THOUGH absent in body, I am present with you in spirit. Not want of love, but of leisure, prevented my holding a conference with you before my embarkation. My hands and heart were full. Ere long, we shall go no more out. In the mean while, may you all be pillars in the house of our God! You are engaged in a good cause, and in a branch of the Redeemer’s work, which hath, and I am persuaded will prosper more and more. What a mercy, that fresh instruments are raised up, to preach to poor sinners the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. I hope that the sound of his blessed feet hath been heard behind young Mr. D——; he seems to come out in the first, old, itinerant methodistical way. No way like this. Light and life must go together. Principles and power, principles and power conjointly, alone can satisfy my dear tabernacle hearers souls. Though dying, I should live, when I find that they and you stand fast in the Lord, and go on, and are terrible like an army with banners. This be your happy lot! Whatever becomes of ill and hell-deserving me, may you increase with all the increase of God! Most cordial love awaits Mr. C——, Mr. B——, Mr. D——, Mr. I——, or as many of them as are in town. May all be helped, to give one and the same mighty gospel all-powerful blast, till Jericho’s towering walls fall down before them. Outward troubles, I am persuaded, await us. But in Jesus we shall have peace. To his never-failing mercy I commend you and yours, and all your near and dear connections. Brethren, pray for us; I know you do. The Redeemer, in answer to your prayers, deals bountifully with us. I am comforted on every side. Never less alone, than when alone with my God. My anchor is cast within the veil. Though detained in the Downs, I hope we are sailing towards our eternal haven. Still help us forwards, and pray us back. Once more, God bless you all! God bless the dear tabernacle society, bands and classes, and all that come to hear a preached gospel under that despised yet highly honoured roof. I am sure you will add, and God bless him, who from his inmost soul subscribes himself,
Less than the least of all,
G. W.
LETTER MCCCCXXXVIII.
To Mr. J——s.
On board the Friendship, in the Downs, September 19, 1769.
My very dear Captain,
I WRITE a few lines at a venture, uncertain whether you are in town or not. You see where they leave me; at our first baiting place. Had not our Captain loitered at London last Lord’s-day, we might have been out of the channel. But then perhaps I might have lost the sale of some gospel goods at Gravesend market-place. I hope you, and all my dear fellow labourers, will meet with thousands of moneyless customers, who will come down to the price. Blessed news for bankrupts!
Surely, O Christ, thy grace is free,