The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A.

LETTERS

LETTER CCCCXCVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. H――.

London, Dec. 23, 1742.

My dear brother H――,

I Thank you for your kind and very agreeable letter. It was refreshing to my soul, and stirred me to give thanks on your behalf. I am surprized that you are not turned off, since you now so clearly preach the everlasting gospel. But our Saviour has the hearts of all men in his hands, and he turneth them when and wheresoever he pleaseth. O my dear brother, I hope nothing will deter you from preaching the glad tidings of salvation to a world lying in the wicked one. I would not but be a poor despised minister of Jesus Christ for ten thousand worlds. This I am persuaded is the language of my dear friend’s heart:

Go on, thou man of God; and may the Lord cause thy bow to abide in strength! Glad should I be to come and shoot some gospel arrows in Devonshire; but the cloud seems now to point toward America. My dear family calls loudly for me. Our Lord has wonderfully of late interposed on their behalf. God willing, I intend shortly to send you an account of the Orphan-house, and my last volume of sermons, with some other things. Blessed be God for making any of my poor writings of use to your dear soul. Surely I had need proclaim free grace on the house-top; if I did not, the stones would cry out against me. O my dear brother, what a mystery of love is the mystery of godliness? Whilst I am writing the fire kindles. This fire has also of late kindled in many hearts. Our large society goes on well. We have many that walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. I hear of glorious things from various parts. I hope ere long we shall hear of persons going from post to post, and crying, “Babylon is fallen, Babylon is fallen.” I trust you, my dear Sir, will be made a happy instrument in the Mediator’s kingdom, of pulling down satan’s strongholds. Pray write me word, how the war is going on between Michael and the dragon. For the present, adieu. My tender love to all the lovers of Jesus Christ. Accept the same from, my dear brother,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER CCCCXCIX.

To Mr. R――, in Edinburgh.

London, Dec. 24, 1742.

Dear Mr. R――,

IT has given me some concern that I could not answer your kind and acceptable letter before. As our Saviour will give me freedom, I shall send you a few lines now. I think I may say to you, as Luther said to Melanchton, Nimis es nullus. You are kept in bondage by a false humility. It is good to see ourselves poor, and exceeding vile; but if that sight and feeling prevent our looking up to, and exerting ourselves for our dear Saviour, it becomes criminal, and robs the soul of much comfort. I can speak this by dear-bought experience. How often have I been kept from speaking and acting for God, by a sight of my own unworthiness; but now I see that the more unworthy I am, the more fit to work for Jesus, because he will get much glory in working by such mean instruments; and the more he has for given me, the more I ought to love and serve him. Fired with a sense of his unspeakable loving-kindness, I dare to go out and tell poor sinners that a lamb was slain for them; and that he will have mercy on sinners as such, of whom indeed I am chief. I wish my dear friend was in this respect not almost, but altogether such as I am. Well would it be with him, and happy would he then be. Upon the receipt of yours, I prayed the Lord to open your mouth. The language of my heart for you, myself, and all the Redeemer’s witnesses, is this;

I bless our Lord for giving you such freedom with himself, though you cannot speak so freely to others. Prayers wrought by his own spirit, he will hear and answer. It is most god-like to be frequent in intercession. It is the constant employment of the Son of God in heaven. I rejoice to hear the work of God goes on among you in Scotland. Blessed be God, it prospers in our hands here, in Wales, and in various places. That it may prosper more and more, and be daily carried on in your precious soul, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mr. R――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER D.

To Miss S――, in Edinburgh.

London, Dec. 24, 1742.

Dear Miss S――,

CONTINUAL avocations about my master’s business, has prevented my answering your kind letter. It gladdened my heart, because it brought me the glad tidings of your being accepted in the beloved; and knowing that you are so, what does the Lord require of you now, but to walk humbly with him? Beg him to shew you more and more of your evil heart, that you may ever remain a poor sinner at the feet of the once crucified, but now exalted Lamb of God. There you will be happy. There you will find shelter from all your enemies. My prayer therefore for you, dear Miss, is this:

The comforts you have already experienced, as well as your trials, are but earnests of what you will hereafter meet with in the spiritual life. But fear nothing, neither be over thoughtful for the morrow; you have an all-gracious and almighty Saviour to guide and protect you. He will not leave you, until he hath lodged you safe in glory. There the wicked shall cease from troubling, and your weary soul will enjoy an eternal rest. Perhaps I may not see you again, till I meet you in the world of spirits. That grace and peace may be multiplied upon your dear soul, is the hearty prayer of, dear Miss S――,

Your most affectionate friend and servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DI.

To Mr. T――.

January 9, 1743.

Dear Sir,

I Remember, when in Scotland last year, how heartily your good people joined in praise and thanksgiving, for the deliverance God had wrought out for the inhabitants of Georgia; and I hope I shall never forget how liberally they contributed to the necessities of the orphans, though they knew not but at that time both orphans and Orphan-house were in the enemies hand. As this was an uncommon event, I send you herewith part of the proclamation for a day of thanksgiving to almighty God, for putting an end to this Spanish Invasion. It runs thus:

ALMIGHTY GOD has in all ages shewn his power and mercy, in the marvellous and gracious deliverance of his church, and in the protection of righteous and religious kings and states, professing his holy and eternal truth, from the open invasion, wicked conspiracies, and malicious practices of all the enemies thereof. He hath by the manifestation of his providence delivered us from the hands of the Spaniards: they, with forty sail of small gallies and other craft, came into Cumberland Sound; but such a terror came upon them that they fled. With another fleet of thirty-six ships and vessels they came into Jekyl Sound, and after a sharp fight became masters thereof; we having only four vessels to oppose their force. We engaged them for the space of four hours, and not one of us was killed, though many of the enemy perished, and five were killed by one shot only. They landed four thousand five hundred men, according to the account of the prisoners, and even of Englishmen, who escaped from them. The first party marched up through the woods to this town, and was within sight thereof, when God delivered them into our hands, though we were but few in number. They fought and were soon dispersed and fled. Another party which supported them, also fought; but were soon put to flight. We may truly say, the hand of the Lord fought for us; for in two attacks more than five hundred fled before fifty. At first they seemed to fight with courage; and the grenadiers particularly charged with great resolution; but their shot did not take place, insomuch that none of ours were killed; but they were broken and pursued with great slaughter, and by the report of the prisoners since taken, upwards of two hundred men never returned to their camp. They also came up with their half galleys towards the town, and returned without so much as firing one shot, leaving behind them some cannon, and many things they had taken. Twenty-eight sail attacked Fort-William, in which were only fifty men. After three hours fight, they went away and left the province, and were pursued as far as Saint John’s. So that by this whole expedition, no more than two of ours were taken and two killed. We may therefore truly say, the Lord hath done great things for us, who has delivered us out of the hands of the enemy.

Having taken the premises into consideration, I do hereby order, that Sunday the twenty-fifth instant be observed as a day of public thanksgiving to almighty God for his great deliverance, in having put an end to the Spanish Invasion: and that all persons do solemnize the same in a christian and religious manner, and abstain from drunkenness, and any other wicked and dissolute testimonies of joy.

Given under my hand and seal, this twenty-fourth day of July, at Frederica in Georgia, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and forty-two.

Signed by,

James Oglethorp.

By his excellency’s command,

Francis Moore.

Business prevents my enlarging further at this time, and indeed I chuse rather to leave you to make your own remarks on the inclosed. I only observe in general that as a tincture of piety runs through the whole, and all the glory given to him to whom all glory is due, it will be as acceptable to you as it was to,

Yours,

G. W.

LETTER DII.

To Mr. H――, at Gloucester.

London, Feb. 4, 1743.

My very dear Mr. H――,

I Bless God on your behalf. I thank him for visiting your dear soul, and making you useful to others.—Assuredly the Lord has called you to your present work.—Abide in it. Go on and prosper. The Lord will be with you. If we have an association in Wiltshire soon, will you chuse to be with us? I expect shortly now to move hence; but my way is quite blocked up from going abroad. I will send you word, when I shall be at Bristol. I will salute you and your friend with, “Come in, ye blessed of the Lord.” I have just published a fresh account of the Orphan-house, and prefixed the plan. I shall be glad to hear from you often. Be as particular in respect to the society as you can. The Lord is still with us. Blessed be his holy name! My tender love to all. That the glorious Emmanuel may be with your soul more and more, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Mr. H――,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DIII.

To Mr. S――.

Gloucester, March 24, 1743.

My dear Sir,

AN effectual door is opened in these parts. On Saturday night I preached here. The Lord was with me. On Sunday morning I preached again in a barn. It was a good time to me and the people. Dear Mr. P―― was here, and tears of love and joy were running down his aged cheeks almost all the while. He was, like good old Simeon, ready to cry out, “Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace.” At noon I preached at Mr. F――r’s on the hill, to a glorious auditory indeed. Here Jesus Christ displayed his power, and caused much of his glory to pass before us. At four I preached again in a field near Stroud, where was a great congregation consisting of many, many thousands. The Lord helped and blessed me much here also. Afterwards I went to the new house at Hampton, and the glory of the Lord filled it. It is exceeding commodious for our purpose. I preached in the court-yard on Monday noon, to a large auditory. Monday evening the Lord gave me a good time at Pitchcomb. Both brother C―― and brother A――’s society met at Hampton, and the Lord met with us. Brother C―― is certainly called of God. All call him a second Bunyan. I believe he must give himself wholly to the work. Such a hardy worker with his hands, and hearty preacher at the same time, I have scarce known. On Tuesday a man was hung in chains at Hampton Common.—A more miserable spectacle I have not seen. I preached in the morning to a great auditory about a mile off the place of execution. I intended doing the same after the criminal was turned off; but the weather was very violent.—Thousands and thousands came and staid to hear; but, through misinformation, kept on the top of the hill, while I preached in the bottom. After this I came to Gloucester, and preached in the evening in a barn: a night much to be remembered! This morning I preached again, and dined with Mr. E――d I――s and some more at Mr. E――’s. I am just going to my evening lecture, and to-morrow I shall leave Gloucester for a few days. The association is put off for a week, so I shall have more time in Gloucestershire. Never did I see people more hungry and simple. Many come telling me what the Lord did for their souls when I was here last. To him be all the glory! Brother A―― is now with me. He must be in the country ’till the house is more settled. I am sure God called me here.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DIV.

To Mr. S――.

Gloucester, March 29, 1743.

My dear Sir,

I Now sit down to fulfil my promise made to you last night.—I think in a former letter I gave you an account of what the Lord had done for and by me since I left London, though indeed I cannot tell you the hundredth part. On Tuesday evening I preached at Gloucester with as convincing, soul-edifying power, as ever I felt in my life. The barn, though made more commodious, was and is generally quite crouded. On Friday morning I preached again; and afterwards went to Hampton; the snow falling and freezing on us all the way. In the evening I preached at Chalford, upon “walking with God:” he was with me and the auditory. On Saturday I preached at Ruscom in the morning, and at King-stanley in the afternoon. In the evening, I visited brother C――’s gracious society; and afterwards rode to Hampton, which made about twenty miles. The congregations on account of the weather were not so great, but our Saviour most richly fed us. The word distilled like the dew; and at Stanley I think I was in the very suburbs of heaven. O free grace! On Sunday morning I preached at Dursley, about seven miles from Hampton, where our dear brother A―― had been taken down the Sunday before; but no one was permitted to touch or molest us. The congregation consisted of some thousands, and the word came with a most gloriously convincing power. I came away rejoicing, and in the afternoon preached to about ten thousand on Hampton common, at what the people now call Whitefield’s Tump, because I preached there first. I cannot tell you what a solemn occasion that was. I perceive a great alteration in the people since I was in these parts last. They did indeed hang on me to hear the word. It ran and was glorified. In the evening, we had a most precious meeting with the two united societies in the new house at Hampton. Surely many thereabouts will walk with God. Last night and this morning I preached again with great power; preaching in Gloucestershire is now like preaching at the tabernacle at London. This evening I am to preach again; and after that to hold our first love-feast.—What our Lord does for us hereafter, you shall hear in my next. And now, my dear Sir, help me to be thankful, and bless the Lord for all his mercies conferred on

Your unworthy friend, and his worthless servant,

G. W.

LETTER DV.

To the Same.

Gloucester, April 2, 1743.

Dear Sir,

MY soul is kept exceeding chearful; and greater and more continued freedom in preaching, I never experienced, than since I have been in Gloucester and Gloucestershire. On Tuesday evening we had a blessed love-feast. On Wednesday morning I preached here with great sweetness; and at noon at Painswick.—In the evening I preached at Mr. F――’s, in the place where the Lord met us remarkably one night about a twelvemonth ago. He met us again most delightfully, not in terror, but in love: by which I guessed how the gospel had gained ground in a twelvemonth’s time. After this I visited dear brother C――’s society, and then rode to Hampton, with brothers A―― and G――, praising and blessing God. On Wednesday noon I preached at Quarhouse, from the stump where old Mr. Cole used to stand. It was an alarming time. My soul enjoyed exceeding great liberty. In the evening I preached in the new house at Hampton to many hundreds, and afterwards met the society. Yesterday morning I came hither. At noon and at night I preached in the barn; it was quite crouded. It would have rejoiced you to have been with us. This morning I am to preach again, and shall take my leave at night. My dear Sir, help me to extol free grace, and expect to hear of greater things than these from,

Ever yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DVI.

To brother S――.

Waterford (South Wales,) April 7, 1743.

My Dear Brother,

ON Monday I received your letter of April 2; but till now, have had no opportunity of answering it. I preached and took my leave of the Gloucester people with mutual and great concern, on Sunday evening last. It was past one in the morning, before I could lay my weary body down.—At five I rose again, sick for want of rest; but I was enabled to get on horseback and ride to Mr. F――’s, where I preached to a large congregation, who came there at seven in the morning, hoping to feel the power of a risen Lord. They were not disappointed of their hope. At ten I read prayers, and preached from these words,—“I am the resurrection and the life,” and afterwards was helped to administer the sacrament in Stonehouse church. Then I rode to Stroud, where I was enabled to preach to about twelve thousand, with uncommon freedom and power, in Mrs. G――’s field. Much of the divine presence was there.—About six in the evening I preached to about the like number on Hampton Common; but scarce ever with a more pleasing convincing power. The order and solemnity wherewith the people broke up, was very instructive. After this I went to Hampton, and held a general love-feast with the united societies. My soul was kept close to Jesus; my bodily strength renewed; and I went to-bed about midnight, very chearful and very happy. The next morning I went and preached near Dursley, to some thousands, with great convictions accompanying the word. About seven I reached Bristol, and preached with wonderful power to a full congregation at Smith’s Hall; and afterwards spent the evening agreeably with Mr. C―― of Bath, and some other dear friends. On Tuesday morning I preached again to a full congregation, and then set out for this place, where we came about eight in the evening, and had sweet and profitable conversation with Mr. B―― and some others of the brethren. We sung an hymn, prayed, and parted in great harmony. On Wednesday about noon I opened the association with a close and solemn discourse upon walking with God. Indeed much of God was with us. The brethren and the people felt much of the divine presence. Afterwards we betook ourselves to business: several matters of great importance were dispatched. We broke up about seven, and met again about ten, and continued settling the affairs of the societies till about two in the morning. On Thursday we sat again till about four in the afternoon; then, after taking a little refreshment, and talking warmly of the things of God, I preached with great freedom upon the believer’s rest, and then we went on with our business, and finished our association about midnight: all acknowledged that God had been with us, and blessed him for the same. Perhaps in a month I may come to London; but it seems to be the will of the Lord I should stay in Wales about a fortnight, and take a tour into Pembrokeshire. Great doors are open there. Our Saviour keeps me very happy indeed; and is, I believe, preparing greater blessings, for

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DVII.

To the Same.

Lantrissant, (in Wales) April 10, 1743.

Dear Sir,

OUR blessed master still countenances my feeble labours. Yesterday I preached at Cardiff to a large congregation. The greatest scoffers sat quiet, and the children of God felt the divine presence. In the evening I went to Ful-mon. Mrs. I―― received us kindly. God was pleased to speak for me in the society where I preached. This morning I preached again. It was a most remarkable time. I have been just now preaching with great power here. Dear brother H―― is preaching in Welch. The people are very simple. I wrote to you from Waterford. I must write a letter or two more, and then away out of town. My kind and tender love to all. The Lord be with you.

I am yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DVIII.

To the Same.

Swanzey, April 12, 1743.

My dear Friend,

I Hope all is well with you. Great things are doing in Wales.—An effectual door is opened for preaching the everlasting gospel. Yesterday I preached at Neath, (seven miles from this place) from a balcony, to about three thousand souls in the street. The Lord was with me of a truth. This morning I preached here to about four thousand with great power. About one I preached at Harbrook, four miles off; and am now returned to preach here again.—Our Saviour has prepared the way before him. O free grace! Dear brother H―― has discoursed in Welch yesterday and to day.

Ever yours,

G. W.

Postscript. Past seven in the evening. I have just now done preaching. Swanzey is taken! I never preached with a more convincing power. Many of the rich and great were present. The congregation larger than in the morning. Free grace for ever!

LETTER DIX.

To the Same.

Larn, April 15, 1743.

My dear Friend,

I Wrote to you from several places; and all my letters have, or will I trust come to hand. I can yet send you more glad tidings. But words cannot express what the Lord has done for your unworthy friend, and his own dear people’s souls. On Monday I preached at a place in the way, and afterwards at Neath, a sea port town, to about three thousand people: all was quiet, and the power of Jesus was much there. Then I went to Swanzey seven miles from Neath.—On Tuesday I preached, and the Lord was with me. In the evening I went to Llanelthy, eight miles from Swanzey. There I preached twice on Wednesday with great power to a large congregation; and in the evening near Aberquilley, five miles from thence. On Thursday I preached at Carmarthen, one of the greatest and most polite places in Wales; in the morning from the top of the cross: in the evening from a table near it. It was the great sessions. The justices desired I would stay till they rose, and they would come. Accordingly they did, and many thousands more; and several people of quality. Jesus was much with me, and I hope much good work was done. Several sent for me to their houses. Dear brother H―― exhorts in every place. I have just been preaching, and it would rejoice your heart to see what is doing. I want room and time to tell you all. In about ten days I hope to be near Bristol. In the mean while, I am, dear friend,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DX.

To the Same.

Haverfordwest, April 17, 1743.

My dear Friend,

SINCE I left Larn, from whence I wrote to you, the Lord has dealt most bountifully with me. I went that evening to Narbatt, where I preached to some thousands with great power. On Saturday I preached at Newton, and afterwards at Jefferson to several thousand souls, very like the Kingswood colliers. This morning I preached at Llassivran, and had as it were a Moor-fields congregation; and this afternoon I preached to about the same number near this town. I also read prayers. Where I have been, the people call loudly again. A most effectual door is opened in South Wales. I hope to be with you in a few weeks. I am glad of such news from Georgia. Blessed be God, he will take care of me and mine. Hearty love attends you and all, from

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXI.

To the Same.

Carmarthen, April 20, 1743.

My dear Friend,

SINCE I wrote from Haverfordwest, I preached yesterday at eight in the morning to about eight thousand people in this place, and in the afternoon to several thousands at Narbatt, both times with great power. This morning I preached at Larn, and coming over in the ferry had the unexpected compliment paid me, of one ship firing several guns, and of some others hoisting their flags. This afternoon I preached at a little town called Kidwilly, to a large congregation; and came this evening here. One of the ministers preached much against me last Sunday, and mentioned me by name; but, like my other opposers (and like the viper biting the file) he only hurt himself. I am as it were in a new, but very unthought of pleasant world. O how many thousands within these few days have heard the word! I thought to see you next week; but as I am here, perhaps it may be best to go round now, and so be at London at Pentecost. In about a fortnight, therefore, you may expect to see me.

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DXII.

To the Same.

Bhuadder, April 23, 1743.

My dear Friend,

I Wrote to you from Haverford and Carmarthen. I preached there twice on Thursday to about ten thousand people, and dear Mr. R―― preached after me. Yesterday we had another blessed association; and have now settled all the counties in Wales. Our Lord was wonderfully with us. You cannot tell how delighted the brethren went away. Indeed they seemed filled as with new wine. Last night we came hither to a little inn. A sweet retreat from the rain. I must away to preach this morning. Help me, my dear man, to be thankful. I kindly salute you and yours, and am,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DXIV.

To the Same.

Gloucester, April 29, 1743.

My dear Sir,

I Am at present strengthening myself in the Lord my God. These words have much refreshed me, “And the Lord was with David, whithersoever he went.” After I wrote my last from a gentlewoman’s near the Hay, I went towards Builth, and got into my lodgings about one, and into my bed about two o’clock in the morning. The next day I preached at Builth, with much of the Redeemer’s presence. Then I rode to the Gore, the last place I preached at in Wales; and indeed our Saviour kept the good wine ’till last: he made our cup to overflow.—Between eight and nine at night we set out for Leominster, and reached there between two and three in the morning. At eleven, and three, I preached. It was quite fallow ground. The Lord broke it up, and gave me a blessed entrance into Herefordshire. All glory be to his great Name! The same night I lay at Hereford. Even there some of our Lord’s disciples were to be found, as also at Ross, where we baited yesterday. In both places I might have preached, would time have permitted; but I was hastening to Gloucester, where the good Shepherd of Israel brought us in peace and safety about eight in the evening; after having in about three weeks travelled about four hundred English miles, spent three days in attending two associations, preached about forty times, visited about thirteen towns, and passed through seven counties. Here then will I set up my Ebenezer, thank the adorable Jesus for these and all other his mercies, and from the bottom of my heart give him all the glory. I know my dearest friend will join with me, and say a hearty Amen. “Even so, Lord Jesus. Amen and Amen!”――Last night and this morning I preached here. Since my departure the barn hath been turned into a commodious chapel. I shall preach there again, God willing, this evening, and to-morrow morning; in the country on Sunday next, and for all as I know, shall come to London on Monday evening. One of the simple Apperly souls died in peace a few days ago. “Praise ye the Lord, for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Yours, &c. &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXV.

To the Rev. Mr. I――.

London, May 6, 1743.

My dear Brother,

YOUR very kind letter I had not the pleasure of receiving ’till yesterday. It was very acceptable, and knits my heart closer to you than ever. I love your honest soul, and long for that time, when the disciples of Christ of different sects shall be joined in far closer fellowship one with another. Our divisions have grieved my heart. I heartily approve of the meeting of the chief labourers together. The free grace of the ever-blessed Jesus melts me down. He has been exceeding kind to me of late, and shewn me that, vile as I am, he will not lay me aside. I am just returned from a circuit of about 400 miles. I have been as far as Haverfordwest, and was enabled to preach with great power. Thousands and tens of thousands flocked to hear the word, and the souls of God’s children were much refreshed. I have been also at two associations in Wales. The work begins now to shew itself. Many are taking root downward, and bearing fruit upward. Ere long I trust they will fill the land. I am glad the Lord hath opened fresh doors for you, my dear brother. The rams horns are sounding about Jericho; surely the towering walls will at length fall down. But we must have patience. He that believeth, doth not make haste. The rams horns must go round seven times. Our divisions in England have the worst aspect, while they are now united in Wales: but even this shall work for good, and cause the Redeemer’s glory to shine more conspicuous. This is my comfort; “The government is upon his shoulders,” and he is a “wonderful counsellor.”

But where am I running? Pardon me. I am writing to my dear Mr. I――. I rejoice in the expectation of seeing you in town. I hope to be in town at that time, and to enjoy some of our former happy seasons. In the mean while, I salute you from my inmost soul, and desire, as often as opportunity offers, a close correspondence may be kept up between you, and, my dear brother,

Your most affectionate unworthy brother and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DXVI.

To D. T――, in Yorkshire.

London, May 6, 1743.

My dear Brother,

A Day or two ago, I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, which I find was written some time since, but came not to hand, as I was out of town. Accept my thanks, though late, and let the blessed Jesus be praised, again and again, for causing his children to love and esteem unworthy, hell-deserving me. O, my dear brother, “Love is of God, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.” Glad am I that our Saviour is getting himself the victory in your parts, and that fresh doors are opened for our dear brother I―― to preach the everlasting gospel. I have been just writing to him; and now improve a few moments to send you a line also. Blessed be our glorious Emmanuel, I can tell you of new and glorious conquests made of late. I am but just returned from a circuit of 400 miles in Gloucestershire and South Wales. Dagon hath every where fallen before the ark, and the fields are white ready unto harvest. The congregations were very large, and I was never enabled to preach with greater power. I purpose staying here about a month, and once more to attack the prince of darkness in Moor-fields, when the holidays come. Many precious souls have been captivated with Christ’s love in that wicked place. Jerusalem sinners bring most glory to the Redeemer. Where I shall go next, I cannot yet tell. If my Master should point out the way, a visit to Yorkshire would be very agreeable. Perhaps Exeter and Cornwall may be the next places. That is dry ground. I love to range in such places. O my dear brother, continue to pray for me, and help me to praise the blessed Lamb of God. Indeed I pray for you, and the redeemed sinners, amongst whom you are. That the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls may fill you with all peace and joy in believing, is the hearty prayer of, my dear brother,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DXVII.

To Mr. H――.

London, May 21, 1743.

My very dear faithful Friend and Brother,

AFTER watching, and praying, and striving some days for direction and assistance, I now sit down to write you a letter; though I know not well what to say or do. The concern I have felt for you, and my dear family, has had an effect on my body, and increased that weakness, which the season of the year, my constant labours, and continual care upon various accounts, have brought upon me. In the midst of all, my soul I trust grows, and is kept happy in the blessed Jesus. His strength is daily made perfect in my weakness, and I am made more than conqueror through his love. I am somewhat concerned, that scarce any of my letters have reached your hands. I was glad, however, to find, that you had received one dated in May last. Since that, I hope you have received more. I rejoice that our loving Saviour has not permitted you to want. You are his family, and he would not detain me from you, had not he determined to provide for you in my absence. I fear I have been sinfully impatient to come over. I think, I could be sold a slave to serve at the gallies, rather than you and my dear Orphan-family should want. Sometimes my wicked heart has said, “if I know I should have staid so long, I would not have come over to England at all.” But God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts. It is best to be kept at his feet, waiting to know what he would have us to do. By and by we shall know all; ’till then, let us wait patiently; against hope may we believe in hope, and being strong in faith give glory to God. After I have fought the Lord’s battles in Moor-fields these holidays, I think to take a tour into Cornwall and Wales, and perhaps, to Ireland. I have sometimes thought I am detained on purpose to go there. I wonder not at your silence. You may well expect me; but I must not mention it, lest my impatient heart should again say, “Lord, why wilt thou not let me go?” My first fellow-traveller, scarce a day passes without my speaking of, and often praying for you. Old love has revived long since in my soul. I am persuaded, our Lord will reward you even in this life, for your fidelity to unworthy me. “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” While I am writing the fire kindles, and I almost forget my bodily weakness. The Lord be with you. I hear the Spaniards intend a second invasion; but those words still follow and comfort me, “The enemies which you have seen, you shall see no more for ever.” You are the Lord’s family; he will take care of you; fear them not. I have many things to impart, when I see you face to face. ’Till then the Lord Jesus be with your spirit, and grant that you and yours may increase with all the increase of God. In bonds of an eternal friendship, with greater affection than words can well express, I subscribe myself,

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DXVIII.

To Mr. B――.

London, May 21, 1743.

My very dear Brother B――,

LITTLE did I think, when I parted from you at Bethesda, that I should be writing to you at this time in London. But God’s ways are in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known. I have essayed to come to you more than once, or twice; but I believe I can say, “the spirit suffered me not.” In thought I am with you daily; when I shall come in person, our Saviour only knows: perhaps, at an hour which neither you nor I think of. You will see what I have wrote (though in much weakness) to my dear Mr. H――. The present weakness of my body will not suffer me to enlarge much to you; though, was I to follow the inclination of my soul, I should fill up many sheets. My dear brother, I love you unfeignedly in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and heartily thank you for all your works of faith, and the care you have taken of my dear family. Surely our Lord sent you to Bethesda, and however cloudy the prospect may have been for some time, I am persuaded a glorious sunshine will succeed, and you shall yet see the salvation of our God. When our Lord has any thing great to do, he is generally a great while bringing it about, and many unaccountable dark providences generally intervene. Thus it was with Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and all the eminent men of God in the days of old. Thus our Lord is pleased to deal with me, and my affairs. Many precious promises have been given me in respect to myself, my dear family, and the church of Jesus Christ, which I am sure will be fulfilled in due time. I long to be with you, to open our hearts freely, and to tell one another what our good God has done for our souls. Great things has he done for me indeed, and greater things is he yet doing, and about to do. The work of God is likely to spread far and near, and such are daily added to the church as shall be saved. I am employed every moment for the best of Masters, and only lament that I can do no more. For some days, my body has been much indisposed, but not so as to prevent my preaching. As my day is, so is my strength; and as afflictions abound, consolations much more abound. I know that this will lead you to give thanks on my behalf. I am glad when I hear it goes well with you and yours. I am now like St. Paul, who could have no rest, ’till he sent a brother to the church, that he might enquire of their affairs, and know how they did. The person that brings this, loves Jesus in sincerity, and I trust will be a blessing to the house. I would have him employed among the children, or as you and the brethren shall think fit. Our Saviour, I hope, will direct you in every thing. As strength shall permit, I intend writing to Mr. J――. Blessed be God for raising up such dear friends. He never can or will forsake those that put their trust in him. I hope it is well with you and yours. I doubt not but your souls prosper. Mr. A―― writes to his mother, and tells her how you are instant in season and out of season. Go on, my dear brother, thou man of God! and may the Lord make you a spiritual father to thousands. That the Lord of all lords may exceedingly bless you, is the earnest prayer of

Yours most affectionately in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DXIX.

To Mr. H――.

London, May 31, 1743.

My dear Mr. H――, Friend and Brother,

ALL last week, do what I would, I could not find freedom to write a line, though I expected our dear brother E――, the bearer of this, to fail every hour. But now I know why he was detained, and I restrained. This morning, to my unspeakable satisfaction, I saw a letter from our dear brother G――, dated April 13th, wherein he acquainted me of the welfare of the dear family, and of another out-pouring of the spirit among you. O! my soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. After this, I expect to hear of another shock: but I know you are the Lord’s, and he will take care of your souls. As Mr. E―― is going on board, I have not time to say half I would. I fear I am sinfully impatient to see you. The time will come by and by. Hasten it, O Lord, if it be thy blessed will! Our Saviour does greater things for me every day. Last Sunday morning, I collected 23l. for the orphans in Moor-fields. It would amaze you to see the great congregations, and wonderful presence of the Lord. Grace! grace! I have paid all that is due in England, and have sent you 25l. by the bearer. God willing, I shall remit you more soon. Pray give my humble respects to dear Mr. J――, and tell him, our Saviour will enable me to pay him all soon with a thousand thanks. I sent you 100l. by my brother’s ship, and a packet of letters. I hope they came safe to hand. But I must have done. Salute my dear family, and believe me to be, though now in great haste, dear man,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DXX.

To Mr. G――, of Carlisle.

London, June 9, 1743.

My dear Brother,

I Have been prevented by many things from writing to you. I now redeem a few minutes to send you a line. I believe your way is clear to London. The brethren, I am persuaded, will be willing to give you the right-hand of fellowship, since you are determined not to meddle with controversy, or to make adult baptism a bone of contention; but simply to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified. This I think is the only way to propagate the gospel of the grace of God. Our Saviour blesses me in it much, and owns and strengthens me more and more. I have been very weak in body, but every day my strength hath been renewed, and I have been enabled to mount on wings like an eagle. God willing, I shall leave London on Monday next. If I should be out of town, you will be kindly received. Glory be to God, the gospel spreads. I feel myself the chief of sinners. As such, be pleased always to remember to pray for, my dear brother,

Yours most affectionately in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DXXI.

To Mr. S――.

Burford, June 15, 1743.

My dear Sir,

I Cannot go any farther without writing you a line. Our Saviour hath dealt most graciously with your unworthy friend. On Monday I experienced some sweet teachings from above, and was so happy, that I thought our Lord was preparing me for some fresh trials. The prospect pleased me much, knowing how all things had already worked together for my good. Yesterday my body was very weary, but my soul happy, and I preached at Fairford; this morning at Glanfield, and just now here. It is dry ground; but the Lord has promised to pour water upon such. He has richly watered my soul. Where I lay, was indeed a Bethel, a gate of heaven. I hope God has been with you. My tender love to dear brother A――s. My fellow-travellers salute you. My love to the Tabernacle people. Their prayers are heard. Grace! grace!

Yours affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DXXII.

To the same.

Gloucester, June 18, 1743.

My dear Friend,

I Wrote to you from Burford on Wednesday last. My soul was then so exceeding happy, that I want words to express it. Afterwards, we went to Bengeworth, where we came about midnight, and were most heartily received by Mr. S―― and Mr. O――. I was enabled to preach there with such power, that all must confess, God was with us of a truth. We dined very comfortably, and then set out for Gloucester, shouting, Grace! grace! When I arrived, our Saviour was exceeding gracious; and I had so much of heaven in my soul, that I wanted to lie down any where to praise my God. I preached here early the next morning, then rode to Cheltenham, and returned hither in the afternoon, and preached in the evening. This morning I preached again, and received your second welcome letter. I thank you for it. I could write much of the love and abiding happiness I have in Christ: but I have many letters lying unanswered before me. Adieu at present. The Lord be with you and yours. Salute all the brethren. Forget not to pray for, my dear friend,

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DXXIII.

To the same.

Gloucester, June 21, 1743.

ON Saturday I answered your two last letters. Our Saviour sent me to Gloucester for wise ends. Much substantial good has been done to several of the society. My mouth and heart were greatly opened in preaching. Saturday evening was a time much to be remembered. Sunday, was a great day of the Son of Man. I preached at Gloucester in the morning, and near Stroud in the evening. The word was clothed with much power, both for sinners and saints. I think the congregation at Hampton was rather greater than ever. At night we had a precious meeting in Hampton-house garden; the house itself being too small to hold the people without almost stifling them. The simplicity, sweetness, and broken-heartedness of the poor souls would have melted your heart. Indeed, much grace was upon them, and many, I believe, to their unspeakable consolation, heard the voice of the Lord God in the trees of the garden in the cool of the day. On Monday morning I preached again, and came away rejoicing. Whilst I was at Hampton, J. C―― told me, how he and the people had been abused. My coming at this time, I believe, has much strengthened the persecuted. Indeed there is a glorious work in Gloucestershire. Brother C―― is truly a great soul! one of the weak things that God has chosen to confound the strong. In my journey from Hampton hither, our dear Master was graciously with us. We have blessed news from Scotland. Brave news also from Pembrokeshire. Surely the kingdom of the Lord and his Christ is coming on apace. I know you say, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.”

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

P. S. I must acquaint you, by way of postscript, of the following anecdote of the old Mr. Cole, a most venerable dissenting minister; whom I was always taught to ridicule, and (with shame I write it) used, when a boy, to run into his meeting-house, and cry, Old Cole! old Cole! old Cole! Being asked once by one of his congregation, what business I would be of? I said, “a minister, but I would take care never to tell stories in the pulpit, like the old Cole.” About twelve years afterwards, the old man heard me preach in one of the churches at Gloucester; and on my telling some story to illustrate the subject I was upon, having been informed what I had before said, made this remark to one of his elders, “I find that young Whitefield can now tell stories, as well as old Cole.” Being affected much with my preaching, he was as it were become young again, and used to say, when coming to and returning from Barn, “These are days of the Son of Man indeed!” nay, he was so animated, and so humbled, that he used to subscribe himself my Curate, and went about preaching after me in the country, from place to place. But one evening, whilst preaching, he was struck with death, and then asked for a chair to lean on ’till he concluded his sermon, when he was carried up stairs and died. O blessed God! if it be thy holy will, may my exit be like his!

LETTER DXXIV.

To the same.

Gloucester, June 27, 1743.

FULL of divine consolations, and at the same time, I trust, deeply sensible of my own vileness, I have just arose from the throne of grace, where I have been laying yours, my own, and the affairs of the whole church, before our common Father and our God. He was pleased to give me sweet access, and to assure me, that if he gave me his presence, he would freely give me all things; but I must wait his time and season, because that will be better for me. I have therefore just now put my soul, as a blank, into the hands of Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and desired him to write upon it what he pleases. I know it will be his own image. Methinks I hear you say, Amen. I know you do from your heart; for I believe you love me in the bowels of Jesus Christ, as I do you, God knoweth. Our Saviour, by his wise providence has prevented our receiving each others letters so soon as we expected. I preached Tuesday last in the evening at Bristol, and on Wednesday twice; and once at Kingswood.—On Thursday in the morning I preached there also, and afterwards went to Bath, where I was most cordially received by Mr. C――, and one Dr. H――, a christian physician, and Lady C――. Here our Saviour gave me fresh hints, that if I would stand still and wait his time and way, he would make even my enemies to be at peace with me. I returned in the evening to Bristol, and preached. I think it was this day the news came of his Majesty’s fighting, and coming off conqueror. I had observed for some time past, when praying for him, whether I would or not, out came this petition, “Lord, cover thou his head in the day of battle.” Tho’ even while I was praying, I wondered why I prayed so, not knowing that he was gone to Germany to fight. This gave me fresh confidence towards God. I spent almost the whole day on Friday in retirement, and prayer. My house was made a Bethel to me indeed, the very gate of heaven. Saturday I preached again, and found in the day-time our Saviour had blessed my endeavours to some souls. About three in the afternoon we set out for Wiltshire. On Sunday I preached at Brinkworth, on these words: “Thy Maker is thy husband.” It was a day of espousals I believe to many. God was with us of a truth. After sermon, I rode to Longley, in company with many dear children of God, who attended me both on horseback and on foot. We sung, and looked like persons that had been at a spiritual wedding. The Lord helped me in preaching there also. All was quiet. In the evening I preached at Tetherton, and a blessed time it was. We rode like as the children of Israel passing through the enemies country. Afterwards we set out for Hampton, and reached there about midnight. After having travelled about thirty miles, I yet preached thrice. This morning I arose like a giant refreshed with wine, and came hither about eleven. I found my mother recovered from her illness, and my own soul filled and blessed in Christ. O grace! how sweet is it? I am glad you are thirsting after an abiding in God, after greater degrees of knowledge, both of yourself, and of Jesus Christ, whom to know is life eternal. In order to this, you must expect many trials, and well it is to be under the discipline of so tender a Master. I know you will pray to the Lord to make and keep me humble. I recommend you to his care, and wish you all the blessings of the everlasting covenant, from

Yours,

G. W.

LETTER DXXV.

To the Same.

Bristol, July 2, 1743.

I Wrote to you on Saturday, and on Monday from Gloucester. I suppose you have wrote to Trevecka. Words cannot express how good our blessed Saviour has been to me, since I wrote last. I preached there on Monday night, and Tuesday morning. The God of love filled my soul, and enabled me to speak of his love with great power. Many felt it also. On Tuesday after morning sermon I went to Abergavenny; Jesus was with me on the road; and we reached there about ten at night. On Wednesday I went to Trevecka, where I met with a whole troop of Jesu’s witnesses. I had some hours by myself, and shed many tears of love before the Lord. At five in the evening, I preached to a larger congregation than ever I had seen at Trevecka. Jesus was with us of a truth, and I felt the power of that blood upon my own soul, which I was recommending to others. After I had done, brother H――l D―― and R―― preached and prayed. The holy spirit came down, especially when the latter preached, in a plentiful manner.—About eight we opened the association with great solemnity. Our Saviour was much with me, teaching and helping me to fill my place in a particular manner. The brethren felt the same. About midnight we adjourned; but several of the brethren sat up all night, and ushered in the morning with prayer and praise. About eight we met again, and were greatly delighted at the different and simple accounts the superintendents brought in of their respective societies. Some of their accounts were very particular, as to the state of the people’s souls; and several had gone off most triumphantly to glory. We continued doing business ’till two in the afternoon, and broke up with much solemnity and holy joy. Our Saviour kept the new-wine ’till last, and gave us a sweet parting blessing. We had great union with one another. Indeed, Jesus has done great things for Wales. The work is much upon the advance. I was surprized to find so much order. Brother H―― D―― has been blessed to the conversion of a young clergyman, Rector of St. B――, London. About five in the evening I returned to Abergavenny, and preached there on Friday morning, and afterwards set out for Bristol, where we arrived about eight in the evening. My house, friends, &c. were made a great blessing to the soul of,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DXXVI.

To Mrs. D――.

Bristol, July 9, 1743.

Dear Madam,

HAVING no time to answer your request concerning the Hampton mob, I herewith send you a letter, which I have just now received from my dear fellow-labourer, who is the principal object of their fury. This young confessor, some few years ago came out of curiosity to hear me, when first I preached upon Hampton Common, in Gloucestershire. Being converted himself, he found himself impelled to strengthen his brethren. God has owned him much in Hampton, and the adjacent country, in calling by him many poor sinners to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. How satan rages upon the account, you’ll see in the inclosed, to which you are referred by, dear Madam,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

A Letter from Mr. A――, to the Rev. Mr. W――.

Hampton, July 8, 1743.

