― desired me to inform your Ladyship, that the man who was sent up has been taken care of. Blessed be God for putting it in your Ladyship’s power to help the poor sufferers of Cork. Last night I received a letter from Mr. L――, and purpose this night or to-morrow to write to him about what your Ladyship desires; I think he will be a proper person. Mr. W―― I believe is at his house. I pity those who have been persecuted in Ireland. The minister being taken so ill near your Ladyship, was an alarming providence. But who so blind as those that will not see? God honours your Ladyship, in making you instrumental to own and provide for those, who are cast out for his great name’s sake. Great shall be your reward in heaven. I hope you and your honoured sisters will have great comfort in the perseverance of the poor baker. He is a Jerusalem sinner, a proper object for free grace to fix on. A woman of fourscore, and a boy about eleven, have been lately awakened, and it is hoped converted, in Essex. May Jesus feed them all with bread that comes down from heaven! We have blessed seasons here, and our Lord gives us to see his stately steps. God prepare me for a suffering hour! Mrs. C―― has met with a heavy trial in the death of her only daughter, aged twenty. I hear she behaves like a christian under it. Happy they who know that promise belongs to them, “All things work together for good to those who love God.” How easy may Isaacs be given up by them? But I forget I am weary, when writing to your Ladyship. Pardon my taking up so much of your precious time. I wish your Ladyship, your honoured Sisters, and children, all the privileges of the new-born, heaven-born sons of God. This is the only return that can be made both to them and you, by, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXVI.

To Mr. L――.

London, Nov. 22, 1749.

Very dear Sir,

I Received your kind letter on Monday last, and to shew you how willing I am to carry on a correspondence, I take the very first opportunity of answering it. Yours found me just returned out of Yorkshire, Lancashire, &c. Since you heard of me last, I have been at Sheffield and Nottingham, and found the fields every where white ready unto harvest. I believe my particular province is, to go about and preach the gospel to all. My being obliged to keep up a large correspondence in America, and the necessity I am under of going thither myself, entirely prevents my taking care of any societies. Whether it will ever be my lot to come over to Ireland, I cannot say. I have some thought of being there next Spring; but I would not intrude on any one’s labours. The world is large, and blessed be God, there is a range and work sufficient for all. As for my manner of preaching, I believe, was you to hear me, you would find it calculated to serve all, but intended at least to offend none. I profess to be of a catholic spirit; I am a debtor to all; I have no party to be at the head of, and through God’s grace, I will have none; but as much as in me lies strengthen the hands of all, of every denomination, that preach Jesus Christ in sincerity. In this spirit I hope my dear Mr. L―― will find me, should he ever see me in Ireland; but whether I shall go there or to America in the Spring, is not yet determined. Future things belong to Him whose I am, and whom I desire to serve to my dying day, in the gospel of his dear Son. I earnestly beg an interest in your prayers, and in the prayers of all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. Pray how do the poor people at Cork? Lady H―― writes this concerning them. “I hope the poor persecuted people in Cork will be helped, and I should be glad if you could write in my name to any of them, and inform them that I would have written myself, but I know not how to direct. You may give them my kind assurance of serving them upon any occasion, and a hint that I believe they will meet with no more of the like rough usage.” Thus far my good Lady. I have informed her Ladyship, that I should write to you, who I am persuaded will gladly and in a prudent manner communicate this to all concerned. And now, my dear Sir, have I not returned you a long letter? I love you, though I know you not, and the more so because I hear you breathe a catholic spirit. May the Lord increase it in your and all his children’s hearts! I must now add no more, but subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXVII.

To Mr. N――.

London, Nov. 25, 1749.

Very dear Sir,

FOR some few days I have been returned from my northern rout, in which the glorious Emmanuel gave me to see new wonders every day. It was no small concern to me to turn my back on Scotland, when so near. However it hath been greatly over-ruled for good. I have thereby been called to preach in many fresh places, and, glory be to God, I saw thousands flock to the hearing of the gospel, like doves to the windows. The generous offer made me by yourself and lady, I took exceeding kind, and gladly would I have embraced it, but――Well! what is, is best. “Father, not my will but thine be done.” Perhaps I may see you in the Spring; if not, ere long, dear Sir, we shall meet in heaven. My wife tells me, she answered Lady I――’s letter immediately. In this she joins, sending most grateful acknowledgments and cordial salutations. Blessed be God, we are both well, and surrounded with mercies on every side.—Only ungrateful, ill, and hell-deserving I, want a grateful and an humble heart. I am altogether an unprofitable servant, but our Lord I trust will purge me, that I may bring forth more fruit: for by this, and this only, I know our heavenly father is glorified. What I am most afraid of is, lest I should flag in the latter stages of my road. But he that hath loved and helped, will, dear Sir, love and help me to the end. I am persuaded your prayers and the prayers of christian friends will be very serviceable. O that you may be kept alive and warm in this cold declining day! Poor Scotland, I pity thee! I will pray for thy prosperity till I can pray no more! Be pleased to present our joint love and cordial respects to all friends in general, and we entreat you and yours to accept the same in a most particular manner from, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXVIII.

To Lady H――n.

London, Nov. 30, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

I Think it is now a whole week since I had the honour and pleasure of writing to your Ladyship, and as your Ladyship was pleased to desire the prayers of God’s people, I read that part of your letter. Thousands heartily united in singing the following verses for your Ladyship.

Gladly we join to pray for those,

Who rich with worldly honour shine;

Yet dare to own a Saviour’s cause,

And in that hated cause to join:

Yes! we would praise Thee that a few

Love Thee, though rich and noble too.

Uphold this star in thy right hand,

Crown her endeavours with success;

Among the great ones may she stand,

A witness of thy righteousness!

Till many nobles join thy train,

And triumph in the Lamb that’s slain.

