MAN appoints, but God disappoints. In hopes of seeing your Ladyship, I hastened to Bristol, but found your Ladyship had been in London whilst I was there. Sorry was I for the occasion of your Ladyship’s journey, and yet glad to hear that Master H—— was so well recovered. At Bristol the Redeemer caused us to triumph, and likewise in Gloucestershire, at Bradford, Frome, Warminster, and at Portsmouth, whither I have been these three weeks last past. I am now come up for about ten days to keep Pentecost; I trust it will be a Pentecost to many souls at Long-Acre. Blessed be God, a new building is now erecting at Tottenham-Court Road: Mr. J—— promises to assist me. We have consulted the Commons, about putting it under your Ladyship’s protection. This is the answer: “No nobleman can licence a chapel, or in any manner have one put in his dwelling house; that the chapel must be a private one, and not with doors to the street for any persons to resort to at pleasure, for then it becomes a public one; that a chapel cannot be built and used as such, without the consent of the parson of the parish, and when it is done with his consent, no minister can preach therein, without licence of the Bishop of the diocese.” There seems then to be but one way,—to licence it as our other houses are: and thanks be to Jesus for that liberty which we have. O that I could begin to work while it is day. My God! half the year gone, and so little, yea very little done for thee! I have need of being purged, that I may at length bring forth some fruit unto God. Glory be to his great name, he doth not say, “Let him alone.” Outward and inward trials frequently surround me; but, by the help of my God, I shall leap over every wall. I know your Ladyship will not forget to pray for me. My poor prayers are always offered up for your Ladyship and honoured family. That is the only pepper-corn of acknowledgment that can be made by, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MCXL.
To Mr. G——.
London, June 10, 1756.
My very dear Friend,
WHAT shall I say? Had I wings, how gladly would I fly to my dear America? But alas! the glittering sword is now unsheathed, and I fear it would not be proper for me to cross the water now. However, all the provinces are continually upon my heart: night and day do I remember them before God. Satan hath been angry with me for appearing for my Jesus, my King, and my country. If you examine the Gazette for the latter end of April, or beginning of May, you will see what it hath produced. My life hath been threatened, but we are immortal till our work is done. A new building is now erecting at the other end of the town, the top-stone of which, I trust, will be brought forth with shoutings, and we shall cry Grace! grace! People are rather more eager than ever to hear the word. I remark what you say about Georgia, and shall talk with Mr. D——. The good Lord Jesus direct you in every step! What if you went and lived at Bethesda, and took all my outward affairs upon your hands, and furnished the family with all it wanted. Glad should I be of such a steward, and of such a steward’s wife as I know dear Mrs. G—— would prove. Poor P—— hath served me as others before him have done. God keep us from that prosperity which destroyeth! In all time of our wealth, good Lord deliver us! Let me hear from you concerning Bethesda. Watch and pray. I send most cordial respects to you and yours, and all dear friends that are so kind to enquire after, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common Lord,