Honoured and very dear Sir,

BLESSED be the dear Jesus, he hath brought me safe hither. He was also with me on the road, and I am persuaded, that whatsoever sufferings I am to pass through here, all shall work together for good; for Jesus is and will be with me. The mob has breathed out many threatenings against me; but Jesus is greater than all, and I am persuaded he’ll let them find him so. I rode all down the town without the least molestation, only many cried, (but silently as it were) “O, he is come home!” which was a surprizing thing to them; for a gentleman had affirmed, that he saw me in prison. I have been walking up the town, without any disturbance; but the mob, they say, continue more and more exasperated. We expect them soon. They generally apprize one another, by ringing a bell. The whole mob consist of about an hundred: but Jesus keeps me without the least fear, and at the same time gives me quietly to wait on him for direction, how to act. A few of the dear disciples are by me. We have been praying together, and the Lord is with us. I believe death in its ugliest shapes would not be terrible to some here, at least I think so of myself; and when I look to the faithfulness of my Saviour, I can loudly say, “As my day is, so my strength shall be.” Many of the people of the town have been with me, to tell me the respect they have for me, and how much they are concerned for the abuse that has been given us. I believe all will be well by and by. At the same time, I believe your coming might be much blessed to that end. I must conclude; but I think to give you a farther account on Monday, if our Saviour pleases. In the mean time, I heartily beg an interest in your prayers, and the whole society with you. Tell them, O tell them, to get ready for suffering, by cleaving close to the Lamb, rooted and grounded in him: withal please to give my kind love and service to them for Jesu’s sake, and be pleased to accept the same your dear self, and many thanks for all the tokens of unfeigned love conferred on

Your unworthy brother and servant,

T. A.

LETTER DXXVII.

To Mrs. D――.

Bristol, July 14, 1743.

My dear Madam,

NOT doubting but you wait with impatience for dear Mr. A――’s promised second letter, after having just read it once over, I herein inclose it; having only time to beg the continuance of your prayers, and to desire you to send this with the former, as soon as possible, to

Yours, &c.,

G. W.

July 11, 1743.

Honoured Sir,

I Promised in my last to write to you again, and to let you know more particularly of our persecutions, which are as follow. On Saturday after I wrote to you, I met the society, and after we had sung an hymn, came brother I――, with my dear wife from Bristol. They came into the society and sat down, while I exhorted them to stedfastness and patience under the cross. They seemed much strengthened, and ready for any suffering; for God was with us. After that, I desired brother I―― to pray, which he did. After that I prayed in faith, and was enabled to plead Christ’s promises to his church; though we are but a little branch. I had not prayed long, but many of us were persuaded, he would never leave or forsake us. In every prayer we asked direction how to act. I was persuaded, the only way to still the mob, was, not to resist or fly from them, but to give myself up wholly to them, and let them do all that the Lord should permit: for the more we had drawn back, the more our adversaries rejoiced, and vowed they would and should put an end to preaching in Hampton. The mob, which consisted of near an hundred, were now about the house, making a terrible noise, and swearing prodigiously. I went down to them and opened the door, and asking them what they wanted. I told them, if they wanted my life, I was willing to deliver it up for Jesus’s sake; but withal I desired to know, why they either disturbed me or sought my life? For I did not know I had given them any just cause for either. Some of them said, I had, by bringing in false doctrine, and impoverishing the poor. I told them, that they could prove neither, and that it was really false. They seemed something at a stand; when about five of them begun to be more exasperated, and took me, in order to throw me into a lime pit. I told them, they need not force me, for I was willing to suffer, though unjustly, for Jesus’s sake. But while they were pushing me along, some neighbours took me in their arms and carried me into one of their houses; so I was delivered out of their hands. On sabbath-day morning about twenty of the society met again. We spent the morning in prayer. In the evening I preached, and had uncommon strength and courage given me from the Lord, so that death in its ugliest shapes did not at all terrify me. About five in the afternoon we met in my house. I first exhorted them to keep their minds close to the Lord, and if the mob came, not at all to resist, but to make way for them to come to me, and let them do what the Lord would permit. I then prayed and sung that hymn, “Our lives, our blood, &c.” When we had so done, in came the mob, demanding me to come down. I asked, by what authority they did so? They swore they would have me. Then said I, so you shall. So they took me to the lime pit, and threw me in. But O what a power of God fell on my soul! I thought, with Stephen, the heavens opened to my sight, and the Lord Jesus was ready, if I had died, to receive me. I believe my undaunted courage shook some. I told them, I should meet them at the judgment, and then their faces would gather paleness. They let me out, and I came home and kneeled down with the people that were there, and prayed to, and praised God. After that, I exhorted from the three first verses of the third chapter of the first epistle of John. And when I was just concluding, in came the mob again, and took me to a brook to throw me in there. One, who was a persecutor but a few days before, endeavoured to hinder them; but they took me away, and led me all up the town. I had a sweet walk, and talked and reasoned with the persecutors all the way. My heart was full of love. Before I had gone far, all but one agreed to let me go back again, but he insisted upon my going. I told them, the law was open against them, nevertheless I was willing to suffer any thing for Christ. Then they told me, if I would forbear preaching but for a month, they would let me go; I told them, I would make no such promise. So forward I went. One of them threw me in, and I went to the bottom, but I came up again, with my hands clasped together. I did not desire to come out, till they fetched me. Accordingly, in jumped one or two of them and took me out; but then one maliciously and cowardly pushed me in again, and much bruised and cut one of my legs against a stone. Some of the others were going to throw him in for so doing. I came home talking to them. Many seemed to repent of what they had done, and promised to molest me no more. I believe, God has smote some of their consciences. One who was the chief, and would not agree that I should go back, I hear by several, he says he will in no wise touch me again. Many advise us to prosecute them; but if they are quiet, I am content, and can say from my heart, “Father, forgive them.” I should be glad if you would be here next Sunday. In the mean time pray for me, who am,

Your unworthy brother and servant,

T. A.

LETTER DXXIX.

To the Same.

Hampton, July 25, 1743.

My dear Friend,

ON Thursday I came here, and expected to be attacked; because I had heard, that the mob which had been so outragious towards you and others for so long time, had now threatened, that if ever I came there again, they would have a piece of my black gown to make aprons with. No sooner had I entered the town, but I saw and heard the signals, such as blowing of horns, and ringing of bells for gathering the mob. My soul was kept quite easy. I preached in a large grass plat from these words, “And seeing the grace of God, he exhorted them with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord;” and as it happened, I finished my sermon and pronounced the blessing, just as the ring-leader of the mob broke in upon us, which I soon perceived disappointed and grieved them very much. One of them, as I was coming down from the table, called me coward; but I told him, they should hear from me another way. I then went into the house, and preached upon the stair case to a large number of serious souls; but these real troublers of Israel soon came in to mock and mob us. But feeling what I never felt before, as you know I have very little natural courage, strength and power being given us from above, I leaped down stairs, and all ran away before me. However they continued making a noise about the house till midnight, abusing the poor people as they went home, and as we hear they broke one young lady’s arm in two places. Brother A―― they threw a second time into the pool, in which operation he received a deep wound in his leg. John C――’s life, that second Bunyan, was much threatened.—Young W―― H―― they wheeled in a barrow to the pool’s side, lamed his brother, and grievously hurt several others. Hearing that two or three clergymen were in the town, one of whom was a justice of the peace, I went to them; but alas! I seemed unto them as one that mocked, and instead of redressing, they laid the cause of all the grievances at my door; but, by the help of my God, I shall still persist in preaching myself, and in encouraging those (as I know no law of God or man against it) who I believe are truly moved by the Holy Ghost. As I came out from the clergymen, two of the unhappy mobbers were particularly insolent, and huzza’d us out of town. “Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad,” for now I humbly hope, I begin to be a disciple of Jesus Christ; since to suffer for, as well as to believe and preach his precious truths, and own his despis’d people, is now given to,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXX.

To Mr. J―― S――.

Bristol, July 27, 1743.

My dear Friend,

ON Friday night I reached Gloucester, where I received your kind and animating letter. On Saturday I came hither. Yesterday was an high day: I preached four times in the fields, and the congregations were as large as at the beginning: blessed seasons indeed! Here are people from all quarters. I am just going out to preach again, and therefore can only add, that perhaps I may set out for Exeter on Wednesday, from whence you may expect to hear again, from

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXXI.

To the Same.

Exeter, July 31, 1743.

Dear Sir,

WE came hither in safety last night. Upon the road my soul was sweetly humbled before God, who hath given me near access to his throne. Good Mr. K――, our host, and his yoke-fellow, seem to be Israelites indeed. In all probability an effectual door will be opened for preaching the everlasting gospel. I am to begin this evening. Brethren, pray for us. I sleep but little; inward comforts support and strengthen both soul and body. Join me in crying, Grace! grace! In great haste and greater affection, I subscribe myself,

Yours affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DXXXII.

To the Same.

Exon, Aug. 2, 1743.

My dear Man,

I Wrote unto you on Saturday, and preached the same evening to a great body of people. Several of the clergy attended, with whom this city abounds. Some went off, others staid ’till I had done. All was quiet, and our Lord soon made way for himself into the people’s hearts. Yesterday evening I preached on Southean-hay to upwards of ten thousand; ’twas just like a Moor-fields congregation. God was with us of a truth. The people were very desirous of my longer continuance here; but so many things concurred to call me to London, that after close application to the throne of grace, and consultation with my friends, I am determined, God willing, to leave Exeter to-morrow morning, and to preach with Mr. D―― in my way to town. I find I am in my element, when evangelizing. Our Saviour fills my heart with his presence, and has in a particular manner prepared the people’s hearts in the West for receiving the gospel-message. He keeps me happy and chearful amidst all my various trials, for which I pray you to join in thanksgiving with

Your affectionate friend, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXXIII.

To Mr. H――, at Gloucester.

London, Aug. 20, 1743.

My dear Mr. H――,

HOW wonderfully does our all-wise Redeemer order things for the trial of his children! Alas! alas! how apt are they to judge, censure, and be needlessly prejudiced against each other. Being weak in body, and under great concern of mind upon several accounts, I desired dear Mr. G―― to acquaint you, that in our last association we agreed not to separate from the established church, but go on in our usual way. Indeed, the motion to separate, was only made by a very few of more contracted principles. By far the greater part most strenuously opposed it, and with good reason; for as we enjoy such great liberty under the mild and gentle government of his present Majesty king George, we think we can do him, our country, and the cause of God, more service in ranging up and down, preaching repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus, to those multitudes who would neither come into church or meeting, but who are led by curiosity to follow us into the fields. However disorderly this may seem to bigots of every denomination, yet it is a way to which God has affixed his seal for many years past, and therefore we have no reason to turn to the right hand or to the left, but to press forwards and to do our utmost towards enlarging the kingdom of our Lord Jesus; not doubting, but when we come to stand at his bar, we shall be received with as equal an Euge-bone as those, who thro’ prejudice, or want of better information, censure us as going beyond our line. That this may be our happy case, you will join in praying with

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXXIV.

To Mrs. D――.

London, Sept. 2, 1743.

Dear Madam,

A Thousand thanks for your kind solicitude concerning me and mine. My wife has been in trying circumstances, partly through the unskilfulness of a chaise-driver, I mean myself. Being advised to take her out into the air, I drove her as well as myself, through in advertence, into a ditch. Finding that we were falling, she put her hand cross the chaise, and thereby preserved us both from being thrown out. The ditch might be about 14 feet deep, but blessed be God, though all that saw us falling, cried out, they are killed, yet, through infinite mercy, we received no great hurt. The place was very narrow near the bottom, and yet the horse went down, as tho’ let down by a pulley. A stander-by ran down and catched hold of its head, to prevent its going forwards. I got upon its back and was drawn out by a long whip; whilst my wife hanging between the chaise and the bank, was pulled up on the other side by two or three kind assistants. Being both in a comfortable frame, I must own, to my shame, that I felt rather regret than thankfulness in escaping what I thought would be a kind of a translation, to our wished-for haven. But O amazing love! we were so strengthened, that the chaise and horse being taken up, and our bruises being washed with vinegar in a neighbouring house, we went on our intended way, and came home rejoicing in God our Saviour. Not expecting my wife’s delivery for some time, I intend making a short excursion, and then you may expect further news from

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXXV.

To the Same.

London, Oct. 5, 1743.

Dear Madam,

MY last left me just entering upon another short excursion. Blessed be God, it was pleasant because it was profitable to my own, and I trust to many other souls. The last evening of it, I preached from a balcony to many thousands, who stood in the street as comfortable as at noon-day. Upon retiring to my lodgings, news was brought me, that God had given me a son. This hastened me up to London, where I now am, and from whence after I have baptized my little one, God willing, I purpose to set out again on my Master’s public business. You will not fail to pray, that I may be taught how to order the child aright, and thereby add to the many obligations already laid on, dear Madam,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXXVI.

To Mr. S――.

Avon, Wilts, October 15, 1743.

My dear Friend,

I Must not be long from London without writing to you. Our Saviour brought me hither last night, and filled me as with new wine. I purpose staying till Monday; if you write, direct for me at Bristol. I trust our Lord hath much people here. This leaves me in spirit sitting at his feet. Praying this may find you there, I am

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXXVII.

To the Same.

Cullompton, Oct. 25, 1743.

I Wrote to you on the 15th instant, at Avon. In the morning I walked to Tetherton, and preached there with much of the divine presence, and to the abundant satisfaction and comfort of God’s people. After sermon, I baptized four boys, each about three months old, as near as I can remember. The ordinance was so solemn and awful that Mrs. G―― (who you know is a quaker) had a mind immediately to partake of it. When I go to Wiltshire, I believe I shall baptize her and her children, with some adult persons that have tasted of redeeming love. About one o’clock I preached at Clack in the street. All was quiet. I then rode to Brinkworth, and was enabled to preach there with still greater freedom, and afterwards administred the Holy Sacrament to about two hundred and fifty communicants. Our Lord made himself known to many in breaking of bread. Some strangers, that came from Bath, went home filled with our Redeemer’s presence. I have preached at Chippenham. I hope I managed all things right about the affair of the Hampton rioters. It seems, they have compelled us to appeal unto Cæsar. Evidences shall be examined in the country, time enough to send their examinations up to town. We had a wonderful time in Wiltshire. On Saturday last, when I came to Wellington, the Reverend Mr. D―― persuaded me to stay there, because the country people had come from all quarters several times to hear me, and had been disappointed. I consented, and preached in his meeting-house in the evening to a large auditory. The Reverend Mr. F――t, formerly pupil to doctor D――, came there, and staid all night. The blessed Jesus gave us much freedom in conversation. I hope both will be instruments under God in promoting a good work in these parts. Sunday morning I preached again in the meeting-house, and in the evening to seven thousand in the fields. On Monday about ten in the morning, and in the afternoon about two, I preached at Cullompton with much freedom and power; was kindly received, met some reputable dissenters, and am now setting out for Exeter with dear Mr. K――, who came here to meet my dear friend.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXXVIII.

To the Same.

Exeter, October 28, 1743.

I Have strong conviction that our Lord intends doing something in the west. Since my arrival here, letters of invitation have come from many parts. I thank you for your kind sympathy under the many trials, with which I have been surrounded and exercised. I find there is a needs-be for all; for by our being acquainted with the enemy’s work in our own hearts, we see how he works on others, and are enabled to speak better to their hearts. “Whether we are afflicted (says the apostle,) or whether we are comforted, it is for your sake.” Besides, by temptation we are kept from sinking into formality, and consequently are taught better to handle our spiritual weapons, and discover what is amiss both in heart and life. For this cause, we are commanded to rejoice when we fall into divers temptations. I thank God for giving you some experience of these things. We must now all be Calebs; all heart, but at the same time, all humility. Feeling we can do nothing of ourselves, yet believing we can do all things through Christ strengthening us. Blessed be his Name, the common people begin to feel. I preached between two and three this afternoon on Southern-hay, and expounded in the evening at Mr. K――’s. Even some of the polite were much affected last night; and this morning, O what a blessed season had we! I believe I shall think it my duty to stay in these parts for some time. Continue to pray for me, and assure yourself that you are never forgotten by

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXXXIX.

To the Same.

Exeter, Nov. 6, 1743.

ALL being hushed and solemn around me, and my soul filled with the peace of God that passeth all understanding, I now sit down to give you a further account of my feeble labours. On Monday last I went to Axminster, and preached to about two thousand without, and afterward exhorted within the house, where I lay. The next day I preached to a greater number of people, and with more freedom. I gave an exhortation at night, and met the society. Our Lord vouchsafed us a gracious blessing. On Wednesday I went to Ottery, but just as I named my text, the bells rang. Upon this I adjourned to a field, whither the people ran in droves.—As I stepped into the inn, before I went into the field, a clergyman came, who asked me by what authority I preached, said it was a riot, and that the meeting was illegal. I answered him as I thought pertinently, and afterwards went and shewed him my authority, by preaching on these words: “Go ye to all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Between six and seven in the evening, I returned to Exeter, where some hundreds were waiting to hear me expound. The Lord was with us. The Lord makes this place very comfortable to me. Prejudices fall off daily, and people begin not only rationally to discern, but powerfully to feel the doctrines of the gospel. To-morrow, God willing, I go with Mr. K―― to Biddeford. From thence expect to hear again from

Yours, &c.

G. W.

Postscript. Ten at night.—It would have pleased you to have been here this evening. I question, whether near a third part of Exeter were not attending on the word preached. All was solemn and awful, and the Lord gave me much assistance from his holy spirit. Help me to praise him. Adieu! Good night! The Lord be with you.

LETTER DXL.

To Mrs. D――.

Biddeford, Nov. 11, 1743.

Dear Madam,

I Thank you for your kind caution to spare myself; but evangelizing is certainly my province. Every where effectual doors are opened, and great freedom is given to me both in public preaching and private conversation. Many are blessed by both. The Rev. Mr. J―― N――, rector of St. Gennis, Cornwall, is here. God willing, I’ll go with him on Saturday. Here is also another clergyman about eighty years of age, but not above one year old in the school and knowledge of Christ. He lately preached three times and rode forty miles the same day. The dissenting minister and his wife were very hearty, and perhaps here is one of the most settled female christian societies in the kingdom. I cannot well describe with what power the word was attended. Yesterday in the afternoon, and in the evening, it was just like as at Edinburgh. The old clergyman was much broken. A young Oxonian, who came with him, and many others, were most deeply affected. I suppose there were upwards of two thousand in the evening in the Meeting-house. Dear Mr. H――y, one of our first Methodists at Oxford, and who was lately a curate here, had laid the blessed foundation. So far therefore from thinking of nestling at London, that I am more and more convinced that I should go from place to place, and therefore question if I shall see London for some time. If not too angry with me for prosecuting this rambling way of life, be pleased to pray for, dear madam,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

Postscript. Seven at night. To-day hath been as yesterday, and much more abundant. I am here, as in Scotland and ♦New-England. Praise to free grace! Here is work enough for some months. The weather is very favourable; range, therefore, I must and will.

LETTER DXLI.

To the Same.

St. Gennis, Nov. 25, 1743.

Dear Madam,

GLAD I am that God inclined my heart to come hither. He hath been with us of a truth. How did his stately steps appear in the sanctuary last Lord’s-day? Many, many prayers were put up by the worthy Rector, and others, for an out-pouring of God’s blessed spirit. They were answered. Arrows of conviction fled so thick and so fast, and such an universal weeping prevailed from one end of the congregation to the other, that good Mr. J―― could not help going from seat to seat to speak, encourage, and comfort the wounded souls. The Oxonian’s father was almost struck dumb; and the young Oxonian’s crest was so lowered, that I believe he’ll never venture to preach an unknown Christ, or deal in the false commerce of unfelt truths. I could enlarge, but I must away to Biddeford, just to give satan another stroke, and bid my christian friends farewel, and then return the way I came, namely through Exeter, Wellington and Bristol, to the great metropolis: but journeying, and various other matters that lie before me, I expect will prevent your hearing so frequently as usual, from

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXLII.

To Mr. J―― S――.

Brinkworth, December 18, 1743.

My dear Friend,

’TIS past eleven at night, but lest I should not have time to-morrow at Gloucester, which I intend to take in my way to Birmingham, I’ll rob myself of a little sleep to write to you now. On Friday evening we reached five miles beyond Reading. Last night about nine we got to Clack. It rained and snowed much for about seven miles, and the way was dangerous; but the blessed Jesus kept us in safety. In the morning I preached and gave the sacrament at Tetherton. This evening I preached here. They were good times. I have a cold, but our Lord warms my heart. To-morrow I must away to Gloucester. O follow, follow with your prayers.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXLIII.

To the Same.

Birmingham, Dec. 27, 1743.

WANT of time, not of love, prevented my writing to you from Gloucester. Neither have I now leisure to be very particular. It is near eleven at night, and nature calls for rest. I have preached five times this day, and, weak as I am, through Christ strengthening me, I could preach five times more. I think I was scarce ever so happy before. Surprizing! how the Lord Jesus hath made way for me in these parts. I lose nothing by being quiet and leaving all to him. O was you here, what could I not tell you? The weather is just like Spring. That the day-spring from on high may visit your heart, till you rise to eternal perfect day, earnestly prays

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXLIV.

To the Same.

Birmingham, Dec. 31, 1743.

My dear Friend,

WHAT do you think? Since my last, I have stole a whole day to dispatch some private business: however, in the evening I expounded to a great room full of people, who would rush into my lodgings, whether I would or not. On Sunday morning at eight I preached in the street to about a thousand, with much freedom. I then went to church and received the sacrament, and afterwards preached to several thousands in the street. The hearers seemed much pleased and delighted. It happened by the providence of God, that no minister would come to preach at a house at Wedgbury, where a weekly lecture used to be kept up: I was therefore earnestly entreated to come. I went, after my afternoon’s preaching at Birmingham, and preached there at six in the evening to many hundreds in the street. It is about six miles from Birmingham. The word came with power, and only one or two made a noise at a distance. Afterwards we had a precious meeting in private. The power of the dear Redeemer was much amongst us. The person with whom I lodged was a widow fearing God. Her husband was an eminent saint, and had been refreshed by my writings, particularly my journals, as had many others that I met with. On Monday morning about eight I preached to a large company in a field. By eleven I returned to Birmingham, and preached to many thousands on a Common near the town. The soldiers were exercising; but the officers hearing that I was coming to preach, dismissed them, and promised that no disturbance should be made. All was quiet, and a blessed time we had. In the afternoon about three I preached again to about the same company, with the same success. Then I rode to Wedgbury and preached there, and afterwards exhorted: but I cannot well tell you, what a sweet melting time there was. Many were in tears. About one I went to bed exceeding happy. In the morning I broke up some fallow ground at a place called Mare-Green, about two miles from Wedgbury. Much mobbing had been there against Mr. Wesley’s friends. A few poor souls began to insult me, but Jesus strengthened me much. Several clods were thrown, one of them fell on my head, and another struck my fingers, while I was in prayer. A sweet gospel spirit was given to me. I preached again at Birmingham to larger auditories than before, about eleven the same morning and three in the afternoon. In the evening I expounded twice in a large room. Once to the rich, and once to the poor, and went to rest happier than the night before. In the morning I took my leave of the Birmingham people, who wept much and were indeed deeply affected, and shewed great concern at my departure. I then went to Kidderminster, about twelve miles from Birmingham, where I was kindly received by Mr. W――ms, with whom I have corresponded for near two years. Many friends were at his house. I was greatly refreshed to find what a sweet savour of good Mr. Baxter’s doctrine, works and discipline remained to this day.

I preached about three in the afternoon to a large auditory near the church. Some unkind men, though they promised not to do so, rang the bells; but our Saviour enabled me to preach with power. In the evening and next morning I preached in the meeting house. I then went with Mr. W―― to Bromsgrove, about seven miles from Kidderminster, and was kindly received by one Mr. K――y, a good man, and several others, among whom were two or three Baptist and one Independent ministers. About three in the afternoon I preached in a field. Some rude people kicked a football and sounded a horn at some distance, but the Lord enabled me to preach with boldness. About six I preached in the Baptist Meeting-house, left Kidderminster at eight, and reached Worcester about ten at night. Mr. W――ms and another friend accompanied us. In the morning the good old Mr. S――y, who was supposed to be sanctified from the womb, came to us while we baited. In the evening I reached Gloucester, very thankful for my week’s progress, and rejoicing greatly in Christ for giving me such a delightful and happy Christmas. This day I have preached twice here, and have been enabled to dispatch some private affairs. It is now near twelve. My dear friend, I wish you an exceeding happy new year. This time twelve-month I was writing to you from Bristol. O what has the dear Lord Jesus done for me since that, and since I was born! And O what does he intend to do for me before I die, and when time shall be no more? I am lost in wonder! I must away and cry Grace! grace! Praying that you may be filled with all the fulness of God, I subscribe, my dearest friend,

Ever, ever yours whilst

G. W.

LETTER DXLV.

To Mr. H――, at Gloucester.

Mashfield, Jan. 7, 1744, (past 7 at night.)

My very dear Mr. H――,

IT being wet and dark, we thought it prudent to stay here this night. I cannot employ part of the evening better than in writing to you, and blessed be our God, I can send you good news. Our gracious Lord was with me at Pitchcomb and Hampton. We have had a wonderful sweet association in Wales, with much of the Redeemer’s presence, especially when I began to speak about the law affair. The brethren were very generous, according to their circumstances, and one gentlewoman sent me five pounds. After mature deliberation, we determined to prosecute the affair to the utmost, and to set apart next Tuesday fortnight (the first day of the term) for a day of fasting and prayer, and to make collections for that purpose. The cause is the Lord’s, and much depends on our getting the victory. I believe we shall. I have had a favourable answer from Colonel S――, and also from Colonel Gar――. Hitherto the Lord prospers us. I am now going to London very happy, and in some measure thankful for the many blessings I have received. Help me, my dear friend, to cry Grace! grace! Inclosed you have some letters: be pleased to peruse and deliver them. I bless God that affairs have taken such a turn. I have been at Abergavenny, and am settled as to my dear wife’s coming down. Blessed be God, she and the little one are pretty well. I shall be glad to hear from you when I come to London. I hope our Lord blesses you, both in body and soul, and shews you the way wherein you should go. That you may be continually guided by his counsel, and after death conducted to his glory, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DXLVI.

To the Same.

London, Jan. 18, 1744.

THIS afternoon I received your kind letter, and thank you a thousand times for your great generosity in lending me some furniture, having little of my own. I know who will repay you. Next week, God willing, my dear wife and little one will come to Gloucester, for I find it beyond my circumstances to maintain them here. I leave London, God willing, this day sev’nnight. Your affairs and concerns are mine. I shall lay them before our common Lord. My brother will receive a letter about my wife’s coming. She and the little one are brave and well. But why talk I of wife and little one? Let all be absorbed in the thoughts of the love, sufferings, free and full salvation of the infinitely great and glorious Emmanuel. Blessed, for ever blessed be his holy Name, for such happy beginnings of another year! How would it rejoice you to see the many thousands in this metropolis, like new-born babes, desiring to be fed with the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby. This, if I know any thing of my heart, is all my salvation, and all my desire. In respect to other things, at present I know this is, and I trust always will be the habitual language of my heart: O blessed God,

That both of us may be always kept thus minded, is the earnest prayer of

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DXLVIII.

To Mr. G. H――.

London, Feb. 24, 1744.

My dear dear Mr. H――,

MULTIPLICITY of urgent affairs has kept me from answering your kind letter sooner. Blessed be God for giving you such a prosperous journey. I am not sorry that some, after their much joy, have been brought down and plunged into much misery. It is no more than might be expected. Stolen sweets prepare for bitter tears. On Monday morning I shall know what the rioters intend doing. There has been dreadful work near Birmingham, but satan will be overthrown. We had a glorious fast on Monday, and collected above sixty pounds for our poor suffering brethren. We have had two solemn funerals. I hope the work prospers in your hands. Our lawyer hath sent me word, that the rioters stand trial.—I think, God willing, to be in Gloucestershire by Monday sev’nnight. The Lord be with you. I salute all, and am, my dear Mr. H――,

Your most affectionate, though unworthy friend and ready servant,

G. W.

Feb. 26.

P. S. Since I wrote the above, I have consulted with friends, and find it best to come through Gloucester to Abergavenny.—God willing, I hope to preach with you on Tuesday between seven and eight at night. Be pleased immediately on the receipt of this to send word to brother Adams to meet me without fail at Gloucester on Tuesday, to confer about our assize affair. I heard yesterday from Wales. I bought a second-hand suit of curtains to-day, so you need not send any thing to Abergavenny. “Poor, yet making others rich,” shall be my motto still.

LETTER DXLIX.

London, March 12, 1744.

My dear Friend,

THIS leaves me just returned from Gloucester assizes, where it has pleased the great Judge of quick and dead to give us the victory over the Hampton rioters. You remember I informed you, that I thought we should be obliged to appeal unto Cæsar. A solemn day of fasting and humiliation was kept on that account; and accordingly last term we lodged an information against them in the King’s-Bench. Matters of fact being proved by a variety of evidence, and the defendants making no reply, the rule was made absolute, and an information filed against them. To this they pleaded Not guilty, and therefore, according to the method of the Crown-office, the cause was referred to the assizes held in Gloucester the third instant. Our council opened the cause by informing the court, that rioters were not to be reformers, and that his Majesty had no where put the reins of government into the hands of mobbers, nor made them either judge or jury. One of them in particular, the Recorder of Oxford, with great gravity, reminded the gentlemen on the jury of the advice of Gamaliel, “Refrain from these men and let them alone, for if this council, or this work be of man, it will come to nought; but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, least haply ye be found even to fight against God.” Our witnesses were then called. Mr. Adams and four more, three of which were not reputed Methodists, so clearly proved both the riot and the facts, that the judge was of opinion, there needed no other evidence. The council for the defendants then rose up, and displayed a good deal of oratory, and I think said all that could be said to mend a bad matter. One urged, “that we were enthusiasts, and our principles and practices had such a tendency to infect and hurt the people, that it was right, in his opinion, for any private person to stand up and put a stop to us; and whoever did so, was a friend to his country.” He strove to influence the jury, by telling them, “That if a verdict was given against the defendants, it would cost them two hundred pounds; that the defendants rioting was not premeditated, but that coming to hear Mr. A――, and being offended at his doctrine, a sudden quarrel arose, and thereby the unhappy men were led into the present fray, which he could have wished had not happened; but however, it did not amount to a riot, but only an assault.” Their other council informed the jury, “That they would undertake to prove, that the Methodists began the tumult first.” He was pleased to mention me by name, and acquainted the court, “That Mr. Whitefield had been travelling from common to common, making the people cry, and then picking their pockets under pretence of collecting money for the colony of Georgia, and knowing that Gloucestershire was a populous county, he at last came there; that he had now several curates, of which Mr. Adams was one, who in his preaching had found fault with the proceedings of the clergy, and had said, that if the people went to hear them, they would be damned.” He added, that “there had lately been such mobbing in Staffordshire, that a regiment of soldiers was sent down to suppress them; insinuating, that the Methodists were the authors; that we had now another cause of a like nature depending in Wiltshire, and that we were not of that mild pacific spirit, as we pretended to be.” This, and much more to the same purpose, though foreign to the matter in hand, pleased many of the auditors, who expressed their satisfaction, in hearing the Methodists in general, and me in particular, thus lashed, by frequent laughing. But our Lord not only kept me quite easy, but enabled me to rejoice in being thus honoured for his great Name’s sake. To prove what the defendants council had insinuated, they called up a young man, who was a brother to one of the defendants, and one of the mob. He swore point blank, “That Mr. Adams said, if people went to church, they would be damned, but if they would come to him, he would carry them to Jesus Christ.” He swore also, “that the brook into which Mr. A―― was thrown, was no deeper than half up his legs.” He said first, that there were but about ten of them that came to the house of Mr. A――; and then he swore, that there were about threescore. He said, there was a bell, and that one of the defendants did ask Mr. A―― to come off the stairs, but that none of them went up to him: upon which Mr. A―― willingly obeyed, went with them briskly along the street, and as he would have represented it, put himself into the skin-pit and brook, and so came out again. He said also some other things; but through the whole, his evidence appeared so flagrantly false, that one of the council said, “It was enough to make his hair stand ♦on end.” The judge himself wished, “That the man had so much religion as to fear an oath.” So he went down in disgrace. Their second evidence was an aged woman, mother of one of the defendants; she swore, “That her son did go up stairs to Mr. A――, and that Mr. A―― tore her son’s coat;” but she talked so fast, and her evidence was so palpably false, that she was sent away in as much disgrace as the other. Their third and last evidence, was father to one who was in the mob, tho’ not one of the defendants. The chief he had to say was, “That when Mr. A―― was coming from the brook, he met him and said, Brother, how do you do? Upon which he answer’d, that he had received no damage, but had been in the brook and came out again.” So that all their evidences, however contrary one to another, yet corroborated ours, and proved the riot out of their own mouths. The book was then given to a justice of the peace, who had formerly taken up Mr. C―― for preaching near Stroud, and had lately given many signal proofs that he was no friend to the Methodists. But he intending to speak only about their characters, and the council and judge looking upon that as quite impertinent to the matter in hand, he was not admitted as an evidence. Upon this, his Lordship with great candor and impartiality summed up the evidence, and told the jury, “That he thought they should bring all the defendants in Guilty; for our evidences had sufficiently proved the whole of the information, and also, that the riot was premeditated.”—He said, “That, in his opinion, the chief of the defendants evidence was incredible; and, that supposing the Methodists were heterodox, (as perhaps they might be) it belonged to the ecclesiastical government to call them to an account; that they were subjects, and rioters were not to be their reformers.” He also reminded them “of the dreadful consequences of rioting at any time, much more at such a critical time as this; that rioting was the forerunner of, and might end in rebellion; that it was felony without benefit of clergy, to pull down a Meeting-house; and for all as he knew, it was high treason to pull down even a bawdy-house.—That this information also came from the King’s-Bench; that his Majesty’s justices there, thought they had sufficient reason to grant it; that the matters contained in it had been evidently proved before them; and consequently they should bring in all the defendants guilty.” Upon this the jury were desired to consider of their verdict, and for a while there seemed to be some little demur among them. His Lordship perceiving the cause of it, immediately informed them, “they had nothing to do with the damages, (that was to be referred to the King’s-Bench) they were only to consider, whether the defendants were guilty or not.” Whereupon in a few minutes they gave a verdict for the prosecutors, and brought in all the defendants guilty of the whole information lodged against them. I then retired to my lodgings, kneeled down, and with my friends gave thanks to our all-conquering Emmanuel. Afterwards I went to the inn, prayed and returned thanks with the witnesses, exhorted them to behave with meekness and humility to their adversaries; and after they had taken proper refreshment, I sent them home rejoicing. In the evening I preached on these words of the Psalmist, “By this I know that thou favourest me, since thou hast not suffered mine enemy to triumph over me.” God was pleased to enlarge my heart much. I was very happy with my friends afterwards, and the next morning set out for London, where we had a blessed thanksgiving season, and from whence I take the first opportunity of sending you these particulars.

I remain, Sir, your very affectionate friend,

G. W.

LETTER DL.

To Mrs. D――.

London, March 15, 1744.

Dear Madam,

SHALL I promise and not perform? God forbid! This comes in answer to your commands, and to inform you, that through him who has the hearts of all men in his hands, we came off more than conquerors, respecting our Gloucester trial. The rioters were brought in guilty, and I suppose will have an execution issued out against them next Term. I hear they are hugely alarmed; but they know not that we intend to let them see what we could do, and then to forgive them. This troublesome affair being now over, I must prepare for my intended voyage. They tell me there is a ship going from Portsmouth. God willing, I purpose to take my passage in it, and though calls come to me from every quarter, yet I must; once more visit my dear family in America. Some well-meaning people threaten me with I know not what, if I embark at this time; but my absence hath been so long and unexpected, that come what will, I am determined to prosecute my intended voyage; and therefore whether we meet any more in the flesh, I trust we shall meet in the world of spirits, where parting, weeping, and breaking of hearts will no more disturb and try the affections of, dear Madam,

Yours in the dear Emmanuel,

G. W.

LETTER DLI.

To the Same.

Plymouth, June 26, 1744.

My dear Friend,

YOU see by this where I am. Doubtless you’ll wonder at the quick transition from Portsmouth to Plymouth. To the former I intended going when I wrote last; but just before I took leave of the dear tabernacle people, a message was sent to me, that the captain in which I was to sail from thence, would not take me for fear of spoiling his sailors. Some interpreted this as a call from providence not to embark at this time; but I enjoined them silence ’till I had taken my leave, and then, hearing of a mast-ship that was going under convoy from Plymouth, I hastened thither, and have taken a passage in the Wilmington, Capt. Dalby, bound to Piscataway, in New-England. My first reception here was a little unpromising. A report being spread that I was come, a great number of people assembled upon the Hoe, (a large green for walks and diversions) and somebody brought out a bear and a drum; but I did not come ’till the following evening, when, under pretence of a hue-and-cry, several broke into the room where I lodged at the inn, and disturbed me very much. I then betook myself to private lodgings, and being gone to rest, after preaching to a large congregation, and visiting the French prisoners, the good woman of the house came and told me, that a well-dressed gentleman desired to speak with me. Imagining that it was some Nicodemite, I desired he might be brought up. He came and sat down by my bedside, told me he was a lieutenant of a man of war, congratulated me on the success of my ministry, and expressed himself much concerned for being detained from hearing me. He then asked me, if I knew him. I answered, no. He replied, his name was Cadogan. I rejoined, that I had seen one Mr. Cadogan, who was formerly an officer at Georgia, about a fortnight ago at Bristol. Upon this, he immediately rose up, uttering the most abusive language, calling me dog, rogue, villain, &c. and beat me most unmercifully with his gold-headed cane. As you know I have not much natural courage, guess how surprized I was; being apprehensive that he intended to shoot or stab me, I underwent all the fears of a sudden violent death. But, as it providentially happened, my hostess and her daughter hearing me cry murder, rushed into the room and seized him by the collar; however, he immediately disengaged himself from them, and repeated his blows upon me. The cry of murder was repeated also, which putting him into some terror, he made towards the chamber-door, from whence the good woman pushed him down stairs. About the bottom of which, a second cry’d out, “Take courage, I am ready to help you;” accordingly, whilst the other was escaping, he rushed up, and finding one of the women coming down, took her by the heels and threw her upon the stairs, by which her back was almost broken. By this time the neighbourhood was alarmed. Unwilling to add to it, I desired the doors might be shut, and so betook myself to rest, not without reflecting, how indispensibly necessary it was for christians and christian ministers to be always upon their guard, and with what great propriety we are taught to pray in our excellent Litany, “from sudden,” that is, “from violent and unprepared death, good Lord deliver us.” That this may be our happy lot, is the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLII.

To the Same.

Plymouth, July 4, 1744.

SINCE my last, I have had some particular informations about the late odd adventure. It seems, that four gentlemen came to the house of one of my particular friends, kindly enquiring after me, and desired to know where I lodged, that they might come and pay their respects. He directed them. Soon afterwards I received a letter, informing me that the writer was a nephew to Mr. S――, an eminent attorney at New-York; that he had the pleasure of supping with me at his uncle’s house, and desired my company to sup with him and a few more friends at a tavern. I sent him word, that it was not customary for me to sup out at taverns, but should be glad of his company, out of respect to his uncle, to eat a morsel with him at my lodgings. He came; we supped; and I observed that he frequently looked around him, and seemed very absent; but having no suspicion, I continued in conversation with him and my other friends, ’till we parted. This, I now find, was to have been the assassin; and being interrogated by his other companions on his return to the tavern about what he had done, he answered, that being used so civilly, he had not the heart to touch me. Upon which, as I am informed, the person who assaulted me laid a wager of ten guineas that he would do my business for me. Some say, that they took his sword from him, which I suppose they did, for I only saw and felt the weight of his cane. The next morning, I was to expound at a private house, and then to set out for Biddeford. Some urged me to stay and prosecute; but being better employed, I went on my intended journey, was greatly blessed in preaching the everlasting gospel, and upon my return was well paid for what I had suffered: curiosity having led perhaps two thousand more than ordinary to see and hear a man, that had like to have been murdered in his bed. Thus all things tend to the furtherance of the gospel, and work together for good to those that love God.

Leaving you to add an Hallelujah, I subscribe myself,

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DLIII.

To Mr. S――.

Plymouth, July 21, 1744.

I Expected a line from you this morning; but I suppose you think we are gone. This day came in a privateer, which saw the Brest Squadron that has pursued two of our men of war, the Dreadnought and Frederick; so that had we sailed, we should in all probability have been carried into France. We are now to go under convoy of the grand fleet; many letters from our friends at Portsmouth inform us, that they are to sail on Sunday; but the wind hath not been very favourable, so we may yet stay some days longer. I never was so easy in this respect before. In one or two things I find my will reluctant; but Jesus will bring all things in subjection to him. I have been greatly refreshed this evening in preaching his blood. The congregations grow visibly every day. You will see the letter from Kingsbridge.—Last night many from the Dock came and guarded me home, being apprehensive there was a design against me. Without my knowledge, they insulted a man who intended to hurt me, for which I am sorry. We had a wonderful good time last night. O help me to praise my Saviour! My health is better. I hope you got to London well. Whether we sail or not, expect to hear again from dear, dear J――,

Ever, ever yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLIV.