The verses were made by T―― G―― who is now under my roof. He has grievously backslidden, but I hope is now returning home to his heavenly Father. We had an uncommon scene when he first came to me. I find the Lord will be sanctified in all them that come near him, and will not suffer those who are concerned in his cause, and with his people, to continue in sin long undiscerned. O that I may be kept simple, and honest, and zealous unto the end! Mine eyes wait upon thee, O Lord, from whence alone cometh my salvation! I find he never fails those that put their trust in him. Blessed be his name, I have got sufficient to pay off Mr. C――’s debts.—Poor, yet attempting at least to make many rich, I would have my motto still. Mr. L―― also writes word, that the glorious Jesus hath raised sufficient for his charity school, and that he is much blessed in his labours. The book that hath been given to me for your Ladyship, I purpose sending next week, with one or two of the Sundays Thoughts for your Ladyship’s honoured sisters. Indeed I honour them very much, and pray for them and all related to your Ladyship very earnestly. I was glad to hear by Mr. R―― that your Ladyship and all were so well. May you prosper and be in health both in body and soul! London already begins to disagree with my outward man, but the Lord’s smiling upon my poor labours sweetens all. I have begun to preach by six in the morning. We have large congregations even then. I trust we shall have a warm winter. I have not been at the other end of the town this week, but I find all hold on: however a leader is wanting. This honour hath been put on your Ladyship by the great head of the church. An honour conferred on few, but an earnest of a distinguished honour to be put on your Ladyship before men and angels, when time shall be no more. That you may every day add to the splendor of your future crown, by always abounding in the work of the Lord, is the fervent prayer of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, and obliged, though very unworthy servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCLXXXIX.

To Mr. L――.

London, Dec. 3, 1749.

My dear Mr. L――,

I Thank you heartily for your kind Letter, and yet more heartily thank our glorious Emmanuel for succeeding your charity school, and smiling upon your public administrations. I have sent Lady H――n an account of it, and earnestly pray the blessed Redeemer to own and succeed you evermore. My winter quarters are made very agreeable; but so much business crouds in upon me, that I have not time to write long letters. I am looking out for some fresh sermons for you. Mr. H――, with whom I spent some agreeable hours lately at Northampton, would let you have some, but his are all in short hand. Here is a volume of one Mr. H――’s lately deceased that I guess will do for you. A friend to-day promises to send me Gurnall’s spiritual Armour, of which I suppose you will highly approve. I will endeavour to bring or send it to you. I cannot think of stirring hence till after Christmas, but before the Winter is over, I shall long for the Spring to come, that I may enter on a fresh campaign. The encouragement given me this last fall, gladdens my poor heart, and makes me to long more than ever to spend and be spent for that Jesus, who hath shed his precious blood for us upon the cross. I know those last almost parting words of our ascending Lord, “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep,” will be engraven upon the tables of your heart. Our obligations to do so, are very great, at least mine are. O that we may embrace all opportunities of shewing that we love our Lord more than every created thing. O for simplicity and godly sincerity unto the end of our race! Yet a little while, and we shall reach the goal and lay hold on the crown. Yonder our Lord stands holding it out. It has those words written upon it, Vincenti dabo. What is infinitely more, he will give us himself. We shall behold, we shall partake of his glory. O gloriam ♦quantum et qualem! You will urge all to press after it. Blessed be God, that you have so many around you that have a taste thereof. My hearty love attends them all. May the Lord Jesus be with your spirit, and give you to increase with all the increase of God! Nothing greater can be, nothing less shall be desired in your behalf by, my dear old friend,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXC.

To Mrs. K――.

London, Dec. 6, 1749.

Dear Madam,

I Thank you heartily for the acceptable favour of your letter, which came to my hand last night. It was quite welcome, as it bespoke the language of a heart panting after God, and desirous to be conformed to its great exemplar the blessed and holy Jesus. Go on, dear Madam, in his strength, who hath loved you and given himself for you. Confess him before men, and he will confess you before his holy angels in heaven. I am glad that Lady H―― visits you often. Whenever you meet, may the glorious Emmanuel cause your hearts to burn within you. What you propose for the poor cast-out clergyman, will be accepted of and rewarded by our common Lord, as done to himself. God willing, I purpose waiting upon you next Saturday by eleven o’clock, and then I can receive your kind benefaction. Colonel G―― being with me when your letter came, offered to accompany me. Perhaps Mr. C―― will come too. I shall see him this day, and shall be sure to inform him and his wife of what you desire. Good Lady H――n would gladly make one in addressing the throne of grace. But she is happy in yonder dead place, and Dorcas-like is always employed for the poor. Glorious privilege! Blessed redemption! Jesus can make us happy any where and every where. You have a neighbour that dearly loves him. I mean the reverend Mr. Z――, the king’s German chaplain. I believe, Madam, he would be glad to wait upon you; he has now three ministers with him, burning with the love of Christ, and going to preach the gospel in the East-Indies. Have you seen a little piece entitled Sunday Thoughts? I think you would like it much. But I forget myself. I wish you the best of blessings, all the blessings of the everlasting covenant, and beg leave to subscribe myself, dear Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCI.

To Mr. W―― L――.

London, Dec. 9, 1749.

