I Am quite sorry that I missed seeing you, but glad and thankful that you condescended to write to me. I find you are resolved to outdo me in love; this I would prevent if possible. May the glorious Jesus shed abroad his love abundantly in your dear heart, by the Holy Ghost, and give you to increase with all the increase of God. He will bless you for vindicating the honour of his sacred volumes in your last pamphlet, for which, as well as for all other unmerited favours, I most heartily thank you. I have just now read it, and doubt not of its being greatly blessed and owned, and going through many editions. I cannot discern any errata or inaccuracies in the composition. Surely God hath raised my dear friend up, to let the polite world see how amiable are the doctrines of the gospel. Why will you weary the world, and your friends, by delaying to publish your other long wished-for performance? Glad shall I be to peruse any of the dialogues. The savour of the last is not of my mind. Pray let them see the light this Winter. They will delight and warm many a heart. O that we may have a warm season at the Tabernacle! My country circuit was exceedingly delightful. When the weather altered, my health was much affected; but a little rest hath already in some degree repaired it. You and I perhaps are not to see heaven as yet: I have waited for it long, but alas! my appointed time is not yet come. Thanks be to God, there is such a thing as having a heaven upon earth; Christ in us is the heaven of heavens. My dear, very dear friend, good night. I am called away. My love to the Doctor. O that he was wise! How glad should I have been to have seen dear Mr. H——! My kind respects await your mother and sister. My wife, who is quite an invalid, joins heartily with me, who am, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXL.
London, Nov. 21, 1752.
My dear Nat,
YOUR letters have all been brought safe to hand, and have given me no small satisfaction. I doubt not but the Lord, whom you seek, will in his own time come and visit the temple of your heart. Fear not, neither be dismayed. Be found in the way of duty; go on feeding his lambs, and you shall find, that the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls will bless and comfort you. I know not of a more profitable situation, that you could be in than at present. Next year, God willing, you will have a fellow-student. I have agreed with him, as I wrote you from Edinburgh, for three years at least. I am of your mind in respect to boarders. As affairs stand, I think the less the family is at present, the better. Nothing seems to be wanted but a good overseer, to instruct the negroes in sawing and planting. Let me know how Mr. M—— behaves, and whether the Lumber trade is begun. I have consented to Mr. E——’s going to Mr. Z——, and to Margaret’s leaving Bethesda. You will see what I have wrote to Mrs. W——. Pray make George and the children to write often. He should not have written to me, Honoured Master, but—Sir. I am glad to hear that some of the children promise well. Surely some good will in the end come out of that institution, I am only afraid of its growing too great one day or another, in a worldly way. O that I may be directed to such managers, that will act with a single eye to God’s glory, and his people’s good! I have great confidence in you. I am glad you live in peace. May the Prince of peace cause his grace and mercy to be multiplied upon you! I shall be glad to live to see you a preacher. It is a delightful employment, when done out of love to Jesus: that sweetens all. In about ten weeks I have travelled above a thousand miles, and was enabled to preach sometimes twice and thrice a day to many thousands. I trust a great blessing was left behind with the word preached. O that Georgia’s wilderness may blossom like a rose! It will, when God’s set time is come. Never mind a few evil reports. No one need be ashamed of Bethesda children. Blessed be God, they are taken care of, and the Lord will reward you. Ah my dear Nat, you are highly honoured. I hope you often bow down before the blessed Redeemer, and out of the fulness of your heart say, “Why me, Lord? why me?” Pray, pray, I beseech you continually, that you may be cloathed with humility. How many young men have I known ruined for the want of it! “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Pray that I may have an humble and thankful heart. I would vie with a seraph, if I could, in humility and thankfulness. Adieu. The Lord be with you! My wife sends her love; accept the same from, my dear Nat,
Your most assured friend for Christ’s sake,
G. W.