To Mr. T――.

Plymouth, July 26, 1744.

My dear Friend,

ACCEPT some few hasty lines from one, who, properly speaking, may at present be stiled a prisoner at large. I am still here waiting for the promised convoy, and as I humbly hope, really waiting for the convoy of death to carry me to Abraham’s bosom. Could you think it? I have been preaching a confirmation sermon. Do you ask me where? In a Quaker’s field. As I saw thousands flocked to the church to have the Bishop’s hands imposed upon them, I thought it not improper to let them have a word of exhortation suitable to the occasion. I have also made an elopement to Kingsbridge, where I preached to many thousands a few days ago. It was really a most solemn occasion. A calling, inviting, persuasive gift was vouchsafed me. The hearts of the auditory seemed to be bowed as the heart of one man. Many tears were shed; but I was obliged to ride off as soon as my discourse was ended, and to return hither in the night. But blessed be God, our night was as it were turned into day. I was accompanied by several old and new converts, and we conversed in some degree, as became persons who ought to be employed every hour and every moment in trimming their lamps to be ready for the midnight cry, “Behold the bridegroom cometh!” As I am at present in this unsettled state, continually engaged in preaching, and in talking privately with many, very many awakened souls, you and my other friends must be content with receiving short, but I hope truly loving letters, from

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLV.

To Mr. J―― S――.

Plymouth, July 27, 1744.

MATTERS go on better and better here. I begin to think myself in London. We have our regular morning meetings; and our Lord is pleased to grace them with his presence. We are looking out for a place proper for a society, and to expound in. People come daily to me, especially from the Dock, under convictions. Some, I believe, have really closed with Christ; and here are several aged persons perfectly made young again. We are just now entered upon our singing hours.—The souls come forward greatly in many respects, and friends are more and more hearty. Fresh news from Kingsbridge of souls being awakened; but I am kept close prisoner on account of the convoy. Yesterday morning we were called up at the Dock, very early, by a false alarm that our convoy was come. Many poor souls much lamented it. We hastened hither, and I expounded upon our Lord’s bidding his disciples to watch. This waiting is much blessed to me. I am kept passive; notwithstanding, satan attempts to disturb me, but Jesus refreshes me, and overcomes him. I need not bid you to pray for me. Brother C―― must come into these parts soon.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLVI.

To the Same.

Plymouth, July 29, 1744.

OUR Lord has been giving us blessings in drops, but now he is sending them in showers. This morning we have had a most precious meeting. Perhaps more good hath been done by that one sermon, than by all I have preached before. When God will work, who shall hinder? The wind is yet against us. Our Lord detains me here for wise reasons. Some persons, formerly prejudiced against me, have offered to give me a piece of ground surrounded with walls, for a society room. I believe that one will be built soon. Brother C―― must stay in the West some time. The Lord Jesus blesses me with health, and a sweet preaching spirit. O grace, grace! I will join with thee in praising it. Adieu, my friend, I am yours, in the bonds of eternal love, whilst

G. W.

LETTER DLVII.

To the Same.

Plymouth, August 3, 1744.

My dear, dear Friend,

IT is past ten, or I would write you a long letter. Our convoy is come, and perhaps we may sail to-morrow. It is delightful to be here. We come from Dock in the evenings, in great companies, singing and praising God. Our parting there has been more awful than words can express. I shall have sailed before you can answer this.

If we never meet again in this suffering world, God grant that we may ere long see each other in the heavenly paradise, where all tears shall be wiped from our eyes, and death, sin, and sorrow we shall know no more. Farewel.

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DLVIII.

To Mr. E――.

Plymouth, August 4, 1744.

My very dear Brother E――,

I Thank you for your last kind and loving letter, and as a token of my unfeigned love to you, I send you these few lines by way of answer, before I embark. Our convoy is now come, and in all probability we shall sail this day or tomorrow. I need not stir up my dear brother, and other dear souls with you, to pray for me and mine. I am quite easy about trust, having put all things into the hands of the Lord Jesus, upon whose shoulders the government of all is placed. He will, he does order all things well: I bless him for it, and for what he has, and is doing among the soldiers. I desire you all to bless him for what he is doing in these parts; for preaching at the Dock is now like preaching at the tabernacle. It would delight your dear soul, my brother, to be a spectator of the people’s seriousness. Last night we had a most awful and solemn parting; many wept sorely. After sermon we walked pleasantly over the fields, blessing and praising God. Our morning lectures are very delightful. O the thousands that flock to the preaching of Christ’s gospel! If brother C―― is in London, pray salute him in my name, and all the dear dear brethren and sisters, wishing you all thousands and millions of blessings, and earnestly intreating an interest in your prayers for me the chief of sinners. I subscribe myself, my dear brother E――,

Yours most affectionately in the most adorable Redeemer,

G. W.

Postscript. I must tell you one thing more. There is a ferry over to Plymouth; and the ferrymen, which were like Levi the publican at the receipt of custom, are now so much my friends, that they will take nothing of the multitude that come to hear me preach, saying, “God forbid that we should sell the word of God.” O! the hearts of all men are in the hand of the Lord!

LETTER DLIX.

To Mr. ――.

On board the Wilmington, Oct. 20, 1744.

My dear Friend,

YOU know in what a poor state of health I was, when I embarked. The length, and seeming tediousness of the voyage, hath occasioned no small addition to the violent pain in my side; however, blessed be God, in a week or two after we sailed, we began to have a church in our ship. Two serious New-England friends finding how I was served at Portsmouth, came from thence to Plymouth in order to bear me company. We had regular public prayer morning and evening, frequent communion, and days of humiliation and fasting. Being time of war, and sailing out with near 150 ships, we had several convoys. Their taking leave of each other at their several appointed places, was striking: but ours was ordered to convoy us all the way. We were soon, and have been often alarmed. Once with the sight of a Dutch fleet, whom we took for an enemy; and again at the sight of Admiral Balchen, who rode by us receiving the obeisance of the surrounding ships, as though he was Lord of the whole ocean. It was full six weeks ere we reached the Western Islands, off which it being calm weather, we continued floating for some days; during which interval we were like to suffer much damage. The wind having brisked up a little, and orders being given for tacking about, one of the ships, I know not by what accident, having missed her stays, in turning, came directly upon us; I happened at that time to be singing a hymn upon deck with my little family, and thinking it best to keep there to receive the shock, I had the opportunity of seeing what passed. The ship struck her mainsail into our bowsprit, but our ship being of a large, and theirs of a smaller size, our hull received but little damage, whilst theirs received such a blow, that when disentangled from us, they were immediately apprehensive of sinking. As they again passed by us, when we expected another touch, their cries and groans were awful. O how eagerly did they cry for some signal to be given! It was done. A little after that, we came up with the convoy, and our captain informed them of what had happened. The answer was, “This is your praying, and be damned to ye.” With many expressions of the like nature. This, I must own, shocked me more than the striking of the ships. I called my friends together, and broke out into these words in prayer: “God of the sea and God of the dry land! This is a night of rebuke and blasphemy: shew thyself, O God, and take us under thy own immediate protection; be thou our convoy, and make a difference between those that fear thee and those that fear thee not!” The disabled ship was taken into tow. Next morning they were saluted in like manner as the night before, and orders were given us to follow our convoy into Fial; but on a sudden a violent euroclydon arose, which not only prevented our going into Fial, but battered and drove away our convoy, so that we saw him no more all the voyage. For my own part, I thought it no loss; we sailed very comfortably on, ’till we were again alarmed with the sight of two ships, making up to us with all the sail they could well croud, and which our captain took to be enemies. The preparations for an engagement, to me, who you know am naturally a coward, were formidable. Guns mounting, chains put about the masts, every thing taken out of the great cabin, hammocks put about the sides of the ship, and all, except myself, seemed ready for fire and smoke. My wife, after having dressed herself to prepare for all events, set about making cartridges, whilst the husband wanted to go into the holes of the ship, hearing that was the chaplain’s usual place. I went, but not liking my situation, and being desired by one of my New-England friends to say something to animate the men, I crept up on deck, and for the first time of my life beat up to arms by a warm exhortation. The men seemed pleased, the apprehended enemy approached, but upon nearer view we found them not only to be friends, but the two masts ships that were going with us under the same convoy. This pleased us all. The captain taking this opportunity to clean the cabin, said, “After all, this is the best fighting:” with which you may be sure I readily concurred, praying, and believing at the same time, that all our various conflicts with spiritual enemies might, and would under the conduct of the all-conquering captain of our salvation, at last terminate in a thorough cleansing, and an eternal purification of the defiled cabin of our hearts. Committing you to his almighty guidance and protection, I subscribe myself,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLXI.

To Mr. ――.

York, Nov. 6, 1744.

Dear Sir,

HOW thankful ought I to be to him, whose mercy endureth for ever! God has commanded a physician (once a notorious deist, but through grace converted at my last visit in New-England) to receive me here. Worthy Colonel P――, who lives at the very mouth of the harbour, on seeing our ship, went with some other friends in his own boat to invite and conduct me to his princely habitation. But God appointed otherwise. In about half an hour after my arrival, I was put to bed, racked with a nervous cholic, and convulsed from the waste down to my toes. A total convulsion was immediately apprehended.

Filled with divine consolation, I begged them not to be shocked. My Saviour whispered that all was well, and therefore I desired them not to be surprized if I should be totally convulsed, or be suffered in a delirium to speak things that were wrong. Many, many of God’s dearest children, through the infirmities which crazy constitutions more especially are liable to, have been called to drink such a bitter cup before me. But an all-compassionate Redeemer disappointed our fears, and exceeded our strongest expectations. Apprehended convulsions were kept off; and though I was so weak as not to be able to bear the sound of a tread of the foot, or the voice of friends who came to see and pray with me, yet my heart was kept in perfect peace. After undergoing, for about four days, fomentations and exercises of different kinds, by having my feet put into warm water, &c. nature was relieved, and what I had taken four days before came away hardly discoloured. After this, whilst carried about by my tender nurse and a servant, still racked with pain, and like an helpless child, I could only say, “Look and learn what a poor creature I am.” The scene affects me yet. May it never be forgotten! I must retire, and leave enlarging to another opportunity. In the mean while, assure yourself of my being, though less than the least of all,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLXII.

To Mr. ――.

Portsmouth, (New-England) Nov. 16, 1744.

My dear Friend,

AS I promised, I must employ a little of my new-gained strength in writing to you. Soon after I began to recover, good old Mr. M―― the minister of York, who feared the Lord greatly from his youth, came to and accosted me thus: “Sir, you are first welcome to America; secondly, to New-England; thirdly, to all the faithful ministers in New-England; fourthly, to all the good people in New-England; fifthly, to all the good people of York; and sixthly and lastly, to me, dear Sir, less than the least of all.” He then urged me to give them a sermon. Too forward to reingage in my old delightful work, I complied, notwithstanding at the same time word had been sent to Boston that I was dying; upon which, my dear Gaius and a beloved physician came, either to take care of me, or attend my funeral; but to their great surprize they found me in the pulpit. God was with me but imprudently going over the ferry to Portsmouth, I caught cold, immediately relapsed, and was taken, as every one thought, with death, in my dear friend Mr. Sherburne’s house. My pains returned; but what gave me most concern was, that notice had been given of my being to preach the next evening. A great number of ministers and people flocked to hear; three physicians attended me, and Colonel Pepperel with many others were so kind as to pay me a visit and sympathize with me. God dealt so bountifully with me, that I was enabled to tell the Colonel in particular, from heart-experience, that I felt a divine life distinct from my animal life, which made me as it were to laugh at pain; this made me determine to get up and preach, though the General and all had left me, and the person appointed to lecture in my stead was just going out of the house. My dear York physician was then about to administer a medicine. I on a sudden cried, “Doctor, my pains are suspended: by the help of God I’ll go and preach, and then come home and die.” With some difficulty I reached the pulpit. All looked quite surprized, as though they saw one rose from the dead. Indeed, I was as pale as death, and told them “they must look upon me as a dying man, that I came to bear my dying testimony to the truths I had formerly preached amongst them, and to the invisible realities of another world.” Nature (by my continuing an hour in my discourse) was almost quite exhausted; but O what life! what power spread all around! All seemed to be melted, and were drowned in tears. The cry after me, when I left the pulpit, was like the cry of sincere mourners when attending the funeral of a dear departed friend. Upon my coming home, I was laid on a bed upon the ground near the fire, and I heard them say, “He is gone;” but still, you find by this I am alive, and if spared to be made instrumental in making any poor dead soul alive to God, I shall rejoice that the all-wise Redeemer has kept out of heaven a little longer,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLXIII.

To Mr. ――.

Boston, Jan. 18, 1745.

My dear Friend,

BY this time I suppose you have heard, by your brother’s letter, how good old Mr. Moody, in his honest way, said, I was welcome to all the faithful ministers in New-England. But the good old man judged too much by his own honest feelings. You see I am now at Boston, whither I was brought from Piscataway in a coach and four. The joy with which I was received by the common people, cannot well be described; but many of the ministers how shy?—And how different from what once they were? When last in Boston, governor Belcher was in the chair: then, reges ad exemplum, totus componitur orbis, he honoured me with great honour, and the clergy paid the nod, and obeyed. In many I then perceived it was quite forced, and I think when at his table I whispered to some and said, if ever I came again, many of those who now seem extremely civil, will turn out my open and avowed enemies. The event has proved, that in this respect I have been no false prophet. You know where it is written, “There arose a king, who knew not Joseph.” Freed therefore from their former restraint, many have appeared in puris naturalibus. Some occasions of offence had undoubtedly been given whilst I was here and preached up and down the country.—Nothing however appeared but a pure, divine power working upon, converting, and transforming people’s hearts, of all ranks, without any extraordinary phænomena attending it. Good Mr. T―― succeeded me; numbers succeeded him. Lecture upon lecture were set up in various places; one minister called to another, to help drag the gospel net; and by all the accounts that I can have from private information, or good Mr. Prince’s weekly history, which I send you with this, one would have imagined the millennium was coming indeed. But you know, in this mixed state of things, wild-fire will necessarily blend itself with the pure fire that comes from God’s altar. This the enemy long waited for; at last it broke out and spread itself; and it must be confessed, through the instrumentality of many good souls both among clergy and laity, who for a while mistaking fancy for faith, and imagination for revelation, were guilty of great imprudence. What these were, I have not time now to particularize; I can only inform you, that all is laid to me as being the primum mobile though there was not so much as the appearance of any thing of this nature when I left New-England last. But, maugre all, my poor labours are yet attended with the usual blessings, and therefore I must entreat you as usual to pray and give thanks in behalf of

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLXIV.

To Mr. ――.

Boston, Feb. 6, 1745.

My dear Friend,

I Remember you once told me, that you heard one of the good old Puritans, who went over to New-England, wrote back again, that he went from Old-England to avoid the Lord Bishops, and came to New-England to get under the Lord Brethren. Well is it at present that they are the Lord Brethren; for finding some of their pastors without cause shy of me, they have passed votes of invitation for me to preach in the pulpits, and some time ago prevailed upon me, as they heard I had done in Scotland, to set up a lecture at six o’clock in the morning. Not expecting a very great auditory, I opened a lecture in one of the smallest meetings, upon these words, “And they came early in the morning to hear him;” but how was I disappointed? Such great numbers flocked to hear, that I was obliged for the future to make use of two of their very largest places of worship, where I believe seldom less than two or three thousand attentive hearers hung as it were upon me, to hear the word preached. I began with the first of Genesis, and have now lectured in order, till I am almost come to the story of Abraham sending his servant to fetch a wife for his son Isaac. Many I trust have been made willing to say, “I will go with the God-man, even Isaac’s God.” It is impossible to describe the eagerness and punctuality of these early visitants. To see so many hundreds of both sexes neatly dressed, walking or riding so early along the streets to get food for their souls, has feasted my own heart. The Pharaohs who used to say, “Ye are idle, ye are idle,” now are struck dumb: for lecture, and family prayer, and breakfast, are now over in many houses before the sun is suffered to come into others windows; and it is now become almost a common proverb, “That between Tar-water, and early rising, the physicians will have no business.” One morning the croud was so great, that I was obliged to go in at the window. The high sheriff, who was once most forward in persecuting good Mr. D――t, being a little convinced under the word, accompanied me, and when he put his head into the window after me, the people were ready to cry out, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” Hoping hereafter to send you and other friends a further account of many such real instances of all-conquering grace, I subscribe myself

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLXV.

To Mr. A――.

Ipswich, Feb. 7, 1745.

AND how does my very dear brother A――? I heard by some friend lately that he was well.—I hope this will find him yet better, and more and more happy in the ever-lovely, ever-loving Jesus.—I suppose you have heard of his great goodness to me and mine.—We have been carried through various trials; and can set up our Ebenezer, saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”—I cannot help thinking but that the Lord Jesus is about to triumph gloriously.—He is pleased to bear me as on eagles wings, and causes both sinners and saints to hear his voice.—I am kept very happy, and see more and more of the mystery of iniquity that lies in my heart. I rejoice in knowing that the blood of Jesus will cleanse me from all.—I long to hear how it is with the dear lambs in Gloucestershire.—I commit you and them to the care of the compassionate bishop and shepherd of souls; and subscribe myself, my dear man,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

P. S. My dear wife joins in sending cordial salutations to you, yours, and all.

LETTER DLXVI.

To Mrs. ――.

Boston, Feb. 17, 1745.

Dear Madam,

THIS leaves me just retired from my spiritual levee. Our good friend Mr. S―― tells me, while I am here he looks upon his house not as his own, but mine. His parlour is large, and I sit there to receive gospel visitants. Good Mr. P―― told me some time ago, that I should shortly be favoured with the company of a very pensive and uncommon person; a man of good parts, ready wit, and lively imagination, and who had made it his business, in order to furnish matter for preaching over a bottle, to come and hear, and then carry away scraps of my sermons, which it seems were to serve as texts or theses for his tavern harangues. A few nights ago he came for this purpose to Doctor S――’s meeting; upon my coming in, he crouded after amongst the people, and having got sufficient matter to work upon as he thought, attempted to go out; but being pent in on every side, he found his endeavours fruitless. Obliged thus to stay, and looking up to me, waiting for some fresh matter for ridicule, God was pleased to prick him to the heart. He came to Mr. P―― full of horror, confessed his crimes, and longed to ask my pardon, but was afraid to see me. Mr. P―― encouraged him to venture. This morning hearing somebody knock at the parlour door, I arose, and upon opening the door, by the paleness, pensiveness, and horror of his countenance, guessed I had met with the person of whom Mr. P―― had apprized me. Immediately he cried with a low but plaintive voice, “Sir, can you forgive me?” I smiled and said, “Yes, Sir, very readily.” Indeed, replied he, Sir, you cannot when I tell you all, I then asked him to sit down; and judging that he had sufficiently felt the lashes of the law, I preached to him the gospel. That it may be the power of God through faith unto his eternal salvation, you will join in praying, dear madam, with

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLXVII.

To Mrs. ――.

Boston, Feb. 19, 1745.

My dear Friend,

TEMPORA mutantur; a confederacy, a confederacy! The clergy, amongst whom are a few mistaken, misinformed good old men, are publishing halfpenny testimonials against me. Even the president, professors, and tutors of Hertford college, where I was, as you know, some few years ago received with so much uncommon respect, have joined the confederacy. Good Mr. C――, that venerable, truly primitive, good old Puritan, as I am informed, had many of these testimonials brought him, in order to judge of their importance. He took them, weighed them in his hands and having read them before, returned them immediately, saying, “They did not weigh much.” However, I thank God, “out of the eater hath come forth meat.” They have done me real service. Some unguarded expressions, in the heat of less experienced youth, I certainly did drop. I was much too precipitate in hearkening to, and publishing private informations, and thereby Peter-like cut too many ears off: but this is my comfort, when we mean well, though no thanks to our own too forward though well-meant zeal, Jesus, that almighty, all-compassionate physician, will heal and restore the ears again. Some good friends on my side the question are publishing testimonials in my favour. Thus you see what a militant state we are in at present. Laudatur ab eis, culpatur ab illis. Amidst all, the word runs and is glorified, and many are so enraged at the treatment I meet with, that they came to me lately, assuring me, that if I’ll consent, they will erect in a few weeks time, the outside of the largest place of worship that was ever seen in America; but you know ceiled houses were never my aim. I therefore thanked them for, but at the same time begged leave to refuse the accepting of their kind offer. How or when the present storm will subside, for subside I am persuaded it will, is as yet uncertain. I can only, at present, earnestly beg the continuance of your prayers, that whilst tossing in this floating ark I may be purged of some of my corruptions, and be kept in good temper towards those who I believe really think they do God’s service in opposing, dear Madam,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLXVIII.

Piscataqua, March 6, 1745.

My very dear, dear J.

THIS comes by Captain Darling. I hear from Boston, a bookseller has got the books you sent over. I have sent a letter to Doctor C――, with my answer to Harvard college, which I would have you print, with their testimony, (which is an original:) and my answer to the second part of the observation and remarks upon the charge of the Bishop of L――. May Jesus give them his blessing. I would have them printed so as to be sold cheap: you may collect or print them severally as you will. I cannot yet get time to prepare my sermons, or the other part of my life, for the press. I am writing another New-England journal, which I will send when I leave it; when that will be, I know not. I expect Mr. Habersham every hour. W―― N―― and J―― are got safe to Charles-Town. I heard from friends there last week. America, I am afraid, begins to be too dear to me. The Lord smiles upon me and mine, and makes us very happy in himself, and happy in one another. Here is a very large field of action. A very fine and effectual door is opened; my bodily strength is recovered, and my soul more than ever in love with a crucified Jesus. I could write more to you and other dear friends, but if I do, I shall neglect things of a more public and immediate concern; neither can my dear wife write, because she is fully employed in copying my letters. However, we do not forget our dear London and English friends. We pray for them often, and sometimes cannot help wishing some more may come over into this delightful wilderness; it is a fruitful field. Jesus waters it with his blessings. We expect sister W――. Here are wars and rumours of wars, on this, as well as your side of the water. But Jesus’s disciples may be at peace. O that this may find thy dear heart quite swallowed up in his amazing love! Be pleased to remember us most tenderly to all, and lose no opportunity of sending a line in any American ships. So, my very dear dear man, I rest

Thy very affectionate happy friend, and servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DLXIX.

To Mr. C――.

Piscataqua, March 6, 1745.

My very dear Brother C――,

IT gives me some concern, that I cannot send thee a long letter, but at present I have so many things of importance before me, which must be immediately dispatched, that I desire others to excuse me too. I do not forget any of you as I know of, and, God willing, shall redeem every opportunity of sending to England. Our Saviour wonderfully smiles on us here; several years work I think lies before me. The Lord helps me to preach with the demonstration of the spirit and with power, my strength is daily renewed, and my wife and I go on like two happy pilgrims, leaning upon our beloved. O help us to adore and praise free grace. We salute all the conference and trustees, and every particular choir, and the societies in every place, “Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon them, from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” To his tender mercy do I commit thee and them, and am, my very dear C――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

P. S. My dear wife cordially salutes you and all.

LETTER DLXX.

To Mr. J. S. in London.

Piscataqua, March 12, 1745.

I Wrote to you last week, and have sent you by Capt. Darling two letters, and a box. This comes by a young gentleman that expects to return to South-Carolina by August next. By him I send you one of each sort of the pamphlets that I have published here. I would have them sent to Scotland as soon as may be. My wife has sent you a few lines in one of my letters. We are more than happy! O grace! grace!—I trust it is so with you. America is pleasanter and pleasanter every day. I expect Mr. Habersham hourly. The door for preaching opens wider and wider. O my dear friend, I could tell thee what would rejoice thy heart, wast thou here. But I have little time to write. I am now going to prepare my sermons for the press: And am also writing another journal. You shall have them the first opportunity. Our tender love awaits all dear friends. As often as possible, you and others shall hear from, my dear friend, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DLXXI.

On board Capt. Grant, bound from Charles-Town to Philadelphia, May 2, 1745.

My very dear, dear Brother H――,

HOW do you find your heart these trying, sifting, purging times? I hope you are enabled to joy in God, and are made more than conqueror through his love. It has given me some concern that I could not write to you oftner: but Jesus knows my heart has been with you; and I have not failed to pray for the preservation of the tossed ark. ♦Antinomianism, I find, begins to shew its head and stalk abroad: may the glorious Redeemer cause it to hide its head again, and prevent his children’s spirits being imbittered against each other. I am glad to hear the Welsh brethren continue steady: and that amongst our English friends, Antinomianism seems only to be speculative; this is a great evil, but not so great as when it affects the practice, and leads the people of God unwarily into licentiousness. The late outward troubles, I hope will do good, and put a stop to the many disputes and various sects which, like so many hydra’s, always spring up when the Lord suffers false principles to abound. I expect to hear that Jesus has made thee immoveable like a wall of brass, held as a lion, but meek as a lamb. Blessed be his name, he continues to be very kind to us: we have been six months in these parts, and are now going northwards for the summer season. The Orphan-house is in a promising way. My temporal affairs begin to be settled; and I am blessed substantially to many souls. Jesus, I trust, has given me a more gospel-heart; and causes many of my professed most imbittered enemies to be at peace with me. I know you will help me to praise him, and beg him to continue to stand by a poor unworthy creature, who simply desires to spend and be spent for the good of precious and immortal souls. You’ll remember me to your dear wife, and all our Welsh brethren, in the most endearing manner: we frequently talk of, and pray for them; and don’t despair of seeing them once more in the flesh. My dear wife loves them exceedingly, and warms her heart often by reflecting on past times. Wishing that grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon you all, I subscribe myself, my very dear brother,

Ever, ever thine in Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXII.

To Mrs. ――.

Boston, July 29, 1745.

Dear Madam,

YOU will be surprized to hear that a messenger of the prince of peace, especially such a weak creature as I am, should beat up to arms. No doubt you have judged me, as well you may; but providence seemed to force me to it. You have now heard of the Cape-Breton expedition, which was carried on and finished with the greatest secrecy and expedition here, before it could be scarcely known to you at home. Worthy Colonel P―― was fixed upon to command. The day before he accepted of the commission, he purposed to dine with me to ask my advice. I told him, “that I hoped if he did undertake it, he would beg of the Lord God of armies to give him a single eye; that the means proposed to take Louisburgh, in the eye of human reason, were no more adequate to the end, than the sounding of rams horns to blow down Jericho; that the eyes of all would be upon him; and if he should not succeed in the intended enterprize, the widows and orphans of the slain soldiers would be like lions robbed of their whelps; but if it pleased God to give him success, envy would not suffer him to take the glory, and therefore he should take great care that his views were disinterested, and then I doubted not, if providence really called him, he would find his strength proportioned to the day, and would return more than conqueror.” He thanked me, and his Lady having given her free consent, he commenced general. The sound now was to arms! to arms! new recruits were eagerly sought after, and my worthy friend Mr. S―― was appointed one of the commissaries. Being at his house, he told me one evening that he was preparing the flag, and that I must give him a motto, and that the people must know it too. I absolutely refused, urging that it would be acting out of character; he replied, that the expedition, he believed, was of God, and that if I did not encourage it, many of the serious people would not inlist. I still refused; he desired me to consider, and sleep upon it, and to give him my answer in the morning. I retired, I prayed, I slept; and upon his renewing his request in the morning, I told him, that since he was so urgent, and as I did not know but divine providence might intend to give us Louisburgh, therefore he might take this motto. Nil desperandum Christo duce. Upon this, great numbers inlisted, and before their embarkation, their officers desired me to give them a sermon: I preached from these words: “As many as were distressed, as many as were discontented, as many as were in debt, came to David, and he became a captain over them.” Officers, soldiers, and others attended. I spiritualized the subject, and told them how distressed sinners came to Jesus Christ the Son of David; and in my application exhorted the soldiers to behave like the soldiers of David, and the officers to act like David’s worthies; then, I made no manner of doubt, but we should receive good news from Cape-Breton. After this, I preached to the general himself, who asked me if I would not be one of his chaplains: I told him, “I should think it an honour, but believed, as I generally preached three times a day in various places to large congregations I could do my King, my country, and my God, more service, by stirring up the people to pray, and thereby strengthen his and his soldiers hands.” Through divine grace, I was enabled to persist in this practice for some weeks; but at last news arrived that the case was desperate. Letter upon letter came from one officer and another to those who planned this expedition, and did not know the strength of the fortress. I smiled, and told my friends, that I believed now we should have Louisburgh;—that all having confessed their helplessness, God would now reveal his arm, and make our extremity his opportunity. I was not disappointed of my hope; for one day having taken a weeping leave of dear Boston, and being about to preach a few miles out of the town, news was brought that Louisburgh was taken. Numbers flocked with great joy from all quarters, and I immediately preached to them a thanksgiving sermon from these words: “By this I know that thou favourest me, since thou hast not permitted mine enemies to triumph over me.” Here ends, dear Madam, my beating to arms. It is left to you, to judge as you please of, dear Madam,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

Postscript. I forgot to tell you, to the honour of worthy Madam P――, that during the time of the expedition, at her desire, I preached in the General’s house, and took the liberty before sermon, to ask her, how she came to give up the General? She answered, “That it was God who enabled her to do it for his glory, and her country’s good, and that now the General was gone, she had the pleasing reflection, that thro’ divine mercy, home had never been made so disagreeable to him by her conduct, as to make him wish to be gone.”

LETTER DLXXIII.

To Mrs. L――.

Philadelphia, August 26, 1746.

Honoured Mother,

WHETHER your affections are abated to me or not, (which one would imagine by your not writing in two years) yet duty, love, and gratitude oblige me to write to her, to whom, under God, I owe my being brought into the world. I am glad to find by a letter from Mr. Syms, dated last March, that you was well, at least I hoped so, because I heard nothing to the contrary. May the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, grant that your latter end may greatly increase! Whether you ever see me or not any more, you need not be anxious concerning me.—That God whom I serve in the gospel of his dear Son, is exceeding good and gracious to me and mine. We have all things pertaining to life and godliness. Many offers are daily made me; but as yet the Lord Jesus keeps me from catching at the golden bait. Favour is given to me in the sight of the rich and great, and the door for my usefulness opens wider and wider. I love to range in the American woods, and sometimes think I shall never return to England any more. I was never better in health, take all together. My dear wife would send you a few lines, but she is weak by reason of a miscarriage about four days ago. I send you most dutiful respects for her, and praying the Lord of all Lords continually to lift up the light of his blessed countenance upon your dear soul, I subscribe myself, honoured mother,

Your most dutiful, though unworthy son,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXIV.

To the Rev. Mr. Z――.

Bohemia, (Maryland) Oct. 8, 1746.

Rev. and dear Sir,

I Took the freedom some months ago to send you a letter, wherein was inclosed a letter for Professor Frank, both which I hope came safe to hand, and were accepted in love. Since that, I have been travelling and ranging the woods, in the service of the best of Masters, who makes his work more pleasant to me every day. I trust that the time for favouring this and the neighbouring southern provinces is come. Every where almost, the door is opened for preaching; great numbers flock to hear; and the power of an ascended Saviour attends the word. It is surprizing, how the Lord causes prejudices to subside, and makes my formerly most bitter enemies to be at peace with me. O Rev. Sir, help me to praise him, whose mercy endureth for ever! I doubt not but he has been wonderfully good to you, and supports you under a feeble tottering tabernacle. The prayers of me and mine are always for you, because we honour and love you in our common head, the blessed Jesus. Be pleased, when you write, to present my most dutiful and affectionate respects to the Professor, and Mr. Ulspurgher. I have had some sweet times with several of the Lutheran ministers at Philadelphia. I love them dearly. Mr. Drisezler does bravely at Frederica. Mr. Boltzius and his collegue I hear are well. By and by, I trust, Georgia will lift up its drooping head.—All is well at the Orphan-house. I am, Rev. and very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER DLXXV.

To Mr. H―― H――.

Anapolis, (Maryland,) Nov. 8, 1746.

My very dear, dear Brother,

I Just now received a wished-for packet from England, in which are two or three letters from you. My dear fellow pilgrim will exceedingly rejoice at the receipt of them. She is gone forward with a Boston young lady towards Georgia.—I hear they traverse the woods bravely.—I wrote to you very lately.—I can only send you a few loving lines now.—I am just setting out.—Lately I have been in seven counties in Maryland, and preached with abundant success.—Our Lord gives me health, and his work (O free grace!) prospers in my unworthy hands. I shall consider of the calls sent me to return to my native country.—My tender love to all.—I am, my very dear man,

Ever yours whilst

G. W.

LETTER DLXXVI.

To a friend at the Tabernacle, London.

Anapolis, November 8, 1746.

My very dear Brother,

JUST now I have received your kind letter with some others, but have not time to read them all, being just setting out from this place. I shall consider of your loud call, and pray our Lord to direct me.—Poor English friends! May Jesus heal their divisions! Courage, my dear brother—Land is in sight—Ere long we shall sail into the haven of eternal rest.—The harvest is great here. I have lately been in seven counties in Maryland, and preached to great congregations of people with great power.—I have now a journey of seven hundred miles before me.—My tender love to all. God willing, you shall hear again shortly from,

Ever yours in our triumphant Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXVII.

To Mr. H―― H――.

Hanover county, (Virginia) Nov. 16, 1746.

My very dear Brother,

ABOUT a week ago I had the pleasure of receiving a long letter from you, which I immediately answered at Anapolis.—That you wrote to my dear wife is gone to her, and I suppose will rejoice her exceedingly.—She is well, and enjoys much of God.—I was glad to find that the Tabernacle was given up to your care.—Whether its breaches are yet repaired, or whether it be entirely fallen down, I know not.—I suppose when I come to England, I shall have all to begin again.—It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.—The account of dear brother H――’s trial affected me much. I rejoice that he comes bright out of the furnace of affliction. I salute him and all my dear friends most tenderly.—Sometimes affection works strong, and I almost determine to come over.—But the cloud does not seem to move that way as yet.—However, my eyes are to the Lord.—Whenever his providence points out the way, the language of my heart is, “Lo I come.”—I wrote to brother H―― J―― and A―― lately, and since have received their kind letters.—I have lately been in seven counties in Maryland, and ere long think to preach in as many in this province.—There is a sweet stirring among the dry bones.—I have a thousand tender things to say, but time will not permit.—Well, my dear dear man, heaven is at hand;—there we shall have talk enough.—O let us take as many souls with us to that blessed place as we can.—Blessed be God, my soul springs with fresh desires to hunt after poor straying sheep, which Jesus has purchased with his dear heart’s blood.—O that I may begin now to do something for him, who hath done and suffered so much for me! But I can no more.—I am lost, I am quite overcome when I think of this.—Lord, I believe and worship!—Pray remember me to all most tenderly.—Remember me before the Lord as the chief of sinners, but, my very dear brother,

Ever, ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXIX.

Bethesda, Dec. 24, 1746.

My dear Brother,

I Must not let your kind letter which I received a few days ago lie long unanswered. And now what shall I say? why that I would have you comfort yourself with this promise, “That all things shall work (nay do work) for good to those that love God.”—Blessed be God for that little, that great word ALL.—Could we always act faith upon that, nothing could move us.—It is this promise that makes me now to rejoice in the midst of all the tribulations that has befallen my dear Tabernacle friends.—For ere long you shall sing,

Courage, therefore, my brother, courage.—The Lord will yet uphold you with his right hand.—Only live near to Jesus, and let the language of your heart be, “Lord, let me know myself and thee!” All trials are sent for these two ends, that we may be better acquainted with the dear Lord Jesus, and with our own wicked hearts.—That you may increase in this knowledge more and more, is the earnest prayer of

Your affectionate friend, and servant in Christ,

G. W.

P. S. My dear wife joins in sending hearty salutations to all.—I must refer you to other letters for news.

LETTER DLXXX.

To Mr. A――.

Bethesda, Dec. 29, 1746.

My very dear Brother A――,

SINCE I wrote to you from Maryland, I have received two or three kind letters from you, in which I have had a particular account how affairs stand in England.—I bless God for the gracious assistance he has been pleased to afford you, and pray for a continuance and increase of it to your dear soul ever more and more—O my very dear brother, it is no small favour to be kept steady and humbly bold for the glorious Emmanuel in a cloudy dark day.—This honour the Lord Jesus has conferred on you—May his past goodness strengthen your faith, and encourage you to trust in him amidst all future trials!—I say future trials—for we must never expect an entire cessation of arms, till we bow down our heads and give up the ghost—Our trials will be changed in order to discover to us the remainder of corruption in the heart; but they will not, they must not be entirely removed—The captain or our salvation was made perfect through sufferings, and so must we—Be strong therefore, my brother, in the grace which is in Christ Jesus—Endure afflictions—make full proof of thy ministry—Truth is great, and will prevail—Fail not writing—Other letters will acquaint you with particulars about me.—Continue in prayer, and it may be, sooner than your expectations, you may see

Your very unworthy, but affectionate brother and servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

P. S. My dear yoke-fellow joins in sending most cordial salutations to you, yours, and all that love the precious Christ.

Charles-Town, Jan. 21, 1747.

Since I wrote the above I have had some sweet seasons at Bethesda: I intend staying here some days, and will redeem what time I can to write to friends—May grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon them all: Amen and Amen.—My dear wife and family are well—God willing, we move northward in the beginning of March.

LETTER DLXXXI.

To Mr. H―― J――.

Charles-Town, Jan. 23, 1747.

My very dear Brother,

I Owe you much love, and though I have written to you more than once, yet I look upon myself as indebted to you still.—I therefore now sit down to answer the kind letter which you sent my dear yokefellow.—She is now at Georgia, and having not as yet seen it, she cannot answer it herself.—Blessed be God she is well, and prospers both in soul and body—We talk of you often, and hope yet to live and have our hearts warmed with our English and Welch friends ere we go hence, and are no more seen. At present the cloud seems to hang over the American parts.—The Lord Jesus is pleased to give me great access to multitudes of souls, and I hope has withal given me as strong an inclination as ever, to go out and preach to them the unsearchable riches of his dying love. I lately came from Bethesda, and found my family well, happy in Jesus, and happy in one another.—Our Lord bowed the heavens several times and came down among us, in the power of his eternal Spirit.—In the beginning of March, I purpose, God willing, to set out for the northward again, and shall not lose any opportunity of writing, that offers in my way. I am sorry to hear the leaven of Antinomianism is not yet purged out, and that animosities are not yet ceased.—I can say nothing at this distance, but pray that the God of peace and love may direct and rule all my dear friends hearts. You will remember me to all in the most tender manner.—Indeed I omit no opportunity of sending.—I pray for you all continually, and begging a continued interest in all your prayers, I subscribe myself, my very dear brother,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXXII.

To a generous Benefactor unknown.

Charles-Town, March, 15, 1747.

WHOEVER you are that delight to imitate the divine beneficence in doing good to your fellow-creatures when they know not of it, I think it my duty, in behalf of the poor orphans committed to my care, to send you a letter of thanks for your kind, generous and opportune benefaction.—That God who has opened your heart to give so bountifully, will as bountifully reward you.—I trust you have contributed towards the promoting an institution, which has, and I believe will redound much to the Redeemer’s glory.—Blessed be God, I hope I can say, that Bethesda was never in better order than it is now, in all probability taking root downwards, and bearing fruit upwards.—Since my arrival there this winter, I have opened a Latin school, and have several children of promising abilities that have begun to learn.—One little orphan, who this time twelvemonth could not read his letters, has made a considerable proficiency in his Accidence.—The blessed spirit has been striving with several of the children’s infant hearts, and I hope ere long to see some ministers sent forth from that despised place called Georgia. It is true, the constitution of that colony is very bad, and it is impossible for the inhabitants to subsist themselves without the use of slaves. But God has put it into the hearts of my South-Carolina friends, to contribute liberally towards purchasing a plantation and slaves in this province; which I purpose to devote to the support of Bethesda.—Blessed be God, the purchase is made.—I last week bought, at a very cheap rate, a plantation of six hundred and forty acres of excellent land, with a good house, barn, and out-houses, and sixty acres of ground ready cleared, fenced and fit for rice, corn, and every thing that will be necessary for provisions. One negroe has been given me.—Some more I purpose to purchase this week.—An overseer is put upon the plantation, and I trust a sufficient quantity of provision will be raised this year.—The family at Bethesda consists of twenty-six.—When my arrears are discharged; I purpose to increase the number.—I hope that time will soon come; and that he who has begun, will go on to stir up the friends of Zion to help me, not only to discharge the arrears, but also to bring the plantation lately purchased to such perfection, that if I should die shortly, Bethesda may yet be provided for.—As you have been such a benefactor, I thought proper to give you this particular account, that you may see it is not given in vain.—I could enlarge, but have only room to subscribe myself, generous friend,

Your most obliged servant,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXXIII.

To Mrs. B.

Bohemia, (Maryland) Sunday night, April 26, 1747.

Very dear Mrs. B.

