YOUR obliging letter came to hand last night. As my influence I fear was but very small, it scarce called for such an acknowledgment. I trust, my views to serve my God and my King are disinterested; and therefore I shall always think it my duty to espouse their cause, who are firmly united in the bonds of friendship and social love, to defend the protestant interest, and the glorious privileges we enjoy under our dread and rightful sovereign King George. Such a union I take yours to be.—That you may therefore meet with success on earth, and by an infinitely superior union (I mean that of your souls with God) be prepared for a never-ceasing union with the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven, is and shall be the hearty prayer of, Gentlemen,
Your obliged humble servant,
G. W.
LETTER MCXXVI.
To the Reverend Mr. B——.
London, April 3, 1756.
My dear Friend,
NONE but he, whose name and nature is love, can tell what I felt at the receipt of your kind letter. O how did the welfare of dear never to be forgotten New England, lie upon my heart. How could I have wished for the wings of a dove to fly thither! The delightful interviews we have had together, when in the confidence of social prayer we have laid hold on God, came so fresh upon my mind, that I knew not what to do. O come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, that friendship begun on earth, may be consummated in the kingdom of heaven! He only knows, what awaits us here below, before we are called to live with him above. England is now equally threatened with America. Let this be our comfort, “the Lord reigneth.” Nothing can rob us of our Christ,—let us help each other by mutual prayer. Thousands here hold up their hands daily for you. I know you will gladly return the favour. You would be pleased to see how eagerly people attend the word. I think the awakening, and prospect of doing good in London, is as great as ever. Satan hath raged at a place called Long-Acre chapel, near the play-houses, but you know who hath promised to bruise him under our feet. Send me what good news you can from your side the water, and assure all the followers of the Lamb of God, that they are upon my poor heart night and day. How goes on your son Daniel? May he greatly be beloved! I could fill, yea more than fill a sheet, but with great difficulty I write this. Adieu, my dear friend, for the present. I shall never forget our last pleasant short journey. Surely our hearts burned within us, when we talked of Jesus in the way. I can no more.
Yours, &c.