THE great though unmerited regard you have always been pleased to express for me, emboldens me now and then to drop you a line to inform you, that you are not forgotten by me before that God whose mercy endureth for ever. I trust, your latter end, like that of Job’s, will greatly increase, and that you will, as it is said of the righteous, “Bring forth much fruit in old age.” Your honoured husband (to whom be pleased to present my dutiful respects) I suppose is now with you. The Lord hath honoured you with many honours, and I hope, amidst all outward favours, does not withhold the comforting influences of his blessed spirit from your soul. I have reason to believe, you esteem this above all earthly things whatsoever. O, dear Madam! how mean and contemptible does every creature appear, when the soul gets a near view of a crucified Redeemer! How easy to bear pain, when one meditates on the agony and bloody sweat of an incarnate God! Here then, honoured madam, fix your eye. Look unto Jesus continually. He hath been the author, he will be the finisher of your faith. I find him to be a God that changeth not, a tender and compassionate High Priest. Thro’ his help, I continue to this day preaching amongst poor sinners the unsearchable riches of his dying love, I am as well in health as I can expect to be, and more and more determined to spend and be spent for the good of precious and immortal souls. Through grace, my labours are rendered very acceptable in various places. Be pleased, Madam, to remember me before the throne. I neither forget you nor the General.—I pray that God’s loving kindnesses and fatherly corrections may make you truly great, and beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,
Your affectionate, obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER DLXXXVIII.
To Mr. B——, Senior.
Dover, May 8, 1747.
Very dear Mr. B——,
I Think it is high time for me to send you a line of thanks, for the favours you have been pleased to shew me, while others were loading me with scorn and contempt. A weak body and continued employ in the service of the best of Masters, occasion my not writing so frequently to my dear friends, as love and gratitude would prompt me to do. You will accept this unfeigned apology, and still increase the obligations you have laid upon me, by continuing to remember me before the Lord. I have need, great need of the united prayers of my christian friends.—For Jesus hath of late so remarkably appeared for me, that I ought to lay myself out more and more in going about endeavouring to do good to precious and immortal souls. At present this is my settled resolution. The Redeemer seems to approve of it; for the fields in the Southern parts are white ready unto harvest, and many seem to have the hearing ear. All next October, God willing, I have devoted to poor North-Carolina. It is pleasant hunting in the woods after the lost sheep for whom the Redeemer hath shed his precious blood. May the Lord of the harvest spirit up more to go forth in his strength, to compel poor sinners to come in! I hope that you and my other Boston friends do go in and out, and find good pasture. I hear it is a Winter time with many. May God keep the fatal languor from extending to the circle of my intimate friends! For alas, what is a christian without a holy warmth? Will you remember me to all that you know, in the most tender manner? I beseech them by the mercies of God, to live near to Jesu’s cross, and whatever others may do, let them and theirs serve the Lord Christ. You will remember me in particular to Mr. F——, and his family, Mr. V—— and wife, your dear son, and your whole houshold, as being, dear Sir,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend and brother in Christ,