IF you will promise not to be sorry, that you set out so soon, I will inform you, that through the singular goodness of a loving Redeemer, we reached Bohemia last night, after a pleasant journey of about five weeks from Charles-Town. To-day, I trust we have enjoyed some taste of that love, which I pray the Lord of all Lords to shed abroad abundantly in your dear heart by the Holy Ghost. You are entered upon a scene that will call for more than ordinary assistance. Jesus, who himself was once in a wilderness, knows how to succour, support and comfort you. “Out of the eater he can bring forth meat; Out of the strong he can and will bring forth sweetness.” My poor prayers do and will follow you. I trust you will return loaded with experience; and however your journey may turn out in respect to your body, I am persuaded it will be for the benefit of your soul. To tell you how bountifully the glorious Emmanuel hath dealt with us, would fill a volume. He hath indeed done wonders for us,—some of which I hope to relate to you, when I see you face to face. After two days abode here, I purpose, God willing, to take a three weeks circuit in hunting after Maryland sinners. In Virginia, for the present, the door is shut; but I believe it will be open in the fall to more advantage. I have no thoughts of visiting it this spring. The cloud moves another way. However, night and day I shall remember you in your little hut, praying that you may meet with agreeable company to join in saying, “Lord Jesus, all my springs are in thee.” that you may be continually enabled to believe on him, and find him to be a well of water springing up to life eternal, is the hearty prayer of, very dear Mrs. B――,

Your very affectionate, sympathizing friend, and willing servant for Jesus’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXXIV.

To the Rev. Mr. F――.

Bohemia, April 28, 1747.

Rev. and very dear Brother,

WITH this, I send you a packet from your brother, whom I left well and happy at Bethesda about six weeks ago. As I came along I saw Mr. Davis. He is licensed, as are the four houses in Virginia; but there is a proclamation issued out against all itinerants. Nothing can be done to the purpose, but all will be in the utmost confusion, unless some proper person is always resident among the awakened souls. Pray acquaint your brethren of this. How do you all? Has Jesus warmed your hearts this last cold Winter, and kept you from spiritual frost? He has been very gracious to us southward; and as we came along, “the wilderness seemed to blossom like a rose.” About five weeks ago, we left Charles-Town, and reached Bohemia last Saturday evening. We came from Hanover county to this place in five days. I am now dispatching my private affairs, and after about three weeks itinerant preaching in these parts, I purpose, God willing, to go towards Philadelphia. You will remember me in a particular manner to the young students.—They have a continual share in my poor prayers; and the continuance of theirs and yours is earnestly desired by, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXXV.

To the Honourable F. W――, Esq.

New-Town, (Maryland) May 6, 1747.

Honoured Sir,

A Few days past I had the pleasure of yours, dated November 28th. I embrace this first opportunity of returning you my hearty thanks for the unmerited kindness and affection expressed therein. May the Redeemer give me an humble heart, and grant that all favours conferred upon me by instruments, may lead me nearer to him, the source and fountain of all! But what shall I say to dear New-England’s sorrowful circumstances? It pities me to hear that she is still lying in the dust. However, this has generally been the case: trying and distressing times have generally followed awakening and converting times. May Jesus second them with another alarm of his holy spirit, and then all will be well. Glad would I be to come and offer myself once more to do New-England service; but I am afraid that many ministers and the heads of the people would not bear it. However, was this my only reason, it would soon be answered.—But here are thousands in these Southern parts (as you have observed, honoured Sir), that scarce ever heard of redeeming grace and love. Is it not my duty as an itinerant, since other places have had their calls and awakening seasons, to go where the gospel has not been named? Those who think I want to make a party, or to disturb churches, do not know me. I am willing to hunt in the woods after sinners; and, according to the present temper of my mind, could be content that the name of George Whitefield should die, if thereby the name of my dear Redeemer could be exalted. Indeed I am amazed that he employs me at all. But what shall we say? He hateth putting away, therefore I am not consumed. Grace, sovereign free grace! shall be all my song. Last Winter’s mercies have renewed my obligations to extol free grace. I could enlarge, but several things forbid. In heaven, dear Sir, we shall have no interruptions. That you may be supported through all the fatigues of your journey thither, and with all your dear family, at length arrive at the land of eternal rest, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

Postscript. Fearing I shall not have an opportunity of seeing you, before you embark for England, it being uncertain whether your honour will be at Philadelphia upon my coming there, I think it my duty, honoured Sir, in this way to wish you, your honoured Lady and little Miss, an extraordinary good voyage. May the God of the seas as well as the God of the dry land, be your convoy and pilot! May you and all who sail with you, be preserved from the hand of the enemy, and kept in perpetual peace and safety! As God shall enable me, my poor prayers shall follow you. They are your due, honoured Sir. The Pensylvanians I am sure will soon regret the loss of you, and all the friends of liberty and loyalty must be constrained to wish you well. O that the great Governor of the universe may so bless you with his holy spirit, that you may bring forth much fruit in old age! O that you may hear the great Judge of quick and dead salute you at the last day, with a “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!” This, honoured Sir, is the native language of my heart. As I trust you think me sincere, be pleased to accept it, as the best acknowledgment I can make you and your beloved consort, for all the kindnesses you have been pleased to heap on, honoured Sir,

Your Honour’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXXVI.

To Mrs. P――.

New-Town, (Maryland) May 6, 1747.

Dear Mrs. P――,

I Must refrain no longer from returning you thanks for two or three kind letters with which you have favoured me. They seemed to speak the language of a heart concerned for Zion’s glory. Well! Blessed are they that mourn for those who will not mourn for themselves, verily they shall be comforted. Blessed are they who are enabled to walk with God in a declining day;—they shall shine hereafter with a distinguished lustre. Thus Enoch did,—and Enoch was remarkably honoured.—“He was not, for God took him.”—But shall the harps of Boston Christians be always hanging on the willows? No; Jesus will not be always chiding. He that has brought on this pleasant Spring, after so hard a Winter, can thaw men’s hearts, and cause the turtle once more to be heard in the land. Hasten that time, O blessed Lord!—I hope you will keep close to your prayer-days. I have received the memorials from dear Mr. P――, and shall disperse them. I should be glad of a line from him. How are his dear daughters, and the other members of your society? I do not forget you, indeed I do not. If affection guided me, you would soon see me; but the people in these Southern parts are like people that have no shepherd. Surely I ought to go out after them. To-day I have had a sweet season. People are very ready to hear, and the word seems to fasten in some souls. Follow me with your prayers. Remember me to your husband, and to all, in the most cordial manner, and believe me to be

Your very affectionate friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXXVII.

To Madam P――.

Dover, (Pensylvania) May 8, 1747.

Honoured Madam,

THE great though unmerited regard you have always been pleased to express for me, emboldens me now and then to drop you a line to inform you, that you are not forgotten by me before that God whose mercy endureth for ever. I trust, your latter end, like that of Job’s, will greatly increase, and that you will, as it is said of the righteous, “Bring forth much fruit in old age.” Your honoured husband (to whom be pleased to present my dutiful respects) I suppose is now with you. The Lord hath honoured you with many honours, and I hope, amidst all outward favours, does not withhold the comforting influences of his blessed spirit from your soul. I have reason to believe, you esteem this above all earthly things whatsoever. O, dear Madam! how mean and contemptible does every creature appear, when the soul gets a near view of a crucified Redeemer! How easy to bear pain, when one meditates on the agony and bloody sweat of an incarnate God! Here then, honoured madam, fix your eye. Look unto Jesus continually. He hath been the author, he will be the finisher of your faith. I find him to be a God that changeth not, a tender and compassionate High Priest. Thro’ his help, I continue to this day preaching amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches of his dying love, I am as well in health as I can expect to be, and more and more determined to spend and be spent for the good of precious and immortal souls. Through grace, my labours are rendered very acceptable in various places. Be pleased, Madam, to remember me before the throne. I neither forget you nor the General.—I pray that God’s loving kindnesses and fatherly corrections may make you truly great, and beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,

Your affectionate, obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXXVIII.

To Mr. B――, Senior.

Dover, May 8, 1747.

Very dear Mr. B――,

I Think it is high time for me to send you a line of thanks, for the favours you have been pleased to shew me, while others were loading me with scorn and contempt. A weak body and continued employ in the service of the best of Masters, occasion my not writing so frequently to my dear friends, as love and gratitude would prompt me to do. You will accept this unfeigned apology, and still increase the obligations you have laid upon me, by continuing to remember me before the Lord. I have need, great need of the united prayers of my christian friends.—For Jesus hath of late so remarkably appeared for me, that I ought to lay myself out more and more in going about endeavouring to do good to precious and immortal souls. At present this is my settled resolution. The Redeemer seems to approve of it; for the fields in the Southern parts are white ready unto harvest, and many seem to have the hearing ear. All next October, God willing, I have devoted to poor North-Carolina. It is pleasant hunting in the woods after the lost sheep for whom the Redeemer hath shed his precious blood. May the Lord of the harvest spirit up more to go forth in his strength, to compel poor sinners to come in! I hope that you and my other Boston friends do go in and out, and find good pasture. I hear it is a Winter time with many. May God keep the fatal languor from extending to the circle of my intimate friends! For alas, what is a christian without a holy warmth? Will you remember me to all that you know, in the most tender manner? I beseech them by the mercies of God, to live near to Jesu’s cross, and whatever others may do, let them and theirs serve the Lord Christ. You will remember me in particular to Mr. F――, and his family, Mr. V―― and wife, your dear son, and your whole houshold, as being, dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DLXXXIX.

To Mr. H―― S――.

Dover, May 9, 1747.

AS you were my kind host and peculiar friend, I take the liberty of writing to you more frequently than to others. I hope you will accept of this as a token of my unfeigned gratitude and love. It brings you the news of my being advanced thus far, of my being in health, and employed in going about and preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. I shall be more northward, God willing, in June, and possibly may stretch as far as some part of New-England.—But I am not yet determined. Pray for me, dear Mr. S――, that Jesus may direct my steps. I would not willingly go to the right hand or to the left, contrary to his blessed will, for ten thousand worlds.—When shall I have another line from you? It may be directed to me at Philadelphia. My dear yoke-fellow is there now. We travelled very pleasantly through the woods, and purpose returning to South-Carolina and Georgia in the fall. We lead a moving life, but I trust we move heaven-ward. O that Jesus may quicken all his dear people’s hearts, and cause them to mount on wings like an eagle! I hear that times are yet dead in New-England. It is dreadful to have winter all the year round. May your heart, my dear Sir, and the heart of your dear wife, and the hearts of all my dear friends, be kept close to Jesus, and continually flaming with love! I know you will readily say Amen. For the present, adieu. I must go to my delightful work, Preaching. Pray remember me to all. Let me have a line, and tell me whether the Lord stirs up any to lend an helping hand to, very dear Mr. S――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DXC.

To the Reverend Mr. M――, junior.

Dover in Pensylvania, May 9, 1747.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

EVER since I have known and heard of you, the Lord Jesus Christ hath made you peculiarly dear to my soul. Your troubles and soul distresses have in some measure been my own. I have looked and learned from your case, that we are indeed but clay in the hands of the heavenly potter, and that a sovereign God may deal with us as it seemeth good in his sight. “His ways are in the deep waters, and his footsteps are not known.” What he does to us now, we know not, but we shall know hereafter. How will you be surprized, dear Sir, in a very short time, to see that Jesus, whom your soul loves, and who has many a time shed abroad his love in your heart; how will you be surprized to see him receive you into glory, and turning your late or present Egyptian darkness into celestial and eternal day? May the compassionate high priest till then support your sinking spirits, and enable you to cope with and overcome all those difficulties and temptations, which either the prevalency of an inveterate melancholy, or the malice of evil spirits, may make you the subject of! Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but surely Jesus prays for you, though as it were behind the curtain. Excuse this freedom, reverend Sir; redeeming love constrains me to write thus. I hope you will receive it, as it is written, in much love. If you enquire after me, I would inform you that I am travelling about, and preaching from time to time among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. I trust, my labours are not in vain in the Lord. The glorious Emmanuel has given me a pleasant Winter, and I hope is about to cause these southern wildernesses to blossom like a rose. You will follow me with your prayers. My most humble and affectionate respects await your aged father. My love to your nurse, and all York friends. I am

Yours most affectionately in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DXCI.

To Mrs. B――.

Wicoacommoco, (Maryland) May 16, 1747.

Dear Mrs. B――,

HEARING by Captain Adams that the glorious Emmanuel holds your soul in life, I cannot help letting you know, past kindnesses are not yet forgotten, and that I wish you much spiritual and temporal prosperity. How does your soul prosper in these hard, dull and afflicting times? Has tribulation produced patience, patience experience, and experience hope; and do you find thereby the love of God shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost? Happy then, unspeakably happy are you in being afflicted. With exultation of heart may you sing,

I think I can say, it is good to bear the yoke of affliction in youth. It teaches one to keep silence, and weans us from a too great attachment to all sublunary enjoyments. I have a few strokes of my father’s rod from time to time, as well as you. But I find that his rod as well as his staff do comfort. I am a naughty child, and want much correction; but he that wounds, heals also, and in glory we shall find, that his loving correction hath made us great. O glory! It is yonder in view; Jesus stands at the top of the ladder to receive us into it. Look to him, dear Mrs. B――, for surely he is your never-dying husband.—Death itself shall not, death cannot part him and you. Had I strength equal to my will, I should write much of the Redeemer’s everlasting love; but my body is weak through continued journeyings and preaching. However, Christ’s strength is in some degree magnified in my weakness, and my preaching is blessed to poor souls. Amazing love! Maryland is yielding converts to the blessed Jesus. The gospel seems to be moving southward. Pray for me, that I may be unwearied in well doing, and follow the Lamb whithersoever he shall be pleased to lead me. Pray remember me in the kindest manner to your aged declining pastor, the other minister who lives about five miles from you, to Mr. J――, and all my kind nurses, and dear York friends. I find death and sickness have made great havock and alterations among them. May Jesus sanctify all events to the furtherance of his grace, in all their hearts, and give us to meet where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest! I salute you and all, and once more praying that you and yours may be watered by the blessed Jesus every ♦moment, I subscribe myself, dear Mrs. B――,

Your most affectionate, obliged servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DXCII.

To the Reverend Mr. J―― R――.

Wicoacommoca, May 16, 1747.

CAN souls united in Jesus’s love ever forget one another? It is difficult, though I believe possible, and in dull seasons I fear too common. However, blessed be the Redeemer, I have not yet forgotten my dear Mr. R――. As a proof it, I send you these few lines by Captain Adams. You see whence they are dated. Methinks I see you rejoice, and ready to say, “And have the Marylanders also received the grace of God?” I trust some have indeed received his grace in sincerity. The harvest is promising.—The heat tries my wasting tabernacle, but, through Christ strengthening me, I intend persisting till I drop. Since I saw you, the glorious Emmanuel has multiplied my obligations to spend and be spent in his service a thousand-fold. The language of my heart at present is,

O dear Sir, continue to pray for me, that I may not flag in the latter stages of my road. I was in hopes of seeing you this Summer, but am afraid my engagements to preach in North-Carolina next October will prevent me. However, you and the other dear neighbouring ministers are always upon my heart. I pity them in their present distressing circumstances, and pray that they and you may have grace given to endure hardness like good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Your dear father I hear is discharged from all campaigns.—Ere long, the captain of our salvation will command us home also. The Lord grant that we may die like soldiers, fighting against the devil, the world, and the flesh. How are your dear brothers and son? Pray give my hearty love to them, and to your dear wife, and whole houshold. I salute you all from my dear fellow pilgrim now at Philadelphia; and praying that you may have thousands to be your joy and crown of rejoicing in the great day, I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER DXCIII.

To the Reverend Mr. B――.

Near New-Town, (Maryland) May 21, 1747.

AND how does my dear friend and brother Mr. B―― after so long a silence? What a pity is it, that the Redeemer’s children cannot more frequently correspond with each other? Blessed be God, there is a time coming, when our fellowship with Jesus and one another shall never be interrupted. Now is the time for stirring; then will be a time for sitting, in no meaner place than (O amazing love!) at the right hand of the everloving, everlovely Lamb of God.—Well then my dear man, let us go on in his strength, and see what we can do for precious and immortal souls. Indeed they are purchased with the blood of God. This consideration excites me to persist in going out into the highways and hedges.—I have been now a three hundred mile circuit in Mary-land, and through one or two counties in Pensilvania. Every where people have a hearing ear, and I trust some have an obedient heart. I hope the time of singing of birds is come to New-England, and that your hands are full of work. I most heartily wish you very much success. I cordially salute your dear yoke-fellow, and all the followers of the Lamb, and beg you would not forget, my dear old friend,

Your affectionate

G. W.

LETTER DXCIV.

To the Reverend Mr. P――.

New-Town, May 21, 1747.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

IT sometimes gives me concern that I cannot hear oftener from you, and your dear son, whom I love so tenderly. But I suppose your hands are full of work for the best of masters. I pray him daily, that you may be crowned with much success. Though I have deserved a thousand and a thousand times over to be cast off, yet such is the divine goodness, that my labours in fresh places are made very acceptable daily. I have now been upon the stretch, preaching constantly for almost three weeks. I hope I can say with sincerity (O that I may say it with humility!) that God hath been with me of a truth. My body is often extremely weak, but the joy of the Lord is my strength, and by the help of my God I intend going on till I drop, or this poor carcase can hold out no more. These southern colonies lie in darkness, and yet, as far as I find, are as willing to receive the gospel as others. If some books could be purchased to dispose among poor people, much good might be done. Pray, Sir, have you any Latin school-books to spare? I shall want some for the Orphan-house. I hope to hear from you at Philadelphia, where I expect to be in a week’s time. In the mean while, reverend Sir, I beg you would make my most cordial and humble respects acceptable to all your reverend brethren, that honoured me with their acquaintance, as well as to your dear family and all other friends. I wish you and them millions and millions of blessings, and intreat the continuance of their and your prayers, for, reverend and very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER DXCV.

To Mr. H―― H――.

Philadelphia, May 30, 1747.

My dearest Brother,

HAD I strength equal to my will, you should now receive from me a very long letter; but at present I have such a fever upon me, that I can scarce send you a few lines. However I will try. Your dear letters in August last came to my hands last Lord’s-day.—They variously affected me, and put me on the search, whether I had neglected writing to my very dear man. Upon enquiry, I found that I wrote to you about the same time as I wrote to Mr. J――, and brother S――, and four or five times since. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am not suffered to forget old love and old friends. Indeed you are very dear to me,—all of you very dear to me still. I thank you ten thousand times for all expressions of your tender love, and for your steadiness in the truths and cause of Christ; and hope sometimes that your prayers will draw me to England more speedily than I imagine. But what shall I say, my dear friend? Here are thousands and thousands in America who as to spiritual things know not their right hand from their left; and who are ready to hear the gospel from my mouth. Since my coming this time from Georgia, I have been within these five weeks a circuit of 400 miles, and every where found the fields white ready unto harvest. Nobody goes out scarcely but myself. As you are in England and Wales, the power of religion I trust will be kept up; and though my coming should be delayed some time longer, yet when I am sent, it will be with the greater blessing. I am daily finishing my outward affairs, and shall think my call clearer home, when I have provided for the support of the Orphan-house. The generous benefactor’s letter pierced my heart, made me to shed tears of love, and to put up many prayers for him. I sent him a letter from Charles-Town under cover to Mr. B――. If the person be unknown, I see no impropriety in printing my letter in the Daily Advertiser or Evening Post. I am glad you have printed my letter to the Litchfield clergy, and want to know what effect my sermon on the rebellion has had. Our Lord has blessed it much in these parts. I shall be glad when the great Head of the church unites dear brethren again. I trust nothing shall be wanting on my part when I come over. An union before perhaps may not be so well. However, I leave it to you, my dear Sir, and think that the bar being taken away against people’s coming to the tabernacle, may be one good step towards it. I wait upon the Lord. As his grace increases in the heart, I am sure his children will grow less positive and more child-like, yet more steady. O my dear man, I could write all night long, but am so giddy by hard riding and preaching constantly in the heat of the day, that I must defer being more particular till another opportunity. I hope my dear wife will supply all my deficiencies. Remember me in the tenderest manner to all. Bid them to pray me to England; and in the mean while, they may assure themselves they are not forgotten by, my very dear brother,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXCVII.

To Mr. J―― S――.

Philadelphia, June 4, 1747.

Very dear Sir,

YESTERDAY I received your very kind and judicious letter. In answer to it, must inform you, that in all probability I shall once more see my dear New-England friends this summer. I suppose it will be some time in July. At present my whole frame of nature seems to be shocked.—I have had several returns of my convulsions, and have almost always a continual burning fever. With great regret I have omitted preaching one night (to oblige my friends,) and purpose to do so once more, that they may not charge me with murdering myself; but I hope yet to die in the pulpit, or soon after I come out of it. Dying is exceeding pleasant to me: for the Lord, though my body is so weak, causes my soul to rejoice exceedingly. Letters from England refreshed me; all of them call me home loudly. May Jesus direct my steps! I am poor and needy, but the Lord I am persuaded will be my helper. Outward affairs when I am weak pull me down; but the Lord can and will raise and keep me up.—I preach here with great acceptance. Congregations are as large as ever. Next Monday sevennight I purpose, God willing, to set out for New-York. I wrote lately from New-Town, to Messrs. Prince, W――, R――, &c. but am apt to believe the packet has miscarried. I think to come by way of Long-Island, and to return by Connecticut. You will not be slack in getting all to pray for me, who am, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXCVIII.

To Mr. P――.

Philadelphia, June 5, 1747.

Very Dear Sir,

THOUGH this frail nature of mine has lately received several very great shocks, yet I cannot, if strength admits, omit writing you a line. Glad was I when I came to town, to hear by Captain G―― that you was so far recovered, as to be able once more to go to the house of God. I heartily wish you, dear Sir, what the noble Colonel Gardiner once wished me, “A thriving soul in a healthy body.” Or however it may be with the one, I earnestly pray that the other may prosper. Sickness is often made use of as a means, in the hands of an all-gracious Father, to ripen our graces and fit us for heaven. Through grace, I can say it is good for me to be sick, though I am afraid I am too impatient to be gone. Well! He that cometh, will come, and cannot tarry long: till then may I be resigned, and work the works of him that sent me whilst it is day, before the night cometh when no man can work. I could proceed, but indeed, dear Sir, strength faileth me. However, I hope to see you and my other dear Charles-Town friends in November. O that till then we may every moment grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I would write to many, but weakness forbids. I must refer you to Mr. S―― for particulars concerning me. My dear yoke-fellow joins in sending cordial respects to yourself and all friends. Neither you nor they are forgotten by, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DXCIX.

To Mr. B――.

Philadelphia, June 6, 1747.

My very dear Friend,

I Love you dearly, and therefore must, though in much weakness, send you a line. It informs you of my being sick, but withal of the Lord’s comforting me, and causing me to triumph over the king of terrors. Mr. B―― I suppose, ere this reaches you, will let you know that the word has run, and hath been glorified in Mary-land. Satan has attempted to stop the progress of the everlasting gospel in Virginia; but I believe he has overshot himself. How can it be otherwise? since eternal Truth hath said, “The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.” I hope you find this true, by the daily conquest you get over the corruptions of your heart. Remember who hath promised to make you more than conqueror through his love. Our kind respects attend dear Mrs. B――, your son, and daughter, and all friends. O that we may meet grown in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I subscribe myself, very dear Mr. B――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DC.

To the Reverend Mr. S――.

Philadelphia, June 23, 1747.

Reverend and dear Sir,

SINCE my last, I have been several times on the verge of eternity. To-day I have got a few more spirits. I would improve them in answering your kind letter, which I received yesterday. I am obliged to Charles-Town friends: their example will certainly influence many here. Something is upon the anvil. Particulars expect in my next. To-morrow, God willing, I set out for New-York, to see if I can gain strength. At present I am so weak, that I cannot preach.—’Tis hard work to be silent; but I must be tried every way. Friends are exceeding kind. What is the best of all, the friend of sinners looks in upon, and comforts my heart. I have had loud calls to England. Matters go on bravely there and in Wales. My State Sermon has gone through two editions. They have also my five last sermons, which have convinced my friends that I am firm to my principles. May Jesus keep me steady till I die! I am glad Mr. P―― went off so well. His children I look upon as my own. The things which he had belong to me. I would have them taken to Providence: for that also Deus providebit. Your father is well, and always talking of you. Why did you not mention his wife in your letter? She is a discreet woman, and desired to be remembered to you. Every day she expects to lie in. You will excuse my enlarging.—Strength begins to fail me. However, whilst I have strength I would employ it in praying for you and yours. I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCI.

To Mr. R――.

New-York, June 28, 1747.

My dear Brother,

THANKS be to God, for revealing his dear Son in you. Thanks be to his great name for calling you to preach his everlasting gospel. I give him all the glory, and adore him for making ill and hell-deserving me, the happy instrument of alarming and awakening your dead soul. Ere long I hope we shall meet in eternity, to sing endless praises to him who has redeemed us unto God by his blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God, and enables us to reign over death, hell, and sin, even whilst here on earth. I abhor all those bad principles which you mention, and cannot join so as to labour in the same place, and upon the same plan, with those that hold them. However, let us behave with meekness, my dear brother, and we shall soon find that every plant that our heavenly father hath not planted, shall be plucked up. “He that believeth doth not make haste.” Jesus reigneth; let our eyes wait on Him. All things shall work, and even now are working, together for good to all that love him. In due time you will see me, perhaps next year. I am as willing to hunt for souls as ever. I am not weary of my master or his work, though he might long ago have been weary of me. But his name is Love. Proclaim it, my dear Sir, proclaim it till thou diest. By the strength of God I will. My love to all. I can now write no more, being recovered from a great illness. Continue to pray over

Your affectionate friend, brother and servant in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DCII.

To Dr. B――.

New-York, June 29, 1747.

Dear Sir,

SINCE I wrote to Doctor S――, I have preached to a very large auditory, and, blessed be God, do not find myself much worse for it this morning. As I am bound to thank you for all favours, so especially would I send my acknowledgments for promoting this northward excursion. I believe it will be a great means of restoring my health, which I value upon no other account, than as it renders me more capable of doing good to mankind. A pleasing prospect of action lies before me. I am willing once more, in the strength of Jesus of Nazareth, to enter the field, and hope through his blessing, I shall return to Philadelphia laden with fresh experiences of unwearied and redeeming love. Whether I shall leave New-York this week is uncertain. But wherever I am, assure yourself, dear Sir, your favours shall not be forgotten. That the great physician of souls may bless you and yours with the choicest of his mercies, is and shall be the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCIII.

To ――.

New-York, June 29, 1747.

My very dear, dear Brother,

IT is with much pleasure I now sit down to answer your kind and welcome letters, dated April 11th and 13th. And to keep you no longer in suspence, I would inform you, that they have had such an effect upon me, that, God willing, I am determined to embark for England or Scotland early next Spring.—’Till Christmas I am already under indissoluble engagements, and am making a strong effort, in dependance on the great Head of the church, to get free from my outward embarrassments.—I thank my dear English friends for what they have done for me in this respect, and must beg you, my dear and faithful brother, still to do what you can further. The Lord Jesus seems to assure me that the time of my deliverance is at hand.—I hope before this year is out, to stock my new plantation in South-Carolina as a visible fund for the Orphan-house, and upon news of something more being done in England, (so that my poor heart may no more be oppressed as it has been for many years by outward difficulties,) my answer shall be, Lo! I come once more to see my dear, very dear friends on the other side of the mighty waters. ’Till then, I shall as it were count the hours, and long for them to glide away a-pace. My dear yoke-fellow now at Philadelphia is like-minded, being exceedingly desirous to see her dear friends once more. May Jesus grant it, if it be agreeable to his holy will! Indeed, I have lately thought I should never see you any more. For some weeks past, I have been exceedingly indisposed. God has been pleased to bring my body to the very brink of the grave by convulsions, gravel, a nervous cholic, and a violent fever. But as pain and afflictions abounded, consolations much more abounded, and my soul longed to take its flight to Jesus. For this week past I have not preached; but since my leaving Philadelphia, about three days ago, I seemed to have gathered strength, and hope once more, to-morrow, to proclaim amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. From hence I purpose to go to Boston, and return by land so as to reach Charles-Town by November.—Glad shall I be to receive an answer to this, about that time there.—For upon that in a great measure will depend my coming to you, or staying longer in these parts. Blessed be the Lord of all Lords, the door is yet open here, and I am exceedingly rejoiced to find it is kept so sweetly open at home. I can easily guess how my dear man has been tried. I find more and more that through much tribulation we must enter into glory, and by sufferings be prepared for farther usefulness here below.—O that patience may have its perfect work in our hearts. O that underneath thee may be the everlasting arms, and that by happy experience thou mayst daily prove the strength of Jesus to be thine. I intend, God willing, to write to brother J――, &c. I rejoice that brother E―― still continues in his place.—It is a token for good. You will return my most humble and dutiful respects to good Lady H—g—n, the Marquiss, and Mrs. E――n. If possible I will write to them.—I sent letters to the Marquiss, Lord L――n, and Lord R――a, about October last, but suppose they have miscarried.—I leave my affairs to you, and depend on you, under God, to transact them all.—The trouble is great, but Jesus will support and reward thee.—Near forty pounds yearly were subscribed in England to the Orphan-house, but I have not received I think above five.—I have rather more confidence in you, if possible, my very dear Man, than ever. May Jesus reward thee for all thy works of faith, and labours which have proceeded of love!—I wish you joy of your little one, and most heartily salute your dear wife, and all the lovers of the blessed Jesus every where. I wrote to you about a month ago in extreme weakness, and shall neglect no opportunity of sending to you.—I beseech you to continue to pray me over, and assure yourself none of you are forgotten by, my very dear Brother,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCIV.

To the Rev. Mr. S――.

New-York, July 4, 1747.

Rev. and very dear Sir,

LAST week I left a letter for you at Philadelphia.—Since that, through the divine blessing, I have recovered a little more strength, and find my appetite restored. I have been here about eight days, and to-morrow, God willing, intend posting away to Boston, and then I shall take a long, if not a final farewel of all my northward friends. I have preached twice with great freedom. People flock rather more than ever, and the Lord vouchsafes us solemn meetings. I hope to be back again in six weeks. I shall go, if Jesus gives strength, like an arrow out of a bow. I have therefore left my dear yoke-fellow at Philadelphia, and expect to meet her again at New-York. Among these three northward provinces, I trust something considerable will be done towards paying off the orphan-house arrears. When that is effected, I care not how soon I sing my Nunc dimittis; but I must wait ’till my blessed change come. You will be pleased to remember me to all, and you may expect, God willing, at the appointed time, Reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCV.

To Mr. A――.

New-York, July 4, 1747.

My very dear Brother A――,

I Have just now been reading over your kind letter, dated November 23d, the second or third time.—It affected me much; and with the other letters, have constrained me to set my face towards England.—What is due in America, for the Orphan-house, I hope to discharge this year.—I am of your mind in respect to the work in England, and therefore am willing so to settle my affairs, that when I come over, I may stay with you for a long season, if the Lord Jesus is pleased to give me health and strength.—At present I am very weakly, and scarce able to preach above once or twice a week.—But if our Saviour hath further work for me to do, he can make me young and strong as an eagle.—If not, I shall go to him whom my soul loveth, and whom I long to see.—Blessed be his Name that there are yet a few names left in Sardis, that have not defiled their garments, but have kept close to his truths and cause in this declining day.――You will remember me to all most tenderly.—I pray for you continually, and whilst I am writing, it being Friday¹, comfort myself with this consideration, that many are praying for me.—You will see my letter to dear brother H――, and excuse my being so short, because I am so weak.—Our Lord continues to deal graciously with me, and was I well, I have rather a wider door than ever opened before me.—But our thoughts are not as his thoughts.—For the present, adieu.—I send most cordial love to you, yours, and all, and am, more than ever,

Yours, &c. in the blessed Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCVI.

To Mr. J―― C――.

New-York, July 5, 1747.

My dear John,

THOUGH I am quite sick and weak in body, yet the love I owe thee for Jesu’s sake, constrains me to answer your last kind letter, dated ♦February 5th. The other mentioned therein, never came to hand. I am sorry to hear there are yet disputings amongst us about brick-walls. I was in hopes, after our contests of that kind about seven years ago, such a scene would never appear again; but I find fresh offences must come, to search out and discover to us fresh corruptions, to try our faith, teach us to cease from man, and to lean more upon him, who by his infinite wisdom and power will cause, “that out of the eater shall come forth meat, and from the strong sweetness.” I am glad you find yourself happy in the holy Jesus. I wish thee an increase of such dear-bought happiness every day, and pray that thy mouth may not be stopped, as others have been before thee, from publishing the glad tidings of salvation, by a crucified Redeemer. It has been thy meat and drink to preach among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. May’st thou continue and abide in this plan, and whether I see thee or not, whether thou dost ever think of, or write to me any more, I wish thee much success, and shall always pray that the work of the Lord may prosper in thy hands. Whether you have changed your principles with your situation, I know not. I would only caution thee against taking any thing for gospel upon the mere authority of man. Go where thou wilt, though thou shouldest be in the purest society under heaven, thou wilt find that the best of men are but men at the best, and will meet with stumbling blocks enough, to teach thee the necessity of a continual dependence on the Lord Jesus, who alone is infallible, and who will not give that glory to another. Blessed be his Name, for the trials I have met with from the friends of Zion. At present, I can rejoice in being deserted by one, and used unkind by another, who at the great day must own me to be their spiritual father. Such trials are very salutary.—They lead me to the Cross, and I trust in the end will conform me to him, who in his bitterest agony had no one to watch with him, no not for one hour. My dear man, you will excuse me, as my heart at present is affected with the thoughts of the divisions that subsist between the servants and churches of Jesus Christ. May Jesus heal them, and hasten that blessed time, when we shall all see eye to eye, and there shall be no disputings about houses, doctrine, or discipline in all God’s holy mountain! God willing, I purpose seeing England next year, and shall be glad to converse with thee once more, about the things which belong to our Saviour’s kingdom.—If my present sickness ends in death, we shall converse in a better world, and without the least discord and contention. Remember me to Brampton, and to all. I thank them for not forgetting the chief of sinners. Tell them Jesus is yet with me, and causes my rod to bud and blossom. The bush burns, but is not consumed. Adieu.

Thine in the glorious Emmanuel,

G. W.

LETTER DCVII.

To Mrs. R――.

New-Port, August 20, 1747.

Dear Madam,

I Hope that since I left you, Mr. M――’s conversation has been blessed, and that you are steadily and deliberately resolved to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Indeed he is the fairest among ten thousand. The more you know him, the more you will love him. O what a happy change will you experience when you enter into the world of new creatures! May Jesus hasten the time, and enable you to come as a poor, lost, undone sinner, to be clothed with his everlasting righteousness! Accept these few hasty lines. They are the language of a heart truly concerned for your eternal welfare. I salute Miss M――; may Jesus make her a wise virgin, and give you and dear Mr. R―― grace to bring her up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! I at present add no more. As opportunity offers, you shall hear again from me. Dear Madam,

Your affectionate friend and servant for Christ sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCVIII.

To Mrs. L――.

New-port, August 20, 1747.

Dear Madam,

DOES not Jesus take his lambs into his arms, and dandle his little ones on his knees? Ought not his ministers then to follow his good example, and strive with him, not to quench the smoaking flax or break the bruised reed. This consideration causes me to write you a few lines. May they find you as in an agony to enter in at the straight gate! Courage, dear Mrs. L――, courage. Christ, heaven, glory, are worth your acceptance. They are all yours, if you will give him your heart. May Jesus make you willing, and enable you to say henceforward, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of Jesus Christ.” You will remember me to Mr. L――, and all dear friends. As opportunity offers, they and you shall hear from, dear Madam,

Your most affectionate friend and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCIX.

To Mr. D――.

New-York, August 27, 1747.

Dear Mr. D――,

IS it not just, that I should pay off my old debts? consequently I must write to you. I owe you many letters, and more love. Accept this in part of payment. It brings you news of my safe arrival, through the good hand of my God upon me, at New-York. We were detained upon the water three or four days. I believe it was for good; for the Lord blessed it to the recovery of my health, so that I eat like a sailor. At present I find my nature recruited considerably, and met my dear yoke-fellow and friends well at this place. O that my heart glowed with thanks to the Lord of all Lords, whose mercy endureth for ever! Help me, my dear Sir, to be thankful. My obligations to my glorious Jesus are increased by my late excursion to Charles-Town, Portsmouth, Boston, and other places in New-England. If I forget her, let my right-hand forget her cunning. I think of, and pray for you and yours, and all my dear friends daily. O let us so live, that we may meet in heaven. You know the way; “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.” Walk before him, look continually to him, and you shall be enabled to trample upon sin, death, and hell. Excuse the brevity of this. Next time, God willing, you shall have a longer letter. My tender love awaits your dear spouse and family. You will remember me to all enquiring friends, and as God enables, you shall all be remembered by, dear Mr. D――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCX.

To Mr. A――.

New-York, Aug. 27, 1747.

TO convince you that I remember your desire when at Boston, I send you almost my first letter. It comes full of thanks for all past favours. May the God whom I serve, reward you ten thousand fold! He will, he has promised, he also will do it. Will you give me leave to ask one favour more? You may guess what it is. I beseech you to entreat the giver of every good and perfect gift to grant me an humble and a thankful heart; for indeed, mercies are renewed to me every moment. God has given me a pleasant journey, and brought me this day to New-York in safety. My health is considerably restored, and I know not why my dear friends yet cruelly hinder me. Well, God’s will be done! O that it may be to the Redeemer’s glory, and the good of precious and immortal souls! I am of the same mind as when at Boston,—resolved to preach and work for Jesus, ’till I can preach and work no more. I doubt not, but in your sphere, you are like-minded. May the Lord strengthen, stablish, settle you in it, and give you to abound in every good word and work. Christ is a good Master: he is worthy of all our time, and of every thing that we possess. Is not one heart too little for him? And yet he requires no more. Amazing love! I am lost when I think of it. I can only say, Lord, I adore and worship! But how does dear Mrs. A――? Bid her, not be faithless, but believing. Jesus shall do more for her than she can ask or think. I salute you both most heartily, as does my dear yoke-fellow.—That Jesus may plentifully reward you for all favours, and give you so to live here, that you may sit at his right-hand eternally hereafter, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mr. A――,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCXI.

To Mr. W――, at Portsmouth.

New-York, Aug. 27, 1747.

Very dear Sir,

IS it right when we have committed a fault, to persist in, and not confess and amend it? By no means. I must therefore write to you, whom (though you have received no letter from me) I dearly love in the bowels of the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. I thank you, dear Sir, for all favours, and exhort you, as the best return I can make, to walk worthy of that God, who has called you to his kingdom and his glory. May you be enabled to live above, and overcome the world! O that Jesus may be at all times, your only All! O that you may look up continually to him for light, life, and every thing! Then will he direct your steps, and cause every change and scene of life to be a means of changing and transforming your dear soul more and more into his own divine likeness. You are shortly to enter into a new and untried state. Dear Sir, call Jesus and his Disciples to your marriage; marry in and for the Lord, or your life will be exceedingly uneasy and miserable. Remember, that new states call for new strength. Let your eyes then be fixed on Jesus. From him every good and perfect gift cometh. He alone can teach you to use the world, and every worldly enjoyment, so as not to abuse it. I commend you to his tender mercy. I pray continually for you, and humbly intreat you to remember unworthy, ungrateful, ill and hell-deserving me. I can now only most heartily thank you for all favours, beg to be remembered to all friends, and subscribe myself, dear Sir,

Yours in Him that liveth for ever,

G. W.

LETTER DCXII.

To the Rev. Mr. G. T――.

New-York, Aug. 29, 1747.

Rev. and very dear Sir,

NOT want of love, but of leisure, has prevented my writing to you for some time past. Blessed be God, I can now send you good news from the Northward. My reception at Boston, and elsewhere in New-England, was like unto the first. Arrows of conviction fled and stuck fast. Many, I hear, were wounded. Congregations were rather larger than ever, and opposers mouths were stopped. Will you now take another trip? I believe it would be blest to the good of your own and many other souls. I would be more particular, did I not expect to see you next week. I am better in health than when I left New-York. God gives me grace to spend it to the utmost in the Redeemer’s service. I am determined in his strength, to die fighting, though it be upon my stumps. I trust you pray for me. I remember you and your flock. I salute all tenderly, and am, Rev. and very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate younger brother and servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DCXIII.

To Mr. Henry S――, Junior.

New-York, Aug. 29, 1747.

My dear Mr. S――,

LAST Thursday noon the keeper of Israel, who neither slumbereth or sleepeth, brought me hither in safety. We were detained three days on the water. It was over-ruled for good. I recovered my appetite, and am now much better than when I left New-England. Next Tuesday, God willing, I shall set forward, and hope to be at Charles-Town the beginning of November. Will you write to me? God willing, you shall hear from me every opportunity. I have good news from Providence, my plantation in South-Carolina, and from Bethesda: both families are well, and several negroes are under conviction. I hope those that were under concern at Portsmouth, find their convictions to abide. I pray God, they may have no rest, ’till they find rest in Jesus Christ! I salute them, and all the Redeemer’s true followers. I join with my dear yoke-fellow, in sending you, and dear Mrs. S――, ten thousand thanks for all favours, and am, very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCXIV.

