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

LETTERS.

LETTER DCCCCLXV.

To Mr. J―― B――.

London, February 1, 1753.

My very dear friend,

THOUGH I have had no answer to my last, yet I suppose it hath reached your hands, and I am glad to hear that ♦Ephrata plantation is in some degree opened, and thereby a preparation made for a future progress this spring. Mr. Fox not coming, and going upon lumber, hath been a great loss to my poor family, but I hope ere now all is settled, and the sawing carried on with vigour. That seems to be the thing which providence points out at present, and as so many negroes are ready, it will be a pity that Bethesda should not do something, as well as the neighbouring planters. If it was not that I am erecting a large place for public worship, eighty feet square, and am called to preach to so many thousands in various places, I would come over immediately myself. But perhaps it will be best to stay till the new Governor is appointed and embarks, or at least to come a little before him. I hear that Colonel Vanderdison will in all probability be the man; they are determined I find to have a military person. With this, I send your brother a power to dispose of Providence plantation, and I hope to hear shortly that Doctor B――, with your assistance, hath purchased more negroes,—My dear friend, do exert yourself a little for me in this time of my absence, and I trust the Orphan-house affairs will shortly be so ordered, that none shall be troubled about its affairs, but my own domestics. As Nathaniel P―― is so willing, and hath hitherto behaved so faithfully, I have sent him a full power in conjunction with Mrs. W―― to act under you. The man and woman that bring this, are with their son indented to me, and I have an excellent school mistress and a young student, engaged to come over shortly. Ere long, I suppose we shall have a large family. Lord grant it may be a religious one! I would have nothing done in respect to the building, besides repairing the piazza, and what else is absolutely necessary, till I come. Perhaps I may bring a carpenter along with me, who will stay some years. I cannot tell what can induce me to take care of a place, where the gospel is so little regarded, unless it be a principle of faith. Surely it will not always be so. What difference is there between Georgia, and several parts of England? Here thousands and ten thousands run, and ride miles upon miles to hear the gospel.—There—but I do not love to think of it. O my dear friend, whatever others do, may you and your houshold serve the Lord! I see there is no happiness, but in keeping near to Jesus Christ.—But this prosperity,—this worldly mindedness,—how many fools hath it destroyed; how many of God’s own children hath it awfully bewildered! May the Lord keep all my dear friends clear of this dangerous rock! My love to all. How is Mr. V――? Pray do your utmost to bring about a reconciliation between him and Mr. B――. I could give several particular and powerful reasons; at present I can add no more. My dear friend, pray for us, and exert yourself for Bethesda; Bethesda’s God will richly reward you.

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXVI.

To Lady H――n.

London, February 9, 1753.

Ever-honoured Madam,

IT gives me pain, when any of your Ladyship’s letters lie by me unanswered,—I would always write immediately if I could. For many days I have been much engaged, but can now refrain no longer. Your Ladyship’s letter was immediately forwarded to Philadelphia.—It will be an acceptable present to the good old Governor. I wish Mr. T―― may not make too great compliances,—but I fear instability is his weak side. I have not heard from South Audley Street, since I wrote last to your Ladyship.—The Moravian’s outward scheme, I am apt to believe will soon be disconcerted. Strange! Why will God’s children build Babels? Why will they flatter themselves, that God owns and approves of them, because he suffers them to build high? In mercy to them, such buildings, of whatever kind, must come down. I hope our new-intended tabernacle is not of this nature. It would have pleased your Ladyship, to have seen how willingly the people gave last Lord’s day. At seven in the morning we collected fifty pounds, in the evening one hundred and twenty-six pounds. Blessed be God, we have now near nine hundred pounds in hand. He that hath begun, I trust will enable us to go on, and bring out the top-stone, shouting Grace! Grace! Our Lord still continues to work in our old despised place. I trust it hath been a Bethel to many, many souls. This your Ladyship knows may be any where. Clifton’s a Bethel when God is there. That your Ladyship may enjoy more and more of the divine presence, and increase with all the increase of God, is the continual prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXVII.

To Mr. G――.

London, February 19, 1753.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

I HAVE two of your kind letters lying by me unanswered.—I am not usually so dilatory, but business and bodily weakness have prevented me. At present, I have a cold and fever upon me, but I preach on, hoping one day or another to die in my work. One Mr. Steward, a dear minister of Christ, that began to be popular in the church, entered into his rest last week. I saw him just before he expired. Methinks I hear him say, “Love Christ more, and serve him better.” O that I may do so in earnest! For indeed my obligations increase continually. We have had a blessed winter. Many have been added to our flock.—Next week I intend, God willing, to lay the first brick of our new tabernacle. I am now looking up for direction about my removal.—Which are the best seasons for the north? I should be glad to know speedily. Have you the first account you wrote of your conversion? Or have you leisure to draw up a short narrative of the rise and progress of the work of God in your parts? A dear christian minister in Scotland, is about to publish two volumes, relative to the late awakenings in various places. Such things should be transmitted to posterity; in heaven all will be known. Thanks be to God that there is such a rest remaining for his dear people. I am too impatient to get at it. But who can help longing to see Jesus? What but a hope and prospect of furthering his glorious gospel, can reconcile us to this aceldama, this wide howling wilderness? If we had not our beloved to lean on, what should we do? Go on, my dear Sir, in his strength; I wish you much, yea very much prosperity. The Lord bless you, and all the dear souls in your parts, with all spiritual blessings. I am glad you have received the books. ♦I am now publishing two more sermons, and a small collection of hymns for public worship. Benedictus benedicat et benedicentur. I commend you and all to his never-failing mercy, and myself to your continual prayers, as being, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXVIII.

To C―― W――.

London, March 3, 1753.

My dear Friend,

I THANK you and your brother most heartily for the loan of the chapel. Blessed be God, the work goes on well.—On Thursday morning, the first brick of our new tabernacle was laid with awful solemnity. I preached from Exodus the twentieth, and the latter part of the twenty-fourth verse; “In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee and bless thee.” Afterwards we sung, and prayed for God’s blessing in all places, where his glorious name is recorded. The wall is now about a yard high. The building is to be eighty feet square. It is upon the old spot. We have purchased the house, and if we finish what we have begun, shall be rent-free for forty-six years. We have above eleven hundred pounds in hands. This I think is the best way to build. Mr. Steward’s death so affected me, that when I met the workman that night to contract about the building, I could scarce bear to think of building tabernacles. Strange! that so many should be so soon discharged, and we continued! Eighteen years have I been waiting for the coming of the son of God; but I find we are immortal till our work is done. O that we may never live to be ministered unto, but to minister! Mr. Steward spoke for his Lord as long as he could speak at all. He had no clouds nor darkness. I was with him, till a few minutes before he slept in Jesus. I have good news from several parts; a door is opening at Winchester. Surely the little leaven will ferment, till the whole kingdom be leavened. Even so, Lord Jesus, Amen! Pray how does our elect Lady? I hope to write to her Ladyship next post. Joint love attends you and yours, and your brother and his houshold.—That all may increase with all the increase of God, is still the earnest prayer of, my dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER ♦DCCCCLXIX.

To Mr. M――.

London, March 10, 1753.

My dear Mr. M――,

I AM glad you have had such good times. I was grieved that Mr. E―― was taken from London, because Mr. M―― was taken ill, and a carnal preacher put up in his room. But God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts. Let this consideration reconcile you to my not preaching at Mr. B――’s. I went as far as Mrs. S――’s, but so many things occurred, that I went no further. You may hear more when we meet again. I have preached at Spitalfields chapel twice. Both the Mr. W――s are agreed, as the younger brother writes me word, in answer to my letter. Let brotherly love continue! I do not like writing against any body, but I think, that wisdom which dwells with prudence, should direct you not to fill Mr. W――s people (who expect you will serve them) with needless jealousies. He that believeth doth not make haste.—I therefore wait, being assured of this, that every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out. I hope to see the time, when you will talk less of persons and things, and more of Him, who is the common head of his whole mystical body. This, and this alone can make and keep you steady in yourself, and extensively useful to others. I am glad you know when persons are justified. It is a lesson I have not yet learnt. There are so many stony-ground hearers that receive the word with joy, that I have determined to suspend my judgment, till I know the tree by its fruits. You will excuse this freedom. I love you with a disinterested love, I only wish you may be happy in Jesus. This will make you see things with new eyes, and give you such a freedom of heart as is unspeakable, and full of glory. For the present I must bid you adieu. That the Lord of all Lords may confirm, strengthen, stablish, and settle you in his love, is the earnest prayer of, my dear Mr. M――,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXX.

To Mr. S――.

London, March 21, 1753.

My very dear friend,

BY last Monday’s waggon there was sent a box of books. May the Redeemer own and bless what is sent in it! Then all will be well. I know your prayers will not be wanting. I am glad you have found out another thief, that lay hid in the chambers of imagery, which are in your heart. Time and temptation will draw out ten thousand more, which as yet, you know nothing of. Happy they, who can discover, pluck out, and cut off their right hand and right eye corruptions. This must be done, or we shall only take up with the bare semblance of holiness. The Redeemer must sit as a refiner’s fire upon our hearts, or we shall never be purified as gold or silver. This is our comfort, when we are tried we shall come forth like gold. The offences that we meet with in the church, are most trying;—therefore they are permitted to come. I wish my dear Mr. G――, as well as yourself, may learn experience from what hath happened, and never run yourselves into needless difficulties. What is happening to the Moravians is no more than I have long expected, and spoken of to many friends. Their scheme is so antichristian in almost every respect, that I am amazed the eyes of the English brethren have not long since been opened, and the Babel stopt at the first. But the glorious God generally suffers such buildings to go high, that their fall may be more conspicuous. May the builders rise (I mean as to spirituals) by their falls, and gain by their losses! That is all the harm I wish them. My dear man, what a blessed thing it is to live and walk in the simplicity of the gospel! How happy is that man, who being neither fond of money, numbers, nor power, goes on day by day without any other scheme, than a general intention to promote the common salvation amongst people of all denominations. Will you pray that I may be thus minded? I cease not to pray for you and yours, and my other dear friends at Leeds; and I would set out immediately for the north, was I not obliged to be here in about two months, to attend and give further orders about our building. But some time in the summer—What?—I hope to see the fields white, ready unto harvest again, and to rejoice together with you in our common Lord.—In the mean while, let us be busy for so blessed a Master, and be continually pressing forward towards the mark for the prize of our high calling. The Lord Jesus say Amen! Adieu. With joint love to all, I subscribe myself, my dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXI.

To Mr. G――.

Norwich, April 17, 1753.

Dear Mr. G――,

IT hath given me concern, that your letter, with Mr. D――’s and Miss A――’s, have lain by me so long unanswered. Business, and not want of love, hath prevented my writing. Was it not sinful, I could wish for a thousand hands, a thousand tongues, and a thousand lives: all should be employed night and day, without ceasing, in promoting the glory of the ever-lovely, ever-loving Jesus. Thanks be to his great name for reviving his work in the midst of the years. I trust that his people every where will be made to sing, “The Winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, and the voice of the turtle is heard in the land.” All things promise well at London; and I hope you will yet see greater things than ever in the North. Some time this Summer I hope to see you all again. In the mean while, you must not fail to pray for me. I must now begin to enter upon my Spring circuit. For these three days past, I have been preaching here twice a-day. In the mornings we have been quiet, but in the evenings the sons of Belial have been somewhat rude. The place built here for public worship, is much larger than yours at Newcastle; and, I believe, hundreds of truly awakened souls attend. What cannot God do? What will the end of this be? The destruction of Jericho.—The rams-horns must go round, till her tow’ring walls fall down. Who would but be one of these rams-horns? My dear Sir, let us not be ashamed of the cross of Christ: it is lined with love, and will ere long be exchanged for a crown. Jesus himself will put it on our heads. I am called away, and therefore cannot enlarge. To-morrow, God willing, I return to London, and hope soon to get time to answer my other Newcastle correspondents. In the mean while, pray remember me to them and all in the most cordial manner, and beg them never, never to cease praying for, my dear Sir,

Their and your most affectionate friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXII.

To Mr. R―― K――n.

Norwich, April 18, 1753.

My very dear Friend,

HOW does God delight to exceed even the hopes, and to disappoint the fears of his weak, though honest-hearted people! In spite of all opposition, he hath caused us to triumph even in Norwich. Thousands attend twice every day, and hear with the greatest eagerness. I hope it will appear yet more and more, that God hath much people here. I am greatly importuned to stay over Lord’s-day, but I hope to be in Spitalfields on Saturday evening, and to spend the holydays in London. O that they may prove glorious days of the Son of Man! Thanks be to God, it is the christian’s privilege to keep holyday all the year round. “Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us,” and we are called to keep a perpetual feast. Happy, happy they, who know what it is to banquet on the love of Jesus. Surely it passeth all understanding. Of this happiness, you and yours have been made partakers. What need have we then to cry out, “What shall we render unto the Lord for all his mercies!” O my dear Sir, let us keep close to our loving Lord, and not suffer the noise and hurry of business, to rob us of one moment’s communion and fellowship with the ever-blessed God. I commend you both to his never-failing mercy; and wishing you, from my inmost soul, the very best of blessings, even the sure mercies of David, I subscribe myself, my dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXIII.

To Mr. D――.

London, April 27, 1753.

Dear Sir,

ON Saturday evening a never-failing Redeemer brought me safe to London, where I have been indisposed ever since. But I shall little regard the weakness and indisposition of my body, if I can but have the pleasure of hearing, if not before, yet at the great day, that good was done to one precious soul at Norwich. Blessed be God for the seed sown there. I doubt not but it will be watered with the dew of his heavenly blessing, and bring forth a divine increase. O that it may spring up, and bear fruit abundantly in the heart of you and yours! My poor prayers shall not be wanting in your behalf. This is the only return I can make to you both, for the great kindnesses conferred on me at your house. You know who hath promised, “That a cup of cold water, given for his name’s sake, shall not lose its reward.” What a Saviour is this! Who would but love and serve him! Surely his service is perfect freedom! I hope all my dear Norwich friends will find it so every day. Be pleased to salute them all most affectionately, as they come in your way. I trust they will remember me at the throne of grace. You all know my name: I am the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, but

Their and your obliged friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXIV.

London, May 1, 1753.

My dear David,

DO you enquire where I am? I answer, in London, longing to come to Leeds, and yet withheld hitherto by His providence who ordereth all things well. Let us have a little more patience, and then in a few weeks I hope to have a blessed range in the North. God’s time I have always found to be the best time in the end. Ere now, I suppose, Mr. L―― hath received my letter from Norwich. The word ran and was glorified there. Preaching so frequently, and riding hard, almost killed me; but what is my body in comparison of precious and immortal souls? O that this Spring may prove a Spring-time every day! Indeed I want to begin to begin to do something for Jesus. At present I am engaged in a very ungrateful work; I mean, in writing against the leading Moravian brethren. When you see it, you will know whether there was not a cause: a second edition of the pamphlet is just come out. I fear the third part of the Journals cannot be procured: perhaps it is not much matter. I am sick of all I do, and stand astonished that the Redeemer still continues to make use of and bless me. Surely I am more foolish than any man; no one receives so much, and does so little. If you was here, we would weep together: friends know what it is to exchange hearts. May the common friend of sinners keep both our hearts near himself, and then all will be well. I cannot think of Leeds without weeping. I love that people, and pray that they may increase with all the increase of God. “Brethren, pray for us,” is still the earnest request of my poor heart. I am weaker than the weakest, less than the least of all. Write to me; I do not like your sending such round-about ways: friends letters always pay postage. O let us send often by post to heaven; I mean, on the wings of faith and love: from thence we shall assuredly receive good answers, though not always in our own way or time. For the present, farewel. My hearty love to all the true followers of the Lamb. I hope to write to all in time. In great haste, but much greater love, I subscribe myself,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXV.

To Mr. S――.

Haverford-west, May 27, 1753.

My dear Man,

THOUGH my wife hath not sent me the letter, yet she writes me, “That you have sent me a threatening one.” I thank you for it, though unseen, and say unto thee, if thou art thus minded, “What thou doest, do quickly.” Blessed be God, I am ready to receive the most traiterous blow, and to confess before God and man, all my weaknesses and failings, whether in public or private life. I laid my account of such treatment, before I published my expostulatory letter.—And your writing in such a manner, convinces me more and more, that Moravianism leads us to break through the most sacred ties of nature, friendship, and disinterested love. But my wife says you write, “That I am drunk with power and approbation.” Wast thou with me so long, my dear man, and hast thou known me no better? What power didst thou know me ever to grasp at? Or what power am I now invested with? None, that I know of, except that of being a poor pilgrim. And as for approbation, God knows, I have had little else besides the cross to glory in, since my first setting out.—May that be my glory still! But my wife says you write, “That I promised not to print.” I remember no such thing. I know you advised me not to do so, but I know of no promise made. If I remember, I had not then read Rimius; but after that, I both heard and saw so many things, that I could not, with a safe conscience, be silent. My wife says likewise, that you write, “The bulk of my letter is not truth.” So says Mr. Peter B――; nay, he says, “that all is a lie:” and I hear he declares so in the pulpit. So that whether I will or not, he obliges me to clear myself in print; and if he goes on in this manner, will not only constrain me to print a third edition, but also to publish the dreadful heap that lies behind. My answers to him, the Count, and my old friend H――, are almost ready. I cannot send them this post, but may have time ere long. O my dear man, let me tell thee, that the God of truth and love hates lies: and that cause can never be good, which needs equivocations and falshoods to support it. God willing, you shall have none from me. I have naked truth. I write out of pure love: and the Lord Jesus only knows, what unspeakable grief and pain I feel, when I think how many of my dear friends have so involved themselves. If any thing stops my pen, it will be concern for them, not myself. I value neither name, nor life itself, when the cause of God calls me to venture both. Thanks be to his great name, I can truly say, that for these many years last past, no sin hath had dominion over me; neither have I slept with the guilt of any known, unrepented sin lying upon my heart: if you will tell me of any, I will be obliged to you. In the mean while, I wish thee well in body and soul, and subscribe myself, my dear John,

Your very affectionate, though injured, friend for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXVI.

To Mr. R―― K――n.

Newman, June 2, 1753.

DO not think that I have forgotten either you or yours, or my promise of writing to you. Travelling and preaching have prevented me. Within a little more than a fortnight, I have rode three hundred and fifty miles, and preached above twenty times: with what success the great day will discover. Then we shall know who are stony-ground hearers, and who receive the word into honest and good hearts. At Narboth, Pembroke, Haverford-west, &c. congregations were large; and a gracious melting seemed to be among the people. Nature now cries out for a little ease, but faith says, “It is now just time to begin to begin.” Perhaps you may hear me preach next Thursday evening. London people attract me much. O that our hearts may be more and more drawn towards Jesus! I hope this will find you (like the impression of my seal) with your soul winged for heaven, and this poor, earthly, good-for-nothing world, under your feet. Could I fly away, you should never see me till we meet at the right hand of God. There the wicked, and even my own mother’s children, nay my spiritual children, will cease from troubling me, and my weary soul will enjoy an everlasting rest. I can now no more. I am baiting at an inn not far from Gloucester, hoping shortly to see you and yours grown in grace; and begging all your dear relations to accept hearty love, I subscribe myself, my dear, dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXVIII.

To Lady H――n.

London, June 20, 1753.

Ever-honoured Madam,

I HAVE been unaccountably detained in London longer than I expected, but am just now setting out for Portsmouth. However, I cannot help sending your Ladyship the inclosed. It hath set me at liberty, and fully convinced me, against what a disguised spirit I have been testifying. At present, I shall go on in my old way, preaching the everlasting gospel. Blessed be God, it is successful here. We had a most glorious sacrament last Sunday in our new Tabernacle; the Master of the feast was with us of a truth. As I purpose returning from Portsmouth next Tuesday, I should think myself highly honoured by receiving a few lines from your Ladyship. May this find you in the blissful enjoyment of him, who I am persuaded is your Ladyship’s all in all! I can only add, that words cannot well express how much I am, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXIX.

To the Reverend Mr. T――.

Portsmouth, June 23, 1753.

My very dear Friend,

FROM April to near July, is a long time for a kind letter to lie by unanswered; but necessity hath no law. A great variety of circumstances hath occurred lately to prevent my corresponding with you, and many other dear friends. Some time next month perhaps you may be acquainted with them. I have thoughts of seeing Edinburgh then, though I must push hard to bring it about. I purpose at my return, to stay in London but one night, and then set out for the North. O for a gracious gale of divine influence! The sacred wind hath blown sweetly in our new Tabernacle; and I trust it will be said of this and that man, at the great day, that they were born of God there. At Bristol, in Wales, and Gloucestershire, our Lord was pleased to smile on my feeble labours; and here in this place are several who bring forth fruit unto God. Affairs go on well at Bethesda. Mr. T――, I find, is coming over in behalf of New-Jersey College. Lord, make us all flames of fire! The language of my soul is this, “Quicken me in thy way.” You must continue to pray for me; you must remember me in the kindest manner to all my dear friends, and to your father and relations in particular, as being assured, that I am, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXX.

To Mr. N――.

Portsmouth, June 23, 1753.

Dear Sir,

NOT want of love, but leisure, prevented my answering your kind letter much sooner. As I lead a pilgrim life, have a weak body, and am almost continually surrounded with a variety of trials and temptations, I cannot write so frequently as I otherwise would choose to do. However, my friends are always upon my heart and some time next month, I hope to see you, amongst the rest of my Edinburgh acquaintances, grown in grace, and upon the full stretch for Him who bled, and groaned, and died for us. If your trials are not over, and you have indeed entered upon the field of battle, I wish you joy. Fear not, neither be dismayed. Nil desperandum Christo duce. Let this be the language of your heart and mine:

I need not inform you, dear Sir, that our Lord hath chosen the weak things of this world to confound the strong; and things that are not, to bring to nought the things that are. If it was not so, what should such a poor, weak, helpless wretch as I am do? In Jesus, and in him alone, is all my strength and support found. Still he continues to uphold me, and crown my feeble labours with success. In Wales, Gloucestershire, and Bristol, we have lately felt his power; and in our new Tabernacle at London, he hath also manifested forth his glory. O for a good gale in the North! Who knows but we may see each other some time the next month? I have thoughts of setting forwards from London next week. May the good Lord direct my goings in his way! You must desire all of the hospitals, and in the society, and all my other dear friends, to pray most earnestly for me. I retain my old name: I am the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, but for Christ’s sake, dear Mr. N――,

Their and your most affectionate and willing friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXI.

To Mr. S――.

Leicester, July 1, 1753.

My very dear Friend,

I CANNOT go farther (as Mr. Middleton returns to London to-morrow) without sending you a few lines. They bring good news, even that the Redeemer hath much owned and blessed the first part of my circuit. At Oulney we had two good meetings; and at Northampton our Lord filled his people as with new wine. One aged saint told me, “that the meeting-place was no other to him than the house of God, and the gate of heaven.” Several thousands attended; and I could indeed say, “It is good for me to be here.” Last night I came to this place quite fatigued in my body, but willing, I hope, to employ a thousand souls (if I had them) for the dear Lord Jesus. This is a cold place, but people stood very attentive this morning, and some were affected. To-morrow I must move to Nottingham. You and yours must promise to follow me with your prayers. I hope you will hear that they are answered. You may be assured of mine; they are your due; they are a poor, but as they are the only return I can make, I hope they will be accepted by, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXII.

To Mr. S――.

Leeds, July 7, 1753.

My dear D――,

WHAT! just come from the borders of the grave, and still capitulating! Will you never give up your whole heart to Him, who hath dealt so bountifully with you? Was this once done, you would not (especially as you have a competency) talk of a hundred a year, but you would count the work of the ministry its own wages, and esteem the reproach of Christ above all the riches in the universe. Pray remember what Moses said to Pharaoh, “not a hoof must be left behind.” Christ will have all or none. Halt no longer between two; sin no more by withholding from God what is his just due, lest a worse evil befall you. Accept all this in love. Your letter hath extorted it from me. I pity you amidst all your gaudy shew. The pleasure I have had but this week in preaching the gospel, I would not part with for a thousand worlds. Blessed be God, we have had sweet seasons on the road; and last night at this place, the cups of many ran over. O Lord, keep me a pilgrim, till thou art pleased to call me home! I can now no more. My hearty love to our dear Mr. H――. O that you was like-minded with him! Accept this as from one, who is indeed, dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXIII.

York, July 11, 1753.

My dear Mr. D――,

THUS far, but no farther, am I as yet advanced in my way to Scotland, and was I to comply with the pressing invitations of the Yorkshire people, I know not when I should get there. The fields are exceeding white, ready unto harvest; but by preaching thrice a day to great multitudes, my poor tabernacle is enfeebled, and I have such a cold that I cannot well write much. Strange, that I can do no more for Him who hath done and suffered so much for me! Be pleased to remember me to all; and acquaint dear Mr. and Mrs. S――, that I hope to send them an historical letter from Newcastle, where I expect to be next Lord’s-day. I shall be glad to hear that your soul prospers, and that all goes on well at the Tabernacle. I hope to see Edinburgh next week. My hearty love to all. Accept the same yourself, from, dear Mr. D――,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXIV.

To Mr. S――.

Newcastle, July 14, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

BEING, through the goodness of a never-failing Redeemer, just come hither, I sit down to perform my promise by writing to you. But where shall I begin, or where shall I end? Surely the goodness of the Lord to such a wretch as I am, is unspeakable. I will inform you of a little. After leaving Leicester, I went to Nottingham, where a great multitude came to hear, and I trust good was done, though a son of Belial endeavoured to disturb us. From thence I went to Sheffield, where we had two good meetings. The congregation in the afternoon consisted of several thousands. Here some dear friends from Leeds met me, two of which were my spiritual children, and all had been blessed under the word. The next morning we set out for Leeds, and in our way preached at Rotheram and Wakefield. At the former place, I had been disturbed twice or thrice, and was almost determined to preach there no more. But we are poor judges. A person told me, ♦“That God had made me instrumental in converting his wife and brother,” who had both been bitter persecutors, but now gladly received me under their roof. After preaching, a young man was set at liberty, who had been groaning under the spirit of bondage four years; and whilst I was baptizing a child, the Holy Spirit was pleased to baptize several, one in particular with a holy fire. What we saw, and felt, and heard at Leeds, cannot well be expressed. Thousands attended daily; and on the Lord’s-day it was computed that near twenty thousand heard at once. I preached thrice, and the next day at ♠Burstall and Bradford, where many thousands flocked also. Many were filled as with new wine; and as for myself, I scarce knew whether I was in heaven or on earth. On Tuesday morning, though we had drank plentifully before, yet our Lord kept the good wine till the last. We had a glorious parting-blessing. At York I preached four times. Twice we were disturbed, and twice we had sweet seasons. There is a good work begun there. The prospect all around is so glorious, I almost repent that I have engaged to go to Scotland. God willing, I shall come back as fast as possible. What a pity is it that I have but one body, and that a very weak one too. Lord, magnify thy strength in my weakness, and send me where thou wilt. Here I am most kindly received. How the Lord will be pleased to deal with me, you may know hereafter. I can now only entreat the continuance of the prayers of you and yours; and with repeated thanks for repeated favours, beg leave to subscribe myself, my very dear friend,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXV.

To Lady H――—n.

Newcastle, July 17, 1753.

Ever-honoured Madam,

I WROTE to your Ladyship just before I set out for Portsmouth, and thought to have written again at my return, but was hindered by staying only one night at London. Ever since I have been upon the range for lost sinners, and blessed be God, have been much owned by him who delights to work by the meanest instruments. In Northamptonshire our cup ran over. In Leicester, the Redeemer caused us to triumph; and in Yorkshire, at Leeds and the adjacent places, I have sometimes scarce known whether I have been in heaven or earth. I have been enabled to preach thrice a day, and once at Leeds, perhaps to near twenty thousand, as they were computed. Indeed we kept holy-day there. Many came to me that were awakened at my former visits. Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto thy free and unmerited mercy be all the glory! In my way hither I preached four times at York; twice we were disturbed, and twice all was quiet; and a sweet influence attended the word. I lodged at Mrs. G――’s, who keeps steady. She enquired most heartily after your Ladyship, and begged to be remembered in the most respectful manner. Hither I came on Saturday, and have preached seven times, and once at Sunderland, where a great multitude attended, and were deeply impressed. At five in the morning the great room is filled, and on Lord’s-day the congregation without was great indeed. Surely the shout of a king hath been amongst us. All is harmony and love. I am now going to a place called Sheep-hill, and shall return in the evening to preach here again. To-morrow, God willing, I set forwards to Scotland. I could almost wish this was to be the end of my circuit, for I want to go to various parts. Lord Jesus, magnify thy strength in my weakness, and send me where thou wilt! If your Ladyship pleases, this may be communicated to C―― W――, to whom I would write if I had time. I can only now entreat the continuance of your Ladyship’s prayers, and beg your Ladyship’s acceptance of repeated acknowledgments for repeated favours, from, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER [DCCCCLXXXV.]

To Mr. G――, at Glasgow.

Edinburgh, July 21, 1753.

YOURS I just now received, but know not what to say by way of answer. The inward discouragements I have felt for above a week, against coming to Scotland, have been very many. I have left a people full of fire. Thousands and thousands flocked to hear the glorious gospel. Awakenings I have heard of in every place; saints have been revived, and heaven as it were come down on earth. We have enjoyed perpetual Cambuslang seasons. My eyes gush out with tears of joy, (and I trust at the same time with godly sorrow for my vileness) at the very thought of it. My heart is quite broken, to think poor Scotland is so dead. O how gloomy hath been the aspect! I have been afraid of catching cold, though, alas! I am too too cold towards Him, who out of warm love bled and died for me. O that Glasgow friends, if I do come, may pray for me! I could scarce believe your letter, that your people would be glad to see such an ill and hell-deserving, good for nothing creature as I am. If I lose the opportunity of seeing you, I shall be disappointed indeed. I believe I shall keep to the time proposed. O time, time, how slowly dost thou go on! When shall I be wafted to an happy eternity? Often within these three weeks have I hoped to die in the embraces of my God. Had I a thousand souls and bodies they should be all itinerants for Jesus Christ. I want to see all on a flame of fire. You know, dear Sir, what fire I mean. O! break heart strings, break, and let the imprisoned soul be set at liberty. I want to go where I shall neither sin myself, nor see others sin any more. My tender love to all. I can no more for weeping. When I forget to pray for my ungrateful vile self,—then will my worthy and dear friend cease to be remembered by, reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXVI.

To Mr. B―― S――.

Glasgow, July 25, 1753.

BOTH your letters came safe to hand, and met with such a reception, as none but those who are knit together in the love of God can either experience, or have any idea of. What you mentioned concerning a certain gentleman, melted me down.—For having met with some unexpected pull-backs, I last night and this morning had been praying, that relief might come from what quarter our Lord thought most proper. How true is the saying of Luther:

This, I trust, will teach me more and more to be disinterested in what I do for Christ and souls, and then never fear; even ravens shall be sent to feed and nourish upright Elijahs. But above all, am I humbled and comforted at the good news from Leeds, and York. And will the high and lofty one then continue to delight to honour such a wretch as I am? Then, through the divine strength, let me now begin to preach more than ever. Yesterday I was enabled to preach five times, and I suppose the last time to near twenty thousand, and almost to as many in the morning. People flock and are more fond than ever to hear; at Edinburgh also, I preached twice every day to many thousands; among whom are many of the noble and polite.—Attention sits upon the faces of all, and friends come round me like so many bees, to importune for one week longer stay in Scotland. But I think I am fixed. God willing, on Thursday I return to Edinburgh, and the Tuesday following shall set out for Berwick, &c. Haste, time! Fly, fly on (so that I can but keep pace by filling thee up with duty) and bring me to see the face of God in heaven. I hope to write again soon; then you will know my rout. O that Jesus may direct my goings in his way! He will, he will. He will never leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him; and he knows, that as far as I know my heart, I think his work the very best wages that can be given to,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXVII.

To Mr. G――, at Glasgow.

Newcastle, August 12, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

I WOULD have answered your kind letter before I left Edinburgh, but I had not a moment’s leisure. With great difficulty I got away, after a heart-breaking parting on Tuesday about noon. On Wednesday evening, and the Thursday morning, I preached at Berwick, and on Thursday evening at Alnwick, in the street. It being the time of the races, I discoursed on these words, “So run that ye may obtain.” Whilst I was discoursing, the gentlemen came down from the race, and surrounded the congregation, and heard very attentively. The next morning at five I preached again, and about noon at a place called Placy, and in the evening about nine at Newcastle, where a great number expected me. My text was “At midnight a cry was made, behold the bridegroom cometh.” The next morning I received the following note, “Dearly beloved in the Lord, I write to you good news. Your labour was not in vain last night, for my wife answered to the midnight cry, and received Christ into her soul.” O that we may all praise the Three in One! Last night I prepared for, and this morning I opened the gospel fair from these words, “Ho! every one that thirsteth.” Much of the divine presence was in the congregation, and I believe many tasted of Christ’s wine. I am to preach three times almost every day this week. This promise supports me. “As thy day is, so shall thy strength be.” By the inclosed, you will see the devil owes me a grudge for what was done at Glasgow. Would it not be proper to insert a paragraph to contradict it? Thousands and thousands come to hear notwithstanding. Lord, what am I? A poor hell-deserving creature; and yet the Lord makes use of such to thresh the mountains with. May the Lord help me so to do, and then let him deal with me as seemeth good in his sight. Please to remember us in the kindest manner to dear Mr. M――n, our kind host and hostess, and all friends. I shall not forget you and yours, or your undertaking. The Lord prosper this, and every other work of your hands upon you! My lot is to be a pilgrim, a run-about for Christ. Commend me to Him who gives strength to the weak, and for whose sake I am,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXVIII.

To Mr. B―― S――.

Newcastle, August 13, 1753.

My very dear Friend,

MY rout is now fixed. After having preached here and hereabouts three times each day, I am to leave this place on Thursday, to be at Stockton on Sunday, at Osmotherly on Monday noon, lie at Topcliff, and reach York, God willing, by way of Burrough-bridge, on Tuesday next, and then come forwards to Leeds. I trust that our meeting will be like that of Jonathan and David. Only sometimes I must change names; where it is said “David exceeded,” there I will be David, and you Jonathan. Where Jonathan exceeds, there I will be Jonathan and you David. But more of this hereafter.—I must now tell you good news. I could not finish this letter last night, it is now Tuesday morning. But surely heaven came down amongst us, under the last evening preaching: it was almost too much for my body. O that the prison door was set open, and the bird suffered to fly out of the cage! Then would I fly to heaven, and upon one of the boughs of free grace sing the praises of redeeming love for ever and for ever. Till then, may we be employed in singing here on earth! But I must away to Horsey to preach, from whence I am to return to preach again in the evening. Thrice a day tries me, but in the Lord have I righteousness and strength. If you hear of a mob’s being raised by my preaching at Glasgow, assure all your friends that there was none, but Satan owes me a grudge for speaking against the playhouse. Particulars expect when we meet. In the mean while, give my tender love to all, and forget not to pray for, my dear friend.

Yours in our precious Christ,

G. W.

LETTER ♦DCCCCLXXXIX.

To Lady H――.

Newcastle, August 13, 1753.

Ever-honoured Madam,

NOT want of respect, but leisure, hath prevented my writing to your Ladyship. Since my last, I have been travelling and preaching twice or thrice, and once five times a day. I cannot tell your Ladyship of one thousandth part of what we have seen and felt. In Scotland the congregations were larger than ever. At Glasgow, the man who owned the playhouse was made so uneasy by the word preached, that he took down the roof himself. For this Satan owes me a grudge, and therefore it is put in the paper, that a mob was raised. But there was not the least appearance of any such thing. Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of Satan’s strong-holds. At Newcastle our Lord fills his people with new wine. Last night much of heaven was let down into the congregation. I am now going into the country, and am to return in the evening to preach. Thrice a day is almost too much for this weak tabernacle, but in the Lord have I righteousness and strength. Next week I am to be at York; the word I find fastens. On Sunday I hope to see Mr. H――. Ere long I hope to see our common Lord in glory. O that I may be one day lifted up from the pulpit to the throne. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit; deal with me as seemeth good in thy sight! I doubt not but he deals bountifully with your Ladyship; that you and yours may greatly increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXC.

To Lady F―― S――.

Leeds, August 23, 1753.

Honoured Madam,

HITHERTO the Lord hath helped me. Blessed be his glorious name, the fields have been every where white, ready unto harvest. I have been of late generally enabled to preach thrice a day, and in all appearance the word never was attended with more success. Satan rages and belies me, about the taking down the Glasgow play-houses; but I hope my letter lately published in the Newcastle journal, will set all things right. Thanks be to God, without the assistance of mobs and riots, (which my soul abhors) the christian’s weapons, through divine assistance, are mighty to the pulling down of Satan’s strong-holds. Alas! how many of these hath he gotten in every unregenerate person’s heart! Blessed be his holy name for any begun conquests there; surely his name is wonderful that hath done it. What a miracle of grace is it, honoured Madam, that a spark of fire should be kept in, amidst an ocean of corruption! that the bush should burn, and yet not be consumed! Such a standing miracle I trust your Ladyship will be. To be a martyr, a living witness for Jesus, amidst the tip-top allurements of high life—by this we prove the strength of Jesus to be ours indeed. May the Lord of all Lords help you, honoured Madam, to hold on and hold out. My prayer to him for you is, “That your progress may be made known to all men, and that you may increase with all the increase of God.” Glory be to free grace, I find the happiness of the divine life an increasing happiness indeed.—Lately our common Lord hath taken his people into the banqueting house, and caused their cup of consolation to run over. Surely we have been in the suburbs of heaven: ere long we shall enter into the city itself. Our Lord is gone before to prepare the way. To the tender and never-failing mercy of this gracious forerunner, do I humbly and heartily recommend your Ladyship, as being, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCI.

To Lady H――n.

York, September 11, 1753.

Ever-honoured Madam,

LAST Saturday I returned to Leeds, from whence I had been absent a fortnight. But what the glorious Emmanuel gave us to see and feel, is indeed inexpressible. What a sacrament at Howarth! We used thirty-five bottles of wine on the occasion. I have been as far as Bolton, Manchester, and Stockport. At the last place so much of the divine presence came amongst us, that it was almost too much for our frail natures to bear; at the former, our cup was also made to run over. Every where the congregation looked like swarms of bees, and the more I preached the more eager they seemed to be. At ♦Burstall last Lord’s day, perhaps there were near twenty thousand, and on Monday morning at Leeds, the parting was the most affecting I ever saw: it has been almost too much for me. I have not as yet half recovered it. Lord, hasten the time when thy people shall part no more! Last night I came hither, and preached with quietness. This morning I am setting out for Lincolnshire, and have some thoughts of taking a trip to Ireland. Lord Jesus, what am I that I should be called to go out into the high-ways and hedges? Besides travelling, I have been enabled to preach thrice a day frequently. Arrows of conviction have fled, and of souls I hear scores have been awakened; they tell me that a hundred have been added to Sunderland society. O that the leaven may ferment till the whole be leavened! Never did I see the work more promising. God be merciful to me a sinner, and give me, for his infinite mercy’s sake, an humble thankful and resigned heart! Surely I am viler than the vilest, and stand amazed at his employing such a wretch as I am; but his name is Love. I could enlarge, but must away to preach. Ever-honoured Madam, let me intreat the continuance of your prayers, and thereby increase the innumerable obligations already conferred on the unworthiest of the sons of men, but, for Christ’s sake, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCII.

To Lady H――.

London, September 26, 1753.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YESTERDAY about noon, a good and never-failing Redeemer brought me and mine in safety to town, where I expect to stay only a few days. Thanks be to God for this last circuit! I think this day three months I left London; since which time I have been enabled to travel about twelve hundred miles, and to preach about one hundred and eighty sermons to many, very many thousands of souls. More glorious seasons I never saw; parting has almost killed me. My last excursion hath been to York, Lincolnshire, Rotheram, Sheffield, Nottingham, Northampton, where I believe near ten thousand souls came to hear last Lord’s day. It was a Lord’s day indeed. Praise the Lord O my soul! I hope your Ladyship received Governor B――’s letter. I hear that your Ladyship hath honoured me with one, but find it is gone to Nottingham; I expect it to-morrow; but though somewhat fatigued, could not omit thanking your Ladyship to-night for this and all other favours. Innumerable are my obligations.—But the all-gracious and all-glorious Jesus must discharge them for me. My poor prayers, is the only pepper-corn I have got to offer by way of acknowledgment. O that I could do something to express my gratitude! By the help of my God, I will now begin to begin to love him. I am sure it is high time.—And in doing so, and studying to promote by my feeble letters his glory and the good of souls, I shall make the best return your Ladyship desires. I have some thoughts of seeing Ireland; the Lord direct my goings in his way! I must now wish your Ladyship a good night. My wife joins in sending most dutiful respects, with, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCIII.

To Mr. D――.

Northampton, October 7, 1753.

WHAT! have the birds of prey been pursuing, pecking at, and wounding one of Christ’s doves? Come, my dear man, play the man, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and be not like a silly dove that hath no heart. Look to him, and you shall be saved;

These enemies which so perplex us, ere long, blessed be God, we shall see no more. Pharaoh and his host shall be drowned in the sea.

Courage then, my dear Mr. D――; Christ’s blood shall yet purge out all remaining gall. Alas! alas! how little do we know of our hearts? What feathers are we, when tossed in the wind of temptations? What greater and greater abominations shall we find, when the spirit leads us more and more into the chambers of imagery that are within us! We shall find, that, comparatively speaking, we know nothing as we ought to know. O my ignorance! my ignorance! My leanness, my leanness! Pray for me, dear Mr. D――, and salute all dear friends in my name. I will write as soon as I can. My stay in London was but short, yet I trust profitable and sweet to many. The new tabernacle was filled with God’s glory under the word preached, on the letter day, and at sacrament. I am now bound for Staffordshire; follow me with your prayers, and believe me to be

Your affectionate sympathizing friend, in our dear Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCIV.

To Mr. S――.

