YESTERDAY about noon, a good and never-failing Redeemer brought me and mine in safety to town, where I expect to stay only a few days. Thanks be to God for this last circuit! I think this day three months I left London; since which time I have been enabled to travel about twelve hundred miles, and to preach about one hundred and eighty sermons to many, very many thousands of souls. More glorious seasons I never saw; parting has almost killed me. My last excursion hath been to York, Lincolnshire, Rotheram, Sheffield, Nottingham, Northampton, where I believe near ten thousand souls came to hear last Lord’s day. It was a Lord’s day indeed. Praise the Lord O my soul! I hope your Ladyship received Governor B——’s letter. I hear that your Ladyship hath honoured me with one, but find it is gone to Nottingham; I expect it to-morrow; but though somewhat fatigued, could not omit thanking your Ladyship to-night for this and all other favours. Innumerable are my obligations.—But the all-gracious and all-glorious Jesus must discharge them for me. My poor prayers, is the only pepper-corn I have got to offer by way of acknowledgment. O that I could do something to express my gratitude! By the help of my God, I will now begin to begin to love him. I am sure it is high time.—And in doing so, and studying to promote by my feeble letters his glory and the good of souls, I shall make the best return your Ladyship desires. I have some thoughts of seeing Ireland; the Lord direct my goings in his way! I must now wish your Ladyship a good night. My wife joins in sending most dutiful respects, with, ever-honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most dutiful, obliged, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCCXCIII.
To Mr. D——.
Northampton, October 7, 1753.
WHAT! have the birds of prey been pursuing, pecking at, and wounding one of Christ’s doves? Come, my dear man, play the man, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and be not like a silly dove that hath no heart. Look to him, and you shall be saved;
He will give strength, he will give power,
He will in time set free.