My dear Mr. L――,

I Find by your last kind letter that the king’s business requires haste. I therefore immediately dispatched it to good Lady H――, who I am persuaded will think it her highest privilege to serve the dear people of Cork. Whether your account of their sufferings has reached her Ladyship I cannot tell, but you will know soon. However this we know, that they have reached the ears of the blessed Jesus, who sitteth in heaven, and laughs all his enemies to scorn. He will take care that the bush, though burning, shall not be consumed, nay he will take care that it shall flourish even when in the midst of fire. In all our afflictions he is afflicted, and though the under shepherds be smitten, and his poor sheep for a while scattered, yet even this scattering shall be over-ruled for the propagation of the glorious gospel. It will be melancholy to have any preachers transported; but really the thoughts do not affect me so much, because I know what a field of action there is for them abroad. It has been my settled opinion for a long time, that Christ’s labourers (at least some of them,) love home too much, and do not care enough for those thousands of precious souls, that are ready to perish for lack of knowledge in yonder wilderness. We propose having an academy or college at the Orphan-house in Georgia. Supposing the worst, hundreds may find a sweet retreat there. The house is large; it will hold an hundred. I trust my heart is larger, and will hold ten thousand. Be who or what they will, if they belong to Jesus, the language of my heart shall be, “Come in, ye blessed of the Lord.” But perhaps this may not be the issue. The threatning storm may blow over, and all may be at peace again. It is always darkest before break of day. May the glorious Emmanuel lighten the darkness of our minds! then we need not fear what men or devils can say of, or do unto us. Adored be his free grace for enabling you, dear Sir, to confess him before men, and to make Moses’s choice your choice. Great shall be your reward of grace, though not of debt: he will confess you before his Father and his holy angels in heaven. When you write, be pleased to salute the dear confessors at Cork. I love them in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and pray the Lord of all lords to give them grace to quit themselves like men, and be strong. If any of my poor writings might be useful, I will send some to Ireland at any time. O free grace, that the adorable Jesus should ever make use of such a wretch as I am! This is free grace indeed. Help me, dear Sir, to adore it; and if at any time I can be serviceable, make no apologies, but write frequently, and command as well as pray for, my dear friend,

Your very affectionate brother and chearful servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCII.

To Mr. G――.

London, Dec. 12, 1749.

My dear Mr. G――,

I Thank you for your kind letter. It bespoke the language of an honest heart. If I am not mistaken, your name is Nathaniel. This is what I fain would be, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no allowed guile. Such will Jesus guide in his way. I therefore have no doubt of your receiving a blessing, a blessing, in what you intend doing next Christmas. You have openly called Jesus and his disciples to the marriage: and such proceedings are always owned of God, whilst contrary methods are as surely either blasted or embittered by him, who loves a single eye and an upright heart. You will remember me kindly to Mrs. H――, and all that love the blessed Jesus in sincerity. I desire to be thankful for the favour that was left behind a preached gospel. It is the Lord’s doings. Let us continue praying, and we shall yet see far greater things than these. You do well to meet at Rotheram. My cordial salutations, attend Mr. C――, Mr. H――, and their respective families. May the Lord bless them, as he did the house of Obededom, for the ark’s sake! My advice is, quit yourselves like men, and be strong. If our Lord shall open a door, I fully purpose to have another stroke at Satan’s strong-holds in R――. Jesus can and will make us more than conquerors over all. Blessed be his name for leading you, my dear friend, more and more into the knowledge of his divine, compleat, and everlasting righteousness. That is a rock against which the gates of hell shall never prevail. If we have a mind to go pleasantly to Canaan, we must lean, not on our frames, not on a stock received, but on our Beloved. Looking to him is the only way of being saved from every evil that annoys and disturbs us. It is his blood, sprinkled by the blessed Spirit upon the conscience, and that alone, which cleanseth from all sin. Whatever, therefore, you want, go to Jesus: that is his name. And why? Because he is to save his people from their sins. And what amazing grace is it, that we should be in the number of his people? Surely that God-exalting, that self-abasing expression, “Why me, Lord, why me?” should always be in the mouth of one redeemed of the Lamb. But I must stop, though with regret. Whilst I am writing the fire kindles. I beg all your prayers;—no one wants them more. My wife returns her love. I believe good Lady H―― hath no place suitable for the person you mention. Why should she fly from her cross? Sometimes we do best when surrounded by enemies: they keep us upon our watch. Jesus is able to preserve us, though in a burning bush. To his never-failing mercy do I commend you all, and am, dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCIII.

To Mr. H――.

London, Dec. 13, 1749.

My dear Mr. H――,

YOUR kind letter almost made me to blush. I little thought, when I left N――, that you should have written first; but I have been so engaged since I came to town, that I could not well write to you before now. However, you have generally been in my thoughts; and I have not failed to remember you before him, who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and through him. I see you are still under the rod, and I trust are enabled to kiss the hand that holds it. These afflictions, at present are not joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, through these many tribulations, we shall at length enter into eternal glory. By doing, or suffering, or by both, our active and passive graces must be kept in continual exercise. Your sufferings are of a peculiar nature; peculiar grace shall be given under, and a peculiar conquest granted over them. Look, my dear Sir, not to the Mysticks, but to Jesus. Indeed, his righteousness is the only rock on which you can build any solid comfort. In this, and in this only are you compleat. This is the only breast-plate; and faith in this, a true, living, operative faith in this, is the only shield whereby the believer will be enabled to repel all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Thanks be to God, who hitherto hath given you to triumph, hath raised you from a bed of sickness, and set you on a throne, I mean your pulpit again. May the glorious Emmanuel enable you to speak from thence both to him and his people, as becometh the lively oracles of God. I find Satan does all that he can to prevent your using your pen. The Lord will rebuke him in due time, and cause it yet to become the pen of a ready writer. I am glad you have opened a correspondence with our elect Lady. Keep it open I entreat you, my dear friend, and be not nimis nullus. Alas! if differences of every kind were to hinder any one, surely I must be the man. But in Jesus is my strength found; and as my day is, so he causes my strength to be. Thanks be to his holy name, we have seen his outgoings frequently of late in London. His glory hath filled the Tabernacle, and many have been brought under fresh concern for their souls. I shall be glad to hear that Dr. S―― hath begun to speak for the Lord. But what can be done, till we are delivered from worldly hopes and worldly fears? Perfect, unfeigned love to the blessed Jesus, can only expel these. That your dear soul may constantly overflow with it, and that you may increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear Mr. H――,

Your most affectionate, though unworthy friend, and brother, and servant in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCIV.

To Mr. James B――.

London, Dec. 14, 1749.

