THIS morning I had the wished-for favour and honour of your Ladyship’s [♦]letter. O that it had acquainted me of your Ladyship’s better health! But our Lord knows what is best. May patience have its perfect work, and your Ladyship come out of the furnace like gold tried seven times in the fire! Every day I can sympathise with your Ladyship. As the weather grows warmer, my body grows weaker, and my vomitings follow me continually. But all is little enough to keep me down, and prepare me for the service in which I am engaged. My last from Dublin, acquainted your Ladyship of my being owned of God there. By a letter from Mr. L——, I am informed, that Dublin is in a ferment, and that my hearers will be much more numerous at my return. Oh the blessedness of leaving all for Jesus! For this week past, I have been preaching twice almost every day in some country towns, and yesterday I sounded the gospel trumpet here. Every where, there seems to be a stirring among the dry bones, and the trembling lamps of God’s people have been supplied with fresh oil. I find, through the many offences that have lately been given, matters were brought to a low ebb. But the cry now is, “Methodism is revived again.”—Thanks be to God, that I have an opportunity of shewing my disinterestedness, and that I preach not for a party of my own, but for the common interest of my blessed master. May he keep me thus minded, and then I am sure all will go well at last. Your Ladyship would smile, to see how the wise have been catched in their own craftiness. O that this good news from a far country may prove a cordial to your Ladyship’s soul! I pity your solitary state. I pity the deadness of all around you; but your Ladyship knows, whose brethren did not believe on him; it was even that God-man, who spoke a parable for this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint. Happy trials, that drive us to our knees. Ever-honoured Madam, I could enlarge, but must not. Your Ladyship shall hear, God willing, how the glorious Emmanuel deals with me in Ireland. In the mean while, with the warmest sense of your Ladyship’s unmerited favours, I subscribe myself, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
[♦] “lettter” replaced with “letter”
LETTER DCCCXCIV.
To Mr. Z——.
Limerick, June 14, 1751.
Honoured Sir,
MY last was written on board the Crawford, and sent immediately upon my arrival at Dublin. Blessed be God, the word ran and was glorified there. I preached above fourteen times, and every day great multitudes attended. A friend, since my departure, writes me, that the city was in a ferment. For about a week I have been preaching twice a day in several country towns and villages. At Athlone I preached four times, and last night was gladly received here at Limerick. Every where our Lord hath vouchsafed us his blessed presence. That supports me under the heat of the weather, the weakness of my body, and the various trials which exercise my mind. I am now earnestly asking counsel from above. A wide door is open in Dublin; but after I have visited Cork, I believe I must cut short my circuit, lest I should have a winter’s voyage. I should have been heartily glad to have heard from or seen you, but I trust, honoured Sir, you will have a heart given you to pray for me, and then, one way or another, my way will be made plain before me. Hitherto (thanks be to his free grace) my master supports and comforts me. He administers seed to the sower, and as far as I can hear, blesses it when sown. O that his mercies humbled me! O that I may never provoke him to leave me, or lay me aside! Some dreadful offences have been given in Ireland, but I trust all will work for good. My coming was very opportune and providential. May I learn to follow the Lamb blindfold, whithersoever he shall be pleased to lead me! Be pleased to remember me at his throne, and as he enables, you shall hear, from time to time, how he vouchsafes to deal with, honoured Sir,