To Mr. D――.

New-York, Aug. 30, 1747.

MY dear brother Daniel, thou man greatly beloved, why weepest thou? Why art thou so cast down? All is forgiven, all is forgotten long ago; be strong, and God shall establish thy heart. Look up, and put thy trust in the Lord. He is a merciful Redeemer; otherwise what could worthless, ungrateful, unfruitful, ill, hell-deserving I do? O how great is his love to us-ward! How kindly hath he brought me to New-York! Pray let your mourning be turned into praise, and give thanks to the Lord of all lords in behalf of your unworthy friend. You are my old friend. I have loved thee, and do love thee with a peculiar love. May the Lord increase thee more and more, even thee and thy children! I send you and yours most cordial salutations. We set out, God willing, to-morrow on our southern journey. I have good news from the Orphan-house, and my new Plantation. Some negroes are brought under conviction. Mr. B―― was well the latter end of July. I shall take care of his father’s letter. My dear yoke-fellow intends writing to you soon. In the mean while accept hearty love from, yours as usual,

G. W.

LETTER DCXV.

To Mrs. S――, at New-York.

Philadelphia, Sept. 6, 1747.

SHALL I promise and not perform? God forbid. I must then drop a line to my afflicted friend. How is your little one? Is it yet languishing? Is it quite emaciated and panting for breath? Or is it gone into the world of spirits? Whatever be your answer, I am ready to reply, Remember your father Abraham; how chearfully did he offer up his dear Isaac, his son, whom he loved? How kindly did the Lord take it at his hands? Go thou and do likewise. If Jesus hath restored it to you, nurse it for him; pray to him continually for grace to order it aright, and learn how soon God may imbitter the dearest comforts to us. Happy, happy they, who can lean on and trust in Jesus, whilst they are going through this howling wilderness, this world of woe. I trust you are one of these happy ones. O free grace! Sovereign, electing, distinguishing love! You will join with me in saying, “Why me, Lord, why me?” I could enlarge. Whilst I am writing, the fire kindles; but my Master’s business calls me away. He is with me here. Remember the Pilgrims. My dear yoke-fellow is gone forward; perhaps I may follow this week. I desire to be remembered in the kindest manner to dear Mr. S―― P――, wife, and all friends. I thank them and you a thousand times for all favours, and am, dear Mrs. S――,

Your affectionate and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCXVI.

To Captain S――.

Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747.

My very dear Mr. S――,

THOUGH I wrote to you lately by my friend Mr. V――, yet the receipt of your kind letter makes me to write again. The deadly blow I see is given. Well! Thanks be to God, you are so resigned. You doubtless remember, that you took one another only “’till death you should part.” That shocking clause, as Mr. B―― calls it, is very instructive. Blessed be God, that she gave you any comfortable evidences of her being for ever with the Lord. If so, do not wish her here again, but remember how soon your own great change must necessarily come. You are now on the decline of life. You have seen that all below is vanity. O that you may bring forth much fruit in old age! Take heed, watch and be sober, since you know not at what hour the blessed bridegroom may come to call you. I write thus freely to you; because you are pleased to stile me your father. Pray for me then, that I may give to Jesus all the glory, and study to glorify him more and more. Next Monday, God willing, I intend leaving this place. Be pleased to acquaint our dear friend Mr. V―― that I intend writing to him soon. I hope he reached home in safety. I salute him, Mr. P――, and all friends most heartily. Accept of the same yourself, in the most cordial manner, from, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXVIII.

To Mr. and Mrs. F――.

Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747.

My very dear, dear Friends,

THOUGH I hope to see you ere this reaches Charles-town, yet I cannot but embrace every opportunity that offers to let you know how we do. I have lately been eleven hundred miles journey northward, and have found the Redeemer’s strength magnified in my great weakness. The word ran and was glorified. I am now posting towards, and hope to reach you the beginning of November next. I am better in health than usual, and through grace am determined to die fighting the Redeemer’s battles. On Long Island I saw Mr. B――. He still loves his Charles-Town friend. If you are not provided, it is my opinion, that it is best for you, for him, and the church of Christ, that he should be at Charles-Town. But this is only my opinion. With this, you will receive a packet of letters from him. If it be not done before you receive this, I wish you would be pleased to send my bureau, with my other things that were packed up, to Providence. I would not willingly have it to do when I come to Charles-Town. I hear you have had a dry season, I trust it has not been so in spirituals. O that Jesus may water you every moment! I think you may plead this promise before a prayer-hearing God; “He that watereth, shall be water’d again.” Surely the bowels of the saints have been, and are daily refreshed through your means. Happy ye that are determined to make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness. When natural lives fail, you shall be received into everlasting habitations. O happy time, when we shall be, soul and body, for ever with the Lord! I have lived in hopes some time, that my departure was at hand; but I seem to be gathering strength again, and trust shall be made instrumental in calling some more souls to the precious Jesus. O that I may be humble and thankful! Dear friends, pray for us.—My dear wife is gone to Bohemia, otherwise she would write. We have written by every ship. Some of our letters, I believe, have been taken. Our tender love to all. I am,

Ever yours, whilst

G. W.

LETTER DCXIX.

To the Rev. Mr. H――.

Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1747.

My very dear Mr. H――,

I Thank our gracious God for all the good news contained in your kind letter. It ♦gladdened my heart, and gave me reason to hope, that the Indian land would be a christian land indeed. When I received your letter, I was just returned from an eleven hundred miles journey northward, in which the rock of ages was pleased to let much of his glory pass before his dear people. I was enabled to preach about 30 times in New-England, and am now coming forward towards you, and hope to see you in November. My dear yoke-fellow would answer Mrs. H――, but she is gone to Bohemia. Accept thanks and love in her name. I have been frequently at the gates of death within these few months, and thought to have reached my desired port; but it seems I must put out to sea again. My heavenly Father’s will be done. I have good news from England. I have some thoughts of seeing it next year. Jesus will direct me. Captain Grant is sailed from Jamaica. Ere long I hope to owe no man any thing but love. Something considerable hath been done since I left Charles-Town. The Lord will never fail those that put their trust in him. I have remembered the book with the hymn tunes. I hope we shall not differ about an earthly matter. We are brethren; let us dwell in unity, and the God of love and peace will dwell amongst us. O that his divine love may be shed abroad abundantly in our hearts by the Holy Ghost! How shall we then bear with, and forbear one another? I hope all around you are well, and watered with spiritual as well as natural rain. I salute all most tenderly; and hoping to see you shortly, I subscribe myself, very dear Mr. H――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DCXX.

To the Rev. Mr. T――.

Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1747.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

I Suppose, ere this comes to hand, you will have heard how near I have been to my wished-for harbour, and how I have been obliged to put out to sea again. Blessed be God, since I must live, he does not permit me altogether to live in vain. The word ran and was glorified much in New-England. The gathering of the people, and the power that attended the word seemed to be near the same as when the work begun seven years ago. I parted from my friends with great reluctance. Since my coming southward, I have seen and dined with Governor B――. He ♦still retains his former affection, and I hope will be a great blessing to these parts. I have lately heard of the death of Doctor Coleman. I pity his poor congregation, fearing it will much dwindle. There are now many destitute flocks in New-England. Mr. B――’s death hath taught me a good lesson. May the Lord Jesus keep me from trimming! something considerable hath been done since I saw you, towards easing me of my Orphan-house embarrassments. The particulars expect in November: then I hope to see you once more. I still intend, God willing, to see Bermudas. Blessed be God, I have good news from Bethesda and Providence. I am helped here, as I was at New-York, in preaching; but find little conviction-work going on. As you observe, “that is God’s work.” I hope you have been carried comfortably through the Summer’s heat, and that we shall have a warm Winter when we meet at Charles-Town. Your father’s child is dead. I have a letter for you from him. I salute you and all for my dear yoke-fellow, who is gone forward to Bohemia. I follow on Monday next. You will remember me in the kindest manner to all. I have written to many friends, but believe the vessels have been taken in which the letters were sent. I have now just time to beg the continuance of your prayers, and subscribe myself, Rev. and very dear Sir,

Yours as usual,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXI.

To Mr. H―― H――.

Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747.

My very dear Brother,

I Wrote to you within these few months from this place, Boston and New-York. My last letters were to inform you, that, God willing, some time next year I purpose to see England, if my outward affairs can be settled. Surely the Lord will deliver me from money matters by and by.—He will, he will.—Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! I have good news from Georgia, and from my new plantation in South-Carolina. Many negroes are brought under conviction. We saw great things in New-England. The flocking and power that attended the word, was like unto that seven years ago. Weak as I was, and have been, I was enabled to travel eleven hundred miles and preach daily. I am now once more going to Georgia to settle all my affairs, and shall get ready to embark as soon as I receive letters from you. My dear yoke-fellow is gone forwards. She exceedingly longs to see her old friends. But death may intervene. I have been daily waiting for it. Few have expected my life, but at present I seem to be getting strength. By the grace of God, it shall all be employed in the dear Redeemer’s service. I find no inclination to settle. My Heart (O free grace!) is yet springing for God, and I am determined to die fighting. I hope matters go on well with you. Indeed I remember you daily, and pray that you all may be filled with all the fulness of God. I am here travelling through a wilderness; but I trust leaning on my beloved. Jesus is my rock, my stay, my God, and my all. Various are the scenes I pass through; various are the comforts and supports I meet with. Sometimes the Lord feeds me as it were by the ravens, and teaches me daily that man’s extremity is his opportunity to help and succour. O, my dear brother, if ever we meet in this world, how much have we to say to one another, concerning the loving-kindnesses of the Lord? But when we meet in heaven.—I am lost at the thought—What!

O Jesus! thy love is indeed immense, unsearchable.—Shed it abroad in the dear man’s heart to whom I am writing, and the hearts of all with whom he is concerned, and the hearts of all thy dear children. Even so, Lord Jesus. Amen! I can no more. My heart is almost too full to subscribe myself

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXII.

To the Rev. Mr. J. W――.

Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747.

Dear and Rev. Sir,

NOT long ago I received your kind letter, dated in February last. Your others I believe came to hand, and I hope ere now you have received my answer. My heart is really for an outward, as well as an inward union. Nothing shall be wanting on my part to bring it about; but I cannot see how it can possibly be effected, ’till we all think and speak the same things. I rejoice to hear, that you and your brother are more moderate with respect to sinless perfection. Time and experience I believe will convince you, that attaining such a state in this life, is not a doctrine of the everlasting gospel. As for universal redemption, if we omit on each side the talking for or against reprobation, which we may do fairly, and agree as we already do in giving an universal offer to all poor sinners that will come and taste of the water of life, I think we may manage very well. But it is difficult to determine such matters at a distance. Some time next year, (if the Redeemer spares my life) I hope to see you face to face. In the mean while, the language of my heart is,

I rejoice to find that the rebellion has been over-ruled for the awakening of many souls. Our Lord generally builds his temple in troublesome times. I cannot, upon the maturest deliberation, charge myself with a design to flatter in my sermon on that occasion. You know my attachment to the present establishment. Out of the fulness of my heart my pen wrote. But it may be I know not myself. Lord, keep me from trimming! At present, my heart seems as free for Jesus as ever. I have been once more in New-England. My entrance was as at the first, about seven years ago. Perhaps I may embark from thence for my native country. Our Lord will direct. I am now going to Georgia to winter. At New-York and here, Jesus has enlarged my heart, and opened my mouth to shew forth his praise. I have news of the awakening of several negroes at my new plantation, lately purchased at South-Carolina. I hope ere long to be delivered from my outward embarrassments. I long to owe no man any thing but love. This is a debt, Reverend Sir, I shall never be able to discharge to you, or your brother. Jesus will pay you all. For his sake, I love and honour you very much, and rejoice as much, in your success as in my own. I cannot agree with you in some principles, but that need not hinder love; since I trust we hold the foundation, even “Jesus, the same yesterday, to-day and for ever.” Will you salute, in the kindest manner, all the followers of the Lamb within your sphere of action? Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon all their dear souls! I thank them for remembering a poor pilgrim, who though faint is still pursuing, and determined, in the strength of Jesus, to spend and be spent more and more for the good of poor sinners. Perhaps before I see you, I may visit Bermudas and Cape-Breton. You will pray that the Lord may order my steps aright. What have you done with the Moravian Brethren? their affairs are in confusion here. I think their foundation is too narrow for their superstructure. I believe in their plan there are many plants that our heavenly Father hath not planted. The Lord bless what is right, and rectify what is wrong in them, in us, and in all. Even so, Lord Jesus, Amen!—O for heaven! where we shall mistake, judge, and grieve one another no more. Lately I thought myself sailing several times into the blessed harbour; but it seems I must put out to sea again. My Redeemer’s will be done! Forgive, Reverend Sir, the prolixity of this. Love indites. I salute you for my dear fellow pilgrim; who is gone forwards.—Continue to pray for us, and assure yourself, that you are always remembered by, Reverend and very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, though unworthy younger brother and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXIII.

To the Rev. Mr. C―― W――.

Philadelphia, Sept. 11, 1747.

Very dear Sir,

BOTH your letters and your prayers I trust have reached me. May mine reach you also, and then it will not be long ere we shall indeed be one fold under one Shepherd. However, if this should not be on earth, it will certainly be effected in heaven. Thither I trust we are hastening apace. Blessed be God that you are kept alive, and that your spiritual children are increasing. May they increase more and more! Jesus can maintain them all. He wills that his house should be full. Some have wrote me things to your disadvantage. I do not believe them. Love thinks no evil of a friend. Such are you to me. I love you most dearly. I could write to you much more, but time and business will not permit. You will see my letter to your dear brother. That you may be guided into all truth, turn thousands and ten thousands more unto righteousness, and shine as the stars in the future world, for ever and ever, is the hearty prayer of, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCXXIV.

To the Rev. Mr. M――.

Bohemia, (Maryland) Sept. 17, 1747.

Honoured Sir,

WILL you permit a young soldier of Jesus Christ to write to an experienced veteran, before he goes hence, and is no more seen? Sorry am I that my visit to York was short, yet glad that our Lord gave me to see you once more ready to sing your Nunc dimittis with steadiness and composure, if not with joy unspeakable, even a joy that is full of glory.—Happy, thrice happy, Reverend Sir! You have gone through that wilderness, which if hoary hairs should be my lot, awaits me your younger son and servant. Well! this is my comfort: I have the same Beloved to lean on, as you have had. The way, though narrow, is not long; the gate, though strait, opens into life eternal. O that I might pass through it when young; but, Father, not my will, but thine be done! Honoured Sir, be pleased to pray for me. I remember you and your dear flock, whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ. May he who kissed away the soul of his beloved Moses, appoint a Joshua to succeed you, when he bids you come up to the mount and die! I hope my cordial respects will find acceptance with your dear yoke-fellow. I remember what she said to me, and once more beg a continued interest in your prayers. I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your most affectionate tho’ unworthy younger son and willing servant in him that liveth for ever,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXV.

To the Rev. Mr. M―― Jun.

Bohemia, Sept. 17, 1747.

I Have been writing to the father,—Love, love unfeigned constrains me to write to the son also. I hope it will influence you to send me, however unworthy, a line or two in return. Reverend and dear Sir, how do you? Are you yet God’s mouth to the people? Surely if the prayers of faith keep me alive, the prayers of faith must open your mouth, and constrain you in preaching to shew forth your glorious Redeemer’s praise. All things are possible with God.

But you do not like that I should write about yourself? Will you then permit me to tell you, that in spite of all my corruptions, Jesus still continues to bless unworthy me. He gave me a prosperous journey to New-York, and there, as well as at Philadelphia, he opened my mouth to shew forth his praise. My outward circumstances are made easier, and I trust, in a short time I shall owe no man any thing but love. I am now posting southward, willing to follow the cloud wheresoever it shall point in the spring. O pray, pray that Jesus may be my comforter and my guide. Great are my trials, but greater my consolations. O free, rich, and sovereign grace! Help me, dear Sir, to extol and praise it. You will remember me to all. Your ¹fidus achates, and your dear faithful nurse, I shall never forget. When you go to Kittery, pray make my most dutiful respects acceptable to Sir William and his consort. Wishing you, what Colonel Gardiner once wished me, “A thriving soul in a healthful body,” I subscribe myself, Reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXVI.

To Mr. J―― S――.

Bath-Town, North Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747.

Very dear Sir,

I Wrote you a few lines just as I was leaving Bohemia. They informed you of the receipt of my bills, and by them I also desired you to pay the remainder of what you have of mine into the hands of Mr. D―― V―― of New-York. Since that, I have posted forward here, and hope to see some souls in this province all in love with Jesus, and made partakers of the power of his Resurrection. I have preached three times, and purpose, God willing, to preach many times more. The Lord seems to have given me the affections of the people, and I am determined in his strength to see what can be done amongst them. The box of books sent hither from Mr. K―― and G―― never came to hand. Be pleased to make some enquiry about it. I preached once in Virginia, and would have preached oftner; but the small-pox was spreading, the assembly did not sit, and I wanted to let North-Carolina have as much time as I could. I hope to write to you again from Charles-Town. There, I shall be glad to hear that the all-wise head of the church hath directed you to a suitable pastor in the room of Dr. Coleman. I sometimes think all will go to heaven before me. I am weak and faint, I long to be dissolved and to be with Jesus, but cannot die. My heavenly Father’s will be done! I would have you still pray for me, as a dying man; but O pray that I may not go off as a snuff. I would fain die blazing, not with human glory, but the love of Jesus. I wish you, and yours, and all dear friends, as much of this as your hearts can hold. I remember you daily and hourly. I will thank you in heaven for what you have done for me on earth, and till then shall subscribe myself, dear Sir,

Yours in the best bonds,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXVII.

To Mrs. S――.

Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747.

Dear Madam,

BE pleased to accept this, as a token that you are not forgotten by me;—no, I loved your deceased husband, I honour and pray for his dear and sorrowful relict. I would give you that advice, dear Madam, which I believe he would do, was he to rise from his grave, “Make sure of a Christ, and give the Lord no rest, till you can say, my maker is my husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name.” What have you now to do, Madam, but to make sure of a Christ? You are desolate, why should you not put your trust in the Lord? Widows, godly ministers widows, are God’s peculiar care. O that you may have reason to say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” Now is your time to learn God’s law. Come to Jesus, Madam, close with him, and give him your whole heart. I need not tell you, that he will make you happy. He has made me so, even me the chief of sinners. As such be pleased to pray for, dear Madam,

Your real, affectionate friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXVIII.

To Mrs. A――.

Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747.

Dear Madam,

BE where I will, the Lord Jesus puts you upon my heart. I often think you happy, because you are so circumstanced that you must necessarily drink of the waters of life at the fountain head. It drinks sweetest from thence. Communion with God’s children is sweet; but communion with God himself is infinitely sweeter. The woman of Samaria found it so. When the disciples came and interrupted her fellowship with their master, she left her water pot and went her way. Blessed be God, that happy time is coming when we shall enjoy both him and his without interruption. Till then, dear Madam, be content to have little or much of the company of Christ’s people, as your heavenly father shall judge most convenient. Heaven is before you, time is flying on eagles wings. Eternity, an happy eternity awaits you when time shall be no more. O that it would approach faster to me! But why so hasty, O my soul! In heaven thou canst not deny thyself for Jesus Christ! Dear Madam, pray for me, that my will may be swallowed up in the will of God. That it may be so with you, is the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,

Your most affectionate friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXIX.

To Mr. P――.

Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 6, 1747.

Dear Mr. P――,

OUR affectionate parting is not yet out of my remembrance. Since that, I hope you have been diligent, and ere now have got an evidence that we shall not be parted hereafter. O for assurance! It is indeed the anchor of the soul. It keeps it steady in the midst of storms. Dear Sir, press after it, as you value your present as well as eternal welfare. Tell the Lord Jesus, you cannot do without it. I once thought dear Mr. P―― would be one of the first-rate christians in New-England. What hath hindered you? Whatever it be, whether a right hand or a right eye, may the Lord Jesus take it away! Will you say Amen heartily? You will excuse this freedom. I always write so to those I love. Pray remember me to your mother, wife, and all friends. Tell them I am here, hunting after sinners in North-Carolina woods. It is pleasant work, though my body is weak and crazy. After a short fermentation in the grave, it will be fashioned like unto Christ’s glorious body. The thought of this rejoices my soul, and makes me long to leap my seventy years. O pray for me, that I may have patience to tarry the Lord’s leisure. I commit you to his care. I charge you in his great name, not to let me miss you in heaven, and with much love subscribe myself, dear Mr. P――,

Your very affectionate friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXX.

To Mr. S――.

Oct. 6, 1747.

My dear Mr. S――,

LET who will be omitted when I am writing to New-England, I think, I am under many obligations not to forget you. Blessed be God for making you a christian merchant, and teaching you the holy art of trafficking for the Lord. You trade upon a safe bottom. Your all is insured, and you shall receive your own with good usury at the great day. Go on, my dear man, spend and be spent for Christ’s people; it is a glorious employ. I would not but be thus engaged for millions of worlds. It is true, I am decaying daily; but resolved in the strength of Jesus to die fighting. At present I am engaged in North-Carolina, and hope ere long to send you good news from this ungospelized wilderness. In about a month I expect to see Charles-Town. The Lord direct me where to go in the Spring. Several ways present. I am willing to see more of the north before I return to my native country. But alas! why write I thus? How many important hours will intervene? O that every minute may be employed for God, even a God in Christ. Indeed he is a good master. He wounds, but he heals also. He brings down, but raises up again. He humbles, but it is only in order to exalt his dear children. This you and I shall find, as we have found already, times without number, perfectly true, by happy experience. But I cannot enlarge. You will deliver the enclosed. I hope my last to the dear Messrs. M――’s came safe. I will write to more as business, opportunity, and health permit. In the mean while, accept our joint most cordial love to all dear, very dear friends. Accept the same to you and yours. I am, dear Sir,

Yours eternally in the everlasting I AM,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXI.

To Mr. R――.

Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 7, 1747.

Very dear Sir,

BY this time (such is your love to unworthy me,) I suppose you are willing to know where I am, and what I am doing. Blessed be God, I am still employed in my old delightful work, “calling poor sinners to repentance.”—I trust a day of power will shortly come to North-Carolina. I have preached three times already, and am now going a small circuit round about. I expect to reach Charles-Town in a month’s time. But give me leave in my turn to enquire, how it is with you and yours? Are your resolutions more and more invigorated, and hath Jesus at length taken possession of your whole heart? I must not let you alone, till you can fairly and truly say, “’Tis done, ’tis done.” O what a revenue of glory might a person in your station bring to Christ, and what a radiant crown of grace might you secure to your own soul, was you but once in earnest to lay up treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal! Rise, rise, dear Sir, awake and sleep no more. Jesus waits to give you light. May he so fill you with his light and love, that you may rejoice in his great salvation all the day long! Pray let me hear from you in the Winter. I am more concerned for you than ever. Your late favours have increased my obligations to be so. I shall be glad to hear that the Lord hath given you a son. I remember dear Madam R――, and hope to drop her a few lines. May the glorious Emmanuel make little Miss a wise virgin. My love awaits Mrs. H――, and your whole houshold. You will remember me in the kindest manner to Mrs. G――, L――, &c. and the whole circle of my female friends. Praying that grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied upon all, subscribe myself, dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXII.

To the Reverend Mr. L――.

Bath-Town, North-Carolina, Oct. 11, 1747.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

IT has given me much concern, that I could not comply with your kind invitation to Plymouth, but providence plainly pointed my course another way. God only knows what a cross it was to me, to leave dear New-England so soon. I hope death will not be so bitter to me, as was parting from my friends. Glad shall I be to be prayed thither again, before I see my native land. But future things belong to God. I would be just where he would have me, though it be in the uttermost parts of the earth. At present I am hunting after poor lost sinners in these ungospelized wilds. People are willing to hear, and blessed be the Lord of all lords, I am willing to preach. My body is yet weak. A little riding fatigues me; but he that has been, is, and I trust will be my strength, my support, and my guide even unto death. Dear Sir, continue to pray for me. I wish you much of the divine presence, and hope the Lord will yet make you a spiritual father to thousands. Be pleased to remember me in the kindest manner to dear Mr. F――, and the whole circle of those reverend brethren, who dare confess Christ’s work, and Christ’s truths. I salute your whole large fire side, and am, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXIII.

To Mr. P――.

Bath-Town, Oct. 11, 1747.

Very dear Mr. P――,

I Am ashamed to think that your short though exceeding sweet and kind letter, lies as yet unanswered. Want of health and of time, (assure yourself) not want of love, has been the cause of it. The searcher of hearts alone knows, what a cordial reverential respect I bear your honoured father and mother, yourself, and dear sister. I must not write much on this head, lest my eyes should gush out with water. Sorry am I, very sorry, dear Sir, that the church is not to have the benefit of your labours. But what shall we say? God is a sovereign God. He must do what he will with his own. This comforts me, that I trust you have learned to be in the world, and yet not of it. Well then, since it must be so, go, dear Sir, and trade for God. Let merchants see by your example, that Jesus Christ can make many saints in a store. O may you daily taste, and feel the efficacy of his all-atoning, heart-cleansing, world-conquering, precious blood! I trust this is dearer and weightier to me than ever. I am now proclaiming it in these uncultivated ungospelized desarts. People hear with great attention, and I trust ere long news will be heard in heaven, that some North-Carolina sinners are born of God. I stayed but a small time in Virginia and Maryland, that I might give this province the more time. I hope to be in Charles-Town in about a month, and soon after my arrival, expect to determine what course to take in the spring. Several ways present themselves. May Jesus direct me which to take! Weak as I am, I am willing to spend and be spent for that ever-lovely, ever-loving Jesus, who has done so much for, and borne so long with me. I am afraid some of you have prayed me back into the world again. Well, it cannot be long ere I get my dismission. O for a triumphant exit. Lord Jesus keep me from going off like a snuff! But it is time to bid you good night. I have been on a forty mile excursion, and this tabernacle of mine is weak. You will remember me to all your dear family, and all friends. I will name none, that if possible I may offend none. However, this I must say, New-England friends are dearer to me than ever, and glad shall I be, if another sight of them before I die, be permitted to, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXIV.

To Mr. D――.

Everards-Ferry, Oct. 16, 1747.

Dear Mr. D――,

THE love I owe you for Jesus Christ’s sake, induces me to send you a few lines. I hope they will find you yet more and more convinced of self-righteousness, and the absolute necessity of being cloathed with the all-sufficient, compleat and everlasting righteousness of Jesus Christ. This, and this only is the ground of our acceptance with a holy, just, and sin-avenging God. Here the sinner may find a sure asylum, an everlasting, never-failing refuge. Happy they! who begin to see, feel, and taste this, in a realizing spiritual manner. It is the budding of grace, the beginning of the kingdom of God in the soul. May I hope that dear Mr. D―― is one of these happy men. I trust so. You seemed beginning to awake out of nature’s dream when I left you. O that nothing may prevail on you to lie down to sleep again! It is dangerous to trifle with the spirit of God. When he puts into our hearts good desires, he expects that we shall be workers together with him. Strive therefore, on, as the word imports, agonize with God, yourself, and the world, in order that you may enter into the strait gate of a thorough sound conversion. You know who has told you “that the kingdom of God suffereth violence, and the violent only take it by force.” And surely heaven is worth striving for; especially since we are sure of a conquest; and Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation, stands ready to assist, support, and strengthen at every rencounter. Learn therefore to endure hardness, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ: adopt Joshua’s resolution, stand the laugh, quit yourself like a man, put your hand to the plough, and do not look back; fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. I could write more, but I want time and paper. Blessed be God, I am as well as a pilgrim in my way can expect to be. I am happy in Christ, and that is all in all. I wish you and yours this happiness. I pray you may be partakers of it. This is the best return I can make for all kindnesses shewn to, dear Sir,

Your affectionate, obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXVI.

To Mr. T―― A――.

Wilmington, Cape-Fear, Oct. 18, 1747.

My very dear brother A――,

I Have lately written to you and many other dear English friends. I am now in my way to Georgia, and hope to see my native country some time next year. My sphere of action still increases, and though I hoped this last Summer to have taken my flight to the blessed Jesus, yet it seems I am to live longer. O that it may be for the Redeemer’s glory, and the good of many precious and immortal souls! I know you will say Amen! I could write much, but am fatigued, having preached several times, and rode on horse-back through the woods an hundred and sixty miles. Jesus makes the barren wilderness to smile. I want to know how affairs go on among you. I expect letters from some of you at Charles-Town, and I hope to see you, I repeat it again, some time next year. But future things belong to God. My schemes are so frequently disconcerted, that I would willingly put a blank into his hands, to be filled up just as he pleases. But this stubborn will would fain avoid swallowing some wholesome bitter-sweets, which the all-gracious physician reaches out unto me. Nevertheless, through grace, the prevailing language of my heart is, “Not my will, but thine be done.” The being so long absent from my friends, sometimes a little affects me; but I have been used to so many partings, and heart-breakings from various quarters, that I wonder any thing affects, so as to surprize me. But the mystery of the cross is unsearchable. We shall never fully learn it till we die. We must be beginners in this school every day, hour, and moment. But where am I going? I write as though I was conversing with you. Perhaps such a time may come. In heaven I am sure such a time will have existence. The language of my heart is, Lord Jesus, let thy kingdom come! You will remember me to all. I must now say no more. Whilst I am writing, affection works and almost makes me to say, O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away, and see my English and Scotch friends! I salute all most heartily, as does my dear fellow pilgrim.—That grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied upon all your dear souls, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Man,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXVII.

To Mr. B――.

Charles-Town, (South-Carolina,) Oct. 25, 1747.

Very dear Mr. B――,

I Hear a ship sails to-morrow for Philadelphia. I cannot help letting you know, that we arrived here last night in health and safety. The barren wilderness was made to smile all the way. I trust good was done in North-Carolina. The poor people were very willing to hear. I expected, on my arrival at this place, to have received letters and sundry things from you, or dear Mr. B――. If they are taken, may the Lord Jesus give me a thankful heart! I would write you a long letter, and I would also write to many friends, but you know travellers are weary, and I must away to-morrow to Georgia. All is well there, and at my new plantation. You will send the inclosed.—Mr. Dutton I believe is lost in his return to England. The ship foundered. I have preached this morning, and am to preach again. I snatch a few moments between sermons to write this. Our tender joint love to you all.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXVIII.

To Mr. F――.

Bermudas, May 27, 1748.

My dear Mr. F――,

INCLOSED you have a letter which you may print in your weekly paper. It brings good news from this little pleasant spot. If you could print it on half a sheet of paper, to distribute among the Bermudas captains, it might perhaps be serviceable. The inhabitants here have received me so well, that I think publishing their kindness is a debt justly due to them. I am now waiting for a fair wind, and then we shall sail for England. The Governor’s lady goes with me. His Excellency is very civil to me, and I believe many souls have been benefited by this visit to Bermudas. I desire to give the Lord Jesus all the glory. You will remember me to Mrs. F――, and all my dear Philadelphia friends. I do not forget them, and hope they will always remember, dear Sir,

Their and your most affectionate, obliged friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXIX.

To Mrs. F――.

On board the Betsy, June 2, 1748.

TILL last night, I did not know that the last letter I wrote to you never came to hand. Mr. B―― tells me, that as he did not go according to his design he destroyed it. Accept therefore, dear Madam, a few more parting lines. They bring you good news indeed. The Lord Jesus has blessed my being at Bermudas very much. A good work I trust is begun in many hearts. I am now on board, and the wind is fair. We expect to sail this day. According to my present view, I intend to return to beloved America next year; which is one of the reasons, why I leave my dear yoke-fellow behind. O that I knew how it was with her! But I see that God will make those he loves, to live by faith and not by sense. Glorious privileges, though difficult to flesh and blood! As you are so dear a friend, I know you will do your utmost to comfort her. I have so ordered matters, that she need not be under any concern about providing for the families. God has caused the people in Bermudas to devise liberal things. Yet a little while, and I trust I shall, on the Orphan-house account, owe no man any thing but love. But I find I must fight every inch of my ground. Well! Jesus is on my side. I can do all things through him strengthening me. An entrance is now made into the Islands. The Lord, that has begun, can and will carry on his own work. You will all help me with your prayers. I must be content with dealing in general salutations, having not time to write more particulars. Pray remember me in the kindest manner to all your relations and all our dear friends. That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon all, is the earnest prayer of, dear Mrs. T――,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCXL.

To the Rev. Mr. S――.

On board the Betsy, June 24, 1748.

Rev. and very dear Sir,

THOUGH we are about two hundred leagues from land, yet lest hurry of business should prevent me when we get a shore, I think proper to write you a few lines whilst I am on board.—Long before this reaches you, I suppose you will have heard of what the Lord of all Lords was pleased to do for me and his people at, and also when we sailed from, Bermudas. We sailed from thence just twenty-one days this morning, and have lived, as to the conveniencies of eating and drinking, like people that came from the continent, rather than one of the islands; so bountiful were our friends, whom we left behind us. Hitherto we have met with no storms or contrary winds, only it begins to head us now. But God, in his own time, I trust will carry us to our desired port. The first day we came out we were chased, and yesterday a large French vessel shot thrice at and bore down upon us. We gave up all for gone. I was dressing myself in order to receive our expected visitors. In the mean while, our Captain cries, “the danger is over.” The Frenchman turned about and left us. He was quite near, and we almost defenceless. Now we are so near the channel, we expect such alarms daily. If any thing happens extraordinary, I shall be particular. As for other things, I cannot say much. The Captain is exceeding civil, and I have my passage free; but all I have been able to do in the great ♦cabin in respect to religious duties, is to read the church prayers once every evening, and twice on the Lord’s day. I have not preached yet; this may spare my lungs, but it grieves my heart. I long to be ashore, if it was for no other reason. Besides, I can do but little in respect to my writing. You may guess how it is, when we have four gentlewomen in the cabin. However, they have been, and are very civil, and I believe my being on board has been somewhat serviceable. My health I think is improved, and I have finished my abridgment of Mr. Law’s serious call, which I have endeavoured to gospelize. Yesterday I likewise made an end of revising all my journals. Blessed be God, for letting me have leisure to do it. I purpose to have a new edition before I see America. Alas! alas! In how many things have I judged and acted wrong.—I have been too rash and hasty in giving characters, both of places and persons. Being fond of scripture language, I have often used a style too apostolical, and at the same time I have been too bitter in my zeal. Wild-fire has been mixed with it, and I find that I frequently wrote and spoke in my own spirit, when I thought I was writing and speaking by the assistance of the spirit of God. I have likewise too much made inward impressions my rule of acting, and too soon and too explicitly published what had been better kept in longer, or told after my death. By these things I have given some wrong touches to God’s ark, and hurt the blessed cause I would defend, and also stirred up needless opposition. This has humbled me much since I have been on board, and made me think of a saying of Mr. Henry’s, “Joseph had more honesty than he had policy, or he never would have told his dreams.” At the same time, I cannot but bless, and praise, and magnify that good and gracious God, who filled me with so much of his holy fire, and carried me, a poor weak youth, through such a torrent both of popularity and contempt, and set so many seals to my unworthy ministrations. I bless him for ripening my judgment a little more, for giving me to see and confess, and I hope in some degree to correct and amend, some of my mistakes. I thank God for giving me grace to embark in such a blessed cause, and pray him to give me strength to hold on and increase in zeal and love to the end. Thus, dear Sir, have I unburdened my heart to you. I look upon you to be my fidus achates, and therefore deal thus freely. If I have time and freedom before we land, I think to write a short account of what has happened for these seven years last past; and when I get on shore, God willing, I purpose to revise and correct the first part of my life. I know you will pray that I may be directed and owned in every thing. I think often of, and pray for you, and as I intend writing to you again when I send this, I shall content myself at present with subscribing myself, Reverend and very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate obliged though unworthy brother and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCXLI.

To Mrs. L――.

Deal, July 5, 1748.

Very dear and Honoured Mother,

ARE you yet in the land of the living, or rather among the dead? shall I have the pleasure of receiving one more letter from you, and asking your blessing once more? Next post, I hope that the two former of these will be answered in the affirmative, and in a week or two I trust God will grant me the last. About a month ago I left the island of Bermudas, where my poor labours have been greatly blessed, and your unworthy son has been honoured with many honours. I am now come once more to see my friends in my native country, and settle some affairs, and then return to America again. My dear yoke-fellow I have left behind, to take care of two families. I have been several times just upon the brink of eternity since I saw you, but am now a little recruited. O that my health and strength may be wholly employed for that Jesus who has done such great things for me! His blood and cross, my ever honoured mother, I trust are exceeding precious to your soul. O that I may see you laden with holiness, and bringing forth much fruit in your old age! I could say more, but have several other letters to write. As I know not how your outward affairs are situated, or where you live for a certainty, I can only send cordial and general salutations to all friends and relations. I hope you will be pleased to let me know whether you stand in need of any thing, and not cease to pray for, honoured mother,

Your ever dutiful though unworthy son,

G. W.

LETTER DCXLII.

To Mr. G―― H――.

Deal, July 5, 1748.

AND how does my dear old friend Mr. H――? Surely he will send me a line now! For through the goodness of an infinitely gracious and condescending Saviour, I am once more arrived at my native country. My last excursion was to Bermudas. We left those islands a month ago, and God was pleased to set his seal to my unworthy ministry in a very glorious manner. I know you will be thankful in my behalf, and let me know next post how the brethren are in and about Gloucestershire. I rejoice to find that you still go on steadily and are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Why should you? Have you not found it by happy experience to be the power of God unto salvation? Go on then, my dear Sir, and prove the strength of Jesus to be yours. I long to see you, that we may talk of redeeming love, and feel our hearts warm with an holy fire from God’s altar. Are the dear old men, the Reverend Messrs. S―― and P――, yet alive? Pray send them my most dutiful and affectionate respects, and let them know, that an entrance I trust is now made into one of the islands for the glorious gospel of the Son of God. O that I was able to fly from pole to pole upon this blessed errand. But alas! my wings are clipped. My bodily health is much impaired, and I hoped ere now to have taken my last flight to heaven. But it seems that happy hour is not yet come. Well, welcome life, welcome death, so that Jesus, my dear Jesus, may be glorified in both! Pray that we may shortly meet in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of peace. I subscribe myself, my very dear Gaius,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DCXLIII.

To the Rev. Mr. J―― or C―― W――.

Deal, July 5, 1748.

WILL you not be glad to hear that the God of the seas and the God of the dry land hath brought me to my native country once more? I came last from the Bermudas, where the friend of sinners has been pleased to own my poor labours abundantly. I hope, I come in the spirit of love, desiring to study and pursue those things which make for peace. This is the language of my heart,

I purpose, God willing, to be in London in a few days. In the mean while, I salute you and all the followers of the blessed Lamb of God most heartily.—Be pleased to pray for, and give thanks in behalf of, Reverend and dear brother,

Yours most affectionately in Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DCXLIV.

To Mr. F――.

London, July 7, 1748.

My very dear Friend,

I Have but just time to inform you, that after a pleasant passage of a month, a good and gracious God brought me hither in safety, where I have been received by thousands with a joy that almost overcame both them and me. I have preached once, and am this evening to preach again. One large church is open. I cannot now descend to particulars.—I can only send you a thousand thanks for all favours, beg my kindest salutations may be presumed to all friends, and entreat the continuance of your most fervent prayers in behalf of, my dear host and hostess,

Yours as usual,

G. W.

LETTER DCXLV.

To Mr. H――.

London, July, 7, 1748.

My very dear Friend,

THOUGH I suppose you will see my dear wife’s letter, yet I must send you a few lines. They bring you news of my safe arrival, and wonderfully kind acceptance in my native country. The blessings bestowed on me, have already, through the thanksgivings of thousands, redounded to the glory of God. Words cannot express the joy that has possessed the hearts of the people. I hear that the minds even of enemies are much softened. I came at a critical juncture. I hear Mr. ―― has stood up for me at C――, and that one who preached before the trustees hath spoke honourably of Bethesda. If God is pleased to send us a general peace, I hope Georgia will lift up its drooping head. You may depend on hearing from me as often as possible. You will remember me to all friends. I can only beg you to give thanks, and pray for, my very dear Sir,

Yours as usual,

G. W.

LETTER DCXLVI.

To the Rev. Mr. H――.

London, July 8, 1748.

Rev. and dear Brother,

GLAD am I, yea very glad to hear that you are yet alive and have grace given you to adhere to Jesus Christ and his eternal truths. I am very much pleased to find that you appear in print, and that such encouragement is given you to print again. I hope the glorious Emmanuel smiles upon your ministerial labours, and gives you many living witnesses, that the truths which you preach are according to Godliness. Go on, my dear old friend, and prove the strength of Jesus to be thine. Through his infinite and unmerited goodness I am once more safe in my native country. Bermudas was the last place where I have been preaching. I left many souls under concern. Many precious souls (O free grace!) have received me here in great love, and I have been enabled twice to preach, to a multitude of poor sinners, the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. My bodily health is much impared; but through divine assistance, I will go on working for Jesus of Nazareth, ’till I can work no more. I could say much of his love, but have a deal of business before me. Accept this as a token of unfeigned love and respect from, my very dear Sir,

Your affectionate though unworthy brother and servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCXLVII.

