My very dear Friend and Brother,
WITH very great difficulty I get time to write this. The Lord is doing great things in Scotland. I preach twice daily to many thousands with great power. I have collected here very near two-hundred pounds, and have a prospect of collecting much more. Mr. N—— has drawn upon me for three hundred pounds sterling. I have paid two of it. Some hundreds remain yet unpaid. God gives me to put my trust in him. I have bought five hundred yards of cloth for the dear orphans winter’s wear, and shall send you the other things you mentioned. I rejoice to hear that the Lord is with you. I do not wonder at the contempt you meet with, or the calumnies which are spread abroad. Remember the burning bush. O my friend, my dear friend, how shall I thank you for your prayers, care, and love? I am willing to wash all your feet. Perhaps in the Spring, I may embark; but cannot yet determine. I have written to you many letters, and I always remember you in my prayers. I am glad to hear that you can go to market without money. The Lord increase your faith. My dear brother, I love you in the bowels of Jesus Christ. I will do what I can for Mr. B——. I thank dear Mr. J——, from my heart, for his great kindness. I wrote to him and to Mr. B——, and near thirty more, a month ago. Expect also some money shortly. I had rather bear any burden, than have my dear family burdened. I thank Mr. W—— for his care. His brethren here are well. I have not time to tell you, how I love and esteem you for the care you take of the dear lambs. I long to weep over you all. Excuse me for not writing particularly. The Lord be with you all. As soon as I can possibly redeem time, you shall hear again, my dear Mr. H——, from
Ever yours in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCL.
To the Rev. Mr. R—— E——.
Edinburgh, Aug. 24, 1741.
Reverend and dear Sir,
I Thank you for your kind letter. I believe it proceeded from love; but, as yet, I cannot think the solemn league and covenant is any way obligatory upon me. Indeed, dear Sir, you mistake if you think I temporize on account of the orphans. Be it far from me. I abhor the very thought of it. I proceed now, just as I have done ever since I came out in the ministry; and so far from not setting a hedge about our Lord’s garden, that was I called to it, I should set a much closer hedge than that which the associate presbytery are planting. I should enquire into people’s experiences, before I admitted them to the Lord’s table. I would have church members meet in church fellowship, and tell one another what God has done for their souls. You seem to think I am not open to light. That I may give you satisfaction, I am willing to confer with Mr. W—— at Perth, where I am to be by divine permission on Thursday, September 3. On Tuesday next, about four in the afternoon, I purpose preaching at Dumfermling.—I am engaged to sup at your collegue’s house, but intend to lie at yours. In the mean time be pleased to pray for me, and to remember my love to all your family; and believe me, reverend Sir, to be