Northampton, October 10, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

IT is now near eleven at night, and I am to ride beyond Coventry to-morrow: but I cannot close my eyes without sending you a short account of my week’s work. On Saturday last, I preached at Oulney, and had a blessed season. On the Lord’s day we had two glorious opportunities in this place, where the congregations were much larger than before. On Monday I went to Oxen near Harborough; it was their feast-day, but if I mistake not, some of their feasting was spoiled. In the evening I preached at Bosworth; the congregation was large as well as that at Oxen, and the power as great. About nine at night I got to Kettering, where I preached the next morning to many souls; the Redeemer gave us a spiritual breakfast. About five in the evening I reached Bedford, and preached in the Green last night, and this morning. This afternoon we had another blessed season at Oulney, and this evening I sojourn here, in order to set out for Birmingham to-morrow. A new scene of usefulness hath opened this week. O that nothing may retard me in my pilgrim life! It is worse than death to me, to be stopt in that. You, my dear Sir, are called to trade, I to travel for my God. Whilst trading, you are in effect travelling and preaching to thousands; for you greatly strengthen my hands in the Lord. Great shall be your reward in heaven. O what a bountiful master do we serve! I am loath to go to sleep, and yet this vile body stands in need of it. My dear, very dear Sir, good night. God bless you and yours. I pray for your dear yoke-fellow, and little maid, incessantly. As you learnt long ago to look through and above unworthiness, I must still beg you to increase my obligations, by following with your prayers.

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCVI.

To Mr. S――.

Nantwich, October 18, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

I am now at an Inn, but cannot go farther, without giving you an account of my last week’s circuit. Since my last, I have been at Birmingham, and several adjacent places. Still fresh work hath been done, and souls fled to the gospel like doves to the windows. At a place near Dudley, called Guarnall, I heard of a whole company awakened by reading my poor sermons. I met with others awakened years ago; and at one place, an old saint said, “this is the old story fifty-five years ago.” Another near as old, said, “I was comforted when you came last, now God hath sent you to me again, and I can go more chearful to heaven.” I have heard of a great reprobate, a notorious persecutor and drunkard, who hath been struck most powerfully. O my dear Sir; what shall you have for helping me in outward things, assisting me by your prayers, and thereby causing me to press forward more chearfully in this delightful work of publishing the everlasting gospel! I am now going to a neighbouring village, after that to Chester, and from thence, purpose to return through Staffordshire. God willing, you shall hear how it goes on, when I come to cross-plough the ground again. In the mean while, be pleased to accept this as a token of my love, gratitude, and respect unfeigned, and after giving my most hearty love to dear Mrs. S―― and your dear little daughter, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Your most unworthy, though most obliged friend, and ready servant in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCVII.

To Mr. S――.

Wolverhampton, October 27, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

MY last, I think was from Nantwich. Since that, the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, hath vouchsafed to employ me in breaking up new ground. I have preached four times at Alperam in Cheshire, where the Lord was with us of a truth, and where he had sweetly prepared my way, by blessing several of my poor writings. At Chester I preached four times; a great concourse attended; all was hushed and quiet, several of the clergy were present, and the word came with power. I have since heard, that the most noted rebel in town, was brought under deep conviction, and could not sleep night or day. Within doors, where I preached early in the morning, conviction seemed to go through the whole congregation. At Liverpool, the way was equally prepared.—A person who had been wrought on by some of my printed sermons, met me at landing, and took me to his house; a great number at a short notice was convened; all was quiet here also. Some came under immediate conviction; and I could wish to have stayed much longer, but notice was given for my preaching at Wrexham, which I find since, hath been a rude place indeed. Upon my coming, the town was alarmed, and several thousands came to hear. Several of the baser sort made a great noise, and threw stones, but none touched me, and I trust I can say, our Lord got himself the victory. The next day, near Alperam, we had another heaven upon earth. A divine power descended among the people, and we could say, how awfully sweet is this place! The next morning I intended to preach near Nantwich, where a Methodist meeting-house hath lately been pulled down. Here Satan roared.—The mob pelted Mr. D―― and others much, but I got off pretty free, and had opportunity of preaching quietly a little out of town. Last night I preached here in the dark, to a great body of hearers, for this country, and am now bound for Wednesbury, Dudley and Kidderminster. From thence, perhaps I may come to London for a few days. But this as yet is not determined. You will either see or hear again from me soon. In the mean while, I commend myself to the continual remembrance of your whole self, and with ten thousand thanks for all favours, beg leave to subscribe myself, my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. in our blessed Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCVIII.

To Mr. E――.

London, November 8, 1753.

Dear Mr. E――,

MAN appoints, but it is God’s prerogative to disappoint, when disappointments are necessary for our good. But how hard is it to believe this? How apt are we in our haste to say, all these things are against us! But what says Doctor Watts?

Come then, my dear Sir, and chearfully give up your Isaac for God. He will be better to you than a thousand creatures.

Ere now, I trust, the storm is blown over, and that the Redeemer hath made you happy in himself. His love is unchangeable; this rock of ages can never fail you. Build upon him, and you are quite safe. I could enlarge, but time fails. Be pleased to remember us to all, and believe me to be, dear Sir,

Your affectionate brother and servant in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCXCIX.

To Mr. P――.

Gloucester, November 16, 1753.

My dear P――,

I THANK you for your kind letter; it found me just returned from another tour in the north, which, like the former, I trust hath been owned and blessed to many precious and immortal souls. At Liverpool, Chester, Dudley, Wednesbury, Birmingham, Coventry, Northampton, and various other places, the gospel report was believed, and the arm of the Lord was revealed. At Nantwich and Wrexham, I met with a little rough treatment; but what have pilgrims to expect better, in their journeying through the wide howling wilderness of this noisy and troublesome world? At London, we had blessed seasons; and here, in my native country, the Lord of all Lords hath repeatedly made us cry out, “how dreadful is this place!” After Lord’s day, I am bound for Bristol and Plymouth, and hope to get into my winter quarters some time before Christmas. Glad should I be to travel for Jesus all the year round. It is more to me than my necessary food. Thank you, thank you my dear singing friends, for praying for me. I am persuaded, you help to hold up my weak hands. O continue to pray, that I may at length begin to be a pilgrim indeed. No other honour do I desire, whilst on this side eternity. I hope to send you some new tunes ere long. And what is better, infinitely better, I hope to join with you in singing the song of Moses and the Lamb ere long in the kingdom of heaven. Till then, though as yet we are embodied spirits,

Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied upon you all. But a word or two concerning Jenks on the righteousness of Christ. It is a precious book, and I think your extracting Mr. Hervey’s recommendation, and putting it by way of preface, to a new edition, will be sufficient. This I know is all he would consent to have done some time ago, when applied to by a London bookseller. God prosper this work of your hands upon you. Pray remember me to all my never to be forgotten friends, and assure them, that not want of love but leisure prevents their hearing more frequently from, my dear Sir,

Theirs and yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER M.

To Mr. G――.

Gloucester, November 16, 1753.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

YOUR kind letter I received, and would have answered it during my stay in London (which was only a few days) but really I was almost killed with a multiplicity of business. The journals also I would have sent immediately, but knew not how.—My wife promised me to embrace the first opportunity that offered, and I hope ere long they will come safe to hand. As for my pointing out particular passages, it is impracticable; I have neither leisure nor inclination so to do. At present, my doings and writings appear to me in so mean a light, that I think they deserve no other treatment than to be buried in eternal oblivion. “Behold, I am vile, I am vile,” is all that I can say to God or man. And yet, amazing love! vile as I am, the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, still delights to honour me, by owning and succeeding my poor feeble labours. Great things were done in and about Newcastle; but far greater did we see afterwards in Yorkshire, Lancashire, &c. Since that, I have been another tour, and have preached at Liverpool, Chester, Coventry, Birmingham, Dudley, Wednesbury, Kidderminster, Northampton, Bedford, &c. &c. Ere now I suppose Mr. B―― P―― hath informed you, what apostolical treatment we met with at Nantwich. Lord, what am I, that I should be accounted worthy to suffer reproach for thy great name sake? At present I am in my native country, where the Lord of all Lords hath vouchsafed to give us several precious meetings. After a few days sojourning here, I am bound for Bristol and Plymouth, and in about three weeks, I purpose to betake myself to my winter quarters. Blessed be God, I have had good news from Georgia. O that we all may at length safely arrive in Abraham’s harbour! From thence we shall never put to sea again. My dear Sir, in the mean while, let us pray for each other. Christ is in our ship, and therefore it will not sink. I commend you and yours, and all my other never to be forgotten Glasgow friends, to his never-failing protection, and beg them, for Christ’s sake, to always remember to pray for, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MI.

To Mr. S――.

Gloucester, November 17, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

IT is now just a week since I left London. I must not, I cannot go any further without writing to him, who doth so much to strengthen my hands in the Lord. And what shall I say? Truly the glorious Emmanuel still continues to smile upon my feeble labours. Although I am in my native country, yet he hath not left himself without witness. Last Lord’s day was a high day, and since that, we have had some more beautiful seasons in the country. I write this from a nineteen years friend’s house, an Alderman of the city, who with his wife, are my spiritual children. Lord, what am I? To-morrow I am to move, and expect, besides riding, to preach thrice for some days.

After visiting Bristol and Plymouth, I purpose hastening to my winter quarters. Winter quarters!—The word winter almost shocks me. Alas, winter come already, and I, ungrateful, ill and hell-deserving I, have done so little for my God in the summer? How can I lift up my guilty head? I blush and am confounded before thee, O Lord. Behold, I am vile; O dig and dung round me, that I may bring forth more fruit to thee my God! Still, my dear Sir, I must beg your prayers, and those of your dear yoke-fellow, whom I love and honour, and whom (with your dear little daughter) I salute much in the Lord. A sense of my own unfruitfulness, and of God’s amazing condescension in employing such a wretch, at present so over-powers me, that I am obliged to retire, to give vent to my heart, after having subscribed myself, my very dear Sir,

Yours under innumerable obligations, in the best of bonds,

G. W.

LETTER MII.

To Mr. A――.

Bristol, November 21, 1753.

My very dear friend,

I HOPED a few days ago to send you glad tidings, and blessed be God, I am not disappointed. Never had I before such freedom in Gloucestershire. It was so pleasant, that I intend taking it again in my way to London. Sunday was indeed an high day. I preached and gave the sacrament at the new-house in the morning, and preached again at Mr. G――’s and Mr. F――’s in the field, at noon and in the evening. Showers of blessings descended from above. Mr. L―― supped with me; our Lord gave us richly to feast upon his great love. At Painswick we had two pleasant seasons, and the same favour was vouchsafed us at Chafford and Tedbury. At Gloucester also a time of refreshing came from the presence of the Lord, and the dear Alderman’s house was made a Bethel to my soul. God brought me here on Monday evening, and to my great disappointment the new tabernacle is not finished, so that I know not well what to do. However, we had a good time last night at the hall, and I hope all this is but the beginning of a warm winter. I am glad that the Lord Jesus deals so bountifully with you at London. May he do so more and more! I believe he will. Your motion to go to Norwich I much approve of. Whatever others design, that is nothing to us. Simplicity and godly sincerity will carry all before it in the end. O that the sons of Zeruiah could be persuaded to let us alone! But how then should we be able to approve ourselves sons of David? By thorns and briars, the old man must be scratched to death.—O this crucifixion work! Lord Jesus help us to go through it! He will, he will. I commend thee and thine to his almighty protection and never-failing mercy, as being, my very dear man,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MIII.

Stroude, November 27, 1753.

Dear Mrs. C――,

YOUR letter came to my hands at Wrexham, but being upon the road I could not answer it. What said God to Abraham, “Fear not; I will be thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” Now is your time to approve yourself his daughter.—My heart’s desire and prayer to the Lord of all Lords is, that you may be strong in faith, and thereby give glory to God.—I am much obliged to those who dissuade you from going.—I find most love to be friends till they begin to have their Isaacs demanded.—Let them have but a little patience: perhaps I may embark myself.—If they do not think it a privilege to go for Christ over the waters, I do.—This, even this is the language of my heart,

O for a pilgrim heart! This I believe God hath given you, and I do not fear repenting the confidence I have reposed in you.—That the Lord may make you a mother in Israel, and bless you in taking care of his dear lambs, is the hearty prayer of, dear Mrs. C――,

Your most assured friend and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

P. S. We have had blessed seasons in the country: the Lord has been with us of a truth. Grace! grace!

LETTER MIV.

To Mr. S――.

Bristol, December 1, 1753.

My very dear friend,

THIS hath been a long fortnight, for so long it is since I wrote to my very dear friend; but I waited to send him a bundle of good news together. Blessed be God, I am not disappointed of my hope. Since my last, I have preached several times in Gloucestershire, where the people, as well as the unworthy preacher, drank plentifully of the good wine of the kingdom. In the fields several thousands attended. Here we have also enjoyed much of God; twice I preached in my brother’s great house to the quality, amongst whom was one of Cæsar’s houshold. On Sunday I opened the new Tabernacle. It is large, but not half large enough: would the place contain them, I believe near as many would attend as in London. Last Monday I set out for Somersetshire, intending to have gone as far as Plymouth, but the weather was so violent, and my call to London likely to be so speedy, that I turned back. However, I preached in Somersetshire four or five times. Some told me, they were scarce able to stand under what God gave them. On Tuesday, at seven in the evening, I preached in the open air to a great multitude; all was hush’d and exceeding solemn; the stars shone exceeding bright, and then, if ever, by an eye of faith, I saw him who calleth them all by their names. My soul was filled with an holy ambition, and I longed to be one of those who shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. My hands and body at this, and at other times were pierced with cold; but what are outward things when the soul within is warmed with the love of God? O my very dear Sir, increase my obligations by continuing to pray, that this unspeakable gift may be shed abroad abundantly in my heart by the Holy Ghost. Then shall I not grovel as I do now here below, but mount on wings like an eagle; I shall walk and not be weary, I shall hold on and not be faint. O that I may die in the field! But die when or where I will, I shall die under the strongest obligations to you and your dear yoke-fellow, who will both know, at the day of judgment, how sincerely I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MV.

To Mr. S――.

Bristol, December 3, 1753.

WHEN I saw the seal of your last sweet letter, I guessed at the contents of it. Blessed be God, I was not disappointed. The heart was soaring aloft, mounting on the wings of faith and love, and had fled out of sight of this poor and troublesome world. Thus may that God, who is rich in mercy, pay and reward all that love ill and hell-deserving me! The devil himself dares ♦not accuse us, for serving and loving God or man, for these wages. They are wages of God’s appointing, God’s promising, God’s paying. May my dear friend always find such payment! I believe he will.

I rejoice in the promising prospect of the happiness of your brother’s houshold. May it widen and spread over all! If I have any time, I hope to send him a few lines. Lord, hasten the time when my poor kinsmen and brethren after the flesh shall be joined to thee by one spirit! Till then, help me, O Lord, to be continually crying out, “Why me, Lord, why me?” Well may distinguishing grace, and the thoughts of everlasting love, swallow up your whole soul. Strange! that God’s children should not know their own bread. But these corrupt hearts of ours still verge towards the law. Grace, omnipotent grace alone, can enable us to see our compleatness in Christ, and yet excite us, from principles of gratitude and love, to faithfulness and zeal, as though we were to be saved entirely by them. Glorious mystery! Like the blessed angels, may you and yours, my dear friend, be continually employed in looking into it! This is what I have been preaching on last week in Somersetshire. The fire there warmed and enflamed me, though I preached in the air on Tuesday evening at seven o’clock, as well as on Wednesday and Thursday. I purposed to go as far as Plymouth, but providence hath brought me back, and I am now hastening to London, to pay my last respects to my dying friend. It may be, that shortly Mr. J―― W―― will be no more; the physicians think his disease is a galloping consumption. I pity the church, I pity myself, but not him. We must stay behind in this cold climate, whilst he takes his flight to a radiant throne, prepared for him from the foundations of the world. Lord, if it be thy blessed will, let not thy chariot wheels be long in coming. Even so come Lord Jesus, come quickly! Poor Mr. C―― will now have double work. But we can do all things through Christ strengthening us. The residue of the Spirit is in the Redeemer’s hands, and he hath promised not to leave his people comfortless. Our eyes, O Lord, are unto thee from whom cometh all our salvation. Here I could enlarge, but I must send a few lines to London, which I hope to reach myself some time this week. Be pleased to direct your next there. My Leeds friends have my cordial acknowledgements for their kind enquiries concerning me. I hope this will find them all, with your dear yoke-fellow, leaning on the Mediator’s bosom. There am I now reclining my weary head. Adieu. The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MVI.

To Mr. C―― W――.

Bristol, December 3, 1753.

BEING unexpectedly brought back from Somersetshire, and hearing you are gone upon such a mournful errand, I cannot help sending after you a few sympathizing lines. The Lord help and support you! May a double spirit of the ascending Elijah, descend and rest on the surviving Elisha! Now is the time to prove the strength of Jesus yours. A wife, a friend, and brother, ill together. Well! this is our comfort, all things shall work together for good to those that love God. If you think proper, be pleased to deliver the inclosed. It was written out of the fulness of my heart. To-morrow I leave Bristol, and purpose reaching London by Saturday morning or night. Glad should I be to reach heaven first; but faith and patience hold out a little longer. Yet a little while, and we shall be all together with our common Lord. I commend you to his everlasting love, and am, my dear friend, with much sympathy,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MVII.

To the Reverend Mr. J―― W――.

Bristol, December 3, 1753.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

IF seeing you so weak when leaving London, distressed me, the news and prospect of your approaching dissolution hath quite weighed me down. I pity myself, and the church, but not you. A radiant throne awaits you, and ere long you will enter into your Master’s joy. Yonder he stands with a massy crown, ready to put it on your head amidst an admiring throng of saints and angels. But I, poor I, that have been waiting for my dissolution these nineteen years, must be left behind to grovel here below! Well, this is my comfort, it cannot be long ere the chariots will be sent even for worthless me. If prayers can detain them, even you, reverend and very dear Sir, shall not leave us yet: but if the decree is gone forth, that you must now fall asleep in Jesus, may he kiss your soul away, and give you to die in the embraces of triumphant love. If in the land of the living, I hope to pay my last respects to you next week. If not, reverend and dear Sir, farewel.—I præ, sequar, etsi non passibus æquis. My heart is too big, tears trickle down too fast, and I fear you are too weak for me to enlarge. May underneath you be Christ’s everlasting arms! I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and am, very dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, sympathizing, and afflicted younger brother in the gospel of our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MVIII.

To Mr. C―― W――.

London, December 13, 1753.

My dear Friend,

THE searcher of hearts alone knows the sympathy I have felt for you and yours, and what suspence my mind hath been in concerning the event of your present circumstances. I pray and enquire, enquire and pray again, always expecting to hear the worst. Ere this can reach you, I expect the lot will be cast either for life or death. I long to hear, that I may partake like a friend either of your joy and sorrow. Blessed be God for that promise, whereby we are assured, that “all things shall work together for good to those that love him.” This may make us at least resigned, when called to part with our Isaacs. But who knows the pain of parting, when the wife and the friend are conjoined? To have the desire of one’s eyes cut off with a stroke, what but grace, omnipotent grace, can enable us to bear it? But who knows, perhaps the threatened stroke may be recalled. Surely the Lord of all lords is preparing you for further usefulness by these complex trials. We must be purged, if we would bring forth more fruit. Your brother I hear is better; to-day I intended to have seen him, but Mr. B―― sent me word he thought he would be out for the air. I hope Mr. H―― is better; but I can scarce mention any body now but dear Mrs. W――. Pray let me know how it goes with you. My wife truly joins in sympathy and love. Night and day indeed you are remembered by, my dear friend,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MIX.

To Mr. S――.

London, December 13, 1753.

My dear Friend,

THE mail not coming in till to-day, I began to fear lest something had happened to prevent your writing. But, blessed be God, my fears are dispelled, my friend is well, his temporals, his spirituals prosper: herein I rejoice, yea and will rejoice. But what news do you tell me? Hath an infinitely condescending God vouchsafed to breathe on my poor worthless scribble? Hath life and power attended inanimate ink and paper? This then, my God, shall be the language of my heart!

Whatever some may boast of, I know not; but this I can say, that although, through rich, free, and sovereign grace, I have been enabled these nineteen years to say unto God, “Thou art my father,” yet I can still say to corruption, “Thou art my sister.” Time and experience will convince others also of this important truth. God keep me, and all concerned with me, from such manifestations, as do not lead us more and more into the chambers of imagery, which are latent and undiscovered in the secret corners of our hearts! Such only come from God: illuminations which engender pride, and lead us from a deep and pungent feeling of our own nothingness, and the remainders of in-dwelling corruption, are either of a diabolical extraction, or at least are perverted by the devil and proud nature, to feed that disease, which when operating in a genuine way, they have a native tendency to remove. Well might Mr. Fleming say, “Lord, grant me a divine manifestation, but O teach me to manage it after thou hast granted it.” Paul needed a thorn to teach him how to manage such favours aright. I tremble for those who hug their delusions, and look upon the dunghill of corruption as quite removed, when it is only covered over as it were with a little snow. How white did the most foul places look only a few days ago! But the thaw is come, the whiteness is vanished, and filthy dunghills are dunghills still. My dear friend knows how to make the application. Blessed be God for leading you into the knowledge of the mystery of gospel holiness.—Holiness, not built on Moses, or the sandy bottom of our own faithfulness, but on Jesus, that rock of ages, whose faithfulness makes us faithful, and a reliance on whole compleat and all-sufficient righteousness, doings, and sufferings, carries the believer on (without thinking of a reward) to do and suffer, what a legal heart will shrink and boggle at. May this mind be in you and me, and all that love our dear Lord Jesus in sincerity! When the Son of Man makes them thus free, then will they be free indeed. You may easily see, that part of your letter hath led me insensibly into this strain of writing. If it pleases or profits, or both, it will answer the end designed, and the dear, ever-dear, ever-loving, and ever-lovely Redeemer shall have all the glory. As our acquaintance was begun in him, and I trust hath hitherto been blessed, so I would have it continue to run in the same channel, and, whether absent from or present with each other, sweetly lead us to our ocean, God. I am only sorry you have such an unprofitable correspondent. Tears are ready to gush out at the thought, and I am ready to sink into the earth, when I consider how little I can do for that Jesus, whom I love for himself, or for my friends, whom I love for his great name’s sake. Friend of sinners, circle me in thy own compleat and all-sufficient Self! Good night, my dear Sir, good night. If you guess at my present frame, you will know at whose cross this leaves me, and how much I am

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MX.

To Mr. V――.

London, December 15, 1753.

My very dear Mr. V――,

JUST now I received, and have read over your kind letter, dated August 22d, and in reading it, could have wished for the wings of a dove, that I might have fled and embraced you in these unworthy arms, and wished you joy of being assured of his love, who so loved us as to give himself for us. May this find you in the same happy frame, and may you for ever hereafter be blessed with the uninterrupted witness of God’s Spirit, witnessing with your spirit, that you are indeed his child! As you have undergone a long and tedious law work, I hope your joys are of the right kind, and will be more substantial and lasting, than those who leap into a fancied liberty at once, and having no root in themselves, in time of temptation fall away. Your house, my dear friend, I believe, is not built upon the sand, but upon Jesus, even Jesus of Nazareth, the rock of ages; against which the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail. Whoever hath been the instrument of bringing you into this happy frame, it is no matter to me; I rejoice, yea and will rejoice. If I know any thing of my heart, I am just the same disinterested person as when I saw you, and believe me, you are my dear, very dear Gaius, my son, my friend still. Mr. S―― can tell you, why you received no letters. They are ready, and were sent to his lodgings:—but to my great surprize I was told, a coach came for him and the other passengers. Ever since I have been preaching and travelling as usual, generally twice, and frequently thrice a day. I came only last Saturday into Winter quarters, and shall long for the Spring again, that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. O that my dear Lord may never discard me from this divine employ! An itinerant pilgrim life is that which I choose.—And why? It was the life of my blessed Lord. I hope you will not fail of calling out dear Mr. Z――y to it every year.—I am sure America, dear America stands much in need of it. Let envious, lukewarm elder brethren say what they please against it, this is the way that God hath honoured, yea and I believe will honour even unto the end. But I find, love of honour, power, ease, and fulness of bread, make even good people to think, and speak, and act unlike themselves. These, these are the things which have led the Moravian brethren on this side the water, from the cross of Christ, and made them to differ as much from what once they were, as light from darkness. O how have my dear spiritual children, (for whom I travailed in birth, and whom I love as my own soul) been insensibly led away, and robbed of their spiritual and temporal substance, at least for a while, by some self-designing and deceitful men. Against these, and not the dear people, who have been eaten up as bread, with a bleeding heart, have I drawn my pen; and I believe shall rejoice that I have done so to my dying day. God grant that the like scene may never be opened on your side the water! But I forbear.—O for heaven! O for that time when we shall get out of this church militant! I long to be

Dear Mr. J―― W―― is going thither apace: he is supposed to be in a galloping consumption. Lord Jesus, give me patience to wait till my wished-for change also shall come! I long to awake after thy likeness; I long to be dissolved to be with thee! Then, then shall I meet you, my dear friend, and rejoice, together with all the blessed train that shall follow the Lamb! O my dear Sir, bear with me, bear with me, I pray you, for indeed I am sick of love. Surely of all the redeemed, I, even ill and hell-deserving I, shall sing loudest in heaven. Behold I am vile! black, but yet comely: not in myself, but in the comeliness which my dear Jesus hath put upon me. I can now no more. I must retire to pray for you and yours. The Lord bless you, and keep you, and give you a heart continually to remember before his throne, my dear Mr. V――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXII.

To Mrs. G――.

Tabernacle-House, December 17, 1753.

Dear Madam,

I WAS so well satisfied with the frame I found you in yesterday, that I could not refrain sending you a few lines to-day. O that you may have grace given you, to stand the first attacks that you must necessarily meet with from every quarter! Blessed be God, that you are determined to shew out at once, and to let all know, that you are determined not so much as to attempt to compromise matters between Christ and the world. One might as well attempt to reconcile light and darkness, heaven and hell. Happy they who set out on a disinterested bottom; it is the foundation which our great High-priest hath laid, and is a rock that will never fail. Never fear, Madam, though storms and billows, afflictions and temptations abide you; he that enabled the three children to pass unhurt through the fiery furnace, and kept his beloved Daniel from being devoured in a den of lions, can and will preserve you unspotted and undefiled, though surrounded on every side. My poor worthless prayers shall not be wanting for you night and day. Look up, dear Madam, determine to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified, and he will make your very enemies to be at peace with you. But faith must be tried, and grace, when given, must be kept in exercise. Welcome, welcome dear Madam, into the glorious kingdom of the children of God. O that all of Cæsar’s houshold were in the same situation! How would they exult in the happy change! A change from darkness to light, from bondage and misery to the most consummate liberty and happiness. For those whom the Son of man makes free, they are free indeed. Now, now may you sing,

I could enlarge, but am afraid of being too bold. The freedom already taken, proceeds from unfeigned regard to our common Lord, to good Lady H――, and to yourself, for his great name sake. I just now informed her Ladyship of the honour done me yesterday, and of the providential call she seems to have to town. Her Ladyship is a mother in Israel indeed, a mirror of piety, detached from worldly hopes and worldly fears, and therefore no wonder that she so simply copies after her great Exemplar, and glories only in his blessed cross. Till you can find some like-minded, I believe you will find your God and your book the best company.—That you may be never less alone, than when you are alone, and that you may be continually directed so to speak and act, that you may win many souls among the rich and great to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, is and shall be the earnest constant prayer of, dear Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXIII.

To Mr. B――.

London, December 17, 1753.

Dear Mr. B――,

I AM sorry to find by your last, which came to hand on Saturday, that the tumults in your parts still continue at such an height. I heartily wish, that the kind and generous Justice who hath so laudably exerted himself, may have courage to proceed in a due execution of the laws, and I doubt not but the issue will be, that you will have peace. In the mean while, may the Redeemer enable you and all concerned to possess their souls in patience! I think the storm is too violent to hold long. The death of dear Mr. J―― W――, if that should be the issue of his present illness, I think is of a far more threatening nature. At present, I hear he is somewhat better, but if his distemper be a galloping consumption (as they say it is) there are but little hopes of his surviving long. But all things are possible with God. O that my tardy pace may be quickened, and my sluggish soul begin to be alive to God! He hath dealt bountifully with me since we parted. In various places the word ran and was glorified, and we had a lovely shutting-up of the Summer’s campaign in Gloucestershire.—I am now in my Winter quarters, moaning and bewailing myself, for not having done more when the days were longer. O for Spring, that I may spring afresh for my Lord! You and all must pray for me. I send you and yours, Mr. C―― and his son, and all enquiring friends (not forgetting poor Peggy) my hearty love. My wife joins with, dear Mr. B――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXIV.

To Mr. E―― P――.

London, December 17, 1753.

Dear Sir,

I DOUBT not but the receipt of this will fill you with surprize; yet I hope it will be a pleasing one. Last night after preaching, your son, who hath been lately confined, came to me and gave me a particular detail of his seemingly unhappy circumstances.—The narration affected me, and I asked him to stay supper; the company then with me I thought was what he wanted.—The consequence was, that he went home rejoicing in God; temptations subsided. I cannot help thinking, but that if he conversed with proper persons who knew his case, he might yet come forth as gold tried in the fire. His experience is somewhat uncommon, and perhaps when sufficiently humbled, the glorious Redeemer may exalt him. Satan hath certainly desired to have him to sift him as wheat; but I verily believe Jesus hath prayed for him, and therefore his faith shall not fail. As I know what unspeakable concern, tender parents must necessarily undergo for a child in such a way, I could not help sending a few lines to you. If the glorious Emmanuel, whose love constrains me to write, should vouchsafe to bless them to the consolation of you and yours, it would much rejoice, dear Sir,

Your sympathizing though unknown friend, and servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MXV.

To C―― W――.

London, December 20, 1753.

My dear Friend,

I MOST sincerely rejoice in, and have given private and public thanks for the recovery of your dear yoke-fellow. My pleasure is increased by seeing your brother so well, as I found him on Tuesday at Lewisham.—O that you may both spring afresh, and your latter end increase more and more! Talk not of having no more work in the vineyard; I hope all our work is but just beginning. I am sure it is high time for me to do something for Him, who hath done and suffered so much for me.—Near forty years old, and such a dwarf! The Winter come already, and so little done in the Summer! I am ashamed, I blush and am confounded. And yet God blesseth us here. Truly his out-goings are seen in the tabernacle. The top-stone is brought forth; we will now cry Grace! grace! I must away. Our joint respects attend you all. I hope Mr. H―― mends; I hear that his brother is dead. Lord, make us also ready! My most dutiful respects await our elect Lady.—God willing, she shall hear soon from, my dear friend,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MXVI.

To the Marquiss L――.

London, December 27, 1753.

My Lord,

A MATTER of some importance, is the occasion of my troubling your Lordship with another letter. The reverend Mr. G―― T―― of ♦Philadelphia, and the reverend Mr. D―― from Virginia (both eminent ministers of Jesus Christ) are just arrived. They are commissioned to apply for a general collection in Scotland, and to procure private contributions for the building and maintaining a presbyterian college in New-Jersey province. What I would therefore beg of your Lordship is, that your Lordship would do them the honour of permitting them to wait upon you, and that they may be also introduced to Lord L――. One Mr. D―― D――, who I believe was lately chosen a correspondent member of that society, over which your Lordship presides, and who is a steady friend to the interests of the Redeemer, if your Lordship is pleased to give leave, will come along with them. I shall wait for your Lordship’s answer, and then apprize them of it. In the mean time, I heartily wish your Lordship not the compliments, but the blessings of the season, even all those blessings that have been purchased for a lost world by the death and sufferings of an incarnate God.—Adored, for ever adored be his free grace, he vouchsafes to ♠manifest himself amongst us here. Conviction and conversion work seems to go on prosperously, and God’s people are abundantly refreshed. That your Lordship may continually drink of divine pleasures as out of a river, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, my Lord,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXVII.

To Mr. G――.

London, December 27, 1753.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

I AM surprized to find by your last kind letter, that my poor journals are not come to hand. My wife informs me that they were sent to, or by one Mr. E――, who was to send off goods the very next day. Perhaps it will please you to hear that Messrs. T―― and D―― supped with me last night; may the good Lord prosper the work of their hands upon them! I hope they will be introduced soon to the Marquiss of L――, and by him to Lord L――. I shall help them all I can. At the great day all things will be laid open. O how do I long for it! And yet, how ashamed shall I be to appear before my Lord, when I have done so little for him, and made such poor returns for his dying love! Would you think it? I am this day thirty-nine years of age. Did not my business require my attendance, I could lock myself up, and lie prostrate all the day long in deep humiliation before him, who hath vouchsafed to call me by his grace, reveal his son in me, and I trust made me the instrument, (O amazing love!) of calling some others to the experimental knowledge of the same unspeakable gift. My dear, very dear Sir, let none of my friends cry to such a sluggish, lukewarm, unprofitable worm, “Spare thyself.” Rather spur me on, I pray you, with an “Awake thou sleeper, and begin to begin to do something for thy God.” The Lord being my helper, I will. Do thou strengthen me, my Lord and my God, and I will go for thee, at thy command, to the uttermost parts of the earth! O break, break my heart, look to him, whom thou hast pierced.—Look and love, look and mourn, look and praise; thy God is yet thy God! Every day, Sir, we hear of fresh work; scores of notes are put up by persons brought under conviction, and God’s people are abundantly refreshed. Last night the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle; I cannot tell you half.—I am lost, I am lost in wonder. I must retire to give vent to my heart. For the present, my dear Sir, adieu! The Lord bless you and yours, and all my other dear friends. Ere long, I hope to spend an eternal new year with you in the Jerusalem which is above. That in the mean time, all things belonging to the old man may die in us, and all things belonging to the new man may more and more live and grow in us, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MXVIII.

To Lady H――n.

London, January 3, 1754.

Ever-honoured Madam,

ERE now, I hope your Ladyship is delivered from suspense, and that the danger concerning little master is entirely over. The concern I was in for your Ladyship when I wrote last, made me forget to speak about Mrs. H――. And indeed I cannot tell where she lodges. I could wish she was bettered by affliction.—But alas! though, why do I speak of others, when another new year is come, and I am bettered so little by all the Lord hath done for and in me? O that he may dig and dung round this barren fig-tree, that it may at length begin to bring forth some fruit unto God! But who can tell what this digging and dunging means? What temptations, afflictions and trials of every kind doth it include? And all little enough to keep these hearts in any tolerable order. Out of darkness he can and will bring light. That your Ladyship may experience this more and more every day, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXIX.

To Mr. W.――.

London, January 5, 1754.

My dear Mr. W――,

YOUR letter much affected as well as surprized me.—I may say of it as Dr. G―― says of the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, “It smelt of the prison.” Surely God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts, neither are his ways as our ways. How amazingly does he over-rule all things, for the spiritual and eternal good of those who love him in sincerity! Through his gracious and never-failing care, out of the eater cometh forth meat, and out of the strongest trial cometh forth unspeakable, spiritual sweetness. If this be the effect of affliction, then may the believer boldly say,

All hail reproach, and welcome pain!

Surely you may sing,

Now will you prove the strength of Jesus to be yours, now, will you find that your very enemies shall be at peace with you; ravens shall feed you, and the bread which you cast upon the waters many days ago, shall now happily be found. I sympathize most sincerely with your dear yoke-fellow, and parent. Blessed be God, we have a rich Saviour to go to.—A Saviour, who though infinitely rich in himself, yet for our sakes became poor. Rejoice then, my dear friend, for having an opportunity of being conformed to him. And whether your affliction be brought on you by any imprudent conduct, or by the immediate hand of God, cast not off I pray you your confidence in Christ. He is a compassionate high-priest. Perhaps this year, if we should live to the fall, we may have an opportunity of conversing about him face to face. In the mean while, let us pray for each other, and wait for that blessed time, when we shall be afflicted and tossed no more. I meet with my share of trials; but with thankfulness would I set up my Ebenezer; for hitherto my God hath helped me. Glory be to his great name, his word runs and is glorified more and more. The wilderness in various places blossoms like a rose. May the Lord revive his work in your parts! Mr. D―― and Mr. T―― have supped with me twice. I hope they will meet with wished-for success. My wife joins in sending love and cordial respects to your whole self, your mother, sister, and all that love the glorious Jesus in sincerity. That you all may increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, my dear Mr. W――,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXX.

To Governor B――.

London, January 11, 1754.

Honoured Sir,

I HAD the favour of your last kind letter by the hands of Messrs. T―― and D――, whose work I pray the Lord of all Lords to bless and prosper. Was Lady H――n in town, they should have been introduced before now, but at present she is at Bath drinking of the waters of life freely, and communicating them freely to others. One of Cæsar’s houshold hath been lately awakened through her Ladyship’s instrumentality, and I hope others will meet with like blessing. Amongst the common people the gospel also runs, and is glorified in divers places. Our new tabernacle the Redeemer vouchsafes to fill with his presence, and gives us daily to hear that delightful music, “The triumphs of his word.” Winter quarters are made pleasant to me, but I long for my Spring campaign.—Perhaps it may be a Spring Voyage.—For I am now seriously thinking of a voyage to America, and live in hopes of seeing your Excellency once more on this side eternity. Lord Jesus, do thou shew me what thou wouldest have me to do! This, this I trust at present is the unfeigned language of my heart,

I beg a continued interest in your Excellency’s prayers, that I may be kept from flagging in the latter stages of my road, and ripen for heaven every day and every hour. I am now thirty-nine years old, and little dreamt of being kept on earth so long; but I find we are immortal till our work is done. O that I may now begin to begin to work for Jesus! He is worthy, he is altogether lovely, he is the fairest among ten thousand. To his never-failing mercy and endearing love I most humbly recommend your Excellency’s whole self, always subscribing myself, honoured Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXXI.

To Mr. S――.

London, January 11, 1754.

Dear Mr. S――,

WHY did you not apprize me of your going? Why did you not let me have an opportunity of sending my packets after you to Portsmouth? You sailed only a day or two before I came there myself. However, I am glad to hear that you are safe arrived. May it be an earnest of your arriving ere long in the kingdom of heaven! Perhaps we may meet this Summer. I hope we shall see each other grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. You and I are much indebted to him. We have not a moment of time to lose. We ought to be continually saying, “What shall we render unto the Lord?” O for zeal! O for activity in his glorious service! A crucified Jesus! An incarnate God! What doth his love, his dying, yet never-dying love demand at our hands? Answer that question who can. It will nonplus men and angels. Blessed be his free grace, we find here that his name is Wonderful. Our new tabernacle is compleated, and the workmen all paid. What is best of all, the Redeemer manifests his glory in it. Every day, souls come crying, “What shall we do to be saved?” This I believe you will look upon to be the best news. But I can now no more. Accept this as a token of love unfeigned, from, my dear Mr. S――,

Yours, &c. in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXXII.

To Mr. B――.

London, January 19, 1754.

My dear Mr. B――,

ALL is well, and why? Because all things are of our Lord’s ordering. May he perfect his strength in your weakness, and the more the outward man decayeth, may you be strengthened so much the more by his holy spirit in the inner man!—Welcome flux, welcome fever, welcome the plague itself, if sanctified to bring us nearer to our God. Yet a little while, and he that cometh, will come, and will not tarry. I wish you much prosperity under the cross.—You must return the favour; I stand in need of much prayer. Perhaps ere long I may be called to occupy my business in the great waters. If not, God willing, you shall see me. In the mean while, pray give my love to all, especially to those mentioned in your last. God help them to hold on and hold out! In heaven they will sing the louder for being called by such an ill and hell-deserving creature as I am. Blessed be God, awakening work goes on here: every sermon preached this Winter hath been fetched out of the furnace.—But what are we to expect as christians and ministers, but afflictions? I thank you for your kind offer, and orders to command. Such I seldom comply with. Though poor, yet desiring at least to make many rich, I would have for my motto still. Some way or another, my God will supply all my wants. I am sorry that the volume of the Christian Library was forgotten. I shall write to my dear Mr. S―― to send you his, and yours may be sent to him. Whatever becomes of written christian libraries, I earnestly pray that your heart, my dear Sir, may be the library of Jesus Christ, and beg leave to subscribe myself,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXXIII.

To Mr. W――.

London, January 19, 1754.

Dear Mr. W――,

AS my embarking for America seems to be very near at hand, your question must necessarily be answered in the negative. However, I thank you for your kind offer, and earnestly pray that wherever you are called to labour, you may find the work of the Lord prospering in your hands. I did not know that there was any demur between you and those with whom you have been for some time connected; and I am sure, God is my witness, that I want to draw no man from them. People, money, power, are not my objects. I desire to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified, and to be a willing pilgrim for his great name’s sake. At present this is the language of my heart,

I intreat you to pray that my faith fail not. Lord, increase it for thy infinite mercy’s sake! We have blessed seasons here: the glory of the Lord fills our new tabernacle. If possible, I shall send the books you desire to Leeds. I hope you find your present illness sanctified. That is a sign of special love.—Adieu. I am in great haste. But with greater love, I subscribe myself, dear Mr. W――,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXXIV.

To Mr. ――.

London, February 2, 1754.

Dear Sir,

BY your writing, I guess you are a brand plucked out of the fire of the polite and gay world.—Happy deliverance! I intreat you to rejoice, give thanks, and sing,

I do not wonder to hear of your being under trials; you are to be made perfect by them. Right-hand and right-eye corruptions are not so easily cut off, or plucked out; but this must be done. Not one Agag, however beautiful, and importunate for life, must be spared: the sword of the spirit must be lifted up, and as an enemy to the Lord of life and glory, he must be hewn to pieces. Jesus, the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, cannot away with idols:—And why? Because they rob us of our peace, estrange us from our God, and unfit us for the enjoyment of that better world, where I hope to see you encircled in the arms of redeeming love. Flee therefore, dear Sir, flee, I intreat you, youthful lusts. Jesus will give you wings and feet, and after all reward you, as though you fled in a strength of your own. O often, often contemplate, and dwell upon his dying for you. This will sweetly constrain you to be willing even to die for him, and powerfully constrain you to be ready to every good word and work. O that I may take this advice myself! You must pray that I may; a trial is at hand. In about three weeks I am bound for America.—A multiplicity of business lies before me; but to convince you that your correspondence is not troublesome, I snatch a few minutes to send you these lines, from, dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend and servant for Christ’s sake.

G. W.

LETTER MXXV.

