To Mr. T—— A——ms.
On board the Friendship, Captain Ball, September 5, 1769. Six in the Morning.
My very dear Tommy,
ALTHOUGH I could not write to you whilst ashore, yet I must drop you a few lines now I am come aboard. Just now we have taken up the anchor: and I trust my anchor is cast within the veil, where the ground will never give way, otherwise, how should I have stood the shock of parting, and put to sea at this time, or rather at this decline of life? But our God can, and our God does renew both bodily and spiritual strength. I have not been in better spirits for some years; and I am persuaded this voyage will be for the Redeemer’s glory, and the welfare of precious and immortal souls. I am assured I fare the better for the prayers of my dear very dear Gloucestershire friends. Our parting solemnities have been exceedingly awful; and I thank God for giving me the honour of taking my leave on Sunday afternoon at Gravesend market-place. O for this rambling way of preaching till I die! If Mrs. H——ker gets into harbour before me, she will be well off. Cordial respects await her, your wife, Mrs. R——ts, and all the friends of Zion. O England! England! God preserve thee from and divert every threatening storm! Follow, follow with your prayers, and assure yourselves of not being forgotten by, my very dear friends,
Less than the least of all,
G. W.
LETTER MCCCCXXIV.
To Mrs. H——ge.
On board the Friendship, September 6, 1769.