My dear Friend,

IF you was rejoiced in hearing from me, I can assure you, I was delighted, when I received letters from my dear Maryland and Bohemia friends. Upon reading them, I hoped that our Lord was purging you, that you might bring forth more fruit to his glory. I hope you have found it a sanctifying rod, and that it hath only whipped you so much nearer to the ever-blessed Lamb of God. Now, my dear Sir, now is the time to shew your gratitude; now is the time to begin steadily to pursue the one thing needful. What avail the many things of this poor transitory world, in a sick and dying hour? Alas! they are nothing, and less than nothing. Jesus alone is all in all. He is the pearl of great price, which a wise merchant will gladly sell all to purchase. It is worth all, or worth nothing. O when shall it once be, that the children of this world shall not be wiser in their generations than the children of light! I trust my dear Mr. B―― will labour to fulfil this wish, and with full purpose of heart cleave unto his once dying, but now risen, ascended, and interceding Lord. When shall I love him more; when shall unworthy I serve him better? My obligations to do so, are increasing every moment. This last fall has been a glorious seed-time indeed. I have been in six or seven Northern counties, and thousands and ten thousands flocked to hear the word. I am now in my Winter quarters. Our Lord is pleased to bow the heavens, and come down amongst his people. His glory fills the Tabernacle, and the shout of a king is heard in our camp. I wish I could hear of the revival of God’s work among you. Let us pray, and not faint. You know who has commanded us to let him have no rest till Jerusalem be made a praise through the earth. Methinks I wish the months may fly away, wherein I am detained from coming to my dear America again. I entreat you to pray me over, and then I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace. The glorious Jesus deals bountifully with me here. I am better in health, than I have been some years.—My wife hath much improved in hers, since her arrival in her native country. She joins in sending most affectionate respects. Pray remember us to all in the tenderest, and most endearing manner; and believe me to be, my very dear Mr. B――,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCV.

To Lady H――n.

London, Dec. 14, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s letter gave me uncommon joy. I cannot help being delighted, when any thing I write gives your Ladyship any peculiar satisfaction. The inclosed I immediately shewed to Colonel G――, who was very glad, but is still concerned because he does not hear from your Ladyship; and on Saturday, God willing, I shall read it to Lady H―― and Mrs. K――. At that time, I am to give them the holy sacrament. Last Saturday I prayed with them; and in conversation, an aged gentlewoman was struck: I shall see how the physic works next visit. Thanks be to God, the Holy Spirit has not done striving with sinners. I have had glorious accounts of the success attending the word in my last Northern circuit. Three or four fresh instances of conviction and conversion I have heard of here, within these few days. Whatever seems worthy of your Ladyship’s notice shall be sent. I wish I knew how a parcel might be best conveyed to your Ladyship. If your Ladyship remembers, last Winter application was made in behalf of one Hill, a Corporal. O that I could do any thing to express my gratitude to your Ladyship and honoured sisters. In public and private you have my prayers, which I trust will enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. I think your Ladyship hath great encouragement to go on, striving to win souls to the blessed Jesus. Mrs. T―― is another jewel in your Ladyship’s crown. May the glorious Emmanuel add daily to the number of them! We have golden seasons here. Poor Mr. H―― was quite revived with your Ladyship’s letter. He is under the cross indeed. I am ashamed to think how little I do or suffer for Jesus Christ. Next Saturday I am thirty-five years old; fy upon me, fy upon me! I beg the continuance of your Ladyship’s prayers, that I may now begin in earnest to glorify my blessed Master. Nothing else can satisfy, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCVI.

To the Old Mrs. B――.

London, Dec. 14, 1749.

Dear Madam,

IF this finds you in the land of the living, or rather this land of the dying, it comes to assure you that your dear letter and the other letters received from your dear family, gave me great satisfaction. Blessed be God, even the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for wounding and healing. This is his way. He wounds, in order to heal, and in the midst of judgment remembers mercy. Surely he is good in holding your soul in life, and being so much a staff to you in your old age. He has been a promise-keeping God. He has not forsaken you when grey-headed, and when your natural strength must necessarily begin to fail you. Though it is cruel to hope you will be kept out of heaven so long, yet who knows, but I may see you, dear Madam, on this side eternity. God willing, I purpose to embark some time next year without fail. The infinitely condescending Redeemer vouchsafes to crown my labours with great success; but in the midst of all, America, dear America, is not forgotten by me. Your family is peculiarly dear. I look upon you as my mother, and on your children as my brethren and sisters. I have lately been in Yorkshire, where I saw a widow, whose husband lately died in triumph, and who has five sons and one daughter all walking in the love of God. Let this strengthen your faith, dear Madam, and encourage you to hope that you shall still see the travail of the Redeemer’s soul in the salvation of all your children, and be satisfied. The Lord’s Spirit seems still to be striving with them; and I trust he will not let them go, till they are enabled to give him spirit, soul, and body to be sanctified throughout. My poor prayers shall not be wanting. We often think and talk of you. My wife, with me, sends you and yours a thousand thanks for all your kindnesses. We are both pretty well, and have the satisfaction of seeing the glory of the Lord manifested in the great congregation. O what a blessed master is Jesus Christ. I am just now come to my thirty-fifth year of age. I blush and am confounded, when I think for what little purpose I have lived. It is time now to begin to do something for Him, who has done and suffered so much for me. I beg, dear Madam, you will pray for me while life lasts. I am the chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints; but for Christ’s sake under manifold obligations to, and am, dear Madam,

Your most affectionate, obliged friend and ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCVII.

To Mrs. L――.

London, Dec. 15, 1749.

My dear and honoured Mother,

I Have been quite uneasy because your things have not been sent. The woman that was to procure them disappointed me. I hope you will not miss of them another week. Pray be not uneasy. I should never forgive myself, was I by my negligence, or any wrong conduct, to give you a moment’s needless pain. To-morrow will be thirty-five years since you brought unworthy me into the world. Alas! how little have I done for you, and how much less for Him who formed me, and has heaped innumerable mercies upon me ever since I was born. O that my head was water, and mine eyes fountains of tears, that I might bewail my barrenness and unfruitfulness in the church of God! By his grace, I hope now to begin to work for Him, who stretched himself on the cross, and groaned and died for me. His care for his tender mother, excites me to wish I could do any thing for you. This is my comfort, I hope you want for nothing. Thanks be to the Lord of all lords for his goodness to you in your old age! I hope you comfort yourself in him, who I trust will be your portion for ever. After Christmas I hope to see you. My wife sends you her most dutiful respects. If you would have any thing brought more than you have mentioned, pray write to, honoured mother,

Your ever dutiful, though unworthy son,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCVIII.

