And now my thoughts turn toward England. As a proof of it, I have sent a box in the Friendship, Captain Ball, directed to you. The things in the box, for the most part, do belong to Mr. W——t, and all of them, if I die in my way to England. That will be a blessed voyage indeed! Brethren, pray for us, pray for us; and assure yourselves of being never forgotten by, my dear old friend,
Yours, theirs, &c. in everlasting bonds,
G. W.
LETTER MCCCXXVI.
To Mr. and Mrs. D——n.
Charles-Town, March 5, 1765.
My very dear dear Friends,
OFTEN have we thought, and talked of, and if it was lawful, wished ourselves at Bethesda again. No place like that for peace, and plenty of every kind. May this find you all enjoying God, and each others company, in a manner the world knows not of! It leaves me in my poor way, aiming to do a little for Him, who hath done and suffered so much for ill and hell-deserving me. People of all ranks fly to the gospel like doves to the windows. The word begins to fall with great weight, and all are importunate for my longer stay. But next week I expect to move. Captain M——r, though waited for near two months, is not yet arrived; Mr. S——n’s Lady comes with him, when you may expect a more particular letter. He sets off for Georgia immediately upon his Lady’s arrival. The negroes shirts, &c. are in hand. O that those Ethiopians may be made to stretch out their hearts unto God! I feel a great compassion for them. Letters from the northward, give sweet accounts of the spreading of the work of God; but I must not enlarge. So many various calls surround me, that I have scarce leisure to dispatch my private business. God bless you! God bless you all in soul and body, in time and eternity! The parting here hath been most affecting and awful. Several presume to prophesy, that I shall certainly and speedily see South Carolina, and my beloved, dearly beloved Bethesda again. I say heartily, Amen! What say you? I shall not wait for an answer. If the Lord Jesus say amen too, it will do. And now for the present, adieu. God bless you, and fill you all with all his fulness! Pray hard for us; pray, if possible, that the glorious Emmanuel would give me to see these parts once more. A blessed work, I trust, is begun. Grace, grace! Perhaps this is not a parting letter. You may hear from me more minutely by the Chief Justice; but who knows what a day may bring forth! A—— H——’s wife died suddenly, a few days before my return hither. Others taken, and I still left. Lord Jesus, quicken my tardy pace! On Friday next, God willing, I shall read prayers and preach in Ashby-Ferry church. Mr. Z——y hath preached well here. Dear, very dear friends, continue to pray for me. Indeed I pray for you night and day; and, God willing, this shall be the constant employ of, my very dear, very dear friends,
Ever yours, &c. &c. &c. in Jesus,