To Mr. S——.
New-York, July 27, 1754.
My very dear and steady Friend,
HERE will I set up my Ebenezer—for hitherto the Lord hath helped me. Through his divine goodness, I left Georgia and Bethesda in growing circumstances, and am come once more to pay a short visit to the northward. O that the Redeemer may make it a sweet one! Some time next month, perhaps I may have the pleasure of seeing you and yours, and my other dear Boston friends. As I am entirely unprovided with travelling furniture, I have thoughts of coming as far as Rhode-island by water. God willing, you shall have timely notice, or it may be, I may come upon you unawares. Strange! that I should be in this dying world till now. What changes have I seen! What changes must I expect to see before my final departure, if the Redeemer is pleased to lengthen out this span of life. Welcome, welcome, my Lord and my God, whatever cup thou shalt see meet to put into my hands! Only sweeten it with thy love, and then, though bitter in itself, it cannot but be salutary. Alas! how little do we know of ourselves, till we are tried, and how hard doth the old man die! Well! blessed be God, die he shall. Jesus hath given him his deadly blow, and at the best he only lives a dying life. Thanks be to God for such a Saviour! O for a thousand tongues to shew forth his praise! Lord Jesus, cloath me with humility, that I may every day know more and more the honour conferred upon me in being made a poor pilgrim for thee! Keep me travelling, keep me working, or at least beginning to begin to work for thee till I die! But whither am I going? Excuse me, my dear Sir.—I am writing to a beloved Gaius. God bless you and yours.—My most cordial respects await all enquiring friends.—Methinks they are dearer than ever to, my very dear Sir,
Yours, &c. in our glorious Head,
G. W.
LETTER MLI.
To Mr. P——.
New-York, July 28, 1754.