My Dear Friend,
GLORY! glory! glory! be ascribed to an almighty triune God.—Last Sunday in the afternoon, I preached my first sermon in the church of St. Mary De Crypt, where I was baptized, and also first received the sacrament of the Lord’s supper. Curiosity, as you may easily guess, drew a large congregation together upon the occasion. The sight at first a little awed me; but I was comforted with a heart-felt sense of the divine presence, and soon found the unspeakable advantage of having been accustomed to public speaking when a boy at school, and of exhorting and teaching the prisoners and poor people at their private houses, whilst at the university. By these means I was kept from being daunted over much. As I proceeded, I perceived the fire kindled, till at last, though so young, and amidst a croud of those, who knew me in my infant childish days, I trust, I was enabled to speak with some degree of gospel authority. Some few mocked, but most for the present seemed struck; and I have since heard, that a complaint had been made to the bishop, that I drove fifteen mad the first sermon. The worthy prelate, as I am informed, wished that the madness might not be forgotten before next Sunday. Before then, I hope, my sermon upon He that is in Christ, is a new creature, will be compleated. Blessed be God, I now find freedom in writing. Glorious Jesus,
Unloose my stamm’ring tongue to tell
Thy love immense, unsearchable.
Being thus engaged, I must hasten to subscribe myself, my dear Sir,
Your’s, &c.
G. W.
LETTER XVII.
To Mrs. H.