Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCLXIX.
To Mrs. J—— F——, in Charles-Town.
On board the Minerva, Feb. 25, 1741.
My very dear Friend,
I Know you will rejoice at the receipt of this: You have abundant reason; the Lord hath been wonderous kind. We are now flying on the wings of the wind, and if it continues, we hope to be at Cowes the beginning of next week. Your kind presents were of great service to my crazy body. The woman passenger has been serviceable in making us bread; and in short, God has wonderfully ordered all things for our great conveniency and comfort. O that my dear friends at Charles-Town, may hereby be excited to thankfulness on our behalf. I have frequently prayed for you both with my friends, and when in secret before the Lord. Indeed you are seldom out of mind. Dear Mrs. F——, I believe God sent you to invite me to your house, and I believe the Lord will plentifully reward both of you, for all your works of faith and labours of love. I think henceforward I must call you Mary, and your husband, I hope, will be truly stiled James the servant of the Lord. I trust you will both serve the Lord Christ, and give yourselves up to the guidance of his blessed word and providences day by day. It is a glorious privilege to be led by the spirit of God. I think I have felt, and do feel, at this time, his sacred influences upon my soul. My body is but weak, though better by much than when I left Charles-Town; however, my soul hath confidence in God. The archers will shoot sorely at me that I may fall; but God will cause my bow to abide in strength, and my arms shall be strengthened by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob. I need not ask for a continuance of your prayers, nor you for mine. I hope we shall be always present with each other in spirit, at the throne of grace. My dear friend, adieu: All with me salute you. Write often to
Your unworthy guest, but truly affectionate servant, friend, and brother in the Lord,
G. W.