To Dr. B――.

London, Dec. 15, 1749.

AND shall I forget my dear Dr. B――? I cannot, though I have received no letter from him. I remember his labours of love, I have heard of the sickness of his dear yoke-fellow, I must not, I cannot withhold my pen from writing. And what shall I say? I trust your soul prospers, and that you can cry out with dear Mrs. B――, now in heaven,

――O happy rod,

That brought me nearer to my God.

Surely my dear friend has long ere now been convinced that good desires will not carry us to heaven. There must be a closing with Christ, a vital union of the soul with God, or, in other words, “Christ formed within us.” This was the expression that first convinced me of the new birth. Since that, I hope it has been in a degree fulfilled in my heart. I want it to be more and more so, and to have the image of God stamped in more lively characters upon my soul. My dear Doctor, let you and I begin to strive, not by way of contention, but in a way of holy emulation, which shall love Christ most, and live most to his glory. I hope that Dr. W―― will join in this strife. Pray my love to him, to Mr. S―― and family, and to all Bohemia friends. I refer you to other letters for news, and beg leave to assure you that I am, my dear Doctor,

Yours most affectionately in our blessed Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXCIX.

To Mr. N――.

London, Dec. 19, 1749.

My dear Mr. N――,

IT is now almost an age since I wrote to you. Providence prevented my seeing you when last in the North, and ever since, business has kept me from writing. However, blessed be God, I can send you good news now I do write. For near three months I have preached in many places, and thousands and ten thousands flocked to hear the glorious gospel. I have since had repeated letters of the impressions abiding upon the heart of many. Not unto me, not unto me, O Lord, but unto thy free grace be all the glory! At Howarth I met with William Davy, who has since been imprisoned for preaching. Though he is seemingly unqualified, yet I meet with many that date their awakening from their first hearing him. What shall we say to these things? Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight! I think he belongs to our Lord’s family; and therefore what is done for him, he will take as done to himself. I hope all things go on well at Glasgow. We have golden seasons here. Winter quarters are made very agreeable. Many are brought under fresh awakenings. You must remember us in the kindest manner to all dear friends. I commend them and you to the mercies of God through Christ Jesus, and am, my dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCC.

To Mrs. R――.

London, Dec. 20, 1749.

Dear Madam,

I Received your letter, and had thoughts of writing to you before it came; but had forgotten your name, and knew not how to direct. I rejoice that any good impressions have been made upon your heart by the blessed Spirit, under my poor unworthy administrations. I hope this will find you coming up out of the wilderness, leaning upon your beloved. You know whom I mean. It is the ever-loving, altogether lovely Jesus, even he who hath loved and given himself for you. I know his love will constrain you to give yourself, even your whole self to him in return. This is all he requires, “Give me thy heart.” Amazing! Who can help echoing back, “My heart, Lord Jesus, will I give.” But we must give it him as it is. We must come as poor, to be made rich, naked, to be cloathed, and miserable, to be made happy. O glorious exchange! precious redemption! May the Lord Jesus shed a sense of it abroad abundantly in your heart by the Holy Ghost! It is he that must apply, and bring home what Christ has done and suffered for our souls; and when this is done, the kingdom of God is erected in our hearts, and it is our privilege to go on from strength to strength, till grace is swallowed up in endless glory. This I hope, dear Madam, you will find true by happy experience. Your business is to look up continually to the Lord Jesus, not only as the author, but also as the finisher of your faith. This will strengthen you under every weakness, and in the end make you more than conqueror over all. Your concern for Mr. B――, the Redeemer takes kind at your hand. Fear not, only believe. Press him with arguments, and God with prayers. And who knows but ere long your husband may draw in the same yoke, and you may live together as heirs of the grace of life. All things are possible to that Jesus, who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father in and through him. To his tender never-failing mercy do I commend you, and am, dear Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCI.

To Lady Ann H――.

London, Dec. 29, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

WILL your Ladyship and honoured sister be pleased to accept, though late, my most hearty and grateful acknowledgments for all the kindnesses you conferred on me when at A―― place. They are noted in his book, who has promised, “That a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose its reward.” What a beneficent master does the christian serve! Who would but be his disciple, whose service is perfect freedom here, and who hath reserved in heaven a crown of glory for those that love him hereafter? I thank him ten thousand times for calling unworthy me to embark in his blessed cause! It is indeed a cause worth embarking in. It gives me great Pleasure to think, that some poor souls at A―― are under awakenings, and seem inclined to list under the Redeemer’s banner. Your Ladyship and honoured sister, I trust, will now have repeated opportunities of seeing not only how Jesus receives publicans and sinners, but also how the Spirit of God strips the Pharisee of his pitiful fig-leaves, hunts him out of the trees of the garden (I mean his own tinsel performances), brings him naked to the bar, makes him see himself on a level with the worst of sinners, and then sweetly reveals unto him a saviour. Thanks be to God, I have had some blessed instances of this very lately; especially a boatswain of a ship, who a few weeks ago knew no more of the corruption of his nature, and the righteousness of Christ, comparatively speaking, than the whistle he used to make use of on board ship; but now hath undergone a wonderful change. What cannot grace do? Honoured Madam, I could say much of it, was I not afraid of being tedious. I hope your Ladyship will not be offended at my presenting you with Bishop Hall’s works. I thought your Ladyship and honoured sister might now and then like to read one of the contemplations, which, in my opinion, are very delightful. That both you and her Ladyship, and every branch of your noble family, may be every moment under the guidance and direction of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCII.