To Lady H――n.

London, February 14, 1754.

Honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s kind letter came safe to hand.—I immediately sent for Mr. M――, delivered his, and saw it consumed. He hath the most grateful sense of your Ladyship’s great benevolence. It is, as your Ladyship suspects in relation to his wife; she is a Zipporah, a thorn in the flesh. Ministers must expect such things. I hope your Ladyship is enabled to bear with fortitude the scratches you must necessarily meet with in this wide howling wilderness. You have a Beloved to lean upon, who is mighty and willing to save. Blessed be his name, for giving you a heart to retire from the pomps and vanities of a dreaming and delusive world. Happy they, who can enjoy their God and themselves. This only the true christian can do. Such a one I believe your Ladyship to be.—My prayer to the Lord of all Lords in your Ladyship’s behalf, is that you may grow in grace, and abound continually in every good word and work. This is the only return I can make your Ladyship for the regard and concern you have expressed for me, as an unworthy minister of the Son of God. For his great name sake, I expect in a fortnight, once more to launch into the great deep, with about ten or twelve poor destitute orphans under my care. O my God, why am I thus honoured, to be employed as a pilgrim for thee? I trust this is the language of my heart,

But whither am I going? Be pleased, honoured Madam, to excuse this freedom; your Ladyship’s kind letter constrains me to write thus. Honoured Madam, I thank you a thousand and a thousand times, for all your kind offers of serving me, and the church of God. At present (since you have so lately let the tabernacle have such an instance of your regard) I have only to beg the continuance of your Ladyship’s prayers, and to subscribe myself without dissimulation, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for the dear Redeemer’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MXXVI.

To Mrs. G――.

London, February 15, 1754.

Dear Madam,

WITH this I send you the promised pamphlet, which was written with a single eye to prevent fraud and superstition, and to promote the Mediator’s glory. Notwithstanding, I would advise you, dear Madam, not to let other people’s foibles drive you from the cross of Christ: he is altogether lovely.—And if persons were more taken up in contemplation of his loveliness, and their own deformities, they would not have so much time to talk of others, nor take so much pains to gain proselytes to any particular party under heaven. Such a practice is beneath the dignity of a free-born child of God.—His spirit breathes another kind of language, and teaches us to be all eye within. O that your heart may be filled with that wisdom which is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, without partiality, without hypocrisy, and full of faith, self-denial, zeal, disinterestedness, and good works! That Jesus, whom I believe you love, is able, dear Madam, to fill you with this wisdom. He hath promised, “if we ask, it shall be given.” Nay, he hath said, “that he giveth liberally and upbraideth not.” May you be enabled to lay hold on him in the omnipotence of prayer, and find grace to help in every time of need! Have you not found him faithful, in your intended visit to your friend? May you be made wise as an angel of God, to win her and others over to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus! Pray, dear Madam, have you heard from Bath? There is a copy you may safely write after; but a perfect one is no where to be found but in our common Lord, the God-man Christ Jesus. To his tender and never-failing mercy do I most humbly recommend you, and, for his great name’s sake, most heartily subscribe myself, dear Madam,

Your most obliged and ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER MXXVII.

To Mr. S――

Lisbon Harbour, March 17, 1754.

My very dear Sir,

SURELY our God is a prayer-hearing, promise-keeping God. He delights to disappoint our fears, and even exceeds our hopes. On the seventh instant we left Gravesend; on the eighth we passed through the downs, and yesterday we anchored in this port. Through the channel we met not with the least obstruction, neither had we the least contrary wind all the way. Cape Finisterre, the Burlings, and the rock of Lisbon, (high-lands we desired to make) we came directly upon, and though the wind was very high, yet being for us, it was not so troublesome, but (like sanctified afflictions to the christian) drove us nearer to our desired haven. We are now lying before a large place, where we see hundreds going to worship in their way. We have just been at ours, and I trust I have felt something of that rest, which remains, even on this side eternity, for the people of God. You and yours are not forgotten by me at his throne. No, I remember you night and day, and am longing for that happy time, when we shall part no more. Though sent without a friend to return with me, yet I am not left alone. I thank the Lord of all Lords, for honouring me so far as to employ me on such expeditions as these. O my God, what am I, that I should be called to leave my native country, and to sacrifice not only my carnal but spiritual affections for thee! Thy presence on earth, thy presence in heaven, will make amends for all. Well! Blessed be God, this heaven is at hand. Yet a little while, and he that cometh, will come, and will not tarry. O that he may find us busy for him! I am persuaded this will be your case. Add, my dear Sir, to my manifold obligations, by praying that it may be mine also.—Fain would I be kept from flagging in the latter stages of my road; fain would I return to my native country (if I am to return) grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Indeed he is a good master. He hath given me the affections of all on board, and as kind a Captain as we could desire. What I meet with when on shore, you may know hereafter. I grudge your paying postage for my poor scribble, and yet I know not well how to prevent it. Be pleased to put it down to the amount of our common Lord, and if you have any leisure from working for the poor, and trading for him, let me have a line. I recommend you and them to the Redeemer’s never-failing mercy, and am, I trust with some degree of gratitude, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MXXVIII.

To Mr. B――.

Lisbon Harbour, March 19, 1754.

My dear Mr. B――,

HOW soon does the scene shift? At what a distance, in a few days, may we be removed from each other! On the sixteenth instant, that God whom I desire to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, brought me and my orphan charge to this harbour. As yet I have not been on shore, but expect to go to-morrow. At this distance, I see enough to bless the Lord of all Lords for calling me out of darkness into his marvelous light, and for redeeming me from this present evil world. O my dear friend, to an eye fixed on the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, how little, unspeakably little do all sublunary things appear. I hope this will find my dear Mr. B―― crying out from the bottom of his heart, “indeed they are not worth a thought.” Well said, my dear Sir; let us then be laudably ambitious, and get as rich as we can towards God; such are durable riches. The bank of heaven is a sure bank. I have drawn thousands of bills upon it, and never had one sent back protested. God helping me, I purpose lodging my little earthly all there. I hope my present poor but valuable cargo, will make some additions to my heavenly inheritance. O free grace! That ever such an ill and hell-deserving wretch as I am, should ever be called out to leave his carnal and spiritual friends, for that friend of sinners the Lamb of God! These partings are indeed trying to nature; but heaven, my dear Sir, will make amends for all. There I hope to meet you and yours, whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ; there you shall be amply rewarded for all acts of kindness conferred either on me or mine. Increase my obligations, by continuing to pray for us, and accept this as a small tribute of thanks, and a testimony of love unfeigned, from, my dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MXXX.

To Mr. C――.

Lisbon, March 26, 1754.

My dear Friend,

SHALL I promise and not perform? I dare not. This therefore comes to inform you, that I am now as it were an old inhabitant of Lisbon, having been here above a week. In that time, what have I seen and heard? Strange and incredible things, not more strange than instructive. Never did civil and religious liberty appear to me in so amiable a light as now. What a spirit must Martin Luther, and the first Reformers be endued with, that dared to appear as they did for God! Lord, hasten that blessed time, when others, excited by the same spirit, shall perform like wonders. O happy England! O happy Methodists, who are Methodists indeed! And all I account such, who being dead to sects and parties, aim at nothing else but an holy method of living to, and dying in the blessed Jesus. This be their, this be my happy lot! Blessed be his name for calling me to a pilgrim life! Thanks be to his great name, for constraining me to leave all that is near and dear to me, for the sake of his glorious gospel. He takes care to provide for me. A gentleman hath most gladly received me into his house, and behaves like a friend indeed. To-day I dine with the Consul: ere long, I hope to sit down and eat bread in the kingdom of God. I wait for this salvation, O Lord! You must pray for me, and desire others to join with you. I intend writing to our elect Lady before I leave Lisbon. In about ten days we expect to sail. For the present, adieu! This leaves us all well. My fatherless charge is in good health. O that they may be converted and made new creatures in Christ! O that I may begin to begin to be converted myself.—I am a dwarf.—Less than the least of all, shall be my motto still. As such, pray for, my dear friend.

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXXXI.

To Mr. A――.

Lisbon, March 29, 1754.

Very dear Friend,

INDEED you have lost the seeing and hearing of many strange, but to a truly enlightened soul, instructive things. I thank God for sending me here; I know your heart hath been here also; but all is well.—What is, is best. I hope you go on comfortably at home, whilst I, unworthy, ill and hell-deserving I, am travelling for the same Lord Jesus abroad. He doth not leave me comfortless,—he doth not leave me alone;

O the happiness of seeing and enjoying all in God, even a God in Christ! Such happiness they only can know, who being separated from all that is near and dear unto them, can wrap themselves in Him, in whose presence there is life, and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore. This be my happy lot, during my present exile state! O my dear tabernacle friends, my dear never to be forgotten hearers, into what a fair ground is your lot cast! What a goodly heritage hath the Lord of all Lords vouchsafed you! I remember my promise, I think of your hours of meeting, and though absent in body, am, notwithstanding, present in spirit, and live in hopes of hearing of your stedfastness and joy in God our Saviour. Bless him, O bless him from your inmost souls, that you have been taught the way to him, without the help of fictitious saints. Thank him night and day, that to you, even to you are committed the lively oracles of God. Adore him continually for giving you to hear them preached with power, and pity and pray for those, who are forbid the use of this sacred depositum, and are led blindfold day by day, by crafty and designing men. May you see and improve your privileges! Much, very much indeed is given you. Of you, therefore, God and man may justly require the more: accept this in love. Continue to pray for me and my fatherless pilgrim charge. Blessed be God they are all well. I write this from a merchant’s house, whom the Lord of all lords hath inclined to receive me; let him not be forgotten. In a short time we expect to move. Still my request is, “If thy presence go not with me. Lord Jesus, send me not even from hence!” I wish you all, dear friends, much, very much of it. I intend to write to as many as I can, and I beg them and you to accept this as a token of love unfeigned, from, my very dear T――,

Theirs and yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXXXII.

To the Rev. Mr. Z――.

Lisbon, March 29, 1754.

My dear and honoured Sir,

THROUGH the goodness of a gracious and never-failing God, we have been at this place near a fortnight. Our voyage was but about nine days long, and the same God who took care of us on the great deep, hath also provided for me on shore. A merchant of great credit hath received me into his house, and every day I have seen or heard something, that hath had a native tendency to make me thankful for the glorious reformation. O that our people were equally reformed in their lives, as they are in their doctrines and manner of worship! But alas! alas!—O for another Luther, O for that wished-for season, when every thing that is antichristian shall be totally destroyed by the breath of the Redeemer’s mouth, and brightness of his appearing! Then should I, even ill and hell-deserving I, be entirely conformed to the copy of my great Exemplar, and nor be such a dwarf as I am in the divine life. As my present situation leads me to be all eye and ear, I endeavour to look more into my heart. But the more I see it, the more I admire the freeness and richness of that grace, that hath called me out of darkness into God’s marvelous light, and made me a minister of the everlasting gospel. May this voyage be over-ruled for my improvement in that delightful employ! Hitherto, I think it hath done me good. The country agrees with my bodily health; and, through grace, I trust what I have seen and heard hath benefited my soul. My fatherless charge are all well, and I hope in a few days we shall set sail for Georgia. From thence, God willing, honoured Sir, you shall hear from me again. In the meanwhile, I recommend myself to the continuance of your daily intercession, as being, very dear and honoured Sir,

Your most dutiful, obliged, though unworthy son and servant in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MXXXIII.

To Mr. C――.

Lisbon, March 30, 1754.

Very dear Sir,

THIS leaves me pretty well satisfied (not to say surfeited) with the ecclesiastical curiosities of Lisbon. This day fortnight we arrived; and the country being in want of rain, and it being Lent season, we have been savoured with frequent processions, and several extraordinary pieces of scenery. Alas! to what lengths will superstition run! And how expensive is the pageantry of a false religion! Blessed be God for being born in England! Blessed be God for being born again, and thereby being taught to worship the Father in spirit and in truth! This, my dear Sir, I believe is your happy portion; and therefore if it should be our lot never to meet here any more, I am persuaded nothing can prevent our meeting in a blissful country hereafter. O that we may be kept from flagging in the latter stages of our road! I am confounded, when I think what a drone I have been, and daily wonder why the Lord employs such a worthless wretch.—Surely it must be, that in me he may shew all long-suffering. Help me, my dear friend, to praise him. Lisbon air seems healthy for the body; and what I have seen and heard I trust will benefit my soul. Be pleased to remember me to Mrs. C――, your son, and all enquiring friends. You will not forget to visit my widow wife. Blessed be God, her Maker is her husband, and ere long we shall all sit down together at the feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb. In a believing prospect of this, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXXXIV.

To Mr. F――.

Lisbon, March 31, 1754.

Dear Sir,

I OWE you much love.—I wish you and yours much ♦happiness, and earnestly pray that you may walk together many years as heirs of the grace of life. Was I to be confined long in my present situation, I should be in danger of envying my protestant friends, who breathe in a free air, and are taught to worship the father of spirits in spirit and in truth. This I fear is the lot but of few here; all is pageantry and pomp. Particulars perhaps I may send by another opportunity. Blessed be God that I have seen and heard for myself. It surpasseth all description. This week we expect to sail: I beg the continuance of both your prayers; it will be a very great act of charity; for indeed I am a poor helpless worm, but notwithstanding, if I know any thing of my heart, willing to spend and be spent for Jesus. He doth not forsake me on the mighty waters.—My fatherless charge are all well, and in due time I hope we shall safely arrive at our desired port.—Ere long I hope to be, from whence I shall never put to sea any more. O for a triumphant entrance into the blissful harbour! Jesus is able to do this for us. To his never-failing mercy do I earnestly commend you, your brother, and all enquiring friends, as being, dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXXXV.

To Mr. ――.

Lisbon, April 1, 1754.

My dear Friend,

BY this time, I suppose, you have heard of my arrival at Lisbon, and are wondering what led me thither, especially since my last informed you of my intention to go to Georgia by way of New-York. This was really my design at the time of my writing; but being afterward called by Providence to take with me several orphan children, I thought it most adviseable to go and settle them, and my other domestic affairs, at the Orphan-house first, that I might visit the northern parts of America with more ease and freedom in my own mind.—It happened that the Success, Captain Thomson, bound for Port-Royal, South-Carolina, (which is not very far from Georgia) was then almost ready to sail.—I sent for the Owner, and finding that the ship was to touch at Lisbon to unload some wheat, it occasioned a little demur; but, upon second thoughts, believing it might be serviceable to me, as a preacher and protestant, to see something of the superstitions of the church of Rome, I took my passage, and embarked in the Success the 7th of March. On the 14th we reached Cape Finister. On the 15th came in sight of the Burlings; and on the 16th anchored safe before Bellem, about four miles distance from Lisbon, the metropolis of Portugal. As I knew nobody there, and had formed but an indifferent idea of the inhabitants, from the account that had been given me of them, I had purposed within myself to keep on board, and go ashore only now and then in the day-time. But Providence so ordered it, that a gentleman of the factory, who had heard me himself, and whose brother had been awakened under my ministry several years ago, immediately, on hearing of my arrival, sent me an offer of his house during my stay. I thankfully accepted it; and special leave being procured for my going ashore, I was carried in a chaise and pair from Bellem to Lisbon. A new scene, both in respect to the situation of the place, the fashion of the buildings, and the dress of the inhabitants, presented itself all the way. But what engaged my attention most, was the number of crucifixes, and little images of the Virgin Mary, and of other real or reputed saints, which were placed almost in every street, or fixed against the walls of the houses almost at every turning, with lamps hanging before them. To these, I observed the people bow as they passed along; and near some of them stood several little companies, singing with great earnestness.――This seemed to me very odd, and gave me an idea of what further ecclesiastical curiosities would probably fall in my way, if I should be detained here any time. These expectations were quickly raised; for, not long after my arrival at my new lodgings, (where I was received and entertained with great gentility, hospitality and friendliness) upon looking out of the window, I saw a company of priests and friars bearing lighted wax tapers, and attended by various sorts of people, some of which had bags and baskets of victuals in their hands, and others carried provisions upon their shoulders on sticks between two. After these, followed a mixed multitude, singing with a very audible voice, and addressing the Virgin Mary in their usual strain, “Ora pro nobis.” In this manner they proceeded to the prison, where all was deposited for the use of the poor persons confined therein. But a far more pompous procession of the like nature (as a stander-by informed me) passed by a few days before. In this there were near three hundred Franciscan friars, many of which (besides porters hired for the purpose) were loaded with a variety of food; and those who bore no burden, carried either ladles or spoons in their hands. Sights of this nature being quite a novelty to me, I was fond of attending as many of them as I could. Two things concurred to make them more frequent at this juncture,—the season of Lent,—and an excessive drought, which threatened the total destruction of the fruits of the earth. For the averting so great a judgment, and for the imploring the much longed-for blessing of rain, daily processions had been made from one convent or another, for a considerable time.—One of these I saw: it was looked upon as a pretty grand one, being made up of the Carmelite friars, the parish priests, and a great number of what they call the brothers of the order, who walked two by two in divers habits, holding a long and very large lighted wax-taper in their right hands. Amidst these was carried, upon eight or ten mens shoulders, a tall image of the Virgin Mary, in a kind of man’s attire; for I think she had a very fine white wig on her head, (a dress she often appears in) and was much adorned with jewels and glittering stones. At some distance from the Lady, under a large canopy of state, and supported likewise by six or eight persons, came a priest, holding in his hand some noted relic. After him, followed several thousands of people, joining with the friars in singing, “Eandem cantilenam, Ora pro nobis,” all the way. Still rain was denied, and still processions were continued. At length the clouds began to gather, and the mercury in the barometer fell very much. Then was brought out a wooden image, which they say never failed. It was the figure of our blessed Lord, cloathed with purple robes, and crowned with thorns. I think they call him the Lord of the Passion. Upon his shoulders he bore a large cross, under the weight of which he was represented as stooping, till his body bent almost double. He was brought from the Le Grass convent in very great pomp, and placed in a large cathedral church.――Being on board at that time, I lost this sight; but the subsequent evening I beheld the Seigneur fixed on an eminence in a large cathedral church, near the altar, surrounded with wax tapers of a prodigious size.—He was attended by many noblemen, and thousands of spectators of all ranks and stations, who crouded from every quarter, and in their turns, were admitted by the guards to come within the rails, and perform their devotions. This they expressed by kneeling, and kissing the Seigneur’s heel, by putting their left and right eye to it, and then touching it with their beads, which a gentleman in waiting received from them, and then returned again. This scene was repeated for three days successively; and during all this time, the church and space before it was so thronged with carriages and people, that there was scarce any passing. The music on this occasion was extremely soft, and the church was illuminated in a very striking manner. The third day in the forenoon it rained, and soon after the Seigneur was conducted home in as great splendour, and with much greater rejoicing, than when he was brought forth. As my situation was very commodious, I saw the whole; and afterwards went and heard part of the sermon, which was delivered before him, in the church to which the Seigneur belonged. The preacher was full of action; and in some part of his discourse, (as one who understood Portuguese informed me) pointing to the image, he said, “Now he is at rest.—He went out in justice, but is returned in mercy.” And towards the conclusion, he called upon the people to join with him in an extempore prayer. This they did with great fervency, which was expressed not only by repeating it aloud, but by beating their breasts, and clapping their cheeks, and weeping heartily.――To compleat the solemnity, immediately after the delivery of the blessing, all on a sudden, from the place near which the image stood, there was heard a most soft and soothing symphony of music, which being ended, the assembly broke up, and I returned to my lodgings; not a little affected, to see so many thousands led away from the simplicity of the gospel, by such a mixture of human artifice and blind superstition, of which indeed I could have formed no idea, had I not been an eye witness. This concern was still increased, by what I heard from some of my fellow passengers, who informed me, that about eleven one night, after I came aboard, they not only heard a friar preaching most fervently before the Seigneur, but also saw several companies of penitents brought in, lashing and whipping themselves severely. How little unlike this, to those who cut themselves with knives and lancets, and cried out from morning till night, “O Baal, hear us.”――Methinks I hear you say, “And had I been present, I should have wished for the spirit of an Elijah to—” Hush, my friend,—I am content to guess at the rest till we meet. In the mean while, let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that there is a season approaching, when the Lord God of Elijah will himself come, and destroy this and every other species of antichrist, by the breath of his mouth, and the brightness of his appearing, even by the all-conquering manifestations of his eternal Spirit. Whether as men, christians, and protestants, we have not more and more reason to pray night and day, for the hastening on of that glorious and long wished-for period, you will be better able to judge, when I send you (as I purpose to do, if I have time) a further account of a Lent procession or two, of which I was also a spectator.――At present I can only beg a continual remembrance at a throne of grace, as being, my dear friend,

Yours most respectfully in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXXXVI.

To the Same.

Lisbon, April 3, 1754.

My dear Friend,

THOUGH some other business demands my attentions yet I must not forget the promise made you of a further account of the processions I saw at Lisbon.――Some of those already mentioned, were extraordinary, by reason of their great drought; but that which is to be the subject of my present letter, was an annual one: it being customary at Lisbon to exhibit some procession or another every Friday in Lent. An intelligent Protestant, who stood near me, was so good as to be my interpreter of the dumb shew as it passed along.—I say dumb shew: for you must know it was chiefly made up of waxen or wooden images, carried on mens shoulders through the streets, intending to represent the life and death of St. Francis, the founder of one of their religious orders. They were brought out from the Franciscan convent, and were preceded by three persons in scarlet habits, with baskets in their hands, in which they received the alms of the spectators, for the benefit of the poor prisoners. After these, came two little boys in party-coloured cloaths, with wings fixed on their shoulders, in imitation of little angels.—Then appeared the figure of St. Francis, very gay and beau-like, as he used to be before his conversion. In the next, he was introduced under conviction, and consequently stript of his finery. Soon after this, was exhibited an image of our blessed Lord himself, in a purple gown, with long black hair, with St. Francis lying before him, to receive his immediate orders. Then came the Virgin Mother, (horresco referens) with Christ her son at her left hand, and St. Francis making his obeisance to both.――Here, if I remember aright, he made his first appearance in his friar’s habit, with his hair cut short, but not as yet shaved in the crown of his head. After a little space, followed a mitred Cardinal gaudily attired, and before him lay St. Francis almost prostrate, in order to be confirmed in his office. Soon after this, he appears quite metamorphosed into a monk, his crown shorn, his habit black, and his loins girt with a knotted cord.—Here he prays to our Saviour hanging on a cross, that the marks of the wounds in his hands, feet, and side, might be impressed on the same parts of his body. The prayer is granted; blood comes from the hands, feet, and side; and the saint, with great devotion, receives the impressions. This was represented by red waxen strings, reaching from those parts of the image to the corresponding parts of St. Francis’s body. Upon this he begins to do wonders; and therefore, in a little while, he is carried along, as holding up a house which was just falling. This miracle, they say, was performed (if my information be true) at Madrid, but the particulars of its history I have forgotten. At length the father dies, and is brought forth lying in his grave. But lo! the briars and nettles under which he lay, are turned into fine and fragrant flowers. After this he is borne along upon a bier covered with a silver pall, and four friars lamenting over him.――He then appears for the last time, but with an increase of power; for he was represented as drawing tormented people out of purgatory with his knotted cord, which, as you may well imagine, the poor souls catched at, and took hold of very eagerly. At length came a gorgeous friar under a splendid canopy, bearing in his hand a piece of the holy cross. After him followed two more little winged boys, and then a long train of fat and well-flavoured Franciscans, with their Calceis Fenestratis, as Erasmus calls them; and so the procession ended. Methinks I hear you say, “It is full time;”—and so say I: for as the sight itself disgusted me, so I am persuaded the bare narration of it, though ever so short, cannot be very pleasant to one who I know abhors every thing that savours of superstition and idolatry. We will therefore take our leave of St. Francis, whose procession was in the day time: but I must tell you it is only to inform you of another of a much more awful and shocking nature, which I saw afterwards at night. About ten o’clock, being deeply engaged in conversation with my kind host, in came an Englishman, and told me in all haste, that he had seen a train of near two hundred penitents passing along, and that in all probability I might be gratified with the same sight, if I hastened to a place whither he would conduct me. I very readily obeyed the summons, and, as curiosity quickened my pace, we soon came up with some of those poor creatures, who were then making a halt, and kneeling in the street, whilst a friar from a high cross, with an image of our Lord crucified in his hand, was preaching to them and the populace with great vehemence. Sermon being ended, the penitents went forwards, and several companies followed after with their respective preaching friars at their head, bearing crucifixes. These they pointed to and brandished frequently, and the hearers as frequently beat their breasts, and clapped their cheeks. At proper pauses they stopped and prayed, and one of them, more zealous than the rest, before the King’s palace, sounded the word penitentia through a speaking trumpet. The penitents themselves were clothed and covered all over with white linen vestments, only holes were made for their eyes to peep out at. All were bare-footed, and all had long heavy chains fastened to their ancles, which, when dragged along the street, made a dismal rattling: but though alike in dress, yet in other respects there was great variety amongst them. For some carried great stones on their backs, and others dead mens bones and skulls in their hands. Some bore large and seemingly very heavy crosses upon their shoulders, whilst others had their arms extended quite wide, or carried a bow full of swords with the points downwards. Most of them whipped and lashed themselves, some with cords, and others with flat bits of iron. It being a moonshine night, I could see them quite well; and indeed some of them struck so hard, that I perceived their backs (left bare on purpose to be slashed) were quite red, and swoln very much by the violence and repetition of the blows. Had my dear friend been there, he would have joined with me in saying, that the whole scene was horrible;—so horrible, that, being informed it was to be continued till morning, I was glad to return from whence I came about midnight.――Had you been with me, I know you would have joined with me in praising and gratefully adoring the Lord of all lords, for the great wonder of the reformation, and also for that glorious deliverance wrought out for us a few years past, in defeating the unnatural rebellion. O what a mighty spirit and power from on high must Luther, Calvin, Melancthon, Zuinglius, and those glorious reformers, be necessarily endued with, who dared first openly to oppose and stem such a torrent of superstition and spiritual tyranny! and what gratitude owe we to those, who, under God, were instrumental in saving us from the return of such spiritual slavery, and such blind obedience to a papal power! To have had a papist for our king;—a papist, if not born, yet from his infancy nursed up at Rome;—a papist, one of whose sons is advanced to the ecclesiastical dignity of a Cardinal, and both under the strongest obligations to support the interest of that church, whose superstitions, as well as political state principles, they have sucked in, and imbibed even from their infancy. But, blessed be God, the snare is broken, and we are delivered. O for protestant practices to be added to protestant principles! O for an obediential acknowledgment to the ever-blessed God for our repeated deliverances! But alas!――Pardon me, my dear friend, I stop to weep. Adieu. I cannot enlarge, but leaving you to guess from what source my tears flow, I must hasten to subscribe myself, my dear Sir,

Yours most cordially in our blessed Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXXXVII.

To Mr. B――.

Lisbon, April 9, 1754.

Reverend and dear Sir,

THE time of our departure hence is just at hand. I cannot move without sending you a few lines; I remember your unmerited love, I remember our affectionate parting, and I trust feel the benefit of your distant prayers. Though called to part with what is dearer to me than life, yet my heavenly Father hath not left me comfortless. True, it is a silent, but I hope an instructive period of life. One must be all eye and ear at Lisbon:—and indeed, I would not but have seen and heard what hath passed here, since our arrival, upon any account. It surpasseth all description. Surely England, and English privileges civil and religious, will be dearer to me than ever. The preachers here have also taught me something; their action is graceful. Vividi oculi,—vividæ manus,—omnia vivida. Surely our English preachers would do well, to be a little more fervent in their address. They have truth on their side, why should superstition and falshood run away with all that is pathetic and affecting? But my dear friend needs not this note. Blessed be God for making you fervent in spirit. Go on, my dear Sir, in the name and strength of Jesus. Sequar, etsi non passibus æquis.—Nil desperandum Christo duce. Pray remember me to all that love him, and are so kind as to enquire after a worthless worm for his great name’s sake. It will be an act of the greatest charity to intercede in my behalf. Alas! alas! I am a dwarf indeed. My dear Sir, pray that I may grow, I cannot bear to live at this dying rate. I want to be a flame of fire. That this may be your happy lot, is and shall be, through Christ strengthening me, the earnest request of, my very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXXXVIII.

To Mrs. G――.

Lisbon, April 9, 1754.

Dear Madam,

I HOPE this will find you more than happy, in the enjoyment of Him, whose death and passion many at this season are peculiarly called upon to remember, and be thankful for. Vast are the outward preparations made here. Altars upon altars are erecting. Penitents upon penitents are walking and lashing themselves: but what I want to have erected and adorned, is an altar in my heart, and the blows and lashes I desire to feel, are the crucifixion and mortification of the old man and its deeds. Without this, all is mere parade. God be praised for opening your eyes, and teaching you the holy art of worshipping him in spirit and in truth. Is it not a glorious privilege? Would you lose it for ten thousand worlds? Blessed be God, it is in safe hands! The life of a believer is a hidden life; a life hid with Christ in God. May the Author and Finisher thereof, cause it to open and be displayed more and more every hour and every moment in your heart! Thus prays, dear Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXXXIX.

To Mr. H――.

Lisbon, April 10, 1754.

My very dear Friend,

STILL I am here, surrounded with every thing, in an ecclesiastical way, that can offend a mind which desires to worship the Lord Jesus in outward as well as inward simplicity. To-morrow is what they call Holy Thursday. May I be as solicitous to have my heart illuminated by the spirit of God, as the people here are to illuminate their churches and altars. The pageantry is indeed incredible. Though we have been detained longer than expectation, yet I trust what I have seen and heard, will do me service in the future part of my life. Was I returning to, as I am going from England, and had I a proper companion, I would make a tour to Leghorn, Genoa, Rome, &c. and so to Marseilles. What instruction would such a mind as yours gather from such various scenes? O that I may be like a busy bee, and suck some honey even from superstitious flowers! I do not wonder now, whence the illuminations, dressing of altars, and those other things which I have lately mentioned in a public manner on another occasion, took their birth. It is all in imitation of what is daily practised abroad. May the Lord Jesus crush the cockatrice in its egg, and prevent its growing any bigger! I write this from a merchant’s house, who sent for me from on board. Thus our Lord provides for those that are employed for him. Help me to praise him. My fatherless charge are all well. In a day or two we expect to sail. My most cordial respects attend your mother, and all your dear relations. Continue to pray for me, and thereby add to the obligations already conferred on, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXL.

Lisbon, April 12, 1754.

My dear Friend,

PROVIDENCE still detains us at Lisbon, and therefore I know you will be enquiring what more news from thence?—Truly, as extraordinary as ever—for I have now seen the solemnities of an Holy-Thursday, which is a very high day in this metropolis, and particularly remarkable for the grand illuminations of the churches, and the king’s washing twelve poor men’s feet.—Through the interest of a friend, I got admittance into the gallery where the ceremony was performed. It was large, and hung with tapestry; one piece of which represented the humble Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.—Before this, upon a small eminence, sat twelve men in black. At the upper end, and in several other parts of the gallery, were side-boards of large gold and silver basons and ewers most curiously wrought; and near these a large table covered with a variety of dishes, all cold, set off and garnished after the Portuguese fashion. Public high mass being over, his majesty came in attended with his nobles, who seemed to me to look like so many Roman senators. The act of washing the feet, I did not get in time enough to see; but that being ended, several of the young noblemen served up the dishes to the king’s brother and uncles; these again handed them to his majesty, who gave (I think) twelve of them in all to each poor man. Every thing was carried on with a great deal of decency and good humour. The young noblemen served very chearfully, their seniors looked quite pleased, and the king and his royal relations behaved in a very polite, easy manner,—upon the whole, though as you may easily guess it was not an exact copy of the tapestry, yet, as the poor mens cloaths and food, when sold, came to about ten moidores; and as there was little mixture of superstition in it, I cannot say but I was as well pleased with my morning’s entertainment as with any thing I had seen since my arrival.—I believe the whole took up near two hours. After dinner we went to see the churches; but the ♦magnificence and sumptuousness of the furniture, cannot well be expressed.—Many of them were hung on the occasion with purple damask trimmed with gold.—In one of them there was a solid silver altar of several yards circumference, and near twelve steps high: and in another a gold one, still more magnificent, of about the same dimensions.—Its basis was studded with many precious stones, and near the top were placed silver images, in representation of angels. Each step was filled with large silver candlesticks, with wax-tapers in them, which going up by a regular ascent, ’till they formed themselves into a pyramid, made a most glittering and splendid blaze.—The great altars also of the other churches were illuminated most profusely, and silver pots of artificial flowers, with a large wax-taper between each, were fixed all round several of them.—Between these, were large paintings in black and white, representing the different parts of our Saviour’s passion. And, in short, all was so magnificently, so superstitiously grand, that I am persuaded several thousands of pounds would not defray the expences of this one day. Go which way you would, nothing was to be seen but illuminations within, and hurry without.—For all persons, princes and crowned heads themselves not excepted, are obliged on this day to visit seven churches or altars, in imitation, as is supposed, of our Lord’s being hurried from one tribunal to another, before he was condemned to be hung upon the cross.—I saw the queen pass by in great state to visit three of them. Velvet cushions were carried before her Majesty, and boards laid along the streets for herself and retinue to walk upon. Guards attended before and behind, and thousands of spectators stood on each side to gaze at them as they passed along. Being desirous of seeing the manner of their entrance, we got into the last church before they came. It was that of St. Domingo, where was the gold altar before mentioned, and at which her Majesty and train knelt about a quarter of an hour.—All the while, the Dominican friars sung most surprisingly sweet. But as I stood near the altar, over against the great door, I must confess my very inmost soul was struck with a secret horror, when, upon looking up, I saw over the front of the great window of the church, the heads of many hundred Jews, painted on canvas, who had been condemned by what they call the Holy Inquisition, and carried out from that church to be burnt.—Strange way this, of compelling people to come in! Such was not thy method, O meek and compassionate Lamb of God! Thou camest not to destroy mens lives, but to save them.—But bigotry is as cruel as the grave.—It knows no remorse.—From all its bitter and dire effects, good Lord deliver us!—But to return to the Queen. Having performed her devotions, she departed and went in a coach of state, I believe, directly from the church to her palace, and without doubt sufficiently fatigued: for, besides walking through the streets to the several churches, her Majesty also, and the princesses, had been engaged in waiting upon, and washing the feet of twelve poor women, in as public a manner as the king. In our walk home, we met his Majesty with his brother and two uncles, attended only with a few noblemen in black velvet, and a few guards without halberts. I suppose he was returning from his last church, and, as one may well imagine, equally fatigued with his royal consort and daughters.—When church and state thus combine to be nursing fathers and nursing mothers to superstition, is it any wonder that its credit and influence is so diffusive among the populace?—O Britain! Britain! hast thou but zeal proportionable to thy knowledge, and inward purity adequate to the simplicity of thy external worship, in what a happy and god-like situation wouldst thou be! Here I could weep again.—Again I leave you to guess the cause; and if I can send you one more letter of a like nature, before we leave this place, it is all you must expect from, my dear friend,

Your’s most assuredly in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MXLII.

To Mrs. D――.

On board the Success, May 10, 1754.

My dear sister in Christ,

IT really hath given me much concern since I have been on the mighty waters, that it was not in my power to write to you more frequently when on shore. I therefore send you a few lines from the great deep, which I hope will find you magnifying the Lord, and rejoicing in God your Saviour. For his great name’s sake, I am once more going to Georgia, and after a short tour through some parts of America, I hope to see my native country, and begin to begin to ramble after poor sinners again. In our way we touched at Lisbon, which I hope hath been blessed to me, so far as to make me prize protestant liberty and simplicity more than ever. Fain would I be one of Christ’s bees, and learn to extract honey from every flower. But alas! I am a drone, and deserve to be stung out of God’s hive. But he is gracious and long suffering. O eternity! How do I long to praise my God there! We are within a few hundred miles of our earthly, but when I shall arrive at my heavenly port God only knows. Strange! that I should be kept out at sea so long. I am now near forty. Father, thy will be done! Only vouchsafe to employ me, and then――I can no more. The Redeemer is pleased to fill my soul. Help me to cry Grace! Grace! and believe me to be,

Your most assured friend, and ready servant, for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MXLIII.

To Mrs. S――.

On board the Success, May 12, 1754.

Dear Mrs. S――,

I FULLY purposed to have written to you from Lisbon, but was so taken up in seeing the ecclesiastical curiosities of the place, and was so suddenly called away, that rendered it impracticable.—However, that I may not be disappointed again, I sit down to write you a few lines, though about eight hundred miles off shore. May they find you as to spirituals, in the same situation as is our ship in a natural respect, gently, sweetly gliding towards your heavenly harbour, under a pleasant gale of divine influence. Or,

You will find him a kind and faithful Saviour. Whom he loves, he loves to the end. He hath already delivered you out of the paw of the bear and of the lion, and he will also deliver out of the hand of every remaining Goliah. Courage, then, my dear Mrs. S――, courage. The crown is before you, and ere long Jesus will put it on your head. I hope all your houshold, as well as yourself, have this in full view. It glitters, though at this distance. O how bright and radiant! Purchased at how dear a rate! It is worth striving for. The Lord help you all to strive so as to obtain. So wishes and prays, dear Mrs. S――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXLIV.

To Mr. H――.

On board the Success, May 25, 1754.

My dear Mr. H――,

JUST now, through the tender mercies of a never-failing God, we saw the American shore, and are within a few miles of our desired port. The wind being contrary, we cannot enter it; I will therefore employ a few minutes in answering your last kind letter. It was full of christian love, and bespoke a heart deeply engaged for the success of the gospel in Gloucestershire. I hope it runs and is glorified, and trust ere now you find that the blessed Redeemer stands in no need of such a wretch as I am. Fear not, our Lord will never want instruments to carry on his work.—A heavenly fire is lighted in England, which men and devils shall never be able to extinguish. I pray for its spreading night and day; receive this as a token that none of you are forgotten by me before the Lord. I believe we have fared the better for your prayers. Our passage hath been pleasant, and assure yourselves, I shall make all possible dispatch in order to return unto you. O that it may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Pray remember me to Mr. R―― C――, to your wife, and all those dear souls, amongst whom, when last in Gloucestershire, God gave us a heaven upon earth. O for a heaven in heaven! Blessed be God, that port is in view. From thence we shall never put to sea any more. Adieu. I cannot enlarge. Continue to pray for me, as a poor travelling pilgrim, but, for Christ’s sake,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER MXLV.

To Mr. S――.

Beaufort, Port-Royal Island, South-Carolina, May 26, 1754.

My dear Friend,

THROUGH the divine goodness, we are just now sailing into our harbour, after having been six weeks from Lisbon.—Providentially a ship goes out to-morrow for Cowes; I cannot omit the opportunity of sending you a few friendly lines. They come from a friend, and leave him leaning on Him who hath promised never to forsake those that put their trust in him. Our passage hath been very easy, only our entrance into the harbour (like our last struggle before we enter heaven) hath been somewhat troublesome. May the Lord of all Lords give you, and yours, and all my never to be forgotten Yorkshire friends, an abundant entrance there! I must not think of you too much; parting seasons would come too fresh in my mind.—O blessed season, when we shall part no more! Adieu, adieu. I hope to write soon again. My orphan-charge are all quite well, and I hope in a few days to see them safe at Georgia. I know whose company would be acceptable to all there; but,—Father thy will be done! I can no more. Accept this as a token of love unfeigned, from, my dear friend,

Yours for ever and ever, in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXLVI.

Charles-Town, July 10, 1754.

Dear Mrs. C――,

SINCE I left Bethesda, I have been out two nights by land, and one by water, and though wearied, am preserved in as good health as can in any wise be expected. To-morrow or Monday, I expect to embark again for New-York. The prospect of being ere long at the new Jerusalem, makes all things easy. I thank you for your kind letter, and for regarding my tears. They speak better than words. Jesus knows they were shed for him, and for the welfare of that institution which has lain so many years upon my poor heart. Have a little patience, and you will find more and more, that your coming over the water was of God. I wish it was in my power to make every thing more than agreeable; our common Lord I trust will do it himself. This is my heart’s desire, and shall be my constant prayer night and day. You will see what I have sent by this opportunity. Whatever of the linen or woollen stuff you would have made up for the children, may be sent by those who bring this; and what you want done in this way, only let Mrs. B―― have a line, and orders will be readily executed. Thus God raises up friends. The Lord be with you all. Help me to praise him, and continue to pray for, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXLVII.

To Mr. H――.

Charles-Town, July 12, 1754.

Very dear Sir,

THOUGH I hear that Captain Thompson does not sail, these three weeks, yet as I am bound for the northward, I cannot help leaving a few grateful lines behind me. May they find you leaning on the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus, and determined through his strength steadily to pursue that one thing needful, which shall never be taken from you! My prayers are continually ascending in your behalf;—they are your due; I owe you, and shall owe you much love as long as I live. By this I send you most grateful acknowledgments for all favours,—they are many, but all noted in my Master’s book. How are my obligations to love and serve him increased! He gave us a pleasant passage, and I trust hath blessed my ministry to some souls since my arrival, and also hath given me to leave my orphan-charge in comfortable circumstances; the family now consists of above an hundred. He that fed the multitude in the wilderness, can and will feed the orphans in Georgia. Your letters I delivered, and I suppose you will receive proper answers.—But I find Mr. H―― doth not trade at Lisbon, and Mr. H――m is about to leave off business and retire. Happy they who can do this, and at the same time that they retire from the world, retire into God. His presence is all in all. That you may be blessed with a plentiful portion of it here, and be admitted to an infinitely greater participation of it hereafter, is the earnest prayer of, very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXLVIII.

To Mr. C―― W――.

On board the Deborah, July 20, 1754.

