IT is late, and I am somewhat fatigued, but I cannot rest without finishing my week’s work in writing to your Ladyship. Blessed be God, I have still good news to send to your Ladyship. All was quiet at Manchester; and I humbly hope the Redeemer will gather to himself a people there. Kind Captain G—— and his lady will acquaint your Ladyship with particulars. I hope he will prove a good soldier of Jesus Christ. I advised him to send your Ladyship word of their coming to Ashby, that they might be directed the best road from Derby. We had sweet seasons at the places adjacent to Manchester. Only at [♦]Bolton a drunkard stood up to preach behind me, and a woman attempted twice to stab the person that was putting up a stand for me to preach on, in her husband’s field. However, the Lord got himself the victory. Since that, we have had very large and powerful meetings, where formerly were the most violent outrages. Perhaps within these three weeks, sixty-thousand souls or upwards have heard the gospel. I am now in Mr. J——’s circuit, and purpose being at Kendal next Thursday. I hope that there, or at Whitehaven, where I am to preach to-morrow se’nnight, I shall hear from Mr. B—— concerning your Ladyship’s welfare.—His letter I received to-night, and will answer it the first opportunity. Nature now calls for rest. I shall retire, praying that your Ladyship and honoured relations may be blessed with all spiritual blessings. I am a sink of sin and corruption; but Jesus comforts and supports me, and, I believe, will hear your Ladyship’s prayers in behalf of one, who, next to being a poor despised minister of the glorious Emmanuel, thinks it his highest honour to subscribe himself,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and very ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
[♦] “Balton” replaced with “Bolton”
June 17th, seven in the morning.
Honored Madam,
THIS last night Satan hath shewed his teeth. Some persons got into the barn and stable, and have cut my chaise, and one of the horse’s tails. What would men do, if they could? The Lord be with your spirit. Amen.
LETTER DCCCXLIV.
To the Rev. Mr. H——.