To Mr. S――.

London, Jan. 2, 1750.

My dear Mr. S――,

THOUGH I am really very much busied, yet I cannot help complying with your request, lest it should be any disappointment. I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and earnestly pray our common Head, that you may be a scribe more and more instructed to the kingdom of God, and out of the good treasure of your heart, bring forth things new and old, for the Redeemer’s people. The more you are acquainted with, and see your compleatness in him, the more you will long after an entire conformity to him, and apply with greater boldness for fresh supplies of life and strength. His faithfulness must make us faithful. He must be the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. When we are once taught this, not notionally, but by the Spirit of God, then we shall go on our way rejoicing, and experience the glorious liberty of the children of God. Thanks be to his name for enlightening you into these truths; but I love to see the Lord Jesus bringing this about in his own way and time. He gives us glorious seasons here. Yesterday was a blessed Letter day. These verses were sung for you, &c.

Thy work in the North,

O Saviour, increase;

And kindly send forth

The preachers of peace.

Till throughout the nation,

Thy gospel shall ring;

And peace and salvation

Each village shall sing.

Thousands said, “Amen, and Amen.” I have had brave news from Virginia and Scotland. O for a disinterested spirit! O to be willing to be poor, that others may be rich! O to be nothing, that Jesus may be all! I must not enlarge. Let me know when you set out for Newcastle, and whether the books shall be sent by land or water. I get very little by them. I do not desire it should be otherwise. I believe that as many are given away, as answers to the profits of what are sold. If souls are profited, I desire no more. Troubles increase in Ireland. You must remember me to all, and let them demonstrate their love by praying for, dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCIII.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

London, Jan. 2, 1750.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

WITH great pleasure did I receive yesterday a letter from Mr. N――, informing me of your boldness and success in the glorious gospel of the ever-blessed God. It came just as I was going to read an account of the Lord’s doings in our parts to multitudes of souls. These lines were sung for you,

Thanks to the Lord, our souls give praise,

Because he makes his vineyard thrive;

Ten thousand thanks that still he rears,

In answer to our daily prayers,

Some faithful servants bold for God:

Uphold them by thy chearing blood!

God will hear our prayer; our cry shall come unto him. Go on, my dear Mr. G――. The more you do, the more you may do for the ever-blessed Jesus. Be instant in season and out of season, and boldly say,

For this let men revile my name,

No cross I’ll shun, I’ll fear no shame;

All ♦hail reproach, and welcome pain,

Only thy terrors, Lord, restrain.

May God bless you among the students! Their names are Legion. He that catches one of them, catches many at once. We have blessed seasons here. I have good news from Virginia. I hear every day of fresh persons lately brought under conviction. A learned gospel minister, who was lately turned out for the sake of Jesus, I believe will be up here soon. Grace! grace! The more we are cast out, the more will Jesus come in unto us. You must remember me to all. Want of leisure, not of love, prevents my writing. I have frequently scarce time to eat bread: and little of that serves me. But Jesus is the bread of life. Whilst his servants feed others, he feasts them. Do you not find this true by happy experience? I know you do. Go on, press forward, dear Sir, and you shall find it more and more. Excuse this hasty scribble. I hope to answer Mr. N―― shortly. My wife joins in cordial salutations to all, with, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCIV.

To the Rev. Mr. C――.

London, Jan. 3, 1750.

My dear Friend,

YOUR letter surprized me; but benefacere & male pati hoc vere christianus est. If your friend does not hurt himself, he is in no danger from me. I think sometimes of Joseph; He that appeared for him, will in time appear for me, and plead my injured cause. But all is well. The returns I have hitherto met with, shall not discourage me, or at least make me to give over and cease from serving you and yours. Mr. L―― sends me dreadful news from Cork. B―― is there again, making havock of the people. Mr. H―― expected to be murdered every minute some time ago. I have been with some, who will go to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and represent the case. I hope I have but one common interest to serve; I mean, that of the blessed Jesus. O for simplicity, and godly sincerity! Our Lord abhors guile in all shapes, and sooner or later it will meet with its own reward. I am glad you are supported—Our Lord is a ready help in time of need. We have golden seasons here. Grace! grace! I wish you and yours a happy new year, and am,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCV.

To Lady H――n.

London, Jan. 6, 1750.

Honoured Madam,

THE inclosed letters came to hand on Monday last, as a new-year’s-gift. As they bring such good news, I must communicate them to your Ladyship. The first writer is a Virginia planter, at whose house I lay, and who with some other gentlemen asked me to play a game at cards: I refused, and retired to pray for him. His present wife is my spiritual child. The letters will shew how God was pleased to answer our prayers. This, and other things I meet with, more and more convinces me, that a liberty to range and publish the gospel wherever providence shall call me, is what I am to maintain and preserve. Mr. A―― abides still, and as far as I can judge, disinterested. Blessed be God for stripping seasons! I would not lose the privilege of leaning only upon the Lord Jesus for thousands of worlds. He alone can make me happy, and he alone without foreign assistance can bless; and blessed be his name, he daily makes me so. He has been pleased to remove in some degree the pain of my breast, and gives me to determine more and more, that every breath I draw by divine assistance shall be his. I thank him ten thousand times that your Ladyship is so well pleased with Mr. B――. He expresses the strong sense he has of the obligations he lies under to the Lord Jesus Christ, and under him, to your Ladyship. O that neither of us may prove ungrateful in any respect! Next week I hope to let your Ladyship know how affairs go at Mrs. K――’s. I expect to see her then. Lately his Majesty seeing Lady Chesterfield at court with a grave gown, pleasantly asked her, “whether Mr. Whitefield advised her to that colour.” O that all were cloathed in the bright and spotless robe of the Redeemer’s righteousness! How beautiful would they then appear in the sight of the King of kings! This, honoured Madam, through free grace, is your dress. That your honoured sisters, and all your children, may be adorned in like manner, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCVI.

To the Reverend Mr. H――.