My dear Friend,

I DO not forget my promise, though hurrying from place to place, and settling my orphan-charge, hath almost put it out of my power to perform it: however, I am now once more on the great deep in my way to New-York; accept a few lines as a token that you are not forgotten by me. I wrote to you from Lisbon. From thence we had a pleasant passage to Carolina, and since that I found and left my orphan family comfortably settled at Georgia. The colony, as well as Bethesda, is now in a thriving situation. Black and white persons I have now a hundred and six to provide for. The God whom I desire to serve, will enable me to do it for his great name’s sake. At Charles-Town, and in other parts of Carolina, my poor labours have met with the usual acceptance, and I have reason to hope a clergyman hath been brought under very serious impressions. Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto thy free grace be all the glory! What will befal me at the northward, I know not; this I know, that Jesus Christ will suffer nothing to pluck me out of his hands. My health is wonderfully preserved.—My wonted vomitings have left me, and though I ride whole nights, and have been frequently exposed to great thunders, violent lightnings, and heavy rains, yet I am rather better than usual, and as far as I can judge, am not yet to die. O that I may at length learn to begin to live. I am ashamed of my sloth and lukewarmness, and long to be on the stretch for God. I hope this will find you thus employed. My cordial love awaits your whole self, your brother, Mr. B――, and in short all the followers of the blessed Lamb of God. Though unworthy of their notice, I earnestly intreat a continued interest in their prayers, as being, my very dear Sir,

Their and your affectionate friend, and ready servant in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXLIX.

To Mr. D――.

On board the Deborah, July 20, 1754.

My very dear Mr. D――,

THIS leaves me on my way towards New-York. Accept this as a token, that change of climate doth not cause a change of affection. No, you and my other dear Edinburgh friends are still upon my heart, and I trust will remain fixed there, till we meet to join the singing choir that is about the throne. I hope you have an earnest and anticipation of this, every Monday evening. I hope you enjoy a feeling possession of your God, every day and every hour. This will make the most barren wilderness to smile, and support you under the most distressing circumstances. It is this that supports me by land and by water. Without it, what could such a poor, weak, faint-hearted pilgrim do? Verily I should faint.—But as yet I cannot die. In spite of thunder, lightning, rain, and heat, God is pleased to hold my soul in life, and to let me see his glorious work prosper in my unworthy hands. Georgia and Bethesda I found in a thriving way. My family consists of a hundred and six, and will prove I trust of more extensive use every day. About six weeks I staid at Carolina and Georgia. One is likely to be settled as minister in Charles-Town. There my poor labours have met with usual acceptance, and I live in hopes of some gracious gales to the northward. Perhaps about Christmas, or early in the spring, I may see my native country again.—O may I return grown in grace, and in the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! But I am a dwarf. Pray, pray for me. Accept unfeigned thanks for all favours, remember me in the kindest manner to all inquiring friends, and believe me to be, my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER ML.

To Mr. S――.

New-York, July 27, 1754.

My very dear and steady Friend,

HERE will I set up my Ebenezer—for hitherto the Lord hath helped me. Through his divine goodness, I left Georgia and Bethesda in growing circumstances, and am come once more to pay a short visit to the northward. O that the Redeemer may make it a sweet one! Some time next month, perhaps I may have the pleasure of seeing you and yours, and my other dear Boston friends. As I am entirely unprovided with travelling furniture, I have thoughts of coming as far as Rhode-island by water. God willing, you shall have timely notice, or it may be, I may come upon you unawares. Strange! that I should be in this dying world till now. What changes have I seen! What changes must I expect to see before my final departure, if the Redeemer is pleased to lengthen out this span of life. Welcome, welcome, my Lord and my God, whatever cup thou shalt see meet to put into my hands! Only sweeten it with thy love, and then, though bitter in itself, it cannot but be salutary. Alas! how little do we know of ourselves, till we are tried, and how hard doth the old man die! Well! blessed be God, die he shall. Jesus hath given him his deadly blow, and at the best he only lives a dying life. Thanks be to God for such a Saviour! O for a thousand tongues to shew forth his praise! Lord Jesus, cloath me with humility, that I may every day know more and more the honour conferred upon me in being made a poor pilgrim for thee! Keep me travelling, keep me working, or at least beginning to begin to work for thee till I die! But whither am I going? Excuse me, my dear Sir.—I am writing to a beloved Gaius. God bless you and yours.—My most cordial respects await all enquiring friends.—Methinks they are dearer than ever to, my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MLI.

To Mr. P――.

New-York, July 28, 1754.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

ONCE more, the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus hath brought me hither, and last night gave me an opportunity of recommending his dying love. When I ascended the pulpit, and found your place empty, I was somewhat affected; but I have met with so many changes in the church as well as the world, that it is time for me to begin to learn to be surprized at nothing. Some time next month, I hope to come as far as Boston. I know, my dear Sir, that you will pray, it may be in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. What is to befall me I know not; Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit! Fain would I be as clay in thy hands. Lord Jesus, when shall it once be? But I am a stubborn, ill and hell-deserving creature. Less than the least of all, shall be my motto still. Amazing,—that the Redeemer should suffer such a wretch to speak or travel for him. Surely his name and nature is Love. O that I could but begin to begin to love him! My obligations increase daily. In England the word of the Lord runs and is glorified indeed. Georgia and Bethesda I left in growing circumstances. The orphan-family now consists of one hundred and six, black and white. A young man that hath been a student there, succeeds Mr. S―― of Charles-Town. O that the Redeemer may provide for the dear New-York people! The residue of the spirit is in his hands. Lord Jesus, make their extremity thy opportunity to help and relieve them! But I shall weary you, and detain you too long from more important work. May the great head of divine influence bless you and yours, and all your present flock! Some of them I know. If you should see dear Mr. P―― or F――, be so good as to remember me to them, in the most respectful manner.—I intreat their prayers for a poor but willing pilgrim, and am, reverend and very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLII.

To Mr. S.――.

New-York, July 28, 1754.

My very dear Sir,

HERE our Lord brought me two days ago, and last night I had an opportunity of preaching on his dying, living, ascending, and interceding love, to a large and attentive auditory. Next week I purpose going to Philadelphia, and then shall come back again here in my way to Boston. Whether I shall then return to Bethesda, or embark for England, is uncertain.—I fear matters will not be settled at the orphan-house, unless I go once more; I have put some upon their trial, and shall want to see how they behave. During my passage from Charles-Town, I left a few lines for you; I thought to have written an account of Bethesda for the press, but could by no means get freedom. God’s time is the best. I owe for three of the negroes who were lately bought, but hope to be enabled to pay for them at my return from the northward. My God can, and will supply all my wants, according to his riches in Jesus. Glory be to his great name, he hath now taught me a little to be alone. His presence keeps me company, and I find it sweet to run about for him. I find the door all along the continent is as open as ever, and the way seems clearing up for the neighbouring islands. What a pity is it, that we can only be at one place at once, for the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. Had I a good private hand, I could send you the account of my family, &c. but perhaps I may deliver it to you myself. Lord Jesus, direct my goings in thy way! I owe you much, yea very much love; but a pepper-corn of acknowledgment, and my poor prayers, is all the payment that I fear will be made by, my very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLIII.

To Mr. G――.

New-York, July 30, 1754.

My very dear Friend,

SHALL we once more see each other in the flesh? I hope so.—To-morrow, God willing, I preach at Newark; on Wednesday, two in the afternoon, at New-Brunswick; and hope to reach Trent-Town that night. Could you not meet me there quietly, that we might spend one evening together? You must bring a chair;—I have no horse, and will then once more venture your throwing me down. Mr. V―― passes me from hence to Brunswick, and Mr. S―― to Trent-Town. If you cannot come, I will get Mr. S―― to carry me on till we meet you. O that the Lord Jesus may smile on my feeble labours. Here I trust he hath given us a blessing. Yesterday I preached thrice: this morning I feel it. Welcome weariness for Jesus! O how little can I do for him! I blush and am confounded. Pray heartily for me; and if business will permit, come away to, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MLIV.

To Mr. R――.

Philadelphia, August 7, 1754.

My dear Mr. R――,

I ONCE thought to write you a long letter, but it pleased God to cut off my strength in my journey. Yesterday I was taken with a violent cholera morbus, and hoped ere now to have been where the inhabitants shall no more say, “I am sick.” But I am brought back again. May it be in order to bring some more precious souls to the ever-blessed Jesus! This is all my desire. O that God should ever make use of such a worthless creature as I am! But his grace is free, he yet blesses me, and rather more than ever. My poor labours, seem to be owned here, as well as at New-York. I received the sacrament at church on Sunday, and have preached in the academy; but I find Mr. Tennent’s house abundantly more commodious. I fear it will be impossible for me to come your way. This is the believer’s comfort, all God’s people shall meet in heaven. There I hope to see you and yours. Accept hearty love, and fail not to pray for, my dear Mr. R――,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER MLV.

To Mr. V――.

Philadelphia, August 15, 1754.

My very dear Mr. V――,

ONCE more, after having my cables out ready (as I thought) to cast anchor within the port, I am constrained to put out to sea again. My late sickness, though violent, hath not been unto death. O that it may be to the glory of God! With some difficulty I can preach once a-day. Congregations rather increase than decrease; and many, O strange! are desirous of my making a longer stay. But the time is fixed for next Tuesday, and all the following days till Sunday, are to be employed between this and New-Brunswick. There I am informed some execution was done. Whilst I live, Lord Jesus, grant I may not live in vain. I could enlarge, but really am so faint, that I have been obliged to stop, and can now with difficulty subscribe myself, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MLVI.

To Mr. E――.

Philadelphia, August 17, 1754.

My dear Mr. E――,

I HOPE this will find you fairly thrust out into the highways and hedges, and under a divine commission to compel many poor sinners to come in. Fear not. Jesus will take care of body and soul.

Was you on this side the water, you would find work enough. Here’s a glorious range in the American woods. It is pleasant hunting for sinners. Thousands flock daily to hear the word preached. Let us pray for each other. When we meet, we may talk more together. In the mean while, I recommend you to the unerring guidance and protection of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, as being, for his great name’s sake, my dear friend,

Yours affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MLVII.

To Mrs. S――.

New-York, Sept. 2, 1754.

Dear Mrs. S――,

I AM much, yea very much indebted to you for your works of faith, and the labours which, I believe, have proceeded from unfeigned love to the ever-loving and ever-lovely Jesus. Put all to his account. You shall be rewarded at the resurrection of the just: then shall the righteous shine forth like the sun, O happy, happy time! Lord Jesus, hasten it! May the blessed Spirit prepare us to meet him! Methinks I hear you say, “I will not lose a moment.” The Lord strengthen you in this and every holy resolution! You must pray that I may not flag in the latter stages of my road. Blessed be God, we had good seasons between Philadelphia and New-York. In the New-Jerusalem more glorious seasons await us yet. At present I can no more. Be pleased to remember me in the kindest manner to all, and believe me to be, dear Mr. S――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLVIII.

New-York, September 2, 1754.

My dear Doctor,

MAY this find you rejoicing in the holy comforts of that infinitely great and gracious physician, to whose all-powerful blood and righteousness, you and I are so much beholden! Surely he hath been loving unto us. O that we may recover our first love, and return and do our first work! Jesus is able and willing to do this for us. The return of backsliders, and forgiving those who cannot forgive themselves, is his heart’s delight. He spares when we deserve punishment, and in his wrath thinketh upon mercy. Fly then, my dear friend, to his loving arms and heart; he waits to be gracious. Let us wait on him in the way of duty, and we shall find that his arm is not shortened, but that he is still able and willing to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father through him. Lord Jesus, who can tell how far thy uttermost extendeth! None but thy own eternal Self: surely it must extend to the vilest of sinners, or it never could have reached ill and hell-deserving me! Help me, my dear Sir, to cry Grace! grace! We had pleasant seasons in our way hither, and here people attend gladly. Some time this week I expect to sail for Rhode-Island. Remember a poor but willing pilgrim, and accept this as a token, that neither you nor yours are forgotten by, my dear friend,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MLX.

To Lady H――n.

Elizabeth-Town (New-Jersey),
September 30, 1754.

Ever-honoured Madam,

A LITTLE before I had the favour of your Ladyship’s kind letter, I had written from New-York. Since which time, I trust, through the efficacy of divine grace, many new creatures have been formed for God. Every where a divine power accompanies the word, prejudices have been removed, and a more effectual door opened than ever for preaching the everlasting gospel. I am now at Governor B――’s, who sends your Ladyship the most cordial respects. His outward man decays, but his inward man seems to be renewed day by day. I think he ripens for heaven apace. This last week was the New-Jersey commencement, at which the President and Trustees were pleased to present me with the degree of A.M. The synod succeeded.—But such a number of simple hearted, united ministers, I never saw before. I preached to them several times, and the great Master of assemblies was in the midst of us. To-morrow, God willing, I shall set out with the worthy President for New-England, and expect to return back to the Orphan house through Virginia, where the gospel I trust will have free course and be glorified. This will be about a two thousand mile circuit; but the Redeemer’s strength will be more than sufficient. Once this Summer, I thought my discharge was come; but it seems the shattered bark must put out to sea again. Father, thy will be done! I hope this will find your Ladyship safe at your beloved Clifton, where you may enjoy yourself and God, without the interruptions of a noisy town. This is indeed heaven upon earth. That you and yours may enjoy it more and more every day, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXI.

To Mr. Z――.

Elizabeth-Town (New-Jersey),
September 30, 1754.

Very dear and honoured Sir,

JUST two months ago, I arrived at New-York from South-Carolina, and ever since have been endeavouring to labour in my poor way for the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. Many things have concurred, to prove that my coming at this time was of God. Sinners have been awakened, and saints quickened, and enemies made to be at peace with me. Grace! grace! In general, I have been enabled to travel and preach twice a day. Every where the door hath been opened wider than ever. At Philadelphia, I had a most comfortable evening with Mr. B―― and his collegues; and at the New-Jersey commencement I was much refreshed with the company of a whole synod of ministers, that, I believe, do indeed love the Redeemer in sincerity. I write this from Governor B――’s, who is indeed singularly good, and whose latter end greatly increases as to spirituals. O that this may be my happy lot! About a month ago, I thought my great change was coming, but I soon was sent back to sea again. To-morrow I steer for New-England, and from thence purpose returning to the Orphan-house through Virginia, where the door for preaching I hear is opening wide. Sometimes I have thoughts of going to the West-Indies, but fear it will not be practicable, before I see England. Lord Jesus, direct and strengthen, and then send me where thou pleasest! I beg, most earnestly beg the continuance of your prayers, and am, very dear, honoured Sir,

Your most dutiful, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MLXII.

To Mr. H――.

Boston, October 13, 1754.

My very dear Friend,

IT hath given me concern, that I have not been able to write one letter to Georgia, since my arrival at New-York. But it was impracticable. Sickness, travelling, and preaching prevented me. However, I must snatch a few minutes now. They leave me at Boston, where as well as in other places, the word hath run and been glorified, and people rather more eager to hear than ever. Lord, what am I? O that I could sink into nothing before thee! After staying a short time, I purpose, God willing, to go through Connecticut to New-York, and so on by land to Georgia. Blessed be God, that a Governor is at length nominated. I wish you joy of your new honour, which I find, by this week’s post, is conferred upon you. May the King of kings enable you to discharge your trust, as becomes a good patriot, subject, and christian! The Lord help us to look to the rock whence we have been hewn. I wish I knew when the Governor intends being at Georgia, I would willingly be there to pay my respects to him. But this must be left to divine Providence. If we acknowledge God in all our ways, he hath promised to direct our paths. O my dear old friend and first fellow-traveller, my heart is engaged for your temporal and eternal welfare. You have now, I think, a call to retire from business, and to give up your time to the public. May the Lord of all lords direct, assist, and bless you and yours more and more. I hope Mrs. H―― is well: I have much to say when we meet. God deals most bountifully with me. Enemies are made to be at peace, and friends are every where hearty. Remember me in the kindest manner to all with you, and continue to pray for

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MLXIII.

To Mr. V――.

Boston, October 14, 1754.

My very dear Friend,

SURELY my coming here was of God. At Rhode-Island I preached five times. People convened immediately, and flocked to hear more eagerly than ever. The same scene opens at Boston. Thousands waited for, and thousands attended on the word preached. At the Old North, at seven in the morning, we generally have three thousand hearers, and many cannot come in. Convictions I hear do fasten, and many souls are comforted. Doctor S―― hath engaged me once to preach his lecture. The polite, I hear, are taken, and opposition falls. What art thou, O mountain? before our great Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain. I preach at the Old and the New North. Mr. P―― and Dr. S―― continue to pray for me. A Governor for Georgia being nominated, determines my way thither. O that I may always follow God, even a God in Christ! This week I set out for Mr. S――’s. The door opens wider and wider. Pray tell Mr. H――, that I left his horse a little lame at Long-Island, with one who is called in contempt Saint Dick. All hail such reproach! I could enlarge, but must away. Adieu. My hearty love awaits your whole self, and all who are so kind as to enquire after the chief of sinners, but for Christ’s sake, my very dear friend,

Yours, &c. in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MLXIV.

To Dr. S――.

Boston, October 14, 1754.

My very dear Doctor,

SHALL I promise and not perform? God forbid.—Accept, therefore, a few lines of grateful love. They bring you good news. At Rhode-Island and this place, souls fly to the gospel like doves to the windows. A divine power hath hitherto accompanied the word, and opposition seems to fall daily. Next week I purpose to go Eastward, and then I intend making as much haste as can be back to you. A Governor, I find, is appointed for Georgia, and my friend H―― made Secretary. Those that honour God, he will honour. I have preached in four large meeting-houses, and the prospect of doing good is very promising. I was received with an excess of joy. Lord, what am I? Give me humility, for thy mercy’s sake! Adieu. Remember me to all enquiring friends, and believe me to be, my dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MLXV.

To Mr. S――.

Portsmouth (New-Hampshire), October 24, 1754.

My very dear Sir,

ABOUT a month ago I wrote you a few lines from the New-Jersies. Since that I am advanced about three hundred miles further northward. But what have I seen? Dagon falling every where before the ark; enemies silenced, or made to own the finger of God; and the friends of Jesus triumphing in his glorious conquest. At Boston a most lovely scene hath opened. In the morning before seven o’clock, though the meeting-houses will hold about four thousand, yet many were obliged to go away, and I was helped in through the window. The prospect is most promising indeed. In the country a like scene opens; I am enabled to preach always twice, and sometimes thrice a day. Thousands flock to hear, and Jesus manifests forth his glory. I know you will rejoice, and join in crying Grace! grace! I am now come to the end of my northward line, and in a day or two purpose to turn back, in order to preach all the way to Georgia. It is about a sixteen hundred miles journey. Jesus is able to carry me through. Into his almighty and all-gracious hands I commend my spirit. I hope to write to you in the way. Gladly would I embark now for England, but I shall leave my American business but half done, if I come over now. Lord, help me! How little can I do for thee! And the little I can do, alas! with what a mixture of corruption and infirmities is it attended. Behold I am vile. Increase my obligations, my very dear Sir, by continuing to pray for

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MLXVI.

To Mr. S――.

Portsmouth, October 25, 1754.

My very dear Friend,

YOUR letter, as well as another from Rhode-Island, helped to lay me low before him, who delights to work by the meanest instrument. Still the Lord of all lords stoops to accompany my feeble labours with his divine presence. At Salem we were favoured with a sweet and divine influence. Sunday was a high day at Ipswich; twice I preached for Mr. R――, and once for Mr. W――. Hundreds were without the doors. On Monday at Newbury the like scene opened twice. Here Mr. S―― met me, and on Tuesday morning we had a blessed season. Too many came to meet and bring me into Portsmouth, where I preached on Tuesday evening, also twice the next day, and just now I have taken my leave. The blessed Spirit vouchsafed to be with us each time. Yesterday I preached at York and Kittery: at both places the Redeemer manifested forth his glory. In the evening I waited on general P――, who, with his Lady, were very glad to see me. I am now going to Greenland and Durham, and to-morrow shall preach at Exeter. The sabbath is to be kept at Newbury. Monday I am to preach thrice,—at Rowley, Byfield, and Ipswich; Tuesday, at Cape Ann, and Wednesday night or Thursday morning at Boston, if the prisoner is to die, though I want another week in these parts. Excuse great haste; I must away. Pray write a line by next ship to London. Salute all friends, and continue to pray for, very dear Sir,

Yours in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MLXVII.

To Mr. S――.

Rhode-Island, November 22, 1754.

My very dear Friend,

YESTERDAY as I was riding along, I felt a love for you, which only friends experience, and was determined to write to you immediately. In the evening my faithful Gaius Mr. S―― brought your kind letter, which I now take the first opportunity of answering. But what shall I say? What you have heard is more than true. A more effectual door I never saw opened, than lately at Boston, and indeed in every place where I have been in New-England; not a hundredth part can well be told you. With great difficulty I am got to this place, where people, as I am informed, are athirst to hear the word of God. I shall therefore stay, God willing, till Monday, and then set forward to Connecticut in my way to New-York, which I hope to reach in about a fortnight. O that you may see me grown in grace, and humbled under a sense of those amazing mercies which I have received during this expedition! It seems to me to be the most important one I was ever employed in. Much, yea very much have I to tell you when we meet. I wish for the season, and entreat you in the mean while not to forget me at his throne, who alone can uphold me with his right hand. O what a friend is Jesus! A friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is indeed the pilgrim’s stay and staff; few choose to try him in such a station. This be my happy lot! I write this at Mr. C――’s who hath lately buried his wife. What a changing world! Thanks be to God for an unchangeable Christ! To his most tender and never-failing mercy, do I most earnestly commend both you and yours, and hoping ere long to see you, and rejoice together in our common Lord, I subscribe myself, very dear Mr. S――,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MLXVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

Rhode-Island, November 25, 1754.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

IS it true that your father-in-law and your dear yoke-fellow are dead? I sympathize with you from my inmost soul. At the same time as I rejoice on their account, who are happily arrived,

Surely your turn and mine will come ere long. In the mean while, may I be doing something for my God! This shews you where I am at present, going towards Georgia from Boston, where my reception hath been far superior to that fourteen years ago. In that and other places in New-England, I have been enabled to preach near a hundred times since the beginning of October, and thanks be to God, we scarce had so much as one dry meeting. Not a hundredth part can be told you. In Philadelphia, New-Jersies, and at New-York also, the great Redeemer caused his word to run and be glorified. I am now returning through those and the other Southward provinces again, in my way to Georgia, where I expect to see our new Governor. Blessed be God, Bethesda is in growing circumstances, and, I trust, will more and more answer the end of its institution. I was exceedingly delighted at New-Jersey commencement. Surely that college is of God. The worthy president (Mr. Burr) intends to correspond with you. O that I could do it oftener: but it is impracticable. Travelling, and preaching always twice, and frequently thrice, engrosseth almost all my time. However, neither you nor any of my dear Glasgow friends, are forgotten by me. No, no: they are engraven upon the very tables of my heart. O that the Lord of all lords, whose mercy endureth for ever, may give you hearts to remember poor sinful, ill, and hell-deserving me! Fain would I continue a pilgrim for life.

I have a fourteen hundred miles ride before me; but nil desperandum, Christo duce, auspice Christo. When I have seen Governor D――, I hope to write to dear Mr. M――. How is my dear Gaius, S――, &c.? But I must not begin to mention names. Affection rises, and I shall be too eager to see them. Lord Jesus, hasten that blessed time, when we shall together see and enjoy thee for ever in glory! To this comforting and never-failing Jesus, do I most heartily commit you, as being, reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MLXIX.

To Mrs. C――.

Bohemia (Maryland). December 27, 1754.

Dear Madam,

I HAVE just now taken leave of the northern provinces, where I have been travelling and preaching for near these five months. I suppose in all, I may have rode near two thousand miles, and preached about two hundred and thirty times; but to how many thousand souls cannot well be told. O what days of the Son of man have I seen! God be merciful to me an ungrateful sinner! I am now forty years of age, and would business permit, would gladly spend the day in retirement and deep humiliation before that Jesus for whom I have done so little, notwithstanding he hath done and suffered so much for me. Well! to-morrow, O blessed Jesus, through thy divine assistance, will I begin, and travel for thee again! Lord, is the call to Virginia? Who knows but an infinitely condescending God may improve me there! About February I hope to reach Georgia, and at Spring to embark for England. There, dear Madam, I expect to see you once more in this land of the dying. If not, ere long I shall meet you in the land of the living indeed, and thank you before men and angels, for all favours conferred on, Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXX.

To Mr. O――.

Bohemia, December 27, 1754.

Very dear Sir,

HOW condescending is true Friendship! And how does love, founded upon the love of God, like its blessed Author, delight to stoop to its beloved object! Your kind letter, which I received last week from worthy Governor B――, is a proof of this. An affection, a reciprocal affection something like your own, would have constrained me to answer it sooner, but travelling and preaching (my old excuse) have prevented me. At length I am got into Maryland, and into a family, out of which, I trust, five have been born of God. Gladly would I spend this whole day in deep humiliation and prayer: for I am now forty years of age. Fy upon me, fy upon me. Alas! how little have I done for Jesus! O that my head was water! O that my eyes were fountains of tears! What mercies, what infinite mercies have I received! What poor returns have I made! Behold, I am vile! Am not I treating you like a friend, even like a Boston friend, my dear Sir? Yes, I am; and since you commanded me, I will. Your letter bespeaks you to be worthy of that sacred name, and to be acquainted with that which few, very few know any thing about; I mean the delicacies of true disinterested friendship. This is a secret that none but beloved disciples are let into. May you always remain in the number of these, and when you are leaning on that bosom, where all that is lovely centers, may you have a heart to remember one who is called to travel, whilst you are acting in another sphere for God! Blessed be his name, heaven is at the end of the journey. Happy Mrs. L――! she hath had a speedy translation. May my latter end be like hers! How ought such events to teach us to converse when together, that if we should be called before the next intended meeting, we might have no trifling conversation to reflect upon. To-morrow, God willing, I move again. Ere long my last remove will come; a remove into endless bliss, where with you and all the redeemed of the Lord, I trust you will see, very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXI.

To Mr. R――.

Virginia, January 17, 1755.

I AM just now on the borders of North-Carolina, and after preaching to-morrow in a neighbouring church, I purpose to take my leave of Virginia. Had I not been detained so long at the northward, what a wide and effectual door might have been opened.—Here, as well as elsewhere, rich and poor flock to hear the everlasting gospel. Many have come forty or fifty miles, and a spirit of conviction and consolation seemed to go through all the assemblies. One Colonel R――, a person of distinction, opened one church for me, invited me to his house, and introduced me himself to the reading desk. As I was riding in his chariot, he informed me of his intention to see Boston next Summer. If my friends would be so good as to mention my name, and shew him some respect when he comes amongst you, it would add to my obligations. Blessed be God, I see a vast alteration for the better. O for more time, and if possible for more souls and bodies! Lord Jesus, twenty times ten thousand are too few for thee, and yet (O amazing love) thou art willing to accept of only two mites! These, I trust, you, my very dear Sir, have put into his sacred treasury. O that the trifling thing called honour, may never, so much as for a single moment, draw you from your God! I hope Colonel P―― stands to his colours. Then I live, if my dear friends stand fast in the Lord. My most cordial respects and tender love await them all. I doubt not of your improving Mrs. L――’s sudden dissolution; another call to be always ready. That this may be the happy lot of you and yours, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MLXXII.

To Mr. P――.

Virginia, January 17, 1755.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

THOUGH at this distance of time and place, yet I do not forget our solemn and mournful parting. Blessed be God, there is a time coming, when these cutting trials will be over. I long, I long for it, and yet when fresh doors of usefulness are opening, I am content to stay below. This I trust is the case at present in Virginia. The prospect is promising indeed. People have flocked from all parts to hear the word, and arrows of conviction have fled, and I believe stuck fast. Seed sown several years ago, hath sprung up and brought forth fruit. Doth not the Lord of the harvest by this say, “Go forward.” Do, my dear Sir, help me by your prayers; I want to have my tardy pace quickened. I am now forty years old. Surely it is high time to awake out of sleep. I doubt not but this will find you and yours all alive for Jesus. Being straitened for time, I must beg you to remember me in the most tender manner to all dear, very dear friends as they come in your way, and accept the same for your whole self, from, reverend and very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXIII.

To Mr. F――.

Virginia, January 17, 1755.

My dear Mr. F――,

I HOPE that this will find you safely arrived at Philadelphia, from your northward expedition, and ready to come further southwards. This leaves me in my last Virginia stage, near the borders of North-Carolina. People as I came along have been very willing to attend on my feeble labours, and I hope that some real good hath been done. If this be effected, it matters little how the labourer himself may be sometimes fatigued.

Lovely delusion this! Living, dying, and after death I hope to be possessed of it. I have seen your Epitaph. Believe on Jesus, and get a feeling possession of God in your heart, and you cannot possibly be disappointed of your expected second edition, finely corrected, and infinitely amended. Verbum sapienti sat est. I could say more, but time is short. Glad shall I be to wait on you and Mr. H―― at the Orphan-house. I send you both my cordial respects, and praying that you may have what good Colonel G――r once wished me, “A thriving soul in a healthy body,” I subscribe myself, my dear Sir,

Your affectionate, obliged friend and ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER MLXXIV.

To Mr. ――.

Virginia, in Hanover County, January 23, 1755.

My very dear Jonathan,

THAT ever-loving and ever-lovely Redeemer that owned my feeble labours in the northward, still continues to bless and succeed me in my journey southward. I have not been here a week, and have had the comfort of seeing many impressed under the word every day. Two churches have been opened, and a third (Richmond) I am to preach in to-morrow. Prejudices I find do subside, and some of the rich and great begin to think favourably of the work of God. Several of the lower class have been with me acknowledging what the Lord of all Lords did for them, when I was here before. O that I may be humbly thankful, and improve every smile to quicken my tardy pace, and make me all alive for Jesus! About this day month, I hope to reach Georgia; from thence, I intend writing to you again. But be where I will, dear Boston is much upon my heart. This may serve as a proof that you and yours are not forgotten. Indeed and indeed I often think of, and pray for you from my inmost soul. Blessed be God, that we can meet at the throne of grace! Jesus sits thereon, even Jesus our advocate, our God, and our All. You must add to my obligations, by continuing to pray, that I may begin to love and serve him in earnest, and thus you will appear a Jonathan indeed, to,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MLXXV.

To Mrs. C――.

Charles-Town, March 3, 1755.

Dear Mrs. C――,

THROUGH divine goodness we arrived here last Wednesday afternoon, on Thursday Mr. E―― was solemnly ordained, and on Friday Andrew H――n and his wife, and R――, came in a schooner from Port-Royal. I believe they will settle here.—The trials I have met with on various accounts, have brought my old vomitings upon me, and my soul hath been pierced with many sorrows.—But I believe, (Lord help my unbelief!) that all is intended for my good.—Amidst every thing, I am comforted at the present situation of Bethesda.—I hope you will love and walk in love, and the children also grow in years and grace.—I purpose sending all the things by Mr. R――n, who comes shortly by water. Then I purpose writing to dear Mr. Dixon and others, and hope by that time to be determined what course I shall steer. O that it may be heaven-wards, go where I will! This I know will be your prayer, and the prayer of the rest of my dear family in my behalf.—I pray for you all night and day.—I would have you write to Mr. H――t by the bearer, who is an experimental Baptist preacher from the northward.—O that he may say something, that may do my dear family some good.—Mr. Z――y will be with you in about three weeks. The Lord be with you all. Hoping to write again ere long, and wishing you all much of his presence, that is better than life, I subscribe myself, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXVI.

To the Same.

Charles-Town, March 17, 1755.

Dear Mrs. C――,

HAD I wings like a dove, how often would I have fled to Bethesda since my departure from it. I could almost say, that the few last hours I was there, were superior in satisfaction to any hours I ever enjoyed. But I must go about my heavenly Father’s business.—For this, I am a poor but willing pilgrim, and give up all that is near and dear to me on this side eternity.—This week I expect to embark in the Friendship, Captain Ball; but am glad of the letters from Bethesda before I go.—They made me weep, and caused me to throw myself prostrate before a prayer-hearing and promise-keeping God.—He will give strength, he will give power. Fear not; you are now I believe where the Lord would have you be, and all will be well.—I repose the utmost confidence in you, under God, and verily believe that I shall not be disappointed of my hope.—I should have been glad if the apples had been sent in the boat; they would have been useful in the voyage.—But Jesus can stay me with better apples.—May you and all my dear family have plenty of these! I imagine it will not be long before I return from England. Now Bethesda would be pleasant. God make it more and more so to you and to all. I can only recommend you in the most endearing manner to the ever-blessed Jesus, and my unworthy vile self to your continual prayers, as being, dear Mrs. C――,

Yours most affectionately in our blessed Lord,

G. W.

P. S. I hope that one of the players is snatched as a brand out of the burning. Grace! grace!

LETTER MLXXVII.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

London, May 10, 1755.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

THE love which I owe and bear to you for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, constrains me to send you a few lines immediately upon my arrival at my native country.—I arrived at New-haven in Sussex the 8th instant, after a six weeks passage. Hither the cloud seemed to move, though I must own that I left America with regret.—Never was the door opened wider in those parts for preaching the everlasting gospel, than now.—Perhaps this may shorten my stay at home, but future things belong to Jesus. It is not in man to direct his steps.—Prepare us, O Lord, for whatever thou hast prepared for us! I hear, you have met with changes since my departure.—What have we to do to expect any thing else? Dear Mr. M――n!—Whither is he gone? Where Jesus reigns, and where, through rich and sovereign grace, even ill and hell deserving I, hope ere long to be.—Hasten, glorious Emmanuel, that wished-for time!—If your dear yoke-fellow is also gone, she I trust is happy too.—Sequar, etsi non passibus æquis.—You will write soon, and send me some news about the upper world.—This is scarce worth a thought.—I hope my dear host and hostess, Mr. S――, Mrs. M――, and all friends are well.—I can only send them and you my hearty love, and beg the continuance of your prayers for, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MLXXVIII.

To Lady H――n.

London, May 13, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

SINCE I put my letter into the office on Saturday night, I have heard that your Ladyship was gone to Ashby, and therefore make bold to trouble your Ladyship with a few more lines. They leave me safely arrived at my desired port, and endeavouring to begin to do something for him, who hath loaded me with his benefits, and still continues to smile upon my feeble labours. Glad am I to hear, that so many have lately been stirred up to preach a crucified Saviour. Surely that scripture must be fulfilled, “and many of the priests also were obedient to the word.” The work is of God, and therefore must prosper. Blessed be his great name, for continuing to hold your Ladyship as a star in his right-hand. May you shine more and more till the perfect day! I find your Ladyship still delights to do good. The late benefaction for Bethesda came very opportunely; God will provide! That institution begins to rise. But I cannot descend to particulars now; ere long I hope to wait on your Ladyship at Bristol. My first circuit is to be in the west. Hoping to be favoured soon with a line to acquaint me of your Ladyship’s welfare, and earnestly praying that your Ladyship and honoured relations may be filled with all the fulness of God, I beg leave to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MLXXIX.

To the Marquis of L――.

London, May 14, 1755.

BEING but lately arrived in my native country, I take the first opportunity of returning your Lordship thanks for your great zeal in promoting the welfare of New Jersey college. Surely it is the purest seminary that I have known. Your Lordship’s name is precious in America, and children yet unborn will be bound to bless God for what you have done. I think, if the degree of Doctor of divinity could be procured for Mr. A―― B――, their present worthy president, it would still make an addition to the honours of the college. He is a most excellent man; your Lordship will not be offended at my making the motion. Blessed be God, in various places abroad, the gospel runs and is glorified. In Virginia a wide and effectual door is opened. The Indian mission can never I think come upon a proper establishment, till some lands are purchased, and the Indians brought to live together upon them. The plan that was laid, I mentioned to Mr. D―― some months ago, and ere now, I suppose your Lordship hath seen it. O for that happy time, when the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ! Blessed Emmanuel, may thy temple be built in troublesome times! But I forget myself. Your Lordship will excuse my freedom. I am writing to one who delights to serve the Redeemer’s interest. That your Lordship may have the continued honour of confessing him upon earth, and be confessed by him after death in the kingdom of heaven, is and shall be the prayer of, my Lord,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXI.

To Governor B――.

London, June 6, 1755.

Much-honoured Sir,

WHILST I remain myself where you are called to sojourn, in this dying world, I trust your Excellency will never be forgotten by unworthy me. You see, honoured Sir, where a poor but willing pilgrim is tossed now. Just this day month did I arrive in this metropolis, where, glory, glory be to the great head of the church! The word hath still free course. The poor despised Methodists are as lively as ever, and in several churches the gospel is now preached with power. Many in Oxford are awakened to the knowledge of the truth, and I have heard almost every week of some fresh minister or another, that seems determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. This, I am persuaded, is the best news I can send to your Excellency. This, must necessarily rejoice your heart, which I know pants after nothing more, than the enlargement of the Mediator’s kingdom. Ere long, your utmost thirsting shall be satisfied, you shall see Jesus; you shall see him as he is: O Gloriam quantam et qualem! God give me patience to wait till my appointed change comes! But would it not be a shame to go to heaven without scarce beginning to do something for the blessed Redeemer? He that searches the heart and trieth the reins, knows full well, how often I cry out, “my leanness, my leanness!” God be praised, next week I hope to go on my country range. I hope that your Excellency will have a heart given you to pray for me, whilst life lasts, and after death I doubt not but the glorious Emmanuel will reward you before men and angels, for all your works of faith, and labours of love, which you have done for the church in general, and particularly for all favours conferred on, honoured, much-honoured Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXII.

To Mr. C――.

London, June 7, 1755.

Reverend and dear Sir,

JUST now I was informed that the bag is to be taken away this afternoon; hurried therefore as I am, you must have a few lines.—And why? Because I love and honour you for Jesus Christ’s sake. Will it not rejoice you to hear that his glorious gospel gets ground apace. Several of the clergy, both in town and country, have been lately stirred up to preach Christ crucified, in the demonstration of the spirit and with power. This excites the enmity of the old serpent, which discovers itself in various shapes. The greatest venom is spit out against Mr. R――n, who having been reputed a great scholar, is now looked upon and treated as a great fool; because made wise himself, and earnestly desirous that others also should be made wise to eternal salvation. Methinks I hear you say, O happy folly! May this blessed leaven diffuse and spread itself through the whole nation! The prospect is promising. Many students at Oxford are earnestly learning Christ. Dear Mr. H――y hath learnt and preached him some years; his loving and truly catholic heart chearfully complied with the motion about your future correspondence. As for myself, I can only say “that less than the least of all,” must be my motto still. I labour but feebly, and yet, O amazing condescension! Jesus owns and succeeds such feeble labours. People still continue to flock to the gospel, like doves to the windows. Next week I begin to take my country range. Be so good, my dear Sir, to add to my obligations, by continuing to remember a poor but willing pilgrim, and to salute all my dear friends as they come in your way. I hope, Mr. A―― (to whom I send cordial respects) goes hand in hand with you, striving together for the faith and the practice of the gospel.—Glorious strife this! I do not forget the books I promised to look out for.—I have spoken to Mr. H――, but he says they are very difficult to be procured. I would write to the Chief Justice, but suppose he is at the northward. Will you be pleased to accept of my Lisbon letters, to be disposed of as you think proper? My little communion-book is not yet come out. God be praised, that there is a time coming when we shall need books and ordinances no more, but shall be admitted into an uninterrupted communion and fellowship with the blessed Trinity for evermore. The Lord ripen us for that blissful state! I must bid you farewel. Be pleased to excuse the length of this, as being occasioned by the love unfeigned which is due to you from, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXIII.

To Mr. P――.

London, June 12, 1755.

Dear Nat.,

I THINK every thing is now procured that was in the memorandums. I would have sent the children’s cloaths, &c. but they could not be got ready; you will therefore have them by another opportunity. I am glad to hear by your last, that the children go on well in their learning. Let this encourage you to go on, and who knows, but by and by they may learn Christ? Such power belongs only unto God. I am quite satisfied in your present employ, and doubt not (if you are cloathed with humility, as I trust you will be) but God will bless and delight to honour you. To have our own mother’s children angry with and despise us, if sanctified, is a good preservative against self-love, and self-complacency: it puts us more upon the watch, and drives us nearer to God. This be your happy lot! As for your affair with Mr. C――, I can only say, you have my leave to act as you think best. —Shew thy will, O God, and give power to perform it! To A―― W―― and his wife, I have allowed twenty pounds per annum, till they have a place, or get into business. God knows, I can little afford it; but I can as yet trust on him, who feedeth the ravens, and hath promised to supply all my wants. O that the Lord of all Lords may keep you all at Bethesda of one heart and one mind, and give you to send me such news, as may gladden my frequently burdened (though I hope disinterested) mind; and cause me to go on with more chearfulness and joy! Thanks be to God, my feeble labours on this side the water, are owned and succeeded. People seem to be as lively as ever. I hope the time will come, when Bethesda also shall blossom like a rose. We wait for thy salvation O Lord; make no long tarrying our Lord and our God! My dear Nat. farewel. Feed Christ’s lambs, and he will feast thy soul.—Look upon his work as its own wages, and he will richly repay thee for all thy care. I charge you, and all, to continue wrestling in prayer for me, as being, dear Nat.

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXIV.

To Mrs. C――.

London, June 13, 1755.

Dear Mrs. C――,

I WROTE to you amidst a great throng of business, a few days ago, by a Carolina ship. I am now retired to Mr. C――’s, in order to send you a few lines more. Matters about Mr. ―― and his wife, have happened as might be expected; it is my lot to be a pelican. But all will be well at last; I know who will stand on my side. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ! He upholds me, and daily succeeds my feeble, but I trust honest labours, and that to me is all in all. I hope you will write often. What your brother hath written, I know not. I believe you are where God would have you to be, and I pray him night and day to make you more and more a mother in Israel. Ere this comes to hand, I hope you will have received the things from the northward. However it fares with me at home, fain would I care for my dear friends and family abroad. God will provide! This is my comfort. Much depends on your success in the silk, but more on my family’s increasing in the knowledge of Jesus. O that this may be their happy case! O that the Lord of all Lords may feed you in that wilderness! He is good to us here. We have golden seasons at the tabernacle, and several ministers preach Christ in the churches. This makes my call abroad still more clear. Though I have not yet entered upon my country range, methinks I could set out for America to-morrow. What is time, relations, and even the enjoyment of God’s people, compared with the unmixed, uninterrupted joys of an happy eternity! Here I could enlarge, and on this dwell, but must away. Ere long I hope to write to you again, and in the mean while beg leave to subscribe myself, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXV.

To Mr. G――.

Bristol, June 27, 1755.

