HOW do I long to come over to see you, and the rest of my dear family? How do I long to hear how it is with your dear souls, and that you are returned to Bethesda in safety! The cloud seems now to be moving toward America. I trust I shall be with you in a few months. Wonderful great things did the Lord perform for me and his people in Scotland. The concern expressed at my departure, was really unspeakable. O my dear, my very dear brother, the love of God to such an unworthy wretch quite amazes me. I rode post, and came here in rather less than five days from Edinburgh on Saturday last, and here seems to be a new awakening. We have been obliged to enlarge the tabernacle. The Lord’s glory does indeed appear in it. Dear brother H—— has been sent with a sweet searching commission. Brother C—— is much blest in Wiltshire. The word runs and is glorified in Wales, and God is raising some fresh witnesses of the power of his dear Son’s blood in Gloucestershire. Blessed are the eyes that see the things that we see. God doth greatly countenance us indeed. O free grace! O electing love! The collections in Scotland were large. At Edinburgh, I collected 128l. at one time, and 44l. at another; at Glasgow about 128l. with private donations. I think we got about 300l. in all. Blessed be God, I owe nothing now in England on the Orphan-house account; what is due is abroad. I think since I have been in England, we have got near 1500l. The Lord will raise up what we want further; glory be to his name. He keeps my faith from failing, and upholds me with his right hand, and makes me happier in himself every day. My wife lies now very weak. She was tossed for ten days in her voyage from Scotland: The ship was in imminent danger, but the Lord gave her much of his presence, and I trust she will be ready shortly for another voyage. She heartily and most lovingly greets you all, as does in haste,
Ever, ever yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXVIII.
To Lady Frances G——.
London, Nov. 13, 1742.
Honoured Madam,
MINDFUL of my promise, which I made before I left Edinburgh, I now steal a few moments to send your Ladyship a letter of thanks, and which I trust will find you sitting under the Redeemer’s shadow with great delight. It rejoiced me when I heard that our infinitely condescending God had blessed my unworthy ministry, to recover your Ladyship from a state of darkness and spiritual desertion. Glory, glory be to rich, free and sovereign grace! I trust your Ladyship will now be kept in the love of God, and no idol interpose between the Redeemer and your soul. I hope the dear Colonel is now in his proper place, and that you can think of him without anxiety or distracting care. This is that freedom, wherewith Jesus Christ makes us free. To love all things in him, and for him, and to love him above all. Thus we have peace and joy. Whenever we deviate from it, we fall into darkness and distress of soul. I pray God your Ladyship may be thus kept, and enabled to rejoice in God all the day long. For ever adored be free grace. I have enjoyed much freedom of soul since I left Edinburgh. Very good was my master to us on the road, and still better to me now I am in London. We have blessed seasons. O who can express the loving-kindness of the Lord, or show forth all his praise! We beg your prayers; and wishing you and your honoured Colonel all manner of prosperity, I beg leave to subscribe myself, with unfeigned thanks for all past favours, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant,