LETTER MCCXIV.
To Mr. S——.
Darlington, September 21, 1758.
My very dear Friend,
SURELY it is an age since I had the pleasure of writing to you last. I was then appointed by Providence to stay at Edinburgh the race week: since then, I have been at Glasgow, and returned to Edinburgh again. At both places my health grew better, and I was enabled to preach always twice, and sometimes thrice a day, to very large and affected auditories. The partings from both places were very cutting. In heaven all this will be over. In my way to Newcastle I preached twice; and thrice in and about that place. Yesterday I hope some gospel seed fell on good ground at Durham and Bishop-Aukland. I am now in my way to Yarm, and hope to be next Lord’s-day at Leeds. God only knows where will be my next remove: I fear not to glory. I am put out to sea again. If to take some fresh prizes, I shall rejoice. Lord, what am I! a worthless worm, the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints. And yet what wonders is God doing day by day! The fields are white ready unto harvest: nothing is wanting but labourers. Lord Jesus, thrust more out for thine infinite mercy’s sake! You have had victorious scenes at London. O that God’s goodness may lead us to a national repentance! Without this, I fear our rejoicing will only be like the crackling of a few thorns under a pot. However, God is a prayer-hearing God. Thousands and tens of thousands, I trust, are besieging the throne of grace. I am persuaded you are always busy this way. May you be a prince with God, and prevail more and more! I hope this will find your whole self, and only daughter, enjoying thriving souls in healthy bodies. That you may increase in every respect with all the increase of God, is the earnest prayer of, my very dear Sir, under innumerable obligations,
Yours, &c. in our glorious Emmanuel,
G. W.