Reverend and dear Sir,

EVER since I received your last kind letter, I have been so perpetually engaged in preaching, travelling, and a multiplicity of other business, that I have not been able to answer it till now. In London the word runs and is glorified, and every day almost we have heard of fresh ministers of our national church being called out, and spirited up to preach the truth as it is in Jesus. This is my first excursion: I came through Gloucestershire, where the fields were white, ready unto harvest. Thrice last Lord’s-day, many many thousands attended on the word preached, and I believe a divine power accompanied it. That is all in all.—People in this place hear as for eternity. Next week I shall travel further westward; but whether I can see Scotland this summer, the Redeemer only knows. But whether absent or present, you, my dear Sir, and my other Scotch friends, have my poor prayers night and day, that your souls and bodies may prosper and be in health. O that God may hear you for unworthy me! I long, I long to do something for Jesus. Glad would I be to serve the church of Christ any way. If you remember, I hinted to you something about getting a Doctor’s degree for President Burr; since that I wrote to the Marquis of L――n. His Lordship writes thus: “The university of Edinburgh desire of me to obtain some account of Mr. Aaron Burr’s literature, or performances: this I hope you will do, and a diploma will be immediately transmitted.” By this post, I shall write what I know of the President, but I would have you and Mr. E―― write also, immediately to the Marquis. Surely he is the most worthy, ingenious, diligent, and truly christian President of his age, now in the world. He hath published something lately to animate our people against the common enemy. I have it at London, and hope you have it with you. If so, be pleased to transmit it to the Marquis. I shall mention it, and so do you, to his Lordship. Adieu, my very dear Sir, adieu. I must away. May the glorious Emmanuel bless and prosper you and yours, and all the dear followers of the Lamb! I cannot forget you, and hope never shall, whilst I have strength to subscribe, what indeed I am, my very dear friend,

Yours, &c. in our common Lord.

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXVI.

To the Marquis of L――.

Bristol, June 27, 1755.

My Lord,

HOW shall I express my gratitude to your Lordship, for condescending to answer my poor letter, and so readily concurring with the motion made in it, for a degree being procured for my worthy friend? The great Head of the church will bless and reward your Lordship for it. Never was there a man in the world, that could be more safely recommended as a scholar, and a truly christian minister of the gospel, and a laborious prudent President of a college, than Mr. Aaron Burr.—He was educated at Yale College in Connecticut, New England; and for his pregnant abilities, and many years well approved piety, was unanimously chosen to succeed the Reverend Mr. D―― in the care of New-Jersey college. It would have delighted your Lordship, to have seen how gloriously he filled the chair last year, at the New-Jersey commencement. His Latin oration was beautifully elegant, and was delivered with an unaffected, yet striking energy and pathos. As a preacher, disputant, and head of a college, he shines in North America; and the present prosperity of the New Jersey college, is, under God, greatly owing to his learning, piety, and conduct. The students revere and love him. Your Lordship might have testimonials enough from good Governor B――r, Mr. Jonathan Edwards, cum multis aliis. And I believe, they would all concur in saying, “that of his age (now upwards of forty) there is not a more accomplished deserving President in the world.” As for any thing of his in print, that can be referred to, I cannot say, unless it be a little pamphlet lately published, in which he hath animated the people against the common enemy, and discovered a close attachment to the interest of our rightful sovereign King George. May the King of kings long preserve his important and precious life! This piece of Mr. Burr’s I have at London, and hope it is in Scotland. I just now wrote to Mr. G―― of Glasgow, who, together with Mr. J―― E――, I suppose will write to your Lordship concerning Mr. Burr. I wish the diploma may be transmitted against the next commencement. It will endear your Lordship more and more to the good people of America. May the Lord of all lords vouchsafe your Lordship a good degree in the kingdom of heaven! O for the lowest place there! It will be abundantly too high for such an unworthy wretch as I am: but his name and nature is Love. He still vouchsafes to employ me, and still continues to countenance my feeble labours. At London we have enjoyed golden seasons, and in the country the fields are white ready unto harvest. O that we may be helped to bear the heat and burden of every day! That your Lordship may live long to do much for Christ, and be at last gathered like a ripe shock of corn into his heavenly garner, is the earnest prayer of, my Lord,

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXVII.

To Mr. Thomas J――.

Bristol, June 27, 1755.

My dear Thomas,

YOUR treatment of me at Honslow, put me in mind of Joseph’s steward, who put his brothers money, unknown to them, into their sacks mouth. Well! Jesus takes notice of all help vouchsafed his servants, and will not forget those who assist them in their pilgrimage for his great name’s sake. You and yours then will not be forgotten:—and God forbid that I should cease praying for you both. The Searcher of hearts knows that I love you both in the bowels of Jesus Christ; and my heart’s desire night and day is, that you may be rich, yea very rich towards God. Such are durable riches. Every thing else is less than vanity itself. Thanks be to God for such an unspeakable gift! This supports me in my pilgrimage, and makes me go on my way rejoicing. Thousands and thousands flocked in Gloucestershire; and here the congregations fall little short of those at London. The blessed Redeemer shews us his stately steps. O that we may feel his renovating, sin-subduing, heart-refining power more and more! So shall we approve ourselves to be his disciples, who hath said, that those “whom the Son of man makes free, are free indeed.” Adieu. The Lord be with you and yours. My love to Mr. W――, Mr. K――, &c. I forget none of you. I pray the Lord of all lords to keep you unspotted from the world, and entreat you not to forget

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXVIII.

To Lady H――.

London, July 11, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YESTERDAY about noon, after being worn down with travelling, and preaching twice and thrice a day in Gloucestershire, at Bath and Bristol, a gracious and never-failing Providence brought me to town, where I had the pleasure of receiving two kind, very kind and undeserved letters from your Ladyship’s hand. Had I the least leisure or strength, I should have written a letter of condolence to your Ladyship from Bristol. There I heard of the death of good Lady Ann, and was glad to find that Miss W―― bore the news of it with so much composure. Alas! how many have your Ladyship lived to see go before you! An earnest this, I hope, that you are to live to a good old age, and be more and more a mother in Israel. A short, but sweet character. God knows how long I am to drag this crazy load, my body, along. Blessed be his holy name, I have not one attachment to this inferior earth. I am sick of myself, sick of the world, sick of the church, and am panting daily after the full enjoyment of my God. John C―― is now added to the happy number of those who are called to see him as he is. I do not envy, but I want to follow after him. Give me patience, holy Jesus, to wait till my appointed time shall come. In the mean while, if it be thy holy will, improve me to promote, in some small degree, thy glory and the good of souls! Thanks be to his adorable majesty, the fields at Bristol and Kingswood were whiter, and more ready to harvest than for many years last past. Was the new Tabernacle at Bristol as large as that in London, it would be filled. Thrice last Sunday, and twice the Sunday before, I preached in the fields to many, many thousands. The youngest of the Miss W――’s, and little Miss H―― attended twice, and again by six on the Sunday morning. At Bath we had good seasons; good Lady G――, Mrs. B――, G――, Miss H――, &c. were very hearty, and God was with us of a truth. Mr. T――’s wife, of Cornwall, is dead, and my brother hath been very ill of a fever; but they tell me (and he doth himself) that the blessed Jesus hath visited his soul. If so, his journey hither will be a happy one. Lord, help me to pray, and not to faint! O for an humble, thankful heart! I am now looking up for direction what course to steer next. I suppose it will be northward. I wish your Ladyship’s plan may do; but I fear the parts about your Ladyship are too cold. O how unworthy of such a guest! Well, honoured, ever-honoured Madam, in the New-Jerusalem, your Ladyship will have company enough. There the Redeemer shall hold up before the mighty and the noble, and let them see what almighty, rich, and sovereign grace could do. Be pleased, my good Lady, to excuse the length of this. Gratitude always gives motion to my pen, when writing to your Ladyship. I am ashamed, that I have not so much as a pepper-corn to offer as an humble tribute. Jesus, the ever-loving, the altogether lovely Jesus must pay you all. I must away to preach the everlasting gospel. O how unworthy of such a divine employ! Pardon, honoured Madam, this poor, and too prolix scribble, and assure yourself, that neither your Ladyship nor family are ever forgotten by

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

G. W.

LETTER MLXXXIX.

To the Reverend Mr. H――n.

London, July 25, 1755.

My dear Friend,

I RECEIVED your kind letter, and have since heard of your removal from Indian land. I cannot help commending you for it, since I know various places, where you might do as much good in a week, as in those parts for years. Poor Indian land! I fear thou hast had thy call! May Jesus secure the remaining few, and be their refuge from every impending storm! O my dear friend, you and I shall find more and more, that we must be made perfect by sufferings. If we do not meet them in our younger days, we shall certainly have them in the decline of life. Trials, at such a season, are like the finishing strokes of the Limner’s pencil. They serve, in the hands of the holy Spirit, to compleat the new creature, and make it fit for heaven. Happy they who can say, “He knoweth the way that I take:” when they are tried, they shall come forth like gold. God only knows what a trying season lies before us. It is to be feared, that we are upon the eve of a bloody war. O that the war between Michael and the Dragon may go on! The prospect is promising. Several ministers preach Christ boldly; and as for my own poor feeble labours, the blessed Jesus vouchsafes to crown them with success. So many paths lie open, that I can scarce tell which to take first. Through frequent preaching and travelling, and a multiplicity of business, I have been so weakened, that I am obliged to retire for a little relaxation, and to get leisure to write you these few lines. May they find you and yours rejoicing in tribulation, and increasing with all the increase of God! I commend you, and all enquiring friends, to the care of Him, who never faileth those who trust in him, and entreat the continuance of your prayers in behalf of, my dear friend,

Yours, &c. in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXC.

To Mrs. C――.

London, July 25, 1755.

Dear Mrs. C――,

I WRITE this from Mr. C――’s, whither I have retired for a little relaxation, and to get leisure to write a few letters. Your brother is just gone from me, and would send you his hearty love if he knew of my writing. T―― is gone to Plymouth, and Miss L―― is sick of a fever (though I hope not dangerously) at Lewisham. Mrs. W――, one of the conference, I buried last Tuesday; and am longing for that happy time when this frail tabernacle shall be also laid in the silent grave. It hath tottered lately more than ever, and yet the Redeemer vouchsafes so to comfort me within, that methinks I am not yet to die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. O that I may begin to begin to do something for my God! I am afraid we are at the eve of a war: but fear not. Bethesda especially, I believe, will be hid under the shadow of the Redeemer’s wings. Whilst I have persons there (as I think is the case now) that act with a single eye, I am persuaded it will be like the burning bush. Pray remember me to all in the kindest manner. I hope to write when the childrens cloaths are ready. We have blessed seasons at Tabernacle. I have met with some outward as well as inward trials; but this is my comfort, “The Lord knoweth the way that I take. When I am tried I shall come forth like gold.” O that faith and patience may have their perfect work in this sin-sick soul! Desire dear Nat, Mr. Dix, &c. not to be uneasy, because I do not write now; it is impracticable. Night and day you are all upon my heart, and I long to hear how you go on. My blessing attends you all, even you and the children. Surely, was I retired from public work, feeding Christ’s lambs should be my constant employ. But alas! I must be in the front of the battle. Lord Jesus, magnify thy strength in my weakness, or I shall deny thee and desert my post! Pray hard all of you, I intreat you, for me, and let me know all your wants. I will labour night and day to have them supplied, and will pray the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls to pay you blessed wages. I know you will be content with such a paymaster. I commend you all to his never-failing mercy, as being, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXCI.

To Lady ――.

Norwich, August 9, 1755.

Elect Lady,

HOW glad was I some time ago to receive a letter from your Ladyship! How glad am I now to sit down to answer it, and thereby renew a correspondence, which to me was always profitable and delightful! Shall I wish your Ladyship joy? Of what? Not barely of your additional estate and honour, but of your having an opportunity, with your noble Lord, of moving in a superior orb, and letting your light shine more before men. The Lord of all lords only knows, how I love and honour you both; though I have not written, yet I have not ceased praying for you and yours these many years. Your honoured family on both sides, must always be dear to me. What Bethels, what gates of heaven have we been in together, whilst engaged in social prayer, and reading and opening the lively oracles of God! Had I wings, gladly would I fly to see your Ladyship’s dear little growing family: but God only knows, whether I shall be able to reach Scotland this year. I am now at Norwich, where there hath undoubtedly been a glorious work of God. Twice a day, both gentle and simple flock to hear the word, and I think it comes with power. Lord, what am I? In London, I think, our people are as lively as ever; in Bristol they are the same; and as for America, words cannot express the glorious scenes that opened in various parts, especially at Boston in New-England. The tide ran full as high as ever your Ladyship knew it at Edinburgh, or in any part of Scotland. This I know is the best news I can send to your Ladyship; for what news, comparatively speaking, is worth hearing, except that which concerns the kingdom of God? What beauties worth admiring, but the beauties of Jesus Christ? What riches worth possessing, but the substantial and durable riches of the divine life? What honour worth acquiring, but that honour which cometh from God? May these be the beauties, these the riches, these the honours of you and your noble Lord! I assure your Ladyship that my heart springs when I think of him, or write his name. I truly loved the father, I as truly and most affectionately respect and love the son. God almighty bless you both, and give you grace to keep yourselves unspotted from the world! Glad shall I be to see his Lordship in town. In the mean while, I hope his Lordship, and the honourable family where you are, will accept not of bare compliments, but unfeigned and most cordial acknowledgments and respects. May the great physician of souls vouchsafe to give you all thriving souls in healthy bodies! I am glad to hear good Lady D―― is well. My obligations to her, and all your honoured family, are very great. Be pleased to accept this poor pepper-corn, which, except my poor prayers, is all the acknowledgment that can be made by, my good Lady,

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

G. W.

LETTER MXCII.

To Mr. J―― W――.

Norwich, August 9, 1755.

Reverend and dear Sir,

TILL Tuesday evening, I knew no more of coming to Norwich than the child unborn. Had I been well enough, and my private business permitted, I should have been some miles in my way towards ♦Donnington park. This I told Mr. H――ly, and acquainted him with every step; he should have written himself, and not retailed our conversation. As I expect to be in town some time next week, I choose to defer writing more till we have a personal interview. My time is too precious to be employed in hearkening to, or vindicating of myself against, the false and invidious insinuations of narrow and low-life informers. Never was I more satisfied of my call to any place, than of my present call to Norwich. The Redeemer knows the way that I take. I came hither purely for his glory, without the least design to make a party for myself, or to please or displease any other party whatsoever. In this way, and in this spirit, through his divine assistance, I hope to go on. Blessed be his name, I trust my feeble labours have not been in vain. Sin, I hope, hath been prevented, errors detected, sinners convicted, saints edified, and my own soul sweetly refreshed. But I must add no more. That Jesus may give us all a right judgment in all things, and keep all parties whatsoever from giving a wrong touch to the ark, is and shall be the constant prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXCIII.

To Doctor R――.

London, August 20, 1755.

Honoured and very dear Sir,

AS long as God is pleased to hold my soul in life, and I hear that you also are in the land of the living, I shall always think it my bounden duty to thank, and pray for you. Surely you have been to me, honoured Sir, a father and a friend. Be pleased to accept repeated acknowledgments for all favours conferred on me at college, and the great care you took to prepare me for the ministry of the church. Alas! I am ashamed of my unfruitfulness, and wonder that the blessed Redeemer continues to improve me at all. But his name and nature is Love. He hath once more brought me safe over the mighty waters, and hath vouchsafed to own my poor feeble labours in yonder new world. The Orphan-house, blessed be his name, is on a good footing, and I trust will prove a nursery for church and state, when my head is laid in the silent grave. I am waiting daily for my discharge, and long to be at home. Be pleased to add to my innumerable obligations, by continuing to pray for me. I retain my old name, being the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, but, honoured and very dear Sir,

Your most obliged, dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MXCIV.

To ――.

London, August 26, 1755.

My dear Friends,

I RECEIVED both your kind letters, and likewise one from Mr. W――, and last night a long one from Mr. C――; but alas! I have no time for controversy. To their own Master they must both either stand or fall. All I can say in your present circumstances, is, “that you had best make a trial, and let matters for a while stand as they are.” I have sent letters, if possible, to prevent the spreading, at least the publishing any further tales. In the mean while, my dear friends, do you strengthen yourselves in the Lord your God. The cause is his; you honestly, I believe, embarked in it for his great name’s sake, and he will help you out of all. When I see Mr. R――r, I shall speak to him again. But to-morrow I must away to the northward. Follow me, I entreat you, with your prayers, and assure yourselves, that you and yours, and the dear people of Norwich, will not be forgotten by me. If ever the Redeemer, in his good providence, should bring me thither again, I can then converse with Mr. W―― and C―― face to face;—but I beg to be excused from writing, when I think by so doing I can do no service. The Lord cloathe us all with humility, and give us all true simplicity and godly sincerity! Then we need fear nothing. Blessed be his name, we have golden seasons here. Blessed be his name, if any good was done by my poor feeble labours in your city. To Him, who delights to shew himself strong in behalf of those who are of an upright heart, be all the glory. If I know any thing of myself, I want to supplant none, but to strengthen the hands of all that preach and live Christ Jesus. In his great name, and with repeated thanks for all favours, I subscribe myself, my very dear friends,

Yours most affectionately,

G. W.

LETTER MXCV.

To Miss P――.

Weston-Favell, August 30, 1755.

Dear Miss,

A FEW days past, as I was going into the Tabernacle to read letters, yours came to hand; immediately I read it among the rest, and you and my other dear New-England friends had the prayers of thousands. But how did I wish to be transported to America! How did I long to stir up all against the common enemy, and to be made instrumental in doing my dear country some little service! But surely God sent me over at this juncture, and therefore I hope to be resigned. Already, blessed be his name, he hath vouchsafed to own my feeble labours in London, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath, and Norwich. I have been at the last place very lately, and notwithstanding offences have come, there hath been a glorious work begun, and is now carrying on. The Polite and Great seem to hear with much attention, and I scarce ever preached a week together with greater freedom. Praise the Lord, O my soul! I am now going my northern circuit, and perhaps may take a trip to Ireland. O what a pity is it, that we have but one body and one soul for Jesus Christ! I write this from dear Mr. H――’s, who sends kind love to all his dear New-England friends, and earnestly begs the continuance of their prayers. He is now writing another volume upon sanctification: that, you say, dear Miss, is what you want. That is what the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus longs to give. Out of his fulness we are all to receive even grace for grace. But how slow are we to believe! Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! must be my language still. I thank your honoured father for the kind present of the sermons, charter, &c. I see you are resolved to increase my obligations, till they amount to a prodigious sum. My blessed Master must pay you all. O that I may be remembered before him; night and day, in public and in private! Dear New-England, dear Boston lies upon my heart; surely the Lord will not give it over into the enemies hand. He hath too many praying ministers and praying people there, for such a dreadful catastrophe. Immediately upon hearing of your late defeat, I preached from those words, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, then the spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him.” This we shall find true in a temporal and spiritual sense.

I could enlarge, but must away. My heart is full for dear New-England, and I must go to God and vent it. I can only send you and your honoured parents, and all your religious associates, and all enquiring friends, ten thousand thanks for all favours, and beg them never to cease praying for, dear Miss,

Their and your assured and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MXCVI.

To Lady P――.

Weston-Favell, August 30, 1755.

Dear Madam,

THOUGH Providence prevented my seeing you again, yet you have been much upon my heart. As a proof of it, be pleased to accept of these few hasty lines. I find you are once more called to give up your honoured husband for his country’s good. That God whom you serve, will richly reward you for such a sacrifice, and be better to you than seven husbands. I long, I long to hear that he is returned victorious. He is gone upon a good cause, and under the conduct of the best general, even the Captain of our salvation. To him I am praying night and day for the temporal and spiritual welfare of dear, never to be forgotten New-England. Courage, dear Madam, courage:—a few more partings, a few more changes, a few more heart-breakings, heart-purifying trials, and we shall be safe landed. That you and yours, dear Madam, may have a triumphant entrance administered to you into the heavenly kingdom, is and shall be the hearty prayer of, dear Madam,

Your Ladyship’s obliged and ready servant, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MXCVIII.

To Mr. J―― S――.

Northampton, September 1, 1755.

AND did my dear Mr. S―― direct a letter and not send me one line at a venture? Well, I thank him even for the direction, as well as for all other unmerited favours. O that it was in my power to shew my gratitude in a substantial manner! This is my comfort, God is a prayer-hearing, promise-keeping God. He will not fail those, who have confessed him or his ministers before men.—It may be, before men they shall be rewarded. Certain it is, they shall be confessed by Jesus Christ in the presence of men and angels in the kingdom of heaven. This, ere long, will be your happiness. Methinks I long for the day; but am ashamed I do no more for Jesus, who yet continues to employ me. Every where the fields are white ready unto harvest. At London, Bristol, Bath, in Gloucestershire, at Norwich, Bury, Braintree, and yesterday twice here, we had blessed seasons. I am now going into Yorkshire, and it may be to Ireland. If there should be a bloody war, God only knows when I shall see my dear New-England. Thither I find a strong attraction. O for good news from the northern forces! I suppose death must come first before life.—This is always the method of Providence. Lord, help us to pray and not faint! Happy they who have got a Jesus to fly to: he is our refuge from every storm. Your whole self and all enquiring friends do I most earnestly commend to his never-failing mercy, as being, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MXCIX.

To Colonel P――.

Northampton, September 1, 1755.

My dear Sir,

ACCORDING to my promise, before I embarked for England, I sent you the copy of my oath, from Charles-Town; which, I fear, is not come to hand, because not mentioned in either of your letters, which I had the pleasure of receiving a few days ago. In my way northward, I take the first opportunity of thanking you for both, and at the same time heartily thank the Captain of our salvation, for giving you grace to stand to your colours, and persist in your spiritual warfare. Perhaps, ere this reaches Boston, you may be called out in the service of your country. May your head, and the heads of all engaged, be covered in every day of battle; and may our troops be made in the end more than conquerors through the love of God! This is what we are assured of in our spiritual combat.—Jesus, who is truth itself, hath told us, that nothing shall pluck us out of his almighty hands. Though faint then, let us still pursue. Through the Redeemer strengthening me, I am yet continuing my feeble labours, which, I trust, are not in vain in the Lord. Fain would I be with you; but Providence seems to have cast my lot at present here. Well, my dear Sir, there is a place, at which, though absent from, we may be present with each other; I mean the throne of grace. There, God willing, I will often meet you. I know you will accept the challenge, and God himself will say, Amen. Glad should I be to hear from you frequently. O for good news from dear New-England! Blessed be God for what you send me concerning Mrs. P――. May root and branch be spared for the Mediator’s glory! To his tender, never-failing mercy, do I most humbly commend you, and all other enquiring friends, as being, my dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MC.

To Mrs. M――.

Liverpool, Sept. 12, 1755.

Dear Madam,

ERE this can reach you, I hope the days of your mourning will be ended. By your last to Mr. W―― I find your harp was hanging upon the willows, your chariot wheels taken off, and your poor soul driving heavily. Add to all this,—Satan was besetting you on every side, and so daring as to say, “Where is now thy God?”—This is his common artifice; thus he attacked the great High-priest and blessed apostle of our profession, “If thou be the Son of God, &c.” But if you love not Jesus, whence this pain of absence? Why so often crying out,

This is not the language of a hypocrite. No: it is the native, genuine cry of a new and heaven-born soul. Woman, therefore, why weepest thou? Thy Lord hath drank of this bitter cup before thee.

Look then to Him, dear Madam, who upon the cross cried out in the bitterness of his soul, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The Redeemer is now only giving you blessings in disguise, and teaching you instructive lessons by the thorns and briars of the wilderness. Now is the time for you to prove the strength of Jesus yours, and to learn to live upon a God that changeth not. Be pleased to excuse this freedom. At Mr. W――d’s desire I take it. Your advice to him, amidst all your gloom, bespeaks your concern for the ark of God; I wish he may take it. But I love not to interfere in other people’s plans, any further than I can contribute a mite towards promoting the common salvation. This principle made me incline to see Ireland, but I believe the season is too far gone. The Redeemer’s time is best. O that all may have grace given them to wait his leisure! Then will affairs have a more comfortable aspect, and many wrong touches of the ark be happily prevented. Blessed be God, in many places the word runs and is glorified. O that I could begin to begin to do something for Jesus! I wish that Mr. C―― may be raised to work for him once more. And yet, methinks it is cruel to wish him to stay longer out of heaven. God give me patience to wait till my wished-for change shall come! My cordial respects await all that love Christ Jesus in sincerity.—Be pleased to accept the same for your whole self, from, dear Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCI.

To Mr. S――.

Newcastle, September 24, 1755.

My very dear Sir,

AT length I can sit down, and send you (what I know you dearly love) some good news concerning the kingdom of Jesus Christ. O infinite condescension! He hath vouchsafed to own and bless my feeble labours all the way. At Northampton we had blessed seasons; at Lady H――n’s, the Lord of all Lords was with us of a truth; at Liverpool I trust some fallow ground was broken up; at Bolton the cup of many ran over; at Manchester people heard most gladly; and at Leeds and Bradford, what many felt, I believe, is unutterable. In my way hither, I hope a smart gentleman was touched at York, and several I find were awakened when I was at this place last. Lord, what am I?

What God does further, you may hear by and by. Perhaps I am at the end of my northern circuit, and I fear I am too impatient to get at the end of my christian race. I long, I long to see Jesus. Well, he that comes, will come and will not tarry. His reward is with him; then, but not till then, shall you and yours be fully recompensed, for strengthening my poor feeble hands in the Lord. He only knows how feeble. Surely this is grace indeed, to employ such a wretch as I am. Help me to adore it. Continue to pray for me, and thereby add to the obligations already conferred on, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCII.

To Lady H――n.

Newcastle, September 24, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

I KNOW not how long it is since I left your Ladyship; but this I know, a sense of the satisfaction I felt when at ♦Donnington, still lies upon my heart. Surely, was I not called out to public work, waiting upon and administring to your Ladyship in holy offices would be my choice and highest privilege. But Jesus calls, and therefore I travel to do or suffer thy will, O God! The only new ground that hath been broken up, I think is Liverpool; there the prospect is promising. I preached in a great square on the Lord’s day, and the alarm I hear went through the town. At Bolton the cup of God’s people ran over; and at Manchester we had large auditories and blessed seasons. At Leeds we felt what is unutterable, and at Bradford, I believe, last Sunday the congregation consisted of at least ten thousand. But O how hath my pleasure been alloyed at Leeds! I rejoiced there with trembling; for unknown to me, they had almost finished a large house in order to form a separate congregation. If this scheme succeeds, an awful separation I fear will take place amongst the societies. I have written to Mr. W――, and have done all I could to prevent it. O this self-love, this self-will! It is the devil of devils. Lord Jesus, may thy blessed spirit purge it out of all our hearts! But O how must the divine Paraclete sit as a refiner’s fire upon the heart, in order to bring this about! Few choose such fiery purgations, and therefore so few make the progress that might justly be expected of them in the divine life. Make me, O God, willing to be made, willing to be, to do, or suffer what thou pleasest, and then――what then?—this foolish fluttering heart will sweetly be moulded into the divine image.—This I write from Newcastle, where the people twice a day hear the gospel gladly. At York I hope a fine gentleman was touched, and several I find were awakened there, and here also, at my last visit. What to do now, I know not. Calls on all sides are very loud, and it is too late to go either to Ireland or Scotland. O my God!—Winter is at hand, and in the summer how little hath been done for thee! I cannot bear to live at this poor dying rate. My good and ever-honoured Lady, add; for Christ’s sake add to my already innumerable obligations, by praying for a poor unfruitful and ungrateful dwarf. I am sick of my vileness, and yet just comes in a letter acquainting me, that my preaching hath been blessed to many this morning. Good God, what is this? Grace! Grace! I am lost, I am lost.

Your Ladyship sees I am running into my old fault. I cannot well help it, when writing to your Ladyship. May the choicest of God’s mercies rest on you and yours! I hope my poor but sincere respects will find acceptance with Lady S――’s, Master H――, &c. I must away to pray for your Ladyship and them, and therefore hasten to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCIII.

To Mr. D―― B――.

Newcastle, October 4, 1755.

My dear Friend,

WHO would but wish to be in heaven, where we shall enjoy the communion of saints without interruption? Whilst here, how long is it before we can answer each other’s letters? With difficulty I now sit down to answer your last; for these seven or eight days past, I have been deeply engaged in travelling, and preaching thrice a day. Jesus Christ hath made it pleasant to my soul, and comfortably supported my weak body. It being so late in the year, I cannot proceed further northward. However I must write, if it be only to let you know, that my dear Scotch friends are continually upon my heart, and that I most earnestly beg the continuance of their prayers. I am a dwarf,—I am a dwarf,—and that is enough to excite their pity. Alas! alas! Autumn is come, winter is drawing on, and (O my God) how little have I done for thee in the summer. The concern I feel upon this account almost prevents my writing. Adieu, I must retire.—My tender love to Mrs. B――, and all that are so kind as to inquire after me. Exhort them to love, and live near to the ever-loving Jesus, and for his great name’s sake, never to forget, my dear friend,

Their and your affectionate friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCIV.

To Mr. ――.

London, October 31, 1755.

My very dear Friend,

LAST night, a never-failing God brought me from the north of England, where I have been enabled to preach twice and thrice a day, to many, many thousands for these two months last past. And yet I cannot die.—Nay they tell me, “I grow fat.” O that I may grow in grace, especially in humility! Then would the Lord delight to honour me. Vile as I am, this he continues to do. Never did I see the word more blessed, or so many thousands run after it with greater greediness. Next to inviting them to Christ, I have always taken care to exhort them to pray for King George, and our dear friends in America. I trust, that thousands are now engaged this way, and whatever dark providences may intervene, I hope to hear they have been more than conquerors.—“Pray continue to write,” I often tell my friend. I often think of him who sent me the glass, before the friend of sinners. God almighty bless you and yours, and all enquiring dear souls, with all spiritual and temporal blessings! I see some are marrying, and others giving in marriage. May the Lord Jesus sanctify every change, till we all come to sit down at the marriage feast of the supper of the Lamb! There I hope ere long to meet you. Fly, fly, Time: hasten, hasten, O wished-for Eternity! Adieu: my tender love to all. I wish dear Mr. T―― a good help-mate, but above all, I wish him much success in espousing poor sinners to the ever adorable Jesus. Once more farewel.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCV.

To Mr. B――.

London, November 1, 1755.

My dear Mr. B――,

ON Thursday evening, a never-failing Providence brought me in safety from my northern circuit, and this morning I find a letter of a distant date from you, which before I look over my other letters, I sit down to answer. And what shall I say? Blessed be God, I have good news to send you from the north country; never did I see the word of God have freer course, or congregations more numerous or attentive. I was strengthened to preach generally twice or thrice a day, and thanks be to my gracious Master, my poor carcase held it out. Next to Jesus, my King and country were upon my heart. I acted as at Stroud, and other parts of Gloucestershire, and I hope I shall always think it my bounden duty, next to inviting sinners to the blessed Jesus, to exhort my hearers to exert themselves against the first approaches of popish tyranny and arbitrary power. O that we may be enabled to watch and pray against all the opposition of Antichrist in our hearts; for after all, there lies the most dangerous man of sin; there is the temple in which he sits, exalting himself above all that is called God. And what shall, what can destroy him? Nothing but the breath of the Redeemer’s mouth, and the brightness of his appearing, by his blessed spirit in our souls. O for more of this baptismal fire! God give you, and the dear Alderman, to pray earnestly for me, that I may begin at length to be a little alive to my God. O winter! winter! how near art thou drawing, and how little have I done for Jesus in the summer! Perhaps before Christmas I may see you again. Future things belong to Jesus. To his tender never-failing mercy do I most heartily commit you, and the dear Alderman, all your relations, and all enquiring friends, and once more beg that you will not forget to pray for, my dear Mr. B――,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCVI.

To Lady H――n.

London, November 1, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

WHAT shall I say? Indeed and indeed, it hath given me great concern, that I could not perform my promise to return to Donnington-park so soon as I expected.—But had I done so, I must have failed preaching at least to above fifty thousand souls, who at different places ran most greedily many miles after the everlasting gospel. This I thought your Ladyship would by no means approve of, and therefore acquiesced. On Thursday evening, with no small regret I came to town, after having preached about a hundred times, and travelled about eight hundred miles in the country. Blessed be God, my feeble carcase was strengthened to hold out, though for more than ten days together, I preached thrice a day.—O that I could preach three hundred times! all would be little enough, (alas, alas, infinitely too little) to testify my feeble love to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. I hope that your Ladyship, and the other elect Ladies, will enjoy much of his blessed spirit, in your present sweet retreat. After about a week’s stay here, I hope to move westward. O winter, winter! haste and fly, that I may again set out, and begin to spring for my God! I know I shall have your Ladyship’s prayers, and I am sure your Ladyship and family and friends have mine. Yesterday I waited upon the Countess D――, and on Thursday, God willing, I am to dine with her Ladyship. Blessed be God, all was well. O for growth in grace! O for the total destruction of self and selfishness! Alas, what inward purgations and martyrdoms must be undergone! Lord Jesus, we are the clay, and thou art the potter; stamp thine image in what way thou pleasest! I know your Ladyship will say, Amen. I trust an “Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly,” is sincerely added by, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCVII.

To the Honourable J―― R――.

London, Numbers 7, 1755.

Very dear Sir,

ARE you yet called out in defence of your country? The measures taken by your honourable and loyal council and assembly, I hope will be blessed to prevent a stir so near to Boston. I am glad to hear, that the Ladies are employed in making the soldiers cloaths; I trust my female friends are some of the most active. Surely, the cause is the cause of God, and if done out of love to Jesus, this labour of love shall not go unrewarded. God make male and female good soldiers of Jesus Christ! Nothing like fighting under his banner; he is a refuge from every storm. I can only add, that I most earnestly commend you and yours, and the whole circle of my never to be forgotten friends, to his never-failing mercy, and intreat you to accept these few hasty lines, as a token of love and respect unfeigned, from, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCVIII.

To the Honourable A―― O――.

London, November 8, 1755.

Very dear Sir,

I HEAR you have been sitting night and day in council. May Jesus, the wonderful counsellor, preside in your assembly, and influence you to pursue such measures, as may be blessed to the humbling a persidious enemy, and making the dear New Englanders more than conquerors through the love of God! All we can do on this side the water, is to pray. This I trust thousands are doing every day.—I seldom preach, without mentioning dear New England. O for more good news from that part of yonder new world! O that this time of outward danger, may be sanctified to the exciting of greater zeal against our inward spiritual enemies! For after all, the man of sin in our own hearts, is the greatest foe the real christian hath to fear. May Jesus destroy him both within and without, by the breath of his mouth, and the brightness of his appearing! Blessed be God, the prospect is promising here! In the north of England, the word runs and is glorified more than ever, and in London people flock like doves to the windows:—and yet I feel a strong attraction for America. Pray be so kind, very dear Sir, to send me some account now and then, how matters stand.—Perhaps it may be of some service. I could enlarge, but must drop a line or two more to some more friends, and therefore can only send my most cordial salutations to yourself, and whole houshold, and begging a continued interest in your prayers, subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCIX.

To Lady H――n.

London, November 10, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s kind and condescending letter, found me just returned from Chatham, and led me (as your Ladyship’s letters always do) to a throne of grace. I immediately threw myself prostrate before God, and earnestly prayed, in my poor feeble manner, that grace, mercy, and peace might be multiplied upon your Ladyship, and your happy family. The Court, in the best sense of the word, is now removed to Clifton. For there only is the real court kept, where Jesus reigns, and where he has erected a spiritual kingdom in the heart. All besides this, is only tinsel and glitter. Here alone is real and abiding happiness to be found. O for further searches into the heighths and depths of God? O for further leadings into the chambers of that selfish, sensual, and devilish imagery, that yet lie latent in my partly renewed heart. This self-love, what a Proteus! This self-will, what an Hydra? This remaining body of sin and death, what an antichrist! what a scarlet whore! what a hell! what a red dragon! what a cursed monster is it! How hard, how slow he dies! O what gratitude do I owe to the bruiser of this serpent’s head! O for a heart gladly to embrace every cross, every trying dispensation, that may have a tendency to poison, or starve, or nip the buddings of the old, and cherish, promote, or cause to bloom and blossom the graces and tempers of the new man in my soul! Ordinances, providences, doctrines, (I am more and more convinced) are of no service to believers, than as they are attended with this mortifying and life-giving power. Happy family, that have this one thing in view! Happy retirement, that is improved to this blessed purpose! Happy, therefore, good Lady H――n, and the other elect Ladies, who are determined thus to go on hand in hand to heaven! All hail, ye new-born, heaven-born souls! ye know, by happy experience, that Jesus is an inward as well as an outward saviour, and that he came indeed and indeed to redeem us from this present evil world. Was even annihilation to follow at death, who would but have this redemption whilst they live? But, glory, glory be to God, it is only the dawning of an eternal day, the beginning of a life that is ere long to be absorbed and swallowed up in never-ceasing, uninterrupted fruition of the ever-blessed triune Deity. O the depth, the height of this love of God! It passeth human and angelic knowledge. My paper only permits me to add, (God knows it is with gratitude and sincerity) that I am, ever-honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful and ready servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCX.

To Mr. S――.

Bristol, November 30, 1755.

My very dear Sir,

TO be three weeks without sending you a line, seems a long while to me. What if we should meet ere long in an endless and happy eternity? For near ten days past I have preached in pain, occasioned by a sore throat, which I find now is the beginning of an inflammatory quinsey. Silence and warmth, the doctor tells me, under God, may cure me, but heaven (if I had my will) is my choice, especially if I can speak no longer on earth for my God. However, painful and expensive as, in a spiritual sense, the medicine of silence is, I have promised to be very obedient, and therefore I have not preached this morning. If I grow better, (as the world terms it) I hope to see you in about a fortnight, if otherwise, God willing, you shall hear from me again. Blessed be Jesus, I am ready; I know that my Redeemer liveth. O that all who were lately swallowed up in Portugal, had known it! Then an earthquake would only be a rumbling chariot to carry the soul to God. Poor Lisbon! how soon are all thy riches and superstitious pageantry swallowed up! What a shock must the news give to a full exchange! Who would but lay up treasure in heaven? Thanks be to God, for teaching you, my very dear Sir, this heavenly art! May you and yours improve in it every day and hour. This is my comfort, all my goods are gone before me. O the pleasure of having nothing, and yet possessing all things in Jesus! This be my happy lot! I beg a continued interest in your prayers, and trust that living and dying you will always be remembered by, my very dear friend,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXI.

To the Reverend Mr. H―― D――.

Bristol, Dec. 6, 1755.

My dear Friend and Brother,

ONE would think, that Providence did in a more immediate manner interpose to prevent our meeting. I saw your last to Mr. M――n, and intended to have answered it for him, but it hath pleased a gracious and sovereign God to silence me for a few days, by a sore throat, which was like to have terminated in an inflammatory quinsey. This gave me hopes of putting into port; but it seems I am yet to put out to sea again. O that my stammering tongue may be loosed, and that I may begin to begin to speak in earnest for my God! Every thing, both from within and without, calls upon us to cry aloud and spare not. Whatever becomes of ill and hell-deserving me, may the ever-loving and ever-lovely Jesus cause your bow to abide in strength! I trust many arrows have stuck fast in the North of England; and in the West, I trust, the sword of the Lord hath not returned empty. On Monday se’nnight, God willing, I purpose going to Gloucester, and hope to be in London soon. Our meeting, therefore, must necessarily be put off till Spring. In the meanwhile, I should be glad to see and converse with Mr. J――, of whom I have heard a good report. I am sorry there is no greater connection between England and Wales. The harvest is great, and the disinterested labourers are few. This is my comfort, the Lord of the harvest can and will, in his own time and way, thrust out more labourers into the harvest. That he may own and bless you, and all in your connection, more and more, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCXII.

To Lady H――n.

London, December 31, 1755.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s kind and condescending letter should not have lain so long by me, had not bodily weakness, and my Christmas labours, prevented my writing. Indeed and indeed my good Lady, it hath been a joyful mournful season to my inward man. For exclusive of a pretty sharp outward trial, Saturday last being my birth-day, my soul was deeply exercised from morning till evening, in thinking how much in one-and-forty years I have sinned against, and how little I have done for an infinitely good and ever-blessed God. This impression yet lies deep upon my heart, and therefore, through divine assistance, I purpose to end the old year in preaching on those words, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” O that all things belonging to the old man, may die in me, and all things belonging to the new man live and grow in me! But alas, this is a work of time. Every day and every hour must we be passing from death to life. Mortification and vivification make up the whole of the divine work in the new-born soul. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly; have compassion on this barren fig-tree, and if it is to be spared another year, so dig and dung round it, that it may bring forth much fruit unto God! But shall I conceal the goodness of my long-suffering Master? No: I dare not;—for in spite of my unworthiness, he still continues to smile upon my poor ministrations, and gives me to see his stately steps in the great congregations. A noble chapel is now opened in Long-acre, where I am to read prayers and preach twice a week. Hundreds went away last night, who could not come in; but those that could, I trust, met with Jesus. Mr. C―― and I have met twice, and hope for a third interview very soon. Lord Jesus, make me a peace-maker! I am obliged to Mrs. W―― and the other Ladies for their kind remembrance of an unworthy worm. I return it, by earnestly praying, that they and your Ladyship may be filled with all the fulness of God. I can rise no higher, and therefore, with all possible acknowledgments for all unmerited favours, I must hasten to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXIII.

To Mr. S――.

London, January 1, 1756.

My very dear Friend,

YOUR not answering my two last sooner, gave me pain; sorrows are lessened, and joys become greater by being communicated. It is so with an earthly friend, much more so with the friend of sinners.

He bottles them all up, and will not suffer one of them to fall to the ground unregarded. I hope that these trials, which, like Job’s messengers, come one upon the back of another, by being sanctified, will make your soul as a watered garden. You know who hath said, “They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy.” O blessed religion, that shews us the holy art of gaining by our losses, and rising by our falls! Was it in my power, this letter should enclose something that would stop every temporal gap; but I am not rich at present. Poor, yet endeavouring to make many rich, I would have my motto still! Thanks be to God, at our lowest estate we can draw on the bank of heaven. A believer never hath a bill protested there. “My God (says the Apostle Paul) shall supply all your need according to his riches in Christ Jesus.” Away, and endorse it afresh, and send it directly away post on the wings of prayer. Never fear any trial that sends you to your knees; You must then needs go forward whether you know it or not. I would enlarge, but weakness prevents. I have been in the furnace; I hope it is intended to prepare me for fresh success. The awakening at London seems to be quite new. Adieu, adieu. I am called away.