To Mr. C――.

London, July 8, 1748.

Dear Mr. C――,

I Am come over with a sincere desire to pursue the things which make for peace. Consequently I must hear and see for myself, before I determine upon any thing. I have heard nothing of Mrs. D――’s writing concerning you. All I can say is, that by what you have published and I have perused, you have unhappily fallen into some principles, which are contrary to the revealed will of God.—But I speak not this to begin a dispute. I shall be glad to see and converse with you. As for your preaching in Moor-fields, they are no doubt as free for you as another. I intend preaching there, God willing, on Sunday evening. That you may have a clear head and a clean heart, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCXLVIII.

To Mr. K――.

London, July 12, 1748.

My dear Brother,

AT my first arrival, you judged right that I am pretty much taken up; however, I must snatch a few minutes to answer your kind, very kind letter. Blessed be God, that the mercies bestowed on hell-deserving me, have, through the thanksgivings of many, redounded to the glory of the blessed Jesus. O that the same prayers that have drawn me hither, may draw down showers of blessings upon God’s church. Now I am come, do you and my other friends continue to pray and hold up your hands, and in the strength of Jesus Christ I will go on fighting. The fields seem to be as white as ever. I trust the shout of a king is among us. O for humility, love and zeal! O for that mind, which was in Christ Jesus! I trust that the members of your society are copying after our great Exemplar. As soon as possible I purpose to come down and see you. I thank you for what you have done in respect to the Orphan-house. I could wish the cash was remitted to London immediately, because I want to pay it away. Surely the time will come, when I shall owe no man any thing but love. Then, and ’till the day of my death, Poor, yet making many rich, shall be my motto. You will remember me in the kindest manner to all the followers of the Lamb; and that you may be filled with all his fulness, is the prayer of

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCXLIX.

To Mr. C――.

London, July 12, 1748.

My very dear Friend and Brother,

THOUGH I am pretty much engaged, yet I cannot let your kind letter lie by me two posts unanswered. Blessed be God that you yet retain your simple heart, and are determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. With this mind, may you climb up higher and higher in the church of England, in order that you may move in a superiour orb, and your light shine with greater and more diffusive ardor round the church of God! O my dear Mr. C――, what has the Redeemer done for us! What is he still doing! It would gladden your heart to see what a turn affairs take in London. I have preached twice in St. Bartholomew’s church, and helped to administer the sacrament once. I believe on Sunday we had a thousand communicants. Moor-fields are as white as ever unto harvest, and multitudes flock to hear the word. The old spirit of love and power seems to be revived amongst us. What am I, what am I, that Jesus Christ should still delight to honour me? O for a single eye and a simple heart unto the end! By what I can judge, satan will allure some with his golden bait. “In all times of our wealth, good Lord deliver us.” Blessed be God, I am not much in danger of having too much of this world’s goods at present. My outward affairs are yet behind hand. I long to owe no man any thing but love. As for your cautions, they shall be observed punctually. Never mind me, let my name die every where, let even my friends forget me, if by that means the cause of the blessed Jesus may be promoted. In about a fortnight I hope to see you at my brother’s. I hear he is better. O that he may come out for Christ! I think I have now answered your request, and sent you a long letter. I hope to hear from you again before I see you. My hearty respects await Mr. G――. I trust he determines to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Commending you to his mercy, and myself to the continuance of your prayers, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Yours eternally in the blessed Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCL.

To the Honourable ―― R――, Esq.; of Bermuda.

London, July 12, 1748.

Honoured Sir,

GRATITUDE constrains me to embrace the first opportunity of informing you of our safe arrival at our wished-for port. We struck ground, I think, the 27th day after we set sail, and landed at Deal the 30th. We were chased the first afternoon, and prepared for going to prison twice or thrice. But our fears were groundless; there was a cessation of arms with France, though we knew it not, and some ships that we thought were pursuing us proved to be English men of war. We had plenty of provisions, and met with no storms or bad weather worth the speaking of. Other particulars, I suppose, Captain E――, who was very civil, will inform you. The evening after we landed at Deal, I was at Mr. D―― and E――’s, before I came to my own lodgings. They were very glad to hear from Bermudas. Since then, words cannot well express how joyful my friends were to see me once more in the land of the living. I find the news-papers had buried me ever since April last; but it seems I am not to die, but live: O that it may be to declare the works of the Lord! My obligations to do so, are much increased by the mercies conferred on me at Bermudas, and during my voyage. Surely the stones would cry out against me, did I not set forth the riches of redeeming love. Blessed be God, I have had several opportunities of doing so, since my arrival. Last Lord’s-day I believe we had a thousand communicants. In a few weeks, God willing, I purpose to see Scotland, and then shall do myself the pleasure of writing to, or waiting on your brother. In the mean time, I shall, as opportunity offers write to some more of my Bermudas friends, whom I desire never to forget at the throne of grace. You and yours, honoured Sir, will be pleased to accept my most cordial salutations. That you and your house may serve the Lord here, and live with him eternally in the kingdom of heaven hereafter, is the hearty prayer of, honoured Sir,

Your most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLI.

To Mr. H――.

London, July 16, 1748.

My very dear Mr. H――,

I Thank you for your speedy and kind answer to my last poor letter, and heartily pray God, if it be agreeable to his will, yet to prolong your life, and make your pen the pen of a ready writer. I shall take it as a great favour, if you will order me a set of your works. I shall peruse them with the greatest pleasure, and send a set of them also abroad. Blessed be God, for causing you to write so to suit the taste of the polite world! O that they may be won over to admire Him, who is indeed altogether lovely! But what shall I say to your kind intended present? It is like my dear old friend. Mr. ―― was so kind as to come and see me yesterday. I shewed him your letter. He expects to see me at his house. God willing, if possible I will pay him a visit. O that he may recover his first love! For ever adored be free grace: many souls seem to be quickened. Multitudes flock to hear. My health somewhat improves, and our Lord makes it exceeding pleasant to me to preach to poor sinners his unsearchable riches. O when shall we get within the veil! Thanks be to God, it cannot be long. We are both sickly. Lord give us patience to wait till our blessed change come! To the Redeemer’s tender mercy do I most earnestly commit you; and entreat, while life and breath lasts, you will not cease praying for one, who, though less than the least of all, yet for Jesus Christ’s sake subscribes himself, my very dear friend,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DCLII.

To Mr. K――.

London, July 19, 1748.

Very dear Sir,

I Thank you for your kind answer to my last, as well as for all other favours. Before I heard from you, I had been informed from several quarters that Satan hath been sifting all our poor societies. This is no more than I expected. But let us take courage, dear Sir; Jesus Christ prays for us. His truths are great and shall prevail. At London, affairs seem to be taking a good turn. The Lord Jesus comes among us as in the days of old. I trust by and by we shall see good days at Exon again. When I shall go there is uncertain. Next week, God willing, I must be at Bristol, and after that I must go to the Welch association. Glad shall I be to hear whatever you have to offer. May the Lord Jesus give us a right judgment in all things! When the time of my seeing Exon is fixed, I will endeavour to send you previous notice. In the meanwhile, let you and yours accept most hearty love and cordial salutations from one, who, though less than the least of all saints, begs leave to subscribe himself, very dear Mr. K――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCLIII.

To the Reverend Mr. C――.

London, July 20, 1748.

My very dear Friend and Brother,

NEITHER length of time, nor change of place, I trust, will ever estrange us from each other.—Though through the goodness of God I am now in England, yet I cannot help daily thinking upon you and my other dear friends in America. I have been prayed over hither: do you strive to pray me over again to South-Carolina. Much business now lies upon my hands. It is too much for one man, to be received as I have been by thousands. The thoughts of it lay me low, but I cannot get low enough. I would willingly sink into nothing before the blessed Jesus, my All in All. Next week I hope to see Bristol, where I shall not fail to enquire about your minister, and send you word accordingly. I hope you do not forget Bethesda or Providence. O my dear yoke-fellow, how is she carried through the Summer’s sultry heat? May the Lord be her helper! You will not fail to give my most cordial respects to Mrs. B――, Dr. B――, his wife, and all friends. Fail not, O fail not to pray heartily for,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCLIV.

To the Reverend Mr. D――.

London, July 23, 1748.

My very Dear Mr. D――,

GLAD was I, yea very glad to receive one more letter from such a valuable and dearly beloved friend and brother. I have often enquired after you since my arrival, and only multiplicity of business prevented your hearing from me. Glory be to the blessed Jesus, for supporting and carrying you through so many difficulties that necessarily attend the pastoral office. I find more and more, my dear Sir, that experience is only to be learned in the school of tribulation; and as we undergo the sufferings mentioned in the scriptures, so far and no farther do we understand the scriptures themselves. O that patience may have its perfect work, and we may be enabled to the end of our days to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts! As for poor Scotland, what shall I say? Our Lord’s words must be fulfilled, “The first shall be last, and the last first.” Awakening times are always like the Spring. Many blossoms appear, and perhaps but little solid fruit is produced after all. O that the Lord of the harvest, if I am to see Scotland again, may send me to call some backsliders to return. Glory be to God, affairs are taking a happy turn here. Old love, and old power, seem to be reviving among us. I preach to multitudes daily. Many are already brought under new awakenings. On Monday next I set out, God willing, for Gloucester, and intend returning in about three weeks.—How glad shall I then be to see Mr. D――. My dear yoke-fellow would rejoice to do so too; but I left her abroad in the tent.—Perhaps she may come over soon. Pray remember her, and, my dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCLV.

To Dr. R――.

London, July 22, 1748.

Honoured Sir,

LOVE and gratitude constrain me to send you a few lines. They come to inform you, that a sense of the almost innumerable favours you was pleased to confer on me, when under your tuition, is yet deeply engraven upon the tables of my heart. That God, whom I endeavour to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, will richly reward you in that day. By his assistance, I still continue to preach the everlasting gospel in various places; and, I trust, not without some abiding good effect. Indeed, last year I was in hopes I should have been translated to those blissful regions, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary be at rest. But it seems, I am not yet to die, but live. O that it may be to declare the works of the Lord! I think his glory is the main principle of my acting. I want to bring souls, not to a party, much less to lead them from the established church, but to a sense of their undone condition by nature, and to true faith in Jesus Christ, which will be evidenced by a holy life, and an universal, chearful obedience to all the commands of God. In this, honoured Sir, however you may judge of the means and method of my proceeding, I am persuaded you wish me success. Your’s, both in respect to this life and another, I have much at heart. That the great shepherd and bishop of souls may assist you in the oversight of all under your care, and in the future state receive you with an Euge bone, in the presence of applauding angels, and spirits of just men made perfect, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Sir,

Your most unworthy, though dutiful pupil, and very humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLVI.

To Governor Thomas.

London, July 22, 1748.

Honoured Sir,

THOUGH I am uncertain about your being in town, yet I cannot leave it, without leaving a few lines of acknowledgment, for those many favours you and your worthy lady were pleased to confer upon me and mine abroad. Glad were we, yea exceeding glad to hear of your safe arrival in England, and gracious reception at court. May you so live in this world, as to be received with expressions of joy and approbation by the King of kings in the world to come! I hope, honour’d Sir, that the change of climate has been conducive to your health, and the health also of dear little Miss, and her honoured Mamma. I beg my most dutiful respects may find acceptance, honoured Sir, both with them and you. At my return to London, which I suppose will be in about three weeks, I purpose doing myself the honour of waiting upon you in person. In the mean while, I beg leave, with the warmest affection, to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your most obliged, obedient humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. S――.

Waterford, August 3, 1748.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

I Have written to you more than once since my arrival; notwithstanding that, I must write to you again. The bearer is a man of good report, a Dissenter, and brings I believe a testimonial with him. He has met with disappointments in the world, and goes out to be overseer to some gentleman’s plantation.—I believe he would be glad to be introduced to some of our religious friends. I write this from Wales, where I am come to attend on a quarterly association. Yesterday I left Bristol, where great multitudes came to hear, and the arm of the Lord was revealed. Next week, God willing, I purpose to return to London, and after a short stay there, to go into the West and other parts of England. I believe that Ireland and Scotland must be left till next Spring. I am as well in health as I have been for a long while; and God is pleased to give me the affections of his people, in a manner I dared not expect. But is there any thing too hard for the Lord? You will continue to pray for me. I expect a loving, chiding letter from you. I have several things to send you, and at present can only beg you and all friends to accept of my hearty love and thanks, and subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCLIX.

To Mr. Wm. G――.

Waterford, August 3, 1748.

My dear little Man,

I Do not forget the promise I made you when in town. As a proof of it, I snatch a few moments to send you a line. How will it find you? May I answer for you? Upon the stretch for God, and giving diligence to make your calling and election sure. O that there may be always in you such a mind! You know how many once did run well; but the devil and the world working upon their wicked hearts, have hindered them. Alas! how is their gold become dim, and their fine gold changed! Let him that thinketh he stands take heed lest he fall. Be jealous of yourself, and hang continually on the Lord Jesus. You are now growing up, and are about to launch into a wicked world. You know how strangely satan will tempt you to love it. Nothing can keep you, but the mighty power of God. Ask, and you shall have it exerted in your behalf. I could enlarge, but have not time. Perhaps next week I may be in London. The Lord Jesus has blessed my being in the country. The fields are white, ready unto harvest. My love to your sister. May she be a Ruth. For the present I must bid you farewel, after having subscribed myself,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCLX.

To the Reverend Mr. M――.

Mitchel-Dean, August 6, 1748.

THOUGH I am now upon the road in my way to Gloucester, yet I cannot help dropping you a few lines. Excess of business, not want of respect, has prevented my writing to you before. You, and yours, and all my dear Scotch friends, have been, still are, and by the grace of God always will be much upon my heart. I long to hear that their souls prosper. Perhaps next Spring I may pay them another visit. The remainder of this year must be spent in visiting England and Wales. Blessed be God, there is a prospect of a revival where I have been already, at London, Bristol, and Wales, from whence I am just now come. Our Lord hath been pleased to lift up the light of his countenance upon his poor people. I beg, reverend Sir, the continuance of your prayers, that I may be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. At present, through grace, I am willing to spend and be spent for the good of precious and immortal souls. My native air seems to improve my health, and I trust ere long I shall be lively and strong as an eagle. I suppose you have heard that the word of the Lord has been glorified in Bermudas. In a short time, I hope the adjacent islands will know what it is to feel the sun of righteousness arising with healing under his wings.

Reverend Sir, I could write more; but must away. I beg my most cordial respects may be accepted by your whole fire-side and all friends. I intend writing to dear Mr. M―― soon. In the mean while, I must haste to subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, obliged younger brother, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXI.

To Lady H――.

London, August 10, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

THIS morning, just after I had begun to put pen to paper, a friend told me, that since I had been in the country, a letter had been sent me by a lady out of Scotland. I opened it, and with a pleasing surprize found it was from your Ladyship, to whom I was then writing. Blessed be God, that your soul, honoured Madam, is yet held in life! I hope it does and will prosper; and however others may grow lukewarm and lose their first love, yet you will say, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” By four years fresh experience, I find that this indeed, in every respect, is the whole of man. O how good has the blessed Redeemer been both to my soul and body! Out of how many and great deaths has he delivered me! And yet, honoured Madam, vile as I am, he is pleased still to honour me. Multitudes flock to hear the word, and our Lord is pleased to administer seed to the sower. Early in the Spring, God willing, do I purpose to visit dear Scotland once more. That the Lord of all Lords may abundantly bless your Ladyship, and all your connections in this and a better world, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXII.

To the Reverend Mr. J――.

London, August 11, 1748.

My very dear Mr. J――,

YOUR kind letter, which I received but yesterday, having been taking a little tour in the country, both grieved and pleased me. Glad was I to find, that my dear old friend had not forgotten me, and yet sorry as it were, that I had not wrote to him first. I was just going to put pen to paper, when yours was brought to my hands. I read it with joy, and now embrace the first opportunity of answering it with the greatest pleasure. These words concerning our Lord have always been weighty on my heart, “Having loved his own, he loved them unto the end.” They therefore that are most like him, will be most steady in their friendship, and not very readily given to change. O my dear Sir, what has the Redeemer done for us since we used to take such sweet counsel together at Oxford! Blessed be his name for giving you a heart still to preach among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ. May you go on and prosper, and, maugre all opposition, see Dagon fall every where before the ark. As for me, I am a poor worthless pilgrim, and thought long ere now to be with him, who has loved and given himself for me.—But it seems I am not yet to die, but live. O that it may be to declare the work of the Lord! I think this is the thirteenth province I have been in within this twelvemonth, in each of which our Lord has been pleased to set his seal to my unworthy ministry. I came from Bermudas last, where I left many souls seeking after Jesus of Nazareth. In London, Bristol, Gloucester, and Wales, the glorious Emmanuel, since my arrival, has appeared to his people. In about a fortnight I purpose leaving town again in order to go a circuit of about five hundred miles. I need not desire you to pray for me; I need not tell you how glad I shall be whenever opportunity offers, to see you face to face. In the mean while, let us correspond by letter. May Jesus bless it to us both! I return cordial respects to Lady M――. I pray the Lord to bless her and her little nursery. For the present adieu. I am, my very dear Mr. J――,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXIII.

To Mr. S――.

London, August 16, 1748.

Dear Sir,

GLAD shall I be to have the pleasure of your dining with me on Thursday between twelve and one. If you please, you may leave your chaise and horses at the other end of the town, and ride to my lodgings in an hackney coach. Or if you choose to come in your chaise, we have inns near at hand. I shall devote Thursday afternoon to you; and if you please to stay the evening and hear me preach, and then sup and take a bed at our house afterwards, I shall be much obliged to you. You need only enquire for the tabernacle new house near Moorfields. I hope matters will be so ordered, that you will be solus cum solo. I pity persons in your circumstances, and humbly hope that you will be one of Nicodemus’s children every way. You know, though he came by night at first, yet afterwards he was as bold as a lion. Go on, dear Sir: “To him that hath, shall be given.” Christ will not quench the smoaking flax, nor break the bruised reed. That his love may be shed abroad in your heart, that you may be enabled to confess him before men, and be confessed by him before his Father and the holy angels in heaven, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,

Your most affectionate friend, and willing servant for Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXIV.

To Lord ――.

London August 19, 1748.

My Lord,

THOUGH I expect to be in Scotland in about three weeks, yet I cannot defer writing to your Lordship any longer. I hope this will find your worthy lady trampling upon the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, and steadily pursuing the one thing needful. I doubt not but you both have found, that the Redeemer’s service has been perfect freedom, and that in keeping of his commandments there is even a present great reward. Blessed be God, I can say so by happy and repeated experience. The blessed Jesus is pleased still to own and bless my poor labours, and gives me encouragement to go on fighting his battles. My outward man decays; but I trust I shall die in the field of battle. I want to learn what it is to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. I could enlarge, but multiplicity of business obliges me to be brief. I hope my most dutiful respects will find acceptance with good Lady ――, Lady ――, and all your Lordship’s fire side.—That you all may be filled with the fulness of God, is the hearty prayer of, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most obliged, obedient servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXV.

To Mr. B――.

London, August 20, 1748.

My very dear Brother,

I Thank you for your kind letter. It was put into my hands just as I was leaving Bristol, and ever since, I have been so busy, that till now I could not redeem a few moments to answer it. I am glad that you, and the dear brethren you mentioned, are so well and happy. They are my old hearty friends as well as you. I salute them tenderly, and long for that time when we shall all surround the throne, and throw our crowns before the Lamb who sitteth thereon for ever. There we shall be all unisons: there we shall have clear heads, and perfectly clean and purified hearts. Till then we must agree, to disagree in many things, except to love and serve him, who loved us and gave himself for us, who has redeemed us unto God by his blood, hath made us kings and priests unto God, and enables us to reign over sin, death, and hell, even whilst we are here on earth. O glorious mystery! Well may the angels desire to look into it. I could enlarge, but other affairs of our Lord’s kingdom call me away. For the present, adieu. I return your cordial salutations in the heartiest manner. If our Lord should call me to Wiltshire, I would come and see you. At present I am bound to Scotland. I trust we can say, Jesus is with us here. That he may be evermore with you and all his sincere followers, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear brother,

Yours most affectionately in him that was dead, but is alive again, and liveth for evermore,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXVI.

To Lady H――.

August 21, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

I Received your Ladyship’s letter late last night, and write this to inform your Ladyship that I am quite willing to comply with your invitation. As I am to preach, God willing, at St. Bartholomew’s on Wednesday evening, I will wait upon your Ladyship the next morning, and spend the whole day at Chelsea. Blessed be God, that the rich and great begin to have an hearing ear. I think it is a good sign that our Lord intends to give to some at least, an obedient heart. Surely your Ladyship and Madam E―― are only the first fruits. May you increase and multiply! I believe you will. How wonderfully does our Redeemer deal with souls. If they will hear the gospel only under a cieled roof, ministers shall be sent to them there. If only in a church, or a field, they shall have it there. A word in the lesson, when I was last at your Ladyship’s, struck me. “Paul preached privately to those that were of reputation.” This must be the way I presume of dealing with the nobility, who yet know not the Lord. O that I may be enabled, when called to preach to any of them, so to preach as to win their souls to the blessed Jesus! I know your Ladyship will pray that it may be so. As for my poor prayers, such as they are, your Ladyship hath them every day. That the blessed Jesus may make your Ladyship happily instrumental in bringing many of the noble and mighty to the saving knowledge of his eternal Self, and water your own soul every moment, is the continual request of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXVII.

To Judge B――.

London, August 22, 1748.

Honoured Sir,

I Think it is now high time for me to send you a line of thanks, for the favours you was pleased to confer on me when at the Bermudas. They are not, and I trust never will be forgotten by me, whilst I am on this side eternity. The same good hand that was with me abroad, hath safely brought, and since my arrival blessed me much at home. I am daily employed in that delightful work of preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Once a week I read prayers and preach in one of the largest of the London churches. Multitudes flock there and in the fields, and I trust much good is done to many. I have been lately a three hundred mile circuit, and purpose, God willing, to set out for Scotland in about eight days. At my return, I hope to hear by some ship or another that all is well at Bermudas. I beg my most dutiful respects may find acceptance with his Excellency. I endeavoured to be as obliging as I could to his lady and little master, whom I suppose the Governor will have heard from before this comes to hand. I have taken the freedom to send him a volume of my sermons. I intend writing to Colonel H―― another opportunity. I have sent to Colonel G―― and some others already. Multiplicity of business prevents my writing to more at present. Be pleased however to present my most cordial respects to him and his family, to your whole fire side, and all enquiring friends. I hope you will accept the same yourself, from, honoured Sir,

Your most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXVIII.

To Captain J―― D――.

London, August 22, 1748.

Very dear Sir,

I Have already written to you and other friends since my arrival at London. With this, I send a box of books to be disposed of among my dear Bermudas acquaintance. To some I have affixed their names, and lest I should have forgotten any (as undoubtedly I have, being so much hurried) I have sent half a dozen of my volumes of twenty three sermons, to be disposed of with the small tracts, as you shall think proper. I begin now to expect the Diana, or some other ship, to bring me an account of the welfare of you and my other beloved friends. A sense of your manifold kindnesses lies yet upon my heart, and I always endeavour to remember them before Him, who has promised that a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose its reward. Had I time equal to my will, I would write many letters, but a variety of business prevents. Be pleased therefore to beg my friends to accept general thanks and cordial salutations. In a few days I purpose setting out for Scotland, and hope to return to America next year. But future things belong to God. A wide scene opens here, and I would willingly be disposed of as seemeth best to my heavenly Father. To his tender and never-failing mercy, do I earnestly commend you and dear Mrs. D――, your little ones, all your relations, and the whole circle of my friends. That you may be blessed with all the blessings of the everlasting covenant, is the hearty desire and continual prayer of, very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, obliged friend and humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXIX.

To Mr. ――.

London, August 22, 1748.

Very dear Sir,

IF any thing I have said or written has been made any way serviceable to your better part, I thank the Lord of all Lords, whose mercy endureth for ever. I trust the language of my heart towards Jesus Christ, is this:

I thank you, dear Sir, for your concern about my health. If it should please God to bring me back from Scotland to winter in town, I have thoughts of submitting to some regimen or another. At present I think it impracticable. On Tuesday, God willing, I purpose to set out, and to go by the way of York. I suppose it will be about a two months circuit. My journals, and last five sermons, I shall send to Mr. D――, with the journal that I have corrected. Alas, dear Sir, so many things want altering, that what you propose for Andrew to do, would be for him a too laborious task. I heartily wish that you and doctor D―― and Mr. H―― would be pleased to revise them. I intend publishing a new edition soon. Mr. H―― is of a different opinion from Dr. D―― concerning the seventh of the Romans. Adhuc sub judice lis est. I always do as you desire in respect to Mr. W――’s sermons. My prayer for him, for myself, and friends, is this; “Lord, give us clear heads and clean hearts.” I would recommend bishop Beveridge’s sermons more, but they are too voluminous for the common people, and I have not read them all. I expect you will do this yourself, dear Sir, by and by, from the pulpit, and what is more, recommend his and your master to the choice of poor sinners. You have now by your excellent letter publickly confessed him. The eyes of all will be now upon you, to see whether the truths you have delivered to others, are transcribed into your own heart and copied in your life. Now indeed may you cry,

Now the language of your soul should be, “how holy ought I to be in all manner of conversation and godliness.” Now, dear Sir, let me entreat you to keep from trimming, or so much as attempting to reconcile two irreconcilable differences, God and the world, Christ and Belial. You know me too well to suppose I want you to turn cynic. No, live a social life. But then, dear Sir, beg of the Lord Jesus to free you from the love of the world; thence, thence arises that fear of man which now so shackles and disturbs your soul. Dare, dear Sir, to be singularly good. If Christ be your Saviour, make him a present of your pretty character. Honour him, and he will honour you. He indulges you much, and gently leads you on. Let the same love constrain you, dear Sir, to press forwards, and never rest till you can give up children, name, life, and all into his hands who gave his precious blood for you. I could enlarge, but am called away. I make no apology for this; you say you are my friend.—Accept this, dear Sir, as a token of my believing you sincere in that profession, from

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXX.

To Lady H――.

London, August 22, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

EVER since the reading your Ladyship’s condescending letter, my soul (as indeed through grace it was in a degree before) has been overpowered with his presence, who is All in All. When your Ladyship stiled me “your friend,” I was amazed at your condescension. But when I thought that Jesus was my friend, it quite overcame me, and made me to lie prostrate before him, crying, Why me, why me? I just now rose from the ground, after praying the Lord of all Lords to water your soul, honoured madam, every moment. As there seems to be a door opening for the nobility to hear the gospel, I will defer my journey till Thursday, and, God willing, preach at your Ladyship’s on Tuesday. In the mean while I will wait upon or send to the Count the Danish embassador’s brother, who favours me with his company on Monday to dine. On Monday morning from nine to near eleven I will be at your Ladyship’s, and wait to know your order concerning Tuesday. O that God may be with and make me humble! I am ashamed to think your Ladyship will admit me under your roof, much more am I amazed that the Lord Jesus will make use of such a creature as I am. Under a sense of this, I write to your Ladyship now. It is late, and my poor body calls to rest. But as I am to preach four times to-morrow, I thought it my duty to send these few lines to your Ladyship to night. Quite astonished at your Ladyship’s condescension, and the unmerited superabounding grace and goodness of Him who has loved me and given himself for me, I subscribe myself, honoured madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient, humble and willing servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXI.

To Lady H――.

London, Sept. 1, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

ALTHOUGH it is time for me to be setting out, yet I dare not leave town without dropping a few lines, gratefully to acknowledge the many favours I have received from your Ladyship, especially the honour you have done me in making me one of your Ladyship’s chaplains. A sense of it humbles me, and makes me to pray more intensely for more grace, to walk more worthy of that God, who has called me to his kingdom and glory. As your Ladyship hath been pleased to confer on me the honour before mentioned, I shall think it my duty to send you weekly accounts of what the Lord Jesus is pleased to do for and by me. Glory be to his great Name, the prospect is promising. My Lord Bath received me yesterday morning very cordially, and would give me five guineas for the orphans, though I refused taking any thing for the books. I send your Ladyship (by the hands of faithful and honest Betty W――) a little box of my sermons, and the last account of God’s dealing with me, and of the money expended for the Orphan-house, with my oath before the magistrates of Savannah. The little book in marble paper is for Madam P――: I have folded down where I would have her begin to read. What a lovely christian will she make, when grace hath once refined her heart? I hope God intends to honour your Ladyship in making you instrumental of doing good to the nobility. His providence, his peculiar providence hath placed your Ladyship at Chelsea. I am persuaded your Ladyship will not quit that post, till he that hath placed you there, plainly gives you a dismission. I have good news to-day from Bristol. Mr. C―― intends to be fettered no longer with the fear of man. O that there may be always in him such a mind! Mr. L――, he informs me too, is coming from under the cloud. He begs his dutiful respects may be presented to your Ladyship, and is much obliged to your Ladyship for being so much concerned for him. I hope he will fix by and by: But whither am I running? Pardon me, honoured madam, I fear I am too bold and too long. Upon the road, I propose writing your Ladyship my thoughts of what scheme seems to be most practicable, in order to carry on the work of God, both here and in America. I dare add no more but my hearty prayers for the temporal and eternal welfare of your Ladyship, and whole houshold, and subscribe myself, honoured madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXII.

To the Rev. Mr. J―― W――.

London, Sept. 1, 1748.

Rev. and dear Sir,

MY not meeting you at London has been a disappointment to me. But our Lord orders all things well. His time is and will be best. I suppose you will hear of my preaching to some of the nobility, and I trust the hour is coming when some of the Mighty and Noble shall be called. What have you thought about an union? I am afraid an external one is impracticable. I find by your sermons, that we differ in principles more than I thought, and I believe we are upon two different plans. My attachment to America will not permit me to abide very long in England; consequently, I should but weave a Penelope’s webb, if I formed societies; and if I should form them, I have not proper assistants to take care of them. I intend therefore to go about preaching the gospel to every creature. You, I suppose, are for settling societies every where; but more of this when we meet. I can now only say a few general things. I hope you don’t forget to pray for me. You are always remembered by, Reverend and dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXIII.

To Mr. J―― W――.

London, Sept. 1, 1748.

My very dear Brother,

YOUR kind letter I received with great satisfaction. I chearfully sit down to answer it before I set out for Scotland. I have been a mile or two upon the road, but turned back because my chaise was not registered. My hands have been full of work, and I have been among great company. A privy counsellor of the king of Denmark, and others, with one of the Prince of Wales’s favourites, dined and drank tea with me on Monday. On Tuesday I preached twice at Lady Huntingdon’s to several of the nobility. In the morning the Earl of Chesterfield was present. In the evening Lord B――. All behaved quite well, and were in some degree affected. Lord C―― thanked me, and said, “Sir, I will not tell you what I shall tell others, how I approve of you,” or words to this purpose. He conversed with me freely afterwards. Lord B―― was much moved, and desired I would come and see him the next morning. I did; and his Lordship behaved with great candour and frankness. All accepted of my sermons, and seemed surprized but pleased. Thus, my dear brother, the world turns round. “In all time of my wealth, good Lord deliver me!” Glad am I, for his own sake, that dear Mr. C―― begins to resolve to play the man. Alas! a ♦trimming conduct is uncomfortable to one’s self, displeasing to Christ, and ridiculous in the sight of the world. Christ is worth all, or he is worth nothing. May the Lord enable me to be simple, and honest, and open in all my dealings, and to trust him with the consequences. I have ever yet found, that honesty is the best policy in the end. O that dear Mr. L―― may at length show himself a man too! My dear, very dear brother, may you lose no more time, but join in confessing a crucified Saviour. Glad am I to find that Mr. C――’s conversation is blest to you. I wish you had always a christian fidus achates at your side. Pardon me, dear brother, this freedom. My love is so great to you, and I have put up so many prayers for you, that I cannot rest till you improve those excellent parts God has given you, for the glory of his church and the good of his people. I am glad you will send something to our mother. I need not tell you, that the wisest of men has bid us “not to despise one’s mother, when she is old.” I thank you for the pictures; I have made free with some of them already. I shall not be sorry, if you do not go to Gloucester. Alas, so much money spent at music-meetings will make but a poor article at the day of judgment. But where does my affection carry me? My dear brother, good night. God willing, you shall hear from me soon again; if you do not answer me immediately, I will impute it to any thing rather than want of love; that, I am sure, is strong towards me, however unworthy of it. God has blessed me much in London. Congregations are very large. On Sunday I was enabled to preach four times: but this body—Well! thanks be to God, it is soon to be put off. Once more good night. My love to all friends. I am

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXIV.

To Mr. S――.

Oulney, (Northamptonshire) Sept. 4, 1748.

Very dear Sir,

IT was a pleasing surprize to me last week, to receive a letter dated in July from my dear, very dear friend Mr. S―― of New-England. I left town yesterday, but having an immediate opportunity of sending, by way of Philadelphia, I now sit down to write your answer. Poor New-England! I pity and pray for thee from my inmost soul. May God arise, and scatter thy enemies! may those that hate thee be made to flee before thee! I am afraid the scene will be yet darker. But you know it is always darkest before day-break. It has been so in England. Matters, as to religion, were come to almost an extremity. The enemy had indeed broken in upon us like a flood. The spirit of the Lord is now lifting up a standard. The prospect of the success of the gospel, I think, was never more promising. In the church, tabernacle, and fields, congregations have been great, and perhaps as great power as ever hath accompanied the word. A door is also opening for the mighty and noble. I have preached four times to several of the nobility at good Lady H――’s. All behaved exceeding well, and I suppose in the winter opportunities of preaching to them will be frequent. May the Lord prepare me for whatever he has prepared for me! As for returning to America, if I live, I believe there’s no doubt of it. I intend keeping myself free from societies, and therefore I hope to see you again next year. But future things belong to God. I thank you and dear Mr. R―― for your kind invitation. May the Lord direct to what is best! I hope you will continue to write. Pray read, seal and send the inclosed. You will communicate so much of this letter as may be proper. O dear Sir, pray for me, that the glorious Emmanuel may give me humility, and lead me on from conquering to conquer. You must remember me to dear Mrs. S―― and all in the kindest manner, and entreat them to continue their prayers in behalf of, very dear Sir,

Yours as usual,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXV.

To Mr. R――.

Oulney, Sept. 4, 1748.

Very dear Sir,

THOUGH I am on my journey to Scotland, yet I must stop a little by the way to answer your kind letter dated in July last. It brought strange things to my ears, and it made me smile. You know, dear Sir, what has often passed between you and me, upon that point, loving honour. Some persons being forced as it were to accept of government places, are like other persons saying nolo episcopare, when, it may be, they have been making interest for a bishoprick many years. You know how to make the application. However, God may over-rule this for good, and if you could get the government of ―― (though in asking for it, you know not what you ask) it might be of service to New-England many ways. But, dear Sir, what can I do in it? I have no interest at court, and supposing I had, you have directed me to no means, neither hath any person been with me concerning it. Be pleased therefore to inform me of particulars. Let Mr. S―― instruct me what steps are to be taken, and if I can be of any service, you may command me. I thank you, dear Sir, for your kind invitation, and if you are to be exalted, I pray the Lord of all Lords to fit and qualify you for, and support you under it. You will not forget to give my most cordial salutations to all my dear New-England friends. I pray for them, you, and yours, and am, very dear Sir, with repeated thanks for all favours,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXVII.

To Mr. S――.

Morpeth, (Northumberland,) Sept. 10, 1748.

Dear Mr. S――,

TILL now I have not had time to answer your kind letter, and now I am too weary to send you a long one. I thank you for your good wishes and prayers. May they enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth! Hitherto, God has been pleased to bless me since my arrival. Let the Lord’s people continue to hold up their hands, and by his divine assistance I will go on fighting till I drop. I am now on my way to Scotland. I know you wish me good luck in the name of the Lord. When providence opens a door, I shall be glad to embrace.—In the mean while, pray remember me to all in the kindest manner. As for your call to preach, I can say nothing, being a stranger to you. Only I would observe to you what the apostle says, “Not a novice, &c.”—You know what follows. If you chuse proper seasons, and keep within the bounds of humility and christian prudence, I pray the Lord to be with and bless you. I can now add no more, but subscribe myself

Your affectionate friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXVIII.

To Mr. T――.

Edinburgh, Sept. 15, 1748.

Dear Mr. T――,

ERE this can reach London, you will find that I have forgot not my promise. No, I love thee too well to do so. Thanks be to God, that you begin to awake out of your dream. It has been a dream, though a golden pleasing one. If all was right, such darkness would never come and abide upon your soul. Come, play the man, and, if called to it, leave a worm for God. You are not the first that have been called to part with what was as dear as their own souls, or that have seen their beloved object in the possession of another. Better see that, than enjoy the object with guilt upon the mind. How did Jacob smart, all his life-time afterwards, for getting the blessing by a lie? The way of duty is the way of safety. I write this on supposition that your father will be against your proceeding. You will let me know what he says: In the mean while, as our Lord enables, I will pray for you. May the Lord Jesus give us a right judgment in all things! But enough of this. You see the bishop’s charge has turned out as I supposed. Who could imagine otherwise? Lord, humble thy people for giving such wrong touches to the ark! Lord, keep me from doing so any more! O for zeal according to knowledge! O for grace and wisdom to act aright! Yesterday God brought me safe here, and I have been received very kindly. This afternoon I am to preach. The effects of it you may know hereafter. For the present, adieu. I recommend you to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to raise you when fallen; and subscribe myself,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXIX.

To the Reverend Mr. B――.

Edinburgh, Sept. 16, 1748.

Reverend and dear Sir,

ON Thursday noon, through the providence of a good and gracious God, I came hither, where I have met with an hearty welcome. Last night I preached to a Moorfields congregation for numbers, and the Lord, I believe, was pleased to give it his blessing. I have had the pleasure of hearing, that a serjeant of a regiment, awakened when I was here last, held on, and held out, and died rejoicing; and likewise of several others, who are gone before us to inherit the promises. May the Lord awaken fresh souls to supply their places. I trust he will. I was also much delighted last night, to hear there were so many christian soldiers among the king’s forces that came from Flanders. A young christian lady, under whose roof they were, told me, that some or other of them were continually praying to, and wrestling with God. If any of them return to England, I doubt not but Col. G――y will find them out. I intend writing to him soon, and hope to send our good lady some glad tidings next week. In the mean while, pray present my most dutiful respects to her Ladyship. I hope all is well in London. The bishop’s death, I suppose, will prevent any further stir about Bartholomew. I shall be glad to hear how you go on. Pray, dear Sir, how are your circumstances? You will not be offended if I inform you, that more than one have informed me of your being in debt to several. I thought it my duty to apprize you of it, because I know what a burden it is to be in debt; not indeed for myself, but for others. I make no apology for this; you know it must proceed from love. I wish you the very best of blessings, and am, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXX.

To Mr. S―― W――.

Edinburgh, Sept. 19, 1748.

My very dear Mr. W――,

SHALL I promise, and not perform? God forbid! Glad am I, yea very glad to open a fresh correspondence with a dear old friend, with whom I have often taken such sweet counsel. O my dear man, how patient, how long-suffering has the blessed Jesus been towards us! Ought not his love to constrain us to obedience? Ought we not to confess him, who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself for us? For my part, when I think that the glorious Emmanuel endured the pain, and despised the shame of dying upon a cursed tree for me, I cannot help saying,

Glory be to God, I have hitherto found that the cross of Jesus has been lined with love. This has made it easy; this even now makes it exceeding light. I fear prosperity more than affliction; and though there is but little danger perhaps of my being exalted in this world, yet the language of my soul is, “In all time of my wealth, good Lord deliver me.” May the Lord keep you, my dear friend, by his mighty power through faith! He has entrusted you with many talents; may you occupy them till he come! I hope he will bless your conversation to those who are yet but weak in the faith, and who cannot, through love of the world, or fear of man, as yet bear much contempt. My service to Messrs. B―― and M――, when you see them. My prayer for you all is, that you may be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. I am fighting for him here. Vast multitudes come to hear; but what good is done, cannot yet be determined. Many of my dear friends are gone to glory, I purpose being in town about the time appointed. I know you will pray for me. Whether absent or present, assure yourself you are never forgotten by, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXI.

To the Countess of H――.

Edinburgh, Sept. 20, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

I Suppose, ere this can reach you, your Ladyship will have heard of my being arrived at Edinburgh, and of another particular or two mentioned in Mr. B――’s letter. This brings your Ladyship an account of very great multitudes flocking to hear the word; but with what success it is attended, I cannot yet tell. Upon my first coming, I was somewhat discouraged at hearing of the death of many of my valuable and leading friends, and of others losing their first love. Besides, the weather was boisterous, some ministers shy, and God was pleased to visit me with a great hoarseness. But the prospect is now more pleasant; and I trust, ere I leave Scotland, your Ladyship will have some good news from a far country. Inclosed your Ladyship has an extract of a letter sent from London to a pious gentlewoman here: I wish part of the contents may not prove, like the bishop of E――’s charge,—mere imaginary. May God hasten the time, when more of the mighty and noble shall be called, and made to stoop to the Redeemer’s sceptre! It is now growing late. That your Ladyship and family may be filled with all the fulness of God, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obedient, willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXII.

To Mr. H――.

Edinburgh, Sept. 21, 1748.

AND could my very dear Mr. H―― think, that when he was out of sight he was out of mind? No, my dear friend, I believe it will never be so with you and me. By this time, I hope Mr. D――’s letter from Bermudas, or the letters sent you from thence by way of Philadelphia, will inform you, that I wrote several parting letters to you and many other friends, and sent you bills of exchange to the amount of eighty pounds sterling; but, with my letter, books, and several other things, I find they are taken. Of this Mr. D―― writes me lately. As there is now peace, and a commerce opened with Spain, I hope the new settlers will be disturbed no more. Courage, my dear man, courage. Surely we shall yet live to see the salvation of God in Georgia. I am glad Mr. Fairweather hath been at Bethesda. Whatever has happened, do your best for me in respect to my family. Next year you may see me again. But more of this hereafter. The Lord is exceeding good to me. Great things are doing in England; and the Lord is blessing me more and more in Scotland. This morning, I hear a gentlewoman has left me an hundred pounds. If so, fifty shall be paid for you on the Orphan-house account, to Mr. N――, and as much more as I can spare, as soon as possible.—I have paid Mr. J―― thirty pounds sterling. But what does my wife tell me in her letter received this day, about your losing some favourite creature? Is it your wife, or your little daughter? Well, my dear friend, you and I must be made perfect through sufferings; you and I must learn to walk by faith. May the Father of Mercies comfort your heart, and abundantly supply the want of every creature, by communications from his own eternal Self. O pray write to me. Let me bear part of your sorrows, and thereby shew myself your friend. If my wife is embarked ere this arrives, I beg you would open all parcels that are sent to your care, and act as usual for my family. My tender love to all. You will not cease praying, dear Mr. H――, for

Ever yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXIII.

To Mr. S――.

Edinburgh, Sept. 23, 1748.

My dear Brother S――,

HOW good is God! Well may you say, that he never fails those that put their trust in him. How does he make my extremity his opportunity to help and relieve me. If the news about the legacy be true, I hope it will increase my faith, and make me more willing to be upon the stretch for Him, who was stretched upon the accursed tree for me. I thank you for sending my letters. My wife proposes to embark for England in October. The climate will not agree with her. The physicians advise her to come over, and she entreats all friends to pray for her safe passage to England. Affairs here have now a comfortable aspect. I think more people than ever come to hear, and their hearts begin to be warm. Continue to write. My love to all. The not sending the late published account of the Orphan-house, has been of disservice to me. When will the children of light be as wise in their generation as the children of the world? I can now no more, but am, my dear Sir,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXIV.

To Colonel G――ly.

Edinburgh, Sept. 23, 1748.

Very dear Sir,

EVER since I have been in Edinburgh, I have been attempting to write to you, but could not effect it till now. Though I am absent from, yet I am present with you. I hope this will find you fighting the good fight of faith, and in every respect behaving like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. The news of your conversion hath reached the ears of many of the great ones in Scotland. May the Lord Jesus keep you stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in his work. The way you know. A constant looking up to the author and finisher of our faith, and watching unto prayer with all perseverance, will keep the soul steady amidst all the temptations of a malicious devil, and ensnaring world. O for grace and zeal to endure unto the end! Finis coronat opus. I could say much, but company waits for me. Vast multitudes come to hear, and I trust much good is done. Good Lady H―― has an extract of a letter from a soldier, which will please you. Here are two devout soldiers in Edinburgh. May the Lord Jesus add more to his church of such converts as may be saved! You will not forget to pray for me. That you may increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate friend, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXV.

To Mr. H――.

Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748.

My very dear Mr. H――,

YOU are every day upon my heart. I must not, I cannot refrain writing to you any longer. How do you? Old love revives in my heart towards you, because, I trust, love to the blessed Jesus begins to revive in your heart. May the glorious Emmanuel fan the divine spark, till it break out into a holy blaze! Do not lose one moment more, my dear Sir: let this be the language of your soul continually,

It pleases me to think, how loud you and I shall sing of infinite, free, and unchangeable love in heaven; for because God changeth not, therefore you and I have not been consumed. O pleasant, transporting thought! What a saviour is Jesus of Nazareth! How precious was his blood! How profusely, as it were, was it shed for sinners! That you and yours may every moment feel its pardoning, renovating, cleansing, and purifying power, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXVI.

To Mr. S――.

Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748.

My very Dear Sir,

I Have been in pain because your kind letter has lain by me so long unanswered.—Nothing but a variety of other necessary business has been the cause. My hands are full, and I trust the pleasure of the Lord will prosper in them. Very great multitudes have flocked to hear; and in Glasgow the prospect of doing good is rather more promising than in Edinburgh. In a fortnight I purpose, God willing, to leave Scotland, and to preach at Oundle in my way to London. Glad shall I be to see two such friends as you and Mr. H――, though incog. I will endeavour to send you timely notice. I would have neither of you expose yourselves to needless contempt upon my account. I think I can say, that I am willing to be forgotten even by my friends, if Jesus Christ may thereby be exalted. But then, I would not have my friends act an inconsistent part towards that friend of all, that friend of sinners, the glorious Emmanuel. You know, my dear Sir, what an inspired apostle hath asserted: “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Whilst you are afraid of men, you will expose yourself to a thousand inconveniences. Your polite company, (unless you converse with them more as their physician, than as their companion) will prevail on you to such compliances, as will make you smart when you retire into your closet, and reflect on the part you have acted. Before I shook off the world, often have I come out of company, shorn of all my strength, like poor Sampson when he had lost his locks! But this is a tender point. Go on, dear Sir, and prove the strength of Jesus to be yours. Continue instant in prayer, and you shall see and feel infinitely greater things than you have seen or felt yet. I am of your opinion, that there is seed sown in England, which will in time grow up into a great tree. God’s giving some of the mighty and noble a hearing ear, forebodes future good. I do not despair, if I live, of seeing you a proclaimer of the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. God be praised, that Mr. H―― is so bold an advocate for his blessed Lord. I send him my most affectionate respects, and entreat him to remember me in his prayers. I wrote to Mr. H―― lately. I herewith send you an extract of a letter I wrote on ship-board to my dear invaluable friend Mr. S――, of South-Carolina. If it was judged proper, I would put it in the preface of a new edition of my Journals. I would not have any of my mistakes remain uncensured, uncorrected. I thank you for your hint about my way of preaching. I shall take care to observe it. And now, dear Sir, for the present, adieu. I am afraid I have tired you. I shall be fond of seeing you at London. Rejoicing in the prospect of seeing you in the kingdom of heaven, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER [♦DCLXXXVI.]

To Mr. K――.

Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748.

Dear Sir,

WHEN I was the other day at Edinburgh, your aged father communicated a letter to me, which gave an account of your being translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. As the news rejoiced the hearts of angels in heaven, no wonder that it gives satisfaction to those who desire to follow the blessed Jesus here on earth. Hoping that I am one of those, and being willing to promote his glorious gospel in every part of the world, I write you this letter at a venture, to wish you joy of your happy change, and to exhort you with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord. The more you know of Wisdom’s ways, the more you will find them to be ways of pleasantness. The more you know of the blessed Jesus, the more you will find that his yoke is easy, and his burden exceeding light. Go on then, dear Sir: be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and learn to endure hardness like a good soldier. Who knows what the Lord may do by you in the dark parts where you are? Much good has been done among the soldiers in Flanders. What God has done for your soul, I trust is only an earnest of what he intends to do for others in St. Helena. I salute your companion very heartily. I wish you both much prosperity in the Lord. You shall have the prayers of as many as I can engage for you. Remember our Lord’s promise. Where there are only two or three gathered together in his name, there is he in the midst of them. Though you have not public ordinances, yet if the God of ordinances be with you, there will be no room for complaint. If I can any way be instrumental of promoting the blessed work begun among you, you may readily command, dear Sir,

Your most affectionate friend and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXVII.

To Mrs. E――.

Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748.

Dear Madam,

ALTHOUGH I fear it may be taking too much freedom, yet as I humbly hope that the love of God is shed abroad in your heart, I trust you will not be offended at my sending you these few lines. They are lines of joy; for who can help rejoicing that hears what the blessed Jesus hath done for your soul? O Madam, how much are you indebted to that grace which hath made such difference between you and others. To see any one converted is a miracle. But to see a rich person, one of the mighty, one of the noble converted, is yet a greater. May the Lord Jesus add more of your rank to his church, such as shall be saved! Never fear, Madam; all things are possible to the glorious Emmanuel. Let him but speak the word, and great shall be the numbers of new creatures. I hope this will find you in good health, and upon the full stretch for him who was stretched and bled upon the cross for you. Great multitudes in Scotland flock to hear. Some of my spiritual children, I hear, are gone to heaven, and others come to me, telling what God did for their souls when I was here last. I desire to cast my crown before the Lamb; I desire always to be crying out, “Why me, Lord, why me?” In about a fortnight I purpose setting out for London. I lead a moving life. In heaven I shall have rest enough. Blessed be God for giving us to enter into a little of that rest even here! That you may daily increase in faith, and consequently enjoy more and more of this rest, is the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,

Your most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXVIII.

To some devout Soldiers.

Glasgow, Sept. 29, 1748.

My dear Brethren,

IT gave me no small satisfaction, when I was lately at Edinburgh, to hear that several of you were enabled to behave like good soldiers of Jesus Christ. I rejoice greatly that you are made partakers of his grace, and I earnestly intreat the Lord of all Lords that you may grow and increase in it day by day. This is the christian’s duty. He must forget the things that are behind; he must press forward towards the things which are before; he must not stop, till he arrives at the mark of the prize of his high calling. I trust, my dear brethren, you are all thus minded; and that whatever befals you, you will, through divine assistance, hold on and hold out to the end. If I can be any way serviceable to you, be not backward to send to me. I hear of others of your profession, that have lately enlisted under the banner of the ever-blessed Redeemer. Happy they! happy you! You have a good captain, a good cause, good armour, and an exceeding great reward. That you may at all times quit yourselves like men, and be strong; that you may fight the good fight of faith, and at length lay hold on life eternal is the hearty prayer of, my dear Brethren,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCLXXXIX.

To the Countess of H――.

Sept. 29, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

AM I not too troublesome in writing to your Ladyship so frequently? I fear I am; and yet I am afraid to break your Ladyship’s command, “Write weekly.” Blessed be God, I can yet send your Ladyship word that the glorious Emmanuel is with me, and countenances my poor administrations. I have met with some unexpected rubs, but not one more then was absolutely necessary to humble my proud heart. “O my blessed Redeemer, when shall I learn of thee to be meek and lowly! Thou alone, O Lamb of God, canst teach me. Sanctify all thy dispensations to this end, and give me always to lie at thy feet.” There, honoured Madam, I am safe: There I believe this letter will find your Ladyship.—May you every moment hear the Redeemer’s voice, and be built up continually in your most holy faith. In about a fortnight I purpose leaving Scotland. Several things concur to make me believe that it was right for me to come here. Particulars your Ladyship may expect at my return to town. In the mean while, I recommend your Ladyship, and your dear offspring, with your whole houshold, to the care of the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, and am, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCXC.

To Dr. H――.

Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748.

My dear Doctor,

YESTERDAY with great satisfaction I received your kind letter. Being in Scotland, I cannot as yet have the pleasure of seeing Captain T――; but, God willing, I shall enquire him out at my return to London. The God of the seas and the God of the dry land has brought me safe to my native country; since which I have written to you and many others, and left two boxes of books for my dear Bermudas friends, to be sent the first opportunity. Although God is pleased to smile upon my poor administrations, and very great multitudes flock to hear both in England and Scotland, yet I have thoughts of seeing Bermudas again next year. But I dare not determine. Future things belong to God. Glory be to his great name for sending me to Bermudas at all! Glory be to his great name, that you, my dear Sir, are striving to enter at the streight gate of a sound conversion. I hope you will never cease striving, till you know that your Redeemer liveth.—Neither the greatness nor number of your sins can keep you from this unspeakable privilege, if you believe on the Lord Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. Come to the Father in and through him, and you, even you shall be made more than conqueror. Ere this can reach you, I hope you will have received redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of your sins. When you experience this, O how will you rejoice with joy unspeakable, even with joy that is full of glory! You will then have an heaven upon earth. Sin shall not have dominion over you. It shall not reign in your mortal body. My dear Mr. H――, whilst I am musing on, and writing about this blessed change, this present salvation, the fire kindles. I love you with a peculiar love. I travail in birth till Jesus Christ be formed in your dear heart. O do not backslide. Study to improve the light and grace already received. “To him that hath shall be given,” and he shall have abundance. But I forget myself. Busy as I am, I must, you see, write a long letter. Pray return my hearty love to your dear wife, Mrs. H――’s mother in law, &c. &c. May grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you all! I hope you will omit no opportunity of writing to, my very dear Friend,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXCI.

To Mr. A――.

Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748.

Dear Mr. A――,

I Am not disappointed of my hope. I thought the Lord Jesus had begun a good work in your soul before I left the Bermudas. Your welcome letter confirmed me in this opinion. I received it with joy. Though I wrote to you not long ago, yet I must answer yours immediately. And what shall I say? May I not welcome you into the world of new creatures? May I not hope that there has been joy in heaven over you, even you, my dear Man, repenting and turning unto God, even a God in Christ? Surely I may. And what then does the Lord now require of you, now he hath shewn you that good thing, the pardon of your sins, through a once crucified but now exalted Redeemer? Will you not, out of a principle of gratitude, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God? Methinks I hear you say, “I will, I will through the Lord Jesus Christ strengthening me.”—And he will strengthen you.—He has promised, that as our day is so shall our strength be.—Despised you must be, and your name shall be cast out as evil; but the glorious Redeemer will enable you to go without the camp, and cause you to rejoice when loaded with his sacred reproach. “Increase and multiply,” must now be your motto. Strive as much as in you lies, by your life and conversation, to win others to the blessed God. The eyes of men and angels will now be upon you. May the Lord enable you to walk circumspectly to those that are without. I hope your wife and all your relations will join in going to heaven with you. I return them my most hearty love, and pray that they may be filled with all the fulness of God. You will join in praying me over to the Bermudas again. I suppose Dr. H―― will shew you his letter. Remember me in the kindest manner to all, and accept this as a token of love unfeigned, from, dear Mr. A――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXCII.

To Mr. D――.

Glasgow, Oct. 1, 1748.

My very dear Friend,

WHO is like unto God, who makes his creatures extremity, the opportunity to help them? Your kind letter hath confirmed the news of the death of Mrs. B――, and of her leaving me a legacy of a hundred pounds. Well! though she is gone, yet I shall meet her at the great day, when the Lord Jesus shall remember this and all her other works of faith, and labours which have proceeded from love. I am glad she has left such an executor; I doubt not of your taking care of my interest. Your love is founded upon the rock of ages, and so is mine; for indeed I love you and yours in the bowels of the dear Redeemer. I know you will be glad to hear of my prosperity in this work. Indeed God makes way for his own gospel. Many come to me, telling me what the Lord did by me the last time I was in Scotland, and also the time before. Congregations are very large. I am pressed to stay three or four days more than I intended. Some that were prejudiced, have had their prejudices removed, and I believe will be greater friends than ever. O that I was humble and thankful! I have good news from Bermudas. I return you and yours love and thanks. I desire to be remembered to dear Mrs. ―― and every inquiring friend. As I need them so much, I hope none will cease putting up earnest prayers in behalf of, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXCIII.

To Mr. S――.

Glasgow, Oct. 3, 1748.

My dear Sir,

I Thank you for your kind letter. I am so ill with a hoarseness and cold, and in straining to reach large congregations, that I must send you but a short answer. The depending upon Christ’s immediate teachings, without making use of books and proper means of instruction, you may assure yourself is a terrible temptation. It is the very quintessence of enthusiasm, and will lay you open to a thousand delusions. “Give thyself to reading,” says Paul to Timothy. If thou cannot think of being a Latin, strive to be an English scholar. At my return I will endeavour to assist you. At present I am quite ill; but I am afraid I shall not be able to leave Scotland in less than a fortnight. You must remember me to all. The Lord Jesus has appeared for me. Particulars expect to hear another time.

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXCIV.

To Mr. ――.

Glasgow, Oct. 5, 1748.

Very dear Sir,

I Received yours this morning; though I am engaged this evening, yet I think it my duty to send you an immediate answer. You might well inform, and almost assure, my Lord of Exeter, that I knew nothing of the printing of his Lordship’s pretended charge, or of the pamphlets occasioned by it. When the former was sent to me in manuscript from London to Bristol, as his Lordship’s production, I immediately said, it could not be his. When I found it printed, I spoke to the officious printer who did it out of his own head, and blamed him very much. When I saw the pamphlet, I was still more offended; repeatedly in several companies I urged the injustice as well as imprudence thereof, and said it would produce what it did, I mean a declaration from his Lordship, that he was no Methodist. I am sorry his Lordship had such an occasion given him to declare his aversion to what is called Methodism; and though I think his Lordship in his declaration hath been somewhat severe concerning some of the Methodist leaders; yet I cannot blame his Lordship for saying, “that he thought some of them were worse than ignorant and misguided,” supposing that his Lordship had sufficient proof, that they either caused to be printed, or wrote again when printed, a charge which his Lordship had never owned nor published. If you think proper, dear Sir, you may let his Lordship see the contents of this. I will only add, that I wish a way could be found out, whereby his Lordship and other of the Right Reverend the Bishops, might converse with some of us. Many mistakes might thereby be rectified, and perhaps his Lordship’s sentiments in some degree altered. If this cannot be effected (I speak only for myself,) I am content to wait till we all appear before the great shepherd and bishop of souls. In the mean while, I heartily pray, that their Lordships may be blessed with all spiritual blessings, and wishing you the like mercies, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Your affectionate, obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCXCVI.

To Mr. B――.

Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748.

My dear Sir,

LAST night, after wondering at your being silent so long, I received your wished-for letter. The reading it brought tears from my eyes. I felt for you, and for your father, and for all parties concerned. How lovingly does the Lord deal with you? Is not the way of duty the way of safety? Should you not both agree to let matters lie as they are, and not go one step farther till you know your father’s mind? You have given him your word; you must not go back. My affair came to as near a crisis, and yet I was called to sacrifice my Rachael. It may not be so with you. But prepare for the worst. Assure yourself, that your present passion, at least as to the excess of it, is sinful. If all is right, why such uneasiness for such a small space of time? Why such a long eclipse in the soul? Alas! B――’s has been almost total. I hope you are now coming out of it. Thanks be to that Jesus, who has promised “that we shall not be tempted above what we are able to bear,” but will with the temptation make a way to escape. You see, my dear man, my love by my sympathy and plainness. Pray remember me to your aged father in the kindest manner. Dear old man! he is worthy of your greatest regard. His account of the legacy is true.—Yes, my dear friend, the Lord Jesus does reign indeed, and therefore I shall be delivered out of all my troubles. You will give thanks in my behalf. He has appeared for me here. Congregations have been very large, and several things have concurred to prove that providence did indeed call me to Scotland. I would not but have come for the world. Last night I came hither from Glasgow, and thought to leave this place as next Tuesday, but perhaps it may be the Tuesday following. I fear I cannot write to any more this post. But whether I write or not, whether absent or present, you must always remember me, as

Your assured friend, and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCXCVII.

To Mr. W――.

Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748.

Reverend and dear Sir,

THOUGH I have not written to you, yet not one day hath passed since my being this time in Scotland, without my thinking of you. The love and respect I owe you, as an aged minister of Jesus Christ, will not suffer me to be silent any longer. How do you, reverend Sir? I doubt not but you find that promise true, “The righteous shall bring forth much fruit in old age.” This leaves me, though faint, yet pursuing, and resolved, in the blessed Jesus, to spend and be spent in the blessed cause wherein I have embarked. Indeed, when I consider my blunders, mistakes, and imprudencies, I wonder the glorious Emmanuel does not lay me aside; but his grace is like himself, infinite and eternal. I hope he has given me a sight of, and humbled me for some of my mistakes; and I trust as I grow in years, if I am to live longer, I shall grow in knowledge and every christian virtue. Reverend and dear Sir, be pleased to pray for me. I do not forget you, though perhaps you may judge otherwise. O for heaven! There christian ministers shall see eye to eye.—But I must not weary you. In a few days I suppose you will hear what has happened in the West. Dear Mr. M―― perhaps may acquaint you with particulars. With this, I send you a few of my last accounts of the Orphan-house. You may dispose of them as you think proper. When you see Mr. B―― or R――, or any of the ministers that were friendly to me, be pleased to remember me to them in the most respectful manner. I hope Mrs. W―― and your whole houshold enjoy much of Him whose presence is better than life. I earnestly entreat the Lord to fill you with all his fulness, and beg leave to subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCXCVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. E――.

Edinburgh, Oct. 12, 1748.

Reverend and dear Sir,

BY the providence of a good and gracious God, I came hither last night, after having preached at Falkirk in the morning. Mr. A―― behaved very kindly. Mr. N―― has Mr. M――’s letter. I am to see him at five this evening. On Tuesday next, God willing, I intend preaching for Mr. G――, and to leave Scotland the Tuesday following. In the mean while you may write what you please. But whither am I going? Let God direct. Let my name be forgotten, let me be trodden under the feet of all men, if Jesus may thereby be glorified. I wish you or Mr. M―― would write a line to Mr. W――; I would not have any good, though mistaken man, uneasy upon my account. Well! In heaven all will be over. When I meet you there, I will thank you for all the pains you have taken with, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCXCIX.

To the Countess of H――n.

Edinburgh, Oct. 15, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

THOUGH it is late and nature calls for rest, yet I cannot with satisfaction close my eyes unless I write once more to your Ladyship: and what shall I say? I am the chief of sinners, and the Lord Jesus magnifies his grace in being long suffering and infinitely bountiful unto me. At Glasgow he has magnified his strength in my weakness, and out of the eater hath brought forth meat. Next week I purpose, God willing, to send your Ladyship the substance of a long debate about poor unworthy me, in the synod of Glasgow. Since that, I find the presbytery of Perth (I mean the new-fashioned part of it) has made an act against employing me. Ill-nature shews itself here, but I feel the benefit of it. Congregations are large, and I am enabled to preach with greater power, and feel unspeakable great comfort in my own soul. My hoarseness is quite gone off, my bodily health much repaired, and if my enemies shew themselves, I am persuaded the blessed Jesus will bless me to his people more and more.—Some give out, that I am employed by the government to preach against the Pretender; and the Seceders are very angry with me for not preaching up the Scotch Covenant. Blessed be God, I preached up the covenant of grace, and I trust many souls are taught to profit. The inclosed, dear Madam, will shew your Ladyship a little how I have been dealt with. Particulars your Ladyship shall have when the Lord is pleased to bring me to London. Next Tuesday sevennight I am to leave Scotland. Lady Mary H――, Lord L―― and Lady F―― beg their compliments may be presented to your Ladyship. Many in Scotland pray most earnestly for you, and Mr. R―― intends writing your Ladyship a letter. I pray for you, honoured Madam, continually. I am quite happy in Him who died upon the cross to save me. I believe he will deliver me out of all; and if I die for him, so that I am not suffered to deny him, it will exceedingly please, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCC.

To the Same.

Topcliff, Nov. 1, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

THUS far has a gracious and good God brought me in my way to London, which I hope to reach some time next week. Your Ladyship may expect to see me the next day I come to town. Thanks be to the Lord of all Lords for directing my way to Scotland. I have reason to believe some have been awakened, and many, many quickened and comforted. My old friends are more solidly so than ever, and a foundation I trust has been laid for doing much good, if ever the Lord should call me thither again. Two synods and one presbytery brought me upon the carpet; but all has worked for good. The more I was blackened, the more the Redeemer comforted me. I desire to cry, Grace! grace!

At present I add no more, but my most dutiful respects to your Ladyship, and with hearty prayers for your temporal and eternal welfare, I beg leave to subscribe myself,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCI.

To Mr. R――.

Topcliff, Nov. 1, 1748.

My dear Friend,

HERE, with thankfulness of heart, will I set up my Ebenezer; for hitherto assuredly hath the Lord helped me. We reached Fetton on Saturday night. There being no public worship on the Lord’s-day, I came on to Morpeth to worship there; got to Ferry-hill on Monday evening, and to-night am writing at Topcliff. Though I do not preach, yet I hope I am preparing for it. Reading, prayer, and meditation are three necessary ingredients. Riding, and getting proper rest, have recruited me; but I am apt to believe I have strained myself inwardly. I feel sensible pain in my breath.—But no matter; it is for a good master, who bore inexpressible pain for me.

I could write much, but my body calls for rest. My very dear Sir, good night. May the Lord of all lords reward you, and my other dear honoured friends, a thousand-fold. I intend writing to more very soon. In the mean while, pray present my sincerest respect and thanks to all. Inclosed you have Mr. M――’s letter and my answer. Be pleased to shew what Mr. M―― and Mr. ―― writes, and let them tell you how the affair between them was. I know you will act as a peace-maker. That the God of peace and love may dwell and rule in your dear heart, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear friend,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCII.

To the Honourable Lady D――.

Wantsworth (Northamptonshire), Nov. 5, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

THOUGH I am now eighty miles from London, yet gratitude, and the unfeigned respect I bear to you and yours, will not suffer me to go any further, without sending your Ladyship my repeated acknowledgments for your very many and repeated favours. Your kindnesses, when last at Edinburgh, were indeed surprizing. They have often humbled me, and as often led me to the throne of grace in behalf of your Ladyship and honoured family. May the promise made to those who are not ashamed of Christ, his gospel, and ministers, descend upon you all! O that you may have grace given you to shine as lights in the world, and to dare to be singularly good, since it is too apparent that we live in a wicked and adulterous generation. Honoured Madam, let us look up: as our day is, so shall our strength be. All things are possible to those that believe. May the Lord Jesus evermore give your Ladyship and children a large share of precious, purifying, operative faith! This is the earnest desire of my soul. Upon this I could enlarge, but travelling wearies me. Thanks be to God, I have that place in view, where the weary are at rest. In a post or two I purpose writing to my Lord B――, his honoured lady, &c. I never forget any of them. They have my constant prayers and most cordial respects. Be pleased to accept the same, honoured Madam, from

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCIII.

To Lady ――.

London, Nov. 10, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

I Wrote a line to dear Mr. R――, when about the middle of my journey. I must write a line to you, now the Lord of all lords hath brought me to the end of it. I trust I can say, Jesus was with me on the way. My health was sensibly improved; but, by sitting up late to preach, I am grown little sick again. Good Lady H―― is come to town, and I am to preach at her Ladyship’s house twice a week to the Great and Noble. O that some of them may effectually be called, and taste of the riches of redeeming love! I need not inform your Ladyship, that this, and this alone, can give true rest and peace to any soul. You have felt the beginnings of it. May you experience an increase of it more and more. I desire my most tender and affectionate respects may find acceptance with dear Mr. R――, and with all who are pleased to honour me with their acquaintance. That grace, mercy, and peace may be multiplied upon you, is the continual prayer of, honoured madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCIV.

To Lord R――.

London, Nov. 10, 1748.

My Lord,

I Believe I am not mistaken, in thinking that your Lordship will not be offended with me for sending you a short letter. It is the effect of that unfeigned love I bear to your honoured father, yourself, and that dear and honourable family with which your Lordship is now so closely allied. And what shall I say? Can I wish your Lordship any thing greater, than that you may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. It is a blessed thing to be engaged in fighting his battles; and not only to be almost, but altogether a christian. It is this half-way religion that undoes the professing world. The heart can never be at unity with itself, till it is wholly centered in God. This can only be done by faith in Jesus Christ; and when once a soul begins to taste of this faith, then that soul’s heaven begins on earth. I trust I can say this by happy experience. I wish your Lordship a very large share of it; and with hearty acknowledgments for all favours, beg leave, to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most obedient, obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCV.

To Lady Mary H――.

London, Nov. 10, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

THOUGH absent from, yet I am not unmindful of you. The regard your Ladyship has been pleased to shew to a poor unworthy worm, calls for and claims my sincerest and most repeated acknowledgments. This letter brings them, and shall be followed, honoured Madam, as the Lord enables, with fervent prayers for your temporal and eternal welfare. O that you may be enabled to make a stand this winter for the Lord Jesus, and not in the least countenance any of those diversions that have already brought religion so low in poor Scotland! I need not inform your Ladyship, what a blessed thing it is to be singularly good, and to be consistent in our whole walk and conversation. To be uniform, and all of a piece, is the very life of a christian. It is this, and not a compliance with the polite world in any of their fooleries, that will gain proselytes to Jesus Christ. I could enlarge on this head, but I am persuaded it is needless for your Ladyship. The glorious Jesus hath let you see too much of his love, for you ever to be taken up with any thing short of his own eternal life! That he may knit your heart yet closer to himself, he is pleased to visit you with crosses. They are the christian’s portion, honoured madam: They are the believer’s birthright. “In the world you shall have tribulation;” but what follows? “Be not afraid, I have overcome the world.” Look, therefore, to Him, honoured madam, who, as he hath been the author, will also be the finisher of your faith. That you may increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, honoured madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCVI.

To the Rev. Mr. M――.

London, Nov. 10, 1748.

Reverend and dear Sir,

OUR bountiful and good God brought me here in safety the beginning of this week. I have already waited upon, and preached at good Lady H――’s. About thirty have desired to come, and I suppose they will bring thirty more. I have heard of two or three more dear christians among the Great Ones. I know you will pray the Lord of all lords to increase the number. Her Ladyship hath a great regard for all those in Scotland, who stand up for vital religion. She intends to send you down the picture of poor Aaron the late negroe preacher. I find the public papers give strange lying accounts of my reception in Scotland. At present, blessed be the glorious Jesus, I am content to be blackened. I send you my repeated thanks for all favours; and, with hearty love to dear Mr. G――, your family, and all friends, I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, obliged, though unworthy younger brother and servant in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCCVII.

To the Reverend Mr. S――.

London, Nov. 12, 1748.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

BY my not hearing from you with my wife’s letter, I suspect you are not yet reconciled to my leaving America, though but for a season. Every thing concurs to prove that I have done the will of God. As I am streightened in time, I will refer you to the inclosed, which I desire you will read, seal, and send. Here are loud calls; but I think to come over to you again next year. Pray write to me. I will endeavour to answer you. I wrote to you lately from Scotland. Not a day passes, but I think of you and my other Charles-Town friends. I intend to write to you very soon. In the mean time, be pleased to remember me to all in the most tender manner. Ere this can reach you, I expect to see my wife in England. I purpose to persuade her to settle here. I want to make the Orphan-house a seminary of learning. If some such thing be not done, I cannot see how the Southern parts will be provided with ministers. All are afraid to come over. May the Lord Jesus direct me. I believe he will. Pray remember me to Mr. Z――, Mr. O――, &c. if with you. I have not time at present, or otherwise they should have a line from, reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCCVIII.

To the Countess of H――.

London, Nov. 14, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

THE inclosed brings good news from a far country. The person’s mother belongs to the Tabernacle society: I lay at his house when in Virginia; but he and others went to cards, I thought on purpose to affront me. We retired to prayers for him. I hope they were heard. Your Ladyship will be pleased to let me have the letter again; as likewise that I sent to your Ladyship from Scotland, from one Capt. K. of St. Helena. Your Ladyship shall have copies of them all. I am getting the New-England Christian History, and Bishop Hall’s Works in folio, bound for your Ladyship. I find there has been a great stir in the synod of Edinburgh about unworthy me. Mr. W――, Mr. J――, Mr. R―― W――, have protested against their proceedings, and appeared quite hearty. Your Ladyship wrote to Mr. R――. A word or two of encouragement now from your Ladyship, would strengthen the hands of these ministers of Christ. I hear the affair is to come before the assembly next May. News also was brought me last night, that the negroes are allowed by the trustees for Georgia. If so, that province, under God, will flourish. Blessed be God, I am more hearty than I have been for a long season. I hope to be enabled to preach here on Sunday evening, and to come and preach at your Ladyship’s afterwards. Last night the gospel was indeed preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. I was shewing the dignity of a christian, and in what sense christians were kings. The King of kings was amongst us. When I hear or receive any thing that is new and good, I naturally inform your Ladyship of it, because I believe it will give your Ladyship satisfaction. I hope your new house is agreeable to your Ladyship. That the Redeemer’s glory may fill it, and that it may prove a gate of heaven to many of the rich and great, is the earnest prayer of, honoured madam,

Your Ladyship’s, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCIX.

To the Honourable Lady T――.

London, Nov. 19, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

WHEN I was lately in Scotland, Col. G――ly wrote me word, that your Ladyship was pleased to desire my poor prayers. Before his writing, they had been put up to the throne of grace in behalf of your Ladyship very frequently; and I would then have written to your Ladyship, had I not feared it would have been making too free. Yesterday good Lady H――n informed me that your Ladyship was ill. Had I judged it proper, I would have waited upon your Ladyship this morning. But I was cautious of intruding. However, the regard I bear to your Ladyship, constrains me to inform your Ladyship, that my heart’s desire and prayer to God is, that this sickness may not be unto death, but to his glory, and the present and eternal good of your better part, your precious and immortal soul. This, no doubt, is the end of afflictions: God’s name and nature is Love. He cannot, therefore, chastise us for any other purpose, than that we may be made partakers of his holiness.—Every cross and disappointment, every degree of pain, brings this important call with it, “My son, my daughter, give me thy heart.” O that your Ladyship’s soul may echo back, “My heart, Lord Jesus, will I give.” O that from a feeling, spiritual, abiding sense of the vanity and emptiness of all created good, you may, in a holy resentment, cry out,

Then, and not till then, will your Ladyship’s mind be at unity with itself. Then, and not till then, will your Ladyship, upon truly rational principles, with chearfulness wait for the approach of death, and the coming of the Lord from heaven. It is faith in Jesus, a true and living faith in the Son of God, that can alone bring present, real peace, and lay a solid foundation for future and eternal comfort. I cannot wish your Ladyship any thing greater, any thing more noble, than a large share of this precious faith: and a large, yea a very large share, is the glorious Redeemer ready to give to all that sincerely ask for, and seek after it. He waits to be gracious. He giveth liberally; he upbraideth not. When, like Noah’s dove, we have been wandering about in a fruitless search after happiness, and have found no rest for the sole of our feet, he is ready to reach out his merciful hand, and receive us into his ark. This hand, honoured madam, is he reaching out to you. May you be constrained to give your heart entirely to him, and thereby enter into that rest which remains for the happy, though despised people of God. But whither am I going? I forget that your Ladyship is indisposed, and I almost a stranger to you. I will only make this apology: “The love of Jesus constrains me.” Hoping, therefore, your Ladyship will excuse the freedom I have here taken, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCX.

To the Reverend Mr. P――.

London, Nov. 19, 1748.

Reverend and dear Sir,

IT is a concern to me, that I cannot write to more of my New-England friends than I do; for indeed a multiplicity of business renders a more frequent correspondence impracticable. However, I would willingly send you, dear Sir, a few lines. They are lines of love, and bring you news of my being better in health than I have been for many years last past. Several things have concurred to prove it was the divine will I should return this time to my native country. Matters were in great confusion by reason of Mr. C――’s going over to the Moravians; but blessed be God, we are now easy at the Tabernacle, and the word falls with weight and power. In Scotland the Lord Jesus was pleased to appear for me; I found no diminution in respect to the number of hearers; and, I believe, (thanks be to free grace) my preaching was more acceptable than ever to God’s people, and to those ministers who were pleased formerly to own and encourage me. Some of the opposite party begun a like stir with that which was made in New-England by Dr. C――, &c. but I believe it will only make the people more eager to hear, and in the end be productive of great good. Our Lord orders all things well. I never enjoyed more settled peace and joy than now. I trust he has given me to see many things that were wrong, and withal a disposition to confess and amend them. At present, this is the language of my heart:

I suppose you will be acquainted with particulars by some of my dear friends from Scotland. In all probability I shall go to Scotland again in the Spring; and, in the latter end of the year, I propose embarking for America. But future things belong to God. Thanks be to his great name, I am willing to go any where, so that I may but glorify the dear Redeemer. Ere this reaches you, doubtless you will have heard of his giving me favour in the sight of Lady H――n, a Lady as good as she is great. Two or three among the great, I trust have been made the happy subjects of redeeming love. I have heard lately also of the conversion of two or three clergymen; there is likewise a great awakening in Ireland, and in Wales the work goes on. Upon the whole, I believe the gospel is getting ground, and next spring, when it is proper to range about and preach in the fields, I hope to see yet greater things. I repeat my old request, reverend and dear brother, “Pray for us.” I continually pray for you, and the people committed to your charge. I wish you and yours an increase of blessings, and beg leave to subscribe myself, Reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCXI.

To the Rev. Mr. L――.

London, Nov. 19, 1748.

My very dear Brother,

WORDS cannot well express what I felt when your welcome letter came to hand. It drew me to my knees; it made me shed tears of joy, and with two or three of my dear friends I was enabled to wrestle for you at the throne of grace. Blessed, for ever blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for opening your eyes, and giving you such an experimental and soul-ravishing knowledge of the doctrine of grace. No wonder that people take notice of you. I hope the fame thereof, as it hath reached heaven, will also be spread abroad upon the earth, and thro’ the thanksgivings of thousands redound to the glory of God. I think it a happiness, that you are surrounded with many souls that have indeed tasted that the Lord is gracious, and consequently will be fed with the sincere milk of the word, now communicated to them, under God, by you. Now, my dear friend will you begin to live, now will you begin to preach indeed. Go on in the name of Jesus, and as Paul did, so shall you, “increase with all the increase of God.” Glad shall I be to give you all the assistance that lies in my power. Henry on the Scriptures will now suit your taste, and Jenks upon the Righteousness of Christ might do you immediate service. Flavel’s Sermons would be food for you, and Boston upon the Covenant, and his fourfold State, I believe would delight you. Bishop Hall’s Contemplations are excellent, Bishop Hopkins and Beveridge will do for you, and indeed almost all the writers a century ago. The doctrines you now preach are no new doctrines; you are now got into the good old way. May the Lord keep and succeed you in it, ever more and more. I believe he will. I could say more, but I expect another letter from you before I come down. Lady H―― is rejoiced to hear of you. I read part of your letter to her last night before I preached. Some of the great ones hear the gospel gladly. That you may be made a very great blessing to thousands and ten thousands, is the hearty prayer of, my dear Mr. L――,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXII.

To the Rev. Mr. P――.

London, Nov. 21, 1748.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

I Was glad to hear, by a letter sent by Mr. R――, that you had been in New-England. I hoped you would have come further, even to Old England and Scotland. I have been endeavouring in Scotland to do all the service I could to the Indian school and the New-Jersey college whilst I was there; but I believe nothing will be done to purpose unless you or some other popular minister come over, and make an application in person. In all probability, a collection might then be recommended by the general assembly, which sits next May, and large contributions be raised among private persons that wish well to Zion. If one of the Indians was brought over with the minister, and a proposal made to educate some of the late awakened Indians in the New-Jersey college, it would certainly be of service. Mr. M―― and several other faithful ministers are hearty in the affair; but I believe will do nothing, unless you or some other such like minister come over. Probably I shall be in Scotland next spring again. God has been pleased to countenance me there; and some of the clergy, in order to stop my progress, have followed Dr. C――y’s example. But if God be for us, who can be against us? Thanks be to his holy name, I am kept quite chearful in soul, and healthy in my body. Blessed be God, the word falls with weight, and I hear of several brought under fresh convictions. A clergyman or two have been lately converted, and there is a great awakening in Ireland. I shall be glad to hear that New-York is full of new creatures. I beg that my most cordial respects and love may find acceptance with all my dear friends, and am, reverend and dear Sir,

Ever yours,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXIII.

To Mr. E――.

Gloucester, Dec. 5, 1748.

Dear Mr. E――,

WHY no letter from you all this while? I have written to you several times. Lately I sent a case full of divers things for Bethesda. When I return to London, I purpose to send more. I hear that my wife hath lessened the family; but how it stands now, I cannot expect to know for a certainty till I see her. I expect her daily, though I am apt to believe she will not embark till she sees Betty W――. I hope ere now you have welcomed her to Bethesda in the name of the Lord. I expect to be over with you again by this time twelvemonth. In the mean while, I trust we shall make some better advances towards heaven than we have hitherto done, and be more conformed to the blessed and glorious Jesus. Thanks be to his great name, he continues to deal bountifully with me. I am pretty well in health, and hope to hear that you are so. I send you all my blessing, and am

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCXV.

To the Countess of H――.

