This, I trust, will teach me more and more to be disinterested in what I do for Christ and souls, and then never fear; even ravens shall be sent to feed and nourish upright Elijahs. But above all, am I humbled and comforted at the good news from Leeds, and York. And will the high and lofty one then continue to delight to honour such a wretch as I am? Then, through the divine strength, let me now begin to preach more than ever. Yesterday I was enabled to preach five times, and I suppose the last time to near twenty thousand, and almost to as many in the morning. People flock and are more fond than ever to hear; at Edinburgh also, I preached twice every day to many thousands; among whom are many of the noble and polite.—Attention sits upon the faces of all, and friends come round me like so many bees, to importune for one week longer stay in Scotland. But I think I am fixed. God willing, on Thursday I return to Edinburgh, and the Tuesday following shall set out for Berwick, &c. Haste, time! Fly, fly on (so that I can but keep pace by filling thee up with duty) and bring me to see the face of God in heaven. I hope to write again soon; then you will know my rout. O that Jesus may direct my goings in his way! He will, he will. He will never leave nor forsake those that put their trust in him; and he knows, that as far as I know my heart, I think his work the very best wages that can be given to,

Yours, &c.

G. W.

LETTER DCCCCLXXXVII.

To Mr. G——, at Glasgow.

Newcastle, August 12, 1753.

My very dear Sir,

I WOULD have answered your kind letter before I left Edinburgh, but I had not a moment’s leisure. With great difficulty I got away, after a heart-breaking parting on Tuesday about noon. On Wednesday evening, and the Thursday morning, I preached at Berwick, and on Thursday evening at Alnwick, in the street. It being the time of the races, I discoursed on these words, “So run that ye may obtain.” Whilst I was discoursing, the gentlemen came down from the race, and surrounded the congregation, and heard very attentively. The next morning at five I preached again, and about noon at a place called Placy, and in the evening about nine at Newcastle, where a great number expected me. My text was “At midnight a cry was made, behold the bridegroom cometh.” The next morning I received the following note, “Dearly beloved in the Lord, I write to you good news. Your labour was not in vain last night, for my wife answered to the midnight cry, and received Christ into her soul.” O that we may all praise the Three in One! Last night I prepared for, and this morning I opened the gospel fair from these words, “Ho! every one that thirsteth.” Much of the divine presence was in the congregation, and I believe many tasted of Christ’s wine. I am to preach three times almost every day this week. This promise supports me. “As thy day is, so shall thy strength be.” By the inclosed, you will see the devil owes me a grudge for what was done at Glasgow. Would it not be proper to insert a paragraph to contradict it? Thousands and thousands come to hear notwithstanding. Lord, what am I? A poor hell-deserving creature; and yet the Lord makes use of such to thresh the mountains with. May the Lord help me so to do, and then let him deal with me as seemeth good in his sight. Please to remember us in the kindest manner to dear Mr. M——n, our kind host and hostess, and all friends. I shall not forget you and yours, or your undertaking. The Lord prosper this, and every other work of your hands upon you! My lot is to be a pilgrim, a run-about for Christ. Commend me to Him who gives strength to the weak, and for whose sake I am,

Yours most affectionately,