Very dear Sir,
HOW condescending is true Friendship! And how does love, founded upon the love of God, like its blessed Author, delight to stoop to its beloved object! Your kind letter, which I received last week from worthy Governor B——, is a proof of this. An affection, a reciprocal affection something like your own, would have constrained me to answer it sooner, but travelling and preaching (my old excuse) have prevented me. At length I am got into Maryland, and into a family, out of which, I trust, five have been born of God. Gladly would I spend this whole day in deep humiliation and prayer: for I am now forty years of age. Fy upon me, fy upon me. Alas! how little have I done for Jesus! O that my head was water! O that my eyes were fountains of tears! What mercies, what infinite mercies have I received! What poor returns have I made! Behold, I am vile! Am not I treating you like a friend, even like a Boston friend, my dear Sir? Yes, I am; and since you commanded me, I will. Your letter bespeaks you to be worthy of that sacred name, and to be acquainted with that which few, very few know any thing about; I mean the delicacies of true disinterested friendship. This is a secret that none but beloved disciples are let into. May you always remain in the number of these, and when you are leaning on that bosom, where all that is lovely centers, may you have a heart to remember one who is called to travel, whilst you are acting in another sphere for God! Blessed be his name, heaven is at the end of the journey. Happy Mrs. L——! she hath had a speedy translation. May my latter end be like hers! How ought such events to teach us to converse when together, that if we should be called before the next intended meeting, we might have no trifling conversation to reflect upon. To-morrow, God willing, I move again. Ere long my last remove will come; a remove into endless bliss, where with you and all the redeemed of the Lord, I trust you will see, very dear Sir,
Your most obliged, affectionate friend, and ready servant for Christ’s sake,
G. W.
LETTER MLXXI.
To Mr. R——.
Virginia, January 17, 1755.
I AM just now on the borders of North-Carolina, and after preaching to-morrow in a neighbouring church, I purpose to take my leave of Virginia. Had I not been detained so long at the northward, what a wide and effectual door might have been opened.—Here, as well as elsewhere, rich and poor flock to hear the everlasting gospel. Many have come forty or fifty miles, and a spirit of conviction and consolation seemed to go through all the assemblies. One Colonel R——, a person of distinction, opened one church for me, invited me to his house, and introduced me himself to the reading desk. As I was riding in his chariot, he informed me of his intention to see Boston next Summer. If my friends would be so good as to mention my name, and shew him some respect when he comes amongst you, it would add to my obligations. Blessed be God, I see a vast alteration for the better. O for more time, and if possible for more souls and bodies! Lord Jesus, twenty times ten thousand are too few for thee, and yet (O amazing love) thou art willing to accept of only two mites! These, I trust, you, my very dear Sir, have put into his sacred treasury. O that the trifling thing called honour, may never, so much as for a single moment, draw you from your God! I hope Colonel P—— stands to his colours. Then I live, if my dear friends stand fast in the Lord. My most cordial respects and tender love await them all. I doubt not of your improving Mrs. L——’s sudden dissolution; another call to be always ready. That this may be the happy lot of you and yours, is and shall be the earnest prayer of, very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our glorious Head,