LETTER MCCCXLI.
To the Reverend Mr. G——.
London, April 25, 1766.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
NOT want of love, but of leisure and better health, hath prevented your hearing from me more frequently. I find I cannot do as I have done. But, through infinite, free, and sovereign mercy, I am enabled to ascend my gospel throne three or four times a week, and a glorious influence attends the word. People have indeed a hearing ear, but we want more preachers. I know the continual cry of your heart is, “Lord, let thy kingdom come.” The prospect of a large and effectual door opening among the heathen, blessed be God, is very promising. Mr. Occum, the Indian preacher, is a settled humble christian. The good and great, with a multitude of a lower degree, heard him preach last week at Tottenham-Court chapel, and felt much of the power and presence of our common Lord. Mr. R——n hath preached, and collected a hundred pounds, and I believe seven or eight hundred pounds more are subscribed. The truly noble Lord D——h espouses the cause most heartily, and his Majesty is become a contributor. The King of kings and Lord of all lords will bless them for it. O what an honour to be permitted to do or suffer any thing for Jesus of Nazareth! Indeed and indeed, I want to begin to begin: for hitherto, alas! I have done nothing.
Whene’er you see a barren tree,
Then, O my friend, pray think of me.
Lord Jesus, make me willing to be made willing that thou shouldst dig and dung around me, that I may at length bring forth some fruit unto thee. However it may be with unprofitable, ill, and hell-deserving me, I trust your whole self and all my other dear G—— friends are so grown as to become tall cedars in the spiritual Lebanon. I pray for, though I cannot write to them. Hearty, special love attend my dear host, and his yoke-fellow. If possible they shall hear from me soon. I hope all is well at Cambuslang. Blessed be God, all will be well in heaven. Yet a little while and we shall enter into perfect rest. He that cometh will come, and will not tarry.
We soon shall hear th’ archangel’s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, Rejoice!