Dear young Ladies,
THIS week I wrote a few lines to your honoured mamma. I now snatch a few moments to send a line to you. And why? Because I love you both in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and wish above all things, that your dear souls may prosper. I saw a happy alteration in you for the better, whilst I was at Edinburgh, and my constant prayer is, that you might still go on from strength to strength. Here seems to be a new awakening. We had a glorious fast-day indeed. I trust you had the same at Edinburgh. I am sure we prayed heartily, it might be so. O Edinburgh! Edinburgh! I think I shall never forget thee. Surely many can say, “Our fellowship has been with the Father and with the Son.” And now though absent, we may have fellowship together in and through the eternal Spirit. Thus it is with me, and thus it is, I believe, with my dear wife. She most heartily joins with me in saluting your most honoured mamma, as well as yourselves. Wishing that your lamps may be always trimmed, and your loins always girded, and that you may be continually in readiness to meet the heavenly bridegroom; I subscribe myself, dear young ladies,
Your most affectionate friend and servant in Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER CCCCLXXII.
To ——.
London, Nov. 15, 1742.
My Lord,
IT has given me some concern, that I could not write to your Lordship before I left E——. My departure from thence was very sudden, and it was but a few days before that I heard of your Lordship’s illness. However, I have not been unmindful of your Lordship, and I trust, in answer to prayer, our Lord has rebuked your fever, and that this will find you risen and ministring unto him. O, my Lord, I think I can say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted;” for had it not been so, I should have gone astray. How apt are we when in health, to follow Jesus afar off, and sink into tepidity and a laodicean spirit? May this sickness be sanctified to the purging of your Lordship’s soul, and be a means of drawing you nearer to God! Our glorious High-priest still continues to load me with his benefits. He dealt most tenderly with me on the road, and blesses me much here. I am now in my winter quarters, preparing for a fresh campaign. Happy they that fight under the Redeemer’s banner! That your Lordship may be always fighting the good fight of faith, and at length lay hold on eternal life, is the earnest prayer of, my Lord,