Bristol, Dec. 10, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

THOUGH I am afraid of taking too much freedom, yet the duty I owe to your Ladyship constrains me to send you a few lines from hence. I came hither last night, after having preached five times in Gloucester, and once in Gloucestershire. The glorious Emmanuel pleased to shine upon my administrations, and many told me they received a blessing. The bishop behaved respectfully when I was at sacrament at the cathedral, and my old tutor, Dr. R――, one of the prebendaries, was very cordial when I waited upon him. I told him that my judgment (as I trust) was a little more ripened than it was some years ago, and that as fast as I found out my faults I would be glad to acknowledge them. He said, as I grew moderate, the offence the Governors of the Church had taken against me, would lessen and wear off. Blessed be God, I am pretty easy about that: so that I can but act an honest part, and be kept from trimming, I will, through the divine assistance, leave all consequences to him who orders all things well. Thanks be to his great name, a wonderous change is wrought on Mr. L――. He came to see and hear me at Gloucester: his worldly shackles are dropping off apace, and his feet begin to be set in a large room. The news of his conversion hath reached Mr. W――, who wrote him a long letter; but to send dissuasives to a man that hath seen and felt so much, is like throwing chaff against a brass wall. He begged me to send his duty to your Ladyship when I wrote, as does my brother, at whose house I am. I trust he is coming forwards, and that he will at length fairly shake hands with the world, and act as one alive to God. I think your Ladyship meets with great encouragement. My continual prayer to the blessed Redeemer in your Ladyship’s behalf is, “that your bow may abide in strength, and the arms of your hands be strengthened by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob.” He is the rock of ages. He is the Lord our righteousness. In him is our strength found. Thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for shewing your Ladyship the way to fetch continual strength and supplies from him! I could enlarge, but am streightened in paper. If Mr. C―― hath courage enough, I expect to see him, and then I shall have it in my power to send your Ladyship word how matters stand at Bath. In the mean while, I beg leave with all dutiful respects to subscribe myself, honoured madam.

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXVI.

To Mr. B――.

Bristol, Dec. 12, 1748.

My dear Tommy,

THE love I bear to you, will not suffer me to omit answering your letter the very first opportunity. I find you are in danger of being led into temptation. If only your preparations for business keep you from attending on the word preached, how will it be when you are totally immersed in it? O my dear man, let that promise of our Lord’s be written on the tables of your heart, “seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all those things shall be added unto you.” If you act inconsistent with this, assure yourself your endeavours will be blasted; and God out of love will curse your temporal blessings. But enough of this. I hope a word to the wise is sufficient.—Since I wrote thus far, I have received a letter from good Lady H――n, desiring I would come up to town. I therefore propose to be with you, God willing, by Saturday night, and to preach at the Tabernacle next Sunday. Be pleased to apprize all friends of it. If you are at the tabernacle-house on Saturday evening, it would be very agreeable to,

Yours, &c. in great haste,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXVII.

To Mr. H―― H――.

London, Dec. 18, 1748.

I Can assure you, my not being able to write to you during my last excursion, has given me much concern. I love to be punctual. Journeying, preaching, and a train of business for the best of masters, has prevented my being so now. I have been at Gloucester, in other parts of Gloucestershire, and at Bristol, where I trust the sound of my Redeemer’s feet was heard behind me. My brother I hope is coming on. I like him better than I have for some years. He greatly regards you, and intends answering your kind letters. I proposed his meeting you here. What do you think of it? He likes it well. I wrote for him to come up next week. I expect to know by Wednesday or Thursday. If you could be here on a Lord’s day, or a Thursday, you might see our assembly at the other end of the town. I trust, abiding good will be done among some at least of the rich and great. I thank you a thousand times for your advice in respect to my health.—For near these two months past, my usual reachings have left me. I find that keeping from too much fatigue, under God, must be my cure. I will endeavour to keep within bounds every way. I have shewed the doctor’s letter to Lady H――, but she is of opinion, the journals as now corrected ought to be reprinted. In the multitude of councils there is safety; the language of my heart is,

O that my zeal may increase with prudence. I have had too little of both. I am now thirty-four years of age, and alas! how little have I done and suffered for Him, who has done and suffered so much for me! Thanks be to his great name, for countenancing my poor administrations so much! I know not how it is, but perhaps it may be to display the riches of free grace, that notwithstanding the first zeal of most, I might add, all men of God, is generally mixed with much wildfire, yet their first times have been generally blest most, especially for awakening and converting souls. Blessed be our good God that Mr. H―― is coming out. May the Lord Jesus make him a spiritual father to thousands! I smiled when you said, he would avoid the name of Methodist, if he could. Alas, my dear man, he might as soon think to wash a blackmoor white. The Methodists are now as it were a skreen for others. Formerly, if a person was serious, or preached Christ, he was termed a Puritan, now he is a Methodist: But do you go on as you are able to bear it. Opposition shall follow you; without it, be as prudent as you will, your sincerity towards God and love for souls cannot be evidenced. Self, love of praise, and love of the world, must come down. Our Lord always does this, by way of sufferings inward or outward, or rather by both. One Mr. L―― of Gloucestershire, whom Mr. H―― knows, though he has begun to preach Christ but lately, yet is already warned to leave his cure. Our Lord will provide for him. He is a new creature indeed. I do not blame you for your conduct towards Mrs. D――. She is a good woman, and I believe thirsts for the Redeemer’s glory. I wish she would not write so much. And what shall I say more? I hope you have had enough from me now. My very dear Sir, when am I to hear that you are a preacher of Christ crucified? I long for the time, and earnestly pray that you may be freed from worldly hopes and worldly fears: for till then, I cannot believe a man, let his other accomplishments be ever so great, will be much owned and blessed by the great head of the church. I should be glad to know what my Lord of Exeter said. I thank the Lord of all Lords for giving you so much encouragement. Let this excite you to press forwards, and never fear what man or devils say of, or can do unto you. Dear, very dear Sir, my heart is enlarged towards you. I thank you, for remembering an unworthy worm before him who is the great high-priest and blessed apostle of our profession. As he enables, I shall return the favour, being, for his great name’s sake, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXVIII.

To the Rev. Mr. H――.

London, December 18, 1748.

Reverend and dear Sir,

THOUGH I am not personally acquainted with you, yet I owe you much love. Thanks be to our great high Priest for giving you such light and heat, and enabling you to preach among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of redeeming love. Earth and hell will be up in arms against you; your own mother’s children will soon be angry with you, and many of the members of that church of which you are a minister, whenever you preach her doctrine with power and purity, will think it doing God’s service to cast you out. Thus it has been, thus it will be in all ages, so long as those two seeds of the woman and the serpent remain struggling in this lower world. Welcome, welcome dear Sir, into the field of battle! Now the common people will hear you gladly. Now the self-righteous will speak all manner of evil against you. I am told the corporation have rejected you for preaching Christ crucified. I wish you joy. May you, like blessed Paul, increase the more in strength, and be made a spiritual father to thousands! Excuse this freedom from one who loves you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I thank you for your intended interview. Could no way be contrived for a private visit? however that be, assure yourself your interest will be much upon my heart, and if you will remember a poor unworthy worm before his throne, whose compassions fail not, you will much oblige, reverend and dear Sir,

Your most affectionate brother and servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXIX.

To Doctor D――.

London, Dec. 21, 1748.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

GLAD was I, yea very glad to receive your letter dated November 7th, though it did not reach me till last night. I thank you for it a thousand times. It has led me to the throne of grace, where I have been crying, “Lord, counsel my counsellors, and shew them what thou wouldst have me to do.”—Alas, alas! how can I be too severe against myself, who, Peter like, have cut off so many ears, and by imprudencies mixed with my zeal, have dishonoured the cause of Jesus? I can only look up to him, who healed the high-priest’s servant’s ear, and say, “Lord, heal all the wounds my misguided zeal has given.” Assure yourself, dear Sir, everything I print shall be revised. I always have submitted my poor performances to my friends corrections. Time and experience I find ripen men’s judgments, and make them more solid, rational, and consistent, both in their conduct and writings. O that this may be my case! O that the blessed Jesus may enable me to hold on, and hold out, and keep me from flagging in the latter stages of my road. I thank you, dear Sir, for your solemn charge in respect to my health. Blessed be God, it is much repaired since my return from Scotland, and I trust by observing the rules you prescribe (if I must live) I shall be enabled to declare the works of the Lord. But what shall I say concerning your present trial? shall I wish you joy? Surely I may with great propriety, since an inspired writer hath said, “count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.” But at the same time, reverend Sir, I most earnestly sympathize with you, having had the same trial from the same quarter long ago. The Moravians first divided my family, then my parish at Georgia, and after that the societies which, under God, I was an instrument of gathering. I suppose not less than four hundred, through their practices, have left the tabernacle. But I have been forsaken otherways. I have not had above an hundred to hear me, where I had twenty thousand, and hundreds now assemble within a quarter of a mile of me, who never come to see or speak to me; though they must own at the great day that I was their spiritual father. All this I find but little enough to teach me to cease from man, and to wean me from that too great fondness which spiritual fathers are apt to have for their spiritual children. Thus blessed Paul was served, thus must all expect to be treated who are of Paul’s spirit, and are honoured with any considerable degree of Paul’s success. But I have generally observed, that when one door of usefulness is shut, another opens. Our Lord blesses you, dear Sir, in your writings; nay your people’s treating you as they are now permitted to do, perhaps is one of the greatest blessings you ever received from heaven. May patience have its perfect work, and may you be enabled to sanctify the Lord God in your heart! I know of no other way of dealing with the M――s, than to go on preaching the truth as it is in Jesus, and rest upon that promise, “Every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be plucked up.” Seven years will make a great alteration. I believe their grand design is to extend their occonomy as far as possible. This I believe is now kept up by dint of money, and I am apt to think that the very thing by which they think to establish, will destroy their scheme. John Lapidee went on in the same manner in Maryland. His plan was raised as high, and fell as remarkably. God is a gracious Father, and will not always let his children proceed in a wrong way. Doubtless there are many of his dear little ones in the M――n flock; but many of their principles and practices are exceeding wrong, for which I doubt not our Lord will rebuke them in his own time. But I fear that I weary you. However, dear Sir, I must thank you for your sermon. It contains the very life of preaching, I mean sweet invitations to close with Christ. I do not wonder you are dubbed a Methodist on account of it. As it was designed for the poor, I wish it was cheaper. I think practical books cannot be too reasonable. The poor must have them cheap, and the rich will like them the better for it. And now methinks I hear you say, “But how is it at the other end of the town?” Blessed be God, the prospect is promising. Last Sunday evening I preached to a most brilliant assembly indeed. They expressed great approbation, and some I think begin to feel. Good Lady H――n is indeed a mother in Israel. She is all in a flame for Jesus. You may guess by a word or two in this, that she hath shewn me your last letter. I suppose she will write to you soon. But whither am I running? I quite forget myself. Love makes my pen to move too fast, and too long. Excuse it, dear Sir, and for Jesus’s sake never cease praying for, Reverend and very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCXX.

Dear Mr. T――.

London, Dec. 21, 1748.

HAVE you not thought it unkind, that I answered not your letter before now. You will be pacified when I tell you, that not want of love but leisure hath been the cause of so long a silence. I will now redeem a few moments to pay this debt, and acknowledge a much greater debt of love that I owe, and intend indeed to be always owing to you and yours. Christ alone can pay you. He will. Whatever is done to his ministers, he looks upon as done to himself. What a blessed master do we serve! Thanks be to his great name, he continues to deal lovingly with me. I have been blessed in my late excursion into the country, and likewise since I came to town. The prospect of doing good at least to some of the rich, is very encouraging. I know you will pray, that the foolishness of preaching may be a means of bringing some of them to believe on him who justifies the ungodly. You find, that not gifts but grace, sovereign, all powerful grace alone, can reach the heart. But how is dear Mr. B――? Is he yet fled to the world of spirits? Since the Lord has been pleased to hinder his preaching, I think it was cruel to desire he should stay any longer out of heaven. Doctor Watts is now gone. Blessed be God we shall ere long follow

I am now thirty four years of age. Little did I think of living so long. And yet when I consider how I have lived, shame and confusion cover my face. O my dear Mr. T――, as you are preparing for the ministry, lose not one moment of time, but labour to be always on the stretch for Him, who was stretched on the accursed cross for you. Study books and men, but above all, study your own heart and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Get your heart free from worldly hopes and worldly fears, and you will avoid thousands of those snares, into which young ministers for want of this too often fall. O let the language of your heart be, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world.” You will excuse this freedom. It proceeds from the love I bear you. Be pleased to present my cordial respects to your honoured father, your brother, and all enquiring friends, and accept of the same yourself in the most tender manner, from, my dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXI.

To Mr. B――.

London, Dec. 26, 1748.

My dear Brother,

AS soon as I received your kind letter, I was willing, but till now could not get leisure, to answer it. Accept my thanks, though late, and let the glorious Emmanuel have eternal thanks ascribed unto him, if he has been pleased to work upon your soul by any of my poor writings. Since that, I doubt not but you have experienced much of his love, and know more of God, even a God in Christ, and also of your own heart. In these two things consist all our happiness in time and for eternity. Blessed be his name for calling you to witness the efficacy of his death, and the unsearchable riches of his grace to poor sinners. My dear brother, it is an angelic employ. Go on in the name and strength of Jesus. He will not send you a warfare on your own charges. As your day is so shall your strength be. Only wait upon him, and eternal truth has declared, that you shall mount on wings like an eagle, you shall walk and not be weary, nay run and not be faint. Should providence bring me your way in the Spring, I shall rejoice to see and converse with you, and shall tell all that come in my way, of the present as well as future great salvation that is to be had in Jesus Christ. In the mean while, I entreat you to pray for me, and as enabled you shall be remembered by, my dear Brother,

Your affectionate brother and servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXII.

To Lord B――.

London, Dec. 30, 1748.

My Lord,

I Had the honour of your Lordship’s letter. Gratitude constrains me to send my heartiest acknowledgments. Though absent from, yet I am often present with you. That benign, that sweet disposition of which your Lordship is possessed, must make you appear amiable to all who know you. Add but the christian to it, and then, O then, how happy will your Lordship be! Thanks be to God, that your Lordship begins to feel there is no being happy without real christianity. O that this conviction may be abiding, and that your Lordship may have no rest, till you find it in Him who is the Alpha and Omega, the author and finisher of our faith. He longs to make you happy, he is ready to receive you with open arms. He cries, “My Son, give me thy heart.” To engage you to love him more, he has let you have a worthy lady, who I am persuaded will be glad to go hand in hand to heaven. O that you may both walk in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless. No greater thing can be desired for you at the throne of grace by, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most obedient, obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXIII.

To Lady B――.

London, Dec. 30, 1748.

Honoured Madam,

HAVE you not wondered at my not answering your Ladyship’s kind letter before now? But I am persuaded you are well assured, that a variety of avocations, and multiplicity of business for the best of masters, not want of respect, hath been the cause. My Lady, your family are always upon my heart. My constant desire and prayer to God is, that you all may be filled with all the fulness of God. As my Lord mentions nothing to the contrary, I hope your indisposition is removed, and that the language of your heart is, “what shall I render unto the Lord?” I know that the love of Jesus which you have felt, must necessarily constrain your Ladyship to live to Him, who lived and died upon the accursed tree for you. O how is the power of the Redeemer’s resurrection displayed in Lady H――n. She is a mother in Israel indeed. It would please you to see the assemblies at her Ladyship’s house. They are brilliant ones indeed. The prospect of catching some of the rich in the gospel net is very promising. I know you will wish prosperity in the name of the Lord. But how does good Lady D――, dear Mrs. C――, and Mrs. I――? All, I hope, putting off the old man, and putting on the new with greater earnestness than ever. O that I may begin to be in earnest! I am now thirty-four years of age. Is it not time for me to begin to spend, and be spent, for him who has loved me and given himself for me? I beg your Ladyship’s prayers, and the prayers of all your dear and honoured relations. I send them all my humble and hearty respects, and beg you will accept the same from, my Lady,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXIV.

To Mr. H―― H――.

Chelsea, Jan. 12, 1749.

My dear Brother,

I Can now send you but a few lines. Thanks be to God, that weeping doth not hinder sowing. I think it is cruel to wish our little ones back into this cold world again. Go on, Jesus will be better to you and yours than seven daughters. I hope Mrs. H―― joins with you in saying, “it is well.” But a word or two in answer to the other part of your letter. Cannot you be at Gloucester the 24th of this month? That would be abundantly more convenient for me than the 27th. I would appoint our English meeting at that time, and, God willing, would go with you to Builth, and after that to the west. I am now here waiting for Lord B――ke, and some others, who are coming to hear the glorious gospel. Lord L―― is in town. Our good Lady is going on, and every day increasing her reward in heaven. I have much to say when we meet. When will you leave off being a spiritual rake? For the present, adieu! Pray fail not being at Gloucester. In the mean while, let us ply the throne of grace in behalf of each other, and do you pray that an humble, child-like, obedient heart, may be given to, my very dear fellow-soldier,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXV.

To the Reverend Mr. H――.

Chelsea, Jan. 13, 1749.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

YOUR kind and loving answer to my last poor scrawl, humbled me much before Him who alone worketh all things in and by us. But if he will work, who shall hinder? I trust the language of my heart to the ever-blessed Jesus is this,

You will not be offended if I tell you, that good Lady H――n saw your letter. She was much pleased with it, and has a great regard for you. She goes on from strength to strength. The prospect of doing good to the rich that attend her Ladyship’s house, is very encouraging. I preach twice a week, and yesterday Lord B――ke was one of my auditors. His Lordship was pleased to express very great satisfaction. Who knows what God may do? He can never work by a meaner instrument. O dear Sir, pray for me. I want humility, I want thankfulness, I want a heart continually flaming with the love of God. Blessed be his name for the share imparted to you. May you go on and increase with all the increase of God! I thank you for your kind invitation to your house and pulpit. I would not bring you or any of my friends into difficulties, for owning poor, unworthy, ill and hell deserving me. But if providence should give me a clear call, I should be glad to come your way. I rejoice in the prospect of having some ministers in our church pulpits that dare own a crucified Redeemer. I hope the time will come that many of the priests also shall be obedient to the word, and that of the honourable women there will be not a few. I know you will say Amen. For the present, my dear Sir, adieu. Remember me to the doctor, and Mr. H――, when you write to or see them, and assure yourself of a constant remembrance in the poor but sincere petitions of, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in the best bonds,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXVI.

To Dr. S――.

London, Jan. 17, 1749.

Very dear Sir,

I Received your last kind letter, soon after I had been informing dear Mr. H―― that I did not chuse to bring my friends into trouble; but that if providence should give me a clear call, I might accept of his invitation. This perhaps may never happen. But if it should, wherefore should dear Mr. S―― be so much alarmed? What if his people are prejudiced against me? Might not a sermon, under God, lessen their prejudices, and perhaps awaken some souls to a sense of the divine life? Such things have been done, such a thing, through the divine blessing, may be repeated again. The way of duty is the way of safety. Our Lord requires of us to confess him in his gospel members and ministers. To be afraid of professing the one, or publicly to own, associate with, and strengthen the hands and hearts of the other, especially when they are set for the defence of the gospel, is, in my opinion, very offensive in the sight of our common Lord, and can only proceed from a want of more love to him and his dear people. I am quite of your mind, my dear friend, that our Lord recommends to us the wisdom of the serpent, but then it is always to be blended with the innocence of the dove. How this is done, in effect, by disowning the open and avowed proclaimers of his eternal truths, I cannot I must confess at present see into. You say, “we are most of us too warm already:” but I hope you do not think, that being ashamed of any of your Lord’s ministers is an instance of it? Thanks be to God that Mr. H―― seems, as you express it, “to court the enmity of mankind;” it is an error of the right side. Better so than to be afraid of it. The Lord never threatned to spew any church out of his mouth for being too hot; but for being neither hot nor cold he has. It is too true, my dear Sir, “we have but few faithful ministers.” But is keeping at a distance from one another the way to strengthen their interest? By no means. I rather think those that hold the same principles at least, and are embarked in the same cause, should jointly and publicly appear for God.—And to tell you my whole mind, I do not believe God will bless either you or your friends to any considerable degree, till you are more delivered from the fear of man. Alas, how was you bowed down with it, when I saw you last! And your letter bespeaks you a slave to it yet. O my brother, deal faithfully with yourself, and you will find a love of the world, and fear of not providing for your children, have gotten too much hold of your heart. Do not mistake me. I would not have you throw yourself into flames. I would only have you act a consistent part, and not for fear of a little contempt be ashamed of owning the ministers of Christ. After all, think not, my dear Sir, that I am pleading my own cause. You are not in danger of seeing me at N――n. I only take this occasion of saying a word or two to your heart. You will not be offended, as it proceeds from love. You may shew this to dear Mr. H――. I salute him, the dear doctor, and dear Mr. H――, most cordially. I hope the seed is sown among the rich to some purpose. Last Thursday Lord B――ke was one of my hearers. Brethren pray for us; you are never forgotten by, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXVII.

To Mr. S――.

London, Jan. 18, 1749.

My very dear Mr. S――,

I Have received from you two very kind letters, the last of which made me to smile indeed. Alas, my dear man, what airy castles are you building? Were your sanguine expectations to take place, might I not justly say to my friends, “Quid vultis, ut peream?” But blessed be God, there is yet no danger. The gospel is not got so near the court as you imagine. However, some of the mighty and noble come twice a week to hear at good Lady H――n’s, and the prospect of doing good amongst them is very encouraging. One or two I trust are effectually touched. Pray on, and who knows what a great fire a little spark may kindle? I wish the Lord may answer your request, and give you a religious governor. I cannot see how I can serve dear Mr. B――. I should be very shy of asking any favours, supposing I had interest, lest I should be thought to preach for myself and not for Christ Jesus my Lord. I would fain convince all, that I seek not theirs but them. I am sorry you have met with so many losses of late; but all our losses will be found to be gain in the end. Blessed are they that love God! All things are even now working together for their good. About August I purpose, God willing, to embark for Carolina; though my friends say not, I believe they will be mistaken. Ere this reaches you, I hope God will have raised you up Pastors after his own heart. Pray remember me in the most endearing manner to all that I was acquainted with, and tell them I live in hopes of seeing them once more in the flesh. I heartily salute all, and am, very dear Mr. S――,

Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXVIII.

To Lady H――n.

Bristol, Jan. 28, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

I Think it is now high time for me to trouble your Ladyship with a few lines. They come to thank your Ladyship ten thousand times for all favours, and to inform you that our glorious Redeemer orders all things well. On Wednesday, through winds, rain and frost, I reached Gloucester, and preached there the same evening. The next day we held out association, and, thanks be to God, affairs turned out better than expectation. I came hither this evening, where I found my brother in the very temper I could wish, “seemingly quite fixed to leave the world for God.” He tells me of a Colonel, who heard me once in the Summer, that now wants to know if his sins are forgiven. My brother’s visit to town has been greatly blessed to him. Surely your Ladyship will never know, till the day of judgment, the great ends God had in view in calling your Ladyship to London. I rejoice in the prospect of seeing your Ladyship happy amidst a crowd of your spiritual children, who will come to you from time to time to be built up in their most holy faith. You will suffer many pangs for them; but all shall work for your Ladyship’s present and eternal good. I suffer much in my bodily health for preaching to the nobility; but, thanks be to God, that some seem to have an hearing ear, and an understanding heart. My warmest prayers are continually ascending to the throne of grace for your Ladyship, and for all those who have heard the word, especially those honourable women that used to join with your Ladyship in receiving the sacred symbols of the Redeemer’s blessed body and blood. My cry to our Lord in their behalf is this,

I forgot to tell your Ladyship, that the Welch justices have ordered the twenty pounds, exacted of the Methodists by Sir W――, to be returned. I can add up more, but my most grateful acknowledgments for all kindnesses, and subscribe myself, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXX.

To the Countess of D――.

Bristol, Feb. 1, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

WILL your Ladyship pardon me, if I inform you, that love and gratitude constrain me to send your Ladyship a few lines? As I am daily praying for the temporal and eternal welfare of your Ladyship, and your honourable sister, so I cannot help informing you, that I trust you have both such a view of the present great salvation, purchased for the very chief of sinners by the blood of Christ, that you will neither of you be at rest, till made real partakers thereof. Has not your Ladyship already had a taste of this inward happiness? Assuredly you have. Should not this encourage your Ladyship to expect, seek after, and pray for unspeakably more? Undoubtedly it ought. The fulness which is in Jesus is inexhaustible. Out of that fulness your Ladyship may be always receiving grace for grace. Thanks be to God for teaching you the way! Let not your honoured sister think herself too unworthy of such a mercy. Jesus is worthy; she hath nothing to do but to bring all her unworthiness to the Lord our righteousness, and accept of compleat salvation as a free gift. Hearing, when last in town, that your Ladyship would not be offended if I wrote, encouraged me to take the liberty of troubling your Ladyship with this. As the glorious Emmanuel enables, it shall be followed with my most fervent prayers, which have been, are, and, through Jesus Christ strengthening, shall always be put up in behalf of yourself, and your honourable sister, by, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXXI.

To Mr. ――.

Bristol, Feb. 4, 1749.

My dear Sir,

THE contents of your letter surprized me; and yet it is time for me to learn to be surprized at nothing. But what shall we say? It must needs be that these trials should come, to wean us from every creature, and teach us to live by faith in the Son of God. Had you succeeded, you certainly would have met with some thorn in the flesh, to keep you from being elated too much. Persons of such sanguine dispositions as you and I are, always need one from some quarter or another. By your letter, this trial has done you good already. Be thankful for it, therefore, my dear Sir, and say from your inmost soul, “the cup, which my heavenly Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”—We are but poor choosers for ourselves. God sees not as we see. It is a comfort when we can say, we have eyed God in any affair; but if that affair be plainly disconcerted by his providence, we may be certain it is for good. I found it so in a like circumstance, when my affections were much more engaged than yours necessarily must have been. I wish you joy of being called to leave a worm for God, and in your submission to his divine appointment. “Surely,” (says the prophet that was sent to anoint one of Jesse’s sons) “the Lord’s anointed is before me.” He guessed several times; but always guessed wrong, till little David was sent for, who was thought nothing of. And if a prophet was mistaken, when thus sent in a peculiar manner, and no doubt particularly engaged in prayer for direction, is it any wonder, that we should find ourselves mistaken in many things, even when we have been most earnest with God for guidance and direction? God often guides us by disappointments; and I doubt not but you will find some better thing is prepared for you. What the Lord hath done to you, though you know not now, yet you shall know hereafter.

You see, dear Sir, my concern for you by the length of this letter. As you are, I trust, my own son in the faith, so I cannot avoid naturally caring for you. My letter shall be followed with my prayers. Be resigned. I am better in health than when I left town; and am much blessed in preaching. You know how to give thanks in behalf of

Your sympathizing friend,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXXII.

To Lady H――n.

Exon, Feb. 9, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s laying your commands upon me to write often, makes me uneasy unless I can redeem time to send to your Ladyship at least once a week. Blessed be God, I can inform your Ladyship, that there was a great stirring among the dry bones at Bristol and Kingswood. Last Lord’s-day was a great day of the Son of Man. The power of the Lord attended the word, as in days of old, and several persons, that had never heard me before, were brought under great awakenings. A counsellor came once, and was so affected, that when he got home he invited others to come and hear, which so alarmed his lady, (ready to die of a consumption) that she is afraid her husband will go mad. Last night I came hither, and had the pleasure of seeing some spiritual children that were begotten unto God when I was here last. This evening I am to begin to spread the gospel-net; and shall continue in Exeter till Monday. Affairs have been so confused, that it requires some time to settle them. I find a death must come upon all we do, that the life of it may appear to be wholly of God. I hope your Ladyship finds that the Redeemer’s work flourishes in your hands. I long to hear, whether my letters were kindly received, and whether the seed sown by me or any other springs up. Whoever plants, or whoever waters, I know it is the Lord must give the increase. Mr. C―― is vastly attached to your Ladyship’s interest, and, I believe, prays continually for your success. Many do so, whom your Ladyship knows not. Your Ladyship’s letter to Mr. R―― I find is blessed much. It is the good man’s lot, that whatsoever he doth shall prosper. May this be fulfilled in your Ladyship more and more every day! I could enlarge, but must away to my delightful work. People are waiting. This late journey has been blessed to the recovery of my health. I have not had any of my usual disorders since I left town. I am sometimes faint. But, “Faint, and yet pursuing,” must be the christian’s motto. I hope my most dutiful respects will find acceptance with those honourable persons whose faces are set Zion-wards, and that your Ladyship will accept the same from, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXXIII.

To Lady H――n.

Plymouth, Feb. 16, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

THE last time I wrote to your Ladyship, I was at Exeter, where I begun on Sunday evening to preach in the open air.—Abundance of souls attended, and I trust real good was done. In the morning, grace flowed richly round the congregation; and many knew experimentally that Christ was risen, by his giving them to experience the power of his resurrection in their hearts. On Monday I went to Bovey-Tracey, about 12 miles from Exeter, where I found several poor simple souls. Here also the fountain of life was open, and I believe some drank at, and others felt the want of it. The next morning I preached at a place called Mary-Church, where are supposed to be near a score of awakened souls, who have undergone much outward trouble for adhering to the cross of Christ. Most of their bitterest opposers were present. All was calm; and the power of the Lord accompanied the word. After sermon I rode twenty miles to Kingsbridge, where, to my great surprize, I found about a thousand souls waiting till eight in the evening to hear the word. Though nature said, “Spare thyself,” I thought faith and duty said, “Venture upon the Lord’s strength, and speak to them.” I did, from these words of our dear Lord’s: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.” I preached in the street. The moon-shone. All was quiet; and I hope some begun to think of working out their salvation with fear and trembling. The next morning I preached there again; four ministers attended. Our Lord was pleased to make it a very fine season. After sermon I had the pleasure of hearing, that by two or three discourses preached at this place about 5 years ago, many souls were awakened. One young man, then called, is since a preacher; he was in a tree partly to ridicule me. I spoke to him to imitate Zaccheus, and come down and receive the Lord Jesus. The word was backed with power—He heard, came down, believed, and now adorns the gospel. From Kingsbridge to Plymouth, is near twenty post miles. Hither I came last night. About ten miles from the town, I met several of my spiritual children, who came on horseback to see me. When I came into the town, many hundreds were waiting to hear the word, and received me with great joy. Though it was past seven at night, and I had preached at Kingsbridge in the morning, I thought it my duty to comply with the people’s importunity, and accordingly I called upon them, (in a place stiled the tabernacle, built since I have been absent) to behold the Lamb of God. I find a strange alteration in the people since I came first here, now above four years ago. Many were then awakened, and truly converted to the blessed Jesus. I write in a house belonging to a married couple, who call me their spiritual father. Plymouth seems to be quite a new place to me. I have also just now parted from a truly converted neighbouring clergyman, who has invited me to preach in his church. Ere long I hope to send your Ladyship some more good news. In the mean while, I wish your Ladyship the best of blessings; and entreat your Ladyship to pray, that a chearful, humble, simple, and guileless heart may be given to, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, though unworthy servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCXXXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. C――.

Plymouth, Feb. 20, 1749.

Reverend and dear Sir,

I Had the pleasure of receiving your letters dated December 29th and 31st. I thank you a thousand times for this, and all your other favours. I did not think Mr. H――’s friendship would hold long. It will be time enough for me to speak to and of him, when I see Bermudas again, which I propose doing, God willing, as soon as possible. In the mean while, I would only observe, that if I am a Roman Catholic, the Pope must have given ♥me a very large dispensation. Surely Mr. H―― has acted like one, to pretend so much friendship, and express it in the strongest terms, and yet have nothing of it in his heart all the while. But thus it must be. Dear Sir, we must be tried every way. Hic murus aheneus esto, &c. As for any secrets that I told him, he is very welcome to reveal them. You know me too well to judge I have many secrets. May the secret of the Lord be with me! and then I care not if there was a window in my heart for all mankind to see the uprightness of my intentions. I long to have Bethesda a foundation for the Lord Jesus. If I can procure a proper solid person of good literature, who will be content to stay two or three years, something may be done. I am now in the West, and have begun to take the field. Great multitudes flock to hear; and our Lord is pleased apparently to countenance my poor unworthy ministrations. I have the pleasure of seeing the seed, which was sown just before I embarked last for America, spring up, producing an hundred-fold. May Jesus have all the glory! Perhaps (O amazing love!) he has not done with me yet. I am better in bodily health than usual, but expect to be sick again when I return to London. Thither I must go in about a fortnight, to preach again to some of the Rich and Great, as well as the Poor. I find it is a trial, to be thus divided between the work on this and the other side of the water. I am convinced I have done right in coming over now; and I keep myself quite disengaged, that I may be free to leave England the latter end of the Summer, if our Lord is pleased to make my way clear. I hope, as you say nothing to the ♦contrary, that all friends are well. I beg to be remembered to them all in the kindest manner, and depend much on their not forgetting to pray for, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXXV.

To Lady H――.

Plymouth, Feb. 21, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

I Believe it will much rejoice your Ladyship’s heart to hear what is doing in the West. I could not have thought that the seed sown four years ago, would have met with such a great increase. But what cannot God do? I have now proclaimed here seven times the riches of redeeming love, to very large, attentive, and affected auditories. Generally about two thousand attend every night; and the Sunday evening, in the field, I believe there were above five thousand hearers. On Wednesday, God willing, I move hence. My short stay affects the people. But our Lord orders all things well. I hope to be in town at my appointed time, at least within a few days of it. If Mr. B―― is not returned, I shall be grieved to think how your Ladyship will want the ordinance; but, thanks be to God, the fountain is open, and your Ladyship knows the way to it. Last Lord’s-day I administered the sacrament to some few souls that had no pastor; and I could have wished your Ladyship present to have seen an affecting sight,—two parents, both believers, presenting two daughters and a son, in the most solemn manner, for the first time to be communicants. I received them with all joy; and our Lord graced the feast with much of his divine presence. Indeed, my good Lady, affairs bear a very promising aspect. I hear that much good has been done at Bristol. Every where fresh doors are opening, and people flock from all quarters. Prejudices, I find, do subside, and, through grace, strong impressions are made on many souls. I have not been so well, for so long a season together, for many years, as I have been since I left town. A proof, I think, that the Lord calls me into the fields. I hear how your Ladyship has been, by the B――p. Alas! how does the enmity of the heart sometimes make persons to forget good manners! Your Ladyship has been taught of God to forgive and pity. Well, if the great shepherd and bishop of souls has work to be done, he will raise up instruments, and find ways to send them out.

I know that your Ladyship will say heartily, Amen. I doubt not but your Ladyship enjoys much of his presence, which is better than life. I hope your honourable and right honourable visitants share richly with you. I beg leave to send them, and your Ladyship, my most dutiful respects, and subscribe myself, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, though unworthy servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXXVI.

To Lady G――.

Plymouth, Feb. 22, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s letter I received yesterday; I trust under some sense of the honour your Ladyship has done me, through the King of kings making me instrumental in quickening or building up your Ladyship’s precious and immortal soul. Like a pure chrystal, I would transmit all the glory he is pleased to pour upon me, and never claim as my own, what is his sole propriety. Thanks be to his great and glorious name, for putting it into your Ladyship’s heart to say sincerely, “Lord, increase my faith.” When I had read your Ladyship’s letter, I could not help observing what a connection there was between the present frame of your Ladyship’s heart, and your present circumstances in respect to your servant. For how is it, honoured Madam, that our faith is to be increased, but by our being exercised with trials? By these the christian grows; and faith, like the burning bush amidst the furnace of affliction, flourishes unconsumed. Blessed be God, that your Ladyship hath taken hold of a great and precious promise. Our Lord has promised, “that he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear.” And he is faithful that hath promised. We have nothing to do, but to plead his promise in prayer. Be pleased, therefore, honoured Madam, to solace yourself, under your present distress, with these lines:

This is, and shall be, honoured Madam, my daily prayer on your behalf. Fear not; our Lord will take care that all shall work for good. Those who are sincere, will soon get over such stumbling blocks; and those that are not, will stumble at any thing, nay every thing. I bless God, that some have got their faces set Zion-wards. Of the honourable women, ere long, I trust, there will be not a few who will dare to be singularly good, and confess the blessed Jesus before men. O with what a holy contempt may the poor despised believer look down on those, who are yet immersed in the pleasures of sense, and amidst all the refinements of their unassisted, unenlightened reason, continue slaves to their own lusts and passions. Happy, thrice happy they! who begin to feel and experience what it is to be redeemed from this present evil world. Well may they count all things but dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord. Well may they look upon the few righteous, as the only truly excellent ones of the earth; and choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. You, honoured Madam, I trust, are one of this happy number. May all your children add to it, and follow your Ladyship, as they see you follow Christ. I hope that some have been inclined to list under his banner, since I left town. Indeed the glorious Redeemer has dealt bountifully with his people, and with unworthy me. The good Lady H――n, I suppose, hath informed your Ladyship of some pleasing particulars. I hope to acquaint you of more at my return to town. In the mean while, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most obliged, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXXVII.

To the Countess of D――.

Plymouth, Feb. 22, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

YESTERDAY I had the favour of your Ladyship’s letter, which I would have answered immediately, but was engaged both in company, and in preaching the everlasting gospel. Your Ladyship’s answering my poor scrawl, was an honour I did not expect; but, since your Ladyship is pleased thus to condescend, I am encouraged to make a reply. And give me leave to assure your Ladyship, that your own case, and that of your honoured sisters, have been, and are always upon my heart. I pray for both in public and private, though none knows whom I mean. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, I trust, hath imparted a saving knowledge of his eternal Son to your Ladyship’s heart. Your letter bespeaks the language of a soul which hath tasted that the Lord is gracious, and hath been initiated into the divine life. Welcome, thrice welcome, honoured Madam, into the world of new creatures! O what a scene of happiness lies before you! Your frames, my Lady, like the moon, will wax and wane; but the Lord Jesus, on whose righteousness you solely depend, will, notwithstanding, remain your faithful friend in heaven. Your Ladyship seems to have the right point in view, to get a constant abiding witness and indwelling of the blessed Spirit of God in your heart. This the Redeemer has purchased for you. Of this he has given your Ladyship a taste; this, I am persuaded, he will yet impart so plentifully to your heart, that out of it shall flow rivers of living waters. This Jesus spake of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive. As you have, therefore, honoured Madam, received the Lord Jesus, so walk in him even by faith. Lean on your beloved, and you shall go on comfortably through this howling wilderness, till you arrive at those blissful regions,

And O that your honoured sister may go hand in hand with your Ladyship! Wherefore doth she doubt? Wherefore doth she fear? Why does not her Ladyship say,

Honoured Madam, is it not a fountain opened? Opened for all that will come, and wash at, and drink of it? Entreat her Ladyship, therefore, honoured Madam, not to be faithless, but believing. Beg her to come, or rather be pleased to inform her Ladyship, that her Saviour entreats and commands her to come just as she is, and to accept of salvation as a free-gift. O that with Queen Esther she may say, “If I perish, I perish.” Then shall she see the King of kings holding out a golden sceptre, and not an iron rod. But I forget myself again. Honoured Madam, be pleased to pardon me, and accept what I have written as the overflowings of a heart that hath been wrestling with God, for the salvation of your Ladyship, your honoured sister, and of all related to you. This is the best proof I can give of my being, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCXXXVIII.

To the Countess of H――n.

Exeter, Feb. 24, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

AFTER I wrote to your Ladyship last post, from Plymouth, I received the letters you was pleased to communicate to Mr. C――. They came quite unexpected. I think it is enough, that my letters are received, not without being answered; but the Lord Jesus will humble me by mercies. O that they may have that blessed effect upon my soul! Inclosed, your Ladyship hath my answers. I have sent them open, that your Ladyship may (if not too long) peruse them. Whilst I was writing, the fire kindled, and I did not well know how to leave off. I rejoice that your Ladyship hath such a promising prospect of doing good among the rich and great. Mr. C――, in his last, writes thus: “Mr. G―― went with me to wait on her Ladyship; where he owns he spent two hours with more pleasure, than he ever remembered to have done in any company before: and, I must freely own, he spoke my own sentiments.” I believe that your Ladyship will daily reap the fruit of a catholic spirit, and a free conversation with the truly gracious of all denominations. It is a conduct truly god-like. Dear Mr. T―― has much of it. I parted from him on Thursday afternoon. He was once almost blinded by weeping under the word. He was rejoiced to see the flocking at Plymouth. Indeed it was very encouraging. Our Lord seemed to keep the best wine until the last. At Tavistock, ten miles from Plymouth, I preached last Thursday, but was rudely treated. For, whilst I was praying, some of the baser sort brought a bull and dogs, and disturbed us much. But I hope that good was done. Blessed be God, we know some has been done. I conversed with three or four, that have been awakened by the reading of some of my printed sermons. Surely the Apostle spoke like himself, when he said, “God has chosen the weak things of this world, to confound the strong; and things that are not, to bring to nought the things that are.” I am now come thus far in my return to London. I purpose, God willing, being there in about ten days. On Monday next I shall set out for Bristol; where, as I am informed, the infinitely condescending Redeemer has been pleased greatly to bless my last visit. When I think of London, I feel a kind of fear and trembling, lest my bodily sickness should return again, and I should not speak to the Mighty and Noble, so as to win them to the ever-blessed Jesus. But I desire to throw myself blindfold into his hands, believing, (Lord, help my unbelief!) that as my day is, so shall my strength be. At present, honoured Madam, this is the language of my heart, to Him, whose I am, and whom I desire to serve: