I WAS quite sorry that I could not take a parting dinner with you. Mr. Z——n begged me to come just at that time to converse with me about the suffering protestants, and in the evening I read letters. Blessed be God, I was not the worse for it. Since my coming here, my health hath improved. The last week I was enabled to preach five times. This morning I have been administering the ordinance; and this evening I hope to be upon my throne again. Our Lord vouchsafes to smile upon my feeble labours, and the people seem to feel a refreshing from his divine presence. Who knows but I may yet be restored so far as to sound the gospel trumpet for my God? The quietness I enjoy here, with daily riding out, seems to be one very proper means. Be this as it will, I know ere long I shall serve our Lord without weariness. A few more blows from friends, and from foes, and the pitcher will be broken. Then the wicked one will cease from troubling, and the weary traveller arrive at his wish’d-for rest. God grant you and yours very large refreshments in the way! Be pleased to accept of this as a token that you are not forgotten by, my very dear friend,
Yours, &c. under ten thousand obligations, and in the best bonds,
G. W.
LETTER MCCLXII.
To Mr. D——.
Bristol, April 29, 1762.
My very dear Mr. D——,
HOW have I been contriving to come over in one of the mast ships lately sailed for New-England? But the hour is not yet come. Hasten it, O glorious Emmanuel, for thy great name’s sake! Surely a sea voyage would help to brace up this relaxed tabernacle. Blessed be God, I am now enabled to preach four or five times a week; but it is with much weakness. I long to hear how it is with you in this Spanish war. Mr. Robinson I find was cast away, but hath escaped with his life. Just now I have seen a letter to Mrs. P——e from Mr. H——s, by which I find he is at Bethesda, and talks of returning to England. I hope the Spanish war will prevent this last motion, at least for some time. My love to him and all. Persevere in praying me over. I have just now heard, that there is a packet for me at London from Georgia. How could you draw on me for so large a sum as an hundred and forty-seven pounds? Lord, help me! Yesterday at Kingswood I saw the ship that is to bring this, ready to sail. I hope I am not too late; and if any letters come from any of you by this post (as I hear the Carolina ships are arrived), God willing, they shall be answered by, my very dear Mr. D——,
Yours, &c. in our common Lord,