Ever yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

London, January 22, 1756.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

ENCLOSED you have some extracts, which perhaps may afford you comfort, and I trust will excite you to pray for one, who is indeed less than the least of all saints. Ever since I came from the North, it hath pleased a sovereign Lord to visit me with a violent cold and sore throat, which threatened an inflammatory quinsey. Such a thing, I hoped, would have soon carried me, where this cold heart should for ever be inflamed with seraphic love. But alas! I fear this wish’d-for time is not at hand. One physician prescribed a perpetual blister, but I have found perpetual preaching to be a better remedy. When this grand catholicon fails, it is over with me. You will pray, that (if I must put out to sea again) it may be to take some fresh prizes for my God. Every day brings us fresh news of newly awakened souls. Both at this and the other end of the town, (where I now preach at a chapel twice a week) there is a glorious stirring amongst the dry bones. My heart is pained for dear America; but I trust the Lord will fight their battles, and make them more than conquerors. Happy they who have fled to Jesus: he is a strong and sure refuge from every storm. I hope he hath appeared for his cause at Glasgow. May that dear people never be left without many teaching priests! I send my kind host and hostess, and all enquiring friends, most cordial respects, and beg you to accept the same from, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXVI.

To Mr. F――.

January 30 1756.

Honoured Sir,

GRATITUDE constrains me to send you a few lines of thanks for the care and zeal you have expressed in suppressing the late disorders at Long-Acre chapel. A better acknowledgment will, I trust, await you at his bar, by whom kings reign, and princes decree justice, and who hath instituted magistracy to be a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well. I hear that some unhappy man hath incurred the penalty inflicted by our salutary laws. As peace, not revenge, is the thing aimed at, I should rejoice if this could be procured without the delinquents suffering any further punishment. Perhaps what hath been done already, may be sufficient to deter others from any further illegal proceedings, and that will be satisfaction enough, honoured Sir, to

Your much obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXVII.

To the Bishop of B――.

Tabernacle-House, February 2, 1756.

My Lord,

A FEW weeks ago, several serious persons chosen to be a committee for one Mr. B――, applied to me in the name of Jesus Christ, and a multitude of souls desirous of hearing the gospel, to preach at a place commonly called Long-Acre chapel. At the same time they acquainted me, “That the place was licensed; that Mr. B―― either had taken, or was to take it for a certain term of years, and had preached in it for a considerable time, as a protestant Dissenting minister: notwithstanding, (they added) I might use the Liturgy if I thought proper, so that I would but come and preach once or twice a week.” Looking upon this as a providential call, from him, who in the days of his flesh taught all that were willing to hear, on a mount, in a ship, or by the sea-side, and who after his ascension, commanded us by his Apostle, to be “instant in season and out of season,” I readily complied, and humbly hope that my feeble, though I trust sincere labours, have not been altogether in vain in the Lord. This being the case, your Lordship will necessarily suppose, that I was somewhat surprized at the prohibition I received from your Lordship this evening. For I looked upon the place as a particular person’s property, and being, as I was informed, not only unconsecrated, but also licensed according to law, I thought I might innocently preach the love of a crucified Redeemer, and for his great name’s sake, loyalty to the best of princes our dread sovereign King George, without giving any just offence to Jew or Gentile, much less to any bishop or overseer of the church of God. As I have therefore given notice of preaching to-morrow evening, and every Tuesday and Thursday whilst I am in town, I hope your Lordship will not look upon it as contumacy, or done out of contempt, if I persist in prosecuting my design, till I am more particularly apprized wherein I have erred. Controversy, my Lord, is what I abhor, and as raising popular clamours, and ecclesiastical dissentions must be quite unseasonable, especially at this juncture, when France and Rome and hell ought to be the common butt of our resentment, I hope your Lordship will be so good as to inform yourself and me more particularly about this matter; and upon due conviction, as I have no design but to do good to precious souls, I promise to submit. But if your Lordship should judge it best to decline this method, and I should be called to answer for my conduct, either before a spiritual court, or from the press, I trust the irregularity I am charged with, will appear justifiable to every true lover of English liberty, and what is all to me, will be approved of at the awful and impartial tribunal of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, in obedience to whom I beg leave to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXVIII.

To Mr. B――.

Tabernacle-House, February 9, 1756.

Reverend Sir,

ON our late fast day, a collection was made at the Tabernacle where I preach, eighty pounds of which I have deposited in the hands of Mr. A――, in Fleet-street, for the use of the poor persecuted French protestants. That our great and compassionate High-priest may accept it as done to himself, and bless you and the honourable society established for promoting so laudable a charity, is the hearty prayer of, reverend Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in the cause of our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXIX.

To the Bishop of B――.

Tabernacle-House, February 16, 1756.

My Lord,

I THIS evening received your Lordship’s kind letter, and though it is late, and nature calls for rest, yet in the fear of him to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, I desire now to sit down and give your Lordship an explicit answer. God, even that God by whom I am to be judged, can witness, that with a disinterested view to promote his glory, and the welfare of precious and immortal souls, I entered into holy orders, according to the form of ordination of the church of England; and, as thousands can testify, for near these twenty years last past, I have conscientiously defended her homilies and articles, and upon all occasions spoken well of her liturgy. Either of these, together with her discipline, I am so far from renouncing, much less from throwing aside all regard to, that I earnestly pray for the due restoration of the one, and daily lament the wanton departure of too, too many from the other. But, my Lord, what can I do? When I acted in the most regular manner, and when I was bringing multitudes even of Dissenters themselves to croud the churches, without any other reason being given than that too many followed after me, I was denied the use of them. Being thus excluded, and many thousands of ignorant souls, that perhaps would neither go to church nor meeting-houses, being very hungry after the gospel, I thought myself bound in duty to deal out to them the bread of life. Being further ambitious to serve my God, my King, and my country, I sacrificed my affections, and left my native soil, in order to begin and carry on an Orphan-house in the infant colony of Georgia, which, through the divine blessing, is put upon a good foundation. This served as an introduction, though without design, to my visiting the other parts of his Majesty’s dominions in North-America; and I humbly hope, that many made truly serious in that foreign clime, will be my joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. If it was not for this hope, nay, my Lord, if I was not assured, that the blessed Redeemer (O amazing condescension) hath vouchsafed to own me for the real conversion, and turning of many from darkness to light, the weakness of my frequently worn out and decaying body, the innumerable temptations that have beset my soul, together with the violent opposition I have met with from various quarters, would long since have quite overwhelmed, and at least have prevailed on me to accept some of those offers that have been made me to nestle, by accepting of which I might have screened myself from that obloquy and contempt, which, in some degree or other, every day I have the honour to meet with for Jesu’s sake. But hitherto having obtained help from God, without eating a morsel of the church of England’s bread, I still continue to use her liturgy, wherever a church or chapel is allowed me, and preach up her articles, and enforce her homilies. Your Lordship therefore judgeth exceeding right, when you say, “I presume you do not mean to declare any dissent from the church of England.”—Far be it from me; no, my Lord, unless thrust out, I shall never leave her, and even then (as I hope whenever it happens it will be an unjust extrusion) I shall still continue to adhere to her doctrines, and pray for the much wished-for restoration of her discipline, even to my dying day. Fond of displaying her truly protestant and orthodox principles, especially when church and state are in danger from a cruel and popish enemy, I am glad, my Lord, of an opportunity of preaching, though it should be in a meeting-house; and I think it discovers a good and moderate spirit in the Dissenters, who will quietly attend on the church service, as many have done, and continue to do at Long-Acre chapel, while many, who I suppose stile themselves her faithful sons, by very improper instruments of reformation, have endeavoured to disturb and molest us. If the lessor of this chapel, my Lord, hath no power to let it out, or if it be not legally and properly licensed, I have been deceived indeed; and if upon enquiry I find this to be the case, I shall soon declare in the most public manner, how both your Lordship and myself have been imposed upon. But if it appears, that the lessor hath a right to dispose of his own property, and that the place is licensed, if not in the court books of the Quarter Sessions, yet in the Commons or some other proper court; and as some good, I trust, has been, and hope will yet be done by this foolishness of preaching, surely your Lordship’s candour will overlook a little irregularity; since I fear that in these dregs of time, these last days, wherein we live, we must be obliged to be irregular, or in short we must do no good at all. My Lord, I remember well, (and O that I may more than ever obey your Lordship’s admonition) and often recollect that awful day wherein I was ordained priest, and when authority was given me, by my honoured friend and father good Bishop Benson, to preach the word of God. O that the glorious exhortation, which he delivered with so much solemnity, may be written upon the tables of my heart! Mindful of this, I shall be always ready to go out, and seek for Christ’s sheep that are dispersed abroad, and be willing to spend and be spent for the good of his children which are in the midst of this naughty world. Never did I so much as dream, my Lord, that this was only a local commission, or that the condition annexed, “Where you shall be lawfully appointed thereunto,” was to confine me to any particular place, and that it would be unlawful for me to preach out of it. It is plain my Lord Bishop of Gloucester did not think so; for when his secretary brought a licence for me, his Lordship said, “It would cost me thirty shillings, and therefore I should not have it.” And when after being presented to the late Bishop of London, I applied to him for a licence, his lordship was pleased to say, “I was going to Georgia, and needed none.” Accordingly I preached in most of the London churches under his Lordship’s immediate inspection; and why any other licence than my letters of orders should now be required, I believe no substantial, I am positive no truly scriptural, reason can be assigned. It is true, as your Lordship observes, there is one canon that says, “That no curate or minister shall be permitted to serve in any place, without examination and admission of the Bishop of the diocese.” And there is another also, as quoted by your Lordship, which tells us, “That neither minister, church-wardens, nor any other officers of the church, shall suffer any man to preach within their chapels, but such as, by shewing their licence to preach, shall appear unto them to be sufficiently authorized thereunto.” But, my Lord, what curacy or parsonage have I desired, or do I desire to be admitted to serve in? Or into what church or chapel do I attempt to intrude myself, without leave from the churchwardens or other officers? No, my Lord, being, as I think, without cause denied admission into the churches, I am content to take the field, and when the weather will permit, with a table for my pulpit, and the heavens, for my sounding-board, I desire to proclaim to all, the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Besides, my Lord, if this canon should be always put into full execution, I humbly presume, that no bishop or presbyter can legally preach at any time out of the diocese in which he is appointed to serve; consequently no city incumbent can even occasionally be lawfully assisted by any country clergyman, or even a bishop himself be lawfully permitted to preach a charity sermon out of his own diocese, without a special licence for so doing. And what a loss would that be to many noble charities here in town? As for that other canon which your Lordship mentions, and which runs thus, “Neither shall any minister, not licensed as is aforesaid, presume to appoint or hold any meetings for sermons, commonly termed by some, prophecies or exercises, in market towns or other places, under the said pains.” I need not inform your Lordship, that it was originally levelled against those who would not conform to the church of England, and that too in such high flying times, which I cannot believe any one of the present moderate bench of bishops would wish to see again restored. And if this be the true state of the case, how, my Lord, doth this canon belong to me, who am episcopally ordained, and have very lately published a small tract (which I humbly beg your Lordship’s acceptance of) on purpose to recommend the communion office of the church of England? But, my Lord, to come nearer to the point in hand, (and for Christ’s sake let not your Lordship be offended with my using such plainness of speech) I would, as in the presence of the living God, put it to your Lordship’s conscience, whether there is one bishop or presbyter in England, Wales, or Ireland, that looks upon our canons as his rule of action? If they do, we are all perjured with a witness, and consequently, in a very bad sense of the word, irregular indeed. May I not, therefore, say on this, alluding to what my blessed Master did on another occasion, “He that is without the sin of acting illegally, if the canons of our church be implicitly to be obeyed, let him cast the first stone at me and welcome.” Your Lordship knows full well, that canons and other church laws are good and obligatory, when conformable to the laws of Christ, and agreeable to the liberties of a free people; but when invented and compiled by men of little hearts and bigotted principles, on purpose to hinder persons of more enlarged souls from doing good, or being more extensively useful, they become mere bruta fulmina; and when made use of only as cords to bind up the hands of a zealous few, that honestly appear for their King, their country, and their God, like the withes with which the Philistines bound Sampson, in my opinion, they may very legally be broken. What pains and penalties are to be incurred for such offence, (as I have not the canons at present before me) I cannot tell; but for my own part, my Lord, if any penalty is incurred, or any pain to be inflicted upon me, for prophesying or preaching against sin, the Pope, and the devil, and for recommending the strictest loyalty to the best of princes, his Majesty King George, in this metropolis, or any other part of his Majesty’s dominions, I trust, through grace, I shall be enabled to say,

All hail reproach, and welcome pain!

I think there now remains but one more particular in your Lordship’s letter to be answered:—your Lordship’s truly apostolical canon taken out of 2 Corinthians x. 16; upon turning to, and reading of which, I could not help thinking, my Lord, of a passage I once met with in good Mr. Philip Henry’s life. It was this: Being ejected out of the church, and yet thinking it his duty to preach, he used now and then to give the people of Broad-Oaks, where he lived, a gospel sermon; and one day, as he was coming from his exercise, and meeting with the incumbent, he thus addressed him: “Sir, I have been taking the liberty of throwing a handful of seed into your field.” “Have you so, said the good man? may God give it his blessing! There is work enough for us both.” This, my Lord, I humbly conceive, is the case not only of your Lordship, but of every minister’s parish in London, and every bishop’s diocese in England; and therefore as good is done, and souls are benefited, I hope your Lordship will not regard a little irregularity, since at the worst, it is only the irregularity of doing well. But supposing this should not be admitted as an excuse at other seasons, I would hope it will have its weight at this critical juncture, wherein, if there were ten thousand sound preachers, and each preacher had a thousand tongues, they could not well be too frequently employed in calling upon the inhabitants of Great-Britain to be upon their guard, against the cruel and malicious designs of France, of Rome, and of hell. After all, my Lord, if your Lordship will be pleased to apply to Mr. B―― himself, (who, I suppose, knows where the place is registered) or if upon enquiry I shall find, that the lessor hath no power to let it out, as I hate and abhor every dishonourable action, after my setting out for Bristol, which I expect to do in a few days, I shall decline preaching in the chapel any more. But if the case should appear to be otherwise, I hope your Lordship will not be angry, if I persist in this, I trust not unpardonable, irregularity: for if I decline preaching in every place, meerly because the incumbent may be unwilling I should come into his parish, I fear I must seldom or never preach at all; and this, my Lord, especially at this juncture, when all our civil and religious liberties are as it were at stake, would to me be worse than death itself. I humbly ask pardon for detaining your Lordship so long, but being willing to give your Lordship all the satisfaction I possibly could, I have chosen rather to sit up and deny myself proper repose, than to let your Lordship’s candid letter lie by me one moment longer than was absolutely necessary. I return your Lordship a thousand thanks for your favourable opinion of me, and good wishes, and begging the continuance of your Lordship’s blessing, and earnestly praying, that whenever your Lordship shall be called hence, you may give up your account with joy, I beg leave to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXX.

To the Bishop of B――.

Tabernacle-House, February 23, 1756.

My Lord,

SINCE I had the honour of writing my last letter to your Lordship, I have made inquiry, and find that the certificate is in the hands of one Mr. Culverwell, with whom Mr. Gardiner lodges. I think he told me, the place was licensed in the Commons, and as far as I can judge, Mr. Barnard’s committee do not intend to let the chapel go out of their hands. As therefore, your Lordship would undoubtedly chuse that the church liturgy should be read in it sometimes, rather than it should be entirely made use of in a non-conformist way, I hope your Lordship will not be offended, if I go on as usual after my return from Bristol. I assure your Lordship, through the divine blessing, real good hath been done; and therefore I am sorry to inform your Lordship, that notwithstanding the admonitions I hear your Lordship hath given them, some unhappy persons have still endeavoured to disturb us, by making an odd kind of a noise in a neighbouring house. I hear that some of them belong to your Lordship’s vestry, and therefore wish that your Lordship would so far interpose, as to order them once more to stop their proceedings. But I only just mention it, and shall leave it to your Lordship’s discretion. I can only entreat the continuance of your Lordship’s blessing, and begging your Lordship’s acceptance of a short address I am now publishing, I hasten to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXI.

To Mr. W――.

London, March 18, 1756.

My dear Friend,

YESTERDAY I received your kind letter, and this morning I send you a few lines by way of New-York. May they find you and all my dear Boston friends strong, yea very strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Every day do I make mention of them, and dear New-England, in my sermons and prayers. Thousands I trust are interceding for you continually. Last night I preached upon Moses’s praying on the mount, whilst Joshua fought against Amalek in the valley. I hope some spiritual shot went after the fleet, that we hear is gone to America. What awaits us here at home, the Redeemer only knows. We deserve the greatest scourge, but I trust we have too many praying people amongst us, to have such a one as the threatened invasion, laid upon our backs.—The event will prove. Blessed be God, for the effects of the late earthquake. May they be lasting! no doubt they will be upon some. The awakening at London continues, and more ministers are coming out for the ever-blessed Jesus. Last Lord’s day I opened my spring campaign, by preaching thrice in the fields to many thousands in Gloucestershire. O that I may begin to begin to spring for my God! I trust you and my other never to be forgotten friends will not fail to remember us here. Though at such a distance, we can meet at the throne of grace. Why does not dear Mr. S―― send me one line? I desire to be remembered in the kindest manner to him, and his, and all my dear, very dear friends. I can now add no more, but hoping to have another opportunity, I beg leave to subscribe myself, with tender affection to your whole self,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXII.

To the Bishop of B――.

Tabernacle-House, March 20, 1756.

My Lord,

TO my great surprize, upon my coming up to town, I found that the disturbances so justly complained of near Long-Acre chapel, had been continued. On Thursday evening last, when I preached there myself, they were rather increased. Notwithstanding some of the windows were stopped up, to prevent in some degree the congregations being disturbed by the unhallowed noise, yet large stones were thrown in at another window, and one young person badly wounded. This constrains me to trouble your Lordship once more, and to beg the favour of your Lordship so far to interpose, as to desire the persons belonging to your Lordship’s vestry, to desist from such irregular proceedings. For my own irregularity in preaching, I am ready at any time to answer; and was I myself the only sufferer, I should be entirely unconcerned whatever personal ill treatment I might meet with in the way of my duty. But to have the lives of his Majesty’s loyal subjects endangered, when they come peaceably to worship God, and to pray for his long and prosperous reign, is an irregularity, which I am persuaded your Lordship will look upon as unjustifiable in the sight of God, and of every good man. However, as a subject to King George, and a minister of Jesus Christ, I know your Lordship will allow, I have a right to do myself justice, and therefore, I hope, if the disturbances be yet continued, your Lordship will not be offended, if I lay a plain and fair narration of the whole affair, together with what hath passed between your Lordship and myself, before the world. I beg your Lordship not to look upon this as a threatning, or as done with an intent to expose; I scorn any such mean procedure. But as providence seems to point out such a method, I hope your Lordship will have no just reason to censure me, if it be pursued by, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXIII.

To Mr. ――.

London, March 22, 1756.

Honoured Sir,

THE long and intimate acquaintance I formerly had with Mr. N―― and Lady Jane, would have induced me to send you the inclosed some weeks past, as a mark of unfeigned respect due to you for your personal worth and character; but I heard, that both Lord M―― and yourself were out of town: accept it therefore, honoured Sir, though late. I likewise want to consult you on account of a very indecent, and I think illegal disturbance, that hath been made for many weeks last past, whilst I have been preaching at Long-Acre chapel. Several have been sadly wounded, and I fear the same fate awaits more, unless those that have hitherto disturbed us, are some way or other restrained. Did I know when it would suit you, I would wait upon you in person, and acquaint you with particulars. In the mean while, praying that he, who is the wonderful Counsellor, and who hath so richly furnished you with talents for your country’s service, may more and more improve you for such noble purposes, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your very humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXIV.

To the Bishop of B――.

London, March 25, 1756.

I HEARTILY thank your Lordship for your kind acceptance of my three small tracts, and my very long letter dated February 16th.—At the same time, I acknowledge myself concerned, that any thing I have written since, should prevent your Lordship’s pointing out to me any mistakes, which I may lie under in regard to the canons. God knows, if I do err, it is for want of better information; and therefore if your Lordship will vouchsafe to favour me with the letter prepared for that purpose, it shall be most thankfully received, most impartially examined, most explicitly replied to, but withal never exposed to the view of the world. Your Lordship needed not to inform me of the privilege of a Peer, to deter me from publishing your Lordship’s letters without first asking leave. I thank God, I have not so learned Christ. By his help, nothing shall be done in that way, which is the least inconsistent with the strictest honour, justice and simplicity. But I hope, if a public account of the repeated disturbances at Long-Acre chapel should be rendered necessary, your Lordship will not esteem it unreasonable in me, to inform the world, what previous steps were taken to prevent and stop them. Surely such a scene, at such a juncture, and under such a government, as has been transacted in your Lordship’s parish, in the house or yard of one Mr. Cope, who I hear is your Lordship’s overseer, ever since last Twelfth-Day, I believe is not to be met with in English history. Indeed, my Lord, it is more than noise. It deserves no milder a name than premeditated rioting. Drummers, soldiers, and many of the baser sort, have been hired by subscription.—A copper-furnace, bells, drums, clappers, marrow bones and cleavers, and such like instruments of reformation, have been provided for, and made use of, by them repeatedly, from the moment I have begun preaching, to the end of my sermon. By these horrid noises, many women have been almost frightened to death, and mobbers encouraged thereby to come and riot at the chapel door during the time of divine service, and then insult and abuse me and the congregation after it hath been over. Not content with this, the chapel windows, while I have been preaching, have repeatedly been broken by large stones of almost a pound weight (some now lying by me) which though levelled at, providentially missed me, but at the same time sadly wounded some of my hearers. Mr. C――, one of your Lordship’s relations, can acquaint your Lordship with many more particulars, and if your Lordship would be so good as only to ride to Mr. C――’s house, you would see such a scaffold (unless taken down) and such costly preparations for a noise upon it, that must make the ears of all that shall hear it to tingle. Indeed last Tuesday night all was hush’d,—and in order to throw off all popular odium, I gave it as my opinion, that it was owing to your Lordship’s kind interposition. One Mr. C―― and one Mr. M――, I am informed, are parties greatly concerned. I know them not, and I pray the Lord of all Lords never to lay this ill and unmerited treatment to their charge. If no more noise is made on their part, I assure your Lordship no further resentment shall be made on mine. But if they persist, I have the authority of the Apostle on a like occasion, to appeal unto Cæsar.—And thanks be to God, we have a Cæsar to appeal to, whose laws will not suffer any of his loyal subjects to be used in such an inhuman manner. I have only one favour to beg of your Lordship, that “you would send (as they are your Lordship’s parishioners) to the above gentlemen, and desire them henceforward to desist from such unchristian (and especially at this critical juncture) such riotous and dangerous proceedings.” Whether as a Chaplain to a most worthy Peeress, a Presbyter of the church of England, and a steady disinterested friend to our present happy constitution, I have not a right to ask such a favour, I leave to your Lordship’s mature deliberation. Henceforward, I hope no more to trouble your Lordship; but committing my cause to him, who judgeth righteously, I beg leave to subscribe myself, my Lord,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXV.

To ―― ――.

London, April 1, 1756.

Gentlemen,

YOUR obliging letter came to hand last night. As my influence I fear was but very small, it scarce called for such an acknowledgment. I trust, my views to serve my God and my King are disinterested; and therefore I shall always think it my duty to espouse their cause, who are firmly united in the bonds of friendship and social love, to defend the protestant interest, and the glorious privileges we enjoy under our dread and rightful sovereign King George. Such a union I take yours to be.—That you may therefore meet with success on earth, and by an infinitely superior union (I mean that of your souls with God) be prepared for a never-ceasing union with the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven, is and shall be the hearty prayer of, Gentlemen,

Your obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXVI.

To the Reverend Mr. B――.

London, April 3, 1756.

My dear Friend,

NONE but he, whose name and nature is love, can tell what I felt at the receipt of your kind letter. O how did the welfare of dear never to be forgotten New England, lie upon my heart. How could I have wished for the wings of a dove to fly thither! The delightful interviews we have had together, when in the confidence of social prayer we have laid hold on God, came so fresh upon my mind, that I knew not what to do. O come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, that friendship begun on earth, may be consummated in the kingdom of heaven! He only knows, what awaits us here below, before we are called to live with him above. England is now equally threatened with America. Let this be our comfort, “the Lord reigneth.” Nothing can rob us of our Christ,—let us help each other by mutual prayer. Thousands here hold up their hands daily for you. I know you will gladly return the favour. You would be pleased to see how eagerly people attend the word. I think the awakening, and prospect of doing good in London, is as great as ever. Satan hath raged at a place called Long-Acre chapel, near the play-houses, but you know who hath promised to bruise him under our feet. Send me what good news you can from your side the water, and assure all the followers of the Lamb of God, that they are upon my poor heart night and day. How goes on your son Daniel? May he greatly be beloved! I could fill, yea more than fill a sheet, but with great difficulty I write this. Adieu, my dear friend, for the present. I shall never forget our last pleasant short journey. Surely our hearts burned within us, when we talked of Jesus in the way. I can no more.

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCXXVII.

To the Honourable Hume C――.

Canterbury, April 9, 1756.

Honoured Sir,

YOUR kind behaviour when I had the pleasure of waiting upon you, emboldens me to trouble you with the inclosed. It is the copy of an anonymous letter, that was sent to my house on Tuesday last, just after I left town, and forwarded hither to me by my wife the day following. As I am satisfied that the Lord reigneth, and that a sparrow doth not fall to the ground without the knowledge of our heavenly Father, its contents in respect to myself, I thank God, do not much alarm me. But as others are concerned, and it is an affair that hath reference to the welfare of civil government, I would beg the favour of your advice. Next Tuesday I expect to return to London, and on Wednesday morning, purpose, God willing, to wait upon you in person. In the mean while, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,

Your most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXVIII.

To Lady H――n.

Canterbury, April 10, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

THE letter on the other side, was sent to me last Tuesday. By that, your Ladyship may see to what an height the opposition hath risen at Long-Acre; indeed the noise hath been infernal. For a night it was stopped, but I have reason to think there was a secret design for my life; some of my friends were sadly used; they applied for warrants, and that occasioned this letter. I have written to Mr. H―― C―― for advice. May the wonderful Counsellor direct me how to act! Here, all is peaceable. It is most delightful to see the soldiers flock to hear the word; officers likewise attend very orderly. On Monday I return, God willing, to London. Lord Jesus, do thou prepare me for whatever thou hast prepared for me! Baron Munchausen hath been very kind in Long-Acre affair; I would if possible hush all up, but I know no other way but holding my tongue. O this enmity of heart! This is my comfort,—“the Lord reigneth.” I hope to answer Mrs. G―― soon. At present, I have scarce time to beg the continuance of your Ladyship’s prayers, and to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXXIX.

To Lady H――n.

London, April 18, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

SINCE my last from Canterbury, I have received two more letters of a like kind with the former. Before they came to hand I was exceedingly comforted, from whence I inferred a further storm lay before me. My greatest distress is, how to act so as to avoid rashness on the one hand, and timidity on the other. I have been introduced to the Earl of H――ss, who received me very courteously, and seemed to make no objection against issuing out a reward for the discovery of the letter-writer. Whether I had best accept it, I know not. Sir H―― C―― says, it is not felony; and he advises me by all means to put all concerned into the court of King’s Bench. The facts are most flagrant. Lord Jesus direct me for thy mercy’s sake! A man came up to me in the pulpit at the tabernacle; God knows, what was his design: I see no other way for me to act, than either resolutely to persist in preaching and prosecuting, or entirely to desist from preaching, which I think would bring intolerable guilt upon my soul, and give the adversary cause to blaspheme. Blessed be God, I am clear, quite clear in the occasion of my suffering. It is for preaching Christ Jesus, and, for his great name’s sake, loyalty to King George, to whom under God I owe the liberty of preaching many years. Alas! alas! what a condition would this land be in, was the protestant interest not to prevail? Glad should I be to die by the hands of an assassin, if popery is to get footing here. I shall then be taken away from the evil to come. I hope that your Ladyship, and the good Ladies with you, will have hearts given you to pray for me, that, whether by life or by death, Jesus may be glorified. Thanks be to God, to me to live is Christ, and to die will be my gain. He knows, that with simplicity and godly sincerity, I have endeavoured to promote in my feeble way his honour and glory. I should be glad of a line of advice from your Ladyship; this is giving trouble I no way deserve, but as your Ladyship is pleased to honour me with your friendship, it will be adding to the innumerable obligations already conferred upon, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready Servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXX.

To Mrs. G――.

London, April 20, 1756.

Dear Madam,

IT hath given me concern, that I could not answer your kind letter till now; but making a short excursion abroad, and fighting with a kind of beasts at home, hath prevented me. I fancy that something we cannot see is behind the curtain. Satan seems to have overshot himself. O what a mercy is it, dear Madam, to be rescued from his slavery! Nothing less than an Almighty arm could bring about such a great salvation. Its depths, its lengths, its breadths, who can fathom? By being plunged into the first, we stretch and rise into the two last. Our Saviour’s death preceded his resurrection, and his resurrection that of his glorious ascension into heaven.—So must we die, and rise, in order to ascend hereafter where he is gone before. No matter if a sudden stroke opens the passage: God grant I may be always ready! I hope that you, dear Madam, and the other elect Ladies, have hearts given you to pray for me. Hitherto the Lord hath helped me. I thank Mr. S―― for his hint. If occasion requires, I shall improve it. O for a steady disinterested zeal for my God, my King, and my country! Welcome death, when brought upon me in defence of these. As I expect to be called away every moment, I can only add, after sending my most cordial and grateful acknowledgments to the whole Clifton court, that I am, dear Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXII.

To Mrs. C――.

London, April 21, 1756.

Dear Mrs. C――,

YOUR last kind letter is come to hand.—By that, I find poor N―― P―― is engaged, and that some good friends in Carolina have been instrumental in drawing him from the care of a family, over which I thought divine providence had made him overseer, and where I imagined he intended to have abode at least for some years.—I know not what reason I have given him, to suspect my confidence was weakened towards him.—I could do no more than trust him with my all, and place him at the head of my affairs and family without the least check or controul.—Add to all this, that notwithstanding the disparity of age, I consented that he should have my dear friend’s sister, with whom I thought he might live most usefully and happily at Bethesda, if you pleased, as long as you both should sojourn here below: and you know what satisfaction I expressed when I took my leave.—But it seems my scheme is disconcerted, and my family like to be brought into confusion.—Alas, my dear Mrs. C――, if this be the case, whom can I send that I may hope will continue disinterested long? But you know, this is not the first time that I have been wounded in the house of my friends.—However, I trust the wound is not incurable.—Till I can procure a proper Latin master, I should think Mr. Dixon, &c. might do in the school, and if you think George Whitefield would do for the house, he might be gradually bred up for it.—If not, I shall write to Mr. T―― and Edn―― of Charles-Town to get him a place there: upon the whole, I believe this would be best. Joseph P―― I design for New-Jersey college, and shall send particular orders concerning him in my next by Cheeseman.—Your brothers are very fond of your marriage with Mr. D――. I am quite free for it.—May God bless you both together; I cannot think of parting with you for any body I know.—God bless and direct you to do his will! Never fear; God will be Bethesda’s God.—He knows the way that I take; when I am tried I shall come forth like gold.—Will not Mr. D―― and you be a proper check upon the overseer? As I think at the bottom he is honest, I can scarce provide myself with a better. Gladly would I come over, but at present it is impracticable. I must throw my affairs into the hands of my God and you. I pity those who without cause have troubled my envied camp. Well, my dear Mrs. C――, let us remember, that though the bush burned it was not consumed. And why? because the Lord was in the midst of it. He hath spoken to us many times out of the bush, and so he will again. I know you must have been in the furnace: but our affections must be crucified. I pity Dr. ―― from the bottom of my heart. Never was I wrote to or served so by any from Bethesda before. Lord Jesus, lay it not to his charge! Lord Jesus, suffer us not to be led into temptation! I did not think to write so much. I rather choose to spread all before Bethesda’s God. But you will not misimprove it. By Maclellan I hope to hear more particulars. God willing, they shall be answered. My wife will get you the things sent for. I have no thoughts at present of her ever seeing the Orphan-house again. Blessed be God, we shall ere long see heaven. Some antepasts of it we are favoured with daily. Though lately my life hath been threatened at the other end of the town, Jesus can and will guard me. This evening I am to bury Wittern’s mother: she died triumphant. Adieu for the present. God bless you all. I am, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXIII.

To Mr. C――.

London, April 25, 1756.

My dear Mr. C――,

BY this time I thought to have been moving towards Bristol, but am detained in town, by endeavouring to put a stop to the dreadful uproar made at Long-Acre chapel. Such an infernal continued noise, on such an occasion, at such a juncture, under such a government, I believe was never heard of before. To complete the scene, I have had three anonymous letters sent me, “threatening a certain, sudden, and unavoidable stroke, unless I desist from preaching, and pursuing the offenders by law.” You have guessed at the quarter from whence it comes. Blessed be God, it is for speaking in behalf of the glorious Jesus, and our dread and rightful sovereign King George and his government. Mr. S―― hath been so good as to go with me to the Earl of H――’s, from whom I hope this week some redress will be obtained. On Thursday next, I am to wait upon his Excellency again. Mine eyes are waiting on the blessed Jesus, from whom all salvation must come. Ere long I hope to shew you the letters; they are indeed very extraordinary. O the enmity of the heart! Lord, help us! What would become of us, if some folks were to have the upper hand? Our cause, in my opinion, is the cause of God, and the cause of civil and religious liberty; and if death itself should be permitted to befall me for defending it, I hope through Christ strengthening me, it would be gratefully received by, my dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXIV.

To Lady H――n.

London, May 2, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

VARIOUS have been my exercises since I wrote to your Ladyship last. But I find, that out of the eater cometh forth meat, and that all things happen for the furtherance of the gospel. I suppose your Ladyship hath seen his Majesty’s promise of a pardon to any that will discover the letter writer; and this brings your Ladyship the further news of my having taken a piece of ground very commodious to build on, not far from the Foundling-Hospital. On Sunday I opened the subscription, and through God’s blessing, it hath already amounted to near six hundred pounds. If he is pleased to continue to smile upon my poor endeavours, and to open the hearts of some more of his dear children to contribute, I hope in a few months to have what hath been long wanted,—a place for the gospel at the other end of the town. This evening, God willing, I venture once more to preach at Long-Acre. The enemy boasts that I am frightened away: but the triumph of the wicked is short. Our people, Sir H―― C――, Mr. M――, &c. are all for bringing the rioters to the King’s-Bench, and perhaps upon the whole it may be best. Lord Jesus, direct my goings in thy way! On Tuesday next I hope to set out for Wales. For indeed my body is weakened through care and watchfulness, a variety of exercises, and want of sleep. But the Redeemer’s grace is all-sufficient. To his tender and never-failing mercy do I most humbly commend your Ladyship, and the other elect Ladies, and beg a continued interest in their prayers. With repeated thanks for repeated favours; I subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXV.

To Mr. H――.

Bristol, May 20, 1756.

My very dear Sir,

FOR so I must address myself, having had you in a peculiar manner upon my heart, ever since I saw and read a letter that came from you some months ago. It bespoke the language of a heart devoted to the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. Mrs. B―― confirmed me in this opinion yesterday, and withal told me, she believed you would be glad of a line from me, who am indeed less than the least of all saints, but willing, if I know any thing of my own heart, to spend and be spent for the good of souls. They are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, whose cross, blessed be his name, hath been made delightful to me for some years. I thank God that I am cast out for my Master’s sake. Indeed, my very dear Sir, it is preferable to all other preferment whatsoever. It is the way to the crown. Glory be to God, that there are some young champions coming forth: methinks I could now sing my nunc dimittis with triumphant joy. Though I decrease, may you, my very dear Sir, increase. O that you may be kept from conferring with flesh and blood! O that you may be owned and blessed of God! I believe you will, and never more so than when you are reviled and despised by man. It is a fatal mistake, to think we must keep our characters in order to do good; this is called prudence; in most, I fear, it is trimming. Honesty I find always to be the best policy. They who honour Jesus, he will honour. Even in this world, if we confess him, his truth, and his people, we shall receive an hundred-fold. To lose all in this respect, is to find all. But whither am I going? Excuse, my very dear Sir, the overflowings of a heart, that loves you dearly for the glorious Redeemer’s sake. I am here preaching his cross, and expect to stay over Sunday. Next week I have thoughts of being at Bath and Westbury. I lead a pilgrim life. You will pray that I may have a pilgrim heart. Ere long I hope my heavenly father will take me home. I am ambitious; I want to sit upon a throne. Jesus hath purchased and provided a throne and heaven for me. That you may have an exalted place at his right hand, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXVI.

To Mr. B――.

Bristol, May 21, 1756.

My dear Mr. B――,

THE first part of your letter made me smile: for what? Because I was glad to find you had such an enlarged heart, and at the same time imagined, that I could build two houses at a time. If the top-stone of one is brought forth, I shall think we have reason to shout unto it, Grace! grace! This I hope will be the happy lot of you and your young fellow-soldiers, in respect to your spiritual building. Remember, war is proclaimed; the sword is unsheathed; the devil, the world, and the flesh will dispute every inch of ground, and you must fight or die. Angels stand by to see the combat, and Jesus stands ready to make you more than conquerors through his love. Provoke then one another, but let it be to love and to good works. Take heed of a trifling spirit when together. It will hurt you, and by degrees rob you of true and holy joy. I thank you for remembering unworthy me. I am called to travel, you to trade for Jesus. Last week, I trust, was a good week. The Lord of the harvest is pleased to smile upon us here. I hope to be in town at the appointed time. I hope that dear Mr. J―― prospers every day. Pray remember me to him, and your single circle, in the most tender manner, and believe me to be, my dear Sir,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXVII.

To Mr. J―― R――.

Bristol, May 21, 1756.

My dear Sir,

THIS morning, (which is the first leisure time I have had since my leaving town) looking over my letters, I found one from you, who I suppose to be the person whom I have taken notice of at Long-Acre chapel. As your behaviour there, and your letter before me, bespeak you to be in earnest about your soul, you will be quite welcome to come to my house; and if God should vouchsafe to bless any thing that I may drop for the furtherance of your faith, to him and him alone be all the glory. I desire to bless him for what he hath already done. O amazing mercy! to be translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son; to be brought from the swine’s trough to feed upon the fatted calf; what a heaven upon earth is this! Be not discouraged, though you are obliged to fight every inch of your way. Jesus will pray for you, and your faith shall not fail. He can and will enable you to overcome yourself and the world. To his never-failing mercy do I most earnestly commit you, as being, for his great name’s sake,

Your friend and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. V――.

London, June 4, 1756.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

GLAD, yea very glad was I to hear by Mr. A――, that you grew better and better every day. Surely your late sickness was only to purge you, that you might bring forth more fruit unto God. Such trying and threatening dispensations are glorious presages of future usefulness. It is in the furnace, that both our gifts and graces are purified and increased. How gradually doth our great, compassionate, and all-wise High-priest train up his chosen ones for the services appointed to them! Happy they that can eye his providences, and with a disinterested spirit be ready to follow the Lamb whithersoever he is pleased to lead them.

I rejoice in the prospect of your coming forth like gold that is tried. May you increase though I decrease! Justly might my Master throw me aside; but he is patient and long-suffering, and will send by whom he will send. Since we parted, I have been led to several new places. Travelling and preaching thrice a day was made delightful. Blessed be God for my airy pluralities! O what am I, Lord, that I should be sent into the highways and hedges!

These I cannot bear. A Father’s, a Saviour’s frowns are intolerable. But what am I doing? Excuse this freedom, because it flows from love. How does dear Mr. D――? How are the elect Ladies? If possible I shall write to-night; if not, very soon. I am glad Miss G―― is in such a promising way. She nor any of our honoured friends are forgotten in my poor prayers. If I should be prevented from writing, be pleased to present my most dutiful respects, and accept most cordial love and salutations from, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXXXIX.

To Lady H――n.

London, June 4, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

MAN appoints, but God disappoints. In hopes of seeing your Ladyship, I hastened to Bristol, but found your Ladyship had been in London whilst I was there. Sorry was I for the occasion of your Ladyship’s journey, and yet glad to hear that Master H―― was so well recovered. At Bristol the Redeemer caused us to triumph, and likewise in Gloucestershire, at Bradford, Frome, Warminster, and at Portsmouth, whither I have been these three weeks last past. I am now come up for about ten days to keep Pentecost; I trust it will be a Pentecost to many souls at Long-Acre. Blessed be God, a new building is now erecting at Tottenham-Court Road: Mr. J―― promises to assist me. We have consulted the Commons, about putting it under your Ladyship’s protection. This is the answer: “No nobleman can licence a chapel, or in any manner have one put in his dwelling house; that the chapel must be a private one, and not with doors to the street for any persons to resort to at pleasure, for then it becomes a public one; that a chapel cannot be built and used as such, without the consent of the parson of the parish, and when it is done with his consent, no minister can preach therein, without licence of the Bishop of the diocese.” There seems then to be but one way,—to licence it as our other houses are: and thanks be to Jesus for that liberty which we have. O that I could begin to work while it is day. My God! half the year gone, and so little, yea very little done for thee! I have need of being purged, that I may at length bring forth some fruit unto God. Glory be to his great name, he doth not say, “Let him alone.” Outward and inward trials frequently surround me; but, by the help of my God, I shall leap over every wall. I know your Ladyship will not forget to pray for me. My poor prayers are always offered up for your Ladyship and honoured family. That is the only pepper-corn of acknowledgment that can be made by, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXL.

To Mr. G――.

London, June 10, 1756.

