On board the Mary and Ann, May 27, 1742.
My dear Brother,
I Have not till now had time to answer your kind letter. I rejoice abundantly in the use our dear Lord is beginning to make of you. May he use and bless you ever more and more. Our Lord loves to encourage faith. They that trust in him, shall find now as well as formerly, that “it shall be given them in that hour what they shall speak.” This I find true by happy experience, and am persuaded shall prove the truth of it more and more. Since my last, the captain of our salvation has carried me on to fresh conquest, and caused his people to rejoice exceedingly in his great salvation. Our society is in great order. If the Lord gives us a true catholic spirit, free from a party sectarian zeal, we shall do well. I am sorry to hear that there is so much narrowness among some of the brethren in Wales. Brother H—— complains sadly of it. I hope dear Mr. O—— will be kept free, and not fall into disputing about Baptism or other non-essentials; for I am persuaded, unless we all are content to preach Christ, and to keep off from disputable things, wherein we differ, God will not bless us long. If we act otherwise, however we may talk of a catholic spirit, we shall only be bringing people over to our own party, and there fetter them. I pray the Lord to keep dear Mr. O—— and me from such a spirit. Dear Sir, may the Lord be with you! Remember us poor but willing pilgrims, especially him who is less than the least of all, but
Your affectionate brother and servant in Christ,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCXVII.
To the Rev. Mr. J—— S——, at Stockport.
On board the Mary and Ann, May 29, 1742.
Rev. and dear Sir,