To Governor B——.
Ashby, Oct. 13, 1750.
Honoured Sir,
I Had the favour of your Excellency’s letter, and took the liberty of communicating it to good Lady H——n, who shines in the church of Christ on this side the water, as a star of the first magnitude. Her Ladyship will be very glad to open a correspondence with your Excellency; and seems to speak of New-Jersey College with great satisfaction. I rejoice to hear that it is in a prosperous situation. If Mr. P—— or Mr. B—— can be prevailed on to come over, I am persuaded liberal contributions will be raised both in England and Scotland. All was ready, if dear Mr. A—— had not been taken off by death; but even this our blessed Lord can and will over-rule for good. I think it forebodes good for America, that such a spirit is excited in so many provinces for promoting a learned and religious education. God only knows how much my heart is on that side the water. I should certainly have embarked about this time, did not my wife daily expect an hour of travail. I can only say, “It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth him good.” Blessed be his name, fresh doors for usefulness are opened every week. We had a blessed scene this Summer in Scotland, and ever since I have been ranging about, to see who will believe the gospel report. O that I may die in the field! I am now at my good Lady’s with three clergymen that love and preach Jesus Christ. Several souls have been awakened here. One of high birth was lately converted on her dying bed; and by that means I trust one or two more are put upon securing the one thing needful. On Monday I shall leave her Ladyship, to go for London, which is to be my Winter quarters. I shall long for Spring, that I may enter upon a fresh campaign. O that my soul may begin to spring indeed! spring for Him who was stretched upon the accursed tree to save my wretched soul. Blessed be his name, that your Excellency has got such a sweet retreat in the decline of life; where, free from noise and hurry, you and your consort may ripen for heaven, and consequently be more and more fitted for your last great change. That will now shortly come. Your Excellency is arrived to a good old age. You have by faith seen the Lord Christ. You have been instrumental in founding a christian college. Let death come when it will, with good old Simeon, you may say, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,” for my soul hath experienced thy great salvation! This I believe, honoured Sir, is all your desire. Our Lord will grant it to you. O that when you are near his throne, you may have a petition upon your heart for unworthy, ill-deserving, hell-deserving me! Your Excellency hath laid me under many obligations; let me entreat you by the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, to add to them by not ceasing to pray for me, that as I have had much forgiven me, I may, with Magdalen, love much; and being a brand plucked out of the burning, I may, in God’s own time and way, be translated to dwell with Jesus in his kingdom. As our Lord enables, the favour shall constantly be returned in behalf of you and yours, by, honoured Sir,
Your Excellency’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXIX.
To Baron Z——.
London, Nov. 9, 1750.