My very dear Friend,
I Thank you a thousand times for the trouble you have been at, in revising my poor compositions, which I am afraid you have not treated with a becoming severity. How many pardons shall I ask for mangling, and I fear murdering your dear Theron and Aspasia? You will see by Monday’s coach; which will bring a parcel directed for you, to the care of Doctor S——. It contains one of your dialogues, and two more of my sermons, which I do not like very well myself, and therefore shall not wonder if you dislike them. If you think they will do for the public, pray return them immediately, because the other two go to the press next Monday. I have nothing to comfort me but this, “that the Lord chooses the weak things of this world to confound the strong, and things that are not, to bring to nought the things that are.” I think to sell all four sermons for six-pence. I write for the poor, you for the polite and the noble; God will assuredly own and bless what you write.—As yet I have only had time to peruse one of your sweet dialogues; as fast as possible I shall read the rest. I am more than paid for my trouble by reading them. The Lord be with your dear heart! Continue to pray for me. The Lord be with us. Grace! Grace! I am, dearest Sir, in very great haste, but greater love,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCLXIV.
To the Reverend Mr. B——.
London, Jan. 31, 1753.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
YOUR kind letter came safe to hand, and according to your desire, I send you a little bell, as a small token of my unfeigned love to your dear congregation. I have written strongly to Professor Frank for some Negroes for you, and heartily pray the Lord of all Lords to put it into our power to serve that black generation. Their souls are equally precious in the eyes of an all gracious Redeemer, as ours. O that we may yet see some good come out of Georgia. I would take another trip over this spring, but am hindered by our building a new place of worship, and by the continual calls that are given me to preach the everlasting gospel.—Indeed we see most glorious days of the Son of man. The cup of God’s people is made to run over, and every day we hear of somebody or another brought under new awakenings, and pricked to the heart; notwithstanding this, I find a continual attraction to America. The event will prove wherefore all this happens to me. Lord help me to walk by faith and not by sight! My dear Sir, you and yours will not forget to pray for me. I am the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints—What shall I render unto the Lord? Write every opportunity. Dear Mr. Z—— will take care of your child. Cannot matters be made up between you and Mr. V——? Is it not a pity that any of us should fall out in our way to heaven? When we meet next, remember that a floor and blanket is all the lodging, and a chick or fowl, boiled or roasted, is all the food I desire at Ebenezer. What is a pilgrim life without a pilgrim heart? O that I was like my Lord! Then should I endure hardness, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.—The encouragement for raising silk will be continued. O that Georgia may prove a fruitful soil for raising children unto Abraham! We wait for thy salvation, O Lord. For the present, reverend Sir, adieu. My wife joins in sending cordial salutations to your whole self, to Mr. L—— and his wife, and all the dear people at Ebenezer. That you all may at all times have reason to say, “hitherto hath our Lord helped us,” is the earnest prayer of, reverend and very dear Sir,