Reverend and very dear Sir,
ENCLOSED you have some extracts, which perhaps may afford you comfort, and I trust will excite you to pray for one, who is indeed less than the least of all saints. Ever since I came from the North, it hath pleased a sovereign Lord to visit me with a violent cold and sore throat, which threatened an inflammatory quinsey. Such a thing, I hoped, would have soon carried me, where this cold heart should for ever be inflamed with seraphic love. But alas! I fear this wish’d-for time is not at hand. One physician prescribed a perpetual blister, but I have found perpetual preaching to be a better remedy. When this grand catholicon fails, it is over with me. You will pray, that (if I must put out to sea again) it may be to take some fresh prizes for my God. Every day brings us fresh news of newly awakened souls. Both at this and the other end of the town, (where I now preach at a chapel twice a week) there is a glorious stirring amongst the dry bones. My heart is pained for dear America; but I trust the Lord will fight their battles, and make them more than conquerors. Happy they who have fled to Jesus: he is a strong and sure refuge from every storm. I hope he hath appeared for his cause at Glasgow. May that dear people never be left without many teaching priests! I send my kind host and hostess, and all enquiring friends, most cordial respects, and beg you to accept the same from, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,
G. W.
LETTER MCXV.
To Lady H——n.
London, January 29, 1756.
Ever-honoured Madam,
YOUR Ladyship will see by the inclosed, how dangerous it is to give me liberty. I would not grow upon it, and yet I cannot discharge my conscience, unless I lay particular distressing applications before your Ladyship. I know the person mentioned in Mr. G——’s letter, and believe he belongs to the little flock of Jesus: the best recommendation that can be laid before your Ladyship. I doubt not but what your Ladyship hath done in behalf of the prisoner, will have good effect: I do not know how soon I may be called before my superiors myself. The sons of Tubal and Cain continue to serenade me at Long-Acre chapel. They have been called before a justice; and yesterday the Bishop of B—— sent for them, and enquired where I lived. My house is pretty public, and the Bishop of souls shall answer for me:—he does. One, who subscribes to hire men to make the noise, hath been pricked to the heart, and can have no rest till he speaks with me. Thus Jesus gets himself the victory.——One of the inclosed extracts comes from a person, that a few weeks ago was a confirmed deist: now, I trust, he is a little child. The Redeemer speaks, and it is done; he commands, and new creatures instantaneously arise before him. Your Ladyship enjoined me to be particular; I could be more so, but must send a few lines to the elect Ladies. That they may find both them and your Ladyship filled with all the fulness of God, is the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,