Chapter CXC: Letter DCLXXXVI: To Mr. S――――

_Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748._

_My very Dear Sir_,

I Have been in pain because your kind letter has lain by me so long unanswered.――Nothing but a variety of other necessary business has been the cause. My hands are full, and I trust the pleasure of the LORD will prosper in them. Very great multitudes have flocked to hear; and in _Glasgow_ the prospect of doing good is rather more promising than in _Edinburgh_. In a fortnight I purpose, GOD willing, to leave _Scotland_, and to preach at _Oundle_ in my way to _London_. Glad shall I be to see two such friends as you and Mr. _H――――_, though incog. I will endeavour to send you timely notice. I would have neither of you expose yourselves to needless contempt upon my account. I think I can say, that I am willing to be forgotten even by my friends, if JESUS CHRIST may thereby be exalted. But then, I would not have my friends act an inconsistent part towards that friend of all, that friend of sinners, the glorious _Emmanuel_. You know, my dear Sir, what an inspired apostle hath asserted: “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Whilst you are afraid of men, you will expose yourself to a thousand inconveniences. Your polite company, (unless you converse with them more as their physician, than as their companion) will prevail on you to such compliances, as will make you smart when you retire into your closet, and reflect on the part you have acted. Before I shook off the world, often have I come out of company, shorn of all my strength, like poor _Sampson_ when he had lost his locks! But this is a tender point. Go on, dear Sir, and prove the strength of JESUS to be yours. Continue instant in prayer, and you shall see and feel infinitely greater things than you have seen or felt yet. I am of your opinion, that there is seed sown in _England_, which will in time grow up into a great tree. GOD’s giving some of the mighty and noble a hearing ear, forebodes future good. I do not despair, if I live, of seeing you a proclaimer of the unsearchable riches of JESUS CHRIST. GOD be praised, that Mr. _H――――_ is so bold an advocate for his blessed LORD. I send him my most affectionate respects, and entreat him to remember me in his prayers. I wrote to Mr. _H――――_ lately. I herewith send you an extract of a letter I wrote on ship-board to my dear invaluable friend Mr. _S――――_, of _South-Carolina_. If it was judged proper, I would put it in the preface of a new edition of my Journals. I would not have any of my mistakes remain uncensured, uncorrected. I thank you for your hint about my way of preaching. I shall take care to observe it. And now, dear Sir, for the present, adieu. I am afraid I have tired you. I shall be fond of seeing you at _London_. Rejoicing in the prospect of seeing you in the kingdom of heaven, I subscribe myself, very dear Sir,

Yours most affectionately in CHRIST JESUS,
_G. W._

LETTER [♦DCLXXXVI.]

_To Mr. K――――._

_Glasgow, Sept. 28, 1748._

_Dear Sir_,

WHEN I was the other day at _Edinburgh_, your aged father communicated a letter to me, which gave an account of your being translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of GOD’s dear Son. As the news rejoiced the hearts of angels in heaven, no wonder that it gives satisfaction to those who desire to follow the blessed JESUS here on earth. Hoping that I am one of those, and being willing to promote his glorious gospel in every part of the world, I write you this letter at a venture, to wish you joy of your happy change, and to exhort you with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the LORD. The more you know of Wisdom’s ways, the more you will find them to be ways of pleasantness. The more you know of the blessed JESUS, the more you will find that his yoke is easy, and his burden exceeding light. Go on then, dear Sir: be strong in the grace that is in CHRIST JESUS, and learn to endure hardness like a good soldier. Who knows what the LORD may do by you in the dark parts where you are? Much good has been done among the soldiers in _Flanders_. What GOD has done for your soul, I trust is only an earnest of what he intends to do for others in _St. Helena_. I salute your companion very heartily. I wish you both much prosperity in the LORD. You shall have the prayers of as many as I can engage for you. Remember our LORD’s promise. Where there are only two or three gathered together in his name, there is he in the midst of them. Though you have not public ordinances, yet if the GOD of ordinances be with you, there will be no room for complaint. If I can any way be instrumental of promoting the blessed work begun among you, you may readily command, dear Sir,

Your most affectionate friend and willing servant for
CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._

♦ Number “DCLXXXVI.” was also used for the previous letter.