My very dear Friend,

WHAT shall I say? Had I wings, how gladly would I fly to my dear America? But alas! the glittering sword is now unsheathed, and I fear it would not be proper for me to cross the water now. However, all the provinces are continually upon my heart: night and day do I remember them before God. Satan hath been angry with me for appearing for my Jesus, my King, and my country. If you examine the Gazette for the latter end of April, or beginning of May, you will see what it hath produced. My life hath been threatened, but we are immortal till our work is done. A new building is now erecting at the other end of the town, the top-stone of which, I trust, will be brought forth with shoutings, and we shall cry Grace! grace! People are rather more eager than ever to hear the word. I remark what you say about Georgia, and shall talk with Mr. D――. The good Lord Jesus direct you in every step! What if you went and lived at Bethesda, and took all my outward affairs upon your hands, and furnished the family with all it wanted. Glad should I be of such a steward, and of such a steward’s wife as I know dear Mrs. G―― would prove. Poor P―― hath served me as others before him have done. God keep us from that prosperity which destroyeth! In all time of our wealth, good Lord deliver us! Let me hear from you concerning Bethesda. Watch and pray. I send most cordial respects to you and yours, and all dear friends that are so kind to enquire after, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXLI.

To Lady H――n.

London, June 10, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

BEING just come off the bed, where I have been sweating for a cold and cholic that had seized me this day, I met with your Ladyship’s very kind and condescending letter. I see your Ladyship is touched in a very tender point: generous minds are always thus affected, when a friend is abused. But I find more and more, honoured Madam, that our own mother’s children will be permitted to be angry with one. The contradiction of saints, is more trying than that of sinners:—but it is all to teach us to cease from man, and wrap ourselves in Him, in whom alone dwells consummate perfection. That I might say, “some of Mr. L――’s principles, in my opinion, are wrong,” I do not deny; but that I put Mr. W――y upon writing, or had any active hand in his pamphlet, is utterly false. I think it is a most ungentleman-like, injudicious, unchristian piece. However, Mr. L―― knows too much of the divine life, not to see some call even in this cross; and I hope your Ladyship will not suffer it to burden your mind any longer. Satan wants to disturb your Ladyship’s repose. Ere long, blessed be the glorious Emmanuel, he will be bruised under our feet. This last week I have had some respite from his artful and perplexing suggestions, and have been enabled to ride upon my high places. My present work at London seems to be over, and Monday or Tuesday next, God willing, I hope to set out for Bristol, where I purpose preaching next Thursday. If divine Providence should not direct your Ladyship thither, I have thought of coming through Leicestershire, in my way to Scotland. This circuit, I hope, will be a three months circuit. The prospect in London is very promising. Every day we hear of fresh conquests. To thee, and thee alone, most adorable Redeemer, be all the glory! Want of strength forbids my enlarging. O this vile body! Surely our treasure is in earthly vessels. When it is breaking to pieces, and the rattles are in my throat, I hope with my latest breath to acknowledge the innumerable unmerited favours which have been conferred by your Ladyship on, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXLII.

To Mrs. C――.

London, June 21, 1756.

Dear Mrs. C――,

NOTHING concerns me in your last letter, but your having the least suspicion that I was not pleased with your conduct, or was not satisfied with your being at Bethesda. I know of no person in the world that I would prefer to you, neither had I ever one thought to the contrary. I think myself happy in having such a mother for the poor children, and am persuaded God will bless and own you more and more. I pity poor Mr. P――, but doubt not of Bethesda’s being well supplied. I think if Mr. R―― manages outward things, and Mr. D―― takes the accounts, and keeps to the children, affairs may be managed very well. I care not how much the family is lessened. As it is a time of war, this may be done with great propriety, and then the plantation will have time to grow. J―― H――y writes that you use him quite well, and seems very contented. Never fear, my dear Mrs. C――, Jesus will stand by a disinterested cause. I have aimed at nothing in founding Bethesda, but his glory and the good of my country. Let Lots then chuse the plain, God will be Abrahams’ shield and exceeding great reward. All is well that ends well. Faith and patience must be exercised by means of friends as well as by foes. I hear that my nephew is married. Alas, what a changing world do we live in! Blessed be God for an unchangeable Christ! Amidst all, this is my comfort, his word runs and is glorified. A new building is now erecting at the other end of the town, and many souls, I trust, are daily built up in their most holy faith. To-morrow, God willing, I set out upon a long range. Fain would I have all concerned with me to be happy. Just now Mrs. F―― hath determined to come over and marry H――. I have advised her to go with M――, and told her she should be welcome to my house till she goes to Carolina. I know you will receive her kindly. It is her own choice, and therefore she must look to the consequences. The Lord give us all a right judgment in all things. Near this time, I suppose, you know my mind about Mr. D――. I have no objection, and your brothers are quite fond of the match. Perhaps, take all together, it may be more agreeable than the other. We seldom choose well, when we choose for ourselves. God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts. Take courage, my dear Mrs. C――; Bethesda’s welfare doth not depend on a single person. God will provide: I think he hath already. I care not if all the boarders were gone. Mr. R―― and D―― and you are hearty. Enough, enough! God will bless and prosper you. I am more than contented. My blessing to all the children. That the God of all grace and mercy may fill you with all his fulness, is the earnest prayer of, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXLIII.

To Mr. D――.

London, July 10, 1756.

My dear Mr. D――,

YOUR letter gave me satisfaction. I read it on our Letter-day, and you and the rest of my dear family had many prayers put up for you. May they enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth! Ere now, I hope you have agreed upon what plan to act. I shall send no one over. As I would have the family lessened as much as possible, you that are left upon the spot will be sufficient. Debts may then be paid, and the plantation brought into good order, by the time Providence opens a door for my seeing America again. What think you of J―― P――? If not truly serious, I would not have him sent to the college. Lord Jesus, do thou shew all concerned, what thou wouldst have them to do! Surely Bethesda will be a house of mercy still. God blesses my feeble labours here. Last night I came from Bristol. There the word ran and was glorified. In a few days I set out for Scotland. God continue my moving life, till I am moved at last to glory! Continue to pray for me, and assure yourself of not being forgotten by, my very dear Mr. D――,

Yours most affectionately, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCXLIV.

To Lady H――n.

London, July 17, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

YOUR Ladyship’s kind letter found me just returned from Bristol, and just setting out for Maidstone and Chatham, where I have been to preach the gospel, and to visit a poor murderer. I hope that my poor feeble labours were not altogether in vain in the Lord. A divine influence accompanies the word preached here, and I am now preparing for my northern expedition. If your Ladyship removes not from Donnington soon, perhaps I may have the honour of waiting upon your Ladyship there. My motions must be very quick, because I would hasten to Scotland as fast as possible, to have more time at my return. Eternity! eternity! O how do I long for thee! But alas, how often must we be like pelicans in the wilderness, before we arrive there? Solitariness prepares for the social life, and the social life for solitariness again. Thus doth an all-wise Redeemer set one over against another. Jesus is the alone center of peace and comfort in either situation. Your Ladyship knows this by happy experience. Perhaps our consolations come sweetest, when immediately derived from the fountain head. Springs fail, the fountain never can nor will. That your Ladyship may every moment be refreshed with its living waters, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXLV.

To Mrs. C――.

Islington, July 27, 1756.

Dear Mrs. C――,

SINCE my last, which I believe is not yet gone, I have given an order to have Mr. R――’s children delivered to him or his mother, or whomsoever they shall appoint: and pray lessen the family as much as possible. I wish I had none in the house, but what were proper orphans. The plantation would then suffice for its support, and debts be paid: but we must buy our experience. Troubles seem to beset us here: but we are all secure in God, even in a God in Christ. His gospel flourishes in London. I am just returned from preaching it at Sheerness, Chatham, and in the camp. This afternoon or to-morrow I set off for Scotland. I can only add, that with continual prayers for your temporal and spiritual welfare, I am, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

P. S. My hearty love to all. The Lord be with you! Amen, and Amen!

LETTER MCXLVI.

To Mr. Z――.

Sunderland, August 14, 1756.

Honoured and very dear Sir,

HOW swiftly doth my precious time fly away! It is now a fortnight since I came to Leeds in Yorkshire, where the gospel had indeed free course, did run, and was glorified. On the Sunday evening, a few hours after my arrival, many thousands were gathered in the fields, to whom, I trust, Jesus enabled me to speak with some degree of power. The following week I preached in and about Leeds, thrice almost every day, to thronged and affected auditories; and on Sunday last the fields were indeed white ready unto harvest. At Bradford, about seven in the morning, the auditory consisted of about ten thousand; at noon, and in the evening at Burstall, to near double the number. Though hoarse, the Redeemer helped me to speak, so that all heard. Upon every account it was a high-day. In the evening several hundreds of us rode about eight miles, singing and praising God. Indeed it was a night much to be remembered. The next morning I took a sorrowful leave of Leeds, preached at Tadcaster at noon, and at York the same night. God was with us. On Tuesday I preached twice at York (delightful seasons!); on Wednesday at Warstall, about fifty miles off; on Thursday twice at Yarm, and last night and this morning here. All the way I have heard of a great concern since I was in these parts last year, and of many glorious trophies of the power of redeeming love. In heaven, honoured Sir, you will know all. There I shall throw my crown before the Lamb, and there you shall be rewarded for strengthening the hands of the most unworthy creature that ever was employed by God. After spending my sabbath here, and visiting Shields, Newcastle, and some adjacent places, I purpose to go on to Scotland. From thence I hope to have the honour of writing to you again. This is the first time I have had a proper opportunity of refreshing myself in that way. Praying that you may increase with all the increase of God, and begging your acceptance of repeated thanks for repeated unmerited favours, I subscribe myself, honoured and very dear Sir,

Your most dutiful, though most unworthy son in the glorious gospel,

G. W.

LETTER MCXLVII.

To the Reverend Mr. T――.

Edinburgh, September 9, 1756.

My very dear Friend,

GLAD, yea very glad should I have been to have waited upon you at C――. But it seems it was not to be. However, if I should return from Glasgow, God willing, I shall call upon you; if not, in heaven, in heaven we shall meet. God be with you and yours! I am just going off. O these partings! they are cutting. I trust Jesus hath been walking amidst the golden candlesticks. You will hear particulars from others. I have only time to beg the continuance of your prayers, and with hearty love to your yoke-fellow, Mr. C――, and his spouse, to subscribe myself, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXLVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

Edinburgh, September 21, 1756.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

I THANK you most heartily for your kind letter, and for all other tokens of your regard and love. I can only send you a pepper-corn of acknowledgment. My Master, my long-suffering, ever-loving, ever-lovely Master, will pay you all. I hope he hath directed my steps. On Saturday I received a message from our new Governor of Georgia, desiring to see and converse with me, before he embarks. This could not have been done, if I had went to Ireland now. Our Lord orders all things well. O remember me before his throne. To-morrow I leave Edinburgh. Your letter shall be delivered to Mr. R――. Be pleased to give the inclosed to Mr. Scot, to put in his Philadelphia-Packet. I am busy, and yet, alas! I do nothing. Impressions seem to be promising here. Lord, what am I? less than the least of all, but for Christ’s sake, my very dear friend,

Yours indissolubly in the best bonds,

G. W.

LETTER MCXLIX.

To Lady H――n.

London, October 27, 1756.

Ever-honoured Madam,

HOPING that they would find your Ladyship at Bristol, I wrote a few lines not long ago from Leeds. Since that I have been in honest Mr. G―― and Mr. J――’s round, preaching upon the mountains to many thousands. One that was awakened three years ago, is gone to heaven, and desired to be buried upon the spot where she was awakened. The sacrament at Mr. G――’s was most awful, and the Welch night at Leeds exceeding solemn. I would have continued my circuit, but found that preaching so frequently in those cold countries, was bringing on my last year’s disorder. Being therefore grown very prudent, I am come to open our new chapel in Tottenham-Court Road, and in my poor way to recommend the ever-loving, ever-lovely Jesus. Lord, what am I, that thou shouldest suffer me to put a pin in thy tabernacle! O for grace to stand in a trying hour. Something very extraordinary lies before us: “Prepare to meet thy God,” seems now to be the call to all. Blessed be God, his Spirit hath not done striving for us. This, I hope, is a token for good. Never did I know the fields more ready unto harvest, than I have seen them in the North. May I wish your Ladyship joy of what hath happened at the other end of the town. May his Lordship be made a long and public blessing to this sinful nation! If the other elect Ladies are all at Clifton court, I wish you all the blessings of the everlasting gospel. Though utterly unworthy of such an honour, offering my poor pepper-corn of acknowledgment for all your Ladyship’s unmerited kindnesses, I beg leave to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCL.

To Mrs. C――.

London, October 30, 1756.

Dear Mrs. C――,

I CAN only drop you a few lines. I am just returned from a thousand miles northern circuit, and Mr. Graham is just a going. All your relations are well. The fields have been white ready unto harvest. In about a week, a new building at the other end of the town is to be opened. I expect to see your new Governor every moment. By his ship I hope to send letters to you all. May God bless and prosper you! J―― H――’s relations are well. You will give him all the encouragement you can. I am still for lessening the family as much as possible. My wife wrote lately. I have scarce time to subscribe myself, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLII.

To Mr. D――.

London, November 12, 1756.

My dear Mr. D――,

I HAVE just been with your new Governor, who sets out to-morrow. May the Lord of all lords make him a blessing! Upon the receipt of this, do you wait upon his Excellency, and give Him, and whom he pleases to bring with him, an invitation to Bethesda. I know dear Mrs. C―― will make proper provision. I have had no letters for a long season. I have only time to inform you, that we have just opened a new chapel at Tottenham-Court Road, and that I trust the Redeemer’s glory filled it last Sunday. Have you persons enough to exercise before the Governor? Can they receive him under arms? That the Captain of our salvation may make them all good soldiers for himself, is the earnest prayer of, my dear Mr. D――,

Yours, &c. in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCLIII.

To Lady ――.

London, November 17, 1756.

Honoured Madam,

AS I thought it would give your Ladyship satisfaction, I herein inclose the copies of two letters sent from the condemned youth, in whose behalf your Ladyship hath interposed. May the Redeemer crown your endeavours with success! Blessed be his name, we hear of daily instances of his grace! At Long-Acre indeed the word ran, and at Tottenham-Court chapel we have had some glorious earnests of future blessings. Providence, I doubt not, will enable us to pray for it. My constant work now is, preaching about fifteen times a week. This, with a weak appetite, want of rest, and much care lying upon my mind, enfeebles my too, too feeble nature. But the joy of the Lord is my strength. And my greatest grief is, that I can do no more for Him, who hath done and suffered so much for me. I thank your Ladyship for your kind letter and good wishes. Indeed, honoured Madam, you are always remembered at the throne of grace. That your Ladyship’s soul may always prosper, and that you may increase with all the increase of God, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLIV.

To Mr. H――y.

London, December 9, 1756.

My very dear Friend,

LAST night Mr. M―― informed me, that Mr. C―― shewed him a pamphlet, wrote on purpose to prove the fundamental errors of my printed sermons, and that you had offered to preface it, but he chose you should not. That this is true, I as much believe, as that I am now at Rome. But I wish that my very dear friend may not repent his connection and correspondence with some, when it is too late. This is my comfort, I have delivered my soul. Mr. R―― hath been so kind as to send me the two volumes of Jenks’s Meditations, and desires me to annex my recommendation to yours. I have answered, that it will not be prudent or beneficial to him so to do. I fear they are too large to go off. I hope that my dear friend prospers both in soul and body. Conviction and conversion work go on here. Lord keep us from tares! All is well at Clapham; I have expounded there twice. God hath met us at our new building. I know that you will pray, it may be full of new creatures. My most cordial respects await your mother and sister; my wife joins. With great haste, but much greater love, I subscribe myself, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCLV.

To Mr. Aaron B――.

London, December 9, 1756.

My very dear Friend,

AS I am informed the Philadelphia packet sails this day, I cannot omit acknowledging the receipt of Mr. P――’s paper: the duplicates came to hand before. A memorial is drawn up by proper persons, and application is to be made for a charter. As yet, every thing promises well. This morning I am going to send P――’s writing to those, who I believe will put it into his Majesty’s hands. The letters mentioned by Mr. B――, about purchasing the land for the Indians, I did not receive, but I shall take the hint in the last, and do what I can. Alas! that is but little. Some books shall be secured for John O――, and some bibles, &c. for the Indian school. I wish John O―― of Long-Island was here, especially if he can preach, and could be spared from his mission for a few months, and his passage paid. I would pay his passage back again, and I hope get something for that which you have in view. At the ensuing fast, it practicable, I intend making a collection. Night and day, our hands are lifted up for dear America. I fear we are to be brought into far greater extremity, both at home and abroad, ere deliverance comes. The Lord reigneth, and blessed be the God of our salvation. I am sorry you have not your degree. It is ready, if testimonials were sent from those that know you. This not being done, it looks as though the character given you on this side the water, was not justly founded. The Lord Jesus direct and bless you! I wish you would write oftener. How glad would I be to see America, but my way is hedged up. We have just opened a new chapel at the other end of the town, and the awakening both in town and country continues. We have many pleasing accounts from various quarters, and more ministers are coming out to preach the gospel. This is refreshing. How does the worthy Governor? I cannot write now, but I pray. Dear Captain G―― is gone: O that my turn was come! Jesus is kind. I am strengthened to preach fourteen times a week, and I trust it is not in vain. You have work enough. That the giver of all strength may support and succeed you more and more, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCLVI.

To Mrs. G――.

London, December 15, 1756.

Dear Madam,

WHAT a prayer-hearing, promise-keeping God do we serve! O that I had a heart to bless and praise him! Your kind and opportune contribution for the new chapel, strengthened my faith, and encouraged me (in spite of the opposition of some narrow hearts) to go forwards with it, till it is compleated. Surely the work is of God. Last Sunday there was a wonderful stirring amongst the dry bones; some great people came, and begged they might have a constant seat. An earnest this, I believe, of more good things to come. To me, dear Madam, it is the most promising work the Redeemer ever vouchsafed to employ me in. Lord, what am I? Help me, glorious Emmanuel, to abhor myself in dust and ashes! He will bless you, dear Madam, for what you have done. O that I had a thousand lives to employ in his service! I am much obliged to dear Mrs. B――. Neither she nor you will have reason to repent your zeal on this occasion. It will be much for the Mediator’s glory, and the welfare, I hope, of thousands of souls, to have every thing honourably discharged. I know I shall have your prayers, dear Madam, and I am sure you have mine. O that you may know in whom you have believed! Come, dear Madam, be not discouraged; you know who hath said, “then shall ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lord.” I could enlarge, but it is near six in the morning, and I must away to preach. O that my blessed Master may never turn me out of that divine employ! I hope my most grateful respects and acknowledgments will find acceptance with dear Mrs. B――; and your acceptance of the same will add to the obligations already laid on, dear Madam,

Your most ready servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.

LETTER MCLVII.

To Mrs. B――.

London, December 30, 1756.

Dear Madam,

GRATITUDE constrains me to send you a few lines. They inform you, that God is doing wonders at the new chapel. Hundreds went away last Sunday morning that could not come in. On Christmas-Day, and last Tuesday night (the first time of burning candles) the power of the Lord was present, both to wound and to heal. A neighbouring Doctor hath baptized the place, calling it “Whitefields’s Soul-trap.”—Just now the following letter came to hand.

Reverend Sir,

A THOUGHT came into my mind last Sunday morning, to go to hear you at the new tabernacle, and to see what sort of a place it was. In one part of your discourse my heart trembled, and the terrors of the Lord came upon me. I then concluded, that I must prepare for hell, and that there was no hope of salvation for me. I take this method, being assured that you will excuse the liberty I take to ask you one question, How I can be convinced that my past sins are to be forgiven? And O, what must I do to be saved! My sins are innumerable. God is just. I cannot think that I have any interest in the Redeemer’s blood. My soul is full of grief. I must conclude. Dear Sir, favour me with a line, which will be greatly acknowledged by,

Your friend,

A. B.

I have answered my new friend, and pray the friend of sinners to make the chapel a soul-trap indeed, to many wandering creatures. Abundance round about, I hear are much struck. O for humility! O for gratitude! O for faith! Wherefore should I doubt?—Surely Jesus will carry me through, and help me to pay the workmen. Accept repeated thanks for the help afforded by your dear Ladies, and depend on having the poor prayers of, dear Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. M――.

London, January 4, 1757.

Reverend and dear Sir,

JUST now I received and read your kind letter, and hope, God willing, on Friday, to have the pleasure of a personal interview. May our common Lord sanctify it to our mutual edification! Glad should I have been to have known you before. I love the Hanoverians, because I think they love, and would prove faithful to our dear King George. I am sorry for the treatment they have met with, but it is not our province to meddle with politics. Blessed be God for a kingdom that is not of this world, which can never be removed, or so much as shaken.

You see, my dear Sir, how free I write. It is because I think you are a true minister of our glorious Emmanuel. Be pleased to remember me when near his throne. Though a stranger, you know my name: I am the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, but for Christ’s sake, reverend and dear Sir,

Your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer, in our Lord’s vineyard,

G. W.

LETTER MCLIX.

To Lady H――.

London, January 12, 1757.

Honoured Madam,

WILL your Ladyship be pleased to accept a few hasty lines? They come with hearty wishes, that your Ladyship, and every branch of your honourable family, may have a very happy new year.—This can only be had in Jesus, and therefore I wish, from the very bottom of my heart, that you all may be blessed with all spiritual blessings.—These are blessings indeed. They are solid, they are lasting, commensurate even with eternity itself. I hope we have some daily foretastes of this. Indeed, honoured Madam, a wide door seems to be opening at Tottenham-Court chapel. The word flies like lightning in it; O that it may prove a Bethel, a house of God, a gate of heaven! I believe it will.—As the awakening continues, I have some hopes that we are not to be given up. Alas! alas! We are testing and contesting, while the nation is bleeding to death. We are condemning this and that; but sin, the great mischief-maker, lies unmolested, or rather encouraged by every contending party. Well, the Lord reigns;—and therefore blessed be the God of our salvation.—I hope your honoured sister, and her noble Lord, are well. I sometimes wish that his Lordship was at the helm, but infinite wisdom knows what is best. Happy they who can look beyond time! The christian can; the short-sighted infidel dares not, cannot. But I grow troublesome. I must therefore only add my most grateful acknowledgments, and assure your Ladyship, that I am, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER ♦MCLX.

To Lady M―― H――.

London, January 13, 1757.

Honoured Madam,

I WISH your Ladyship joy. What a mercy, to be made an instrument in settling a true minister of Jesus Christ! May he be the spiritual father to many souls! Your Ladyship’s unexpected sight of your son, was like life from the dead. What pleasure then must be the consequence of seeing our relations brought home to God! This be your happy lot! The holy spirit seems to be quickening many dead souls here. I am informed, that all are alive without the Cannon-Gate; but such are dead whilst they live. O Scotland! Scotland! Turn us, O good Lord, and so shall we be turned! We had need to fast and pray too.—Your Ladyship, I doubt not, mourns in secret. The glorious Emmanuel will put your tears into his bottle. That your consolations in him may abound evermore, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLXI.

London, February 5, 1757.

Dear Mrs. C――,

I THANK you heartily for your last kind letter, and for all your works of faith and labours of love.—Glad would I be to see America, but the cloud doth not seem to move that way as yet.—The new chapel at the other end of the town is made a Bethel, and the awakening increases day by day. O that it was so at Georgia! Surely the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls will bless you, for taking care of the lambs in that distant wilderness.—Mr. P――’s leaving Bethesda sadly distresses me; but my eyes are upon Him who knows all. I wrote to desire Mr. P―― to continue the oversight of my affairs, till I can come myself. Whatever he and you shall agree to, in respect to Mr. R――, &c. I shall acquiesce in: only I desire that all who are capable may be put out, and the family reduced as low as possible, till the war is over, and the institution out of debt. I find nobody mentions I―― P――s. If I―― P――m goes to the college, cannot he and Mr. D―― be enough for the school? Ere now, G―― W―― I hope is put out.—Lord, remember me and all my various concerns!—God bless and direct you in every step! He will,—he will.—I trust you will find it so in your late determination? Now you are free. Things that seem against us at first, afterwards prove to be designed for us.—What is to become or us here, God only knows.—A year perhaps may determine.—The best sign is, that the awakening continues.—A parcel of the addresses was put up for you, but through mistake not put into the box. All your relations are well. That you may prosper both in body and soul, and be filled with all the fulness of God, is the earnest prayer of, dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLXII.

To the Reverend Mr. M――.

London, February 17, 1757.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

YOUR kind letter lies before me, for which, be pleased to accept my cordial thanks. I am glad you got safe to Chatham, and heartily pray, that the God of the sea, and the God of the dry land, may be your convoy on the mighty waters. The continuance of your correspondence will be quite agreeable. Who knows but Jesus may bless it to our mutual edification? I want to be stirred up, to begin to begin to do something for him, who hath done and suffered so much for ill and hell-deserving me. Surely, I am a worthless worm, and therefore little moved with whatever judgment an ill-natured, misinformed world may form of me. The great day will discover all. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.—O to be an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile! Simplicity and godly sincerity is all in all. A want of this, I fear, hath led the Count into all his mistakes. With great regret I speak or write of any people’s weaknesses; but I did and do now think, that divine Providence called me to publish what you mention. The Redeemer gave it his blessing. I do not find that their fopperies are continued, and I hear also that they have discharged many debts. You seem to have right notions of the sermon to which you refer. It certainly speaks of a sinless state, which is not attainable in this life. We are called to be saints, but not angels. Strange, that after so many years, such an error should be propagated!—but so it is. Lord, what is man? Glory be to God, there is a time coming, when sin, root and branch, shall be destroyed: I mean at death. Then an eternal stop will be put to the fountain of corruption, and we shall be sinless indeed.—Till then, O Jesus, do thou continue to wash us in thy blood, and cloathe us with thy compleat and everlasting righteousness; and at the same time, out of a principle of love to thee, do thou help us to follow hard after that holiness, without which no man can see the Lord!—But whither am I going? My very dear Sir, excuse prolixity. I write to you, as to one whom I love in the bowels of Jesus Christ. My most cordial respects await all that love him. My wife joins in sending you the same, with, reverend and very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXIII.

To Lady H――n.

London, March 2, 1757.

Ever-honoured Madam,

A FEW days ago, I received the kind benefaction for the happy convicts. Not doubting of success, I had advanced some guineas, which with what hath been procured from other hands, hath bought both their liberties, and they are provided for on the other side of the water; just now I believe they are under sail. O that he, who I suppose will now receive a pardon, was alike favoured! But not many mighty, not many noble are called. However, some come to hear at Tottenham-Court. S―― the player, makes always one of the auditory, and, as I hear, is much impressed, and brings others with him. I hope this will not find your Ladyship ill of the gout. May the Lord Jesus bear all your sickness, and heal all your infirmities both of body and soul! I am sensibly touched when any thing affects your Ladyship; gratitude constrains to this. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his mercies? I would preach for him, if I could, a hundred times a day. Surely, such a worthless worm was never honoured to speak for the Redeemer before. Your Ladyship will excuse; I must away, and give a little vent to the heart of, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLXIV.

To the Reverend Mr. B――.

London, March 10, 1757.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

PROVIDENTIALLY, a Lady was at my house when the bearer brought your letter, who perhaps may want just such a servant, within the time mentioned. Thus God provides for those that love him. He is indeed a prayer-hearing, a promise-keeping God. Satan may and will have us, that he may sift us as wheat; but Jesus prays for us; our faith therefore shall not fail. This is my support; this, my very dear Sir, must be yours. Ere long we shall be tempted no more. I am a poor soldier; I want to be discharged. Not from Christ’s service, but from this prison of the flesh. O that I could do something for Jesus whilst here below! my obligations increase. He vouchsafes daily (O amazing love) to own my feeble labours. The word runs and is glorified. That it may run and be glorified more and more, under God, through your instrumentality, is the earnest prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,

Your affectionate but unworthy brother, in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXV.

To Lord H――.

London, April 20, 1757.

My Lord,

I MAKE bold to trouble your Lordship with the proposals about the Georgia college; they should have been sent before, but I heard that your Lordship was out of town. On Monday next, my business calls me into the country. If your Lordship should have leisure immediately to run over the memorial, I would call on Saturday morning to know your Lordship’s mind. In the mean while, praying that your Lordship may be a lasting blessing to your country, I subscribe myself,

Your Lordship’s most dutiful, obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXVI.

To the Reverend Mr. T――.

Edinburgh, May 31, 1757.

CANNOT you come here for one day this week? I shall leave Edinburgh on Monday, God willing.—Attendance upon the assembly, and preaching, have engrossed all my time. I can scarce send you this.—Nil mihi rescribas attamen ipse veni.—Adieu! With love more than I express, I am, my dear Mr. T――,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

P. S. Jesus is good to us. My hearty love awaits your whole self and family.—It is near eight at night.

LETTER MCLXVII.

To Mr. ――.

Glasgow, June 9, 1757.

My very dear Friend,

TO me, it is almost an age since I wrote to you last. But at Edinburgh I was so taken up all day, and kept up so late at night, that writing was almost impracticable. Surely my going thither was of God. I came thither the twelfth of May, and left it the sixth of June, and preached just fifty times. To what purpose, the great day will discover. I have reason to believe to very good purpose. Being the time of the general assembly (at which I was much pleased) many ministers attended, perhaps a hundred at a time. Thereby prejudices were removed, and many of their hearts were deeply impressed. About thirty of them, as a token of respect, invited me to a public entertainment. The Lord High Commissioner also invited me to his table, and many persons of credit and religion did the same in a public manner. Thousands and thousands, among whom were a great many of the best rank, daily attended on the word preached, and the longer I staid, the more the congregations and divine influence increased. Twice I preached in my way to Glasgow, and last night opened my campaign here. The cloud seems to move towards Ireland. How the Redeemer vouchsafes to deal with me there, you shall know hereafter. In the mean while, my very dear friend, let me entreat the continuance of your prayers. For I am less than the least of all saints, and unworthy to be employed in the service of so divine a Master. Lord Jesus,

I hope this will find you, and your dear yoke-fellow and daughter, enjoying thriving souls in healthy bodies. I doubt not but you are brightening your crown, and increasing your reward, by doing good for your blessed Master. Ere long, you shall hear him say “Well done.” That will crown all. I can no more, I must away to my throne. My very dear Sir, be pleased to accept ten thousand thanks for all favours, and give me leave (after sending most cordial respects to dear Mrs. S―― and Miss) to subscribe myself, my very dear friend,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLXVIII.

To Mr. ――.

Dublin, June 30, 1757.

My very dear Sir,

YOUR kind letter, dated the 25th instant, I just now received, for which as well as all other favours be pleased to accept unfeigned thanks.—What to do I cannot well tell.—As I am in the kingdom, it is pity to leave it unvisited.—The door is open, and indeed the poor Methodists want help.—Here in Dublin the congregations are very large, and very much impressed. The Redeemer vouchsafes to give me great freedom in preaching, and arrows of conviction fly and fasten.—One of the Bishops told a nobleman, “He was glad I was come to rouse the people”—The nobleman, with whom I sweetly conversed yesterday, told me this again.—Lord Jesus, do thou (for it is thy doing) rouse all ranks for thy mercy’s sake! I hope Mr. M――n will go on and prosper.—As for Mr. J――s, I think it best for him to keep as he is.—I find he is unsettled, and therefore would be always uneasy.—If Messrs. D――s and D――r can serve alternately in the Summer, by the help of Jesus I will go through the Winter work.—Alas, that so few have the ambition of coming out to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Not one clergyman in all Ireland yet stirred up to come out singularly for God! Pity, Lord, for thy mercy’s sake! I think God will yet appear for the protestant interest.—My rout now is to Athlone, Limerick, Cork, and to return here about July 21.—Whether I shall then go to the North, and to Scotland, or whether I shall come by way of Park-Gate, must be determined hereafter.—I know you will pray, my very dear Sir, that the never-failing Jesus will direct my goings in his way. I would fain be where and what he would have me to be.—I bless him, for making you, my very dear Sir, instrumental in strengthening my weak hands, and earnestly pray, that great may be the reward of you and your dear relations in the kingdom of heaven.—Assure yourselves you or they are never forgotten by, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXIX.

To Mr. R―― K――n.

Dublin, July 3, 1757.

My very dear Mr. K――,

ACCEPT a few lines from a poor, feeble, but willing pilgrim.—They bring you most amazing news. The infinitely condescending Jesus still vouchsafes to follow the chief of sinners with his unmerited blessing.—In Scotland, his almighty arm was most powerfully revealed;—and, here in Dublin, many have begun to say, “What shall we do to be saved.”—Congregations are large, and very much impressed indeed.—A spirit of conviction and consolation seems to be sent forth.—All sorts attend, and all sorts seem to be affected.—I should be glad to come to London, but cannot in confidence as yet.—Not one minister either in the church or among the dissenters in this kingdom, as far as I can hear, appears boldly for God, even a God in Christ. To-morrow therefore I purpose to set out for Athlone, Limerick, and Cork. God only knows, after that, where will be the next remove.—Perhaps to London, perhaps to the North of Ireland, which I hear lies open for the gospel.—Winter must be the London harvest.—O for more labourers who will account the work itself the best wages! God will bless you and yours, for strengthening my hands. I send you and Mrs. K――n my hearty love, and earnestly pray the Lord of all Lords to bless you. Next post, or soon after in my circuit, I hope to write to dear Mr. and Mrs. J――. God forbid that I should forget my old friends.—I pray for, though I cannot write to them.—I am glad to find that dear Mr. G―― is safe returned.—Pray remember me to him, and to all enquiring friends in the kindest manner, and assure them of being remembered at the throne of grace, by, very dear Mr. and Mrs. K――,

Your most obliged, affectionate friend, and ready servant in our common Lord,

G. W.

July 5th.

Since writing the above, I have been in the wars.—But blessed be God am pretty well recovered, and going on my way rejoicing.—Pray hard.

LETTER MCLXX.

To Mr. ――.

Dublin, July 9, 1757.

My dear Friend,

MANY attacks have I had from Satan’s children, but yesterday, you would have thought he had been permitted to have given me an effectual parting blow. You have heard of my being in Ireland, and of my preaching daily to large and very affected auditories, in Mr. W――’s spacious room. When here last, I preached in a more confined place in the week days, and once or twice ventured out to Oxminton-Green, a large place like Moorfields, situated very near the barracks, where the Ormond and Liberty, that is, high and low party boys, generally assemble every Sunday, to fight with each other. The congregations then were very numerous, the word seemed to come with power; and no noise or disturbance ensued. This encouraged me to give notice, that I would preach there again last Sunday afternoon. I went through the barracks, the door of which opens into the green, and pitched my tent near the barrack walls, not doubting of the protection, or at least interposition of the officers and soldiery, if there should be occasion. But how vain is the help of man! Vast was the multitude that attended; we sang, prayed, and preached, without much molestation; only now and then a few stones and clods of dirt were thrown at me. It being war time, as is my usual practice, I exhorted my hearers not only to fear God, but to honour the best of kings, and after sermon I prayed for success to the Prusian arms. All being over, I thought to return home the way I came; but to my great surprize access was denied, so that I had to go near half a mile from one end of the green to the other, through hundreds and hundreds of papists, &c. Finding me unattended, (for a soldier and four methodist preachers, who came with me, had forsook me and fled) I was left to their mercy; but their mercy, as you may easily guess, was perfect cruelty. Vollies of hard stones came from all quarters, and every step I took, a fresh stone struck, and made me reel backwards and forwards, till I was almost breathless, and all over a gore of blood. My strong beaver hat served me as it were for a scull cap for a while; but at last that was knocked off, and my head left quite defenceless. I received many blows and wounds; one was particularly large and near my temples. I thought of Stephen, and as I believed that I received more blows, I was in great hopes that like him I should be dispatched, and go off in this bloody triumph to the immediate presence of my master. But providentially, a minister’s house lay next door to the green; with great difficulty I staggered to the door, which was kindly opened to, and shut upon me. Some of the mob in the mean time having broke part of the boards of the pulpit into large splinters, they beat and wounded my servant grievously in his head and arms, and then came and drove him from the door. For a while I continued speechless, panting for and expelling every breath to be my last; two or three of the hearers, my friends, by some means or other got admission, and kindly with weeping eyes washed my bloody wounds, and gave me something to smell to and to drink. I gradually revived, but soon found the lady of the house desired my absence, for fear the house should be pulled down. What to do, I knew not, being near two miles from Mr. W――’s place; some advised one thing, and some another. At length, a carpenter, one of the friends that came in, offered me his wig and coat, that I might go off in disguise. I accepted of, and put them on, but was soon ashamed of not trusting my master to secure me in my proper habit, and threw them off with disdain. I determined to go out (since I found my presence was so troublesome) in my proper habit; immediately deliverance came. A methodist preacher, with two friends, brought a coach; I leaped into it, and rid in gospel triumph through the oaths, curses, and imprecations of whole streets of papists unhurt, though threatened every step of the ground. None but those who were spectators of the scene, can form an idea of the affection with which I was received by the weeping, mourning, but now joyful methodists. A christian surgeon was ready to dress our wounds, which being done, I went into the preaching place, and after giving a word of exhortation, join’d in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, to him who makes our extremity his opportunity, who stills the noise of the waves, and the madness of the most malignant people. The next morning I set out for port Arlington, and left my persecutors to his mercy, who out of persecutors hath often made preachers. That I may be thus revenged of them, is the hearty prayer of,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXI.

To Mr. I――.

Cork, July 15, 1757.

My very dear Mr. I――,

ACCEPT a few loving lines, as a token that you and yours are not entirely forgotten by me. They leave me, earnestly desirous to know what path the God whom I serve would have me to take. Every where (O amazing condescension!) the glorious Emmanuel so smiles upon my feeble labours, that it is hard to get off. At Port Arlington, Athlone, Limerick, and in this place, the word hath run and been glorified. Arrows of conviction seem to fly, and the cup of many hath been made to run over. I hope you have had some refreshings from the presence of the Lord. Nothing else can carry us comfortably through the howling wilderness of this troublesome life. I have met with some hard blows from the Dublin rabble. But blessed be God, they have not destroyed me. Perhaps I am to see London before my great change comes. And who knows, but we may enjoy our Peniels and Bethels there again? Troublous times seem to be approaching. God hide us all under the shadow of his almighty wings! When you see dear Mr. W――, pray remember me to him and his in the kindest manner, as likewise to Mr. and Mrs. W――. I think of, and pray for you, and all my dear friends, though preaching and travelling prevents my writing. O that none of us may be parted in another world! Jesus alone can keep us by his almighty power. To his tender and never-failing mercy do I most earnestly commit you, and earnestly intreat the continuance of your prayers in behalf of, my very dear friend,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXIII.

To Mrs. C――.

London, August 26, 1757.

Dear Mrs. C――,

I THINK myself quite happy, in finding that you are satisfied in your present situation.—I have no doubt of your being called to do it by Bethesda’s God, and heartily pray that you may be amply rewarded by Him.—I had rather have you preside over the orphan family, than any woman I know of in the world. I would gladly indulge Mr. B――, but though I have sent again and again, I cannot find that his wife hath the least inclination to come over; as this is the case, and she is provided for, I wish he could be easy. Mr. P―― and you may agree, as to the terms of his continuance at Bethesda. Mr. D―― seems fixed, and I have written to Mr. P――, to let John H――y have overseers wages for the two last years, and find himself; but perhaps it may be best not to give up the indentures.—As he is faithful, and the plantation flourishes, I would not part with him. I do not love changes. Sometimes I wish for wings to fly over; but providence detains me here. I fear a dreadful storm is at hand. Lord Jesus, be thou our refuge! At Dublin I was like to be sent beyond the reach of storms. But I find we are immortal till our work is done. A most blessed influence attended the word in various parts of Ireland, and here at London the prospect is more and more promising. We expect some important news from America. As to outward things, all is gloomy. Jesus can dispel every cloud. I hope Bethesda will be kept in peace. I am glad the Governor hath been to visit the house. May God make him a blessing to the colony! My kinsman hath met with an early trial. May the Lord sanctify it! I am glad G―― W―― is put out, and that you have sent the children; I pity them, but they must blame their parents. O ingratitude! I wish you would now and then mention B―― W――, and let me know how the English children are disposed of. I would fain have a list of black and white from time to time. Blessed be God for the increase of the negroes. I intirely approve of reducing the number of orphans as low as possible; and I am determined to take in no more than the plantation will maintain, till I can buy more negroes. Never was I so well satisfied with my assistants as now. God bless you! God bless you! My tender love and respects attend you all. I would have Joseph P――n sent to the college. I am glad Mrs. F―― is married. Continue to pray for me, and depend on hearing as often as possible from, dear Mrs. C――,

Your affectionate, obliged friend, and ready servant in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXIV.

To Mr. H――.

Exeter, September 28, 1757.

My very dear Sir,

JUST this moment I had the pleasure of receiving your very kind letter, and have but just time, before the post goes out, to return you my most hearty thanks. Blessed be God, I can send you good news from Plymouth.—The scene was like that of Bristol; only more extraordinary, to see officers, ♦soldiers, sailors, and the dock-men, attending with the utmost solemnity upon the word preached. Arrows of conviction fled and fastened, and I left all God’s people upon the wing for heaven. Blessed be the Lord Jesus for ordering me the lot of a cast-out!

I am glad that Mr. M――n and V――n returned safe. May an effectual door be opened for both! If so, they will have many adversaries. Will my dear Mr. H―― tell Mr. P――, that I expect every thing to be compleated by the first Sunday in October? If the weather should alter I may be in town; if not, I may range further.—This spiritual hunting is delightful sport, when the heart is in the work. I expect to hear of a blacker cloud in America, but I am glad the expedition was diverted. Our enemies may triumph for a while; Christ can soon put a hook in the leviathan’s jaws.

Happy for you, my dear Sir, that have fled to this God for refuge. The more you know of Him, the more vilely you will think of yourself. God bless you and your dear relations. I must conclude, or the letter cannot go. In great haste, but far greater love and respect, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXV.

To Mr. K――n.

Bristol, October 4, 1757.

