LAST night, after having sent away my packet in the morning, I received your wish’d-for letter dated in August. The others referred to in that, never came to hand. But I have since sent Mr. —— word, that my affairs should be continued in the present hands. I was never so well satisfied before; and I have great pleasure in thinking, how you will be pleased to hear that Providence hath put it into my power to pay off all arrears. Methinks I hear you say, Blessed be the Lord God of Bethesda! Let all my dear family say, Amen! I find the little ones begin to prattle already; but we must learn to do good for Christ’s sake. He will rectify all at the great day. O the happiness of a single eye! As affairs have so turned out for poor J——y, I am glad you are abroad; and you see how wonderfully God hath provided for your sister. Be not at all uneasy about your b——r: he will do better than ever. Blessed is the man that considers the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in time of trouble. I am glad the family is lessened.—I think there are some upon the list, almost ready to be put out. What think you of A—— W—— and G——? I wish you would write me your sentiments of the children. If the girls are not wanted in the house, I think the sooner they are put out the better. But I leave all to those in trust. I am more than satisfied, and send you ten thousand thousand thanks. Bethesda’s God will thank you before men and angels. My wife, I believe, hath written to you. I write this from my Bethel at Tottenham-Court, where I come for a little retreat. Twelve widows indeed are in their houses near me, and God is doing wonders at this end of the town. Help me to praise this wonder-working God, and doubt not of being always remembered by, dear Mrs. C——,
Your most affectionate, obliged friend, and ready servant in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER MCCXXII.
To Mr. D——.
London, December 5, 1758.
My dear Mr. D——,
NOTWITHSTANDING I wrote to you lately, another opportunity offers to send you a line. I send you repeated thanks for your steadiness and care in that house of mercy. With this also come the things you sent for, except Bishop Hall’s select works, which cannot be immediately procured. I should be glad if a little rice, indigo, &c. could be sent, that friends might see some of the Orphan house produce. Pray be as particular as you can in your account of every thing. To whom is T—— P—— bound out? I have sent to B—— W——’s father, about sending for him home. If some are not worthy, others will be. Blessed be God that the arrears will be paid off. You will see my letter to Mr. P——. The Lord direct me and all how to act! I hope my old assistants will continue in their places; and I pray earnestly, that Bethesda may yet take deeper root downwards, and bear yet abundantly more fruit upwards. Surely the God of the sea and the God of the dry land will open a door for my embarkation by and by. Hasten, O Lord, that wish’d-for time! The child lately sent over, is recommended by Mr. J—— C——. That we all may continually be recommended to the Father of Mercies, by his dear and all-prevailing Son Jesus Christ, is the earnest prayer of, dear Mr. D——,
Yours, &c. in Him,