To Lady H——n.

Bristol, Jan. 28, 1749.

Honoured Madam,

I Think it is now high time for me to trouble your Ladyship with a few lines. They come to thank your Ladyship ten thousand times for all favours, and to inform you that our glorious Redeemer orders all things well. On Wednesday, through winds, rain and frost, I reached Gloucester, and preached there the same evening. The next day we held out association, and, thanks be to God, affairs turned out better than expectation. I came hither this evening, where I found my brother in the very temper I could wish, “seemingly quite fixed to leave the world for God.” He tells me of a Colonel, who heard me once in the Summer, that now wants to know if his sins are forgiven. My brother’s visit to town has been greatly blessed to him. Surely your Ladyship will never know, till the day of judgment, the great ends God had in view in calling your Ladyship to London. I rejoice in the prospect of seeing your Ladyship happy amidst a crowd of your spiritual children, who will come to you from time to time to be built up in their most holy faith. You will suffer many pangs for them; but all shall work for your Ladyship’s present and eternal good. I suffer much in my bodily health for preaching to the nobility; but, thanks be to God, that some seem to have an hearing ear, and an understanding heart. My warmest prayers are continually ascending to the throne of grace for your Ladyship, and for all those who have heard the word, especially those honourable women that used to join with your Ladyship in receiving the sacred symbols of the Redeemer’s blessed body and blood. My cry to our Lord in their behalf is this,

Take their poor hearts, and let them be

For ever clos’d to all but thee.

I forgot to tell your Ladyship, that the Welch justices have ordered the twenty pounds, exacted of the Methodists by Sir W——, to be returned. I can add up more, but my most grateful acknowledgments for all kindnesses, and subscribe myself, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship’s most dutiful and willing servant for Christ’s sake,

G. W.