YOUR Ladyship’s kind letter found me just returned from Bristol, and just setting out for Maidstone and Chatham, where I have been to preach the gospel, and to visit a poor murderer. I hope that my poor feeble labours were not altogether in vain in the Lord. A divine influence accompanies the word preached here, and I am now preparing for my northern expedition. If your Ladyship removes not from Donnington soon, perhaps I may have the honour of waiting upon your Ladyship there. My motions must be very quick, because I would hasten to Scotland as fast as possible, to have more time at my return. Eternity! eternity! O how do I long for thee! But alas, how often must we be like pelicans in the wilderness, before we arrive there? Solitariness prepares for the social life, and the social life for solitariness again. Thus doth an all-wise Redeemer set one over against another. Jesus is the alone center of peace and comfort in either situation. Your Ladyship knows this by happy experience. Perhaps our consolations come sweetest, when immediately derived from the fountain head. Springs fail, the fountain never can nor will. That your Ladyship may every moment be refreshed with its living waters, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant,
G. W.
LETTER MCXLV.
To Mrs. C——.
Islington, July 27, 1756.
Dear Mrs. C——,
SINCE my last, which I believe is not yet gone, I have given an order to have Mr. R——’s children delivered to him or his mother, or whomsoever they shall appoint: and pray lessen the family as much as possible. I wish I had none in the house, but what were proper orphans. The plantation would then suffice for its support, and debts be paid: but we must buy our experience. Troubles seem to beset us here: but we are all secure in God, even in a God in Christ. His gospel flourishes in London. I am just returned from preaching it at Sheerness, Chatham, and in the camp. This afternoon or to-morrow I set off for Scotland. I can only add, that with continual prayers for your temporal and spiritual welfare, I am, dear Mrs. C——,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,