My very dear Friend,
AT length the struggle is over;—I have been dying daily for some time, in taking leave of friends; and this afternoon I expect to go on board the Antelope, Captain Maclelan, bound for Georgia, with Germans.—I take several children with me.—Surely you will see the American land.—Mr. E——, with your other friends, seem to concur in thinking that a little travelling would do you service.—May the Lord direct and bless you! Will you not write to me by Cowan? If my dear friend Mr. P—— could speak to that brewer that is so well disposed, and he or any other would send in Cowan a little good beer, it would be acceptable in yonder wilderness.—Pray what says Mr. W——? If he should agree to go over, Mr. W—— R—— may be applied to for cash.—I have several sweet little ones to put under his care;—God’s will be done in this also! He reigneth, that is my unspeakable consolation.—By next ship I believe will come a parcel directed to Mr. T——, with a folio book, and an hundred pictures of Aaron the Indian preacher, from good Lady H——, who is yet but poorly.—Sixty may be disposed of among Edinburgh friends, and forty sent to Mr. M——. The book you are to peruse, and then it must go with the pictures to Glasgow.—Be pleased to apprize Mr. T—— of it, and desire him to send me a line by Cowan.—If possible, I will answer Mr. B—— before we leave the Downs. My tender love and thanks await your dear father, family, and all friends. The Lord be with you all, Amen and Amen! My horses sold for fourteen pounds. God reward my benefactors! Perhaps Mr. T—— and Dr. Doddridge may go off about the same time. I præ sequar. Mr. H—— is better. And now, my dear Sir, farewel! Be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. I commend you to his never-failing mercy, and, for his great name’s sake, subscribe myself,
Yours most affectionately,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCVI.
To the Reverend Mr. G——.
On board the Antelope, Sept. 2, 1751.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
THOUGH I could not, through hurry of business, write to you on shore, yet I would fain send you a few lines from on board. We are now near the Downs, and, I trust, shall sail comfortably on.—The Captain is civil; and the cabin passengers seem to be very agreeable company. Parting seasons of late have been to me dying seasons.—Surely they have broken my very heart: but it is for Jesus, and therefore all is well. Remember, my dear, dear Sir, a floating pilgrim.—If possible, send me a line.—Young Mr. T——r knows how to direct. I shall rejoice to hear of your prosperity. Before my embarkation, I ordered forty of Aaron’s pictures, and the folio book concerning the Moravians, to be sent to Mr. M——. They will be committed to the care of Mr. T——, in Edinburgh. And now, my dear Mr. G——, farewel, farewel! The Lord be with you and Mr. M——, Mr. N——, Mr. S——, and all my dear, very dear Glasgow friends. I salute you all much in the Lord, and beg the continuance of your most earnest prayers in behalf of, very dear Sir,