LETTER DCIII.
To ——.
New-York, June 29, 1747.
My very dear, dear Brother,
IT is with much pleasure I now sit down to answer your kind and welcome letters, dated April 11th and 13th. And to keep you no longer in suspence, I would inform you, that they have had such an effect upon me, that, God willing, I am determined to embark for England or Scotland early next Spring.—’Till Christmas I am already under indissoluble engagements, and am making a strong effort, in dependance on the great Head of the church, to get free from my outward embarrassments.—I thank my dear English friends for what they have done for me in this respect, and must beg you, my dear and faithful brother, still to do what you can further. The Lord Jesus seems to assure me that the time of my deliverance is at hand.—I hope before this year is out, to stock my new plantation in South-Carolina as a visible fund for the Orphan-house, and upon news of something more being done in England, (so that my poor heart may no more be oppressed as it has been for many years by outward difficulties,) my answer shall be, Lo! I come once more to see my dear, very dear friends on the other side of the mighty waters. ’Till then, I shall as it were count the hours, and long for them to glide away a-pace. My dear yoke-fellow now at Philadelphia is like-minded, being exceedingly desirous to see her dear friends once more. May Jesus grant it, if it be agreeable to his holy will! Indeed, I have lately thought I should never see you any more. For some weeks past, I have been exceedingly indisposed. God has been pleased to bring my body to the very brink of the grave by convulsions, gravel, a nervous cholic, and a violent fever. But as pain and afflictions abounded, consolations much more abounded, and my soul longed to take its flight to Jesus. For this week past I have not preached; but since my leaving Philadelphia, about three days ago, I seemed to have gathered strength, and hope once more, to-morrow, to proclaim amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. From hence I purpose to go to Boston, and return by land so as to reach Charles-Town by November.—Glad shall I be to receive an answer to this, about that time there.—For upon that in a great measure will depend my coming to you, or staying longer in these parts. Blessed be the Lord of all Lords, the door is yet open here, and I am exceedingly rejoiced to find it is kept so sweetly open at home. I can easily guess how my dear man has been tried. I find more and more that through much tribulation we must enter into glory, and by sufferings be prepared for farther usefulness here below.—O that patience may have its perfect work in our hearts. O that underneath thee may be the everlasting arms, and that by happy experience thou mayst daily prove the strength of Jesus to be thine. I intend, God willing, to write to brother J——, &c. I rejoice that brother E—— still continues in his place.—It is a token for good. You will return my most humble and dutiful respects to good Lady H—g—n, the Marquiss, and Mrs. E——n. If possible I will write to them.—I sent letters to the Marquiss, Lord L——n, and Lord R——a, about October last, but suppose they have miscarried.—I leave my affairs to you, and depend on you, under God, to transact them all.—The trouble is great, but Jesus will support and reward thee.—Near forty pounds yearly were subscribed in England to the Orphan-house, but I have not received I think above five.—I have rather more confidence in you, if possible, my very dear Man, than ever. May Jesus reward thee for all thy works of faith, and labours which have proceeded of love!—I wish you joy of your little one, and most heartily salute your dear wife, and all the lovers of the blessed Jesus every where. I wrote to you about a month ago in extreme weakness, and shall neglect no opportunity of sending to you.—I beseech you to continue to pray me over, and assure yourself none of you are forgotten by, my very dear Brother,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.