G. W.
LETTER MCCLXXXVIII.
To Mr. S—— S——.
At Sea, July 15, 1763.
My very dear Friend,
I HOPE that this will find you and yours prospering both in soul and body. It leaves me looking towards Virginia but only as an harbour in my way to an infinitely better port, from whence I shall never put out to sea again. Through mercy I have been surprizingly kept up during the voyage, long but not tedious. Jesus hath made the ship a Bethel, and I enjoyed that quietness which I have in vain sought after for some years on shore. Not an oath to be heard even in the greatest hurry. All hath been harmony and love. But my breath is short, and I have little hopes, since my late relapse, of much further public usefulness. A few exertions, like the last struggles of a dying man, or glimmering flashes of a taper just burning out, is all that can be expected from me. But blessed be God, the taper will be lighted up again in heaven. The sun, when setting here, only sets to rise in another clime. Such is the death of all God’s saints. Why then should we be afraid? Why should we not rather by faith be looking through the windows of mortality, and daily crying, “Why are his chariot wheels so long in coming?” We had need of patience, especially when the evil days of sickness and declining age come. But we serve a Master who will not forsake his servants when grey headed. When heart and flesh fail, God, even our God in Christ, will be our portion and confidence for ever. Does my dear Mr. S—— repent that he served and worked for Him when young? Is dear Mrs. S—— sorrowful that he was the God of her youth? Or is Miss now thinking that she hath lately made a wrong choice? No, no: I will venture to answer for them all. Let us, therefore, love our Master, and not go from him. Who knows but our latter end may yet increase? If not in public usefulness, Lord Jesus, let it be in inward heart-holiness, that we may daily ripen for the full enjoyment of thyself in heaven! I know who says, Amen; I add Amen, and Amen! and so subscribe myself, with ten thousand thanks for all favours, my dear friends,
Yours, &c. &c. in our Jesus,
G. W.
August 24.