London, Jan. 8, 1750.

My very dear Mr. H――,

YOUR letter must not any longer lie by unanswered. It is a pleasure to me to steal a few minutes to keep up a correspondence with one I so dearly love, and with whom I am persuaded I shall live in the regions of peace and joy, through the endless ages of eternity. This the glorious Emmanuel hath purchased for us, and of this, (for ever adored be his free grace) he hath given us an earnest! Supported with this, I am still enabled to pursue my delightful work of preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of redeeming love. Thousands and thousands flock to hear, and we have had a blessed Christmas and new year’s season indeed. In the midst of all, I want more retirement. I want to read, meditate, and write. But I despair of getting much time for these things, till I get upon the mighty waters. In the mean while, I thank the Redeemer for letting my hands be full of work. These words lately have followed me, “Dwell in the land, be doing good, and verily thou shalt be fed.” These words embolden me to inform you of two that love Christ, and therefore I believe you love them, and I think they want assistance; G―― F―― and I―― H――. The former I think has about eleven children, and scarce a crown a week to maintain them; and the latter writes me word, “He is about a guinea behind hand.” I am doing what I can for them, and if you would send them a small token, or now and then let me have a little to give to the many christian objects that apply to me, I know not how your generous heart could lay out a little to more advantage. You know the pleasure of doing for Christ’s disciples. I labour to contract every expence, and to save all I can for the good of others. Ought I not to do so, to express my gratitude to him, who for my sake had not where to lay his head, and though he was rich, yet he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. Much, yea very much of his divine unction do I pray may be given to my dear Mr. H―― in his present plan. May the Lord make your pen the pen of a ready writer, and after death may your writings be blest to thousands yet unborn! I believe they will. O my dear friend, whilst I am writing the fire kindles. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ! Blessed be God for all the mercies he hath conferred upon us! O that this new year may be filled with good works, flowing from a principle of love and a new nature! That the Lord may bless and keep you, and fill you with all his divine fulness, is the continual earnest prayer of, my dear, dear old friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCVII.

To the Reverend Mr. B――.

London, Jan. 12, 1750.

My very dear Sir,

LEST I should be hindered to-morrow, or in the beginning of the week, I now sit down to answer your kind letter. O that I may be helped to write something that may do you service, and be a means of quickening you in that delightful cause in which you are embarked. I see, my dear Sir, you are like to have hot work, before you quit the field:—For I find you have begun to batter Satan’s strongest hold, I mean the self-righteousness of man. Here, Sir, you must expect the strongest opposition. It is the Diana of every age. It is the golden image, which that apostate Nebuchadnezzar, Man, continually sets up; and the not falling down to worship it, but much more for us to speak, write, or preach against it, exposes one immediately to the fury of its blind votaries, and we are thrown directly into a den of devouring lions. But fear not, Mr. B――, the God whom we serve, the captain under whose banner we are listed, is able to deliver us. He knows how to train us up gradually for war, and is engaged to bring us off more than conquerors from the field of battle. If any one need give way, it must be the poor creature that is writing to you, for I believe there is not a person living, more timorous by nature. But I trust in a degree, Jesus hath delivered me from worldly hopes and worldly fears, and by his grace strengthening me, he makes me often bold as a lion. But O, my dear Sir, this pretty character of mine I did not at first care to part with; ’twas death to be despised, and worse than death to think of being laughed at by all. But when I began to consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, I then longed to drink of the same cup, and blessed be God, contempt and I are pretty intimate, and have been so for above twice seven years. Jesus’s love makes it a very agreeable companion, and I no longer wonder that Moses made such a blessed choice, and rather chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. May the Lord Jesus make us thus minded! For there is no doing good without enduring the scourge of the tongue; and take this for a certain rule, “The more successful you are, the more hated you will be by Satan, and the more despised you will be by those that know not God.” What has the honoured Lady suffered under whose roof you dwell! Above all, what did your blessed master suffer, who hath done such great things for you? O let us follow him, though it be through a sea of blood. I could enlarge, but time will not permit. I am ashamed of my unprofitableness, and must retire, after begging that you will not forget, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCVIII.

To Lady H――n.

London, Jan. 12, 1750.

