My very dear Friend,
YESTERDAY as I was riding along, I felt a love for you, which only friends experience, and was determined to write to you immediately. In the evening my faithful Gaius Mr. S—— brought your kind letter, which I now take the first opportunity of answering. But what shall I say? What you have heard is more than true. A more effectual door I never saw opened, than lately at Boston, and indeed in every place where I have been in New-England; not a hundredth part can well be told you. With great difficulty I am got to this place, where people, as I am informed, are athirst to hear the word of God. I shall therefore stay, God willing, till Monday, and then set forward to Connecticut in my way to New-York, which I hope to reach in about a fortnight. O that you may see me grown in grace, and humbled under a sense of those amazing mercies which I have received during this expedition! It seems to me to be the most important one I was ever employed in. Much, yea very much have I to tell you when we meet. I wish for the season, and entreat you in the mean while not to forget me at his throne, who alone can uphold me with his right hand. O what a friend is Jesus! A friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is indeed the pilgrim’s stay and staff; few choose to try him in such a station. This be my happy lot! I write this at Mr. C——’s who hath lately buried his wife. What a changing world! Thanks be to God for an unchangeable Christ! To his most tender and never-failing mercy, do I most earnestly commend both you and yours, and hoping ere long to see you, and rejoice together in our common Lord, I subscribe myself, very dear Mr. S——,
Yours, &c.
G. W.
LETTER MLXVIII.
To the Reverend Mr. G——.
Rhode-Island, November 25, 1754.
Reverend and very dear Sir,
IS it true that your father-in-law and your dear yoke-fellow are dead? I sympathize with you from my inmost soul. At the same time as I rejoice on their account, who are happily arrived,