Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER MLXXXVIII.
To Lady H——.
London, July 11, 1755.
Ever-honoured Madam,
YESTERDAY about noon, after being worn down with travelling, and preaching twice and thrice a day in Gloucestershire, at Bath and Bristol, a gracious and never-failing Providence brought me to town, where I had the pleasure of receiving two kind, very kind and undeserved letters from your Ladyship’s hand. Had I the least leisure or strength, I should have written a letter of condolence to your Ladyship from Bristol. There I heard of the death of good Lady Ann, and was glad to find that Miss W—— bore the news of it with so much composure. Alas! how many have your Ladyship lived to see go before you! An earnest this, I hope, that you are to live to a good old age, and be more and more a mother in Israel. A short, but sweet character. God knows how long I am to drag this crazy load, my body, along. Blessed be his holy name, I have not one attachment to this inferior earth. I am sick of myself, sick of the world, sick of the church, and am panting daily after the full enjoyment of my God. John C—— is now added to the happy number of those who are called to see him as he is. I do not envy, but I want to follow after him. Give me patience, holy Jesus, to wait till my appointed time shall come. In the mean while, if it be thy holy will, improve me to promote, in some small degree, thy glory and the good of souls! Thanks be to his adorable majesty, the fields at Bristol and Kingswood were whiter, and more ready to harvest than for many years last past. Was the new Tabernacle at Bristol as large as that in London, it would be filled. Thrice last Sunday, and twice the Sunday before, I preached in the fields to many, many thousands. The youngest of the Miss W——’s, and little Miss H—— attended twice, and again by six on the Sunday morning. At Bath we had good seasons; good Lady G——, Mrs. B——, G——, Miss H——, &c. were very hearty, and God was with us of a truth. Mr. T——’s wife, of Cornwall, is dead, and my brother hath been very ill of a fever; but they tell me (and he doth himself) that the blessed Jesus hath visited his soul. If so, his journey hither will be a happy one. Lord, help me to pray, and not to faint! O for an humble, thankful heart! I am now looking up for direction what course to steer next. I suppose it will be northward. I wish your Ladyship’s plan may do; but I fear the parts about your Ladyship are too cold. O how unworthy of such a guest! Well, honoured, ever-honoured Madam, in the New-Jerusalem, your Ladyship will have company enough. There the Redeemer shall hold up before the mighty and the noble, and let them see what almighty, rich, and sovereign grace could do. Be pleased, my good Lady, to excuse the length of this. Gratitude always gives motion to my pen, when writing to your Ladyship. I am ashamed, that I have not so much as a pepper-corn to offer as an humble tribute. Jesus, the ever-loving, the altogether lovely Jesus must pay you all. I must away to preach the everlasting gospel. O how unworthy of such a divine employ! Pardon, honoured Madam, this poor, and too prolix scribble, and assure yourself, that neither your Ladyship nor family are ever forgotten by
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, unworthy, but ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.