Honoured Madam,

THOUGH I have missed two posts, yet the only cause of my not writing was a fear of being troublesome, and too particular and prolix in the accounts sent your Ladyship in my last letters. Your Ladyship’s kind letter this afternoon, together with the inclosed, which I received yesterday, give me fresh occasion to renew that pleasing employ of acquainting your Ladyship with some more particulars. Every day we have new hearers, and I find some or another are almost continually brought under convictions, or are edified at the tabernacle. I have offered Mr. W―― to assist occasionally at his chapel, and I don’t know but it may be accepted. Your Ladyship will hear soon. O that I may learn from all I see, to desire to be nothing! and to think it my highest privilege to be an assistant to all, but the head of none. I find a love of power sometimes intoxicates even God’s own dear children, and makes them to mistake passion for zeal, and an over-bearing spirit for an authority given them from above. For my own part, I find it much easier to obey than govern, and that it is much safer to be trodden under foot, than to have it in one’s power to serve others so. This makes me fly from that, which at our first setting out we are too apt to court. Thanks be to the Lord of all Lord’s for taking any pains with ill and hell deserving me! I cannot well buy humility at too dear a rate. This is a grace after which your Ladyship pants, and with which our Lord will delight to fill you more and more. Your Ladyship’s letter convinces me, that those who know and do most, think they know and do least. If it were not so, grace itself would prove our bane, and goodness and zeal, through the pride and corruption of our hearts, be our destroyers. Honoured Madam, my hands and heart are continually lifted up for you, that you may abound evermore in every good word and work, and be cloathed with that humility which your Ladyship delights to wear every day; I mean that humble mind which was in Christ Jesus. I rejoice exceedingly in the comfort which your Ladyship has in Mr. B――. I shall take care to cultivate our acquaintance, and earnestly pray that it may be blessed to our mutual improvement. I trust he will be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and doubt not ere long I shall hear of his receiving some wounds and scars of honour in the field of battle. After I left Mr. Z――, by appointment I went to Mrs. K――, to whom with the Countess, Lady G――, Mr. C――, and one Mrs. B――, I gave the blessed sacrament, and afterwards a word of exhortation. Our Lord was there, and your Ladyship &c. were remembered before him. On Tuesday next the blessed feast is to be repeated at the Countess’s house, and on Wednesday, God willing, I shall leave town for about five weeks. All I think are as hearty as ever, and I trust some will take deep root downwards, and bear fruit upwards. His Majesty seems to have been acquainted with some things about us, by what passed in his discourse with Lady Chesterfield. The particulars are these; her Ladyship had a suit of cloaths on, with a brown ground and silver flowers, which was brought from abroad. His Majesty coming round to her, first smiled and then laughed quite out. Her Ladyship could not imagine what was the matter. At length his Majesty said, “I know who chose that gown for you:—Mr. Whitefield; and I hear that you have attended on him this year and half.” Her Ladyship answered, “Yes I have, and like him very well;” but after she came to her chair, was grieved she had not said more; so that I find her Ladyship is not ashamed. O that she and all that have heard the gospel, may have grace given them to speak of their dear Redeemer, even before kings, when called to it, and not be daunted! I have also been with the Speaker about the poor people in Ireland. Mr. G―― introduced me, and opened the matter well. His honour expressed a great regard for your Ladyship, and great resentment at the indignities the poor sufferers underwent; but said, “Lord H―― or the secretary of state, were the properest persons to be applied to, and he did not doubt but that your Ladyship’s application would get their grievances redressed.” I wished for a memorial to acquaint him with particulars. He treated me with great candour, and assured me no hurt was designed us by the state. Mr. G―― was quite hearty, and has the utmost respect for your Ladyship. To-morrow I am to preach at Mr. W――’s chapel, and I suppose on Sunday also. O that I may be a freed-man, and ready to help all that preach and love the Lord Jesus in sincerity! I bless God for Mr. B――, and am exceedingly obliged to good Lady A――. I am ashamed of the length of this, but as it is on business, your Ladyship will excuse, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged, ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCIX.

To Mr. L――.

London, Jan. 18, 1750.

Very dear Sir,

LAST Monday I waited upon the Speaker of the House of Commons, with one Mr. G――, a dissenting minister, who opened our poor suffering brethren’s case in a proper manner.—The Speaker expressed great resentment upon hearing of the indignities they had met with, and said, that if it did properly belong to him, he would make a thorough search into the affair. But he wondered application had not been made to Lord H――, who was the King’s representative in Ireland. He at the same time wanted to be informed of more particulars. For want of a memorial, I could only shew him the contents of your letter. Two things therefore seem necessary. Be pleased to send a well-attested narrative of the whole affair, and wait upon Lord H―― yourself. A friend of mine intends writing to Lord Baron B――. Is he in Dublin? As soon as ever I hear from you, more may be done. In the mean while, the dear souls have my constant prayers, and shall have my utmost endeavours to serve them. I count their sufferings my own. Pray let me hear how they do. We have great peace here. The blessed Jesus manifests himself among us, and you know that his presence is all in all. Hearty Amens are given, when our friends are mentioned in prayer at tabernacle. To-morrow I am to preach at Mr. W――’s chapel. O that it may be for the Redeemer’s glory and his people’s good! I am a debtor to the Greek and to the Barbarian, to the wise and to the unwise, and think it my highest privilege to preach Christ and him crucified to all. I know you wish me prosperity. Strange! that the love of Jesus should unite hearts at such a distance, persons who never conversed with each other. But thus it is. Blessed be God, we belong to one family, are travelling to one country, are redeemed by the same blood, and are heirs of the same glory. O glorious prospect! How happy are all they that put their trust in the Lord Jesus! I commend you and yours to his everlasting mercy, and am, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our Great High Priest,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCX.

To Mr. H――.

London, Jan. 18, 1750.

My very dear Mr. H――,

A Few days ago I received your welcome letter dated November 1, at a time I was wondering that I did not hear oftener from you. Blessed be God for dealing so favourably with my dear families, and for giving the prospect of such a plentiful crop! I take it as an earnest that the Lord Jesus will be the Lord God of Bethesda, and let the world see that designs founded on him shall prosper. I shall not wonder to hear by and by that you are P――t. O that you and I, my dear man, may be cloathed with humility, and the more we are exalted by others, the more may we be abased in our own eyes! Then will the high and lofty One delight to dwell in us, and prosperity itself, that dangerous thing, shall not destroy us. O that something may now be done for the poor negroes. A good beginning now is of vast consequence. Pray stir in it, and let us exert our utmost efforts in striving to bring some of them to the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Mr. Z―― will readily concur in any proper measures for promoting so blessed a work. I sent him a copy of your letter, and the original to good Lady H――. This night I have agreed to take little Joseph and his sister. Mr. H―― A―― hath been with me, and I find he is desirous, as are all their relations, that I should take them, for they will be but poorly provided for here. I think they have a kind of natural right to be maintained at Bethesda, and I have written to Mr. B―― about it. I suppose in your next, you will acquaint me with particulars concerning their father, and how he hath left his affairs. I hear there is a very little infant, besides the other two. I would willingly have that likewise, if it could be kept till it is about three years old. I hope to grow rich in heaven, by taking care of orphans on earth. Any other riches, blessed be God, are out of my view. If the crop answers expectation, I would have Mrs. V―― and the other poor of Savannah reap the benefit. Pray let one ♦barrel of rice be reserved for them. O what cannot, and what will not God do, if we put our trust in him! O for faith! O for humility! May I learn of Jesus more and more! He deals bountifully with us here. We have had a blessed Winter indeed!—I am pretty well in health, but my wife at present is ill. We salute you and yours, and all friends, and wishing you the best of blessings, I subscribe myself, my very dear Friend,