AND could my very dear Mr. H—— think, that when he was out of sight he was out of mind? No, my dear friend, I believe it will never be so with you and me. By this time, I hope Mr. D——’s letter from Bermudas, or the letters sent you from thence by way of Philadelphia, will inform you, that I wrote several parting letters to you and many other friends, and sent you bills of exchange to the amount of eighty pounds sterling; but, with my letter, books, and several other things, I find they are taken. Of this Mr. D—— writes me lately. As there is now peace, and a commerce opened with Spain, I hope the new settlers will be disturbed no more. Courage, my dear man, courage. Surely we shall yet live to see the salvation of God in Georgia. I am glad Mr. Fairweather hath been at Bethesda. Whatever has happened, do your best for me in respect to my family. Next year you may see me again. But more of this hereafter. The Lord is exceeding good to me. Great things are doing in England; and the Lord is blessing me more and more in Scotland. This morning, I hear a gentlewoman has left me an hundred pounds. If so, fifty shall be paid for you on the Orphan-house account, to Mr. N——, and as much more as I can spare, as soon as possible.—I have paid Mr. J—— thirty pounds sterling. But what does my wife tell me in her letter received this day, about your losing some favourite creature? Is it your wife, or your little daughter? Well, my dear friend, you and I must be made perfect through sufferings; you and I must learn to walk by faith. May the Father of Mercies comfort your heart, and abundantly supply the want of every creature, by communications from his own eternal Self. O pray write to me. Let me bear part of your sorrows, and thereby shew myself your friend. If my wife is embarked ere this arrives, I beg you would open all parcels that are sent to your care, and act as usual for my family. My tender love to all. You will not cease praying, dear Mr. H——, for
Ever yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCLXXXIII.
To Mr. S——.
Edinburgh, Sept. 23, 1748.
My dear Brother S——,
HOW good is God! Well may you say, that he never fails those that put their trust in him. How does he make my extremity his opportunity to help and relieve me. If the news about the legacy be true, I hope it will increase my faith, and make me more willing to be upon the stretch for Him, who was stretched upon the accursed tree for me. I thank you for sending my letters. My wife proposes to embark for England in October. The climate will not agree with her. The physicians advise her to come over, and she entreats all friends to pray for her safe passage to England. Affairs here have now a comfortable aspect. I think more people than ever come to hear, and their hearts begin to be warm. Continue to write. My love to all. The not sending the late published account of the Orphan-house, has been of disservice to me. When will the children of light be as wise in their generation as the children of the world? I can now no more, but am, my dear Sir,
Ever yours,