My very dear Mr. H——,
IT being wet and dark, we thought it prudent to stay here this night. I cannot employ part of the evening better than in writing to you, and blessed be our God, I can send you good news. Our gracious Lord was with me at Pitchcomb and Hampton. We have had a wonderful sweet association in Wales, with much of the Redeemer’s presence, especially when I began to speak about the law affair. The brethren were very generous, according to their circumstances, and one gentlewoman sent me five pounds. After mature deliberation, we determined to prosecute the affair to the utmost, and to set apart next Tuesday fortnight (the first day of the term) for a day of fasting and prayer, and to make collections for that purpose. The cause is the Lord’s, and much depends on our getting the victory. I believe we shall. I have had a favourable answer from Colonel S——, and also from Colonel Gar——. Hitherto the Lord prospers us. I am now going to London very happy, and in some measure thankful for the many blessings I have received. Help me, my dear friend, to cry Grace! grace! Inclosed you have some letters: be pleased to peruse and deliver them. I bless God that affairs have taken such a turn. I have been at Abergavenny, and am settled as to my dear wife’s coming down. Blessed be God, she and the little one are pretty well. I shall be glad to hear from you when I come to London. I hope our Lord blesses you, both in body and soul, and shews you the way wherein you should go. That you may be continually guided by his counsel, and after death conducted to his glory, is the hearty prayer of, dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DXLVI.
To the Same.
London, Jan. 18, 1744.
THIS afternoon I received your kind letter, and thank you a thousand times for your great generosity in lending me some furniture, having little of my own. I know who will repay you. Next week, God willing, my dear wife and little one will come to Gloucester, for I find it beyond my circumstances to maintain them here. I leave London, God willing, this day sev’nnight. Your affairs and concerns are mine. I shall lay them before our common Lord. My brother will receive a letter about my wife’s coming. She and the little one are brave and well. But why talk I of wife and little one? Let all be absorbed in the thoughts of the love, sufferings, free and full salvation of the infinitely great and glorious Emmanuel. Blessed, for ever blessed be his holy Name, for such happy beginnings of another year! How would it rejoice you to see the many thousands in this metropolis, like new-born babes, desiring to be fed with the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby. This, if I know any thing of my heart, is all my salvation, and all my desire. In respect to other things, at present I know this is, and I trust always will be the habitual language of my heart: O blessed God,
Thy gifts, if call’d for, I resign,