TO shew you how willing I am to comply with your request, and make dear Mr. C—— one of my close correspondents, I sit down this evening to write an answer to your kind letter. What has been doing lately, the transcript on the other side will shew you. Since the writing of that, the blessed Jesus hath been wondrous kind. Yesterday I preached three times, and visited a private society in the evening. To-day I was enabled to preach three times, with great power. Here is such an awakening in this country, as I never heard of, or saw in these parts before: “The fields are white already unto harvest.” It is pleasant to hear the people come and tell how God wrought upon them by my unworthy ministry two years ago. The fruits of the Spirit are now apparent in their lives and conversations. Letters from Scotland bring blessed tidings, as also from Philadelphia. O the blessed effects of field-preaching! O that I was humble, that I was thankful! Help me, my dear friend, to entreat the Redeemer to make me as a little, a very little child. The beginning of next week I hope to be at Bath; but cannot tell exactly the day. I thank my friends for their kind intention to meet me, but I had rather avoid it: the less parade the better. Let us stand still, and we shall see the salvation of God. He will not bless what doth not come from himself. May the Lord make me an Israelite indeed, in whom is no allowed guile! I am glad dear Mr. T—— is coming. My hearty love to him. O that our meeting may be blessed, and all three of us be made a flame of fire! Dear Mr. C——, I love you unfeignedly. I wish, above all things, your soul may prosper. Good night. My soul is filled with Jesus’s love. I am going to pray for you and yours, being, dear Mr. C——, without dissimulation,
Yours most affectionately in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCXCVII.
To the Right Honourable the ——.
Thales, near Reading, Feb. 23, 1742.
AND does the dear —— know assuredly that Jesus hath died for him? Sing, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! I would join with angels and archangels in singing “Glory to God on high.” Welcome, my ——, into the world of new creatures. You are infinitely more happy than those who have lately been preferred, and kissed his Majesty’s hand. Jesus hath holden out his golden scepter, and given you a patent for eternal life. Methinks I hear your —— now saying, “I account the reproach of Christ, of more value than all the riches of Egypt.”
Be gone, vain world, my heart resign,
For I can be no longer thine;