My very dear Mr. K――n,

HAD you encouragement enough last journey, to induce you and yours to take another trip? My wife informs me so; she hath the rout. I expect a line from her at Gloucester, to inform me of your determination. Whatever it be, may it be for the glory of our common Lord! I hope some souls that before were strangers to him, have begun to know him since we parted last. We have had pleasant seasons. Lord, what am I! God give us a warm winter! O how soon does the summer fly away! Lord Jesus, pardon and quicken me, for thy mercy’s sake! Adieu. I must away. My hearty love awaits your whole self, and all enquiring friends. In great haste, I subscribe myself, my very dear Mr. K――,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXVI.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

London, October 16, 1757.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

I THANK you for your sympathizing letter sent to Ireland. The friend of sinners stood by me, or I had been stoned to death. They were thrown at me, not for speaking against the Papists in particular, but for exciting all ranks to be faithful to King Jesus, and to our dear sovereign King George, for his great name’s sake. Lord, what am I, that I should be honoured to suffer any degree of pain or shame in such a cause? Time will not permit me to descend to more particulars. A young man, who will bring you soon a few lines from me, can tell you the whole affair. He is a Methodist, and is coming from Dublin, (and from a Bishop’s family) to study at Glasgow. I know you will receive him gladly. O that God may qualify, and send forth thousands to blow the trumpet in Zion! Seven gospel ministers were together at Bristol, when the counsellor preached. A lawyer hath lately entered likewise into orders, and I humbly hope the blessed Jesus will not give us up. Both at home and abroad we are in great danger. But the Lord lives, and will live and reign for ever. The awakenings in New-Jersey, &c. are tokens for good. Lord, prepare us for whatever thou hast prepared for us! We have had blessed seasons for these six weeks last past, at Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol, Gloucester, and Gloucestershire. This comes from my winter quarters. You will pray, that Jesus may be with us. My most cordial respects and thanks await your whole self, and all dear friends who are so kind as to enquire after, my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXVII.

To Lady H――.

London, October 21, 1757.

Ever-honoured Madam,

I BURNT, but I believe I shall never forget the contents of, your Ladyship’s letter. Who but the Redeemer himself, can possibly describe the yearnings of such a tender parent’s heart? Surely your Ladyship is called to cut off a right hand, and pluck out a right eye; “But it is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good,” This was the language of Eli, whose sons were sinners before the Lord exceedingly. This hath often been the case of the best of people, and the greatest favourites of heaven; but none knows the bitterness of such a cup, but those who are called to drink it. If not sweetened with a sense of the love and mercy of God in Christ, who could abide it? O what physic, what strong physic do our strong affections oblige our heavenly Father to give us! What pruning knives do these luxuriant branches require, in order to preserve the fruit and delicacy of the vine. Blessed be God, there is a time coming, when these mysterious dignified providences shall be explained. I am glad Mr. L―― is with your Ladyship: he has a friendly heart. May the Lord Jesus raise up your Ladyship many comforters! Above all, may he come himself. He will, he will. Mr. H―― ask’d most kindly after your Ladyship. On Thursday Sir John M――, I am told, was at chapel, and many others. The prospect brightens at that end of the town. O for warm winter quarters! O that I could bear part of your Ladyship’s heavy load! But I can only in my feeble way bear it on my heart, before him who came to heal our sicknesses and bear our infirmities. That your Ladyship may come out of these fiery trials, purged and purified like the brightest gold, is the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXVIII.

To Mrs. C――.

London, October 25, 1757.

My dear Mrs. C――,

I FIND by your last to your brother James, that you was in jeopardy. But I trust He that once drove away the Spaniards, will also preserve you and the rest of my dear family from a French invasion. God give you strength and courage! He will. Every thing seems to be in a critical situation. God knows the event.

In the midst of all, the work goes on here. In Dublin I was like to be stoned to heaven: but I am on earth yet. We had glorious seasons both in Scotland and Ireland. O that the cloud pointed to America! But the Redeemer’s time is the best. He will bless you for taking care of his family in the wilderness. I wish it had been reduced more by the dismission of the R――s and B――l. But perhaps God may over rule all for the childrens future good. I hear that R―― is in a French prison; God give to him and his true repentance! They have acted an ungrateful part; but thus our Lord was used; and the servant must be as his Lord. The judgment-day will clear all. I wish Mr. B―― may be easy where he is. Mr. P―― may agree upon terms with him, and with I―― H――. I love old friends and servants, and desire to bless God that my family hath got such a governess. Pray let me know if you want any apparel, &c. I shall be quite concerned if you abridge yourself of any thing. I cannot reward you: but the God whom I desire to serve, can and will. To his tender and never-failing mercy do I most humbly commit you, and beg the continuance of your prayers in behalf of, my dear Mrs. C――,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXIX.

To Governor E――.

London, October 26, 1757.

Honoured Sir,

I AM glad to hear from my nephew and other hands, that your Excellency’s administration is so universally approved of. I pray God to make you a lasting blessing to that colony, which hath long wanted the blessing of an active, skilful and disinterested Governor. I thank your Excellency for honouring Bethesda with your company. Lord Hallifax informed me, that you would send him your sentiments concerning its being enlarged into a college. I have drawn out my proposals, and have delivered them to his Lordship; but the uncertainty of the times prevents my pushing that affair. However, Georgia’s welfare lies much on my heart; and it is my full design, if providence should open a way, and I am assured of meeting with proper encouragement, (which I make no doubt of) to serve that colony, and pay it another visit. In the mean while, my heart’s desire and prayer to God is and shall be, that you may have the honour and comfort of making the people, over whom divine providence hath called you to preside, happy and prosperous. I must not longer, dear Sir, detain you from the public, and shall therefore only beg your acceptance of this, as a token of respect, from, honoured Sir,

Your Excellency’s most obliged humble servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXX.

To J―― B――, Esq.

London, October 26, 1757.

My dear Friend,

I AM quite glad to hear, that you have met with encouragement to return again to poor Georgia, and that my nephew serves under you. I humbly hope that colony is not to be given over into the enemies hands; but God only knows what is before us. The cloud at present looks black; but it is always darkest before break of day. Our extremity may yet be God’s opportunity to help and deliver us. In the midst of all, the work of God goes on among us. At both ends of the town we have blessed seasons. In Scotland and Ireland the word ran and was glorified. Who knows but we may meet once more in Georgia. Blessed be God for a well-grounded hope of meeting in heaven! My hearty love awaits all who are travelling thither, and are so kind as to enquire after, my dear friend,

Yours &c. in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXXI.

To the Reverend Mr. M――.

London, November 3, 1757.

YOUR kind letter was very acceptable. Ere now, I trust, the Redeemer hath given you the prospect of the barren wilderness being turned in a fruitful field. Never fear; Jesus will delight to honour you. Every clergyman’s name is Legion. Two more are lately ordained.

You need not remind me of praying for the noble pair: surely they are not to be prisoners another Winter. The kingdom of God suffereth violence, and really if we would take it by force, we must do violence to our softest passions, and be content to be esteemed unkind by those whose idols we once were. This is hard work; but, Abba, Father, all things are possible with thee! Blessed be God for putting it into your heart to ask the pulpit for a week-day sermon. Are we not commanded to be instant in season and out of season? If dear Mrs. M―― will take my word for it, I will be answerable for your health. The joy resulting from doing good, will be a continual feast. God knows how long our time of working may last. This order undoes us. As affairs now stand, we must be disorderly or useless. O for more labourers. I am told thousands went away last Sunday evening from Tottenham-Court, for want of room. Every day produces fresh accounts of good being done, and at this end of the town the word runs and is glorified more and more. Last Friday we had a most solemn fast: I preached thrice; thousands attended, and I humbly hope our prayers entered the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. More bad news from America about our fleet: God humble and reform us, for his infinite mercy’s sake! Go on, my dear Sir, and tell a sinful nation, that sin and unbelief is the accursed thing which prevents success. Thus at least we shall deliver our own souls, and be free from the blood of all men. But I forget: I suppose you are preparing for the pulpit: I dare not detain you. My best respects await Mrs. M――: your mother is well. That you may return to London in all the fulness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ, is and shall be the prayer of, dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXXII.

To Mr. O――.

London, November 12, 1757.

My dear Mr. O――,

I THANK you very kindly for visiting Bethesda family, and for administering the Lord’s-supper. I am glad to hear that the Master of the feast was present. Ere long I hope we shall be called to the marriage-feast of the supper of the Lamb in heaven. God only knows what awaits us in our journey thither. I hope poor Georgia will be preserved. I trust the Lord of all lords hath said, “Destroy it not, for there is a blessing in it.” We are in equal jeopardy. Jesus is our common refuge. Conviction and conversion work goes on amongst us. But I long to see America once more. O that I may never cease itinerating, till I sit down in heaven. My hearty love awaits all that are bound thither. Hoping ere long to hear good news from you and yours, I haste to subscribe myself, my dear Mr. O――,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXXIII.

To Mr. D――.

London, November 12, 1757.

My dear Mr. D――,

I AM glad you have received my letter. I know not that I have one of yours left unanswered. Blessed be God, for causing Bethesda to prosper. May it do so in every sense more and more! I hope you will be preserved from the hands both of temporal and spiritual enemies. God prepare us for all events! Pray let me know the names of all the children. I wish they could be reduced this war time to the number of fifteen; and I wish my nephew was not so hasty; and that the persons you mention were (spiritually) shot through the heart. Many here seem to be wounded in that manner. At Tottenham-Court chapel, as well as the Tabernacle, the word runs and is glorified. I am glad you have the ordinance now and then. That the God of ordinances may bless you all evermore, is the earnest prayer of, my dear Mr. D――,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

P. S. Pray be particular in the account of the family. The Lord Jesus smiles upon us here. He can, and I trust will preserve you from French, Spaniards, and every hurtful foe. This is my constant prayer.

LETTER MCLXXXIV.

To Mr. R――.

London, November 17, 1757.

Dear Sir,

YOUR letter to Mr. D―― gave me great satisfaction. The contents, no doubt, made angels to rejoice in heaven, and why not us embodied spirits here on earth. So many called out of one family, is a peculiar mercy. Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see, and the ears that hear the things you hear. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon you all! Who knows but we may see each other on this side eternity? I am wishing every day for wings to fly to my dear America once more; but at present the way seems to be hedged up. A fresh work is breaking out here, and the Redeemer seems to be manifesting his glory in many souls. This, with what has been done on your side the water, may give us some hopes, that though the enemy may be permitted to break in like a flood, yet the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. The death of Governor B―― and President Burr, are dark providences: but Jesus lives and reigns. I thank you and yours most heartily for your kind invitation: God willing, I will accept it whenever I come over. Lord, hasten the time, if it be thy blessed will! Be pleased to remember me in the kindest manner to all enquiring friends. I entreat the continuance of your prayers in behalf of, my dear Sir,

Yours in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXXV.

To Mr. S――.

London, November 17, 1757.

My dear Mr. S――,

I AM a letter in your debt: I should be glad to answer your last in person. The attraction towards America is as strong as ever, but at present I am stationed here. The word runs and is glorified. I fear the deaths of the Governor and President will hurt New-Jersey college: but Jesus lives and reigns. When will my turn come to live and reign with him for evermore! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! If young P―― should be sent from the Orphan-house to your college, be pleased to furnish him with plain necessaries. I am informed he is a promising youth. Lord, raise up Elisha’s in the room of ascended Elijah! The residue of the Spirit is in his hands. The late effusion was preparatory to your present trials. God make us ready for all events. Excuse great haste; I write in greater love, as being, my dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXXVI.

To Mr. M――.

London, November 26, 1757.

My very dear Sir,

I AM very glad you have been so providentially detained at Thetford, and that your bow abode in such full strength. The Lord help you to give a good farewel stroke to-morrow! My poor feeble labours almost brought me to the grave this last week; but preaching yesterday three times on account of the Prussians late success, hath somewhat recovered me. It was a high day; thousands and thousands attended. Where the carcase is, there the eagles will gather together. The chapel is made a Bethel indeed. I am glad you are coming to see. Spiritual routs are blessed entertainments. I must prepare for my throne. It is near five in the evening, and to-morrow I am to preach thrice. Mr. Jon―― said he would write this post. I was glad to hear by Mr. D――, that the noble pair were growing. That you all may increase with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXXVII.

To Mrs. B――.

London, December 14, 1757.

Dear Madam,

THE event only can prove, whether what I am going to mention, is of God. Blessed be his holy name, by new-year’s day I hope we shall be able to discharge our chapel debts. Every day proves more and more that it was built for the glory of Jesus Christ, and the welfare of many precious and immortal souls. But my attendance on that, and the Tabernacle too, with a weak body, outward cares, and inward trials, have frequently brought me of late to the apprehensions of being near my wished-for port; but I am afraid I must keep out at sea some time longer. However, I am brought to the short allowance of preaching but once a day, and thrice on a Sunday. O that this feeble carcase could hold out more for God! I want to begin to begin to do something for God. I shall be glad if he is pleased to bring our present design to a prosperous issue. You must know then, dear Madam, that round the chapel there is a most beautiful spot of ground, and some good folks have purposed erecting alms-houses on each side, for some godly widows. I have a plan for twelve. The whole expence will be four hundred pounds: we have got one hundred. The widows are to have half-a-crown a week. The sacrament money, which will more than do, is to be devoted to this purpose. Thus will many godly widows be provided for, and a standing monument left, that the Methodists were not against good works. I beg you’ll mention this to good Lady C―― and Mrs. G――; for I would not have it public till the sum is raised, and we are sure of effecting the thing. If I did not know, dear Madam, your benevolent, disinterested heart, I should not thus make free. Be pleased to excuse, if you do not approve the motion. I only mention it, because I believe such a thing would much promote the glory of God. I leave this and all with him. I commit you and good Lady C―― to his protection, and beg a continued remembrance in your prayers, in behalf of, dear Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXXVIII.

To Doctor S――.

London, December 15, 1757.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

IF yet in this dying world, be pleased to accept a few grateful lines, from one who highly esteems you for the sake of our common Lord. Thousands can witness how often I have prayed for you in public, and the great day will discover how earnestly your lingering case hath been mentioned in my poor addresses to our God in private. Surely, in a literal sense, reverend Sir, you are called to die daily. But I trust and believe, the more the outward man decayeth, you will be strengthened so much the more in the inward man. He that hath loved you, will love you to the end; he that hath honoured you to be so useful to church and state, will not leave you in the latter stages of your road. A radiant crown awaits you. God, the righteous judge, will give it you in that day. O gloriam! quantum & qualem! O that I could leap my seventy years. But I forget I am writing to a sick friend. Pardon me, dear Sir, it being only a pepper-corn of acknowledgment for all kind offices done in the behalf of, reverend and very dear Sir,

Your most obliged, affectionate, sympathizing friend, and ready servant in Jesus Christ,

G. W.

LETTER MCLXXXIX.

To Lady H――.

London, December 15, 1757.

Ever-honoured Madam,

I WISH your Ladyship joy of being for once so long alone: and why? because I am persuaded your Ladyship is never less alone, than at such seasons. Then the Father is in a particular manner with his dear children: and though they seem in themselves to be like pelicans in the wilderness, yet he is near at hand to hear their cry, and to bottle up every tear: he that seeth in secret, will ere long reward your Ladyship openly. O how are your Ladyship’s children indebted to you, for your more than maternal tenderness! What a comfort is it, ever-honoured Madam, that Jesus Christ is to come, and to be our judge! O that he would come quickly! Why does he delay? I was near port, and am now put out to sea again. O that it may be to pilot in some more dear souls! The work seems but to be beginning. At Tottenham-Court the word runs and is glorified. By new-year’s day I hope the debt will be discharged. Several have proposed building some alms-houses for godly widows, on each side the chapel. I have a plan for twelve. The whole expence will be four hundred pounds: we have got a prospect of two. I purpose allowing each widow half-a-crown a week. The sacrament money will more than do. The ground is most commodious, and near the high road. If effected, I think it must bring glory to God, and be a standing monument that we are not against good works. I only mention it to your Ladyship. May that God, whom I desire to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, direct and bless us in this and every thing we undertake for his glory. But I fear I am detaining your Ladyship too long. O that I could offer any thing adequate to your Ladyship’s repeated kindnesses to such a worthless worm! My poor prayers and unfeigned sympathy, is all the testimony I can give of my being, ever-honoured Madam,

Your most dutiful, obliged, and very ready servant in our compassionate High-priest,

G. W.

LETTER MCXC.

To Lady G―― H――.

London, December 15, 1757.

Honoured Madam,

HAVING lately heard of your Ladyship’s being returned to Bath, I cannot help wishing your Ladyship joy of Sir Charles’s most agreeable marriage. May your Ladyship’s present joy be consummated, in seeing them and all your honourable relations sitting down together at the marriage-feast of the supper of the Lamb. I have had frequent prospects of this, since I saw your Ladyship. Often do I groan in this earthly tabernacle. I long to be cloathed with my house from heaven. O that the great God may vouchsafe to improve me, till he is pleased to call me to my wished-for rest. Hitherto he owns my feeble labours. The work in London seems to be but as it were beginning. We live in troublesome times; I trust the streets of the spiritual Jerusalem will be built in them. Happy they who have fled to Jesus Christ for refuge: they have a peace that the world cannot give. O that the pleasure-taking, trifling flatterer knew what it was! He would no longer feel such an empty void, such a dreadful chasm in the heart which nothing but the presence of God can fill. But I forget myself. I shall tire your Ladyship; besides I must drop a few lines to good Lady H――n; she is in the furnace. When she is tried, her God will bring her forth like gold. But I must detain your Ladyship no longer, than while I add my dutiful respects to your Ladyship’s daughters, and beg your Ladyship’s acceptance of the same from, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXCI.

To the Reverend Mr. T――.

London, January 12, 1758.

My very dear Friend,

YOUR kind letter puzzles me. As the case is so very peculiar, I think you cannot be too particular in writing down what you have been an eye and ear witness to. I think that the calling some ministers together for the ends proposed, is the best method that can be taken. Where two or three are gathered together, and are agreed touching the thing they shall ask, our Lord hath promised it shall be given to them. I shall be glad to hear of their success. Ah, my dear man, little do we think, when we first set out, what trials we shall meet with ere we arrive at our journey’s end. I find more and more, that I am a mere novice in the divine life, and have scarce begun to begin to learn my A B C in the school of Christ. But by the grace of God I am what I am. He hath helped out of six, and will also help out of seven troubles. I find you have heard of the Irish expedition. Lord, what am I, that I should be counted worthy to suffer shame for thy great name’s sake! A more effectual door than ever seems to be opening in this metropolis. A counsellor, lately ordained, turns out a Boanerges. Thousands and thousands flock to hear the everlasting gospel. The new chapel, where I now write, turns out quite well. The Lord Jesus hath made it a gate of heaven to many souls. This, with the signal deliverances lately vouchsafed the protestant arms, makes me hope that our extremity will yet be God’s opportunity to help and deliver us. Let us wrestle in prayer for each other. O that the Lord may abundantly bless both you and yours! Accept cordial love from me and mine. We are neither of us likely to put into harbour yet. The voyage seems to me very long. But I find we are immortal till our work is done. That we all may at last enter port with a full gale, is the hearty prayer of, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our compassionate High-priest,

G. W.

LETTER MCXCII.

To Mrs. S――.

London, January 17, 1758.

Dear Madam,

I WISH you joy of the happy breach made in, or rather happy addition made to your dear family. I thought I should never see it in the same circumstances any more. You may chearfully let Rebekah go. I trust she hath met with an Isaac. May they love one another as Christ and the church! The Lord now make you to laugh! I hope your latter end will greatly increase. I send the surviving ones my most cordial love; and praying that you may have more and more comfort in every one of them, I subscribe myself, dear Madam,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCXCIII.

To Mr. K――.

London, January 17, 1758.

My very dear Timothy,

YOU will deliver the enclosed. I am glad to write a few lines on such an occasion. God grant that the remaining dear single ones may be as well disposed of! I bless the Lord that you are enabled to preach at all. I often think of and sympathize with you. Lord, help me! What an impatient creature should I be, was I to be visited in that manner! But we know who hath promised, “that as our day is, so shall our strength be.” Mrs. Pearce is now out of the state of trial, and I am to bury one of the same name next Thursday. Both, I believe, are gone to heaven. Lord Jesus, when will my turn come? What can reconcile us to a longer stay on earth, but the prospect of seeing his kingdom advanced? It is very promising at London. Mr. M――n is a Boanerges. The chapel is made a Bethel. Blessed be God, all is paid. I hope to be with you in the Spring. Adieu. The Lord bless and comfort you! My wife is poorly, but joins in hearty love to your whole self, and all enquiring friends, with, my very dear man,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCXCV.

To Mrs. B―― B――, at Bath.

London, February 3, 1758.

Dear Madam,

I CANNOT help acquainting you and your honoured sister, and Mrs. G――, that the plan concerted some time ago is likely to be put in execution. The trenches for the wall, I believe are begun, and by the first of May, the houses are to be finished. If possible, I would furnish them, that the poor might be sure of goods, as well as a house. All things are possible with God. The thing hath scarce as yet taken wind. Such secret expeditions, I trust, God will favour. Both congregations and the divine influences increase. By thoughtfulness, frequent preaching, and a crazy tabernacle, my nightly rests are continually broken; but the joy of the Lord is my strength: and I hope ere long to be where I shall keep awake for ever. I most earnestly beg the continuance of your prayers, and you may be assured of being always remembered in the poor addresses of, dear good Ladies,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCXCVI.

To the Reverend Mr. Samuel S――, in Bath.

London, February 3, 1758.

Reverend and dear Sir,

YOUR kind letter drove me to my knees, and as I do not hear of your dear and honoured father’s release, I suppose he is yet detained a prisoner. I shall make public and private mention of him, until I know he is gone beyond the reach of prayer, and entered upon his eternal work of praise. I pity the poor ministers, who will sorely miss him, but shall rejoice in his entering into his Master’s joy. Once more I send the good old saint my most cordial salutations and thanks unfeigned. At the great day, before men and angels, I shall do it openly. Then likewise, my dear Sir, I hope to see you and yours joining in one universal uninterrupted hallelujah, and casting your crowns before the throne of the glorious Emmanuel. In whose great name, with most sincere condolence with Mrs. S―― and all your afflicted family, I once more beg leave to subscribe myself, reverend and dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCXCVII.

To Professor F――.

London, March 5, 1758.

Most reverend and dear Sir,

THOUGH I am almost ashamed to put pen to paper, yet the kind mention (as I hear from good Mr. Z――) you have been pleased to make from time to time of me, together with the importunities of that venerable man of God, have at length prevailed upon me to trouble you with this letter. O that an infinitely condescending Redeemer may excite you thereby, most honoured Sir, to be instant in prayer for one who is the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints. Long, long before now did I think of entering into my wish’d-for rest. Times without number hath this tabernacle groaned; but having obtained help from God, I yet continue, in my poor way, to preach to all that are willing to hear, the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. Through grace the fields are as yet white, and as ready to harvest as ever. In the Summer I range, and with a table for my pulpit, and the heavens for my sounding-board, I am enabled generally thrice a day, to call to many thousands to come to Jesus that they may have life. In the Winter I am confined to this metropolis; but to my great mortification, through continual vomiting, want of rest, and of appetite, I have been reduced for some time to the short allowance of preaching only once a day, except Sundays, when I generally preach thrice. Thousands attend every evening at both ends of the town, and on Lord’s-days many, many go away for want of room. The divine presence is apparently amongst us, and every week produces fresh instances of the power of converting grace. Blessed be God, we meet with no disturbances in town, and very seldom in the country: but last year, while I was preaching in the fields in Ireland, a popish mob was so incensed at my preaching the Lord our Righteousness, and praying for our good old King, and the King of Prussia, that they surrounded, stoned, and almost killed me. But we are immortal till our work is done, and glad should I have been to have died in such a cause. Mr. W――y hath societies in Ireland and elsewhere; and though we differ a little in some principles, yet brotherly love continues. I generally, when itinerating, preach among his people, as freely as among those who are called our own. In London several new flaming preachers are come forth; and in various parts of the kingdom we hear of divers others, who seem determined to know and preach nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Thousands and thousands are now praying daily for success to the Prussian and Hanoverian arms. Your fast-days were kept here with great solemnity, and will be so again, God willing, when I know the day. Our Joshua’s are in the field. Many a Moses is gone up into the mount to pray. Nil desperandum Christo duce, auspice Christo. The ark trembles, but underneath are the everlasting arms of an everlasting God. He that wrought such wonders for the Prussian monarch last year, can repeat them this. Lord, we believe, help our unbelief! The distresses of German protestants, we look upon as our own. We have also endeavoured to give thanks for the great mercy vouchsafed your Orphan-house, and the protestant cause. Lord Jesus, repeat the occasions, for thine infinite mercy’s sake! Pardon, pardon, most worthy Sir, the length of this, and impute it to the encouragement given by the venerable Mr. Z―― to, most honoured Sir,

Your dutiful son and servant,

G. W.

LETTER MCXCVIII.

To Mr. K――.

London, May 13, 1758.

My very dear Mr. K――,

I HOPE this will find you rejoicing in success given to dear Mr. A――’s labours. If he is with you, be pleased to desire him to prepare for coming to London immediately after Whitsuntide. He and dear Mr. D―― may be in town whilst I take my Welch and West-country range. I am unaccountably detained here; but I trust for good. The word seems to run and be glorified more and more. I am somewhat surprised that I hear nothing from Mr. P――, or my dear Mr. S――d: but all is well. My hearty love to him and all his dear relations. Can you fix no time for coming up? I do not hear of the cyder being arrived. When shall we be called to drink the new wine of the kingdom? Lord, give me patience to wait! I am quite puzzled. Mr. P―― W――, without sending me a line, is come to Bristol, and proposes staying there some time. The consequence of his coming, is division and uneasiness already. I care not to go and fish in troubled waters: neither can I advise you so to do: and yet I believe your going would be a very great blessing. I expect a line from Mr. D―― every hour, who, I suppose, is upon the road to London. If not set out, defer it for a few days, and you shall hear, God willing, more particularly from, my very dear man, in great haste, but greater love,

Yours, &c. &c. in our sympathizing Jesus,

G. W.

LETTER MCXCIX.

To Mr. ――.

Gloucester, May 22, 1758.

My very dear Sir,

I HOPE you got to London in great safety. Through divine goodness I arrived at Gloucester on Saturday afternoon, and preached thrice and gave the holy sacrament on Sunday. Thousands attended, and our Lord gave us a blessed opening of the Summer campaign. I am now writing in the room where I was born. Blessed be God, I know there is a place where I was born again. That is my native city indeed. After finishing this, I shall set out for Bristol, where I propose staying over Sunday: then for Wales. My very dear Sir, add to my obligations, by following me with your prayers. This tabernacle makes me to groan. The one-horse chaise will not do for me. As it will not quarter I am shaken to pieces. Driving likewise wearies me, and prevents my reading; and if the road be bad, my servant that rides the fore-horse is dirtied exceedingly. I have therefore sent to Mr. S――’s about the post-chaise, and desired him to beg the favour of you, my dear Sir, to look at it, and let me know your thoughts. This is giving fresh trouble: but you are my friend. May the friend of all richly reward you for all labours of love. He will, he will.—You shall have a hundred-fold in this life, and in the world to come, life everlasting. Being about to set off, I can only add my due and most cordial respects to all your dear relations and enquiring friends, and to beg the continuance of all your prayers, in behalf of, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCC.

To Mr. B――.

Bristol, May 24, 1758.

My dear Mr. B――,

DO not take my seeming long silence ill. Indeed it was unavoidable. Ever since the receipt of your kind letter, I have been so exceedingly and yet I trust profitably busied at London, that till I left it last week, I had not one moment to spare. However, your affair was not quite neglected. I communicated it to the physician of the Foundling-Hospital, who is my constant hearer, and he wrote me the enclosed letter, and sent me also the enclosed paper. I heartily wish your design may take effect at Edinburgh. Glad should I be to do any thing in my power to promote it, but I have little expectation of seeing Scotland this year. The English work is so extensive, and the blessed prospect of abundant success at London, hath kept me so long there, that I shall be much straitned in time;—but if friends pray, who knows what may be done. Lord Jesus, direct my goings in thy way! On Sunday we opened the summer campaign in Gloucestershire. Yesterday I came hither. In both places the fields are white ready unto harvest. Fresh labourers are raised up in Bedfordshire. A flamer (a learned clergyman) is broke forth, and almost a whole parish, (I think in Buckinghamshire) is lately brought to enquire after Jesus. I know you will say, may it spread far and near! I must conclude. Excuse my not writing to all my dear, never to be forgotten friends, and beg them to continue to pray for, dear Mr. B――,

Theirs and yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCCI.

To Mr. R―― K――n.

Bristol, May 26, 1758.

My very dear Mr. K――n,

REPEATED acts of kindness and love, call for repeated acknowledgments.—Accept therefore hearty thanks for your last Salt-Hill favour, and assure yourself, that neither this nor any former labour of love, will be forgotten by Him, who takes notice of a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple. Through his divine goodness I got safe into Gloucestershire, where I opened the summer campaign last Sunday. Ever since Tuesday evening, I have been preaching here twice daily. Multitudes fly like doves to the windows. Abiding impressions seem to be made.—This is the Lord’s doing: to Him be all the glory! On next Monday, God willing, I set out for Wales. I know you will follow me with your prayers. I am sure mine always attend you and yours: I love such old steady friends. It is Christ-like, not to be given to change.—Blessed be God for an unchangeable Jesus!

I must away to my throne.—Adieu! The Lord be with you and yours! My hearty love to Mr. J――, and all who are so kind as to enquire after, my very dear Mr. K――n,

Yours, &c. in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCCII.

Bristol, May 28, 1758. Nine in the morning.

My very dear Sir,

I AM quite ashamed, that I should give you so much trouble:—but you are my friend indeed. May the never-failing friend of sinners bless and reward you a thousand fold! I have been just now preaching the unsearchable riches of his grace, to a multitude of souls, in a fine square.—Presently, at eleven o’clock, the blessed talk is to be repeated at Kingswood, and then once more in the evening here. Yesterday I went to Bath. But every thing wearies this shattered bark. To-morrow, God willing, I go for Wales. The chaise must be my carriage. I would part with that, and my other, and then if I could have a good four wheel carriage for thirty or forty pounds, the expence would not be so great. I would not lay out a single farthing but for my blessed Master. Mr. S―― is an honest friendly soul.—I leave it entirely, my very dear Sir, to you and him. The Lord give you to ride daily on in the chariot of his love. I return cordial thanks to your mother and sisters for their concern for unworthy me.—Mrs. G―― and B―― long to see them. I had a good season of christian conversation at Bath, and found Sir C―― H――m really converted unto God.—I doubt not but dear Mr. D――s will enjoy much of his blessed presence.—Be pleased to present my hearty love to him, and all, and accept the same for yourself and family, from, my very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCCIII.

To Countess D――.

Bristol, June 16, 1758.

Honoured Madam,

FOR this fortnight past, I expected never to have wrote to, or seen your Ladyship, till I saw you sitting at Christ’s right hand. Never was I brought so low as on my late Welch circuit. But as far as I can hear, it was one of the most prosperous I ever took. Twice every day, thousands and thousands attended in various towns in South-Wales, and on the Sundays the numbers were incredible. Surely they fled like doves to the windows. Welcome, thrice welcome death in such a cause! Here, and in Gloucestershire, like scenes were opened. Blessed expeditions these. I hope expeditions of another nature will not be the worse for the prayers put up on such occasions. They must and will enter the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Blessed be God, that Sir Charles is so honestly and openly embarked in Christ’s cause. My poor prayers are for him and his, night and day. I hope to see good Lady G―― in my way to London. In the mean while, praying that your Ladyship may more and more be blessed in the latter stages of your road, and at last be admitted with triumph into your Master’s joy, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCCIV.

To Lady Fanny S――.

Bristol, June 16, 1758.

Honoured Madam,

I SHALL not for a good while forget my Twickenham journey. It was a day much to be remembered by unworthy me. Lord, why am I thus highly favoured? And yet (O unwearied goodness!) he continues to bless me, vile as I am, more and more. O what delightful field gospel-scenes have been displayed in Gloucestershire, Bristol and Wales! There I have been feebly labouring for above a fortnight.—Thousands and thousands attended twice every day in various places, and on Sundays the numbers were almost incredible. A blessed influence ran through the whole circuit, and sundry times, I humbly hoped my longing soul would have taken its wished-for flight; but I am preserved to return hither, as last night, and perhaps next week shall see London. The Lord Jesus direct my goings in his ways! Your Ladyship will remember a poor worthless, but I trust willing pilgrim. You are called to enjoy your Bethel at home; I meet with them abroad. The same God is rich unto all that call on him faithfully. I hope your Ladyship hath seen dear Mr. J―― grown in grace. It will be pleasant to see Sir Charles and the Earl striving who shall go fastest to heaven. Your Ladyship will scorn to be outstript by any. The almighty God approves the ambition, and angels look down with pleasure to see the event. Blessed be God, that is certain. All believers here do run, and all hereafter shall obtain the prize. That your Ladyship may lay hold of it with exulting joy, is the earnest prayer of, honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCCV.

To Captain H――y.

Bristol, June 16, 1758.

My very dear Sir,

THE Welch roads have almost demolished my open one-horse chaise, as well as me. But it is in Jesus’s cause. Grace! grace! I am almost ashamed to think of your being put to so much trouble, in procuring a close chaise for unworthy me. I like the purchase exceeding well, and send a pepper-corn of acknowledgment for this and all other unmerited favours. The God whom I desire to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, knows and will reward all. Though I thought I heard the sound of my blessed Master’s chariot wheels ready to carry me to heaven, yet it should seem I am once more to see you, and your dear relations, and my other christian friends on earth. Some time next week I hope to be there. The legacy is wonderful; much better left for the poor than me. I can give it away with a good grace: at present I think the Orphan-house shall have the whole; it is much wanted there. See, my dear Sir, how the christian’s blessings must be brought out of the fire. It is inconceivable what I have undergone within these three weeks. I never was so before. I trust some lasting blessings have been left behind in Wales. Welcome shocks, both of body and mind. In such a case it is worth dying for. Dear Mr. D―― hath felt them in London, as I have done in Wales.—All for the Elect’s sake. Welcome, thrice welcome the bitter sweets, which the all-wise and compassionate Physician prescribes; but I am a stubborn patient. O what gripings of the old man are discovered by such dispensations! I must away to preach. I thank you heartily, dear Sir, for the continuance of your prayers, and with most cordial respects to your dear and near relations, I beg leave to subscribe myself,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCCVI.

To Lady H――n.

Bristol, June 17, 1758.

Ever-honoured Madam,

THIS leaves me returned from Wales. It proved a most delightful trying circuit. I suppose your Ladyship hath heard how low I have been in body, scarce ever lower; not able to sit up in company all the time, yet strengthened to travel without bodily food, and to preach to thousands everyday. Never were the fields whiter, and more ready to harvest. The Lord Jesus seemed to ride in triumph through the great congregation in Haverford-west. Perhaps the auditory consisted of near fifteen thousand. Tears flowed like water from the stony rock. The cup of God’s people quite runs over. Many were sick of love. Welcome then bodily pain, and bodily sickness! O for a hearse to carry my weary carcase to the wished-for grave! “There the wicked cease from troubling, there the weary are at rest.” But perhaps I must see London first. With regret I turn my back on this blessed itinerating weather, but Mr. Dav―― must be released. O for some disinterested soul to help at the chapel during the summer season! Spiritual, divine ambition, whither art thou fled! But I see such honours are reserved for few. I rejoice in the increase of your Ladyship’s spiritual routs. I can guess at the consolations such uncommon scenes must afford to your Ladyship’s new-born soul. No wonder you are distressed from other quarters. Indeed, my most noble and ever-honoured patroness, thus it must be. Christ’s witnesses must be purged at home. Inward domestic trials, fit for outward public work. Nature recoils, when constrained to take the cup; and it may be from a near and dear relation’s hand: but infinite Wisdom knows what is best. O that I could be more passive! O that I could let the good and all-wise Physician chuse my medicines, and the hands that shall convey them to me! but I am a stubborn reasoning creature, and thereby force almighty love frequently to drench me. O, I am sick! I am sick! sick in body, but infinitely more so in my mind,—to see what dross yet remains in, and surrounds my soul. Blessed be God, there is one, who will sit as a refiner’s fire, and purify the sons of Levi. O for an heart to bear its scorching, soul purging heat! When I am tried, I shall come forth as gold. I write this to your Ladyship out of the burning bush. Blessed place! Christ is there! Christ is there! To his never-failing mercy do I most humbly commend your Ladyship, and with ten thousand thousand thanks for honouring such an unfruitful unworthy worm with your unmerited patronage, I beg leave to subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,

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

G. W.

LETTER MCCVII.

To Mr. S――.

Newcastle, July 31, 1758.

My very dear Sir,

THUS far, a never-failing Redeemer hath brought on the most worthless and weak pilgrim, that was ever employed in publishing his everlasting gospel. All the last week was taken up in preaching at Everton, Saint Neots, Kayso, Bedford, Oulney, Weston, Underwood, Ravenstone and Northampton. Four clergymen lent me their churches, and three read prayers for me in one day. I preached also in Mr. Bunyan’s pulpit, and at Northampton I took the field. Good seasons at all the places. Mr. B――e, who was lately awakened at Everton, promises to be a burning and shining light. Yesterday we had good times here, and to-morrow, God willing, I shall set off for Edinburgh. My bodily strength increases but very little. Sometimes I am almost tempted to turn back, but through divine strength I hope to go forward, and shall strive, as much as in me lies, to die in this glorious work. God will bless you and yours, my very dear Sir, for strengthening my feeble hands in it, so often as you have done. Jesus knows, and will reward all labours of love and works of faith. They are more precious than rubies. God willing, you shall hear from me again, when I see how the Lord deals with me in Scotland. In the mean while, be pleased to add to my obligations by the continuance of your prayers, and accepting of thanks unfeigned, and cordial love to your whole self, and dear daughter, from, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCCVIII.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

Edinburgh, August 10, 1758.

My very dear Friend,

I THANK you most heartily for your kind letter of invitation to G――. But alas! what shall I say?—I fear it cannot be complied with. For above these three months last past, I have been so weak in my animal frame, that I can scarcely drag the crazy load along. With great difficulty I came here, and if I should stay to come westward, it would make my journey to London too far in the year, as I have many places to call upon in the way. Blessed be God, the work prospers in London more than ever. I am strengthened to preach here twice a day; but alas, I grow weaker and weaker in preaching, and in all I do for the ever-loving and altogether lovely Jesus. I suppose you have heard of the death of Mr. Jonathan Edwards.—Happy he!—You will add to my obligations, by continuing to pray, that the divine strength may be magnified in my weakness, and that I may speedily (if it be the divine will) be sent for to my wished-for heaven!—Praying that we may have a happy meeting there, with ten thousand thanks for all past unmerited kindnesses, I subscribe myself, very dear friends,

Yours, &c. in our common glorious Head,

G. W.

P. S. My tender love awaits all enquiring friends.

LETTER MCCIX.

To Mr. ――.

Edinburgh, August 15, 1758.

My very dear Sir,

NOT till last Saturday, did your first long wished-for letter come to hand. I wonder that I―― C―― did not dispatch it immediately. As I knew not what its contents would be, I did not write to Staffordshire; for I was and am determined to fix upon nothing without advising with you. And indeed, I think the whole must be put off till we can have a free conference. In the mean while, I shall write to our young friend, and pray that the friend of all would direct in this important affair. He will, he will. It is not with Mr. S―― as you imagine. He is quite free. But more of this when we meet.—When we meet! strange words for a dying man!—But it seems I am growing better. Within these four days I have felt a great alteration.—Perhaps it may continue. God’s will be done. Surely, never was there so weak a creature ever employed in such a work for God,—and yet people flock rather more than ever. Doctor W―― and Mr. R―― often wish you here. We have two lovely scenes every day. I hope the Redeemer will come with dear Mr. D――. I bless him for returning you, my dear Sir, in safety. My most cordial respects attend your dear relations, and beg the continuance of your prayers, for, my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER MCCX.

To the Reverend Mr. T――.

Edinburgh, August 17, 1758.

My very dear Friend,

IT is a little hard, that we should be so near, and not have a personal interview. But our Lord orders all things well. Most of my christian meetings must be adjourned to heaven. Thither I have been in hopes of going for many weeks last past: but it will not do. This preaching is a strange restorative. I wish you may take it every day. If things are not right at home, it is well if we can take or catch fire abroad. Would strength permit, I could tell you much good news from London. But time is short, and this my body weighs me down. I have thoughts of leaving Edinburgh on Tuesday next, in order to return to England. Friends object much against it. May the friend of all, guide and influence. I find no diminution in the auditories, and I trust good is done. To the giver of every good gift be all the glory! I commend you and yours to his never-failing mercy, and beg the continuance of your prayers in behalf of, my very dear friend,

Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,

G. W.

LETTER MCCXI.

To Mr. S――.

Edinburgh, August 19, 1758.

My very dear Sir,

I CAME here a fortnight ago, very low indeed; but by preaching about thirty times, blessed be God, I am a good deal better. Multitudes, of all ranks, flock twice every day. A divine influence attends the word, and though sown in so much weakness, I trust it will meet with a divine increase. On Tuesday next, I thought to have moved; but as it is race week, and my health is improving, friends advise me to stay, to stir them up to run with patience the race which is set before us. O that my sluggish soul may be quickened, and I may begin to press forwards, for the prize of my high calling! I doubt not but this will find my dear friend upon the wing for heaven. That you and yours may mount higher and higher like an eagle, till you fly into the bosom of a waiting God, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear Sir,

Yours, &c. in our glorious Head,

G. W.

LETTER MCCXII.

To the Reverend Mr. G――.

Edinburgh, August 24, 1758.

Reverend and very dear Sir,

AFTER long meditation and earnest prayer, I cannot come to any determination about my journey to Glasgow. For these four months last past, I have been brought so exceeding low in my body, that I was in hopes every sermon I preached would waft me to my wish’d-for home. Scotland, I hoped, would finish my warfare; but it hath rather driven me back to sea again. By force I have been detained here this race week; but if I come to Glasgow, I shall be detained in Scotland a fortnight longer, which will greatly hinder me in my English work. However, I will continue to look up; and by Saturday’s post my dear Gaius may expect a positive answer. Lord Jesus, direct my goings in thy way! I am much obliged to you and other dear Glasgow friends for taking notice of such a worthless creature. All I can say is, that I am less than the least of all, but for Christ’s sake, reverend and very dear Sir,

Theirs and yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,

G. W.