To Mrs. Ann D——, at great Gransden.
Aberdeen, October 9, 1741.
My dear Sister,
THIS evening your letter came to hand. Though it is past eleven at night, and I have rode many miles this day, yet I cannot go to-bed without sending you a line. I fear, by your manner of writing, you are offended with me for my last letter. I knew very well, it would be a trial to you; but I wrote out of pure love, and am glad it is now in your power to clear your husband, which I much desired to do. I have too many aspersions of the same nature cast upon me, not to sympathize with you both. But Jesus is our advocate, and ere long we shall see all the accusers of the brethren cast down. In spite of all, Jesus has been, and is getting himself the victory in many sinners hearts. I am yet carried on day by day, strengthened in body, and much refreshed and comforted in soul. Your letter gives me a little present pain, lest my last should have pained you. But God permits these things to happen among ourselves, to teach us to look off from all creatures, and to centre all our happiness in himself. Glory be to God for his almighty love! At my first coming here, things looked a little gloomy; for the magistrates had been so prejudiced by one Mr. B——, that when applied to, they refused me the use of the kirk-yard to preach in. This Mr. B—— is collegue with one Mr. O——, at whose repeated invitation I came hither. Though collegues of the same congregation, they are very different in their natural tempers. The one is what they call in Scotland, of a sweet blooded, the other, of a choleric disposition. Mr. B—— is neither a Seceder, nor quite a Kirk-man, having great fault to find with both. Soon after my arrival, dear Mr. O—— took me to pay my respects to him; he was prepared for it, and immediately pulled out a paper, containing a great number of insignificant queries, which I had neither time near inclination to answer. The next morning, it being Mr. O——’s turn, I lectured and preached; the magistrates were present. The congregation very large, and light and life fled all around. In the afternoon Mr. B—— officiated; I attended. He began his prayers as usual; but in the midst of them naming me by name, he intreated the Lord to forgive the dishonour that had been put upon him, by my being suffered to preach in that pulpit; and that all might know what reason he had to put up such a petition, about the middle of his sermon, he not only urged that “I was a curate of the church of England,” but also quoted a passage or two out of my first printed sermons, which he said were grossly Arminian. Most of the congregation seemed surprized and chagrined, especially his good-natured collegue Mr. O——, who immediately after sermon, without consulting me in the least, stood up and gave notice, that Mr. Whitefield would preach in about half an hour. The interval being so short, the magistrates returned into the session’s-house, and the congregation patiently waited, big with expectation of hearing my resentment. At the time appointed, I went up, and took no other notice of the good man’s ill-timed zeal, than to observe in some part of my discourse, that if the good old gentleman had seen some of my later writings, wherein I had corrected several of my former mistakes, he would not have expressed himself in such strong terms. The people being thus diverted from controversy with man, were deeply impressed with what they heard from the word of God. All was hushed! and more than solemn! and on the morrow the magistrates sent for me, expressed themselves quite concerned at the treatment I had met with, and begg’d I would accept of the freedom of the city. But of this enough. The Lord, my dear sister, my support; let us both continually fly to him, and then let men or devils do their worst. Christ will by and by take away our reproach. Into his hands I commend your spirit. Good night; the Lord be with you and yours! I hope to set out for England soon. Pray write when you hear of my arrival there, and so convince me, that you are not angry with
Your affectionate tho’ unworthy brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCLXII.
To Mr. W——, at Edinburgh.
Aberdeen, October 10, 1741.