I Should have written to you long before now, but I waited for the arrival of Mr. Habersham’s ship, in which I expected letters of consequence. They are now come, and two of the chief I send enclosed in this, and shall omit saying any thing further, till I have the pleasure of seeing you, which I hope will be some time next week or the week after. Immediately after I left you, I have reason to think that the glorious Redeemer (O infinite condescension!) vouchsafed to make me instrumental in the conversion of Lady H——’s eldest daughter, who I hope is gone to rest. I am now at her Ladyship’s house with four other clergymen, who I believe love and preach Christ in sincerity: but Ashby people reject the kingdom of God against themselves. At Portsmouth, Chatham, Gloucestershire, Birmingham, Wednesbury, Eversham, Nottingham, &c. our infinite High-priest has given us pleasant seasons. I am now waiting every day for my wife’s being delivered of her present burden, and hope ere long to rejoice that a child is born into the world. O that it may be born again and made an heir of the Redeemer’s kingdom. This is all my desire. Honoured Sir, you see how freely I open myself unto you. I count it a great privilege that you allow me this liberty, and I earnestly pray our blessed Lord to reward you ten thousand fold. He has been pleased frequently to comfort and encourage my heart this circuit, and in the midst of all, lets me know he is my God. O that he may be my glory! O that I may be never left to dishonour him! Reverend Sir, for Jesus’s sake continue to pray for me, who, with grateful acknowledgments for all favours, beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Sir,
Your most obliged, affectionate, though unworthy younger brother, and fellow-labourer in the kingdom of Christ,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXV.
To the Countess D——.
Ashby, Oct. 11, 1750.
Honoured Madam,
IT would give me concern, was I to return to London, though from ever so short an excursion, without letting your Ladyship know that you are always remembered by me at the throne of grace. Upon such a throne the Redeemer sits, holding out his golden sceptre, and asking us, “What is your petition? And what is your request?” My request for your Ladyship is, that you may increase with all the increase of God. This I trust your Ladyship is daily doing, and consequently increasing in inward happiness, peace and joy. The riches of the divine life are indeed unsearchable. May your Ladyship dig for them as for hid treasure, till faith be turned into vision, and hope into the endless fruition of the ever blessed God! That time will shortly come. I have been labouring at Birmingham, in Gloucestershire, at Nottingham, &c. to awaken a sleepy world to a sense of it, and I trust not without success. On last Thursday I came here, and next Monday, God willing, shall set out for London. Good Lady H—— goes on acting the part of a mother in Israel, more and more. For a day or two she has had five clergymen under her roof, which makes her Ladyship look like a good Archbishop with his Chaplains around him. Her house is indeed a Bethel. To us in the ministry, it looks like a college. We have the Sacrament every morning, heavenly conversation all day, and preach at night. This is to live at Court, indeed. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing a little flock that seemed to be awakened by the grace of God; so that even out of ungrateful Ashby, I trust there will be raised up many children unto Abraham. Your Ladyship, and the other elect Ladies, are never forgotten by us. I would write to good Lady F——, but I hear she is out of town. That the choicest of divine blessings, even the sure mercies of David, may follow you both all the days of your lives, is the hearty prayer of, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant,