My very dear Friend,
NO letters by the packet, or another ship that hath brought in above five hundred from London! As I hear Captain Rainier is bound for Savannah, I hope at my return to Bethesda to find a letter there. Your last, dated November 2, was immediately answered. Mr. B——s will accept my most grateful acknowledgments for his kind present of maps, charts, &c. In a few months, I hope, all will be compleated. But what may these few months produce? Lord Jesus, prepare us for whatever thou hast prepared for us, and give peace in our time, for thine infinite mercy’s-sake! You must expect another draught soon. God be praised for that saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” You would be pleased to see with what attention people hear the word preached. I have been in Charles-Town near a fortnight, am to preach at a neighbouring country parish church next Sunday, and hope to see Georgia the week following. Perhaps I may sail from thence to the northward, and perhaps embark from hence. Lord Jesus, direct my goings in thy way! I am blessed with bodily health, and am enabled to go on my way rejoicing. Grace! grace! Join in shouting those blessed words. I wrote by one Captain Watt, who was to sail from Georgia this week. In that, you will find something concerning my late visit to, and public entertainment at Bethesda. You see how often I pester you with letters. I can only add, that you may tell all, I am happier than words can express: which I take, in a great measure, to be owing to the prayers of my dear English friends, which are daily put up for, and I hope daily returned by, an unworthy worm. Remember me most affectionately to all, and expect to hear again very speedily from, my very dear, dear friend,
Less than the least of all,
G. W.
LETTER MCCCCXLIX.
To Mr. B——n.
Charles-Town, February 27, 1770.
My dear Mr. B——n,
I OWE you an answer to your kind letter. Blessed be God, I can send you good news from a far country! All things at Bethesda go on quite well. My bodily health is upon the advance, and the word, I trust, runs and is glorified. At present, my intended plan about returning continues the same: but all depends on news from home. Strange! that none could write a line or two by so many ships. Only one letter have I received from Mr. K——n since my arrival. Next week, God willing, I return to Georgia, and soon after I purpose to go to the northward. I know who will follow me with their prayers: they will avail much. The Lord Jesus be with all your spirits! I suppose you heard from Bethesda by Captain Anderson. Mr. Wright is the main spring with regard to the buildings, and all the other wheels move orderly and well. Praise the Lord, O my soul! O this pilgrim way of life! To me it is life indeed. No nestling, no nestling, my dear Mr. B——n, on this side eternity. This is not our rest. Ere long we shall sing,