Dear Gentlemen,
WITH unspeakable pleasure have I heard, that there seems to be a general concern among you about the things of God. It was no small grief to me, that I was obliged to say of your college, that “your light was become darkness;” yet are ye now become light in the Lord. I heartily thank God, even the Father of our glorious Redeemer, for sending dear Mr. T—— among you. What great things may we not now expect to see in New-England, since it has pleased God to work so remarkably among the sons of the prophets? Now we may expect a reformation indeed, since it is beginning at the house of God. A dead ministry will always make a dead people. Whereas, if ministers are warmed with the love of God themselves, they cannot but be instruments of diffusing that love among others. This, this is the best preparation for the work whereunto you are to be called. Learning without piety, will only make you more capable of promoting the kingdom of satan. Henceforward, therefore, I hope you will enter into your studies not to get a parish, nor to be polite preachers, but to be great saints. This, indeed, is the most compendious way to true learning: for an understanding enlightened by the spirit of God, is more susceptible of divine truths, and I am certain will prove most useful to mankind. The more holy you are, the more will God delight to honour you. He loves to make use of instruments, which are like himself. I hope the good old divinity will now be precious to your souls, and you will think it an honour to tread in the steps of your pious forefathers. They were acquainted with their own hearts.—They knew what it was to be tempted themselves, and therefore from their own experience knew how to succour others. O may you follow them, as they followed Christ. Then great, very great will be your reward in heaven. I am sure you can never serve a better Master than Jesus Christ, or be engaged in a higher employ than in calling home souls to him. I trust, dear gentlemen, you will not be offended at me for sending you these few lines. I write out of the fulness of my heart. I make mention of you always in my prayers. Forget me not in yours. I am a poor weak worm. I am the chief of sinners, and yet, O stupendous love! the Lord’s work still prospers in my unworthy hands.—Fail not to give thanks, as well as to pray for
Your affectionate brother and servant, in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXXVI.
To Mr. D——, at Boston.
On board the Mary and Ann, July 25, 1741.
Dear Sir,
YOUR’s as well as other letters, which I received from Boston, gave me no small satisfaction. Now, now I live, if poor sinners are flocking for life to the dear Lord Jesus. How may we suppose the angels to be rejoicing over Boston, and other places in New-England! How glad are they to see the lectures frequented as in times of old, and the spirit of your good forefathers reviving among you! Sure it must be delightful to see black and white, young men and maidens, old men and children, praising the name of the Lord. Blessed be God, who in this great awakening hath not passed by your house. Fear not, dear Sir: Who knows but the blessed Jesus may yet visit you with the light of his blessed countenance? I rejoice to hear he has been gracious to your wife and daughter. I pray God, you may be all built up in our most holy faith, and go on from strength to strength, till you come to appear before the Lord Christ in glory. I thank God, who hath heard prayer on my behalf. I am strengthened daily both in body and soul, and have reason to think my ministry is blessed more and more. Let God’s goodness to me, encourage you to expect great things from our Lord. He is able and willing to do for us more abundantly than we can ask or think. That you and your dear family may daily drink of his divine pleasures, as out of a river, is the earnest prayer of, dear Sir,