Reverend and very dear Sir,
IF yet in this dying world, be pleased to accept a few grateful lines, from one who highly esteems you for the sake of our common Lord. Thousands can witness how often I have prayed for you in public, and the great day will discover how earnestly your lingering case hath been mentioned in my poor addresses to our God in private. Surely, in a literal sense, reverend Sir, you are called to die daily. But I trust and believe, the more the outward man decayeth, you will be strengthened so much the more in the inward man. He that hath loved you, will love you to the end; he that hath honoured you to be so useful to church and state, will not leave you in the latter stages of your road. A radiant crown awaits you. God, the righteous judge, will give it you in that day. O gloriam! quantum & qualem! O that I could leap my seventy years. But I forget I am writing to a sick friend. Pardon me, dear Sir, it being only a pepper-corn of acknowledgment for all kind offices done in the behalf of, reverend and very dear Sir,
Your most obliged, affectionate, sympathizing friend, and ready servant in Jesus Christ,
G. W.
LETTER MCLXXXIX.
To Lady H——.
London, December 15, 1757.
Ever-honoured Madam,
I WISH your Ladyship joy of being for once so long alone: and why? because I am persuaded your Ladyship is never less alone, than at such seasons. Then the Father is in a particular manner with his dear children: and though they seem in themselves to be like pelicans in the wilderness, yet he is near at hand to hear their cry, and to bottle up every tear: he that seeth in secret, will ere long reward your Ladyship openly. O how are your Ladyship’s children indebted to you, for your more than maternal tenderness! What a comfort is it, ever-honoured Madam, that Jesus Christ is to come, and to be our judge! O that he would come quickly! Why does he delay? I was near port, and am now put out to sea again. O that it may be to pilot in some more dear souls! The work seems but to be beginning. At Tottenham-Court the word runs and is glorified. By new-year’s day I hope the debt will be discharged. Several have proposed building some alms-houses for godly widows, on each side the chapel. I have a plan for twelve. The whole expence will be four hundred pounds: we have got a prospect of two. I purpose allowing each widow half-a-crown a week. The sacrament money will more than do. The ground is most commodious, and near the high road. If effected, I think it must bring glory to God, and be a standing monument that we are not against good works. I only mention it to your Ladyship. May that God, whom I desire to serve in the gospel of his dear Son, direct and bless us in this and every thing we undertake for his glory. But I fear I am detaining your Ladyship too long. O that I could offer any thing adequate to your Ladyship’s repeated kindnesses to such a worthless worm! My poor prayers and unfeigned sympathy, is all the testimony I can give of my being, ever-honoured Madam,