ON Saturday last I received your kind letter, but have not had an opportunity of answering it till now. I have been preaching the gospel amongst the poor knitters, whose simple manner of life pleased me much. I am glad you have sounded the silver trumpet in London; crescit eundo must be your motto, and mine. There is nothing like keeping the wheels oil’d by action. The more we do, the more we may do; every act strengthens the habit: and the best preparation for preaching on Sundays, is to preach every day in the week. I am glad you have peace at Ashby. What a fool is Satan always to overshoot his mark! I hope that Mr. G——, as well as Mr. S——, will hold on. They will be glorious monuments of free grace indeed. I am like-minded with you in respect to the Doctor’s comment; he is indeed a glorious writer. May the Lord Jesus strengthen him to finish the work! My dear Mr. B——, what blessed opportunities do you enjoy for meditation, study, and prayer! Now is your time to get rich in grace, to search into the depths of divine love, and the mystery of iniquity hid in your own heart. Such an example, and such advantages no one in England is favoured with but yourself. I do not envy you; but I pray the Redeemer, from my inmost soul, to sanctify your situation, and give you to increase with all the increase of God. I am called forth to battle; remember a poor cowardly soldier, and beg the Captain of our salvation, that I may have the honour to die fighting. I would have all my fears in my breast. Methinks I would not be wounded running away, or skulking into an hiding-place. It is not for ministers of Christ to flee or be afraid.—And yet alas!—Well—Nil desperandum Christo duce. For his great name’s sake, I subscribe myself, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCXLVI.
To the Countess of H——n.
Kendal, June 26, 1750.
Honoured Madam,
STILL (O amazing love!) the Lord of all lords vouchsafes to prosper the gospel plough. Such an entrance hath been made into Kendal, as could not have been expected. I preached twice to several thousands last week, and the people were so importunate, that I was prevailed on to return hither again last night. The congregation was greatly increased, and the power of the Lord was displayed in the midst of them. On Saturday evening, and on the Lord’s-day, I preached at Ulverston, a town about sixteen miles distant from this. There Satan made some small resistance; a clergyman, who looked more like a butcher than a minister, came with two others and charged a constable with me; but I never saw a poor creature sent off in such disgrace. Good I believe was done in the town. To the giver of every good gift be all the glory! Thus, honoured Madam, a poor pilgrim goes on. How I am to succeed at Whitehaven, your Ladyship shall know hereafter. God willing, I set forward after preaching this evening. I hear Mr. W—— has been much abused in Ireland, but that the Mayor of Cork hath quite overshot himself. I have some thoughts of seeing Ireland before my return. May the Lord direct my goings in his way! I am persuaded that this will find your Ladyship travelling apace towards Canaan, and increasing your reward daily. Great shall it be indeed in heaven.—I shall be extremely glad of the honour of a line when at Edinburgh. In the mean while, your Ladyship shall not fail, with your honoured sisters and family, of being prayed for, and hearing from, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and very chearful servant for Christ’s sake,