LETTER DCCCVI.
To the Reverend Mr. H——.
London, Jan. 8, 1750.
My very dear Mr. H——,
YOUR letter must not any longer lie by unanswered. It is a pleasure to me to steal a few minutes to keep up a correspondence with one I so dearly love, and with whom I am persuaded I shall live in the regions of peace and joy, through the endless ages of eternity. This the glorious Emmanuel hath purchased for us, and of this, (for ever adored be his free grace) he hath given us an earnest! Supported with this, I am still enabled to pursue my delightful work of preaching to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of redeeming love. Thousands and thousands flock to hear, and we have had a blessed Christmas and new year’s season indeed. In the midst of all, I want more retirement. I want to read, meditate, and write. But I despair of getting much time for these things, till I get upon the mighty waters. In the mean while, I thank the Redeemer for letting my hands be full of work. These words lately have followed me, “Dwell in the land, be doing good, and verily thou shalt be fed.” These words embolden me to inform you of two that love Christ, and therefore I believe you love them, and I think they want assistance; G—— F—— and I—— H——. The former I think has about eleven children, and scarce a crown a week to maintain them; and the latter writes me word, “He is about a guinea behind hand.” I am doing what I can for them, and if you would send them a small token, or now and then let me have a little to give to the many christian objects that apply to me, I know not how your generous heart could lay out a little to more advantage. You know the pleasure of doing for Christ’s disciples. I labour to contract every expence, and to save all I can for the good of others. Ought I not to do so, to express my gratitude to him, who for my sake had not where to lay his head, and though he was rich, yet he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. Much, yea very much of his divine unction do I pray may be given to my dear Mr. H—— in his present plan. May the Lord make your pen the pen of a ready writer, and after death may your writings be blest to thousands yet unborn! I believe they will. O my dear friend, whilst I am writing the fire kindles. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ! Blessed be God for all the mercies he hath conferred upon us! O that this new year may be filled with good works, flowing from a principle of love and a new nature! That the Lord may bless and keep you, and fill you with all his divine fulness, is the continual earnest prayer of, my dear, dear old friend,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.