Honoured Madam,
THE day after I wrote to your Ladyship my last letter, I preached three times, once at Kingswood, and twice at Bristol. In the evening I stood at Smith’s hall window and preached. It was a blessed day. The next morning our ascended Saviour gave me much of his presence, and I came on my way rejoicing. At Taunton I met with Mr. Pearsall, a Dissenting minister, a preacher of righteousness before I was born. At Wellington I lay at the house of one Mr. Darracott, a flaming successful preacher of the gospel, and who, I think, may justly be stiled (what Mr. Hieron was some years ago) the star in the West. He hath suffered much reproach; the common lot of all that are owned in the Lord’s vineyard: and in the space of three months, he hath lost three lovely children. Two of them died the Saturday evening before the sacrament was to be administred; but weeping did not hinder sowing. He preached the next day, and administered as usual. Our Lord strengthened him; and for his three natural, hath given him above thirty spiritual children: and he is in a likely way of having many more. He has ventured his little all for Christ; and last week a saint died who left him and his heirs two hundred pounds in land. Did ever any one trust in the Lord and was forsaken? At his place I began to take the field for this Spring. At a very short warning, a multitude of souls assembled, and the bread of life, that cometh down from heaven, was dispensed amongst them. The following evening I preached at Exeter, where there is a little flock, and last night and this morning I have preached here: I humbly hope to the comfort of many. This afternoon, God willing, I am to take the field again. What success I meet with here, and in Cornwall, your Ladyship shall know by another opportunity. I am now waiting for a letter from Mr. B——, which I hope will bring me the wish’d-for news of the confirmation of your Ladyship’s health. This is what I continually pray for from my inmost soul. I am sorry to inform your Ladyship (if it has not reached you before) that Mr. A—— of London is dead. I think he was one of the most lively, and like to have been the most successful Dissenting preacher in that great city: but our Lord orders all things well. The residue of the Spirit is in his hands. Blessed Redeemer, quicken my tardy pace, and make me also ready! Good Lady Ann I hope is now perfectly recovered. But why do I talk of a perfect recovery in this dying life? Then only shall we be perfectly recovered, when we awake in the morning of the resurrection after our Redeemer’s likeness; then, and not till then, will my poor soul be fully satisfied; then, and not till then, will your Ladyship fully know how much the temporal and eternal welfare of your Ladyship is desired and prayed for by, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most humble, dutiful, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
[♦] “DCCCXX” used for previous letter also.
LETTER DCCCXXI.
To the Rev. Mr. H——.
Plymouth, Feb. 25, 1750.
Reverend and dear Sir,